Today, I am sharing a young adult fantasy novel in our book spotlight! Check out Selena Flowers and the Phantom Tides, read a quick excerpt from the book, learn about author Ella English and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post! Check back next week because I'll be sharing my review of the book soon too!
The Merblood Saga, Book 2
YA Fantasy
Date Published: 02-25-2025
Publisher: Spider Web Press
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Something strange is going down in the sleepy seaside village of Madderly Bay. Best friends Selena and Chloe are stuck in the most boring summer ever—until food starts coming to life and running wild in the streets.
But that’s just the beginning. Earthquakes start shaking the village, and creepy claw marks show up, hinting at something dark stirring beneath the waves. Only Selena and Chloe know the real story about the zombie mermaids they faced before—and now they’re worried the threat they thought was gone might be back.
As the tremors get worse and the water turns a scary green, the girls have to figure out what’s awakening in the depths before it’s too late. With their friend Zelda and her magical squid, Glowella, by their side, they’ll risk everything to save both the human and magical worlds from a danger that could destroy them all.
In this thrilling adventure, Selena and her friends have to face their fears and dig up some serious secrets between the human and magical worlds. With their village and the ocean in danger, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Can they figure out what’s messing with the sea before it’s too late? Or will they realize that saving their town—and both worlds—might be way harder than they thought?
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Read an Excerpt
As they approached the Undead Academy, Selena couldn't help but marvel at the massive structure. It loomed before them, all gothic spires and barnacle-covered walls. Talk about your creepy school vibes.
They swam through corridors that stretched on forever, passing classrooms that looked like something out of an underwater fever dream. Seaweed desks twisted into weird shapes. Coral chalkboards glowed with sea urchins, showing off magical equations that shimmered like disco lights.
Finally, after what felt like hours of swimming through the trippy underwater school, they reached the top of the Academy. Aunt Ada's attic chamber waited behind a trapdoor that pulsed with its own heartbeat.
Selena's stomach did a little flip as they approached. With a quick look at each other that said, "Here goes nothing," they pushed it open. A cloud of bubbles exploded around them as they swam in.
Whoa. Talk about magic overload. The water inside shimmered with an otherworldly glow, like liquid starlight. It flowed around them in swirling patterns, carrying whispers of ancient spells. As Selena swam through with Chloe and Zelda, a tingling sensation spread over her skin, as if the water was alive with magic. The whole place radiated this ethereal vibe that made the hairs on the back of Selena's neck stand up. She couldn't shake the feeling that they'd just stepped into another world entirely, where normal rules didn't apply.
Dim, shifting light filled the room, casting everything in shades of blue and green that rippled like sunlight dancing on the ocean floor. Coral shelves lined the walls, packed with jars of dried herbs, glowing potions, and ancient scrolls that murmured secrets as they shifted.
Glowella zipped around the room, her tentacles flailing wildly, looking about as chill as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Her bioluminescent spots flashed on and off like she was trying to send an SOS in Morse code.
About the Author
Ella English grew up in the heart of London, where the hustle and bustle of city life met summer adventures at her grandma’s house on the Kent coast. Exploring tide pools and collecting seashells, she developed a love for the ocean and a knack for creating imaginative worlds that she now brings to life through her writing.
Now living in Baltimore, Maryland, Ella is the author of The Merblood Saga, a dark fantasy YA series that plunges readers into a haunting underwater realm filled with cursed mermaids, ancient magic, and buried secrets. The first book, Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby, has been a hit with young readers, drawing them into its mysterious and dangerous world.
Ella also writes and illustrates Kitty in the City, a whimsical series about a singing cat named Katy who takes New York City by storm. The latest installment, Katy in Central Park, will be released in June 2025.
When she’s not weaving dark magic or drawing cats, Ella is kept busy by her two mischievous felines who make sure she stays entertained and grounded. Follow her adventures (and plenty of cat cameos) on Instagram @EllaEnglishAuthor or visit www.ellaenglish.com for more.
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