Reviews

A Sea of Eternal Woe by R.L. Davennor

nicoles_reading_corner's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ihavetoomanybooks's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

3.5

georginap92's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

 

“Living in the past will do nothing but detract from your future” 

This book continues on from the events of book one, and we follow Wendy as she is now Captain of The Jolly Serpent and in search of Ursa to help Peter with his immortality, as well as Cedric’s side story of finding Scarlett (Wendy’s mother) 

I love the way that both stories entwined with one another to make it that all characters were after the same villain (Ursa/Kaara) and I was completely engrossed in this book from start to finish, I adore every single character and their development is fantastic, it was really great to see the authors little snippets of other stories to make this a retelling, I have seen some complaints that there isn’t enough of “The Little Mermaid” but I don’t think as a character she was needed that much it was more about the story of how Ariel had her voice stolen, and I really like the way that the author was able to weave all these stories together and I am very intrigued and interested to see which fairy tale she will be taking from for book three 

I loved all the characters in this book, they all had their faults such as Wendy’s childish behaviour towards her father sometimes, it did come across as quite bratty, but she is a 16yo who has had no relationship with either of her parents so definitely feels some abandonment issues, plus Cedric’s focus on Scarlet and how he must do all he can to find her does wear a little thin in some places but it definitely pays off, and the last few scenes will warmed my heart, plus I liked how much Elvira and Peter were changing throughout the book too, I feel that really gave them more room to grow, as well as develop their relationships with others. 

I love the fact that this book tackles gender dysmorphia as well as transphobia, there are a number of times in which Peter is verbally and even physically assaulted because of this, but the author has done a fantastic and careful job of exploring this and writing about it in a careful way, I will say that there is a particular ship scene that can be very triggering, so please bare that in mind, but I am grateful for the diversity and awareness that the book has brought. 

Also, this book is spicier than the rest too, especially the Cedric and Scarlett scene at the end, phew, but it made for great writing development and you can see the series development in how the characters are changing and again, and I am curious for their behaviours in the next book, wither way I would like the next book as soon as, as this is one series I am completely invested in 

I would sing my praises for this book and series forever, there is just so much love and thought and depth put into this book, and the authors note at the end was really poignant and honest, and I am grateful she felt comfortable enough to share that, so thank you. 

dannaolay's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

5.0

Maddening and intense. Filled with monsters and mayhem!

Oh my goodness, what a wild ride this book has dragged me onto 😱

❝ Sometimes it wasn’t about standing up. It was about refusing to sit back down. ❞

When you say Peter Pan + Little Mermaid + Pirates of the Caribbean + Sinbad + Once Upon A Time, please just shut up and give me everything, okay? 🤩

A Sea of Eternal Woe is much darker than A Land of Never After, in the emotional sense rather than the visual. I remember needing to read Never After with my lights on, but I always waited for nightfall before reading Woe. There’s something so freeing about being emotionally exposed after dark 🤷🏻‍♀️

Although this book may be twice as long as the first book, there really is never a dull moment. Every single chapter has something to offer to the bigger picture, and though it might be fast-paced, it also felt very slow burn at the same time.

I especially love that book 2 is longer because it opens up space for more lore and world-building, and allows us to take a deeper dive into these characters and their motives.

Wendy is as recklessly headstrong as ever, but I admire her for dealing with her mental health instead of running from it, and helping her friends with their troubles too, no matter how messy things got. Despite encountering numerous setbacks, Wendy is always determined to keep pushing through.

❝ Allow yourself to be as worthy as I know you are. Allow yourself to be loved. ❞

I need some more Wendy & Hook bonding soon, please, because Wendy’s stubborn hate is killing me 😖💔 I think she needs more hugs 😢

Her friendship with Peter Pan however, melted my heart 🥹 I adore seeing them work together, and just them knowing what the other needs without even speaking is very endearing.

Also, I hope we get to explore Wendy’s connection to magic in the next book, since that revelation still has me excitedly baffled!

Peter Pan is yet a huge mystery, and I am more intrigued than ever about where his story is going from here. I never fully trusted or even liked him that much in the first book, but being able to witness more of his character this time actually made me soft for him 🥺 (He’s okay though, right? Pfft, I know he’s fine, but that ending has me panicking, okay?? 😰)

The author handled Pan’s gender identity so well. Besides the leering pirates, him being trans was so normal to everyone else. Even Captain Hook — his sworn enemy — had defended and respected Peter for it.

I mean, not even the ruthless, villainous Captain Hook believes in utilizing gender dysphoria as a weapon?!? YES, THANK YOU. 🙌🏼

Cedric “Hook” Teach, that miserable wreck of a character, had me glued to all of his chapters. He’s an absolute tortured, unfortunate soul who can never properly function without his one true love, and (poor boy) I found that very entertaining to read 😂 Perhaps in book 3 we finally get to see him think more coherently? 🤭

❝ Only you would stand at the gates of hell and still ask to be shown the way. ❞

^ this line gave me chills 👀

Calypso was such a great addition to the cast, even though she was mostly a seductive little bitch. She was so electrifying, she could charge a scene full of tension just by standing in the room 😳

Elvira Teach is turning out to be one of my favorite characters as well. I absolutely adore her in this book. During the previous stories, I thought she’d only remained by Cedric’s side for her own benefit/agenda, but Woe proved that she was loyal to no end. There is a great amount of love inside that heart of stone of hers. Elvira truly cares about her brother, and would follow him to the ends of the earth even if she thought he was stupidly sailing toward his death, if only to make sure he didn’t actually get dead in the end.

