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High Water Mark
“When humanity has been driven into the sea, what lurks above the waves?”
Anna is a humanoid mermaid who spends her days with the local timekeeper until a podmate comes to her with a proposal. They hatch a plan to head out into the watery ruins of humanity in search of lost technology and materials. For a young mermaid living in the dredges of society, the promise of riches from such a find is just too big to pass up.
Armed with nothing more than an old map and some rusty road signs to follow, they are soon reminded that adventure often brings forth more than its fair share of rough waters. Her friend gets captured, leaving Anna alone in a world where mermaids are nowhere near the top of the food chain.
Follow Anna as she makes landfall and learns why her ancestors abandoned the surface. Lost in a world that is perpetually covered in a thick fog, Anna must navigate through what remains above the high-water mark. What will she find? An ally? A foe? Or will she find nothing more than death and destruction?
Before reading on, be sure to When humanity has been driven into the sea, what lurks above the waves?
Anna is a humanoid mermaid who spends her days with the local timekeeper until a podmate comes to her with a proposal. They hatch a plan to head out into the watery ruins of humanity in search of lost technology and materials. For a young mermaid living in the dredges of society, the promise of riches from such a find is just too big to pass up.
Armed with nothing more than an old map and some rusty road signs to follow, they are soon reminded that adventure often brings forth more than its fair share of rough waters. Her friend gets captured, leaving Anna alone in a world where mermaids are nowhere near the top of the food chain.
Follow Anna as she makes landfall and learns why her ancestors abandoned the surface. Lost in a world that is perpetually covered in a thick fog, Anna must navigate through what remains above the high-water mark. What will she find? An ally? A foe? Or will she find nothing more than death and destruction?
Before reading on, be sure to When humanity has been driven into the sea, what lurks above the waves?
- GenresFantasy
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2021
About the author
Evelyn Chartres
15 books253 followersEvelyn Chartres is the nom de plume for a self-published, Canadian author. The writer of nine Gothic fantasy novels, Evelyn released her debut novel, The Portrait, in 2016, and her latest, Man of War, in 2024.
A fan of the phrase ‘live to eat’, Evelyn shares her recipes on evelynchartres.com. These recipes have a loose focus on French-Canadian cuisine, featuring deep-dish meat pies, seafood, and desserts that are rarely seen outside of La Belle Province.
Evelyn is currently living in Ottawa, Ontario, and is busy laying the foundations of another book in the Adventures of Clara Grey series.
A fan of the phrase ‘live to eat’, Evelyn shares her recipes on evelynchartres.com. These recipes have a loose focus on French-Canadian cuisine, featuring deep-dish meat pies, seafood, and desserts that are rarely seen outside of La Belle Province.
Evelyn is currently living in Ottawa, Ontario, and is busy laying the foundations of another book in the Adventures of Clara Grey series.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 5, 2022
High Water Mark is a unique post-apocalyptic story because part of the action takes place underwater. As someone who is goth-lite and loves mermaids, I became immersed in this world. A mysterious phenomenon called “the fog” has made the planet’s surface deadly. The book begins with Evelyn and Tessa, a loving couple in a predicament. The world is dying, after all. Evelyn wants to keep Tessa safe, so she procures a treatment that enables Tessa to survive underwater. Evelyn does not plan to join Tessa, though. The descriptions of the dying world are hauntingly beautiful in this part of the book, and I felt these characters' sadness as circumstances forced them apart.
Soon later, we meet another character, Anna, who has a connection to “Essa.” Anna wants to explore the Old World, the ruins of humanity. She knows she imperils herself with these actions, but she remains undeterred. I loved Anna’s curiosity and drive to explore. Anna soon meets a familiar character, who functions as Anna’s guide to the Old World and its ways. This book is a wild ride that kept me engaged. Forget what you think you know about dystopian fiction, and embrace the plot’s twists and turns.
