A Sea of Golden Chains
(2023)(The second book in the Backward Fairy Tales series)
A novel by Callie Thomas
To escape death, I pledged an unbreakable vow to the sea.
A failed ransom sends Marigold overboard into the turquoise waters, death’s grip too tight to escape. As she sinks into the darkness, her screams echo into a bewitching song, luring a handsome merman to her rescue. Now the ancient magic that saved her chains them together, their destinies and hearts entwined forever—a bond Marigold didn’t ask for, especially as painful memories from her past weigh heavily on her conscience. Desperate to reconcile with her estranged family, she flees to shore before her transformation can complete.
But Ryken is hooked, refusing to leave her side, even if that means following his mate to the surface and entering the one place despised by the Merfolk. His rash decision strips him of his strength and converts his glittering tail into a pair of useless legs. With their roles reversed, he is forced to rely on Marigold to help him traverse the human world while they search for her family. The longer they stay on land, the more their feelings grow into something deeper—something he would kill to protect.
Chaos ripples out from Cadell’s feuding territories, sending the couple off course into dangerous territory. But Marigold refuses to give up on her quest despite Ryken’s warnings. The salty breeze beckons them home—a reminder that their time on land is running out. Torn between her family and her vow to the sea, she finds herself testing the bonds of her newfound love.
Will she ignore the call of the sea, even as war looms in the distance? Or will she find the courage to fulfill her destiny with Ryken at her side?
A Sea of Golden Chains is a YA fairy tale inspired by a reverse Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast. If you love swoony mermen, second chances, family relationships, and underwater adventures, then this is the backward fairy tale for you!
****
Note for teens: This story has a little more romance than book one, so I put it in the higher YA age bracket of 15+. It's still clean, just kisses, and no fade to black. But Ryken does communicate by touch. (Don't worry, Marigold is as shocked as you are! How does a merman not have any manners?!)
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
A failed ransom sends Marigold overboard into the turquoise waters, death’s grip too tight to escape. As she sinks into the darkness, her screams echo into a bewitching song, luring a handsome merman to her rescue. Now the ancient magic that saved her chains them together, their destinies and hearts entwined forever—a bond Marigold didn’t ask for, especially as painful memories from her past weigh heavily on her conscience. Desperate to reconcile with her estranged family, she flees to shore before her transformation can complete.
But Ryken is hooked, refusing to leave her side, even if that means following his mate to the surface and entering the one place despised by the Merfolk. His rash decision strips him of his strength and converts his glittering tail into a pair of useless legs. With their roles reversed, he is forced to rely on Marigold to help him traverse the human world while they search for her family. The longer they stay on land, the more their feelings grow into something deeper—something he would kill to protect.
Chaos ripples out from Cadell’s feuding territories, sending the couple off course into dangerous territory. But Marigold refuses to give up on her quest despite Ryken’s warnings. The salty breeze beckons them home—a reminder that their time on land is running out. Torn between her family and her vow to the sea, she finds herself testing the bonds of her newfound love.
Will she ignore the call of the sea, even as war looms in the distance? Or will she find the courage to fulfill her destiny with Ryken at her side?
A Sea of Golden Chains is a YA fairy tale inspired by a reverse Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast. If you love swoony mermen, second chances, family relationships, and underwater adventures, then this is the backward fairy tale for you!
****
Note for teens: This story has a little more romance than book one, so I put it in the higher YA age bracket of 15+. It's still clean, just kisses, and no fade to black. But Ryken does communicate by touch. (Don't worry, Marigold is as shocked as you are! How does a merman not have any manners?!)
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Visitors also looked at these books
Used availability for Callie Thomas's A Sea of Golden Chains