Pouraka
Format:Kindle Edition
Nihil novi sub
sole – There is nothing new under the sun. This Maxim from Ecclesiastes
could certainly be said to hold true within the realm of mer-fiction as
it is a ground which has been plowed many, many times. Plots involving
vast undersea cities, sub-aquatic strife, sea-witches, battles with
monsters and/or humans, unrequited love, and of course, the perennial
favourite of a teen-aged girl/boy suddenly discovering that they are in
actuality, a mermaid/merman. This is not to say that such stories
boasting these plot-lines – or variants thereof – are dull-making or not
worth reading. Indeed, they can be fun, exciting, thrilling, endearing,
and a veritable fin-fest. Every once in a while, however, the devoted
connoisseur of mer-fiction yearns for something new, something
different.
All is not lost. Of late, there have been two mer-novels that have covered fresh territory and have proven to be quite enthralling. The first, Flippin’ The Scales by Pete Tarsi, has already been discussed by this reviewer. The second entry, Pouraka by Dianne Lynn Gardner, is the subject of this review and is undoubtedly a quite noteworthy book.
We poor, landlocked humans are inclined to think of mermaids – and mermen, of course – as living a wild and free existence in the oceans of the world, having the occasional dolphin sidekick with whom they pass the time of day and are happy and joyous 24 x 7. The world which Dianne Garner has created for this story is far different than the one of our imaginations. It is a world where merfolk are a hunted species under constant encroachment by humans, tourists, and oil rigs. The ocean waters that border the land are rapidly becoming an inhospitable place to abide, evocative of the book of Amos, 7:17. “ . . . your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be divided by line; and you shall die in a polluted land . . . “ Their dire situation invites the reader to apologise for being human.
Tas is a merman who can no longer remain silent or idly by while his clan slowly dwindles. They continue to be hunted by humans and first his beloved mother fell victim and now his older brother has been wounded by their harpoons. To spend another season where they presently are risks extinction for the entire group. His idea is to take the members of his clan – including the aged and the wounded - North where the hope of a better life – or even simply life itself - beckons.
Conditions are somewhat different for merfolk to the North where Barnacle Bay lies. The merfolk have, overall, a better life and their home cavern – called in the mer tongue, Pouraka – has long provided a comfortable home and although pollution has impacted their food supply to a certain degree, they are much better off than those who live to the South. One of their advantages is that they and their home are protected by the humans who reside in the town beside the bay.
Cora is one of Pouraka’s denizens and she is rather fond of the humans who live on the shores of barnacle bay. Though the magic of Pouraka’s waters, which are jealously guarded by the merfolk, Cora is able to leave the sea behind and walk amongst her shore-bound neighbours, not the least of whom is her best friend, Beth. While Cora is always quick to defend her human friends and protest that not everyone who walks on two legs is a threat to mer-kind, she is nonetheless somewhat naïve as to how the world above the water’s surface works.
Despite the initial impulse of some merfolk to turn away the refugees from the South, they are given shelter and in time, absorbed into the Pouraka colony. It is through this gift of sanctuary that Cora meets Tas and he soon begins to play an increasingly important role in Cora’s emotional life. Sadly, whatever respite the southern merfolk might have gained by seeing refuge in Pouraka is short lived. The northward progression of oil hungry humans continues bringing with it arrogance, death, greed and plunder. The merfolk may be able to run but they cannot hide and a time is fast approaching when hard choices will need to be made.
Dianne Lynn Gardner has woven a thoughtful and provocative story for young adults that is as much about the choices in life which we all must face as it is about scales, tails and survival below the surface. Through the eyes of the mermaid, Cora, readers will learn that life and the world in which we live is not always as simple as we would like to believe. There are two romances in MS Gardner’s story and before the final word on the final page, irrevocable choices will need to be made and each will result in a sundering. Readers – both young and old – will enjoy this story for the plot itself as well as the thought provoking questions which it presents.
