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A review by caitann
Voyage of the Damned by Frances White
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
Well wasn’t this a sneaky one!! I love love love a fantasy & mystery mashup (if I had my way all murder mysteries would come with magic), and this is that and SO much more.
In the first chapter, I admit I got a little hesitant, wondering hmmm uh oh was buying this the right choice? And ok maybe a few things in the worldbuilding & magic/blessing system had me tilting my head, asking questions, but honestly I now can’t remember what those questions even were; they are officially lost to the ether, and all that’s left is a bone-deep appreciation for all this book is and all it accomplishes.
And it accomplishes SO much. My heart!! The humour, the heartache, the unlikely heroes, the found family of precious outcasts, the diversity, the sweet, sweet unexpected romance (emphasis on unexpected!!! Iykyk), the societal issues it tackles in a magical, mystery way, sure, but with undeniable grace and wit and care, and more than a little bit of power.
In short - there’s genuine depth here. It’s not frilly silliness. There’s stakes. There’s darkness. I’d say “it’s got bite” but that’s not it - it’s got heart.
As for the mystery itself, there were some things I guessed, but more things that surprised me. Layers and layers peeled back before the end! Ultimately, incredibly satisfying.
So, forgive the pun, but I was ON BOARD for all of this. It’s sweet, it’s special, it’s funny, it’s wise, and you should not let it fly under your radar! MCs constantly told they are “too soft” proving to be the strongest of all will forever be my bread and butter 😌
In the first chapter, I admit I got a little hesitant, wondering hmmm uh oh was buying this the right choice? And ok maybe a few things in the worldbuilding & magic/blessing system had me tilting my head, asking questions, but honestly I now can’t remember what those questions even were; they are officially lost to the ether, and all that’s left is a bone-deep appreciation for all this book is and all it accomplishes.
And it accomplishes SO much. My heart!! The humour, the heartache, the unlikely heroes, the found family of precious outcasts, the diversity, the sweet, sweet unexpected romance (emphasis on unexpected!!! Iykyk), the societal issues it tackles in a magical, mystery way, sure, but with undeniable grace and wit and care, and more than a little bit of power.
In short - there’s genuine depth here. It’s not frilly silliness. There’s stakes. There’s darkness. I’d say “it’s got bite” but that’s not it - it’s got heart.
As for the mystery itself, there were some things I guessed, but more things that surprised me. Layers and layers peeled back before the end! Ultimately, incredibly satisfying.
So, forgive the pun, but I was ON BOARD for all of this. It’s sweet, it’s special, it’s funny, it’s wise, and you should not let it fly under your radar! MCs constantly told they are “too soft” proving to be the strongest of all will forever be my bread and butter 😌