All the Stars and Teeth
by Adalyn Grace
Summary
Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.
She will reign.
As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer — the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.
When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.
But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder — and more peril — than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stowaway she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.
I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.
GoodReads Nominee for Favorite YA Fantasy & Sci-Fi 2020
My Review
This was such a fun pirate fantasy adventure and a perfect summertime read when you want to escape into a magical kingdom of the sea. I listened to the audiobook while also reading along, which really helped immerse me in the world. The narrator was enjoyable overall, though her voices for some of the male characters were distracting. They often sounded too young, almost like characters from a middle grade story, which occasionally pulled me out of the experience.
The writing itself was lush and lyrical, filled with vivid descriptions and imaginative world-building. The seafaring setting came to life with its magic and enchantments, pirates, a magical ship, a mermaid, and even a sea monster. However, the story often felt confusing, especially when it came to the complex magic system. Even after finishing the book, I am still uncertain about some elements, and I do not think a YA fantasy should be quite that hard to follow. The pacing also dragged in places, and I think the story could have been tighter with a bit of trimming. Also to note, there is a fair amount of blood and violence. While it is not overly graphic, some scenes include gory details and a few intense, gruesome battles.
The cast of characters was entertaining, especially the crew that gathered around Amora, which had strong found-family vibes. Unfortunately, many of the side characters felt underdeveloped, and I struggled to fully connect with them. Amora and Bastian were likable leads, though their arrogance sometimes made them less relatable. The romance subplot between them felt unnecessary and lacked chemistry, though I appreciated that it stayed in the background rather than overtaking the story. I also liked that the book kept things clean, with no language or spice, just a few light kissing scenes.
Despite my critiques, I really enjoyed this pirate adventure. It had all the elements I was hoping for in a pirate fantasy, and it left me eager to see what happens in the sequel. While it does not end on a cliffhanger, there are plenty of loose ends to be resolved, and I am excited to continue the journey with Amora and her crew. If you are craving a magical, high-seas adventure filled with pirates, enchantments, and danger, then definitely check out this book. Highly recommend!