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Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite
S. McPherson writes a phenomenal first book in At Water’s Edge. Approaching her eighteenth birthday, Dezaray Storm is already worn out with life. Alone in her despair, she dreams of a beautiful, magical place and a handsome stranger. The grass may be greener on the other side, but for Dezaray something sinister lurks within the shadows - something felt but not seen - something penetrating and intoxicating. Weird and strange things are happening; random, yet enlightening words are spoken, beckoning her to enter into the shimmering light. Through fate, accident, or possibly destiny, Dezaray escapes the world of abuse and guilt and enters into another world, a parallel dimension. This place is both real and unreal, the place where her dreams take shape. The world of Coltis is safe and dangerous, electrifying and terrifying. It is a world of opposing emotions and human counterparts. Once Dezaray enters into her fairy tale, she doesn’t want to return to her real world. She is in too deep for it to be temporary. For in this magical place, she finds him, the man of her dreams.
The goal of the author is to write for her “fellow dreamers and make believers.” S. McPherson certainly accomplishes her goal in At Water’s Edge. The intriguing beginning piques your curiosity and draws you in immediately. McPherson writes for her target audience extremely well; however, more mature readers may desire more depth in content. The writing style is exceptional. Penned beautifully, it is romantically mystical; McPherson’s words sway like gentle breezes across the page. It is eloquently picturesque, full of figurative descriptions. Written in first person, the narrative is told from Dezaray’s point of view. This technique makes the book captivating; the reader gets to experience all the thoughts, emotions, and actions of the heroine. The magic and innocence of young love, there’s nothing like it. Delving into the plot with ease and finesse, McPherson quickly reveals the rules and parameters of her fantasy world. Odd creatures, warlocks and vampires, portals and teleporting create an entertaining not-of-this-world story. In page upon page the plot unfolds, the struggle escalates, and the action rises until its climactic end, leaving the reader holding their breath, anticipating what’s going to happen next.
