Author Guest Post: The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

I've just started reading Zoraida Córdova's debut novel The Vicious Deep. So far I'm finding the concept to be fun and different. First, unlike a lot of young adult fantasy/paranormal books, this one is told from a boy's point of view. Second, it isn't about a vampire or zombie.

Tristan Hart has a reputation for being a strong swimmer and for being one of the hottest lifeguards on Coney Island. He's just a typical teen . . . or is he? When he's swept out to sea by a freak wave, he discovers he's anything but a normal human boy. He is, in fact, a merman (a male mermaid), complete with a scaly tail.

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he’s heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he’s suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea . . . and now it wants him back.

One of the questions I had when I started to read The Vicious Deep was whether Tristan can still eat seafood. If he did, would he become a semi-cannibal? Would he still like soda and fries? I asked author Zoraida Córdova to tell us the inside scoop.

What's a Teen Merman Supposed to Eat?

Tristan's favorite meal of the day is breakfast. As a guy who can seriously put away a tall stack of pancakes and more bacon that should be allowed in a single serving, his first visit to the mermaid island of Toliss comes with a bit of culture shock. Suddenly there are trays and trays of "delicacies" passed around, and if his mother taught him anything, is that refusing food from company (especially supernatural company) is rude. From Jell-O cubes made of jelly fish brains to sea weed spring rolls, Tristan's taste buds aren't exactly on fire.

The good thing is, his diet doesn't have to change! He can go ahead eating burgers and corn dogs and fries. While at first he had some concerns about eating seafood—after all, being half fish would make that cannibalism, right? Only it doesn't. Their bottom half is so muscular, they would never even think about eating each other. Though, sharks might not feel the same way. The big fish still eat the fish. So every now and then, Tristan can have a crab cake and eat it too!

Thanks so much for answering my question, Zoraida. From what I know about teenage boys, I'm guessing Tristan was much relieved to know that junk food wasn't off his diet.

To learn more about Zoraida Córdova and The Vicious Deep, see the fun interview conducted by Lenore of Presenting Lenore.

Buy The Vicious Deep at Powell's, at an Indie, at Book Depository, or at a bookstore near you. These links lead to affiliate programs.
Published by Sourcebooks / Sourcebooks Fire, 2012
ISBN-13: 9781402265105
Source: Review (see review policy)
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