Seademons

"The Seademons are squid-like creatures that inhabit the seas of the planet Fancyfree, now in its second generation of human colonization. Until the advent of Maeve, a mysterious girl-child more at home among the sea creatures than among her own kind, the colonists have paid little attention to their aquatic neighbors. Maeve's continuing unorthodox behavior disrupts the staid life of the colony, drawing its ire upon the Seademons and leading to a disastrous war between the two species. Yep's poetic language, strong yet sympathetic characters, and echoes of Celtic legend make something rather special of what could have been an ordinary little story." - Library Journal