Monster of Mare aux Vacoas

by Brinda Phokeerdass

In the quiet depths of Mauritius's largest reservoir, Mare aux Vacoas, a shadow stirs—ancient, elusive, and dangerous. When a local fisherman disappears after a terrifying sighting, biologist Amaya Pillay is sent to investigate, skeptical of the island's legends. But what she discovers beneath the water's surface challenges everything she thought she knew about science, nature, and the boundaries between them.

Beneath the lake lies a vast network of organic tunnels inhabited by the Lakazien—bioluminescent creatures linked to the island's past and its future. As Amaya delves deeper, she uncovers a story of mutation, survival, and a warning encoded in the very fabric of life. Caught between government forces, secret agendas, and the ancient guardians themselves, Amaya must confront her own demons and decide what it means to protect a world on the brink of transformation.

Rich with cultural heritage, scientific wonder, and pulse-pounding suspense, this YA sci-fi horror novel invites readers into a world where myth and reality intertwine. It is a haunting exploration of what it means to listen—to the past, to the unknown, and to the silent calls beneath the water.