Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Undine's Blessing

Rate this book
A dutiful daughter, a mystical archipelago, and a hidden power waiting to command the tides...

Marella spends her days caring for her sick mother and selling her father's fish. Bound by duty and love, she dreams little of adventure. But when her mother must travel to the city for treatment, her father takes her out to sea, despite her fear of water.

A storm steers them to Emberrain, home to a tribe of magical nymphs and a place of secrets, where Marella discovers a startling truth: her father is a frequent visitor to these mysterious islands. Soon she learns that Emberrain isn't the only secret he had kept from her.

Marella has the power to control water and communicate with aquatic animals.

Overwhelmed by the magical but dangerous islands, and the secrets of her father, Marella must learn to harness her powers to save herself and her new aquatic friend before they are separated from their parents forever.

Undine's Blessing is a journey of wonder, where fears are faced and mysteries unravel, and a young girl learns that true adventure begins when you dare to embrace who you truly are.

ebook

Published January 29, 2024

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Tessa Hastjarjanto

8 books73 followers
Tessa Hastjarjanto is a Dutch/Indonesian writer from the Netherlands. She writes speculative fiction, and blogs at narratess.com about books, fountain pens, and writing.

From a young age, she imitated popular stories and games in creating her own worlds. This love eventually led to a masters degree in media and game studies at the University of Utrecht. However a mundane desk job was enough to inspire her to follower her creative passion. The first fanfics were written in lunch breaks and soon original fiction followed.

With the support of her husband, she now focuses on her writing career while battling chronic pain. Swiss white shepherd, Shiro, acts as a therapy dog to keep her healthy and reduce stress through extensive cuddle sessions.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
4 (26%)
4 stars
9 (60%)
3 stars
2 (13%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for John Mauro.
Author 6 books792 followers
August 24, 2024
My SPFBOX semi-finalist review of Undine's Blessing is published at Before We Go Blog.

“The water enveloped Marella. Her long hair flowed around her and she was weightless. She was free.”

Undine’s Blessing is Tessa Hastjarjanto’s beautifully emotive coming-of-age novel that transports the reader to a marine world full of magical adventure. The lead protagonist, Marella, is the daughter of a fisherman, Marcos, who spends long periods of time at sea. As an only child, Marella is often left taking care of her sick mother.

Marella is a dutiful daughter, taking care of her mother with nary a complaint. She is also a skilled basket weaver, supplementing the family’s income through her wares. Marella is famous for her smoked fish, although she herself cannot bear to eat animals. Marella feels inexorably drawn to the sea, but she is keenly aware of the dangers of water after a near-drowning experience as a younger child.

The world of Undine’s Blessing is full of wonders. There are butterfly-like nymphs, talking animal friends, and a gorgeous tropical island. Undine’s Blessing also features an elemental magic system closely linked to its stunning natural world.

Tessa Hastjarjanto’s prose is beautifully affecting. Undine’s Blessing has a fairytale-like quality that feels like the literary equivalent of watching a Miyazaki movie. It evokes a wholesome sense of discovery and gentle didacticism that will appeal to readers of all ages.

On the downside, it takes too long for the novel’s antagonist to make an appearance, and then the central conflict is resolved too quickly. This is one of the rare instances where I feel like the book should be about a hundred pages longer. I definitely wanted to spend more time in this magical oceanic world, with greater rising tension before the conflict is resolved.

Notwithstanding these minor shortcomings, I thoroughly enjoyed Undine’s Blessing and wholeheartedly recommend this book as a semi-finalist in SPFBOX. There is a gentle, timeless quality to Undine’s Blessing that should appeal to upper middle-grade readers all the way through adults.
Profile Image for Jamedi.
587 reviews118 followers
February 26, 2024
Review originally on JamReads

Undine's Blessing is a dark fairytale set in the Lunis Aquaria universe created by Tessa Hastjarjanto, a new story that explores more of the world while weaving an enchanting plot. A novella which is aimed at upper middle grade, but which can be enjoyed by a wider public, especially if you are looking for a magical tale.

Marella is a dutiful daughter who spends most of her days taking care of her mother suffering of a chronic illness, while her father passes most of the days at the sea fishing. A simple life, which is complemented by daydreaming of the distant places she can't visit due to her obligations. When her mother's condition worsens and is translated to a city, her father decided to take Marella with him on his next travel; revealing to Marella Emberrain, a place he has kept in secret from the rest of the family, a land filled with nymphs that can control the elements.
But that's not the only surprise in Marella's life, discovering that the same power is inside her, a power she will need to master and use it to save Emberrain; a power that might also help her mother.

A big plot which encloses many surprises, which are slowly revealed to the reader while more and more about the nymphs is told; Marella ends discovering that her father is not the only who is not telling the truth in Emberrain, especially after discovering new subaquatic friends. She will have to go outside of her comfort zone, and confront those that hold authority if she wants to restore Emberrain.

