Another five star review

S.J.R. Smith's debut novel is a winner, October 17, 2007 By Alex Hutchinson "Novelist" (Orlando, Florida) - See all my reviews The Heart of the Caveat Whale is a captivating allegory capturing a timeless struggle between aggression and relief. The Aquavians, a peace loving and joyful race of underwater beings are being threatened by dark denizens of the deep waters, led by a fearsome MerKing. The fight seems hopeless as thousands of Aquavians are either killed or captured and turned against their own as vicious, mindless hordes. Shunda, a lone Aquavian, orphaned by the war and searching for his lost people stumbles upon Hoondiake, the only land fighting back against the MerKing's advances onto dry soil. Allied together Shunda, and Mookori, a prince of Hoondiake, search desperately for a way to win back the minds of the captive aquavians and strike an offensive against the dreaded MerKing and his Merman army. If the unusual names are hard to swallow, don't worry because there is a pronunciation guide at the back of the book explaining how they are supposed to sound. It is yet another thoughtful addition to what is a well contemplated story. I really enjoyed reading this book. The imagery was simply enchanting. I could hear the waves crashing against the shores of Hoondiake allowing a smile at the pure innocence and joy of Shunda, and I shivered when faced with the cold cruelty of the MerKing. S.J.R. Smith did a fabulous job of weaving an entirely new world in such a delightful way that you get submerged in the story and hours have passed before you can tear yourself away. Being that the Captives is only the first book in a series, we as readers won't have to wait ashore for very long before we find out what happens next.

Five star book review

Thus begins a sweeping epic, written for young adults yet appealing to fantasy lovers of all ages., October 7, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

The Heart of the Caveat Whale Book One: The Captives begins a trilogy set in a world struggling against the tyrannical domination of the MerKing. Peaceful, human-like ocean dwellers known as aquavians were once numerous, yet now they are controlled by cruel means to fight for the MerKing, since they can breathe on land while mermen cannot. One young aquavian, orphaned in a magic-induced quake twelve years ago, retains his own mind due to chance isolation; he is the key to a prophecy predicting the end of the MerKing's rule. Yet before the war for freedom can be taken to the sea, first the captives on land must be freed. Thus begins a sweeping epic, written for young adults yet appealing to fantasy lovers of all ages. Highly recommended.