This was my first time reading this author, and overall, I had a good time with the story, though I wished it leaned more into the adventure and fantasy side. It relied a bit too much on telling rather than showing, which kept me from being fully immersed. I experienced it both through the audiobook and the KU ebook, and I have to say the narrator was excellent. She gave each character distinct accents and voices, which really helped bring them to life.

What I did not realize going in is that this is a YA book, and it definitely reads younger. That being said, I appreciated that it had only very mild language and no spice. The romance is closed-door, which is a refreshing change if you prefer a lighter read. Personally, though, I felt the story leaned too heavily on the romance and not enough on the actual plot. I wanted more action at sea, more supernatural intrigue, and maybe even some sea monsters. I was hoping for something with the high-energy flair of Pirates of the Caribbean, but this story did not quite go that far. The beginning hooked me right away, but the middle dragged and left me bored at times. Luckily, the last 40% picked up again with faster pacing and more excitement.

The characters were enjoyable enough, but not especially memorable. Alosa and Riden had fun banter, but they often came across as arrogant and cocky, which wore thin after a while. Neither showed much character development, so I never felt a real emotional connection to them. Still, the twists and turns of the story kept me entertained, even if I was not deeply invested in the cast.

The book wraps up without a cliffhanger, but it definitely leaves plenty unresolved. I am looking forward to picking up the next installment to see how the story continues, since there are still quite a few unanswered questions.

In the end, this feels like a light-hearted pirate fantasy with a playful tone. It is not a dark or gritty adventure, but more of a fun romp that does not take itself too seriously. The audiobook is around seven hours, so it is a quick and easy read. If you want a breezy pirate story with humor, romance, and a fast pace, this could be a good choice.

**This book is part of a pirate fantasy real-time reaction episode, which you can listen to here.