Soon later, we meet another character, Anna, who has a connection to “Essa.” Anna wants to explore the Old World, the ruins of humanity. She knows she imperils herself with these actions, but she remains undeterred. I loved Anna’s curiosity and drive to explore. Anna soon meets a familiar character, who functions as Anna’s guide to the Old World and its ways. This book is a wild ride that kept me engaged. Forget what you think you know about dystopian fiction, and embrace the plot’s twists and turns.
December 17, 2021
Action packed and emotional
Evelyn's saga continues in this action-packed and emotional sequel. In a post apocalyptic world, there are no more humans. Before the earth flooded, some people were able to transform themselves into mermaid-like creatures. Evelyn's wife is one of those people - and the couple is forced to part ways for survival. Anna is a descendant of such humanoids and when she meets Evelyn, they go on an adventure of a lifetime. It's interesting how Evelyn makes questionable choices yet her objective is to always better the greater good. This is a solid sci-fi meets Gothic horror tale!
Evelyn's saga continues in this action-packed and emotional sequel. In a post apocalyptic world, there are no more humans. Before the earth flooded, some people were able to transform themselves into mermaid-like creatures. Evelyn's wife is one of those people - and the couple is forced to part ways for survival. Anna is a descendant of such humanoids and when she meets Evelyn, they go on an adventure of a lifetime. It's interesting how Evelyn makes questionable choices yet her objective is to always better the greater good. This is a solid sci-fi meets Gothic horror tale!
November 22, 2021
High Water Mark is a fantastic blend between science fiction, fantasy, and a little bit of horror. It continues the epic story of Evelyn and her life as she walks the fine line between good and evil all in the sacrifice of the bigger picture. I must admit that I found myself questioning her morals and her motivation but once I started reading, I found that I couldn’t put the book down until I finished. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
February 28, 2022
Come on in, the water's fine!
Evelyn Chartres does it again with High Water Mark, the latest in her series of books. While this story introduces and centers around new character Anna, she ties it in nicely with characters from her past novels. Evelyn's story takes us from the near future to a time far ahead, sharing her vision of what life may be like for mankind on the surface of the world, as well as mermaids below.
Mermaids?!
Yes, mermaids! Mankind has evolved to exist under the sea, but Sebastian has no place in this tale. Instead we follow Anna as an adventure in exploration with a friend turns into a rescue mission that takes her back to the distant future world of the surface.
As with all of Evelyn's novels, you need not read her other books to understand and enjoy the story as it unfolds. But being able to recognize familiar characters adds a deeper level of enjoyment to the experience.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy adventure, new worlds, sci fi with a mix of horror added for extra kick!
Evelyn Chartres does it again with High Water Mark, the latest in her series of books. While this story introduces and centers around new character Anna, she ties it in nicely with characters from her past novels. Evelyn's story takes us from the near future to a time far ahead, sharing her vision of what life may be like for mankind on the surface of the world, as well as mermaids below.
Mermaids?!
Yes, mermaids! Mankind has evolved to exist under the sea, but Sebastian has no place in this tale. Instead we follow Anna as an adventure in exploration with a friend turns into a rescue mission that takes her back to the distant future world of the surface.
As with all of Evelyn's novels, you need not read her other books to understand and enjoy the story as it unfolds. But being able to recognize familiar characters adds a deeper level of enjoyment to the experience.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy adventure, new worlds, sci fi with a mix of horror added for extra kick!
April 3, 2022
Finally!! I've been trying to find a mermaid book for so long and this didn't disappoint! In this futuristic war torn world, the earth is dying and the only way to survive is to undergo a procedure to transform the human body into a mermaid like creature.
I absolutely loved the author's unique imaginings of how the people would adapt and what life would be like underwater. It was great to see there were still classes where the more humanoid creatures were looked down on because they hadn't evolved far enough.
This was such a cool take on typical mythological creatures and blending them into the same world was really interesting!
Loved this book!