Hastjarjanto has packed a ton of worldbuilding into a story full of heart; a novel that also shows her growth as an author. The prose is descriptive, bordering the poetic at some points, perfect for this particular genre, creating beauty through words.

Undine's Blessing is a compelling novella, aimed for young readers, but which you will enjoy if your heart is still young; a new instalment that extends the Lunis Aquaria world, and that shows the talent Tessa has for writing. I can't wait to see her publishing more books!
Profile Image for Marie Sinadjan.
Author 10 books68 followers
April 11, 2024
We return to the world of Lunis Aquaria with this short story — though I must admit I didn't make the definite connection until the very end! I won't spoil it, but it was a pleasant surprise. Well played, Tessa. Well played.

You don't need to have read Tales of Lunis Aquaria to enjoy this, however. Setting aside, Undine's Blessing stands well enough on its own. I'm always glad to see more protagonists like Marella, especially these days when a lot of YA stories want to be edgy and dark and sizzling with romance. I love how this one put the emphasis on family, friendship, and nature. The stakes are high but the whole thing still has that cozy, whimsical feel. And I never thought I'd want an octopus friend, but I do now! Where do I sign up?
Profile Image for Ribbon.
258 reviews14 followers
February 4, 2024
Marella's life revolves around caring for her sickly mother. She weaves baskets, smokes fish (to sell - Marella herself is a vegetarian), and brews tea. We get a good feel for the family's island life, but if you're here for magic adventures you're going to get impatient.

She sails with her father to an island of nymphs, which I imagined as Tinkerbell style fairies, and elemental magic. Humans don't have magic but Marella has water magic, which must be trained. Marella has very mixed feelings about the whole thing.

I enjoyed the exploration of both the human and nymph societies, but especially the other creatures Marella interacts with. Water magic is very emotional so there are all the feels. The climax feels a bit rushed and not as satisfying as I'd like.
Profile Image for Marilyn.
622 reviews45 followers
February 26, 2024
Isn’t this a beautiful cover? It does represent the story here too. The story is developed for the first 30% or so, and don’t worry we will get to the magic soon.
A family lives at the edge of the sea and their only daughter fears the waters yet doesn’t eat anything of the sea. The father sails off to fish for his living, but also harbors secrets. Sadly the mother is afflicted with physical pain and fatigue while the daughter cares for her.
One day Marella joins her father on his boat, and they begin her magical journey on an undisclosed and isolated island filled with nymphs. So the colorful adventure for Marella’s untapped power begins. We encounter beautiful sea creatures along the way. A mystery needs to be solved and resolved.
The only thing that I’m dissatisfied with is the very quick resolution to the mystery. This could have been stretched out with more conflict before it was solved.
This is an enchanting world and the message is wholesome and gives cozy vibes for those who enjoy a little less stress in a fantasy book.
Profile Image for Annette Jordan.
2,467 reviews45 followers
February 3, 2024
Undine's Blessing by Tessa Hastjarjanto is a magical and beautiful tale suitable for the young and the young at heart.
Marella is a dutiful daughter who spends her days helping to care for her mother who has a chronic illness while her father, a fisherman, is out at sea for days at a time. Her life is simple and satisfying in many ways but still she dreams of adventure. The highlight of her week is a trip to the market but occasionally she imagines travelling beyond the nearest town, perhaps even to the distant islands her father visits on his trips. The biggest thing holding her back, apart from her mother , is her mystifying fear of water. When her mother's condition worsens and she needs to seek treatment in the city, Marella's father decides to take her with him on his next voyage. That journey turns out to be more exciting than Marella could ever have imagined as she learns of a secret that her father has been hiding from his family, the existence of Emberrain, a magical land filled with nymphs which have the power to control the elements. The last thing Marella expects is to manifest powers of her own but learning to master them will help her to uncover and then solve a mystery that could save not only Emberrain but might even provide her with a magical cure for her mother.
This little book packs in a lot of adventure, and could be a little scary ( in a good way ) for younger readers, or indeed for anyone with claustrophobia. I found myself completely immersed in the story to such an extent that at one point I found myself genuinely worrying about Marella when she found herself in quite a tight corner. I loved the representation here not just for chronic illness but also for how that illness can impact on family members, children especially, sometimes forcing them to shoulder burdens that they are not and should not be ready for. This is a coming of age story in many ways, and the importance of knowing who you are and embracing that is really at the heart of the book.
If you liked this book, and you have not already read it I would highly recommend checking out Tales of Lunis Aquaria from this author, where you will find not only an account of Marella's father's first visit to Emberrain, but also several other very charming stories.
I read a review copy supplied by the author but all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Laura.
129 reviews
August 23, 2024
My SPFBOX Review: Marella spends her days smoking fish, weaving baskets, and caring for her mother while her father is out to sea. She also longs to be near the water and feels its haunting call to her. Estrella’s fatigue and pain make motherhood and trips to the market difficult, but she does well with her daughter’s help. One day when Estrella’s health takes a turn for the worse, she’s forced to go to the city for care, leaving Marella with her fisherman father. Marella and her father head to sea to fish and Marella’s father leads them to a magical island full of unique creatures and many secrets.

