The Colors of the Sea - Alea Aquarius by Stewner Hardcover

About the Book

The Colors of the Sea, the second book in the Alea Aquarius series, picks up right after the first book. Alea, now accepting her identity as a mermaid, is determined to uncover what happened to her parents and her people. Alongside her friends Ben, Sammy, Tess, and Lennox, she follows a clue northward to Loch Ness, where she learns more about her past and her mysterious connection with Lennox. As Alea grapples with her growing feelings for him, she wonders if he could be a merperson like her or even her brother. Their journey takes them to new emotional and adventurous heights, as they search for answers, but danger may be lurking. This volume explores Alea's quest for the truth, her complicated feelings for Lennox, and the rich, underwater world she is discovering, all while balancing her friendships and lighthearted moments with Sammy.

Book Synopsis

A mer-girl continues her search to uncover her mysterious origins...

Perfect for fans of middle-grade oceanic adventures like Percy Jackson and The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Alea Aquarius: The Colors of the Sea picks up immediately after Book 1, with Alea coming to terms with her mermaid heritage and more determined than ever to discover what befell her parents--and her people. When a cryptic clue leads her and her friends--Ben, Sammy, Tess, and Lennox--north to the legendary waters of Loch Ness, they dive headfirst into an undersea mystery filled with ancient secrets and unexpected connections.

As Alea and Lennox grow closer, she can't shake the question: is he a fellow merperson--or something even more surprising? Away from the safety of the Alpha Cru, their adventures become increasingly daring.

Between impromptu shore excursions, impassioned band performances, and Sammy's ever-present sense of humor, Alea must balance her loyalties on land and beneath the waves. Will the bottom of Loch Ness finally reveal the truth, or is she swimming straight into a trap?

About the Author

Tanya Stewner did not immediately fall in love with books. After her primary school teacher had told her parents it was unlikely that she would ever learn to read and write properly. Thus, she did not develop her passion for writing until late, i.e. the age of ten. From then on, it was the love of her life. She studied English, German and literature, and worked for several years as a translator and editor. She now writes full-time. Her children's series Liliane Susewind and the adventures of the Hummelbi elves have achieved major international success.

Matthew O. Anderson grew up in the sunny, sleepy town of Sequim, WA. As a young reader he devoured books of all kinds but was especially drawn to fantasy and myth. His favorites were Homer's Odyssey, J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, and J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. As an adult, he continues to explore these and similar stories as a scholar and fan.

Matthew currently teaches courses on German language and culture at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and has published articles on historical German youth adventure literature. His translation of Andreas Steinhöfel's If My Moon Was Your Sun won the 2016 German Book Office's Translation Competition. Although he has spent three years studying and working in Germany, he is still searching for an American bakery that can recreate the perfect Vollkornbrot.

Like Alea, Matthew is drawn to the water - the awe-inspiring, thunderous crash of the Pacific Ocean, the gleeful gurgle of the Black Forest's babbling brooks, or the sight of a blustery autumn breeze billowing across the smooth surface of Lake Superior. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, baking, travelling, and reading.