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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-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:
Yes
I absolutely loved this book! The tension between Grayson and Rowenya was INSANE and I found myself screaming when they finally acted out on it š their bond was incredibly strong and the partnership that develops throughout the book was perfection š¤š¼ the one thing Iām still not clear on though is how Rowenya looks? We hear a lot about Graysonās unique and striking features but I feel like I canāt quite picture her as well as him. The ending made me audibly gasp and I am not ok!! I immediately need to know what happens next š
Infinitely grateful to Brianna Remus for entrusting me with an advanced copy of this wonderful story š¤
Infinitely grateful to Brianna Remus for entrusting me with an advanced copy of this wonderful story š¤
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
There is so much going on in this book! The plot is fun with lots of mystery to uncover. A treasure to find, bad guys in pursuit, a crew to meet, and a personal history to unfold! Phew, but you know what? The book does it justice. I had salt on my skin and the wind in my hair for this one!
The characters are a delight. I was immediately in love with a whole bunch of pirates for a whole bunch of reasons. Steadfast loyalty, innocence, sarcasm, flair, heart. These characters have it in abundance and they didn't hesitate to charm me.
I had my heart broken scandalously early on. Serious side-eye at the author for that. Why must you hurt me so? I was barely settled in, and it still stings at the final page.
This is a first in a series, there is a cliffhanger so be warned, but it's delicious!
So where does it drop those 1.5 stars? It's mainly the romance. This isn't a slight on it, it's just not for me. Nothing more. I think people are going to love this pair and I don't object to them, but...
Insta-love rarely hits for me. Insta-love in the immediate face of the death of Raven (who I was insta-love with myself, I know the hypocrisy) soured the whole thing further. Finally, I'm guessing Amara and Wells will be popping back up in book 2, but I felt their absence here.
Will I be reading book 2? You bet your ass I will. And I'm excited for it.
The characters are a delight. I was immediately in love with a whole bunch of pirates for a whole bunch of reasons. Steadfast loyalty, innocence, sarcasm, flair, heart. These characters have it in abundance and they didn't hesitate to charm me.
I had my heart broken scandalously early on. Serious side-eye at the author for that. Why must you hurt me so? I was barely settled in, and it still stings at the final page.
This is a first in a series, there is a cliffhanger so be warned, but it's delicious!
So where does it drop those 1.5 stars? It's mainly the romance. This isn't a slight on it, it's just not for me. Nothing more. I think people are going to love this pair and I don't object to them, but...
Will I be reading book 2? You bet your ass I will. And I'm excited for it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Yes
What a ride! This book is full of mystery and intrigue, along with swashbuckling adventure. The world is beautifully crafted and brings together elements of fantasy and high seas piracy. Rowenya, the FMC, is fierce and feisty in equal parts and keeps you rooting for her to gain her freedom. Grayson, the MMC, is dark and broody but draws you in from the beginning. Both characters have secrets that are yet to be revealed in the upcoming book(s). This one ends on a cliffhanger, so be prepared!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
āI have always dreamed of you, Grayson. You once painted the very essence of my nightmares. But now . . . Now you are my every dream. The darkness and the shimmering starlight that dances across it.ā
Of the Sea and Stars is a swashbuckling fantasy adventure brimming with danger, mystery, and undeniable chemistry. Rowenya is a fierce and fiery pirate captain desperate to free herself and her crew from a deadly bargain. Enter Graysonāa brooding, morally grey pirate lord whose protective instincts ignite the moment their fates collide. What begins as betrayal and rivalry spirals into a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance that burns hotter with every chapter. The worldbuilding is immersive and fresh, filled with hidden treasures, sea-bound secrets, and just the right amount of magic and mayhem. And that ending? Itāll leave you gasping for book two.
Read if you enjoy:
ā Enemies to Lovers
š„ Morally Grey Love Interest
š Forced Alliance
š“āā ļø Pirate Fantasy
šŗļø Quest for Lost Treasure
š Protective/Jealous Hero
š Cliffhanger Ending
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
šThank you so much to Brianna Remus for my ARC copy of āOf the Stars and Seaā in exchange for my honest opinion.
