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Ice Crypt

(Mermaids of Eriana Kwai #2)

Tiana Warner (Goodreads Author)

4.29 · Rating details · 766 ratings · 128 reviews

Meela has just returned from the Massacre—the annual attempt to wipe out the mermaids threatening her people’s survival. After forming an unlikely connection with Lysi, a mermaid she was trained to kill, Meela is determined to stop the war between humans and merpeople for good. She knows of a legendary weapon that could bring peace if she uses it against King Adaro, ruler ...more

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Paperback, 426 pages

Published July 12th 2016 by Rogue Cannon Publishing

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Start your review of Ice Crypt (Mermaids of Eriana Kwai, #2)

Apr 02, 2016 Tiana Warner rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Shelves: mermaids

Not to be modest or anything, but this is my best book yet. *hugs pages*

flag 32 likes · Like · see review

Dec 04, 2016 lov2laf rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, 400-450-pages, mermaids, lesbian-or-f-f, lendable-books, new-adult, series, ethnic-diversity, own, own-amazon

Ice Crypt is a worthy sequel to Ice Massacre but different in style.

Ice Massacre was a dark edge-of-your-seat action packed adventure with two female armies fighting to decimate each other. It was a true grit blood bath that I loved and I'm not even a fan of blood.

In Ice Crypt we get a much slower, balanced story with alternating view points between the main characters Meela and Lysi. Lysi's storyline is more action based while Meela's is a meandering of sorts where we feel her frustration and Ice Crypt is a worthy sequel to Ice Massacre but different in style.

Ice Massacre was a dark edge-of-your-seat action packed adventure with two female armies fighting to decimate each other. It was a true grit blood bath that I loved and I'm not even a fan of blood.

In Ice Crypt we get a much slower, balanced story with alternating view points between the main characters Meela and Lysi. Lysi's storyline is more action based while Meela's is a meandering of sorts where we feel her frustration and angst. Lysi needs to get back to Meela at all costs and Meela needs to figure out the mystery behind something she's not even sure exists. It makes for a rhythmic read with alternating chapters of intensity and slow down, intensity and slow down. It gave the pacing a kind of limp along action that I'm not entirely pleased with but was okay enough. However, the slow down isn't boring or unnecessary, either. Both storylines reveal the characters and weave together well. Towards the end, both narratives storm into action which Warner has a good knack of writing. There's a lot of imagination in this and it's fun to read.

My only gripe is that everything was fleshed out so well through the majority of the book and then a few things were resolved very quickly (too quickly?) in the last couple of chapters. I would have liked to have seen those elements get drawn out more or perhaps had the supporting characters show deeper ambivalence.

My personal preference lies in the first book because I'd never read anything like it. This second book, however, gives us richer depth into both main characters and is written well.

I definitely would not recommend reading this as a standalone book. If you haven't read the first installment turn yourself around and read it. It'll give you the backstory of the friendship, desperation, darkness, characters, allegiances, and folklore that the second book is built upon.

Overall, it's a good continuation of the series. I'm excited to read where the adventure takes us in the third book. ...more

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Feb 05, 2019 NReads marked it as to-read

I finally have this book and I am so excited. The first one was awesome, I hope this one's too. ...more

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May 27, 2019 Tyler J Gray rated it it was amazing

Shelves: poc-mcs, fantasy, own-physical, young-adult, diversity-own-and-read, f-f, 2010s, lgbtqia, favorites, own

A Wonderful continuation of Ice Massacre! I've fallen in love with these characters! I mean I hate Dani but I love her characterization and understand where she is coming from even when I want to punch her. (view spoiler) Lysi, Meela, Annith, Tanuu, I love them so much! It made me think on several things while reading. Themes of family, friendship ...more

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Dec 26, 2016 Eve Messenger rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-contemporary-fantasy, ya-fantasy

I'm perplexed about why more book lovers are not reading the Mermaids of Eriana Kwai series. It's so fun! Okay, maybe I kind of get it. Some people are into mermaid stories; some aren’t. I honestly have no preference either way. I just really love this series. It's so much more than mermaids.

Here's the setup: human inhabitants of the island of Eriana Kwai are mortal enemies with merpeople/sea demons who are starving out the islanders and killing fisherman under the leadership of an evil, power- I'm perplexed about why more book lovers are not reading the Mermaids of Eriana Kwai series. It's so fun! Okay, maybe I kind of get it. Some people are into mermaid stories; some aren’t. I honestly have no preference either way. I just really love this series. It's so much more than mermaids.

