Okay this was so sweet and fun! I really loved the world building and atmosphere and was easily swept into the story from there. I didn't realize this was a Luca retelling/fanfic but honestly with how queer coded that movie was, I enjoyed my time!

this book was so unexpectedly amazing to me. it was sweet when it needed to be, fun the whole time, and had me smiling from ear to ear with misty eyes.

3.5/5 Stars – Engaging Fantasy with Room to Grow

Tereza Kane’s Storm and Sea is a promising start to the Storm and Sea Saga, blending high-stakes adventure, intricate world-building, and a cast of compelling characters. The story quickly immerses readers in a fantastical world filled with political intrigue, magical dangers, and moral dilemmas that keep the pages turning.

The novel shines in its imaginative setting and strong, driven protagonists, who carry the narrative with energy and depth. Kane’s prose is clear and accessible, making the complex plot easier to follow even with its many twists and subplots.

However, the story sometimes feels uneven in pacing, and certain secondary characters or plot threads could use more development. While it’s an enjoyable and engaging read, the novel doesn’t quite reach the emotional or narrative heights it aims for.

Overall, Storm and Sea is a solid introduction to a new fantasy saga with plenty of potential for growth in the sequels.

Thank you netgalley for allowing me early access to this book. I don’t know how I didn’t realize this was a Luca… fanfic? Retelling? So it threw me off a bit haha, but I do love that movie and I did enjoy this book!

Storm and Sea took the Mer premise and shook it up a bit - introducing different types of Mers and having them growing tails and keeping their legs.
I enjoyed this book and all the characters, however I do feel like the summary gives the impression that the focus is on the growing romance between Nyel and Atreus - however in truth the romance doesn't play a large role in the book.
I did enjoy all of the characters and the different POV's, however I do feel on a technical level that it may have been better served for this book to focus more on Nyel and Atreus and having another book that focused on Nephi and Leo simply because there were major tone shifts - Nyel and Atreus have a light hearted vibe going on while the scenes with Nephi and Leo were darker. It sometimes created a jarring shift.
The Pov's also had decent amount of overlap, rehashing the same scene from the a different perspective.

This series definitely has potential and I'm interested to see where it goes next. I enjoyed the world building and the characters personalities, it just had some issues with execution but it's still worth the read.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

this was a wonderful warm and fuzzy summer romance! i loved atreus and nyel and how they grew to love each other (maybe enemies to lovers? or suspicious acquaintance to lovers?). i can very obviously see the Luca inspiration down to the transformation lore, which didn't bother me too much because this can stand on its own. the other characters were alright, but didn't grab me in a way where I am sure to pick up any subsequent books. if the sequels are well received i might be easily convinced otherwise.

When I watched Luca I remember thinking it very much had queer coming of age undertones. Obviously, I was not the only one to pick up on this. This book feels like a queer adult Luca retelling. The author did a great job of using descriptions that felt immersive.

I do think that this many povs were hard to keep up with. I think it might have worked better as just a dual pov or possibly as a series where each book followed a different character/characters even if it meant chronologically backtracking at some points.

Solid queer rep in fantasy. Which we always need more of.

