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The Heart of the Sea (Once Upon a Reimagined Time) Paperback – August 15, 2021
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"What price is too high when it comes to saving the one you love?"
Childhood friends, mer prince Caspian and human princess Sabine have been in love for years, but when tragedy strikes, the Kingdoms of Above and Below are separated, and not even their connection can heal the breach between their worlds.
Years later, something is stirring in the deep, and when Sabine's life is threatened, Caspian makes a dangerous deal with a sea witch in an attempt to protect her.
But nothing is simple—Caspian and Sabine find themselves in the middle of an ancient curse, and will have to risk far more than their lives for the chance of being together...
- Print length262 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 15, 2021
- Dimensions6 x 0.66 x 9 inches
- ISBN-10173454726X
- ISBN-13978-1734547269
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Product details
- Publisher : BookDragon Publishing
- Publication date : August 15, 2021
- Language : English
- Print length : 262 pages
- ISBN-10 : 173454726X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1734547269
- Item Weight : 13.7 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.66 x 9 inches
- Part of series : Once Upon a Reimagined Time
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,613,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,820 in Action & Adventure Fantasy (Books)
- #9,860 in Fantasy Action & Adventure
- #35,094 in Romantic Fantasy (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Chesney Infalt has been writing stories since she got her first notebook at the age of six. While those are under lock and key, her books A Warrior's Heart, Puppy Love, and Haeven Short Stories Collection are available now, while The Three, the first book of her new fantasy series, is scheduled to be released in 2020.
Follow her on social media @chesneyinfalt
You can also find her on Patreon.
Sign up for the email group at www.chesneyinfalt.com for a free eBook!
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
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A perfectly magical retelling
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2022Chesney wrote an enchanting retelling of the Little Mermaid. The story captivated me from the start, and it was impossible to put down. The way she describes Sabine's love for the sea and her collections gathered over the years, to Caspian's physical description as a mermaid and subtle instincts in sensing people and magic draws you in ultimately. Not to mention the love they have for each other that keeps you rooting for them all the way through.
In "The Heart of the Sea," you hear both sides of the main characters as they struggle to be together, fighting against all odds like land and sea, magic versus love, not to mention unwanted suitors! Definitely a MUST READ if you're looking for a fairytale retelling, this is one of the best!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2023The Heart of the Sea is told from the dual perspectives of a merman prince named Caspian and a human princess named Sabine. The two are childhood friends who have deep-seated feelings toward each other that defy their duties as royalty, particularly in the case of Sabine, who must make a political alliance with another human kingdom. Several years after their relationship blooms, Sabine's kingdom decides to break off its alliance with the merfolk due to a sudden outbreak of the Condemned, cursed merpeople who attack humans at sea. The descriptions that the book provides for the Condemned are vague, but it is apparent that they are inspired by the "Poor Unfortunate Souls" that Ursula holds captive in her lair from the Disney version of the fairy tale. Caspian accidentally causes two of his brothers to transform into such creatures when he makes a deal with Maire, the sea witch, to provide Sabine with a magic "dream bracelet" that would make it easier for her to be with him.
Though Sabine and Caspian's feelings toward each other are fully developed, the rest of this book's waters are murky. It isn't clear why Caspian needed to get Sabine a magic bracelet when the two were already close and saw each other regularly at a secret cave where the land meets with the sea. The bracelet doesn't turn Sabine into a mermaid or Caspian into a human, and its powers are just as vague as what happens to merfolk who become Condemned. It also doesn't help that the story constantly switches between two different timelines for no real reason--one timeline from when Caspian met with Sabine as a merman, and the other from when he became human five years later. Another thing that wasn't fully explained was why Sabine didn't recognize Caspian in his human form despite thinking of him constantly. One of the chapters from Caspian's perspective said he must look very different for Sabine to confuse him for someone else. Yet, from Sabine's perspective, it is never clear why his top half doesn't look enough like Caspian for her to recognize him without his tail aside from pure denial combined with the fact that he didn't have a voice to explain himself
Despite a rushed ending that comes off as forced, the book follows the basic structure of "The Little Mermaid" if the protagonist had been a merman who was in love with a princess he knew from his youth. The time the two spend together in their early days helps to enhance the love story and make the audience root for them to get together. This book could have been even stronger if it hadn't been based on "The Little Mermaid" because the original elements are fresher and more interesting than the ones that are pulled from the fairy tale. While Caspian's lack of a voice comes off as contrived and is easily resolved, there is no reason for Sabine not to recognize him after spending so much time with him as a merman. I particularly enjoyed the star-crossed lovers element of the story and how the kingdom's banishment of ties with merfolk creates a challenge for Sabine and Caspian's happiness. However, I think it would have been far more interesting if Caspian hadn't become human and had to work with Sabine to find a way to work through the obstacles between their kingdoms and reform the alliance.
