Sixteen-year-old Talia was born to a life of certainty and luxury, destined to become Empress of half the world. But when an ambitious rival seizes power, she and her mother are banished to a nowhere province on the far edge of the Northern Sea.

On their terrifying journey, the sea seems to call to Talia in strange ways, and her mother - spiraling into madness - becomes obsessed with ancient myths that talk of the sea-goddess Rahn who rules the watery Hall of the Dead.

Joanna Meyer is a wonderful new voice in the YA fantasy genre. Her original, fresh story handles popular fantasy themes in surprising ways. Her lush, atmospheric prose masterfully brings to life her unique mythology and vividly imagined, culturally diverse world.