wreck, the king intends to keep Sherzad and eat her, the lure of immortality being too strong. Marie-Josèphe and Count Lucien (whom she has fallen in love with) plot secretly to release Sherzad, defying the pope, their king and her brother. Their attempt fails, but Yves (finally realizing Sherzad's sentience and its repercussions on his actions) aid them in finally releasing Sherzad. In the end, Marie-Josèphe and Count Lucien are exiled, but Sherzad, who had declared vengeance on all humanity, showers them with forgotten sunken treasures in gratitude. Main character profiles Marie-Josèphe de la Croix - Lady-in-waiting to King Louis XIV's niece and the younger sister of Father Yves de la Croix. She is an amateur composer and lover of mathematics who was Convent-raised and, at first, naïve. As assistant to her brother in his scientific endeavors (mainly as a sketcher of specimens), she also shares her brother's interests in natural philosophy. She befriends the sea monster, later called Sherzad, and being the only one able to understand the sea monster, becomes her translator. Father Yves de la Croix - Marie-Josèphe's older brother. A Jesuit priest and King Louis's natural philosopher, he recently returned from an expedition commissioned by the King to find the legendary sea monster – the possible key to immortality. He is stuck between his religious obligations, his scientific endeavors, and his own pride. Yves is later revealed to be a bastard son of King Louis and thus Marie-Josèphe's half-brother. Count Lucien de Chretien - A dwarf who is an open Atheist and King Louis’ most trusted advisor. The epitome of etiquette, he is Marie-Josèphe's love interest. He is stuck between his kindling feelings for Marie-Josèphe and his duty to his beloved King. Sherzad (the sea creature/sea woman) - One of the last sea monsters in the world, she is captured by Father Yves de la Croix and caged in the Apollo fountain in the Versailles for King Louis XIV. Her flesh is rumored to make the eater immortal. Her saliva is able to heal wounds, though this fact is not realized by the other characters. She has two tails, tangled hair, and a gargoyle face, as well as an enchanting voice, the music of which is her way of communicating. However, she can only communicate with Marie-Josèphe. She later vows vengeance on all humanity. Awards and recognitions Nebula Award for Best Novel (1997) A Publishers Weekly