Review by Booklist Review
Amora Montara is princess of the island nation of Visidia, and she will be its queen; it is not only her birthright, but also a role she must perform because of a deadly, unstable type of magic that only her bloodline can access. But when she violently loses control of her magic, her people turn against her. She escapes only because of a smooth-talking pirate named Bastian, who has an agenda of his own. On his ship, the Keel Haul, Bastian and Amora strike a deal: she'll help him reclaim his lost magic, and he'll help her take back her throne. But first, they'll ally with powerful mermaids, battle sea monsters, and contend with the fiancé Amora never wanted, who is determined to accompany them. As Amora sees more of the land she means to rule, she questions everything she thought she knew. Breathtakingly adventurous, this debut is ambitious in its world building and alluring in its characterizations. There's a lot here that will appeal to fantasy readers, and an open ending will leave them hungry for the sequel.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In the island kingdom of Visidia, the royal Montaras are the only ones with the ability to practice gruesome soul magic. Anyone else trying to harness it will corrupt their own soul, waking the beast the first Montara ancestor subdued. Princess Amora Montara, 18, is among the last remaining heirs to the Montara throne. When a ceremony to prove her magical aptitude goes awry, she escapes Arida with the help of Bastian, a pirate; in return, Amora will help him regain his magic from a powerful rising rebel named Kaven, who is set on challenging the magic system imposed by the monarchy. Journeying across the kingdom aboard Bastian's cursed ship, Amora's fiancé, Ferrick, a skilled healer, and a mistreated, vicious mermaid named Vataea round out the crew. As Amora bears witness to the plights of her kingdom's constituents and unveils long-hidden secrets, she must face the truth of her family's reign. Though a reliance on genre-familiar tropes and a sprawling magic system weaken Grace's debut, this fast-paced duology opener excels in its careful consideration of the responsibilities that come with power. Ages 15--up. Agent: Hillary Jacobson, ICM Partners. (Feb.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A princess embarks on a dangerous path to the throne. In the island kingdom of Visidia, where each person is allowed just one type of magic, only the members of the royal Montara family have the ability to wield the dangerous soul magic. Princess Amora is next in line to be High Animancer, but she must first prove to her people that she is powerful enough to use her magic to protect them. But something goes terribly wrong during a critical public ceremony, and Amora runs away with dashing pirate Bastian, whose rescue comes with a price: She must help him recover his own magic, stolen away by a dangerous man leading a growing rebellion that could bring down the whole kingdom. Debut author Grace wields her own magic with a skillful balancing act between high-stakes adventure (here there be monsters, mermaids, and high-seas shenanigans), bloody fantasy, and character development in a story with a lovable found family at its core. Amora yearns for adventure just as she welcomes her right to command her kingdom; her ferocious sense of duty and legitimate need to do good shine through. The novel's further unravelling of dark secrets long kept comes with a recognized need for accountability and making amends which adds a thoughtful extra layer to the rich worldbuilding. Amora has copper-brown skin and dark, curly hair; other characters have a range of skin tones in this diverse world. An accomplished, exciting debut. (guide to the kingdom) (Fantasy. 14-adult) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
