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adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
See full review here: https://medium.com/story-lamp-reviews/where-romance-and-adventure-collide-a-swashbuckling-tale-of-sea-and-stars-82e60d942cf9
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received an ARC of "Of the Stars and Sea" in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows Rowenya Stone, the captain of a pirate ship who’s hated by many for breaking the law of the “Pirates’ Code.” She’s forced to help Grayson Tyde, the most ruthless and feared pirate lord on the seas, search for a hidden treasure. The pacing of this story is medium, but quickly picks up, making it a fast and pleasant read. I appreciated that the author didn’t linger on unnecessary details, though a few scenes could have been trimmed or skipped altogether. While the plot becomes predictable at times, it does allow for strong character development, there are a few surprises along the way, and a cliffhanger that left me impatient for the second book in this series.
The character development is a real strength here. Every crew member feels distinct and worth caring about, and the villains are genuinely villainous. I connected with Rowenya and her crew right away and found myself rooting for her to escape Grayson and his hold. Unfortunately, the chemistry between Rowenya and Grayson didn’t land for me at first—their romantic connection felt rushed and unnatural. Rowenya becomes too attracted to Grayson too fast, and I wish their relationship had been given more time to breathe. However, by the end, I was fully invested in their dynamic. The author spent a lot of time building the sexual tension, the anticipation was terrific, and the eventual sex scene was surprisingly tasteful, more about intimacy than explicit detail, which I greatly appreciated.
Overall: This is a fun, fast-paced pirate fantasy with an interesting twist on the buried treasure trope. The characters are likable, the world is engaging, and while the romance takes a while to feel believable, it ends up being a solid part of the story. If you’re in the mood for an ocean-bound fantasy story with a hint of spice, this one is worth picking up.
The story follows Rowenya Stone, the captain of a pirate ship who’s hated by many for breaking the law of the “Pirates’ Code.” She’s forced to help Grayson Tyde, the most ruthless and feared pirate lord on the seas, search for a hidden treasure. The pacing of this story is medium, but quickly picks up, making it a fast and pleasant read. I appreciated that the author didn’t linger on unnecessary details, though a few scenes could have been trimmed or skipped altogether. While the plot becomes predictable at times, it does allow for strong character development, there are a few surprises along the way, and a cliffhanger that left me impatient for the second book in this series.
The character development is a real strength here. Every crew member feels distinct and worth caring about, and the villains are genuinely villainous. I connected with Rowenya and her crew right away and found myself rooting for her to escape Grayson and his hold. Unfortunately, the chemistry between Rowenya and Grayson didn’t land for me at first—their romantic connection felt rushed and unnatural. Rowenya becomes too attracted to Grayson too fast, and I wish their relationship had been given more time to breathe. However, by the end, I was fully invested in their dynamic. The author spent a lot of time building the sexual tension, the anticipation was terrific, and the eventual sex scene was surprisingly tasteful, more about intimacy than explicit detail, which I greatly appreciated.
Overall: This is a fun, fast-paced pirate fantasy with an interesting twist on the buried treasure trope. The characters are likable, the world is engaging, and while the romance takes a while to feel believable, it ends up being a solid part of the story. If you’re in the mood for an ocean-bound fantasy story with a hint of spice, this one is worth picking up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Slavery, Trafficking, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Abandonment