Winter Tide

Ruthanna Emrys

Book 1 in the series:The Innsmouth Legacy

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In Winter Tide, Ruthanna Emrys introduces readers to Aphra Marsh, a new urban fantasy heroine who is on a quest to preserve knowledge and navigate a changing world alongside beings with different worldviews. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the novel explores themes of espionage, supernatural investigations, and the protagonist's journey to reclaim her family's stolen legacy. Emrys skillfully weaves Lovecraftian elements into the story, creating a narrative that challenges established myths and delves into complex interpersonal relationships.

The plot unfolds as Aphra, one of the last survivors of a government raid on Innsmouth, teams up with FBI agents and other magical characters to uncover dangerous secrets and protect her heritage. Through vivid world-building and a unique take on Lovecraft's universe, Emrys crafts a tale that blends mystery, historical prejudice, and philosophical dilemmas, offering readers a fresh perspective on cosmic horror and the nature of monstrous beings.

Characters:

The characters are complex and diverse, depicted with emotional depth and a variety of backgrounds, contributing to the narrative's richness.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is contemplative and tender, focusing on deep emotional themes and character introspection within a clear narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot weaves together Cold War intrigue with themes of magical realism and the aftermath of government persecution, focusing on character relationships and community rebuilding.

Setting:

The setting is 1948 post-war America, blending real historical locations with supernatural elements and addressing historical injustices.

Pacing:

Pacing is slow and reflective, focusing on character development over action, which some readers find meandering.

I shut the door of the old Victorian behind me, and the stuffy atmosphere closed in: overheated, dry, and redolent of mothballs. Remnants of cool mist clung to my skin, already transmuting to sweat. A...

Notes:

Winter Tide is a sequel to The Litany of Earth, exploring the aftermath of Lovecraft's The Shadow Over Innsmouth.

The protagonist, Aphra Marsh, is a Deep One, a term used to describe hybrid beings from Lovecraft's mythos.

Aphra and her brother Caleb are the last survivors of their race, dealing with the trauma of internment camps.

The story is set in the Cold War era, specifically 1948, and revolves around espionage and magical elements.

The novel subverts traditional Lovecraftian themes, presenting the Deep Ones as sympathetic characters rather than monsters.

A significant theme is the exploration of found family, and the characters form deep bonds despite their traumatic backgrounds.

The novel critiques systemic racism and the government's treatment of minorities, linking the internment of Japanese Americans to the Deep Ones' story.

Magic in the story is depicted through various rituals, and the protagonist engages with connections to her heritage and culture.

The story emphasizes love in its many forms, including familial and romantic bonds, providing a contrast to Lovecraft's often bleak universe.

Emrys's writing aims to make Lovecraft's universe more inclusive, featuring diverse and complex characters, particularly women.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of genocide, internment, and trauma related to government oppression.

From The Publisher:

"Winter Tide is a weird, lyrical mystery - truly strange and compellingly grim. It's an innovative gem that turns Lovecraft on his head with cleverness and heart" -Cherie Priest

After attacking Devil's Reef in 1928, the U.S. government rounded up the people of Innsmouth and took them to the desert, far from their ocean, their Deep One ancestors, and their sleeping god Cthulhu. Only Aphra and Caleb Marsh survived the camps, and they emerged without a past or a future.

The government that stole Aphra's life now needs her help. FBI agent Ron Spector believes that Communist spies have stolen dangerous magical secrets from Miskatonic University, secrets that could turn the Cold War hot in an instant, and hasten the end of the human race.

Aphra must return to the ruins of her home, gather scraps of her stolen history, and assemble a new family to face the darkness of human nature.

Winter Tide is the debut novel from Ruthanna Emrys. It is the first book in the Innsmouth Legacy series.

THE INNSMOUTH LEGACY

Book 1: Winter Tide

Book 2: Deep Roots

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About the Author:

RUTHANNA EMRYS lives in a mysterious manor house on the outskirts of Washington, DC with her wife and their large, strange family. Her stories have appeared in a number of venues, including Strange Horizons, Analog, and Tor.com. She is the author of the Innsmouth Legacy series, which began with Winter Tide. She makes home-made vanilla, obsesses about game design, gives unsolicited advice, and occasionally attempts to save the world.

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