Described as Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Mummy, this was the book I needed to start of my July reads. The perfect balance of easy to digest world building, character development, spice, deep connections and violence. Itās a perfect fun, quick read.
Suspense, enemies to lovers, grumpy MMC Oh, and pirates! What more could you ask for?? Iād have loved for more tension and slow burn between the FMC and MMC as it felt far too rushed for me, but thatās personal preference!
I am left with a lot of unanswered questions which is why I knocked a star off. Some themes which were brought up often and made to be big points in the book were never explored or answered. The tension towards the end had me flying through the pages, but the ending had me asking why?! It canāt end like thisšš. Hoping for another book in this series to answer all my questions, hopefully this is just setting the groundwork.
Overall a fun read with soooo much potential for more!
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 whoās hated by many for breaking the law of the āPiratesā Code.ā Sheās 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 didnāt 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 didnāt land for me at firstātheir 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 youāre 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 whoās hated by many for breaking the law of the āPiratesā Code.ā Sheās 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 didnāt 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 didnāt land for me at firstātheir 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 youāre 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
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Of the Stars and Sea by Brianna Remus
š· Best paired with a bold rosĆ©ācrisp, confident, and full of unexpected depth.
This was my very first pirate-themed book, and I ate it up. That alone says plentyābut truly, Of the Stars and Sea swept me off my feet. With a glass of rosĆ© in hand and my feet tucked under a blanket, I found myself lost in a story that had me laughing, swooning, reflecting, and white-knuckling my way through sword fights and siren songs.
Rowenya is the kind of heroine Iāve been cravingāfierce, witty, and unapologetically in her mid-thirties. Sheās confident yet flawed, clever yet carrying the weight of real emotional depth. The banter in this book? Top-notch. It starts in chapter one and never lets upāwitty, sharp, and completely addictive. Every exchange between Rowenya and Grayson crackles with rivals-to-lovers tension, making the slow burn all the more delicious.
And then thereās the world: rich, vivid, and anchored in historical nods that feel both familiar and fresh. Remus masterfully blends high-seas heist energy with elements of fantasyāvampires, sirens, and secrets tucked into every wave. It reads like a treasure map unfolding, each chapter revealing a new corner of a brilliantly imagined world. Pirates, obviously, take center stage, but the story doesnāt rely on tropes alone. It plays with themāunashamedly checking all the genre boxes, but doing it with style, self-awareness, and heart.
Thereās real emotional resonance here, too. Among the ship battles, treasure hunts, and sweaty, sword-wielding men (youāre welcome), there are genuine moments of grief, guilt, joy, love, and self-reflection. The balance between action and vulnerability is perfectly struck, making the stakes feel as personal as they are adventurous. The theme of choice and responsibility is threaded beautifully throughout, grounding the fantasy with human weight.
The pacing? Impeccable. I kept telling myself, āJust one more chapter,ā and suddenly it was 1 a.m. with an empty wine glass and a very full heart. Thereās a touch of spiceānot overwhelming, but enough to keep the tension simmeringāand the emotional payoffs are deeply satisfying.
All in all, Of the Stars and Sea is an absolute gem. Itās the kind of book you drink in slowly at first, then gulp greedily once you realize how good it is. For fans of fierce heroines, heartfelt storytelling, and fantasy-laced pirate adventures with brains and bite, this oneās for you.
Final pairing: A bold, dry rosƩ with notes of strawberry, citrus, and the faintest hint of sea breeze. Refreshing, a little dangerous, and impossible to resist.
š· Best paired with a bold rosĆ©ācrisp, confident, and full of unexpected depth.
This was my very first pirate-themed book, and I ate it up. That alone says plentyābut truly, Of the Stars and Sea swept me off my feet. With a glass of rosĆ© in hand and my feet tucked under a blanket, I found myself lost in a story that had me laughing, swooning, reflecting, and white-knuckling my way through sword fights and siren songs.