Dianne Gardner is without a doubt one of those multi-talented people that those of us who fall into the realms of ‘ordinary’ and ‘really ordinary’ cannot help but envy. Aside from being an author, she is also an illustrator, oil painter and filmmaker. Pouraka is Dianne’s first real foray into the genre of mer-fiction and it is this reviewer’s considered opinion that she seriously contemplate one or more return visits. If she can maintain her fresh approach to the subject, MS Gardner will find a ready and enthusiastic audience.
All is not lost. Of late, there have been two mer-novels that have covered fresh territory and have proven to be quite enthralling. The first, Flippin’ The Scales by Pete Tarsi, has already been discussed by this reviewer. The second entry, Pouraka by Dianne Lynn Gardner, is the subject of this review and is undoubtedly a quite noteworthy book.
We poor, landlocked humans are inclined to think of mermaids – and mermen, of course – as living a wild and free existence in the oceans of the world, having the occasional dolphin sidekick with whom they pass the time of day and are happy and joyous 24 x 7. The world which Dianne Garner has created for this story is far different than the one of our imaginations. It is a world where merfolk are a hunted species under constant encroachment by humans, tourists, and oil rigs. The ocean waters that border the land are rapidly becoming an inhospitable place to abide, evocative of the book of Amos, 7:17. “ . . . your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be divided by line; and you shall die in a polluted land . . . “ Their dire situation invites the reader to apologise for being human.
Tas is a merman who can no longer remain silent or idly by while his clan slowly dwindles. They continue to be hunted by humans and first his beloved mother fell victim and now his older brother has been wounded by their harpoons. To spend another season where they presently are risks extinction for the entire group. His idea is to take the members of his clan – including the aged and the wounded - North where the hope of a better life – or even simply life itself - beckons.
Conditions are somewhat different for merfolk to the North where Barnacle Bay lies. The merfolk have, overall, a better life and their home cavern – called in the mer tongue, Pouraka – has long provided a comfortable home and although pollution has impacted their food supply to a certain degree, they are much better off than those who live to the South. One of their advantages is that they and their home are protected by the humans who reside in the town beside the bay.
Cora is one of Pouraka’s denizens and she is rather fond of the humans who live on the shores of barnacle bay. Though the magic of Pouraka’s waters, which are jealously guarded by the merfolk, Cora is able to leave the sea behind and walk amongst her shore-bound neighbours, not the least of whom is her best friend, Beth. While Cora is always quick to defend her human friends and protest that not everyone who walks on two legs is a threat to mer-kind, she is nonetheless somewhat naïve as to how the world above the water’s surface works.
Despite the initial impulse of some merfolk to turn away the refugees from the South, they are given shelter and in time, absorbed into the Pouraka colony. It is through this gift of sanctuary that Cora meets Tas and he soon begins to play an increasingly important role in Cora’s emotional life. Sadly, whatever respite the southern merfolk might have gained by seeing refuge in Pouraka is short lived. The northward progression of oil hungry humans continues bringing with it arrogance, death, greed and plunder. The merfolk may be able to run but they cannot hide and a time is fast approaching when hard choices will need to be made.
Dianne Lynn Gardner has woven a thoughtful and provocative story for young adults that is as much about the choices in life which we all must face as it is about scales, tails and survival below the surface. Through the eyes of the mermaid, Cora, readers will learn that life and the world in which we live is not always as simple as we would like to believe. There are two romances in MS Gardner’s story and before the final word on the final page, irrevocable choices will need to be made and each will result in a sundering. Readers – both young and old – will enjoy this story for the plot itself as well as the thought provoking questions which it presents.
Dianne Gardner is without a doubt one of those multi-talented people that those of us who fall into the realms of ‘ordinary’ and ‘really ordinary’ cannot help but envy. Aside from being an author, she is also an illustrator, oil painter and filmmaker. Pouraka is Dianne’s first real foray into the genre of mer-fiction and it is this reviewer’s considered opinion that she seriously contemplate one or more return visits. If she can maintain her fresh approach to the subject, MS Gardner will find a ready and enthusiastic audience.
***
Pouraka is a very entertaining diversion from the normal romance
novels I read. There is romance, don't get me wrong, but the romance
here is the extra serving instead of the main dish.