The beginning of Undine’s Blessing left me longing for more. As a person who struggles with chronic illness myself, I loved reading about a woman plagued with fatigue and pain that ebbed and flowed. I also appreciated how complicated the family situation presented was. A mother longing to be able to be more available to her family but forced to deal with the reality of managing her pain while her young daughter served as her caregiver. This section of the book was particularly moving and beautiful.

As I moved into the middle of the story, more fantasy elements were introduced and I started to feel a little disconnected from the story and the characters. While the nymphs and the island were beautifully described, I found myself struggling to get on board with the motivations of the characters, especially the antagonists. I also thought that the backstory of the island felt like it needed some extra detail and I was left with some unanswered questions about Marella’s father and his nymph companion.

The book ended a little abruptly and I found the change in pace a bit jarring. I would have appreciated the second portion of the book to have been drawn out a bit more and to have seen a little more development on the page.

Ultimately, seeing the representation of caregivers, chronic illness, and the complexities surrounding them in the first half of Undine’s Blessing was great and extremely well written. I also really appreciated the author’s prose and imagery. However, the shift between the first and second halves of the book was a bit much and I struggled to stay connected with the characters.
79 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2024
A tale reminiscent of a Miyazaki film

A gentle tale of Marella, who looks after her chronically ill mother whilst her father goes off fishing for weeks at a time, to catch the fish Marella smokes to sell.

A different start to a tale, in which we find Marella caring for her mother, making her favourite teas to help her feel better. Marella also weaves baskets from reeds she cuts and cures herself to supplement their income. I say different as it's nearly halfway through the book before we find out about the magic. After this point, the book takes on a more rushed feeling. The tale is lovely, Tessa Hastjarjanto's prose is lovely, the world building is great, but I wish it had been more 'fleshed' out in the second part of the book.

If you like fairy tales, do give this one a try.
Profile Image for Shahid.
240 reviews21 followers
May 29, 2024

"Undine's Blessing" by Tessa Hastjarjanto immerses readers in the enchanting tale of Marella, a dutiful daughter whose life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers her hidden power to command the tides. Set amidst the mystical archipelago of Emberrain, Marella navigates a world of secrets and magic as she learns to harness her newfound abilities. With themes of self-discovery, courage, and the bonds of family, Hastjarjanto weaves a captivating narrative that will resonate with young adult readers. "Undine's Blessing" invites readers on a journey of wonder and self-acceptance, where Marella learns that true adventure begins when one embraces their true self.
Profile Image for B.L..
Author 5 books32 followers
May 20, 2024
Undine's Blessing is a rich, evocative fairy tale that drew me in from the first page. A YA/coming-of-age story, Hastjarjanto has created a rich, full fantasy world that feels like a Monet landscape.

Set within the Lunis Aquaria universe, Undine's Blessing tells the story of Marella, a committed and dutiful daughter torn between her longing for more and her responsibilities to her mother and their home. Traditional YA fantasy woven into the Hero's Journey with a strong female lead and intriguing supporting cast.

A lovely escape into a beautiful world.
Profile Image for Geetha Krishnan.
Author 59 books38 followers
August 30, 2024
This is my first book by this author, and I enjoyed it. It wasn't like the usual books I read, but no less enjoyable. It's slow moving, like a gentle river, or breeze, but it carries you along, leaving you space to stop and smell the flowers.

Okay, enough with bad metaphors.

The story revolves around Marella, a young adolescent girl who is the caretaker of her sick mother. Her father, Marcos, is almost never home, sailing to faraway shores and bringing fish and all home to trade. Marella weaves baskets and smokes the fish that she carries to the market of a nearby town.

When her mother needs to go to her hometown for treatment, her father offers to take Marella with him on his next trip so she won't be left alone at home, and her mother can go to the town with peace of mind. But when her father takes her to a distant islands which is populated by nymphs, she has to revise her opinion of everything she knew of him. When it transpires that she has magic, an affinity with water, Marella has to readjust her entire worldview, especially since the nymphs see her as some kind of saviour who could restore the balance of the world.

This was, as I said, a very slow moving book. Marella is an intriguing character. Her relationship with her mother is both sweet and heart breaking. Her affinity to water translates to an affinity for aquatic creatures who are able to understand her thoughts and words and whose words she can hear in her head. I loved her friendship with some of the creatures, and how she was able to stand up for herself and for the nymphs even though she was afraid.

If you love slow paced, cozy fantasy with low stakes and flawed characters, you will love this book.
Profile Image for Joel Glover.
Author 17 books3 followers
August 24, 2024
Undine's Blessing starts with a family who are happy, but with enough small tensions and unspoken secrets that you are ready to start exploring the world. Just when you think you know where Tessa is taking you, she switches lane. What you end up with is something sweet and new. A really fun indie read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.