Tag: pirates

Book Review: Black Tide Son (The Winter Sea #2) by H.M. Long

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy + Romance
Length: 437 pages
Author: H.M. Long
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: July 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Swashbuckling adventure on the high-seas, full of magic, betrayal, redemption and fearsome women, in the second book of the Winter Sea series, for readers of Adrienne Young and Naomi Novik.

A captured pirate reveals shocking news to Mary and Samuel that sends them in urgent pursuit of Samuel’s twin brother, Benedict, but their search uncovers much more than they bargained for. While evading a cunning new foe, Mary and Samuel must navigate the complexities of their own growing bond as they launch a rescue mission within one of the most secure fortresses on the Mereish Coast.

GREAT SEQUEL.

We all know that second book can be hit or miss and I found this one to be a hit! I enjoyed reading this via audiobook again and love love love that it’s dual POV.

I think this journey continued well and I loved being back on the open seas with this crew. There’s a lot of good action and drama and one of those very slow burn romances that has you begging them to get together ASAP. I thought the tangent aspects of the plot fit back into the larger arc and it has me excited to pick up book three!

I can’t directly pinpoint what was missing, but it just wasn’t a full five star for me. Definitely a good read, one I’d recommend and filled with awesome characters and magic too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: low, scattered throughout
  • Romance: heated make-outs
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: kidnapping, loss of life, attempted murder

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ARC Book Review: If the Tide Turns by Rachel Rueckert

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 432 pages
Author: Rachel Rueckert
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: March 26th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Set during the Golden Age of Pirates and the shadowy aftermath of the Salem witch trials, this vivid literary debut is inspired by the captivating true story of real-life pirate Samuel Bellamy, combining high seas adventure, star-crossed longing, surprisingly timely questions about social justice and freedom, and the emotionally satisfying tale of one strong-willed young woman determined to choose her own path.

1715, Eastham, Massachusetts: As the daughter of a wealthy family, Maria Brown has a secure future mapped out for her, yet it is not the future she wants. Young, headstrong, and restless, Maria has no desire to marry the aging, mean-spirited John Hallett, regardless of his fortune and her parents’ wishes. As for what Maria does want—only one person has ever even asked her that question.

Samuel Bellamy, an orphaned sailor searching for work, meets Maria by chance, enthralling her with talk of far-flung places and blasphemous ideals. But neither is free from the social order into which they were born. When Sam is banished from Maria’s parents’ home after asking for her hand, he vows to return a wealthy man, and Maria promises to keep the faith until then.

Sam is drawn into piracy and discovers a brotherhood more equal and fulfilling than any on land, despite its dangers. Beguiled by the chance to both fight for justice and make a fortune to bring home to Maria, Sam is torn between duty to his crew and his desire to return. Separated by more than just the ocean, time slips by as Sam and Maria cling to their love for each other. Maria is determined to stay strong in her conviction in Sam, but as rumors swirl and her position in Eastham turns perilous, Maria is forced into an impossible decision.

Now, on a journey no less treacherous and eventful than Sam’s, Maria draws on every shred of her courage and resilience not merely to survive, but to honor her own yearning for freedom.

Thank you to Bibliolifestye Tours and Kensington Books for the gifted ARC.

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

I had high hopes for this one after seeing some good reviews but I find myself with middle of the road thoughts about how everything went down. The insta-love was a bit meh. I was a little bit charmed by the swept away vibes of it, but he mostly taught her to swim and then they were in love and I feel like I’m missing something.

Then for 90% of the story they are in separate parts of the world both doing completely different things. It made this hard to call a romance (which was my expectation). There’s some good self growth journey moments and I liked where things ended up at the closing pages at least. There was a lot of pirate content, which is always my favorite and I could tell this book was well researched. I always appreciate that aspect when reading a historical book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction + Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: still birth, mistreatment/shaming of a women, death of friends

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ALC Book Review: Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Kell Woods
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: February 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Saint-Malo, Brittany, 1758.
For Lucinde Leon, the youngest daughter of one of Saint-Malo’s wealthiest ship-owners, the high walls of the city are more hindrance than haven. While her sisters are interested in securing advantageous marriages, Luce dreams of escaping her elegant but stifling home and joining a ship’s crew. Only Samuel—Luce’s best friend and an English smuggler—understands her longing for the sea, secretly teaching her to sail whenever she can sneak away. For Luce, the stolen time on the water with Samuel is precious.

One stormy morning, Luce’s plans are blown off course when she rescues Morgan de Chatelaine, the youngest son of the most powerful ship-owner in Saint-Malo, from the sea. Immediately drawn to his charm and sense of adventure, she longs to attend the glittering ball held in honor of his safe return and begins to contemplate a different kind of future for herself.

But it is not only Luce’s hopes at stake—the local fae are leaving Brittany and taking their magic with them, while the long-standing war with the English means Saint-Malo is always at risk of attack. As Luce is plunged into a world of magic, brutality, and seduction, secrets that have long been lost in the shadowy depths of the ocean begin to rise to the surface. The truth of her own power is growing brighter and brighter, shining like a sea-glass slipper.

Or the scales of a sea-maid’s tail.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

SQUEAKED OUT A FOUR STAR.

I kind of felt all over about this one. What I did love was the unique mash-up of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella. I could easily see the nods to the story but adding in the historical fiction elements really set the plot apart and it did feel fresh rather than a regurgitated attempt at a new story.

I enjoyed Luce’s character and her growth. Somewhat naive and under her father’s thumb she slowly moves away as she understands her history, falls in love, and finds out where she truly belongs. The love story was different than I was expecting but the more I sit with it, the more that I think it makes sense for the novel and the more I like it.

The middle dragged for me and I think I was hoping for something more. Everyone got their dues and I loved seeing all of the different faerie folk woven throughout. The ending had me almost throwing my phone across the room BUT LUCKILY the epilogue saved it and I feel good about how things went down. It’s a sturdy, well planned standalone.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fantasy romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: brief open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: torture, loss of life

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Book Review: Oathbound (The Royal Rose Chronicles #1) by Victoria McCombs

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Victoria McCombs
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Release Date: January 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Beware the waters. The dangerous deep brings ruin to all.

Emme has spent her life avoiding anything to do with pirates. But the fates are cruel, and now a hidden sickness leads her to partner with pirates for the one thing that can save her—a cure on an island none are certain exists.

The pirate captain’s secrets are darker than the deep and threaten to kill them all. His obligations are tinged with betrayal, for his oathbind must be fulfilled. To ignore it is to invite peril of unimaginable destruction.

As the adventure unfolds, the sea takes more than she expects and the sea gives more than he wants.

A BIT SOFT.

I don’t know that I’ve ever called a pirate, high seas adventure fantasy, soft. But that’s the only word that keeps triggering in my mind after finishing. I don’t fully think it was a bad thing for me, just different. Nobody wanted to unalive anybody and I had a hard time grasping that ideal with the way the story is set up.

The romance is super soft, minimal angst, added in with some drama. Once I got that vibe I thought it was cute. Emme and Arn were clearly into each other and they learned to work together and solve problems with the rest of the crew.

For the plot, it’s a typical pirate adventure with mysterious sea creatures, ship battles and hidden treasure. I still had a good time reading it and didn’t have any noticeable issues. It’s a solid younger YA read and I do have plans to continue the series and see some other points of view.

Audiobook note: I thought the narrators voice overall was great. BUT this is dual POV between Arn and Emme and the voice did not change enough between the chapters that I felt confused at times as to whose POV I was listeing to.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, loss of a parent, creature attacks, murder, alcohol consumption

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