A review by nadiamasood
The River Against the Sea by Z. Lindsey

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

A whimsical and delightfully unhinged new adult, alternate universe fantasy guaranteed to make you laugh out loud!

I absolutely LOVED Essimore Darkenchyl! She's a law-abiding devil (complete with horns and glowing red eyes!) who works as a regulation-obsessed bureaucrat. As a fully licensed shipping coordinator, her job is to ensure the crew and cargo comply with all legalities and are properly documented and reported to the authorities.

What you'll find in this book:

• A strong (and geeky) devil-woman of color who wields a magical pen
• A colorful cast of weirdos you'll eventually come to love like family
• An island plagued by a body-snatching virus
• Quirky humor
• Enemies-to-besties 

This story isn't all smooth sailing—it also features murder, betrayal, and a civil war. However, I appreciate how the author managed to keep the humor consistent throughout the book. Watching Essie’s character evolve is pure satisfaction!

Give this book a try if you don't mind longer reads, enjoy quirky characters, a weird-yet-fun lighthearted fantasy, and a smart FMC.

Thank you Hidden Gems Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.