fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow. This book really surprised me. It has so many fantastic elements, good characters, a good story. I really like the world, set up, premise for the story - how could I not? It's essentially leading to a quest, one of my favourite things! This is very much a set up for that. We get to know the characters and for them to all connect, learn the power players and lay of the world.
I read this so quickly. It's enticing and I really like the characters! Aoife is difficult to like at first but she grew on me. Declan is a great character as a pirate. There was one scene with him that I disliked though - the author says he is based on Dean from Supernatural, and while I see that in most of his character, Dean would never... To make a point in one scene, Declan basically forces himself onto Aoife, pushing her under him on a bed with no warning. It felt icky to me and I get it was him acting and making a point, it felt like a bit much.
I will say though that I liked the panic attack rep in this! I actually teared up at a few lines because it felt so real and true what the characters were saying about panic attacks.
Anyways. It ended at an interesting point and I'm curious to see how the next book goes!
I read this so quickly. It's enticing and I really like the characters! Aoife is difficult to like at first but she grew on me. Declan is a great character as a pirate. There was one scene with him that I disliked though - the author says he is based on Dean from Supernatural, and while I see that in most of his character, Dean would never...
I will say though that I liked the panic attack rep in this! I actually teared up at a few lines because it felt so real and true what the characters were saying about panic attacks.
Anyways. It ended at an interesting point and I'm curious to see how the next book goes!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Death of sisterbooksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
On These Black Sands- 4.25⭐️ 2.75🌶️
In one month Aoife Cascade will turn twenty and take her seat on the Council of Cregah, an honor she’s been preparing for her whole life. But when she lets a secret slip to her mother, all the plans for her future are quickly upended. Believing the people of Cregah will be better off without her, Aoife decides to flee in hopes of finding a place where her loose tongue can’t hurt anyone.
Until she comes upon a pirate captain who needs her help.
Captain Declan McCallagh is young compared to the pirate lords, but after twelve long years on the grueling Aisling Sea, he has earned a well-respected ship and the attention of the lords, who seek to put him in his place. All he wants is to leave the Aisling Sea--and his past --behind him, and finding the enchanted dagger is the final key to making that happen… the same dagger his sister and her rebel group need to overthrow the council. He’ll have to decide whether to help a people he no longer claims as his own or take this weapon for himself.
That is, if the runaway heir he has asked to help doesn’t ruin everything first.
When no one can be trusted, can Aoife and Declan learn to rely on each other? Or will their pasts keep them from saving the very people they walked away from?
——————
✨My Opinion✨
I loved this book! The pirates! The Fae! The Celtic influence (hello, my name is Erin!).The tension. the conflicts. The adventure. The action. The politics! Yup. I’m here for it!
Mixing fae and pirates was really surprising and original! I have never come across this type of story before. And just the possibility of a complete magic system with lord and fantastical beasts puts this series right down my alley.
I was immediately drawn in with Declan and his vulnerability. A pirate who is going through an internal battle…His moral grayness is complete with a devastating secret? I ate him up.
Aiofe (Ee-fuh) being awkward with poor comedic timing feel like a loving look at every bad joke I didn’t land. She is a bit useless in a realistic way. Her competence raises minimally in the 2-ish weeks during this portion of the story. Thankfully, there wasn’t a “ta-da you are a natural pirate” moment for her. Her cyclical thinking was sometimes a lot and repetitive, but it has a purpose so I’ll let it pass. (Anxiety rep!)
Cait was a great look into the corruption of the Council of Cregah and how it’s effecting the people who rely on it for everything. I’m excited to see her part of the story even more.
The insta-love/slow burn mix is nice, not forced. The tension is there but I appreciate things not progressing so fast since the timeline of the book was so short.
The cliffhanger was really well done. I’m anxious just writing this review because I am starting book two ASAP!
In one month Aoife Cascade will turn twenty and take her seat on the Council of Cregah, an honor she’s been preparing for her whole life. But when she lets a secret slip to her mother, all the plans for her future are quickly upended. Believing the people of Cregah will be better off without her, Aoife decides to flee in hopes of finding a place where her loose tongue can’t hurt anyone.
Until she comes upon a pirate captain who needs her help.
Captain Declan McCallagh is young compared to the pirate lords, but after twelve long years on the grueling Aisling Sea, he has earned a well-respected ship and the attention of the lords, who seek to put him in his place. All he wants is to leave the Aisling Sea--and his past --behind him, and finding the enchanted dagger is the final key to making that happen… the same dagger his sister and her rebel group need to overthrow the council. He’ll have to decide whether to help a people he no longer claims as his own or take this weapon for himself.
That is, if the runaway heir he has asked to help doesn’t ruin everything first.
When no one can be trusted, can Aoife and Declan learn to rely on each other? Or will their pasts keep them from saving the very people they walked away from?
——————
✨My Opinion✨
I loved this book! The pirates! The Fae! The Celtic influence (hello, my name is Erin!).The tension. the conflicts. The adventure. The action. The politics! Yup. I’m here for it!
Mixing fae and pirates was really surprising and original! I have never come across this type of story before. And just the possibility of a complete magic system with lord and fantastical beasts puts this series right down my alley.
I was immediately drawn in with Declan and his vulnerability. A pirate who is going through an internal battle…His moral grayness is complete with a devastating secret? I ate him up.
Aiofe (Ee-fuh) being awkward with poor comedic timing feel like a loving look at every bad joke I didn’t land. She is a bit useless in a realistic way. Her competence raises minimally in the 2-ish weeks during this portion of the story. Thankfully, there wasn’t a “ta-da you are a natural pirate” moment for her. Her cyclical thinking was sometimes a lot and repetitive, but it has a purpose so I’ll let it pass. (Anxiety rep!)
Cait was a great look into the corruption of the Council of Cregah and how it’s effecting the people who rely on it for everything. I’m excited to see her part of the story even more.
The insta-love/slow burn mix is nice, not forced. The tension is there but I appreciate things not progressing so fast since the timeline of the book was so short.
The cliffhanger was really well done. I’m anxious just writing this review because I am starting book two ASAP!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Grief
Moderate: Violence and Panic attacks/disorders
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