The Tide Knot

The Tide Knot follows twelve-year-old Sapphire as she struggles to adapt after moving away from her childhood home by the sea. While her brother Conor settles into their new life in St. Pirans, Sapphire finds herself increasingly drawn to Ingo - a mysterious underwater world she discovered after her father's disappearance. The second installment in Helen Dunmore's Ingo tetralogy sees Sapphire torn between her responsibilities on land and her growing connection to the sea. New characters emerge, including the intriguing Gloria who now lives in Sapphire's old house, and the wise Granny Carne who offers guidance at a critical moment. As strange events begin to unfold, Sapphire must navigate both her family relationships and the powerful forces of Ingo. Her quest to understand her father's disappearance leads her and her brother into mounting danger beneath the waves. The novel explores themes of belonging, family bonds, and the tension between two worlds - the familiar human realm and the seductive but dangerous depths of Ingo. Through Sapphire's journey, the story examines how loss and change can reshape our understanding of home.

Readers appreciate the continuation of the underwater fantasy world and character development from the first book. Many note that the environmental themes and ocean setting create an immersive experience. Parents mention the book works well for ages 9-12, with enough complexity to keep older readers engaged. Readers liked: - Rich descriptions of underwater scenes - The sibling relationship between Sapphy and Conor - Integration of Cornish folklore - Environmental message without being preachy Readers disliked: - Slower pacing in the middle sections - Some found the ending rushed - A few readers struggled with Cornish terminology Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) Common reader comments mention the book is "better than the first" and "more emotionally intense." Several reviews note it works as a standalone story but benefits from reading the series in order.

The Last Mermaid by Shana Abe A girl discovers her connection to the sea through an ancient mermaid bloodline while unraveling family secrets in a coastal town.

Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly Six mermaids from different ocean realms unite to save their underwater world from an ancient evil force.

Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman Two friends encounter a stranded mermaid in their beach club pool and help her find her way back to the ocean.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler A twelve-year-old girl learns she transforms into a mermaid when she touches water and searches for answers about her identity.

Ingo by Helen Dunmore A brother and sister become drawn into an underwater world where they encounter the Mer people and face the choice between land and sea.

🌊 Helen Dunmore was an acclaimed poet before becoming a novelist, winning the Poetry Society's Alice Hunt Bartlett Award. 🐋 Cornwall's rich maritime folklore, which heavily influences the book, includes tales of merfolk called "Merrymaids" dating back centuries. 🌊 The book is part of the Ingo Chronicles series, which consists of five books exploring the underwater world of Mer people. 🐋 The author conducted extensive research on dolphin communication and marine biology to create authentic underwater scenes. 🌊 The concept of "tide knots" mentioned in the title refers to a real phenomenon where tidal patterns create complex water movements called "tidal nodes."