Book Review: Emerald of the Sea by Kimberly Pearl

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 330 pages
Author: Kimberly Pearl
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Backstabbing pirates. Extravagant dinner parties. Falling in love with the one man who’s out of reach. Seventeen-year-old Emma doesn’t know who she is or where she came from. The not-exactly-legal merchant ship she was raised on is the only home she’s ever known, and she’s had enough of the captain’s lies. Her plans to break free from her three-masted prison are thrown off course by a deadly mutiny, and she finds herself on the run with a target on her back. A charming naval officer becomes her unlikely companion, and though they’re constantly running from danger, Emma is even more afraid of the feelings she’s developing for a man she’ll likely never see again—if she can ever make it home. Maggie’s only friend in the world is the kitchen boy who works in her manor. When Maggie’s mother dies, she’s left to be raised by a controlling father whose only concern is marrying her off to the highest bidder. But when Maggie returns from finishing school, she finds that the kitchen boy isn’t a boy anymore, and he’s starting to feel like much more than just a childhood best friend. How can she choose a husband from the upper crust of society when her heart lies with the boy downstairs? When Emma’s and Maggie’s fates collide, the secrets from the past begin to unravel. But when danger finds them, will they regret pulling the thread?

FANTASTIC STARTER.

I am 100% invested in continuing this series. I loved how the dual POV was written for this book and seeing how the story unfolded. I kept having many different thoughts on how it would all come together and let’s just say I was blindsided on many fronts and I LOVE when a book can do that.

I love all of these characters (and I’m purposely trying to stay vague because I think this will be best to go in blind if you can) and feel emotionally attached to them. I NEED ANSWERS. This was a big high seas adventure with plenty of action and some really sweet moments too.

For a short fantasy I think not having a magic system worked as a strong positive. You get the world building that’s necessary but I wasn’t left wanting with explanations of other things. I look forward to seeing the world expand in the next book.

NEED THE NEXT BOOK.

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate – high
Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, weapons violence, ship wrecks, near death experiences, loss of life