This is perfect for any age reader, and a story I intend to read to my grandchildren the next time they spend the night at Nana's house! It has the perfect mix of excitement, danger, and intrigue interwoven with family values, loyalty, and romance.
As an independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that rock, I have to give Five fangs to this story! I can't wait to pick up some of this authors other writings!!
This is perfect for any age reader, and a story I intend to read to my grandchildren the next time they spend the night at Nana's house! It has the perfect mix of excitement, danger, and intrigue interwoven with family values, loyalty, and romance.
As an independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that rock, I have to give Five fangs to this story! I can't wait to pick up some of this authors other writings!!
***
Mermaid stories aren’t just for little girls anymore. Dianne
Gardner’s POURAKA is a gripping tale of love, loyalty, and danger, one
that will intrigue readers of all ages. Dianne creates a vivid world
where mermaids are not imaginary beings.
When the oil industry and the practices of unscrupulous fishermen threaten the ocean environment, the merpeople and their world become vulnerable to destruction as well.
As menace from the human world multiplies, Cora, Taz, and Kaile come to realize that they and their clan of merpeople have but three choices. Through the magical waters of Pouraka they can transform into dolphins. Though life would be easier in this form, merpeople would be permanently bound to the sea, never able to explore the shores again. And this transformation will not completely free them from the threat of man.
The waters of Pouraka offer the merpeople another choice. Mermaids, mermen, and kindermer can take on human form allowing them to blend with the world of man, but this is the world that creates the evil they face. The one choice the merpeople desire most, to remain in their natural form, is the choice that leaves them in the greatest danger.
Dianne Gardner takes her readers on a breathless and heartbreaking journey as Cora, Taz, Kaile, and those in their merclan decide on which choice to make. Dianne’s expertise in weaving adventure with amazing settings makes POURAKA a fantasy and a romance well worth reading.
When the oil industry and the practices of unscrupulous fishermen threaten the ocean environment, the merpeople and their world become vulnerable to destruction as well.
As menace from the human world multiplies, Cora, Taz, and Kaile come to realize that they and their clan of merpeople have but three choices. Through the magical waters of Pouraka they can transform into dolphins. Though life would be easier in this form, merpeople would be permanently bound to the sea, never able to explore the shores again. And this transformation will not completely free them from the threat of man.
The waters of Pouraka offer the merpeople another choice. Mermaids, mermen, and kindermer can take on human form allowing them to blend with the world of man, but this is the world that creates the evil they face. The one choice the merpeople desire most, to remain in their natural form, is the choice that leaves them in the greatest danger.
Dianne Gardner takes her readers on a breathless and heartbreaking journey as Cora, Taz, Kaile, and those in their merclan decide on which choice to make. Dianne’s expertise in weaving adventure with amazing settings makes POURAKA a fantasy and a romance well worth reading.
***
By Brenda
Pouraka by Dianne Lynn Gardner is an exquisite look at the life of a
mermaid. Stunning the way she captures the essence of the underwater
creatures and how she brings these mystical beings to life. This story
drew me in, at first glance the extraordinary cover that Miss Gardner,
the artist created and then I was fascinated by the mere thought that
mermaids could have a story to tell.
There is great depth and profound sadness to this story. I was moved by the humanity and the love of more than just ourselves. This is an moving tale that filled my heart with great tenderness and emotion. This tale comes to life, richly told, swift, as if we were seeing the pictures across the screen.
Pouraka is a passion driven book, a love of the ocean and all its inhabitants. A fantasy that took me to another world. The author has the fine ability to bring her characters to life and does so creatively, naturally and articulately. It was easy to fall into the sea with these characters and escape from my not so adventurous life.
Quote ~
She'd never seen a merman cry before. Tears flowed out of his eyes like streams pouring from the rainy cliffs on the coast of the northern shore. She took his hand and he clasped onto hers so tightly it hurt. But she bore the pain because she knew his agony was greater. She wanted to tell him that it would be okay, that he had a home in Pouraka..."