I absolutely loved the author's unique imaginings of how the people would adapt and what life would be like underwater. It was great to see there were still classes where the more humanoid creatures were looked down on because they hadn't evolved far enough.
This was such a cool take on typical mythological creatures and blending them into the same world was really interesting!
Loved this book!
January 4, 2023
Hauntingly Deceptive
Evelyn Chartres delivers a hauntingly deceptive post apocalyptic story which will leave you riveted to uncover the lies and deception hidden within each page. Just when you think you've guessed where the story is going, you can almost hear Chartres creative cackle as she leads you down a different path.
For those who are a fan of Chartres's books. You'll thoroughly enjoy this stand alone novel with guest character appearances from her other books. For those who are new to her writing, you'll be introduced to the mesmerizing descriptive writing which sets Evelyn Chartres apart.
Evelyn Chartres delivers a hauntingly deceptive post apocalyptic story which will leave you riveted to uncover the lies and deception hidden within each page. Just when you think you've guessed where the story is going, you can almost hear Chartres creative cackle as she leads you down a different path.
For those who are a fan of Chartres's books. You'll thoroughly enjoy this stand alone novel with guest character appearances from her other books. For those who are new to her writing, you'll be introduced to the mesmerizing descriptive writing which sets Evelyn Chartres apart.
April 1, 2024
A High Mark for High Water Mark
There are so many good things about this book, that I changed my mind about docking a star for the one aspect I personally wasn't sure about, and gave it maximum marks.
On reflection, it would be churlish of me not to award all five stars, because one particular sentence really pulled me up, and will stay with me long after I'd finished the book.
I hope author Evelyn Chartres won't mind me reproducing that sentence here - especially as in the context of the story it was a bit of a throwaway line, but struck such a deep chord that I don't think I'll ever forget it.
This is it: Such a diagnosis would have relegated the human race to a thin layer of plastic waste wedged between the geological strata.
If ever one short sentence is designed to make the reader sit up and think, that is the one.
Anna, a mermaid with legs is the main character in this story set long after the Earth is no longer habitable for humans, and her overriding character trait is that she is desperately jealous of those of her race who have a tail. High Water Mark is the powerful telling of her quest, seeking lost technology and materials. It develops into a story of survival, redemption, and ultimately self-discovery.
Descriptive text, initially of her journey through the water, and then after she ends up on land, all makes for world-building of a different kind to that normally found in fantasy novels. I felt for all the absorbing and perfectly fleshed-out characters, particularly the ones we meet briefly towards the end when the surprise twist hits, which takes us from the realms of fantasy and into science-fiction.
Neatly plotted and well-constructed, the story moves along at a perfect pace throughout.
So, what was it that I wasn't sure about? The narrator's voice. We're generally shown what's happening through the characters' eyes, just as it should be. The narrator pops up now and again to explain something to the readers. There'd have been nothing wrong with that, except for the narrator overusing the words 'unfortunately' (six times) and 'alas' a frustrating 24 times. This pulls us back from actually being in those worlds under the sea or just above the high water mark, that Evelyn Chartres has so skilfully built, and snaps us back to simply reading words on a page or screen.
But don't let this one minor aspect put you off - it certainly didn't me. I thoroughly enjoyed the unusual fantasy/sci-fi combination, which also has a gothic touch...and I've got three more of this author's books on my Kindle: The Van Helsing Paradox, The Van Helsing Resurgence, and The Van Helsing Incursion.
There are so many good things about this book, that I changed my mind about docking a star for the one aspect I personally wasn't sure about, and gave it maximum marks.
On reflection, it would be churlish of me not to award all five stars, because one particular sentence really pulled me up, and will stay with me long after I'd finished the book.
I hope author Evelyn Chartres won't mind me reproducing that sentence here - especially as in the context of the story it was a bit of a throwaway line, but struck such a deep chord that I don't think I'll ever forget it.
This is it: Such a diagnosis would have relegated the human race to a thin layer of plastic waste wedged between the geological strata.
