The Water Horse

Princess Olivia is the only daughter of the ruler of a magical version of Venice.  The waters of the lagoon are kept at bay by the rulers of the city and the rituals surrounding the gift for the spirits of the water.  But the waters are rising, Olivia’s father is seriously ill and her aunt is plotting to put her own son on the throne.  Our heroine knows that she has to be the one who leads the effort to save the city, but this seems an impossible task, that is until she meets one of the supposedly mythical Water Horses that are said to control the waters.

Holly Webb has an amazing ability to weave together history and magic and with this, the first in a new series, she has taken us to a world that is at once both known and yet magical.  The character of Olivia develops well as she begins to understand the realities behind the privileged life that she leads.  She shows an inner strength that augers well for the future, when she will eventually become ruler of the city.  The story itself is fast paced and full of action, yet at a level that remains believable.  There are true villains in the characters of Lady Sofia and her son Zuan and we long for them to be brought to justice.  The author has managed to give us a real feel for the city of Venice; we can almost smell the water and hear it lapping against the foundations of the houses and we can understand the connection that the people feel with the water that is actually the lifeblood of their home.  This would make a great series for younger readers who can then move to series such at the Stravaganza books.