The Undine's Tear

Princess Calandra would do anything to save her people. The powerful healer has been raised to restore the Heartstone that protects their island from humans—before she goes Mad and unleashes unfathomable destruction like the woman who sank Atlantis… and her exiled mother. But tradition demands she first enslave a human male with the siren mind-bond, and her queen aunt has selected the one man she’d risk a death sentence to free.

When Calandra learns her mother actually fled to protect the first undine boy in three millennia, she's certain her missing brother is the solution to her problems. Then she uncovers the horrifying connection between the bonds, the Madness, and her people's past and realizes if she finds him, she could start a revolution—but if she can’t, she’ll unleash an ancient evil that could tear the world apart.

Unless she surrenders everything… even the man she loves.

And she’s running out of time.

The Undine's Tear is the first book in the mind-blowing young adult epic historical fantasy series Rise of the Grigori. Packed with complex characters, lush world-building, gritty action, and impossible odds, this intricately woven tale presents mermaids and dragons like you’ve never seen them before. Join Calandra in a search for redemption that could threaten the very fabric of the universe.

Buy The Undine's Tear and dive into the adventure today!

“Wow. Just WOW!!”

- Candace Marshall, advanced reader

“I couldn’t put this book down!”

- Jessica Renwick, author of The Book of Chaos

“You want to read this book. It’s fantastic!”

- Ellen Michelle, editor and owner of Constellate Publishing

“Stunning writing, vivid descriptions, and endearing characters. Puts the epic in fantasy.”

- Liz Konkel, Readers' Favorite

“A colossal fantasy tale told by an expert storyteller. Spectacular.”

- Ruffina Oserio, Readers' Favorite

“The action never stopped… a brilliant start to a new series, superbly composed to entertain!”

- Rabia Tanveer, Readers' Favorite

“Don’t miss this journey into a secret world of magic, family, love and loss.”

- Suzy Vadori, Award Winning Author, The Fountain Series

“My favorite book of the past year!”

- Kathy Brown, reader

Excerpt:

“You are wondering how to gain control of your powers."

Calandra thought about ignoring Damon or denying it, but what was the point? This was nothing more than a dream, and the slippery logic of dreams fuzzed her will to keep her more rebellious thoughts to herself.

“You know, I shouldn’t even be talking to you. An Unredeemed male. I could get in big trouble.”

The corners of his mouth curved under his trim goatee. “And who will report you?” He indicated the black water around them. “Certainly not I. I exist only in your mind.”

She crossed her arms and cocked her head, studying him. “Have you ever been Redeemed?”

His expression became stony. “Redemption is for humans.”

“Redemption is for men. To make them safe. It just happens that the only men are human.”

Thinking of Osaze’s dread, she wondered again at the morality of it. Uncrossing her arms, she shifted her gaze from Damon’s face to his bronze chest. “And one of them is my friend.”

“All humans should be controlled,” he replied nonchalantly, drawing nearer. “They have not the patience nor discipline to control themselves. And I am not human, yet I am male.”

She looked up at him, eyes narrowed. “I can see that. What are you? I’ve never seen an undine with golden eyes.”

He smiled knowingly. “Not human. But I could be your friend.”

That same feeling of security and warmth from their first encounter enveloped her, as though he were projecting it from himself intentionally. She frowned, wanting to accept it and shake off her heavy heart, but not daring to trust him yet.

“What do you want from me?”

“I want to help you.”

Damon came near enough to touch her but didn’t, pausing before her with his arms to the sides in a placating gesture.

She wrapped her arms around herself and glared into the blackness beyond him. “Yeah, well, you can’t. Not unless you can tell me how to control powers that could sink an island and heal the Heartstone without going Mad.”

“Little lark,” he said, amusement dripping from his voice like honey from a spoon, “that is exactly what I intend to do.”

Content Levels:

Sensuality: 1/5 (non-graphic kissing, non-sensual nudity)

Violence: 4/5 (assault, combat, moderate gore, flogging)

Language: 2/5 (mild profanity, moderate racial slurs)

Intense themes: 4/5 (slavery, racism, spiritual bondage, death)

Equivalent movie rating: 14A

Also by Talena Winters:

YOUNG ADULT EPIC FANTASY:

Rise of the Grigori series:

The Waterboy (prequel novella)

The Undine’s Tear (Book 1)

The Sphinx’s Heart (Book 2)

SCIENCE FICTION THRILLER:

Jack Reynolds:

Up in Smoke (novelette)

Keywords: elemental magic, mermaids and mermen, novels based in Greek & Roman mythology, Sumerian mythology, angels and demons, Christian teen fantasy books, clean fantasy books, young adult romance, interracial romance, technology as magic, chosen one, brother and sister story, books talking about prejudice, romantic fantasy books, books set in the Regency period, historical fantasy novel, novels about prejudice and racism, dragons, sphinx, fantasy adventure, redemption arc,