The Sword of Senack (The Mer-son Cycle) [Kindle Edition]

EC Stilson (Author)

Book Description

In this middle grade fantasy, Aliya Fisher knows nothing about her true heritage until a vindictive sorceress kidnaps her brother and sister. The young adventurer must take up her birthright, battle strange creatures, and find the Sword of Senack if she hopes to best the witch. But even if Aliya finds the famed weapon and survives the perilous oceanic journey, the enchantress is far more than she appears. How does one defeat an immortal who lusts for revenge?

Product Details

• File Size: 825 KB
• Print Length: 316 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1461180694
• Publisher: Wayman Publishing (March 17, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007JPR8W2
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #860,798 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrills Underwater April 23, 2012

By Anna D. Ready

Format:Paperback

In this five-star adventure for young adults, the heroine--Aliya--must encounter peril to save her older brother--Jack--who's been enticed away by a immortal witch.The intrepid sister follows him and ultimately rescues her brother from the dangers of Ophyrus, a winged orange dragon, and Constance, the vengeful witch who lives within a bone-chilling ice palace on the Isle of Deltre.
To do this of course, Aliya needs magic. The magic of drawing what comes to be, the magic of breathing in the ocean's depths, and the magic called love that does not tire when faced with the difficulty of finding a beloved brother.
Magic enables her to leave the castle of Senack with its living mural that foretells the future and to venture into the ocean on a glass-bottomed boat she's drawn. Encountering a whirlpool, Aliya's boat tumbles down, down, down into the watery deeps. Mystery lurks. Adventure beckons. Suspense tempts her to use the Golden Flame.
Within the ocean's depths, Aliya encounters eeriness: gladiators like Calder who laugh at death in the colosseum; Secrenas who hiss their own darkness; ancient giants like Teius who believe in possibility; and barbed Rentans who carry disease like a plague.
This cast of fantastical characters could have frightened a less spirited sixteen-year-old and sent her scurrying homeward--but not Aliya, who so wants to find and comfort her brother. Of course, she also wants companions--both in her home and in the story.
She has them: her younger sister Sky, who knows the future; her brother, Zander, who delights in pirates, sports a black eye patch, and eagerly seeks escapade; and her youngest sister, Indie, who awaits deliverance after the witch kidnaps her.
Ah, you see all the ingredients for a first-rate fantasy: Adventure.... Improbable creatures. Suspense. Courageous children. And yes, adults who sometimes don't have their priorities right.
"Ah, my friends, and oh my foes," the "Sword of Senack" will draw you into an underwater world of peril with two talented heroines and a swashbuckling hero. You will wonder at the creative mind behind this book. A mind that envisioned an underwater world that will enthrall both children and adults.
For such is the power of the author's astounding imagination: she introduces you to that which cannot now happen on our earth and convinces you that all is possible to those who say, "Why not?" Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book and worth the money!!!!!!! March 4, 2013

By luv2read

Format:Kindle Edition

I loved how detailed and full of adventure this book was. It is a thrilling book and I loved how great it was written. I loved this book and can't wait to read more from this author.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This was a great start to a fun series!!! March 3, 2013

By Alex Cartwright

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

My husband downloaded this onto my kindle awhile back and I just got around to reading it...Upon finishing it, I instantly went to see about downloading the next one, but it's not out yet! This was such a fun book...I am so reading this to my son too. I really am looking forward to the next adventure of the Fishers!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful fantasy! August 9, 2012

By Melynda Fleury

Format:Paperback

The Sword of Senack
No matter your age and reading interest this book will keep your attention!
If you want your kids to develop a love of reading while enjoy a great book for yourself, pick up the Sword of Senack and read it together!
Worth every penny! This author truly demonstrates imagination, adventure and captures your heart with her delightful characters both good and evil.
I enjoyed this more than Percy Jackson and the Lightening thief.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars very interesting genre bending July 10, 2012

By Brian Chrisman

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I *really* wanted to rate this 3-stars (because I'm not sure I want to read further works from the author/series).
But I have to admit that the creativity and uniqueness of the world was impressive, so I bump it up a star.
The narration of this book has a fairy-tale quality to it. It's also an odd mix of semi-science fiction and fantasy.
There is a lot of interesting content in this book that is difficult to review without introducing spoilers.
Worth the money.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great to read to the kids July 10, 2012

By Nihon Ink

Format:Paperback

This book contains a fanciful tale capable of holding the reader's attention from beginning to end. I read it to my kids and they loved every minute of it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars: An engaging and thrilling fantasy adventure. April 22, 2012