If ever one short sentence is designed to make the reader sit up and think, that is the one.
Anna, a mermaid with legs is the main character in this story set long after the Earth is no longer habitable for humans, and her overriding character trait is that she is desperately jealous of those of her race who have a tail. High Water Mark is the powerful telling of her quest, seeking lost technology and materials. It develops into a story of survival, redemption, and ultimately self-discovery.
Descriptive text, initially of her journey through the water, and then after she ends up on land, all makes for world-building of a different kind to that normally found in fantasy novels. I felt for all the absorbing and perfectly fleshed-out characters, particularly the ones we meet briefly towards the end when the surprise twist hits, which takes us from the realms of fantasy and into science-fiction.
Neatly plotted and well-constructed, the story moves along at a perfect pace throughout.
So, what was it that I wasn't sure about? The narrator's voice. We're generally shown what's happening through the characters' eyes, just as it should be. The narrator pops up now and again to explain something to the readers. There'd have been nothing wrong with that, except for the narrator overusing the words 'unfortunately' (six times) and 'alas' a frustrating 24 times. This pulls us back from actually being in those worlds under the sea or just above the high water mark, that Evelyn Chartres has so skilfully built, and snaps us back to simply reading words on a page or screen.
But don't let this one minor aspect put you off - it certainly didn't me. I thoroughly enjoyed the unusual fantasy/sci-fi combination, which also has a gothic touch...and I've got three more of this author's books on my Kindle: The Van Helsing Paradox, The Van Helsing Resurgence, and The Van Helsing Incursion.
November 26, 2022
This review was originally posted at http://bit.ly/3gAhEM3.
A heavy fog has descended upon the Earth, blocking sunlight and forcing humans to find alternative methods of survival. The rich chose space, the final frontier, but those that are left have two options: try to survive on the surface with all the monsters or undergo a risky transformation into a mermaid. Vampire Evelyn loves her human wife, Tessa, and can't bear to see her suffer continuously. Instead, she convinces Tessa to take a syrum to breathe underwater. While Tessa and her descendants aren't 'highborn' with tails, Anna may be the last hope the human race has of returning to the surface.
I found this book due to a post by the author on Twitter stating that the book was free. I got it at the same time as her other book that I recently reviewed, The Grand, these books are different and yet similar. If you have read The Grand there are paranormal creatures within such as a race called the Georgians. I am still not entirely sure what they are, although after reading this book I have a bit more details as they are in it as well. There are also vampires and Elanor makes an appearance at one point. Again, if you know you know.
I will say that this book had a lot more direction than was in The Grand. The reader has a clear understanding of the plot of the story and it is easy to follow along with without feeling that it is a collection of stories strung together with no rhyme or reason. Also, the verbiage depicted was straight-forward. Although, this book was set in Europe. Definite plus points there.
My biggest detractor would have to be that the author tends to ramble sometimes and parts are often a boring read. Details are amazing, but too many bogs a story down and it becomes tedious to get through certain scenes that would otherwise be high action points. I know I have said this before, but editor's are friends. Find a good one and listen to what they have to say. I promise that editors are only trying to help your book be all it can be.
If you are squeamish about same sex relationships here is your cursory warning. Personally, I have no problem with them as well as reading about them. This is here only for informative reasons.
A heavy fog has descended upon the Earth, blocking sunlight and forcing humans to find alternative methods of survival. The rich chose space, the final frontier, but those that are left have two options: try to survive on the surface with all the monsters or undergo a risky transformation into a mermaid. Vampire Evelyn loves her human wife, Tessa, and can't bear to see her suffer continuously. Instead, she convinces Tessa to take a syrum to breathe underwater. While Tessa and her descendants aren't 'highborn' with tails, Anna may be the last hope the human race has of returning to the surface.