Here's the setup: human inhabitants of the island of Eriana Kwai are mortal enemies with merpeople/sea demons who are starving out the islanders and killing fisherman under the leadership of an evil, power-hungry mer-king. In book one, we get to know human Meela, who forms a strong bond of friendship with mermaid Lysi when they're both young girls. Then Meela and Lysi grow up to become warriors and have to do battle with each other. In book #2, Ice Crypt, amid lots of exciting action and unique storytelling, we get to know Lysi better and witness what appears to be a blossoming f/f love affair between Meela and Lysi.

Some things that make Ice Crypt so good: the best kind of camaraderie between friends (both Meela’s and Lysi’s), heroes to care about, villains who are super fun to root against, an exciting climax, surprising plot twists, and great worldbuilding--especially the merpeople’s undersea existence. It's interesting how Lysi, being a mermaid, can pick up on auras and emotions of nearby sea animals and merpeople. For example: “I’d always loved dolphins. They were the only animals whose auras showed as wide a range of emotions as a mermaid’s.”

Lysi’s merman comrade in arms Spio is the most endearing kind of goofball, like when he says to Lysi: “She reminds me of what you would look like if you were ten years older and had dark hair. And darker skin. And bigger—”

[Lysi interrupts to say] “So she looks nothing like me.”

“Not really.”

In Ice Crypt, Meela and her human friends experience fascinating adventures on the island, but Lysi the mermaid steals the show. Lysi is a brave, stubborn warrior with a kind heart and lots of attitude, like this observation she makes about a pompous merman who keeps following her around (even though she only has eyes for Meela):

“This guy projected so much confidence that I had the urge to swat it away. . .”

For anyone who enjoys YA fantasy/paranormal, I highly recommend this series. ...more

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Sep 26, 2017 Lo rated it really liked it

Shelves: f-f, lgbt, girls-run-the-world, fantasy, ya, mc-of-color, read-in-2017, 2017-faves, novels, ya-fantasy-best-genre-ever

in this house we love gay mermaids

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Dec 21, 2018 Jhosy rated it liked it

Shelves: adventure, badass-lady, shapeshifting, slow-burn, lesbian-romance, drama, violence, woman-of-color, friends-to-lovers, gorgeous-woman

This book was frustrating for me.
I didn't like the alternated povs. I didn't like the ending either.
I really wanted this to be a romance between a human and a mermaid and that the two would remain in this state even within a relationship.
That was disappointing.
And for these selfish and personal reasons, I can't force myself to give a greater note than this ...more

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May 23, 2018 fae rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, 2018-reads, lgbtqiap-reps, sapphic-books

An amazing sequel
💚🌊💚🌊💚🌊💚

I don't understand why this series is so underrated
rtc, maybe? (view spoiler) ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Aug 29, 2019 Boston rated it really liked it

Shelves: f-f, read-2019

4.5 stars

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Mar 18, 2018 BadassCmd rated it it was amazing

Shelves: harold, favorites, wlw-sff, wlw-ya, subj-mermaids

In the beginning I wasn’t exactly sure if I’d like it as much as the first part – but then it drew me in and I ended up reading through the nights once again.

What comes to my mind the most when I think about the book is the word ‘exciting’. It’s fast paced, there are mysteries and heroic deeds and shocking revelations all around.

I loved that we got two perspectives in this part. I liked to finally get more backstory and information on Lysi and to see how the society under the sea works. It’s wri In the beginning I wasn’t exactly sure if I’d like it as much as the first part – but then it drew me in and I ended up reading through the nights once again.

What comes to my mind the most when I think about the book is the word ‘exciting’. It’s fast paced, there are mysteries and heroic deeds and shocking revelations all around.

I loved that we got two perspectives in this part. I liked to finally get more backstory and information on Lysi and to see how the society under the sea works. It’s written very different than I imagined, but pretty thorough and interesting.

It was hard though, that Chapters always ended on a very high point, on a cliffhanger or a revelation or an otherwise exciting note – only for the perspective to change in the next one and having to read that through to see what happens in this plotline two chapters later.

Both plots were great and exciting in their own ways, but them running completely parallel and switching with ever chapter wasn’t the best way to organize them at some places of the story.

