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shelvedthoughts's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
– this takes place in the same world as Everly’s Between Shade & Flame series (Rhuin), but about 500 years in the future
– this is told from Reva’s point of view
– there is some fantasy violence & death
Review:
I loved getting to read this quick jaunt onto the high seas! I loved our swashbuckling princess and her desire to care for her people. Reva was such a fun character that was an amazing untypical princess. I loved that one of the baby krakens took a liking to her (though she didn’t take to it as quickly) and would constantly be found inside her pocket. I loved that Jareth was so sweet beneath his stoic exterior. He clearly also cared for his people and the creatures in his care and grew to fall for Reva over the course of the story. I also really enjoyed the fun the pirate captain brought into play. Sure, he wasn’t the most noble of characters, but he did add a levity to things as it settled down. I am really excited to see what his future adventures will look like and if he’ll be getting his own story or just be the road for other characters to get to theirs!
Summary:
Princess Reva is almost willing to do anything in order to save her people from starvation. She just never thought that her hand in marriage would even be a suggestion. When she arrives to negotiate a trade alliance with the prince from another kingdom, Reva finds that her stepmother went behind her back and offered Reva’s hand in marriage to the foreign prince. Not only that, but others come asking for the same offer. Her hand for the lives of her people.
To make matters worse, someone is trying to end negotiations by any means necessary. Which is how Reva finds herself attacked and later kidnapped to the high seas. But things are much more dire than anyone could have predicted. A mysterious, yet deadly creature has risen from the deep to attack those involved in negotiations. And it looks like something from myths has been uncovered for the dastardly deed. When the attacker and creature set their sights on her kingdom, Reva needs to make a new alliance and bring together her various suitors or risk everything falling apart…
fairytale42's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I devoured this book in two days, and knew almost from the start that it would be one of my new favorites (and I only loved it more the further I read). Everly Haywood never disappoints with her books, but this one took the cake for the emotional roller coaster it took me on. I swooned, I (nearly) cried, and I felt my heart break several times over watching Reva and Jareth fight for their respective kingdoms and each other. If you want a swoony fantasy romance with pirates, feisty heroines, and soulful elven princes (with baby krakens, might I add!), this the book for you.
My favorite part of this book was hands-down the characters, although I really loved the plot, too. The problems with Reva's kingdom mirrored Jareth's troubles, both with no discernable happy ending in sight. The magnitude of mortality is made abundantly clear in this book, and you feel for each death through Reva's eyes. More than just that, you feel the responsibility on her shoulders and the strength she has to push through the pain to keep fighting. I loved how she found herself mirrored in Jareth and his kingdom, but more so how they were loyal to their country first and each other second. (Although they do make the sweetest couple.) Also, did I mention Rency? He is a treasure and an annoyance all at once, and if you like sarcastic pirates, Rency is a perfect fit.
Overall, the emotional depth within this story continues to amaze me on further re-reads, and the characters are hilarious, inspiring, and relatable all in one. This isn't a book you're going to forget in a hurry. I got this book early so I could review it, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are honesty and solely my own. All in all, another win for Everly Haywood, and another favorite for me!
My favorite part of this book was hands-down the characters, although I really loved the plot, too. The problems with Reva's kingdom mirrored Jareth's troubles, both with no discernable happy ending in sight. The magnitude of mortality is made abundantly clear in this book, and you feel for each death through Reva's eyes. More than just that, you feel the responsibility on her shoulders and the strength she has to push through the pain to keep fighting. I loved how she found herself mirrored in Jareth and his kingdom, but more so how they were loyal to their country first and each other second. (Although they do make the sweetest couple.) Also, did I mention Rency? He is a treasure and an annoyance all at once, and if you like sarcastic pirates, Rency is a perfect fit.
Overall, the emotional depth within this story continues to amaze me on further re-reads, and the characters are hilarious, inspiring, and relatable all in one. This isn't a book you're going to forget in a hurry. I got this book early so I could review it, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are honesty and solely my own. All in all, another win for Everly Haywood, and another favorite for me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Gore, Violence, and Death
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