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A review by bubblewombat
Black Tide Son by H.M. Long
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
Dark Water Daughter is one of my ultimate fav books, and while it did take me a bit longer to read this one, I'm happy to report I loved it just as much.
But first, I have to say that I'm suddenly a fan of Benedict...How did that happen you ask? WELL. Let's just say I'm a villain girl through and through. But for real, in my review of the first book I said he'd have to do a lot to be redeemed in my eyes, and guess what? He listened!!
He's still not a ~good~ person, per se, but I really ended up loving him by the end, and can't wait to see where his character goes from here. He got the most development by far.
I also have to admit that there were moments where I shipped Mary with him more than I did Samuel. BEFORE YOU ATTACK ME, there were legitimate reasons for it, okay. Like when they conspired together, I felt the chemistry, it was leaping off the page. And I know I'm not the only one who felt it.
But you know what? I kinda ship Benedict with Charles too...tell me you see the vision. I lived for their friendship the whole book, their banter was probably my favourite, and if it turned romantic? They'd be my fav couple.
Speaking of couples, Mary and Samuel are the slowest of slow burns and I love it. It's almost agonising, waiting for them to kiss or for Samuel to not be as proper as he is, but that's also why I like him as a character. You can really feel the tension with these two.
I enjoyed getting to know Sam better as well, and reading about his relationship with his brother. It made me appreciate both of them more as characters. Another reviewer said that this is more their book than Mary's and I agree, but she gets her chance to shine too, don't you worry.
Like, for example, that scene where Mary's singing with the other Stormsingers, I'm still in awe of their power.
I love the lore & magic system expansion we got, the new characters and creatures we met, the delightful (but at the same time chilling) atmosphere on the high seas, the plot, the battle scenes, and just how well H. M. Long can write! I was once again easily led into the story, even though it's been more than a year since I read the first book.
The pacing was a bit off though, not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, but it seemed to follow a "big event, break, big event, break" formula. But rest assured, this book still caused me great amounts of stress, particularly in the last third.
The epilogue was perfect, and unexpected. If I hadn't already been excited about what was to come, that would've done it.
Now with book two done, I can say that the author likes wrapping up plots by the end, while still leaving us with one that stretches throughout the series. And it's more fun that way, because stuff actually gets resolved, but there's still more story to tell.
The only thing I missed here, is Demery. I needed him to show up sooo bad. Hopefully the gang will be back together again in book three. And until then, PLEASE READ THIS SERIES!!!!
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
But first, I have to say that I'm suddenly a fan of Benedict...How did that happen you ask? WELL. Let's just say I'm a villain girl through and through. But for real, in my review of the first book I said he'd have to do a lot to be redeemed in my eyes, and guess what? He listened!!
He's still not a ~good~ person, per se, but I really ended up loving him by the end, and can't wait to see where his character goes from here. He got the most development by far.
I also have to admit that there were moments where I shipped Mary with him more than I did Samuel. BEFORE YOU ATTACK ME, there were legitimate reasons for it, okay. Like when they conspired together, I felt the chemistry, it was leaping off the page. And I know I'm not the only one who felt it.
But you know what? I kinda ship Benedict with Charles too...tell me you see the vision. I lived for their friendship the whole book, their banter was probably my favourite, and if it turned romantic? They'd be my fav couple.
Speaking of couples, Mary and Samuel are the slowest of slow burns and I love it. It's almost agonising, waiting for them to kiss or for Samuel to not be as proper as he is, but that's also why I like him as a character. You can really feel the tension with these two.
I enjoyed getting to know Sam better as well, and reading about his relationship with his brother. It made me appreciate both of them more as characters. Another reviewer said that this is more their book than Mary's and I agree, but she gets her chance to shine too, don't you worry.
Like, for example, that scene where Mary's singing with the other Stormsingers, I'm still in awe of their power.
I love the lore & magic system expansion we got, the new characters and creatures we met, the delightful (but at the same time chilling) atmosphere on the high seas, the plot, the battle scenes, and just how well H. M. Long can write! I was once again easily led into the story, even though it's been more than a year since I read the first book.
The pacing was a bit off though, not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, but it seemed to follow a "big event, break, big event, break" formula. But rest assured, this book still caused me great amounts of stress, particularly in the last third.
The epilogue was perfect, and unexpected. If I hadn't already been excited about what was to come, that would've done it.
Now with book two done, I can say that the author likes wrapping up plots by the end, while still leaving us with one that stretches throughout the series. And it's more fun that way, because stuff actually gets resolved, but there's still more story to tell.
The only thing I missed here, is Demery. I needed him to show up sooo bad. Hopefully the gang will be back together again in book three. And until then, PLEASE READ THIS SERIES!!!!
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*