It did keep me from putting the book down, I give it that. Every time I ended one chapter with something drastic happening at the end and I just wanted to know what happens after that to be able to stop reading for the day, I had to read at least two more chapters to find out.
Nice tactic – but sometimes you gotta sleep, you know?

(view spoiler)

I can’t wait to start book three. ...more

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Feb 23, 2017 Starsandsun18 rated it it was amazing

I'm learning a lot about mermaid/merman's here. And I'm interested to read more about them. I hope many will write something like this. I know we're used to read about dragons, witches, werewolves and vampires and I rarely see about mermaids.

A lot of great secondary characters which I'm beginning to love bout from Mee and Lysi's side.
I also like Blacktail and Tanuu's banters and I think they're cute together. I hope they're still on book 3.
I also like the nerdy Spio. I hope he can also find so ...more

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Jun 23, 2020 Mari rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbt

Pride Motnth 2020, #5
Besides som tropes (YOU'RE NOT LIKE OTHER MERMAIDS? REALLY?) and some plot conveniences, I liked this a lot. It's a just a lot of fun!

I mean... close frienships, lesbian mermaids, a little of mystery and mythology, what else could you possibly want for a good time? ...more

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Jul 11, 2016 Chelsies Reading Escape rated it really liked it

Shelves: review-books, amazing-books, queer-books

After enjoying the first book in this series Ice Massacre I was really excited to read and review the sequel Ice Crypt. With well written characters and an entertaining plot it was easy to fall into this world again. The character developpement and world building was on point. When I was about half way it got intense. And I cant forget that glorious ending.

Meela and a mermaid named Lysi fall in love despite being raised to hate and kill each other. Once Meela comes back from her massacre, where ...more

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Jul 19, 2016 Diana rated it it was amazing

I was given a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. I have to say that having fallen in love with the first one, the second one had to be its equal or even better to get to be so great as the first. It did.
In ICE CRYPT we follow the adventures of Meela and Lysi. The first book followed Meela's POW, whereas this one is shared between the two girls. At earth, Meela is investivating and gathering clues in order to awaken the Host that Adaro wants in exchange of Lysi's live and to stop ...more

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Sep 30, 2016 Sara (Freadom Library) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, thriller, the-sea, mythology, lgbtq, horror, 2016-releases, read-2016

Actual rating 4.5 stars

This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/

I received an e-ARC of this book from Rogue Cannon Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Critically
Plot – 4 out of 5 stars
The plot of this book is action packed and full of precious folklore. It’s filled with violence, war and death. It had it’s slow moments and while there was action, it wasn’t as packed as the first book. There were a lot of plot twists that kept me o Actual rating 4.5 stars

This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/

I received an e-ARC of this book from Rogue Cannon Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Critically
Plot – 4 out of 5 stars
The plot of this book is action packed and full of precious folklore. It’s filled with violence, war and death. It had it’s slow moments and while there was action, it wasn’t as packed as the first book. There were a lot of plot twists that kept me on my toes and there was a bit more romance which I enjoyed it. The ending was open and I can’t wait to see what the last book brings.

Writing Style – 4 out of 5 stars
The writing still worked really well with the story. It’s detailed and descriptive, almost to the point of being graphic, specially when depicting violent scenes which I must say was really interesting. It’s imaginative and steady paced. There’s various POVs in this one which was entertaining but it could get lengthy at times.

Characters – 4 out of 5 stars
I’m slowly but surely falling in love with the characters in this series. Meela is an amazing protagonist. She’s determined and yet vulnerable. None of the characters are the same after their first Masscre and you can really tell how it has affected Meela as she narrates her story. She’s tortured and torn. She’s honest and is trying to do everything in her power to stop the war that is terrorizing her island. In this book we also get another POV which I really enjoyed. We get a closer look at the mermaid side of the war, their strategies, their armies and their different cultures. The latter was something I wasn’t expecting. I love that they weren’t all from one group and there was a lot more going on under the sea than we were privy to until this point. The side characters are also pretty great. There’s quite a few antagonists so it never felt like everyone was against just one person. And the characters we get to see more up close are complex, interesting and sometimes even sweet, specially in their relationships with each other.

Emotionally
(view spoiler)[I totally fell in love with the first book in this series when I read it, but this one was a little bit of a let down and a disappointment.

