Yes, the title means “safe sea” in Spanish. And this is critical to one half of the main characters in this tale because they are humans whose DNA has been modified and for all intents and purposes are now merpeople (without the fish tails). They left Earth along with normal land dwelling humans in a colony ship and found the world they named Marseguro. All has been pretty hunky dory, though of course they are a bit behind on some technological levels. Happily, they lost contact with Earth because they were way off their projected route through the stars and came upon the planet unexpectedly.

Which was really a good thing.

Earth at the time of their departure was consumed by religious fanaticism that looked upon the “selkies,” as they are called, as abominations that should be eradicated. The selkies and their human supporters lit out for the great unknown with the selkie creator Victor Hansen.

Luckily they are far, far away; right?

Wrong. A “landling,” a human who does not live in the Marseguro seas, is resentful of the selkies and feels that they are becoming a “superior” race and the land-hugging humans are becoming second-class citizens. And so Chris Keating goes to the initial landing site, where the remains of the original colony ship are preserved as a museum. He activates a distress beacon that still functions.

And calls forth the hounds of Earth, rabid to not only find the “selkies” but of course, eradicate them. The invasion force brings with them an observer for the religious leaders, Richard Hansen, grandson of the selkies creator. Hansen wants to prove to those in charge on Earth, despite his heritage, just how behind their program he is.

Of course, everything changes when he reaches Marseguro.

The novel is a great combination of political and religious chicanery by the powers on Earth and the struggles of the selkies (who can also remain on land for some time) to assert their rights to live and maintain Marseguro as their home.

The characters are fascinating and the story is great. All around this is a compelling and fast read. - Sue Martin