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cheri0lyn's review against another edition
2.0
Dropped.
The concept and idea were good, but I couldn't get over how immature and spoiled the main character is.
The concept and idea were good, but I couldn't get over how immature and spoiled the main character is.
britgirlreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, and War
princessleopard's review against another edition
5.0
Preface: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was genuinely enjoyable, which isn't something I get to say very often. The prose was gorgeous. The characters were fleshed-out and likable. The set-up for the plot is a little hackneyed (and it sounds like the same is true for the sequel), but I didn't mind. The world is unique and interesting, from the divided sea, to the little touches here and there (magic, the rove, finfolk, etc.). There is a hateable villain (who will hopefully get more motivation in later books), but the other characters are understandable, even if they're antagonists. And, best of all, while this is obviously a set-up to a trilogy, it tells a coherent story all on its own. We see Cali take responsibility for her actions and her people, and do her best to fix it - and even if the end result isn't quite what we'd hoped for, it still feels as though the journey we've gone on has been worthwhile, and not just empty lead-up to something more fulfilling.
(Also, I really love the names throughout the whole story. They have a really pleasant blend of that elegant fantasy feel without ever quite being overdone.)
I do have a few quibbles here and there - just little things that don't quite make sense, like the ecology between the two lands being so different even though they're apparently only a few days apart (although the timeline might have gotten fudged because magic). There's a love triangle, which I'm not generally a fan of, but it's passable here because both love interests are genuine and likable people, not just cardboard cut-outs or obviously evil. Again, there are a lot of dangling threads, but I'm curious to see if these actually end up being wound together somehow. I would have liked a little more fleshing-out of some of the background characters - Vera is the biggest example, but also Roland and maybe Ayat - but we might get that in the future. Ultimately, it's a little hard to judge the flaws of this novel without knowing what will come next. But I will definitely read the next book, and (hopefully) the third.
This book was genuinely enjoyable, which isn't something I get to say very often. The prose was gorgeous. The characters were fleshed-out and likable. The set-up for the plot is a little hackneyed (and it sounds like the same is true for the sequel), but I didn't mind. The world is unique and interesting, from the divided sea, to the little touches here and there (magic, the rove, finfolk, etc.). There is a hateable villain (who will hopefully get more motivation in later books), but the other characters are understandable, even if they're antagonists. And, best of all, while this is obviously a set-up to a trilogy, it tells a coherent story all on its own. We see Cali take responsibility for her actions and her people, and do her best to fix it - and even if the end result isn't quite what we'd hoped for, it still feels as though the journey we've gone on has been worthwhile, and not just empty lead-up to something more fulfilling.
(Also, I really love the names throughout the whole story. They have a really pleasant blend of that elegant fantasy feel without ever quite being overdone.)
I do have a few quibbles here and there - just little things that don't quite make sense, like the ecology between the two lands being so different even though they're apparently only a few days apart (although the timeline might have gotten fudged because magic). There's a love triangle, which I'm not generally a fan of, but it's passable here because both love interests are genuine and likable people, not just cardboard cut-outs or obviously evil. Again, there are a lot of dangling threads, but I'm curious to see if these actually end up being wound together somehow. I would have liked a little more fleshing-out of some of the background characters - Vera is the biggest example, but also Roland and maybe Ayat - but we might get that in the future. Ultimately, it's a little hard to judge the flaws of this novel without knowing what will come next. But I will definitely read the next book, and (hopefully) the third.
womanon's review against another edition
4.0
I always love stories set on the high seas and involving pirates, so it was no surprise that I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book. The plot was great, the setting felt vivid, and the romance was sizzling.
bookshelves4paperelves's review against another edition
5.0
So, this is a definite 5 star read for me. From the first chapter I was completely hooked!
The synopsis is what first caught my attention. Who can say no to princesses, pirates and magic? Not me, that’s for sure.
The storyline was gripping and so well thought out, the characters were utter *lip smack* perfection and now I’ve come to the conclusion that I need me a pirate
The synopsis is what first caught my attention. Who can say no to princesses, pirates and magic? Not me, that’s for sure.
The storyline was gripping and so well thought out, the characters were utter *lip smack* perfection and now I’ve come to the conclusion that I need me a pirate
m3l89's review against another edition
3.0
Pirates, princesses and a deadly plague - what more could you ask for in a potential YA fantasy novel?
It took me a while to get into this, as initially I didn’t feel the characters were particularly well written but this did seem to improve as the book progressed. The plot and characters held my attention until the end, as there were a few plot points that I was intrigued about. I’m not sure however if I would read the following books in the series
It took me a while to get into this, as initially I didn’t feel the characters were particularly well written but this did seem to improve as the book progressed. The plot and characters held my attention until the end, as there were a few plot points that I was intrigued about. I’m not sure however if I would read the following books in the series
inked_up_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Okay this definitely took me longer than I like when reading a book but HOLY ENDING. Why did I take so long to read
pagesinkedinshadows's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book, it was so full of adventure, and heroism. Learning just how far Princess Cali will go to save her people, what sacrifices she will make & what lessons she will learn along the way.
But what happens when all you thought you knew was a lie?
When you make one last sacrifice and you lose something dear to you in the process.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!
But what happens when all you thought you knew was a lie?
When you make one last sacrifice and you lose something dear to you in the process.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!
jale_sellards's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emgibson77's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great story! Full of mystery and intrigue. I loved it. There was so much excitement through out the book, it was so hard to put down!