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albyatross's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
*For ref, I have the barnes and noble edition with author notes, and honestly I think that brings the score up since it was nice checking the notes verse the pages.
The writing is fine, the plot is fine, Evelyn and Bowen are good ... separately, not as a couple. Dia is cool, Lizzie was fun. Miles and nearly everyone else was very cardboard prop for plot purposes.
Lots of later plot points happen I think just because they need to happen, certain things seem overly convenient.
The world building had so much potential! And somehow fell so flat! Like the islands move! Your boat is full of people and species from across the multiverse! Where is ANY discussion on culture!? That could have been SO FUN?
Also, I think this book is slightly mismarked bc Bowen isn't a pirate ... he's more like something in the realm of a privateer, since he reports to a council / government, and does not seem to generally engage with the act of theft or plunder (unless we get into, uh, theft of people falling into Threshold maybe, but that seems like a topic beyond what this series could reasonably handle in a thoughtful way). So like if someone actually wanted pirates, plz pick a different book, there are NOT pirates here!!
+ on the spice;The sex scenes were very insta-attraction and shallow, tbh. Fine if you want sex for sexs sake as both charas have plenty of energy an experience, but overall feels more like horny one night stand energy than anything leading to long-term attachment.
I will probably not read the sequel unless I find it in a LFL for free or something.
The writing is fine, the plot is fine, Evelyn and Bowen are good ... separately, not as a couple. Dia is cool, Lizzie was fun. Miles and nearly everyone else was very cardboard prop for plot purposes.
Lots of later plot points happen I think just because they need to happen, certain things seem overly convenient.
The world building had so much potential! And somehow fell so flat! Like the islands move! Your boat is full of people and species from across the multiverse! Where is ANY discussion on culture!? That could have been SO FUN?
Also, I think this book is slightly mismarked bc Bowen isn't a pirate ... he's more like something in the realm of a privateer, since he reports to a council / government, and does not seem to generally engage with the act of theft or plunder (unless we get into, uh, theft of people falling into Threshold maybe, but that seems like a topic beyond what this series could reasonably handle in a thoughtful way). So like if someone actually wanted pirates, plz pick a different book, there are NOT pirates here!!
+ on the spice;
I will probably not read the sequel unless I find it in a LFL for free or something.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood and Violence
Minor: Trafficking and Murder
jlaz_13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Death, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder, Kidnapping, Blood, and Trafficking
Minor: Abandonment
kleinepanda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
A story worth being told, and read, for numerous reasons. Told in a duel POV: a golden retriever MMC that has deep dedication and loyalty to a system that he follows without question and a black cat FMC that questions absolutely everything, even direct orders meant to keep her safe. The underlying narratives of attachment and creating your found family are there while the open door bedroom scenes are spicy, but also very true to the characters. Intimacy and sexual tension not just to have it but because it makes sense to their nature.
Highly recommend this book both because it's otherworldly and I could feel the salt water on my face but also because it's well grounded and easy to connect with.
Highly recommend this book both because it's otherworldly and I could feel the salt water on my face but also because it's well grounded and easy to connect with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, Death, Grief, and Trafficking
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Cannibalism
enslavement under threat of death
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