Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne is a fantasy tale imbued with magic and myth that subtly merges with reality. The story starts with Davis, a boy born without magic in a world where not having magical abilities is heavily frowned upon. Davis is concerned about being cast out from his family of shapeshifters due to his lack of shapeshifting powers and desiring to gain his father’s approval. After some tragic events, Davis’ fate slowly unwinds and leads him into the path of a young woman named Iris. Together, they join forces to make the world they live in a better place, but the question arises: are their intentions truly aligned, or is something more sinister at play?

Emily Renk Hawthorne’s storytelling offers readers a wonderful journey into a new world full of familiarity, different points of view, and out-of-the-ordinary characters. Davis is only one character out of many whose experiences build the backstory of this epic tale and the relationships it so firmly holds. Iris, Ling, Nivi, Amber, and the rest of the personas play crucial parts in building a story that connects all of them in a web of intrigue, secrecy, and danger. I particularly liked the different points of view and traveling within different timelines, which makes all the characters feel like they have a crucial role in each part of the story. Of Mountains and Seas is an exciting and wonderful read that will transport the reader into a detailed, imaginative, and realistic world.

In Emily Renk Hawthorne's Of Mountains and Seas, a clear difference exists between Statics and Shifters. Shifters possess magic and use camouflage stones to remain hidden from Statics. Statics can steal magic from Shifters using transfer stones. Mines have been established filled with magical stones, but their use was banned many years ago. Davis Sun, a Static, discovered three transfer stones in his father's storage room, yet his magic was not permanent. Davis had established a life within the Shifter community and was experiencing a decline in his powers. In his quest for additional stones, Davis encountered Iris. Iris had discovered magical stones in Yuras, a small town in California, and Davis's pursuit of more power was leading him toward a dangerous path.

Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne was an exhilarating journey filled with magic, intrigue, and adventure. I was captivated from the first page and found it impossible to put the book down, not even for a moment. The numerous twists and turns kept me hooked, making me turn the pages as quickly as possible. Several storylines were skillfully interwoven without overshadowing any of them. Topics such as alcohol addiction, emotional trauma, and physical violence were handled with sensitivity. The characters felt genuine and relatable. It is hard to highlight just one or two characters since each has a unique role in the story. The writing was brilliantly crafted and included all the elements of a remarkable book. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, which surpassed all my expectations.

Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne delves deep into the complex themes of identity, family dynamics, and the profound cost of ambition. Set in the quiet town of Yuras, California, the novel follows Davis, a young man born without the magical abilities that define his shapeshifting family, as he struggles to prove his worth and overcome his father's crushing expectations. Alongside Iris, a determined girl battling a mysterious illness, Davis discovers a hidden cave containing magic-transferring stones that promise to change everything. Their perilous quest for power becomes a transformative journey that challenges the very foundations of their understanding of self and destiny. Hawthorne masterfully blends elements of Chinese mythology with intricate character development, creating a narrative that explores the lengths individuals will go to rewrite their predetermined paths and challenge the limitations imposed by family and fate.

Author Emily Renk Hawthorne's narrative is both breathtakingly imaginative and deeply introspective, revealing a talent for mythological storytelling. I was particularly captivated by her ability to weave complex magical elements with profoundly human emotional landscapes. The vivid prose brings unique shapeshifter mythology to life, immersing readers in a fantastical world that is simultaneously extraordinary and grounded in emotional truth. The dual perspectives of Davis and Iris offer nuanced insights into their individual struggles, ambitions, and deepest vulnerabilities. The nonlinear storytelling adds layers of suspense, keeping readers consistently engaged while deepening the emotional stakes. The way Hawthorne explores moral ambiguity in the pursuit of power is nothing short of brilliant, creating a narrative that challenges readers to consider the complex motivations behind transformative choices. The writing transcends traditional genre boundaries, offering an exploration of personal identity and the sometimes dangerous pursuit of self-transformation. The intricate character arcs and mythological elements combine to create a story that is intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. Overall, I would definitely recommend Of Mountains and Seas as a groundbreaking urban fantasy that redefines the boundaries of magical storytelling.

Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne is a story of magic that weaves through the decades in an engaging adventure. Davis was born without any magic, which made him an outcast. All he wants is for his father to approve of him and this takes him on a journey that could change his future. He meets Iris, a young woman who struggles with a strange illness. In a small town in California, they make a shocking discovery in a cave that threatens to reveal the secrets Davis has kept hidden. Stones allow magic to change the direction of their future and push them to decide what they’re willing to do to gain power. Watch the story come to life through multiple characters in time and enjoy getting to know this exciting world filled with Shifters.

The plot structure creates a mystery that keeps you turning the pages in anticipation of what happens next. The multiple perspectives reveal a different aspect of the world at different times with Davis in the 1930s, Ling in the 1980s, Iris in the 1950s, and Nivi in 2000. The story is largely character-driven with each perspective easy to differentiate from the others. While Davis struggles with being an outcast, Ling is frustrated by keeping her daughter’s secrets which have an interesting impact on the future. Meanwhile, a mystery deepens with Iris as she suffers from a strange illness that slowly unravels as the story progresses. While each has its arc that keeps them separate, the characters overlap uniquely, which will surprise you. The world itself is an interesting take on Shifters and draws inspiration from Chinese mythology in a fresh spin. The rules and magic are built steadily with each shift in perspective to give you another layer. Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne is a highly recommended fantasy with a nonlinear plot, layered characters, magical twists, and an adventure in searching for power.