Elvira’s relationship with her brother (though sometimes terrifyingly brutal) was everything. I honestly did not expect to love that dynamic so much, but I did?? 🥺💖

I am very excited for more of Elvira, especially after that ending!!! 👀

I had hoped to see more of Scarlett than we got in this book though. I’m guessing she’ll get more page time in the next book, and I cannot wait! I want to witness more of her badassery, but especially combined with maternal instinct?? How much more formidable could she be??? 😱

That and more spicy power couple scenes, perhaps? 🙈 Scarlett & Cedric’s reunion is probably my favorite in the entire book 🥹❤️‍🔥

I do recommend reading the prequel A Dance with the Devil before diving into Woe, since it brings up quite a number of references from there.

❗️tiny spoiler❗️

One thing I would like to know however, is how Scarlett was able to communicate with sirens before she got cursed into a mermaid?

(side note : is Prince Herbert’s physical description actually based on Prince Eric?? I mean, a Little Mermaid retelling wouldn’t let me picture him any other way, and I couldn’t stop laughing because what the hell, that guy?!? 🤣

Also, Arktos is definitely a combination of Max and Spike [Eric’s and Sinbad’s dogs], and he’s insanely adorable 🥹)

Anyway, Woe made me feel alllll of the feels, and I truly enjoyed following and getting to watch these characters’ stories unfold.

I personally connected with this book more than I did with A Land of Never After. I’m guessing it’s from all the pirate elements, but more likely it’s the rollercoaster of emotions A Sea of Eternal Woe has allowed me to feel, especially those in the grayer areas.

There are moments when I feel like I’m losing my mind, and so I understood Cedric in his loneliness; in him fighting so hard to rescue Scarlett so that he might regain his will to live so that he would have a reason to feel alive again. 

But how does one lash out without destroying much of anything?

❝ We’re powder kegs waiting to explode, and either of us could be holding the matches. ❞

It was as though getting to experience how completely and desperately unhinged Cedric could become made me feel a little better, and getting to live inside his head was like I could contain my rage on the page too.

These characters just have so much soul. (Damn, books are therapeutic.)

Also, can I just say ❗️spoiler❗️

. . . . . . . the audacity of one Captain James Cedric “Hook” to double cross such powerful entities as literal gods is beyond me. I’m surprised he hasn’t been smitten off the face of the earth yet 😂🙌🏼

Moreover, I dearly missed getting to listen to featured musical numbers, as those were some of the best parts of reading Never After and Devil. Obviously it’s not a must, but it helped immerse the reader even further with the previous stories, and gave us such a refreshing and unique reading experience.

I was fangirling from all of the references to Pirates of the Caribbean as well (it’s my fave film franchise 🤷🏻‍♀️), especially how Kaara’s realm was basically Shipwreck Cove, because it makes perfect sense! (took me back to those days my brother & I would play the PotC 3 game on our PS2; Shipwreck City was my favorite because the ramshackle location was such fun to explore 😍)

Also, the OUAT vibes . . . ❗️spoiler❗️

. . . Don’t even get me started on Cedric’s journeying into the underworld sea of eternal woe to save his beloved, all the while harboring such guilt for risking everyone else’s lives, but unapologetic in the slightest for his decision to go anyway because how can he live without half of his soul in the fair lady Swan Scarlett, and knowing as well that that soul is bound to Hades Kaara by some twisted form of eternal torment and no one but him could save her if she can’t save herself so they can power couple their way to go up against the gods??? . . . . . . . plus, Killian Scarlett gave Belle Wendy her very own shellphone™️, just in case she needed help.

It’s all in the details 🐚😉 . . . and all these parallels are making my heart very happy 😌

I also felt the urge to rewatch Sinbad immediately after reading, because why not? Fairytale mashups make me nostalgic 😏

The Author’s Note at the end of the book was a really nice addition too. I related so much with their struggles with mental health & other personal areas, and am inspired by what Davennor wrote.

❝ What if all you needed was a reason to believe in yourself? ❞

I genuinely needed to hear this; a motivation to keep fighting ❤️‍🔥 A great reminder within a great book from a great series so far, and if it isn’t still obvious, I want the next book right now, pretty please! 🤓✨

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

wildxrunnerxreads's review

4.0

I love a good retelling and The Sea of Eternal Woe didn’t disappoint. The characters were well rounded and the LGBTQ+ representation was fantastic. the author covered mental health issues in a very respectful way, highlighting its importance. I’m looking forward to seeing where this story takes us. I definitely want more of the little mermaid element

booknotes_athina's review

dark

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

casseechapman's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

5.0

I was sent an E-ARC copy of the amazing novel in exchange for an honest review. 
I absolutely love this entire series. I started with the prequel “A Dance with the Devil” then Book #1 “A Land of Never After”. Book #2, “A Sea of Eternal Woe” was an amazing read to continue this journey for Captain Hook, Wendy, Peter Pan and the Little Mermaid. 

This was a fast paced and thrilling story with pirates, curses, mythical creatures and magical romances. The characters and plot are strong. They draw you in and make you want more of the story. The twists on the classic Disney tales with the romances, and the Peter Pan being Trans are amazing. I think the author did an excellent job in creating an engaging story. 

Book trends: Dark Fantasy, Romance, Disney Retellings, Strong Characters, Strong Plot, LGBTQ+, Morally grey Characters, Family Ties, Fast Paced, and Adventurous. 

I can’t wait for the next book in this story!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Body shaming, Murder, Bullying, and Physical abuse

Minor: Suicidal thoughts