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It's the beginning of the 20th century; the age of scientific progress. But for Venice the future looks bleak. A conference of scientists assembles to address the problems, among whose delegates are the parents of twelve-year-old Teodora. Within days of her arrival, she is subsumed into the secret life of Venice: a world in which salty-tongued mermaids run subversive printing presses, ghosts good and bad patrol the streets and librarians turn fluidly into cats. A battle against forces determined to destroy the city once and for all quickly ensues. Only Teo, the Undrowned Child who survived a tragic accident as a baby, can go 'between the linings' to subvert evil and restore order.

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A magical mermaid story with a serious twist in the tale!

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Reviews

ELLE MINKIE

'The Undrowned Child'/'The Mourning Emporium'- Michelle Lovric

Stop. Close your eyes. Let’s take you back to not that long ago. Do you remember learning about the fantasy world? That place deep within your imagination where everything is possible. The magic... the mystery...Well, if you’re anything like me, which you probably are, Michelle Lovric’s world is going to take you straight back to these days.

Magic, mystery and 19th Century Venice; Lovric’s tale about the adventures of Teodora and Lorenzo tick every box of what makes a classic story for the imaginations of children, adults and everyone in between. Immersed in this gorgeous city and all the wonder it holds took me straight back to the stories that drew me into the incredible world of reading many, many moons ago. Mermaids, ghosts (of good and bad) and all a manner of extraordinary creature come together to fulfil the ancient prophecy of the Undrowned Child and the Studious Son needed to defeat the evil forces that threaten Venice...my inner child was dancing the entire way through.

‘The Undrowned Child’ and ‘The Mourning Emporium’ will capture you with their magical grasp, reel you in this their lovable heroine and hero and stay with you forever through the unforgettable, imaginative and captivating world, full of good and baddened magic, within the city of Venice.

I, for one, cannot wait for my next journey with The Key to the Secret City, come and join me between-the-Linings.

Elle Minkie

JUST ME

Happily browsing in bookshops is where we first meet Teodora and happily browsing in bookshops is where the story unfolds.

Set in romantic, 19th century Venice, the Undrowned Child tells stories of mermaids with a sailors dialect, both good and bad ghosts and librarians who turn into fierce, talking cats.

When Venice is threatened by an age old enemy, Teo and Lorenzo must live up to the ancient prophecy that ties them together and bring down Bajomonte Tiepolo once and for all, only to face him again in The Mourning Emporium where he is bigger and badder then ever.

The Venetian mermaids must work with the tipsy and fearful London mer-ladies, the venetian children with London's mourning childer and talking bulldogs with talking cats. Together they work to bring down Bajomonte Tiepolo and his menacing side-kick Miss Uish.

These books will have you reading them again and again just to relive them for the magic that they hold.

Just Me

AVOX GIRL

Just another book shop Teodora (Teo) thought it to be. Like any other one just with much older books. This is not however the full truth. Whilst in the book store Teo discovers a beautiful old book, well it’s more like the book discovers here. As soon as it’s in her grasp the adventure of the underwater city begins.

Venice in the 19th century is hiding a big secret in the water. A secret not even the residents know about. Underneath the water’s surface live the mer people and their tales. There is both good and bad mysterious creatures with amazing abilities.

When disaster strikes it is up to Teo and the mermaids to team up with and old enemy in order to keep there city safe. It is written in Teo’s destiny but is destiny enough to bring down Bajomonte Tiepolo once and for all. It will take a team effort but fate is on Teo’s side.

Whist this was a good book, it was not quite my perfect match. It is predominately aimed at a younger audience which was why it was not suited to me. I would however strongly recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure and a good time.

Avox Girl

RIVER

Snuggle up on the couch and start reading The Undrowned Child and The Mourning Emporium if you love a good "old fashioned" fantasy novel, it’s not just the cover that’s spectacular on these books!

River

COVER KISSER

The Undrowned Child and The Mourning Emporium are gorgeous novels, rich with historical details, magical prophecies, fantastical creatures and an evil nemesis. Combining ../images of the beautiful city of Venice with magic, mystery and mermaids, the series is placed in an alternate early 20th century, where the reader is introduced to Teodora, an orphan who becomes intertwined in a prophecy that rests the survival of Venice on her young shoulders.

Having rarely read "alternate historical fantasies" involving mermaids before, I really didn’t know what to expect. But with her gorgeous and exquisite writing, Michelle Lovric builds a world that is original and captivating.I loved the unique quirks – from the not-so-delicate mermaids running printing presses, to the talking cat-librarians, to the way common nouns are capitalized.

Cover Kisser

BLATANT BOOKWORM

A dark tale told in Venice with a unique mingling of history and fantasy, Michelle Lovric weaves a tale that is captivating.
Teodora is a remarkable young lady with a passion for the written word and an amazing gift but not to be outdone Renzo is just as intriguing a character.
Complete with a bevvy of mystical creature, dark themes of death, betrayal and battles.
It is not a book for everyone and though it takes awhile to enjoy, The Undrowned Child is a novel like no other.

Blatant Bookworm