The Heart of the Sea presents a reimagined take on "The Little Mermaid," weaving a touching love story between a merman prince and a human princess within a complex world. While the book effectively captures the depth of emotion between the protagonists, it struggles to provide clear explanations for pivotal elements such as the magical bracelet and the timeline shifts. The original elements of the story shine through, showcasing the potential for a more compelling narrative without relying heavily on established fairy tale motifs. The challenges presented by the kingdom's stance on relations with the merfolk add an intriguing layer to the star-crossed lovers' tale, yet the resolution was too abrupt. Overall, The Heart of the Sea offers a heartfelt interpretation of a classic tale whose potential could have been further realized by deviating more boldly from the source material and delving deeper into its own unique narrative.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2023I don't often go for fairy tale retellings, but I found myself enjoying Sabine and Caspian's story. While there are familiar parts to the storyline-recognized from The Little Mermaid-there's also a decent amount of backstory and side stories to keep it fresh. All in all I found myself enjoying the story.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2022This is my first book by Chesney Infalt and I enjoyed it. This was a sweet YA romance and a fast read. However, I don’t like how the past information was thrown through out the story but that is just my personal preference.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2022Fun, whimsical twist on a classic. I love a read that keeps me intrigued, and this was definitely a page turner. The details and descriptions were lovely, at proper times conjuring sinister imagery as well. There was original flavor too, which made it stand up (or swim upright) against the original. Would highly recommend!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2021*POSSIBLE SPOILERS*
I must explain my 4-star review. I felt as if there was a bit too much exposition, over-explaining, and excuses for every choice the characters made. And many points that would’ve wrenched the plot quickly got brushed aside as if it were nothing. Also, the whole plot depended on Sabine not recognizing Caspian from a five year difference and losing his merman features. I felt it was kind of a stretch considering their vast love for one another.
That being said, I could not put the book down. The characters were so engaging and each page literally had me questioning what would happen next. Based off of my favorite Disney movie, I assumed Caspian and Sabine would find each other in the end, but I still couldn’t help but cheer them on and yearn for their reunion. The idea of the Condemned was thrilling and creepy, painting a picture of my greatest deep sea fears.
I will most definitely recommend this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2022I absolutely loved this book. I was sad that it ended. I love the gender swap. I love the way it resembled the little mermaid just slightly and took on its own tone. Bravo. Love love love!!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2021Gender-swapped retelling of a beautiful fairytale. The story is fun and imaginative, and I can’t wait to read more!
Top reviews from other countries
- alovesbooksReviewed in France on August 1, 2022
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting, surprisingly complex retelling
I enjoy fairy tale retellings and haven't read many Little Mermaid ones. This book took a familiar story and made it dynamic by switching from the past to the present, and by including a lot more action than I would have expected.
The depiction of the sea witch was probably my favorite thing about the book - delightfully different from what I was expecting and very spooky.
That said, at times the interspersed flashbacks and present-day action could get a little confusing, and most confusing of all was the ages of the two main characters at the start - old enough to fall in love and have the beginnings of a physical relationship, yet apparently so young that they wouldn't recognize each other a few years later?
Still, despite this and a few other details in the denouement that left me with a few questions, I found the book to be a lively, romantic, and very unique retelling of The Little Mermaid. It makes for a great read if you want a bit of imagination in your life, or to be transported to the sea!
- Hannah WoodlockReviewed in Australia on September 5, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully woven fairytale retelling
Heart of the Sea is a gender-swapped retelling that spins The Little Mermaid into childhood sweethearts and lost magic.
I loved every moment reading it.
I think Bill needs a book of his own!
- Elishab Author of Paranormal RomanceReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
The writing throughout the story was beautifully done.
I adored the characters that were introduced. Askel was a delightfully refreshing character.
At its core this was a little mermaid retelling but Chensey definitely put her own twist in the tale.
Never a dull moment. A lot of beauty and darkness in the word. Magic and adventure.
A delight to read.
I would highly recommend reading this book.
- Amazon customerReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous fairy-tale
This story was absolutely gorgeous!! Caspian has my heart and Sabine was very easy to like. I was rooting for these two the entire time! Some brilliant side characters too. Dual POV works really well. Just was I wanted to read!