By Heidi

Format:Kindle Edition

Aliya and her family move from Earth to a distant alien planet to escape the pollution and overcrowding. They take up residence in a strange castle next to the sea. The children are forbidden from going near the water or talking to strangers. There is definitely something amiss with their new home. Then one day, Indy tells Aliya that a witch has been haunting her. Aliya is incredulous. A knocking on the door emanates through the castle, interrupting their conversation. The door opens upon a beautiful woman with green eyes. This enchantress beckons to Indy and Aliya is powerless to stop her sister from following the witch into the ocean. Five years later, the family, especially Aliya, is haunted by the disappearance of Indy. Their mother is mindstruck, a shell of her former self, spending her days rocking in the rocking chair, only pausing to cook meals. Aliya wracked with guilt decides to come clean to her father about everything she knows regarding the disappearance of her younger sister. When her father disappears into his study, she decides to follow regardless of his strict rule to never go into his private room. Aliya enters into her father's private chambers and discovers her father has vanished. She finds her brother Jack and tells him about the strange occurrence, but he brushes her aside, intent on leaving with some girl he has been secretly courting. The girl appears at the door, and Aliya immediately recognizes her green eyes. She is the witch, coming to steal her brother. Jack refuses to listen and leaves with the witch. Now Aliya is left with her brother, Vander and her sister, Skye. The three of them endeavor to go on a dangerous journey to save their family. Can they find the sword of Senack and recover their father, brother and sister?...

What I Liked:
*Picking up this book, I had no idea what I was getting into. This book caught me completely off guard. It was like nothing I expected. This is a creative and thrilling read fraught with danger, brimming with fantastical scenery, imaginative characters and a story line that keeps the action coming. If you are looking for an exciting fantasy adventure that takes place in the ocean, give this one try.
*I loved that the main focus of this story was on familial bonds. This book follows the three siblings, Aliya, Skye and Vander, as they embark on their quest to recover their family. Along the way, their trust and loyalty are tested and their bonds grow even stronger as a result. I especially liked the growth in the relationship between Aliya and Skye. I found this to be a refreshing departure in the YA arena where you are constantly bombarded with romance. This book has only the slightest inkling of a budding romance.
*I loved the creativity and ingenuity in the world building and the characters. Ms. Stilson presents an undersea world with many unique inhabitants. The attention to detail is stunning.
This book is action packed. From the moment the trio embarks on their quest there is constant activity that doesn't let up. Each turn of the page brings more thrilling encounters and new dangers. I was surprised time and time again by the direction of the story, not to mention the many exciting developments and unexpected twists. This book definitely keeps you on your toes.
*I loved the complexity of the story line and that the author followed through and brought most of the story lines to a resolution, while carefully laying out new plot lines for her next book. There is no giant cliffhanger and the reader satisfactorily uncovers the answers to the majority of the questions.
*The book even has a few illustrations. A big bonus for me. I love pictures and these didn't disappoint.

And The Not So Much:
*As I discussed, this book is brimming with unique characters. There is a lot to keep track of and at times it is a bit much. Thankfully, Ms. Stilson does provide a glossary at the end to help you keep everything straight.
*I loved that the focus of this book was all about family, yet I wished there was just a tiny bit more development on the romance. The hints are there, and the reader can sense the building of a romantic interest between two of the main characters, but it doesn't completely unfurl. I wanted that kiss...Alas, maybe in the next book.
*One of my favorite story lines was the metamorphosis of the relationship between the two sisters, Aliya and Skye. I found myself wishing that there was a more thorough presentation of what their relationship was like before their quest. There is just a brief mention that the two didn't exactly get along. I am one of those readers that likes to plot the change and the growth along the way. It was still satisfactory to see the sisters grow closer, though.

The Sword of Senack is a creative, unique and exciting read that takes you to the depths of the ocean, where you will encounter pirates, giant green hands, ice beasts, witches, merfolk, dragons and more. This book has great world building and unique characters on top of a whirlwind adventure. Be prepared for anything and everything. This was a surprisingly fun read, especially for a book that can be purchased for $2.99. If you want something different give this one a try. Ms. Stilson is definitely a talented voice, one to watch.
Favorite Quotations:
"I fantasized about a balmy ocean where nothing could overcome the boat. Fish swim past. Birds flew above me. The salty air danced around my skin as I sailed."
"Everything would happen the way it was supposed to. After all, chaos can be beautiful."
"The war continued until many had died for the whims of a few."
"It only took finding my heritage, to find what I always had back home," I said, "a sister...a friend." Read more ›

More About the Author

EC Stilson (also known as Elisabeth Hirsch) is a part-owner and editor at Wayman Publishing. All three of her memoirs (under the pen name EC Stilson) have become Amazon best sellers within the last two years. Since 2011, she's helped Wayman Publishing raise thousands of dollars for organizations such as Angel Watch, the Pregnancy Resource Center, the American Diabetes Association and Primary Children's Hospital. When she's not parenting or writing, Elisabeth is speaking at assemblies and signings, or encouraging families at infant-loss relief groups.

Elisabeth is dedicated to helping other authors succeed. From editing, to formatting and marketing, she can share her knowledge and show aspiring authors how to best start their writing careers.