The plot is long. We follow Meela as she tries to find Eriana’s Host, a rumored power that the leader of the mermaid war asked her to get to help him conquer the seas in exchange for Lysi, who is trying to stay alive while fighting in said war which she doesn’t believe in. I really enjoyed getting the dual POV in this book, it was definitely needed. It was kind of a harsh change from the singular POV of the first book but it really helped move the story along and to expand the world and the relationships. I loved getting to see more about the mermaid world, up close and personal and to be able to see the war and how it’s spread and what kind of reach it really has. I found it really interesting to see how the army is divided by gender and why. It was also really intriguing for me to see how the author decided to create different cultures and I guess you can say races within the mermaid community. It’s the perfect way to include diversity into a fantasy setting. It represents the outside world while still being unique and special. I also really enjoyed learning more about the fictional island setting and it’s legends and folklore. It was really immersive and it felt real to me, like something that I could find in the history books somewhere if I really sat down to look. I just really appreciate the author’s world building because it’s easy to tell that she spent a lot of time on it, not only to make it interesting and fantastical but also to make sure that it felt tangible to the readers. However, there were some sections in the plot that really dragged and made it hard to keep my attention on the story. It was almost like huge chunks of it were slow and a little bit boring with these random bursts of action packed entertainment. I wish it would’ve been a smoother ride. The ending was full of so many crazy things, like one shot after another and it was so hard to wrap my head around all the shocking twists once I completed it. Yet it was still open ended and left a lot set up for what appears to be the final book in the series. I can’t wait to see how it ends!

I’ve gotten to really like Meela. She’s determined not only to save her island, but to end the war once and for all. Unlike the majority of the humans she interacts with, she’s open minded about mermaids and their species. She can discern between what they’re doing and who they are which I think says a lot about her character but also about the kinds of themes that are prominent in this series. I love how she is still struggling with what happened in the first book, she’s not just suddenly cured now that she’s on land. She’s dealing with a lot of things internally and emotionally as well as with trying to deal with everything going on around her. She’s freaking tough. And I love how she treats her friends too. I’m just really liking her character growth and narration in this series.

I wanted to talk about the side characters as well as the new POV in this book. It was really nice to get to know Lysi. We only knew her on the surface in the first book but now that we have her point of view, we get to know a lot more about her personality and her life. She’s kind of quirky. I didn’t really she was going to be as adventurous or funny as she was. I also loved her determination and her power. She ends up in a situation where she’s the only woman surrounded by men and she holds her own. Not only that, but she kicks some serious ass. Both main characters have friendships and with that we see more side characters. We get to know them a lot more and how they take care of each other. I particularly liked the group of friends Meela has around her, because she’s kind of an outcast at her island at the moment for various reasons but these guys love her and stand by her and work with her to try to save everyone’s lives. They were so great to her and it really touched my heart, specially when I got to the end of the book.

Overall, I’m becoming a giant fan of this series. This book was intense and powerful, though not as action packed or entertaining as the first book. There’s a lot of research and traveling that goes in this book but also a lot more insight into both of the “worlds” that make up this series. I am falling in love with the characters in this series, specially the main ones because they’re amazing and powerful women. The ending was open ended and had a lot of set up for the next book. (hide spoiler)] ...more

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May 22, 2017 Alex rated it liked it

Shelves: ya, ff-romance, thriller, paranormal

I loved the first book! This follow up was... Okey. Story went from interesting, to the incredibly typical YA syndrome. Which means its an alright read, but as a standalone it would never do. I have to say the ending was satisfying enough, so the reader won't feel like they are left hanging. It could've even been the last book, and I'd be alright with that.

First off, what I liked, was reading about Lysi, its pretty good and entertaining, on the other hand... The story is split every other chapt ...more

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Jul 09, 2018 Karen (thefictioncorner) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: star-5, read-2018, f-f

Im DEAD... The Ice Crypt features a shift in point of view where we go between Meela and Lysi. While this book is still action-packed, it is less than what was in the first book. The relation between plot and characters were amazing and don’t even get me started on the plot twists! This was an incredibly fast and fun read.
“Maybe I couldn’t help everyone survive, but I could, at least, save this one life.”

Throughput the first half of the book, things moved slowly and the plot was fleshed out pe ...more

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Jul 27, 2016 Nadra rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Great read!

