Derek R. King and Julie L. Kusma's Sea Hearts & Sea Horses is a masterful collection that plunges readers into a world of myth, melancholy, and romance. The authors skillfully navigate the deep, symbolic waters of the ocean, delivering a series of stories and poems that feel both ancient and intimately personal. It was a perfect coincidence that I read this book while on the shores of the Atlantic, as its immersive prose made the salty air and distant horizon feel like an extension of the page.
Among the book's seventeen gems, a few stand out as particularly brilliant. 'The Moon’s Gift' is a whimsical tale about the phases of the Moon that feels like a forgotten fairy tale. At the same time, the title story, 'Sea Hearts and Sea Horses,' explores feelings of destiny and belonging within a deep fantasy. The authors' command of short-story form is evident, but their prose often breaks into lyrical waves, as seen in this line from one of the stories: 'When the Earth was young, there existed a world within the world where magical creatures roamed.'
The poetry in the collection is equally resonant, with lines that linger long after you’ve read them. I particularly loved the eerie tone of 'Shadows watching, selkies, a meriwitch, too, linger longing - lamenting just for you,' and the raw vulnerability in 'To tell of my love - the truth in my heart - my soul laid bare when we are apart.' The collection is a testament to King and Kusma’s talent. For anyone looking to get lost in a world of sea lore and poignant human emotion, this book is a definitive recommendation.
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From the Publisher
Where the Ocean Meets the Unknown...
Sea Hearts and Sea Horses is a collection of interconnected tales that delve into the depths of the human psyche and the mysteries of the sea.
More Than a Setting—The Sea is a Voice
Each story invites readers to explore the boundaries between reality and the surreal, the known and the unknown.
Transformation, Longing, Identity
Mythical, metaphorical, and deeply human—this collection is a study of becoming and belonging.
The Magic Beneath the Surface
Featuring lush prose, atmospheric storytelling, and meditative pacing, every page feels like stepping barefoot into the tide.
For Lovers of Lyrical Prose and Liminal Spaces
Come closer.
Listen—
the sea has
something to tell you.
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2025Format: Kindle
