Treading Waves

By: Ellie Dolan-Yates

Treading Waves by S.R. Atkinson is the third book in the Siren Anthology. Set in the underwater world of mermaids, or “Serras” as they call themselves, it does not disappoint! We continue with Santiago, a human, on her journey in the Serra world with her Bondmate Rogan. After previously surviving a kidnapping and witnessing the death of Rogan’s father, Santiago’s problems don’t end there. We learn that she is the one to defeat Zitja, the Siren Queen, but they soon learn that everything is not so straightforward.

The prologue of the book tells the story of two sisters Sariah and Zitja. Their mother is the Ocean Mother and one day they will both rule together. However, Sariah is unsure that she will be strong enough for the role. The prologue ends with Sariah being bullied and Zitja killing the bullies, much to the shock of Sariah. Fast forward a few years and Zitja has been turned into a Siren, lost an arm and has killed Sariah! This leaves Sariah’s nine-year-old daughter Yemri as the Ocean Mother – a role that both she and the Serra population are not so sure she can fulfill. However, it is believed that Yemri is the only one who can kill Zitja.

Many centuries later the same is thought of Santiago. She is called upon to end the Siren curse and become Ocean Mother, but her and Rogan are worried that those currently calling the shots have a hidden agenda. Santiago is ordered to kill Zitja in the finale of the Dwattle championship, a game played by Serras. Santiago, Rogan and their closest friends know something that nobody else does and so they go rogue, trying to end the curse without having to kill Zitja.

Although Yemri and Santiago’s stories are centuries apart, they intertwine perfectly. Santiago previously learnt from Rogan that Yemri was a terrible Ocean Mother; however, we see how Yemri’s actions are fundamental to the Serra world in which Santiago lives in today. This is especially significant as a discovery made by Yemri whilst trying to defeat Zitja. Thought of as a mere myth by those who didn’t fully support Yemri, Santiago believes that this could be the way to defeat Zitja and the Sirens, but will it work?

Atkinson does a brilliant job at running Santiago and Yemri’s stories alongside each other. Not only because of the intense way in which they both come together, but because it doesn’t become confusing. There isn’t too much back and forth between the two stories. Whereas some authors flick from chapter to chapter, Atkinson is happy to lend a couple of chapters to one story in order to tell it in as much detail as possible. This means that the reader can fully immerse themselves more in each story rather than flicking from one to the next, therefore being able to build a true picture of what is happening.

On the whole, the story is very imaginative. Whilst a world full of mermaids seems so far away from our own, Atkinson makes sure that the reader can still relate to the characters and their way of life. The fact that Santiago is human helps. Added to that is the Serras make use of human objects that they have acquired such as the tents used at the tournament and cars used almost as chariots. The idea of the Serras using their “Ku” to communicate is fascinating. This is a way of talking without speaking or using gestures – essentially communicating through feeling. Also, the description of the Serra world is extremely vivid so it is quite easy to imagine the magnificence of it and become fully immersed in the story.

The only issues, which in my opinion are minor, are that there are a few typos which could have been picked up during the editing process. This in no way affects the wonderful storytelling. The other is the fact that, because Atkinson has such a great imagination, she even thought up a separate language to be used by Serras! There is a glossary containing the meaning of Serra words, but it did take me a bit of getting used to at the start considering I had not read the first two books in the Siren Anthology. That being said, whilst reading Treading Waves I almost forgot it was the third installment! Enough background about Santiago is given throughout the book for those who have yet to read the others and it could easily be read as a standalone, but it has only made me want to read the others in the series

This will surely not be the last in the Siren Anthology as the book ends on an enticing cliff-hanger. It will be interesting to see what Santiago’s actions mean for the Serra world and whether she will be the one to save them. Going by what I’ve seen of Atkinson’s vivid imagination throughout Treading Waves, I believe that the reader will be in for yet another captivating journey.