The Water Boy
“Destiny is a tricky thing, boy. No one knows where a Traveller’s road may lead.”
One mistake could seal his fate…
Zale Teague grew up thinking he was an ordinary boy—until the day he called lightning from the skies and caused an explosion with horrific results. Now the eleven-year-old is fleeing his terrifying new merman powers and the mistake he'll never forget.
When a Romani clan takes him in, he thinks he's found a way to protect his loved ones from disaster… until his past catches up to him. Will Zale ever find redemption, or must he keep running forever?
The Water Boy novella is the standalone origin story of Zale, the first undine male (merman) born in over three thousand years, introduced in Book 1 of the clean young adult epic fantasy Rise of the Grigori series, The Undine's Tear. It takes place five years before the main series.
In this rich, breathtaking series, join merfolk, sphinxes, dragons, and humans in a search for redemption that will determine the fate of the world . . . they just don't all know it yet.
Download now to start your adventure into the mind-blowing series today!
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What Readers Say
“A page-turner that draws you in to an amazing world.”
“A gripping tale.”
“I’m usually not a fan of prequels, but this is an exception.”
“Left me wanting more!”
“I devoured this book! Excited to start the next chapter!”
“A fun, quick read. I loved reading about Zale's past, and can't wait for the next book in this series!”
“Highly entertaining.”
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Equivalent movie rating of PG-13 for assault and intense themes of bullying and accidental death and injury.
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What happened to me?
Beneath the shimmery surface of the shallow water, Zale's body looked strange. The torn legs of his breeches drifted in the current, anchored only by his waistband. Between them—where his legs should be—shimmered a large silvery-green tail from the most enormous fish he had ever seen. His neck felt odd, and when he touched it, he found frilly flaps of leathery skin opening over slits he had never found there before.
Talwyn clambered onto the shore, gasping. Noticing the boys’ reactions, she turned around to see what they were looking at. Afraid that she would react the same way, Zale held up his hands to ward off her terror, blocking his view of her face.
“Zale? Is that you?”
“No—” he whimpered, squeezing his eyes shut tight. He cracked an eye open but refused to look at her. The skin on the backs of his raised hands glimmered wetly. He stared at the slick gel that covered his hands and arms beneath his shirt. Why do I feel so strange?
Gryffyn pulled himself onto a flat boulder on the bank.
“Fynn?” screamed Robbie, flailing near the shore. “Fynny? I can’t see. Help!”
Gryffyn bent and hauled his brother out of the water.
“Demon,” Jory whispered, backing away from Zale and crossing himself.
Gryffyn's gaze locked on Zale. He took in Zale’s tail and the leathery gills, and then glanced at the charred tree that still hissed slightly in the rain. He turned back to Zale with narrowed eyes.
“It was you. What are you?”
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Genre: Young Adult Epic Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure
Alternate Title: The Waterboy
Series: Rise of the Grigori
Volume: 0 (Prequel)
Length: 92 pages; 23k words
Reading Time: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
Listening time: 2 hrs, 52 mins; includes sample of The Undine's TearEbook released on: March 27, 2019
Audiobook released on: October 14, 2020
Narrator: Jonathon Carley
Publisher: My Secret Wish Publishing
ISBN (ebook): 978-0-9947364-8-2
ISBN (audiobook): 978-1-989800-01-0
Retailer Links:
Books in this Series:
Mermaids. Magic. And a search for redemption that could tear the world apart…
Three thousand years ago, a Mad undine healer sank Atlantis. Ever since, the Heartstone that protects the undines’ island has been failing and they haven’t produced a single boy. As the most powerful healer in three millennia, Calandra is the last hope of not only her people, but the entire world. Because if she can’t figure out how to undo her ancestor’s mistake, the Father of Lies will unleash hell on Earth.
Packed with complex characters, lush world-building, gritty action, and impossible odds, this intricately woven epic fantasy series presents mermaids and dragons like you’ve never seen them before.
Join Calandra in a search for redemption that could threaten the very fabric of the universe!
Reviews:
“A page-turner that draws you in to an amazing world.”
“A gripping tale.”
Molly Harrow, reader
“Left me wanting more!”
Amazon reviewer
“I devoured this book! Excited to start the next chapter!”
Larisa F., Goodreads reviewer
“Highly entertaining.”
T. C., Goodreads reviewer
Praise for The Undine's Tear
(Rise of the Grigori Book 1)
“Well-drawn characters immersed in intricate worlds. A rip-roaring read.”
Lorehaven Magazine | Full review.
“A colossal fantasy tale told by an expert storyteller. Spectacular.”
Ruffina Oserio, Readers’ Favorite
“Strong setting, unpredictable plot, memorable characters, and a setting that is brilliantly written.”
Jose Cornelio, Readers’ Favorite*
“The action never stopped… a brilliant start to a new series, superbly composed to entertain!”
Rabia Tanveer, Readers’ Favorite*
“Packed with action, consequences, and oh-so-much heart.”
Anne Sengstock, Immersed in Books | Full review.
“You want to read this book. It’s fantastic!”
Editor-in-Chief, Constellate Publishing
“Stunning writing, vivid descriptions, and endearing characters. Puts the epic in fantasy.”
Beneath the Surface on the Blog
Original Music from Rise of the Grigori
![The Storm in Me [Songwriter Showcase]: Bluesy Stomp-Clap Rock](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/a1fc8565-4f74-4b05-9c4f-4299cca505a7/The+Storm+in+Me+album+art+webp.webp)
![Redemption (Raise the Tide) [Lyricist Showcase]: rock anthem from Rise of the Grigori](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/f175d877-244b-418c-b7f3-32357a711b62/Redemption+%28Raise+the+Tide%29+-+album+art+web.jpg)
![Elyon’s Children (A Mermaid Lullaby) [Lyricist Showcase]: Celtic pop rock from Rise of the Grigori](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/37102d61-47e5-4a96-8658-b1e6c87b525d/Elyon%27s+Children+%28A+Mermaid+Lullaby%29+-+web.jpg)
That’s not all!
Get exclusive bonus content for Rise of the Grigori series in the Books and Tea League, including character art, maps, wikis, playlists, and more. (You will need to sign up for a free membership.)
Ever wonder how authors choose names for their characters? In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on the naming process for some of the key characters in my clean epic mermaid fantasy series Rise of the Grigori—from Calandra’s songbird-inspired origins to Zale’s sea-strong rebrand, Narcissa’s perfectly “on the nose” moniker, and more. You’ll get a peek at how meaning, culture, sound, and story all come together to shape name choices for the perfect fit.