Carousal Tides is by Sharon Lee, coauthor of the popular Liaden Universe series. An enchanted Fantasy Carousel imprisons real creatures from across the divides between the universes. It is located at Fun County in Archer's Beach, Maine. Kate Archer's Grandmother Bonny Pepperidge runs it. Kate returns home to check on Bonny when she receives a foreclosure notice on the Fun Country Carousel concession. She finds a note from Bonny apologizing for leaving her a terrible mess. She says that if Kate is reading the note that she, Bonny, has badly miscalculated and it is up to Kate to fix it. She apologizes. Kate has to work out what the problem is from that info. She starts by consulting the local Fairy Folk of sea and land and finds things are not right. She recruits help from the local fairy folk and a human. A new landowner in the area, Joe Nemeier, is not what he seems. Evil forces are at threatening all the Universes. An ancient evil imprisoned in a rock by the sea is bursting out.
This book evokes the mystery of the unknown and the beauty of the foggy Maine Coast. It abounds with quirky eccentric characters, sea Sprites, land Sprites, seal people, sentient trees and the real people and characters of rural Maine. Kate Archer is more than she seems. Borgan, her new friend met on the beach, is far more than he seems. Their two natures, the power of the Land and the power of the Sea may be enough to conquer the threat. One of the imprisoned Carousel Beasts redeems himself and helps much.
This book is worth rereading many times. Recommended. ~~ Gary Swaty
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