Bursting with imagination and rich in character growth.
From water diviner in her small farming village to queen consort, married to the man who once kidnapped her, Solace hasn’t had a moment to take a breath between the life-altering changes she’s experienced. As consuming as these transitions have been, Solace has come to love Rhees, a man whose soft side is reserved only for her. Coronation day should be a joyous occasion for this freshly minted couple, but Solace is exhausted from her work finding water sources for the desperate people around the kingdom. And Rhees isn’t faring much better with his weighty new position as leader of Toresz. Devastating news makes its way into the palace in the form of a power-hungry princess making claims about a forgotten marriage contract, one that could supersede the union between Solace and Rhees. Helpless and angry, Solace trades her royal position for the bittersweet familiarity of home. But her journey won’t be easy. Emotional turmoil is a constant companion as political tensions mount and dangers increase. If she hopes to reclaim her husband, Solace will first have to wrestle with her identity, her past, and her destiny as Water Witch Queen.
Magical fantasy and slow-burn romance collide with duty and determination in Toni Cabell’s shimmering sequel, The Way of Water. Solace is a teenager who never had time to grow into her important role in the kingdom, but as she reunites with her father and some friends, readers are given a quick moment to bask in the warmth of her lost childhood. Some of these relationships, including those with animals she loves, help bring Solace to life and add just a touch of sweetness to her personality. The pacing is controlled, moving slowly enough to become invested in the relationships. More of a lopsided trapezoid, the love triangle dynamic might be colored by bitterness but is rooted in tenderness. Tensions mount as Solace and Rhees fight battles on different fronts. Momentum builds into suspenseful action scenes, but not without some dramatic twists. The composed writing is skilled enough to paint vivid pictures of Solace’s adventures but never crosses into territory unsuitable for the target demographic. Bursting with imagination and rich in character growth, The Way of Water is a story filled with flawed characters you’ll love like close friends.
