The Drowned Heir by Jennifer R. Donohue SFINCs3 Book Review
- Tabitha Tomala
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
This review is part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”. This is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.).
To see more information on my team TBR check out this post!
Blurb for The Drowned Heir
When her uncle dies at sea, a third child with no place in society undergoes a ceremony to house his spirit and take his role, diminishing the family’s loss. But her uncle’s spirit hasn’t settled the way it’s supposed to, and will not content itself with shore-bound business. Her uncle’s spirit insists, angrily, that it was not just a storm that killed him and wrecked his ship, not a rogue wave; it was an unthinkably large monster.
Then his lover comes knocking with news of an adult son who has set sail along the same shipping lane, and dead uncle and living niece must work together to save a son neither of them knew existed.
The Drowned Heir Book Review
With the Captain's life cut short and no heir to house his soul, his niece's life is abruptly changed. Drowned in a ritual to become the house for her uncle's soul, the niece is forced to become her uncle's heir. But as his soul tries to settle within her body and mind, there is a disconnect, causing them to linger in parallel. The truth of her uncle's death stirs his spirit into disquiet. And when his old lover comes to call, news of a son he never knew existed will spur the two into action.
Jennifer Donohue has created a chilling tale of two souls forced to coexist. With the memories of each overshadowing one another, the use of first person gives a full view of the confusion and emotional mishaps the two must contend with. Not to mention the thoughts and reactions to others are shared between the two, making for uncomfortable situations.
And not only is there tension between the two souls, but a race to save her uncle’s son heading straight for the same disaster that felled him. As they head out on the open water, the voyage becomes a perilous journey fraught with a looming monster, magical charms, and a desperate hope for the two souls to find peace beyond their current state.
With hints of magic and complex characters, The Drowned Heir is the perfect bite-sized novella for readers needing a fast-paced, darker tale out on the open seas. It will certainly hook you on Jennifer Donohue’s writing and leave you wanting more.
To Purchase: Author's Website
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