I feel that by making them adults and with concerns more in line with what they live, the author has managed to give more depth to the story, discussing current issues such as pollution, corruption, and a bunch of situations involving trauma, abuse, and disorders, which would be just the tip of the iceberg, as this is a fairly introductory first book.
We have Atreus talking about the feeling of not belonging, loneliness, and even madness. Emphasizing, in him more than in anyone else, through the visual resources of the story, the importance of mental health. Nyel, discussing the expectations of others, the weight that these impose on us, and learning to set boundaries. Nephi, whose story illustrates how segregation can affect people's lives, as he feels alone in the world, and unlike Atreus, who found another path far away, all he longs for is revenge. Leofel, talking about the responsibilities and burdens we place upon ourselves; furthermore, in its subplot, it addresses sexual abuse (not explicit), assaults, and corruption, where those with the most money seem to be able to do whatever they want with others. The weakest plot, as I said, falls on Marina, whose problems seem quite childish in the grand scheme of things, but at least serve to talk about positive aspects, as it highlights family, the acceptance of differences, and maintaining our values through life's trials.
The truth is that, in addition to feeling that the author's writing is quite beautiful when it focuses on that, the ways in which she played with her story and what a book format allows seemed quite successful to me. When Atreus has one of his panic attack episodes, the font changes, making it look much more tense and noisy, less polished and calm, as he usually is. The sizes also change, demonstrating the impact that those triggers have on his mind. It's a simple yet powerful resource. Personally, the feeling did affect me, helping me to immerse myself in the story and empathize with his situation.
Regarding the relationships created, I feel that beyond creating more or less close ties with romantic interests, it doesn't seem like most of them care about each other most of the time. They lead quite separate lives, to the point that when those moments of trauma are happening right in front of others, they can't even identify them. Of course, we have cases like Atreus, where he finds it easier to open up about his problems with Nyel, being of similar species; but then we have Leofel, who is supposed to have always spent time with Atreus and Marina, and is living through a hell that even leaves him with bruises all over his body, and neither of them notices or cares to dig deeper than what is apparent. It is interesting that the one who hates him the most, Nephi, is the only one who recognizes it. He doesn't try to sugarcoat things or encourage him with words, but at least he understands that something serious is happening to him.
Strengthening the bonds between the characters, and I am not only talking about the various narrators of the story, but about all those who make their presence felt in one way or another throughout the plot, would have given more credibility to the events, which, whether you like it or not, bring to the table feelings of trust, attachment, and nostalgia that were not explored but were instead used conveniently to achieve a narrative closure that felt somewhat unnatural. You cannot appeal to a familial relationship that you have never shown me to get your way in the plans of your work and expect me to believe it. In such cases, the advice 'show me, don't tell me' makes the most sense, as it does me no good when you say that, for example, Atreus and Leofel have known each other for years and are best friends, when what I see in the development of the story is mutual indifference unless it concerns Nyel, over whom they romantically fight without acknowledging it.
In itself, the romance part seems interesting to me. Atreus and Nyel are charming because they remind me of Luca and Alberto. It's like reading a fanfic about them when they are slightly older. But the strong point is the relationship between Leofel and Nephi, perhaps because they also seem to me to be the most interesting characters in the whole story, being the ones with the darkest pasts and presents, who also repel and attract each other at the same time. The progress of their relationship is quite simple, considering how they meet, the situations they usually find themselves in, and their personalities, but that is what, in my opinion, makes it more endearing, that it is slow and natural, considering that for Nephi, humans are among his greatest enemies and that Leofel is going through one of his worst moments, where he cannot trust anyone. The development of their relationship in this first installment only goes from strangers to slightly friendly strangers, which makes me wish that future installments have that same vibe. Slow but steady steps in creating something solid and deep, perhaps a little bloody around the edges, but impactful in a good way.
My main problem with the story is that it takes so many references from the original that it sometimes forgets to be a different work that must stand on its own. The way the Mer transform is the same, everyone's dreams are the same, and everyone's reactions to the various events are the same. This in itself isn't that shocking until the actions no longer match the ages of the characters, who are no longer so young, causing the reader to disconnect a bit from the reading.
The point where I felt it the most was at the festival with the absurd way the author tried to involve the three main characters of the movie. We all know that in the film this festival was an important point for the revelation of who Luca and Alberto really were, but it was just common sense to know that it wouldn't work the same way in a story with tones like this. While they are not the ones riding that bicycle, the way it tries to make it fit still feels forced.
The truth is that this is a story with many possibilities. Possibilities because there are too many ways the author can continue working on what has been presented in this introduction. I feel that with all the themes and small plots that have been released, it can only go uphill or crash spectacularly at the bottom. I sincerely hope it is the former, because I am very interested to see what will come of what has been brought to the table, especially the relationship between Leofel and Nephi. It is a work that, while not the best in the genre, is quite enjoyable and interesting, with the potential to become a work that makes an impact, depending on how it is handled in the upcoming books.

Two mer-people sneaking into a town that’s historically been very anti-merpeople and trying to lead normal lives, befriending various townsfolk, all in extreme danger of being found out. Sound familiar? This was well written, and clearly very heavily inspired by Luca, the movie set in Italy with two merboys. I don’t mind fan fiction or work that’s inspired by another, but this was VERY obvious. To the point where I couldn’t picture anything other than the characters and setting from Luca, just older and as adults rather than young boys. A few edits, like changing basic physical features, genders, would make a big difference in immersion for me. Regardless, I did enjoy this and liked how Kane expanded on the lore presented in Luca for the Mer. I am interested in seeing where Kane takes this story in the following books.

Storm and Sea is a captivating debut that sweeps readers into a richly imagined world of adventure, magic, and emotional depth. Tereza Kane crafts a compelling narrative with lush prose and vivid world-building, immersing us in a tale of destiny, love, and sacrifice. The dynamic between the characters is electric, blending tension, passion, and personal growth in a way that feels both epic and intimate.
A solid beginning of the series!

This book was adorable, and I really enjoyed the mix of mythos that was happening with the story. The characters were entertaining, and the writing was done really well. The multiple POV's were handled well, even if at times it was a little repetitive, but I felt that it added depth and more world-building to the story.

As a fan of Luca, the disney movie, I absolutely loved this!

I'm new to merfolk romances, so this was a leap for me! I loved the idea of this book and the book had promise.
But it fell short to me.

As an writer myself, I'm working on multiple POVs. Reading this, I thought I'd have a bit of understanding for that aspect but I was more confused and hated the repetitive of the same scenes over and over,

It wasn't a terrible book, in fact, it was quite enjoyable at times, I loved Atreus and Nyel. But unfortunately it didn't help with the story for me.

Storm and Sea is a poignant and immersive debut that blends rich world-building with emotional depth. Set in the post-WWII Italian fishing village of Baia Vita, the novel follows Atreus, an exiled Mer hiding among humans, and Nyel, a runaway Mer fleeing oppressive traditions. Their paths converge as they confront personal demons and external threats, including a criminal family endangering the village's survival.