Hands down this is one of the best book I have read all year. I truly hope this is not the last book in the series because there is just too much work for Meela and Lysi to do. The characters really shined in this series. The author went all out to expose the different characters range of emotions. Read the series. It is worth it. Please make a book 3!!!

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Jul 31, 2017 Joseph rated it it was amazing

Shelves: queer

Review on my blog! ...more

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Mar 07, 2020 jessica ☾ rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this second installment, maybe not as much as the first but can you blame me? Lysi and Meeks spent the entire book apart- they deserve better!

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Jul 08, 2016 James rated it it was amazing

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie or played a video game and thought to yourself, 'I could stay in this world forever?' Upon finishing Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner, that is exactly how I felt with the world she had created. The story was gripping, the characters felt real, and despite being a male and probably one to be lured to my death by the mermaids, I wanted to be on that ship with those girls battling those sea demons for Eriana Kwai! Ice Crypt takes all the pros from Ice Massac ...more

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Sep 26, 2019 Alice 🔮 rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbt-to-read

In that moment, everything in my life came together. Everything I’d ever felt made sense, like the world had opened before me. Lysi was my childhood, my teenage years, and now my future.

look this isn't the best book ever written and there are moments that don't really make sense but i'm going to give it five stars because i loved it so much and there is nothing you can do to stop me

edit lowered this to a 4 because i've been sitting on it and this felt more right. still love this book <3 ...more

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Jul 27, 2016 Kelly rated it it was amazing

This book was an incredible sequel to Warner's first book Ice Massacre. You really get deeper into who Lysi and Meela are as characters as well as both of their unique worlds. I was sucked in from page one and kept going with action and plot twists! I am so happy to be back in this universe that Warner has created and hope this series keeps going! ...more

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Sep 07, 2016 Dee Holmes rated it it was amazing

What a fantastic sequel to Ice Crypt! I was so happy to have Lysi's point of view and getting to see the ocean (and mermaid life) through her eyes. There's an ancient mystery, battles, an incredibly scary monster, and the cutest romance. Total win! ...more

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Oct 16, 2018 Alice rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lgbtq, fantasy

Just as with the first book, the feeling I was left with as I finished this book is most accurately described as: OHMYGOOOOOOOD.

I LOVE this book, and this series, with my whole heart. For the most part of the book I told myself I’d give it a 4 because while I really love it a lot - especially the fact that Lys now gets a POV and narrates every other chapter! - there were more little flaws than in the first book, but now that I’ve finished it I honestly can’t remember any issues other than some k Just as with the first book, the feeling I was left with as I finished this book is most accurately described as: OHMYGOOOOOOOD.

I LOVE this book, and this series, with my whole heart. For the most part of the book I told myself I’d give it a 4 because while I really love it a lot - especially the fact that Lys now gets a POV and narrates every other chapter! - there were more little flaws than in the first book, but now that I’ve finished it I honestly can’t remember any issues other than some kind of predictable plot twists but isn’t that actually good sometimes? It’s so satisfying being right about a plot twist after all. Okay, I was also a little underwhelmed because it was weird how the mermaid/human romance kind of stood in for queerness (”No one would love a girl who loved a mermaid”) but since Meela is also queer it just feels a little weird? Everyone kept insisting she get a boyfriend but I feel like the effect on Meela of that compulsory heterosexuality was underplayed and replaced by mermaid/human tensions which was a shame because later in the book we do find out that homophobia is indeed alive and well, so realistically Meela should’ve been just as worried or at least more worried about that. At the same time, it’s nice that she doesn’t really struggle too much with it, at least explicitly, and doesn’t seem to feel shame for her sexuality. And anyway I was so, so happy and emotional reading the last couple of pages that I just can’t give it any less than 5 stars despite everything. I was crying and giggling with delight every other page towards the end there and also throughout the book. I would lay down my life for Meela and Lys, I really would.

Maybe I’ll sober up and change it when I’m not so overcome with emotion but no matter what small things I’d change about the book, I still adore it so much and I wish all sapphic girls out there could read it because it’s a beautiful portrayal of love, friendship, trauma and healing, and fighting for what you believe in, with some mermaid politics, rebellions, merman fuckboys, treasure hunts, overcoming compulsory heterosexuality and other fun things thrown into the mix. And apparently mermaid society has underwater borders and a written language? Who knew! ...more

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Oct 08, 2017 Emma rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy-paranormal, wbw, lgbt-characters

This book is definitely very different to the first book, but in some ways I almost liked it better? Aside from a lull in the middle of the book when both Lysi and Meela came up against some dead ends in their respective quests, the pacing was a lot sharper in this book, especially in the final chapters, which are a WILD RIDE. I did think a lot of the story got wrapped up too easily, but all in all this series is great fun, and a really lovely wlw romance!

