Mer-Queen Serapha has been murdered. The already fragile human-merfolk truce is shattered. And as Angie and Kaden find themselves on opposite sides of a rapidly escalating conflict, their loyalties to their families, their people, and each other will be tested.

When news of the merfolk become widespread in Angie’s Pacific Northwest town, she fights to protect the mer from those who wish them harm. But as vicious seas consume coastal cities and tragedy strikes her town and her family, she’ll need to decide whether to save her family and her people, or her relationship with Kaden and the mer.

In Mer-Prince Kaden’s queendom, an unlikely family member takes the throne, sowing dissent among the already fractured queendom and further straining their deteriorating relationship with humans. Branded a traitor for loving a human, he must make a choice between letting his family plunge the mer into all-out war, or fighting for the throne to unite his people, but leave Angie behind, as he can never take a human queen.

A cataclysmic war between humans and mer looms, and if Angie and Kaden cannot find a way to bring peace between their people, they’ll find the fragile mer-human truce shattered beyond repair, and the sea-crossed lovers will find themselves separated forever.

Unless the mer drown the world in their rage and sorrow, first.

TROPES: Forbidden Romance, Undersea Politics, Who Did This to You, Reluctant Hero & Heroine, Dual POV

CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence, Blood, Depictions of Emotional Abuse (not between main couple, but directed at MMC), Racism (not between main couple, but directed at FMC)

  • “…Midnightsong is the perfect combination of fantasy and romance, creating a believable world where humans and mer-people exist. I loved how author C.W. Rose has both Kaden and Angie make some impossible choices that are heartbreaking but necessary for the story and for their growth. The worldbuilding is detailed. It expands on the merfolk culture and human fear with incredible detail. I loved the bittersweet undertones of the plot, I enjoyed how Kaden and Angie were pushed to their limits, and I loved how the novel ended. There is nothing I would change in this story, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy/romance novels.”

    Reader’s Favorite (5⭐)

  • “…This is an ambitious undertaking that does not shy away from the consequences of cruelty and the brutal realities of war, and we see it play out fully on both sides. We learn of horrifying captures and experiments, the descriptions of these hitting me on a visceral level. The underwater world is absolutely brilliant in how it is depicted, and the author gives readers fully realized characters, so everything feels textured and lived-in. There's some serious sizzle between Angie and Kaden that is next-level sexy, although I admit that the use of scooters and ponchos logistically made me smirk a bit. With writing that is tight and respects the plot's intensity, and an onslaught of power-hunting and warmongering, Midnightsong is a worthy second novel that fans will embrace.”

    Jamie Michele, Reader’s Favorite (5⭐)

  • ““…Midnightsong by C. W. Rose is bigger than it appears from the outset, and the author uses the violence that grows when fear and xenophobia overtake reason or rational judgment. After Queen Serapha’s assassination, distrust widens the divide between humans and merfolk, and war erupts. Both civilizations rage within, too. Kaden faces the erosion of his queendom under corrupt rule, while Angie documents human cruelty and government secrecy. The author traces how desperation and resource scarcity harden both sides until any moral choice becomes an act of defiance. The author takes on the spread of misinformation and the cost of revenge by humans and merfolk in vivid worldbuilding that artistically shows life under the sea, and love bridging the two. The result is a forceful portrayal of political decay, ecological fear, and the effort to maintain peace in a beautiful love story.”

    Asher Syed, Reader’s Favorite (5⭐)

  • “C.W. Rose crafts a high stakes story of war, complicated family dynamics and forbidden love. Angie and Kaden’s journey will leave you on the edge of your seat as they navigate growing tension between Mer and humans. Midnightsong will have you rooting for their happiness every step of the way.”

    Mariet Kay, author of Born of Starlight 

  • “Deception and heightened tension threaten to tear apart Angie and Kaden's world in this thrilling sequel to OCEANSONG. Subtle details of both Chinese-American customs and underwater life immerse readers in multicultural, oceanic depths. C.W. Rose weaves dual narration into a rising tide of emotional growth, romantic yearning, and the power to unite two worlds at war---at a cost.”

    Courtney Collins, co-author of the Vows & Valor Trilogy

  • “For those who couldn’t wait for Kaden and Angie’s story to continue, you won’t be disappointed diving back into their fantastical seaworthy world! Author Rose doesn’t shy away from important political commentary—like treating the “other” as lesser. She balances the rawness of war with the innocence of true, first love. If you weren’t intrigued already, buckle up, because there isn’t anywhere else you’ll find the brutal consequences of hubris, a murder mystery, betrayal, and “phone sex” with a merman…except in Midnightsong.” — Kassidy Coursey, author of the Sins of the Maker Trilogy

    Kassidy Coursey, author of the Sins of the Maker Trilogy

  • "The action continues. Much compelling, riveting and... unputdownable. Always rooting for Angie and Kaden."

    Deborah Wong, author of Me In Your Melody