Book Review: Ninemia

Ninemia

by Marilena Mexi
Series: Antara #2
Release date: 26th June, 2011
Publisher: Lulu
Pages: 347 (ebook sent by the author in exchange for an honest review)

Summary from Goodreads:

The ‘Antara’ had disappeared... or at least that’s how it seemed, until one night a terrible nightmare will overshadow Asteria’s dreams forever. Some lust for revenge, others hide vital secrets, demonic souls want to corrupt the Aster Island and the merfolk. Where the present unites with the past, where dreams pause to exist, the fight for survival begins. Is love strong enough to face the enemies? The infinite blue of the sea, a sweet song and an angelic soul will be their only hopes to keep their beloved ones alive. After the illustrated novel ‘Antara’, the second and final part of the story follows. A sequel which is going to move you and travel you to heavenly worlds.

Interview: Marilena Mexi, author of "Antara"

Interview with Marilena Mexi

 Author of: Antara

Alaiel: Hi Marilena, I'm really happy that you accepted not only the interview but also to share here some of your paintings and artwork for Antara.

Questions about yourself.-

Alaiel: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Marilena: First of all, thank you for giving me the chance to say a few things for myself and Antara. I live and work in Greece, I'm a professional illustrator and I mostly work with publishers / writers. I make book illustrations, game cards, I'm an awarded artist from various cg sites, and my work has been published in various magazines.

Alaiel: Do you have a special place to write?
Marilena: I don't have any special place to write, but I'd say special moments. The most inspiring moments come to me when I'm calm and happy, and there's absolute silence in the house. Then I relax listening to atmospheric music and try to focus on writing, trying to get into my book hero's mind.

Alaiel: You are also a great illustrator, what drove you to combine writing and painting?
Marilena: First of all, thank you for your kind words. I've always wanted to write a book and illustrate it. that makes me feel a complete artist, and writing is as important as illustrating for me now. When people ask me why I don't make a book without illustrations, my answer is this: Illustration is my soul, and writing is my body. And the one can't live without the other.

Book Review: Antara

Antara

by Marilena Mexi
Series: Antara #1
Release date: 22nd July, 2011
Publisher: Lulu
Pages: 347 (ebook sent by the author in exchange for an honest review)
Next book: Ninemia

Summary from Goodreads:

Peace and tranquility on the island of Aster, home to both humans and 'merfolk', has long been broken by a devastating phenomenon, recurring every five years. A storm including gusting winds and huge waves mysteriously appeared and eradicated much of the population.

The misunderstandings, suspicion and hate born of this disaster have torn the two races apart, and the peace loving merfolk are now in a never-ending struggle to prove their innocence and restore peace to the island. On the human side, things are even worse; under the tyranny of cruel king Orestis, the people suffer and all their king cares for is vengeance against the "fish", as he spitefully calls them, executing merfolk after merfolk for just being near his lands. Secrets, intense emotions and strange phenomena will upset their lives forever.