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Sep 30, 2018 Devann rated it liked it

Shelves: g-scifi-steampunk, 3-0-star, sg-lgbtia, c-dl, a-young-adult, cr-pirates-and-mers

A pretty good sequel to the first book. I liked how this one alternated POV between Meela and Lysi so we got a lot more information about how the mermaid society works. Also we got a bit more information about how things work on the island and their relation to the mainline as well [although I'm still kind of confused why they don't just like ...use helicopters and stuff? I guess because that would be too easy lol]. It's a pretty light read but I'm a sucker for a good F/F mermaid romance so I'm ...more

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Jul 21, 2016 Allie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, owned, owned-ebook, 5-stars, ownvoices-read, queer, merms-sirens-selkies, series-read, collected-books, favorite-authors

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Oh my. I couldn't wish for anything better. Please tell me there'll be more?

Oh my. Oh my. I can’t. I can’t handle this book. I think I may explode, seriously. I need more. Anyway, I’ll try to contain the fangirling.

I started this book right after I finished the first, Ice Massacre. Unfortunately, I fell into a reading slump and it took me a month to read it, though I read the bulk of it over this last week, I left it sitting at 22% completed. I don’t know if I wish I had finished it sooner, or i Oh my. I couldn't wish for anything better. Please tell me there'll be more?

Oh my. Oh my. I can’t. I can’t handle this book. I think I may explode, seriously. I need more. Anyway, I’ll try to contain the fangirling.

I started this book right after I finished the first, Ice Massacre. Unfortunately, I fell into a reading slump and it took me a month to read it, though I read the bulk of it over this last week, I left it sitting at 22% completed. I don’t know if I wish I had finished it sooner, or if I had yet to finish. I desperately didn’t want to leave this world. Though it’s cold and wet, I’m missing it already.

I had a feeling before I started this that Warner would be doing chapter character switches. With the whole first book from Meela’s point of view and knowing little of the merfolk’s world, how would the second work? Well, character shifts. At first I was just a teeny bit disappointed, but reason and logic took over and I knew there was no way this book would work without knowing Lysi’s side.

Throughout this book, Warner subconsciously challenges the attitudes toward women and LGBTQA+ people. Things like: “So you’re willing to send a girl out to fight for our people... but you’re not willing to listen to what she has to say?” “You’re training us to fight this war because it’s the only way to battle the sea demons, but you won’t take us seriously,” and,” In a perfect world, I would tell her I’d fallen in love years ago. I’d tell her love looked like sapphire blue eyes and coppery blonde hair and smooth, ivory skin. But I couldn’t. Not in this world.” Quotes like this stood out to me all over, but they weren’t in-your-face, as they sometimes can be.

I love that the merfolk count days as “tydecycles,” and that we get the origin of the term “sea demons,” and the history of Eriana Kwai. (Also, I’m glad there’s a map in the back because I kept trying to Google where Eriana would be, but it wasn’t working.

---I had a whole bunch of stuff about Meela, Lysi, Tannu, and Dani here, but my browser closed and I don’t remember what I said...---

I want to point out that I love the battle and action scenes. They’re very clean and concise, but really effective. I loved seeing a mermaid transformation. Seeing that it’s slow and somewhat painful and not magical and instantaneous. I also really loved Warner’s writing when it comes to expressing emotions. It comes across so raw and real. I truly cannot wait to read more from her.

So, I decided this time to highlight every love-thought in pink so I could find them better. Needless to say, there’s a lot and I’m totally okay with it. If I wanted my ebook to be really confusing, the last 10% would be entirely pink.

I have only a few questions about some things, like: how do the mermaids smell underwater if they have to breach to breathe? do the merfolk wear clothes? (I know this isn’t imperative to the story in the least, I’m just curious) and how the hell does Spio know what a fart would taste like, hence, the smelling underwater question.