I found this book due to a post by the author on Twitter stating that the book was free. I got it at the same time as her other book that I recently reviewed, The Grand, these books are different and yet similar. If you have read The Grand there are paranormal creatures within such as a race called the Georgians. I am still not entirely sure what they are, although after reading this book I have a bit more details as they are in it as well. There are also vampires and Elanor makes an appearance at one point. Again, if you know you know.
I will say that this book had a lot more direction than was in The Grand. The reader has a clear understanding of the plot of the story and it is easy to follow along with without feeling that it is a collection of stories strung together with no rhyme or reason. Also, the verbiage depicted was straight-forward. Although, this book was set in Europe. Definite plus points there.
My biggest detractor would have to be that the author tends to ramble sometimes and parts are often a boring read. Details are amazing, but too many bogs a story down and it becomes tedious to get through certain scenes that would otherwise be high action points. I know I have said this before, but editor's are friends. Find a good one and listen to what they have to say. I promise that editors are only trying to help your book be all it can be.
If you are squeamish about same sex relationships here is your cursory warning. Personally, I have no problem with them as well as reading about them. This is here only for informative reasons.
October 29, 2023
I found High Water Mark to be a highly fascinating, well-crafted post-apocalyptic story. This is the first time I’ve read or come across a mermaid type story taking place in a post-apocalyptic time. And for me, the underwater lives and circumstances were extremely interesting.
We start the book with Evelyn and Tessa, a couple living in the end times. A mysterious phenomenon called The Fog has covered the planet and those who could, have abandoned it for a better future. Through Evelyn and Tessa, we learn of this dying world and how humans have and will survive. This leads to our main protagonist, Anna, a bunch of years later, whom we soon learn is connected to the events and characters from before in interesting ways.
I found Anna to be a likable protagonist – her curiosity and will to save her friend were infectious, and I very much enjoyed seeing and exploring both the world underwater, as well as the Old World, through her eyes, as helped along with a familiar face from “before”.
The humans’ culture and survival as merfolk, and descriptions of how they communicate and how things have changed, was absolutely fascinating, and some of my favorite things from the book.
Some interesting characters and twists here; kept me entertained throughout.
We start the book with Evelyn and Tessa, a couple living in the end times. A mysterious phenomenon called The Fog has covered the planet and those who could, have abandoned it for a better future. Through Evelyn and Tessa, we learn of this dying world and how humans have and will survive. This leads to our main protagonist, Anna, a bunch of years later, whom we soon learn is connected to the events and characters from before in interesting ways.
I found Anna to be a likable protagonist – her curiosity and will to save her friend were infectious, and I very much enjoyed seeing and exploring both the world underwater, as well as the Old World, through her eyes, as helped along with a familiar face from “before”.
The humans’ culture and survival as merfolk, and descriptions of how they communicate and how things have changed, was absolutely fascinating, and some of my favorite things from the book.
Some interesting characters and twists here; kept me entertained throughout.
November 3, 2023
Just Garbage
WTF did I just read? With the lack of any decipherable plot, an ensemble of random characters who appear and disappear with no warning or reason, and the hint of intergenerational incest, this book is the worst thing I have read this year (at a current total of 58 books)
Evelyn is obviously a very complex character. Unfortunately, none of her backstory is revealed and everything she does is in the shadows. I must have blacked out during the bunker arc because suddenly months passed with her behaving like a reclusive lunatic before continuing on with the story like nothing happened. Why? For what?
This is just utter garbage and if I didn’t have screen reader on, I wouldn’t have put the energy into finishing it.
WTF did I just read? With the lack of any decipherable plot, an ensemble of random characters who appear and disappear with no warning or reason, and the hint of intergenerational incest, this book is the worst thing I have read this year (at a current total of 58 books)
Evelyn is obviously a very complex character. Unfortunately, none of her backstory is revealed and everything she does is in the shadows. I must have blacked out during the bunker arc because suddenly months passed with her behaving like a reclusive lunatic before continuing on with the story like nothing happened. Why? For what?
This is just utter garbage and if I didn’t have screen reader on, I wouldn’t have put the energy into finishing it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews