Seventeen has always felt like a failure for Targa MacAuley. While other sirens completed their transformations as children, she remained stuck somewhere in between—just human enough to pass, yet magical enough to feel like something vital was missing from her life.
When Targa joins her famous mother on a summer salvage dive in the Baltic Sea, the ancient wreck awakens something long dormant in her blood. The danger is real, but so is the magnetic pull toward Antoni, a handsome local diver who makes her heart race in ways the sea never could. As she works alongside him, pretending to be just another ordinary teenager, she can't shake the feeling that her carefully constructed human facade is about to shatter.
The sea has other plans. When Targa's long-delayed mermaid transformation finally arrives, it brings with it an impossible choice: return to the depths and embrace the life her mother expects, or stay on land and risk revealing what she truly is to Antoni. He doesn't know her secret. She doesn't know if she can bear to leave him behind.
Born of Water is more than just a tale of mythical creatures—it's about finding where you belong when your heart pulls you in different directions. This slow-burn romantic fantasy explores the ache of first love tangled with destiny, family secrets, and the terrifying beauty of embracing who you're meant to be. With over 100,000 copies sold and translations in five languages, this first book in the Elemental Origins series has captured the hearts of young adult fantasy readers worldwide.
If you've ever felt torn between who you are and who you're meant to become, Targa's story will speak to your heart. Dive into the pages of Born of Water and discover why readers around the world have fallen in love with this oceanic adventure.
