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A review by ndvdv
of the Stars and Sea by Brianna Remus
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Happy Release Day! Many thanks to Brianna Remus for the opportunity to read her novel ahead of its official release. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and can't wait for the next installment in the series.
Remus crafts an intriguing world, gradually unveiling its lore as the story unfolds. The narrative is character-driven, emphasizing internal growth and the emotional weight of confronting past choices and lingering guilt. Both plot and world-building are introduced slowly, allowing readers to ease into the story as they grow familiar with the central characters and their evolving relationships. The groundwork for the rest of the series is clearly laid, with several well-placed hints and setups that build anticipation for future revelations.
Where this story truly shines is in the dynamic banter between Rowenya and Grayson. Their addictive push-and-pull chemistry is filled with sharp quips and playful tension that kept me eagerly turning the pages. Even as their affections begin to deepen, the underlying tension largely remains. Grayson challenges Rowenya to take ownership of her choices and begin healing from her grief and guilt. At the same time, he grapples with his instinct to shield, ultimately choosing to respect her agency and support her active role in the story. Refreshingly, their communication is open and free from drawn-out drama.
While I appreciated the gradual unveiling of the plot and lore, I felt the story could have benefited from a stronger foundational setup for the overarching plot. This first novel of the series raises a compelling array of questions about the story's direction and potential reveals, however, the ending leans more toward setup than resolution. Some of the foreshadowing felt a bit too obvious, which made the lack of resolution for certain obvious mysteries feel underwhelming. Although I admire the groundwork the author is laying for future books, the momentum falters towards the end (despite the action sequence). Even the cliffhanger lacked impact as I wasn't particularly anxious about the fate of a key character. The surrounding mystery and narrative setup suggest it's unlikely their story would reach a critical conclusion this early in the series.
Overall, the pirate and treasure-hunting atmosphere, combined with the rich, evolving lore and the many unanswered questions, makes this a series I'm excited to continue.
Remus crafts an intriguing world, gradually unveiling its lore as the story unfolds. The narrative is character-driven, emphasizing internal growth and the emotional weight of confronting past choices and lingering guilt. Both plot and world-building are introduced slowly, allowing readers to ease into the story as they grow familiar with the central characters and their evolving relationships. The groundwork for the rest of the series is clearly laid, with several well-placed hints and setups that build anticipation for future revelations.
Where this story truly shines is in the dynamic banter between Rowenya and Grayson. Their addictive push-and-pull chemistry is filled with sharp quips and playful tension that kept me eagerly turning the pages. Even as their affections begin to deepen, the underlying tension largely remains. Grayson challenges Rowenya to take ownership of her choices and begin healing from her grief and guilt. At the same time, he grapples with his instinct to shield, ultimately choosing to respect her agency and support her active role in the story. Refreshingly, their communication is open and free from drawn-out drama.
While I appreciated the gradual unveiling of the plot and lore, I felt the story could have benefited from a stronger foundational setup for the overarching plot. This first novel of the series raises a compelling array of questions about the story's direction and potential reveals, however, the ending leans more toward setup than resolution. Some of the foreshadowing felt a bit too obvious, which made the lack of resolution for certain obvious mysteries feel underwhelming. Although I admire the groundwork the author is laying for future books, the momentum falters towards the end (despite the action sequence). Even the cliffhanger lacked impact as I wasn't particularly anxious about the fate of a key character. The surrounding mystery and narrative setup suggest it's unlikely their story would reach a critical conclusion this early in the series.
Overall, the pirate and treasure-hunting atmosphere, combined with the rich, evolving lore and the many unanswered questions, makes this a series I'm excited to continue.