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A review by isabel005
The Forever Sea by Joshua Phillip Johnson
5.0
I loved this book! The magic system/world building is UNHINGED (magic songs and magic human bone sculptures in magic fires magically propel ships that sail over a miles deep sea of magic plants..) but it's cool and explained well enough that I was sold and I enjoyed it, and the lore of the different cities is so original and interesting! Even though most of the book takes place on the surface, the ideas of the inescapable pull of the depths and incomprehensible horrors lurking below were clear and convincing and spooky. The description is beautiful and really gets the vivid imagery of an endless sea of green plants and colorful flowers across- the worldbuilding and description are the best parts of the book.
The plot was also pretty good! The very beginning is a little overwhelming because of all the new info about the setting, but then it picks up- the middle after and they're sailing on the open sea and deciding what to do and then there's a WORM is the best part I KNEW from the start they would find scary bug monsters from the depths and this book delivered! I read 200 pages of Dune waiting for some worm action and it wasn't even exciting, but The Forever Sea does not disappoint. The pacing is exciting and engaging, and then a while after the story drags a little bit, and the end is exciting again because the mysteries are unraveled and I wanted to know what Kindred would do. ......4.7 stars
I was very sold on the interpersonal relationships between Kindred and Ragged Sarah (magic bird caller) and the rest of the crew :) Kindred and Sarah's relationship is so heartfelt- the romance in this book isn't the focus of the plot, isn't shoved in your face, and doesn't feel forced. Their connection is believable and so sweet :)
Kindred isn't a crazy complex character, but it helps the audience project themselves onto her as she weighs the decisions she has to make about who she is loyal to and what path she will take to her future, and exists as a small part of a greater, scarier, destructive whole.
✅swords
✅worms
✅lesbians
✅bones
✅lurking horrors beyond comprehension
✅flowers
✅environmentalism
✅WORLDBUILDING
✅pirates
✅the all consuming call of the void
✅political corruption
The plot was also pretty good! The very beginning is a little overwhelming because of all the new info about the setting, but then it picks up- the middle after
Spoiler
the crew runs from ArcadiaSpoiler
they reach the Once CityI was very sold on the interpersonal relationships between Kindred and Ragged Sarah (magic bird caller) and the rest of the crew :) Kindred and Sarah's relationship is so heartfelt- the romance in this book isn't the focus of the plot, isn't shoved in your face, and doesn't feel forced. Their connection is believable and so sweet :)
Kindred isn't a crazy complex character, but it helps the audience project themselves onto her as she weighs the decisions she has to make about who she is loyal to and what path she will take to her future, and exists as a small part of a greater, scarier, destructive whole.
✅swords
✅worms
✅lesbians
✅bones
✅lurking horrors beyond comprehension
✅flowers
✅environmentalism
✅WORLDBUILDING
✅pirates
✅the all consuming call of the void
✅political corruption