Penguin Michael Joseph has acquired a fantasy adventure from former marine biologist Annelise Fox, combining magical ocean creatures, an ambitious research expedition, and a second-chance romance.

Fantasy romance is heading beneath the waves with A Field Guide to Enchanted Oceans, an upcoming novel by Annelise Fox that combines marine mythology, magical creatures, and unresolved romantic feelings.

Penguin Michael Joseph acquired the novel in a publishing deal reported by The Bookseller on October 9, 2026. The publisher has scheduled the book for July 8, 2027, according to its official listing.

Unlike fantasy romances built around castles, courts, or familiar mythical creatures on land, Fox’s story takes readers into an ocean filled with fantastical marine life—including sea serpents, shark-kraken hybrids, and sirens.

Here’s what we know about the upcoming novel, its author, and why fantasy romance readers may want to add it to their future reading lists.

What Is A Field Guide to Enchanted Oceans About?

Written by Annelise Fox, a former marine biologist, A Field Guide to Enchanted Oceans follows Declan Somers, a marine researcher determined to bring a supposedly extinct species of magical manta rays back to life.

Known as the Dreamers of the Depths, these powerful creatures have been hunted to extinction. Declan finally gets the research expedition she has been waiting for, but the mission becomes more complicated when she discovers that Cameron, her former partner and bitter academic rival, will be joining the crew.

As the expedition travels across the oceans in search of the Dreamer rays, Declan and Cameron must navigate their unresolved feelings alongside the dangers of a world inhabited by extraordinary marine creatures.

The publisher’s description promises a combination of magical ocean exploration, adventure, and romance, with the central relationship developing against the backdrop of a mission that could restore a lost species.

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Magical Manta Rays, Sea Serpents, and Ocean Mythology

One of the novel’s most distinctive features is its underwater fantasy setting.

Rather than relying exclusively on traditional fantasy creatures, Fox builds her story around marine life transformed by magic. The Dreamers of the Depths provide the central mystery, while sea serpents, shark-kraken hybrids, and sirens introduce additional dangers to the expedition.

The ocean also gives the adventure a different atmosphere from many conventional fantasy romances. The characters are exploring an unfamiliar environment, pursuing a nearly impossible scientific goal, and confronting creatures that could threaten their mission.

For readers who enjoy imaginative world-building, the combination of marine research and ocean mythology is a particularly intriguing part of the premise.

A Second-Chance Romance Beneath the Waves

The novel’s adventure also creates space for a familiar but enduring romance trope: former partners forced to work together.

Declan must share her expedition with Cameron, someone connected to both her academic ambitions and her personal history. Their shared mission places them in close proximity while forcing them to confront feelings they have not resolved.

The publisher’s description suggests that their relationship is closely connected to the expedition’s central stakes. Just as the Dreamers of the Depths are endangered, the possibility of a future between Declan and Cameron is uncertain.

Readers who enjoy romantic tension, academic rivals, and second-chance relationships may find this setup appealing.

The full reading experience will depend on how Fox balances the romance with the magical adventure, something readers will have to judge when the novel is published.

Who Is Annelise Fox?

Annelise Fox brings a background in marine biology to her fantasy writing.

According to her publisher’s author biography, Fox grew up fascinated by tidal marshes, aquariums, and ocean life. She studied animal science, worked in animal rehabilitation, and later explored marine mammals, rays, sharks, sea turtles, and other aquatic animals.

She subsequently moved into academic research while maintaining her interest in fantasy and ocean mythology.

That background provides a natural connection between the author’s professional experience and the novel’s central premise. Her familiarity with marine life offers an interesting foundation for a fantasy setting built around aquatic creatures.

However, the book is a fantasy adventure rather than a nonfiction marine biology guide.

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When Will A Field Guide to Enchanted Oceans Be Released?

Penguin’s official listing currently provides the following publication details:

The book is listed for preorder through retailers linked from the publisher’s website. Readers should check those listings for current availability and regional editions.

Because publication is still months away, further details—including additional promotional material and reader reviews—may emerge closer to release.

Should Fantasy Romance Readers Add It to Their TBR?

A Field Guide to Enchanted Oceans is worth watching if you enjoy fantasy romance with an unusual setting.

Its most promising elements are the magical marine ecosystem, the mission to rediscover an extinct species, and the complicated relationship between two researchers with shared history.

It may particularly appeal to readers who enjoy:

• Fantasy romance with imaginative world-building.
• Second-chance romance and academic rivals.
• Mythical sea creatures and underwater adventures.
• Stories that combine a scientific premise with magical elements.

At this stage, these recommendations are based on the publisher’s description rather than advance reviews. We do not yet have enough reader feedback to judge the finished novel’s pacing, character development, or overall execution.

The Verdict: An Ocean Fantasy to Watch for 2027

Annelise Fox’s A Field Guide to Enchanted Oceans offers a distinctive premise for fantasy romance readers: a marine researcher, a seemingly extinct magical species, a dangerous expedition, and a complicated relationship waiting to resurface.

The acquisition is a noteworthy publishing development, while the July 2027 release date gives readers plenty of time to add the title to their anticipated-reading lists.

For now, the most compelling reason to watch this book is its combination of ocean mythology and romance—a setting that could make it stand apart from more familiar fantasy adventures.

Would you read a fantasy romance featuring magical manta rays, sea serpents, and sirens? Tell us what you think, and keep following Pages & Prose for upcoming book releases, publishing news, and reading recommendations.

Sources

• The Bookseller — Penguin Michael Joseph acquires Annelise Fox’s fantasy novel
• Penguin Books — A Field Guide to Enchanted Oceans