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A review by brianamaewrites
Beneath the Starlit Sea by Nicole Bea
4.0
Bound by the chains of law and threatened by the murders of the Kincajd, Illyse and Garit’s was a love contested from the very first spell of attraction.
Nicole Bea writes with an artful balance of prose and poetry, some of the details and imagery utilised rich and captivating as the court of Castle Rose - and all its “monsters” - was brought to life in a believable fashion. I just wish there had been a bit more history built into the world building to take things to that next level.
While the bones of Illyse and Garit’s illicit affair held a sea of promise, I personally felt the romance arc moved too quickly and the thrill of something forbidden brewing was a missed opportunity. As it happened, their love occurred relatively quickly for these two and I missed seeing the initial push and pull between law and attraction before love claimed them.
This was a light and relatively fast-paced fantasy read with a fresh perspective for those looking to dip their toes into something new. I enjoyed the role played by the Nixies and the added twist to their deception - the union of fantasy and folklore beautifully portrayed - and this is a world I would love a second shot at losing myself in. Bad-ass females fighting for their place and a man who can wax poetry in a single breath are their own form of magic, and if this echo of witchcraft appeals to you, then perhaps Bea will too!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sword and Silk Books for the advanced copy of this book.
Nicole Bea writes with an artful balance of prose and poetry, some of the details and imagery utilised rich and captivating as the court of Castle Rose - and all its “monsters” - was brought to life in a believable fashion. I just wish there had been a bit more history built into the world building to take things to that next level.
While the bones of Illyse and Garit’s illicit affair held a sea of promise, I personally felt the romance arc moved too quickly and the thrill of something forbidden brewing was a missed opportunity. As it happened, their love occurred relatively quickly for these two and I missed seeing the initial push and pull between law and attraction before love claimed them.
This was a light and relatively fast-paced fantasy read with a fresh perspective for those looking to dip their toes into something new. I enjoyed the role played by the Nixies and the added twist to their deception - the union of fantasy and folklore beautifully portrayed - and this is a world I would love a second shot at losing myself in. Bad-ass females fighting for their place and a man who can wax poetry in a single breath are their own form of magic, and if this echo of witchcraft appeals to you, then perhaps Bea will too!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sword and Silk Books for the advanced copy of this book.