A review by _kit_
The Bright and Breaking Sea by Chloe Neill
4.0
I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The setting of an alternate fantasy version of 1815's Europe during the Napoleonic war is so smart and original! Because it is a familiar setting and history, even with new names for cities and people, the plot will be easy to follow for those who aren't generally fantasy readers. This reads just as much like historical fiction as fantasy; just with that little breath of magic to make it that much more special. With the addition of the naval theme of the book, this novel has something for everyone. The relationship between Kit and Grant is reminiscent of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in many ways. While they initially don't trust each other or want to work together, they earn each other's respect and appreciation over their time and shared trials. She is a strong feminist lead and won't compromise what she wants out of life, but wants to perhaps find a way for it to work for them both. The novel is also surprisingly funny in a subtle way that well-suits the plot. The glimpses we get at her sisters are equally exciting as they are all confident, intelligent women in their own unique ways, and are no worse off for their tragic pasts because they have embraced the family and freedom that they now have. I love to see it and can't wait to get more of them in the sequel! The book is diverse in a very natural way and all of the side characters are very enjoyable - the author really took the time to make them feel like your own crew. Grant is a fully-fleshed out romantic lead with his own strengths and baggage and is very well-matched to Kit in every way except perhaps the important factor of where they want to go in life. It makes for an exciting build of tension and I look forward to seeing how they navigate it in future installments.
The setting of an alternate fantasy version of 1815's Europe during the Napoleonic war is so smart and original! Because it is a familiar setting and history, even with new names for cities and people, the plot will be easy to follow for those who aren't generally fantasy readers. This reads just as much like historical fiction as fantasy; just with that little breath of magic to make it that much more special. With the addition of the naval theme of the book, this novel has something for everyone. The relationship between Kit and Grant is reminiscent of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in many ways. While they initially don't trust each other or want to work together, they earn each other's respect and appreciation over their time and shared trials. She is a strong feminist lead and won't compromise what she wants out of life, but wants to perhaps find a way for it to work for them both. The novel is also surprisingly funny in a subtle way that well-suits the plot. The glimpses we get at her sisters are equally exciting as they are all confident, intelligent women in their own unique ways, and are no worse off for their tragic pasts because they have embraced the family and freedom that they now have. I love to see it and can't wait to get more of them in the sequel! The book is diverse in a very natural way and all of the side characters are very enjoyable - the author really took the time to make them feel like your own crew. Grant is a fully-fleshed out romantic lead with his own strengths and baggage and is very well-matched to Kit in every way except perhaps the important factor of where they want to go in life. It makes for an exciting build of tension and I look forward to seeing how they navigate it in future installments.