Kane's narrative excels in crafting a vivid setting and complex characters. The slow-burn romance between Atreus and Nyel is tender and authentic, resonating with readers who appreciate nuanced character development. The novel also delves into themes of found family, identity, and acceptance, offering a heartfelt exploration of belonging.

While the multiple points of view enrich the story, some overlapping scenes from different perspectives occasionally disrupted the pacing. Nonetheless, the emotional resonance and intricate world-building make this a compelling read.

Storm and Sea is a captivating start to the Storm and Sea Saga, promising more adventures and emotional journeys in future installments.

Storm and Sea

3.5/5 stars 🌟

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this eARC

I liked and disliked the multiple POVs in this book and felt I was rereading the same chapters over again at some points which got a little repetitive.

Personally for me at then start of the book it gave a full list of definitions of things you’ll see in the book which actually kind of put me off as I felt I had to remember a lot of key information for throughout this book, I found myself forgetting certain things and feeling like I should go back to remember what’s what.

The characters are good but some of their ages made me feel confused as most were in their twenties but also felt younger by the mannerisms. I’m not 100% sure if this was a YA or Adult book now.

Some bits at the end felt a bit rushed but I did enjoy the relationships between the characters and felt they helped build the world around them well.

Overall I felt like this was similar to the movie Luca, and seeing some of the other reviewers agree!

A very interesting book, but it feels more like a beginning than a whole story.

I love the world created here by the author. It's obviously inspired by the film Luca, but it's much more serious. Like in the film, the story follows two mermen who try to live on a human island. The young men meet at the beginning and slowly form a friendship. There's a whole cast of supporting characters and a few of them also have their own chapters.

Be aware that this book has a few content warnings at the beginning. And it's missing one - "implied sexual abuse"

I think the other povs add more to the story but also make it less focused. Marina, Leo and Nephi have their own storylines which aren't connected to our main characters. I expected that the story would focus more on a growing relationship between Atreus and Nyphel and less on everyone else. Especially when most of the stories are clearly a set-up for the next books and miss a good resolution. Unfortunately, this is the issue for the whole book. There's a lot happening but only a few situations get resolved. (Also, multiple povs are here as an excuse to go back and repeat the same scenes, which after a while, gets annoying.)

The characters are well written, and they're the best part of the book. Their behaviour is at times even too realistic, especially when everyone has some secrets or mental health issues. It would be nice if they talked more about their feelings, but it's not suprising considering their history.

Overall, this book wasn't bad, it just didn't deliver on what I wanted from it. But it can be the beginning of quite an interesting series. If you like mermaids, found family and serious topics then it could be a book for you.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance opportunity to read this book.

This book, even before I started it, was giving the movie Luca. But just BL-lified. The relationship between Atreus and Nyel was very much a slow-burn. I admit that this book took me quite awhile to finish. I'd power through, and then forget about it for a few weeks, then power through, and then forget about it. During this final power-through, a lot happened. So much that I wondered why it was happening so fast. Then the end...if you can call it that. This book obviously is going to have a sequel or I really hope it does! There are so many loose ends that need to be addressed! All in all though, I liked it.

How could you not love gay little merpeople - it’s like we got what we wanted out of Luca. I would definitely recommend this

Obviously a Luca fanfic brought to life, this was a very sweet story but still had a lot of great worldbuilding to pack a punch. I agree with other reviewers that there were just a little too many POVs and it could have been trimmed down, but I loved the characters, the story, the setting. All of it.

I believe this is more of a “me” thing than anything else. It’s multiple POVs, like up to 6, I believe, and while those many POVs didn’t necessarily ruin it for me, the repeating of an event from a different perspective got a bit—old. And a bit confusing?

We’ve got mer lore and a sweet romance but I also felt like too much and not enough was happening at the same time. The found family was a nice addition and is a favorite trope of mine as well.

The cover is FANTASTIC.

{I was gifted a complimentary copy of this book. All reviews are my own.}

The best way I would describe this book is that if the movie Luca was gay and that still wouldn’t do it justice.

When I first started reading this I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the book because at first glance it seemed like it would have been a Luca fanfic or an exact copy. But even though it was clearly inspired by Luca it still is a story in its own right.

One of the things I was surprised about was the amount of detail in the Mer’s lore and their beliefs about certain spirits and traditions.

Another thing I liked was the fact that we had other characters POVS other than Atreus and Nyle, but it didn’t feel forced or redundant.

Loved the characters that were meant to be likable and hated the ones that clearly weren’t. (Looking at Nyel’s parents) Hopefully this isn’t the end we see of Nephi as he is such a fascinating character and I would love to know more about him.


Really enjoyed the found family aspect with Atreus, Marina, and Giovanni, in a way they all needed each. I hope their relationship gets explored in the sequel.

Overall the book is an amazing debut by Tereza and the only problem I have is that I would have liked to see more of Atreus and Nyel’s romance but that would probably be more developed in the sequel