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koistyfishy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
5.0
5 Salt in the Water Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
I love this book so much, that I made my phone background a picture of the cover art...
Reading this feels like you're wrapped up in a warm, fluffy blanket, with oversized socks and a cup of deliciously spiced tea while you're sitting by a roaring fire, watching the rain outside. If that doesn't give you the epitome of cosy vibes, then I don't know what you find cosy.
This was also a very unexpected surprise. I wasn't sure how this book ended up on my TBR, so went in with no expectations - and I am pretty happy I did. I was blown away by the story, the plot and the characters.
This is a dual POV - Daella, a half-Orc is a captive of a brutal tyrannical emperor who forces her to do his dirty work. She is also allergic to fresh water (not in the same way as Gremlin's where she multiplies into little evil versions of herself)... Instead, she ends up in giant boils and welts. Sent on a mission to track Dragon-Magic users her ship is attacked by a vicious storm. She ends up falling overboard - don't worry, salt water is fine - and washes up on the island of Fable in a little town where a gorgeous elf with long silver hair greets her with a sword to her throat. Rivelin strikes up a deal with Daella. She can return to the mainland in six weeks after she helps him win this year's Midsummer Games by being his assistant. Rivelin needs to win the games as the winner is granted a wish - and he wants to wish for the protection of his Island and home.
It was really sweet and charming to see how these two forged a bond. (This is funny because Rivelin is a blacksmith). At the start, they are very apprehensive of each other and have both built up walls around their hearts. But as more and more time goes along, the two start opening up to each other and start falling for each other as they learn to trust one another.
Daella was the complete opposite of my perceptions of a Half-Orc. I expected brutish, quick to anger and a brain one step above a Neanderthal. While she is stubborn, she is incredibly kind-hearted. She has a traumatic past and has been pushed to her limits by the Emperor, only doing his bidding as he will kill her if she doesn't with a magic ice shard embedded into her hip. Given her guarded actions, she comes off with a resting bitchface personality but as people slowly get to know her, they realize that she is incredibly self-sacrificing, honest, noble and gentle.
Rivelin is a grumpy, lonesome blacksmith who deeply cares for his family, his village and his home. All he wants is for that to remain safe. He's self-sacrificing, noble and incredibly generous - especially towards Daella. Underneath his grumpy persona lurks a spicy little cinnamon roll.
The world-building is easy to understand. The writing is captivating and gripping causing the book to be a perfect quick little romantasy palate cleanser.
Tropes in this include:
▶ Cosy Fantasy
▶ Dual POV
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Enemies Rivals to Lovers
▶ Interracial/Multicultural Romance
▶ Found Family
▶ Dragons
▶ Who Did This To You
▶ Rolled Sleeves (and Forearms)
▶ Hold on to the...
If you are looking for a low angst fluffy read with a little bit of spice and maybe some dragons, I highly recommend this. The tropes were well executed and the characters were enjoyable and sweet.
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
I love this book so much, that I made my phone background a picture of the cover art...
Reading this feels like you're wrapped up in a warm, fluffy blanket, with oversized socks and a cup of deliciously spiced tea while you're sitting by a roaring fire, watching the rain outside. If that doesn't give you the epitome of cosy vibes, then I don't know what you find cosy.
This was also a very unexpected surprise. I wasn't sure how this book ended up on my TBR, so went in with no expectations - and I am pretty happy I did. I was blown away by the story, the plot and the characters.
This is a dual POV - Daella, a half-Orc is a captive of a brutal tyrannical emperor who forces her to do his dirty work. She is also allergic to fresh water (not in the same way as Gremlin's where she multiplies into little evil versions of herself)... Instead, she ends up in giant boils and welts. Sent on a mission to track Dragon-Magic users her ship is attacked by a vicious storm. She ends up falling overboard - don't worry, salt water is fine - and washes up on the island of Fable in a little town where a gorgeous elf with long silver hair greets her with a sword to her throat. Rivelin strikes up a deal with Daella. She can return to the mainland in six weeks after she helps him win this year's Midsummer Games by being his assistant. Rivelin needs to win the games as the winner is granted a wish - and he wants to wish for the protection of his Island and home.
It was really sweet and charming to see how these two forged a bond. (This is funny because Rivelin is a blacksmith). At the start, they are very apprehensive of each other and have both built up walls around their hearts. But as more and more time goes along, the two start opening up to each other and start falling for each other as they learn to trust one another.
Daella was the complete opposite of my perceptions of a Half-Orc. I expected brutish, quick to anger and a brain one step above a Neanderthal. While she is stubborn, she is incredibly kind-hearted. She has a traumatic past and has been pushed to her limits by the Emperor, only doing his bidding as he will kill her if she doesn't with a magic ice shard embedded into her hip. Given her guarded actions, she comes off with a resting bitchface personality but as people slowly get to know her, they realize that she is incredibly self-sacrificing, honest, noble and gentle.
Rivelin is a grumpy, lonesome blacksmith who deeply cares for his family, his village and his home. All he wants is for that to remain safe. He's self-sacrificing, noble and incredibly generous - especially towards Daella. Underneath his grumpy persona lurks a spicy little cinnamon roll.
The world-building is easy to understand. The writing is captivating and gripping causing the book to be a perfect quick little romantasy palate cleanser.
Tropes in this include:
▶ Cosy Fantasy
▶ Dual POV
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Enemies Rivals to Lovers
▶ Interracial/Multicultural Romance
▶ Found Family
▶ Dragons
▶ Who Did This To You
▶ Rolled Sleeves (and Forearms)
▶ Hold on to the...
If you are looking for a low angst fluffy read with a little bit of spice and maybe some dragons, I highly recommend this. The tropes were well executed and the characters were enjoyable and sweet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, and Cursing
Minor: War and Genocide
karapillar's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Genocide, Deportation, Slavery, Confinement, Murder, Torture, and Physical abuse
Minor: War, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Religious bigotry
doahdancer's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent, Death, and Genocide
nofys's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Genocide and War
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