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lucyamclaren's review
4.0
This was an exciting fantasy adventure with likeable characters and a good sense of mystery. For me, the plot read like a dungeons and dragons campaign—which makes sense because I know the author was inspired by D&D in her writing. There was a mysterious object, pirate pursuits and a strange, seemingly magical island. For me, the characters were what made this story really good.
My favourite character was Kol, who isn’t so much a “bad guy” as someone who is trying to find his way in the world and to work out where he fits in. His growing relationship with Adella was really sweet, and I like that the author didn’t rush this. Can’t wait to see more of them together.
Adella herself goes through a lot of experiences which cause massive changes in her life. She has to question what she knows about certain family members, and learn who to trust. I would have liked to see her grapple a bit more with the betrayals she faces, but felt her inner turmoil was pretty well explored. She has history with Captain Rogero which I thought was well developed and left me wanting to know more about their past.
I enjoyed Armand and Tess as characters and felt they added an interesting and unique dynamic to the travelling party. Matei was one of those characters I loved to hate and I hope to see more of him in the next book.
And there was a *very* intriguing cliffhanger that has left me wanting the next book and wondering where it could be going! Overall, this was a fun fantasy story which I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys a good adventure.
My favourite character was Kol, who isn’t so much a “bad guy” as someone who is trying to find his way in the world and to work out where he fits in. His growing relationship with Adella was really sweet, and I like that the author didn’t rush this. Can’t wait to see more of them together.
Adella herself goes through a lot of experiences which cause massive changes in her life. She has to question what she knows about certain family members, and learn who to trust. I would have liked to see her grapple a bit more with the betrayals she faces, but felt her inner turmoil was pretty well explored. She has history with Captain Rogero which I thought was well developed and left me wanting to know more about their past.
I enjoyed Armand and Tess as characters and felt they added an interesting and unique dynamic to the travelling party. Matei was one of those characters I loved to hate and I hope to see more of him in the next book.
And there was a *very* intriguing cliffhanger that has left me wanting the next book and wondering where it could be going! Overall, this was a fun fantasy story which I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys a good adventure.
connorjdaley's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
The author and I followed each other for a while, and they very kindly offered me a copy of their book for my reading enjoyment. Enjoy I did!
The book is fantasy, but leans very heavily into the dress, language, weaponry of pirates. Which is A-okay with me. The author does a good job with this as it is grounding, but also still unique enough to read entirely as its own thing. Readers get both the typical fantasy journey on horseback/walking with danger and urgency, as well as ships sailing with time for hammock relaxing. But that relaxation doesn’t last…did I mention there are sea serpents?
The author writes believable and enjoyable characters that had me following along and rooting for them (and their survival) the entire time. They are dynamic, with ups and downs, and every single one progresses as people throughout the story. A personal favorite for me was Armand, who I pictured Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth’s actor from Game of Thrones) the entire time. The stakes are real, real “on screen” characters are lost, and the momentum builds the entire time at the appropriate pace. All in all, I am impressed, and I am a fan.
Absolutely worth your time, effort, and money to read this one
The book is fantasy, but leans very heavily into the dress, language, weaponry of pirates. Which is A-okay with me. The author does a good job with this as it is grounding, but also still unique enough to read entirely as its own thing. Readers get both the typical fantasy journey on horseback/walking with danger and urgency, as well as ships sailing with time for hammock relaxing. But that relaxation doesn’t last…did I mention there are sea serpents?
The author writes believable and enjoyable characters that had me following along and rooting for them (and their survival) the entire time. They are dynamic, with ups and downs, and every single one progresses as people throughout the story. A personal favorite for me was Armand, who I pictured Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth’s actor from Game of Thrones) the entire time. The stakes are real, real “on screen” characters are lost, and the momentum builds the entire time at the appropriate pace. All in all, I am impressed, and I am a fan.
Absolutely worth your time, effort, and money to read this one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, War, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
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