In conclusion, I loved it. I’ve never read a mermaid book like this and I hope I never do again. I want to hold out hope that there will be a third book, but the end was so vague... I think there could be more, but idk. I did tweet Tiana Warner, so fingers-crossed!! ...more

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Jul 08, 2016 Ban rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, mermaids, adventure, friendship, lgbt, yay-for-canada, romance

I was given an advanced copy of Ice Crypt in exchange for an honest review.

In 2014 I was lucky enough to stumble across Ice Massacre, the prequel to Ice Crypt. Instantly, I fell in love with the world Tiana Warner had created, and knew I’d be following this series.

Ice Crypt did not disappoint. For those of you yet to read Ice Massacre, please go and give it a read and don’t miss out on such a unique YA novel that has much to offer in story and characters. You won’t regret it. This review conta I was given an advanced copy of Ice Crypt in exchange for an honest review.

In 2014 I was lucky enough to stumble across Ice Massacre, the prequel to Ice Crypt. Instantly, I fell in love with the world Tiana Warner had created, and knew I’d be following this series.

Ice Crypt did not disappoint. For those of you yet to read Ice Massacre, please go and give it a read and don’t miss out on such a unique YA novel that has much to offer in story and characters. You won’t regret it. This review contains NO spoilers, but please read the first book before continuing with this review.

Ice Crypt was everything I’d hoped it’d be and so much more. It picks up where we left off in book one; Meela and the remaining massacre survivors back on Eriana Kwai. Meela has a new mission this time around, finding the host that Adaro seeks, in hopes of saving her people and Lysi.

Ice Crypt brings us into a whole new world as we get to not only live out the story through Meela’s point of view, but this time around we get to also read through Lysi’s. In doing so we get to learn more about the merpeople, Adaros plans and a bit of how society functions below the ocean. Those who love myths and legends will love this book as we get to learn more about Eriana Kwai in order to aid into the mystery of discovering the location of the host.

As for characters…I can’t even begin to describe my love for the ensemble of characters. Tiana Warner knows how to write many characters with such distinct voices and personalities that you can’t help but love them all. This time around Meela is fighting for more than her people, she is fighting for Lysi and Lysi’s people too. I love the kindness and empathy she harbors. We learn more about Lysi in this book as well. She is independent, strong, caring, and definitely not set on traditional mermaid practices. I feared I may not like Tanuu, but he proved to be a great warrior and friend and he along with many characters had a great sense of humor. Annith I loved from the first book and still do. Her loyalty and friendship with Meela is one of my favorite things. Annith and the wool quote…that’s all I’m going to say. Blacktail, Spio, Coho, so many wonderful characters. Many YA novels these days lack comradery and friendship, especially friendship between females. I am so thankful for this series for all the amazing relationships it displays, whether romantic or not because it is all refreshing and wonderful.

In conclusion, great pacing, great writing, great story, great friendships, great romance, great revelations, great mystery, great action, great characters…. Have I said ‘great’ enough yet? Want an adventure? Go read this series! These are the kinds of books we need on our shelves (or in whatever electronic device you have). Looking forward to the sequel.
...more

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Sep 21, 2016 L rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

The worst part of this book is the long wait until the next book comes out.

Ice Crypt does us the magnificent service of splitting off into two separate journeys. We follow Meela as she teams up with her friends, Annith, Blacktail, and Tanuu to search for the Host of Eriana, and we follow Lysi as she suffers Adaro's punishment for her rebellion and copes by... rebelling even further.

Even though the two women spend most of the book apart, you really get a sense for exactly how much they care abo ...more

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About Tiana Warner

Tiana Warner

356 followers

Tiana Warner is the best selling author of the Mermaids of Eriana Kwai trilogy. Her books have been acclaimed by Writer’s Digest, Foreword Reviews, and the Dante Rossetti Awards. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia. Tiana enjoys riding her horse, Bailey, and is an active supporter of animal welfare.

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Other books in the series

Mermaids of Eriana Kwai (3 books)

Books by Tiana Warner

Ice Massacre (Mermaids of Eriana Kwai, #1)

Ice Kingdom (Mermaids of Eriana Kwai, #3)

Ice Massacre: The Graphic Novel: Volume 1

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Quotes from Ice Crypt

“Maybe I couldn’t help everyone survive, but I could, at least, save this one life.” — 2 likes

“My people had never been willing to believe mermaids had minds like ours. But they did. Mermaids fought like humans, laughed like humans, and loved like humans.” — 2 likes

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