Rowenya is the kind of heroine Iāve been cravingāfierce, witty, and unapologetically in her mid-thirties. Sheās confident yet flawed, clever yet carrying the weight of real emotional depth. The banter in this book? Top-notch. It starts in chapter one and never lets upāwitty, sharp, and completely addictive. Every exchange between Rowenya and Grayson crackles with rivals-to-lovers tension, making the slow burn all the more delicious.
And then thereās the world: rich, vivid, and anchored in historical nods that feel both familiar and fresh. Remus masterfully blends high-seas heist energy with elements of fantasyāvampires, sirens, and secrets tucked into every wave. It reads like a treasure map unfolding, each chapter revealing a new corner of a brilliantly imagined world. Pirates, obviously, take center stage, but the story doesnāt rely on tropes alone. It plays with themāunashamedly checking all the genre boxes, but doing it with style, self-awareness, and heart.
Thereās real emotional resonance here, too. Among the ship battles, treasure hunts, and sweaty, sword-wielding men (youāre welcome), there are genuine moments of grief, guilt, joy, love, and self-reflection. The balance between action and vulnerability is perfectly struck, making the stakes feel as personal as they are adventurous. The theme of choice and responsibility is threaded beautifully throughout, grounding the fantasy with human weight.
The pacing? Impeccable. I kept telling myself, āJust one more chapter,ā and suddenly it was 1 a.m. with an empty wine glass and a very full heart. Thereās a touch of spiceānot overwhelming, but enough to keep the tension simmeringāand the emotional payoffs are deeply satisfying.
All in all, Of the Stars and Sea is an absolute gem. Itās the kind of book you drink in slowly at first, then gulp greedily once you realize how good it is. For fans of fierce heroines, heartfelt storytelling, and fantasy-laced pirate adventures with brains and bite, this oneās for you.
Final pairing: A bold, dry rosƩ with notes of strawberry, citrus, and the faintest hint of sea breeze. Refreshing, a little dangerous, and impossible to resist.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated
š“āā ļøTropes:
Enemies to lovers
Enemies to lovers
One bed at the inn
Pirates
Touch her and lose your hand
Treasure hunt
Found family
Spice: š¶ļø š¶ļø (2+ open door scenes)
š“āā ļø This book was amazing! I devoured it in 2 days. Itās my first pirate book and Iām not sure how anything will top this!
š“āā ļø This book was amazing! I devoured it in 2 days. Itās my first pirate book and Iām not sure how anything will top this!
š“āā ļø Rowenya, Pirate Captain of the Trinity (which she inherited from her father) and indebted pirate bounty hunter, takes on a deadly job, as a means to the end of her debt to Red Beard. She is to steal the key to unending hidden treasure, which would free herself and her crew from her debt. On her way, Rowenya finds herself kidnapped by a very handsome immortal infamous pirate named Grayson Tyde. He wants her to lead him with the key to the treasure. Theyāre being hunted by their enemies, but will he be her biggest challenge yet?
š“āā ļø Rowenya is tough, and stubborn, and really cares for her crew. Sheās definitely a supporter of the underdog, but sheās got her own secrets, and some daddy issues.
š“āā ļø Grayson is funny, sassy, and is a secret softie. He seems cruel and tough on the outside, but everything he does is for the greater good.
š“āā ļø My only criticism about this book is it seemed the relationship with Rowenya and Grayson develop pretty fast. They hated each other and then it FELT like suddenly Grayson was like āyouāre everything Iām searching for. Iāve been waiting for youā . Iām not sure if there is some foreshadowing of a prophecy or Grayson knowing the future? BUT THEYRE STILL SUCH A CUTE COUPLE!!
This book has so many wonderful quotes too!
Thank you Brianna Remus for the eARC! Iām DYING to know what happens next!
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes