This book popped up as ‘suggested for you’ and I have to admit I was immediately intrigued. From everything I saw in the burb and the “Born to Sea and Storm Book 1” subtitle, I assumed I was reading the first book of a series. That’s true… but not. Apparently there is a duo (‘Consort of Fire’ and ‘Queen of Dreams’) which came before and likely would have greatly enhanced my understanding of this installment. So, learn from my mistake and consider reading those two first.
I had read the first five chapters of this book and was finding it difficult to grasp. I felt like a piece of flotsam tossed about in a storm. Where was the introduction to this world and these characters? I knew I must have missed something. That’s when I realized it was a continuation (spin off?) of the other two books. So I stopped, went back to page one and began again, this time with the understanding that these characters had lives & battles & relationships before I met them which I knew nothing about. I was still a little lost, but was more forgiving of myself and the characters.
As the story progressed their histories became clearer and I found myself thoroughly lost in their story. Once that happened, to say I was swept away on the tide would be an understatement. Aleksi, Einar, and Naia were a delicious trio. Their budding relationships, set against the backdrop of a diplomatic mission, was delightful to watch unfold. The frisson of their obvious desires set against the restrictions of duty made for a maelstrom I couldn’t wait to see make landfall. And when the storm finally broke? Wowza! Who wouldn’t want a ringside seat to the joining of the God of Love, the Kraken, and a sea nymph of immense power as to rival a goddess?
My actual rating of this book is currently a 4.5, but I’m confident that would be a solid 5 had I read its predecessors. Needless to say, I will now go back in time to visit the Bound to Fire and Steel duo.