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A review by plumpaperbacks
The Navigator's Touch by Julia Ember
4.0
4.5 stars
CW: violence, gore (There's a full list of content warnings by chapter in the back of the novel.)
Those of you that know me know that I adore Julia Ember's novels. This one was no exception. With a queer shield-maiden/mermaid romance, revenge, Norse mythology, a morally gray protagonist, and a pitch describing it as a Captain Hook origin story, what's not to love?
Ragna is an amazing, albeit brutal protagonist that I couldn't help but root for. She wanted revenge on the men that wronged her, but that wasn't the extent of her character. She was admirably strong and badass without losing her sensitivity. And she's only got one hand, as the other was lost in battle and replaced by a hook, so yeah, she's undeniably epic.
The side characters were just as three-dimensional and enjoyable. Ersel, Loki, Honor, Aslaug, and Torstein are all likable for various reasons, even though one of them in particular is particularly devious. Ersel was a colorful, innocent sweetheart that could also strangle you with her tentacles, 10/10 want to hug and wrap in a heated blanket. I love my queer mermaid, even though she's not the star this time around.
The story features a genderfluid character and a nonbinary character that both use they/them pronouns, as well as a character of color and a fat protagonist. I don't share any of those identities, but I wanted to point out these details. All of them are prominent in the story.
If there was one thing that I wasn't such a fan of, it was the ending. Currently, this is only a duology, so it's (unfortunately) likely that there won't be any more books in this world, with these characters. And while the story was technically wrapped up very well, it wasn't what I'd hoped. I know that a book can't please every reader, but I was really hoping that we could see Ersel and Ragna truly be together. Not to mention that there could totally be another book with dual POV, as Ersel explored the world and Ragna completed her quest for Loki. (I could also just be a slightly desperate lesbian.)
(For whatever reason, I can't figure out how to add gifs, but pretend the "I want more" one from the Disney movie is here.)
Overall, I did love this book. I devoured it in about a day, and I cannot wait to see what fantastical queer masterpiece Julia will release next.
(And recommend her books to everyone I know in the meantime.)
CW: violence, gore (There's a full list of content warnings by chapter in the back of the novel.)
Those of you that know me know that I adore Julia Ember's novels. This one was no exception. With a queer shield-maiden/mermaid romance, revenge, Norse mythology, a morally gray protagonist, and a pitch describing it as a Captain Hook origin story, what's not to love?
Ragna is an amazing, albeit brutal protagonist that I couldn't help but root for. She wanted revenge on the men that wronged her, but that wasn't the extent of her character. She was admirably strong and badass without losing her sensitivity. And she's only got one hand, as the other was lost in battle and replaced by a hook, so yeah, she's undeniably epic.
The side characters were just as three-dimensional and enjoyable. Ersel, Loki, Honor, Aslaug, and Torstein are all likable for various reasons, even though one of them in particular is particularly devious. Ersel was a colorful, innocent sweetheart that could also strangle you with her tentacles, 10/10 want to hug and wrap in a heated blanket. I love my queer mermaid, even though she's not the star this time around.
The story features a genderfluid character and a nonbinary character that both use they/them pronouns, as well as a character of color and a fat protagonist. I don't share any of those identities, but I wanted to point out these details. All of them are prominent in the story.
If there was one thing that I wasn't such a fan of, it was the ending. Currently, this is only a duology, so it's (unfortunately) likely that there won't be any more books in this world, with these characters. And while the story was technically wrapped up very well, it wasn't what I'd hoped. I know that a book can't please every reader, but I was really hoping that we could see Ersel and Ragna truly be together. Not to mention that there could totally be another book with dual POV, as Ersel explored the world and Ragna completed her quest for Loki. (I could also just be a slightly desperate lesbian.)
Overall, I did love this book. I devoured it in about a day, and I cannot wait to see what fantastical queer masterpiece Julia will release next.