There is great depth and profound sadness to this story. I was moved by the humanity and the love of more than just ourselves. This is an moving tale that filled my heart with great tenderness and emotion. This tale comes to life, richly told, swift, as if we were seeing the pictures across the screen.
Pouraka is a passion driven book, a love of the ocean and all its inhabitants. A fantasy that took me to another world. The author has the fine ability to bring her characters to life and does so creatively, naturally and articulately. It was easy to fall into the sea with these characters and escape from my not so adventurous life.
Quote ~
She'd never seen a merman cry before. Tears flowed out of his eyes like streams pouring from the rainy cliffs on the coast of the northern shore. She took his hand and he clasped onto hers so tightly it hurt. But she bore the pain because she knew his agony was greater. She wanted to tell him that it would be okay, that he had a home in Pouraka..."
***
on February 25, 2015
Gardner's
latest novel takes the reader on a dizzying adventure to the underwater
world of Pouraka, where men and mermaids (called "mers" in the novel)
meet and often collide.
Ecologically themed, this story asks a number of questions about the environmental challenges of a changing world. Pouraka opens with a scene in which a character must decide whether to progress further in a literal transformation from merman to dolphin and the feelings that this evokes in his family. This is emblematic of a greater struggle--whether to embrace the old traditions or look toward a different future. Other struggles characterize this novel but this particular storyline was the one that I found the most compelling.
The romance in this novel is secondary to the world that Gardner has built and the environmental challenges that it faces. Readers who enjoy Gardner's worldbuilding and characters would do well to visit one of her other works, such as the more traditional high fantasy, Deception Peak, or the dystopian YA novel, Altered.
Ecologically themed, this story asks a number of questions about the environmental challenges of a changing world. Pouraka opens with a scene in which a character must decide whether to progress further in a literal transformation from merman to dolphin and the feelings that this evokes in his family. This is emblematic of a greater struggle--whether to embrace the old traditions or look toward a different future. Other struggles characterize this novel but this particular storyline was the one that I found the most compelling.
The romance in this novel is secondary to the world that Gardner has built and the environmental challenges that it faces. Readers who enjoy Gardner's worldbuilding and characters would do well to visit one of her other works, such as the more traditional high fantasy, Deception Peak, or the dystopian YA novel, Altered.
***
on February 23, 2015
What
a wonderful tale of romance, love, turmoil, and danger. What makes
this story unique is that it takes place in Pouraka , a magical place in
the ocean where merpeople live and survive. With such a setting you
would expect a nice, calm fanciful story but instead it is a story
crammed with adventure and excitement. Through the eyes of Taas, a
merman, and Cora, a mermaid, we see the world of the sea and all of the
dangers that exist there because of man. Tas, Cora, and their friend
Kaile, transition to humans and learn of a dangerous plot by
unscrupulous fisherman to capture and kill the pod of dolphins that
protects the merpeople. To solve the problem the author leads the
reader through a series of vivid adventures and still provides many
tender scenes of love and emotion. I recommend this book to anyone who
likes excitement, fantasy and romance.
***
on February 20, 2015
Once
again Dianne Gardner draws us into her world with her masterful use of
words. You can see the beautiful under sea creatures, the blue green
water, and you can imagine what it would be like to swim free among
rainbow coral reefs. However the beauty is not without danger from
sharks and men. Dianne shows us a misunderstood world of merpeople. What
are their strengths and weaknesses, their desires and fears? Cora,
Kaile, and Tas are main characters. They drive the story of action,
conflict, and love. You see them rise to meet challenges and fall into
traps. It is a well rounded plot. It is a book worth reading that will
leave you wanting more. I received this book as a gift.
***
on February 16, 2015
Didn’t
you always wish that mermaids were real? They are very real in this
wonderful underwater adventure that also makes very real the plight of
our unique sea creatures that are vulnerable to unscrupulous humans. I
was delighted to meet Cora and Tas and many other engaging characters
caught between their world and ours, and their struggles to come to
terms with “mer” reality. I was thoroughly involved in the budding love
story and rooting for a peaceful resolution to their underwater crises.
***
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