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Thalassic #5
Passage
Paso a Paso. Step by step.
On the surface, Sargo’s path seems clear. Get to Bird. Infiltrate the Exiters. Bring them to justice.
But the way forward could not be more confusing.
Navigating his feelings for Bird, his feelings for Johnny, and his newly discovered identity while simultaneously fooling the Exiters seems like an impossible task.
And the deeper he gets into the organization, the more their rhetoric starts to make sense. Is he falling for their propaganda? Or is Bird right? Are the Exiters humanity’s only hope?
On the surface, Sargo’s path seems clear. Get to Bird. Infiltrate the Exiters. Bring them to justice.
But the way forward could not be more confusing.
Navigating his feelings for Bird, his feelings for Johnny, and his newly discovered identity while simultaneously fooling the Exiters seems like an impossible task.
And the deeper he gets into the organization, the more their rhetoric starts to make sense. Is he falling for their propaganda? Or is Bird right? Are the Exiters humanity’s only hope?
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
40 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Liz Shipton
30 books636 followersLiz is a hybrid author best known for her urban fantasy Dot Slash Magic, which received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly, and for her viral comedy videos. She lives on a sailboat in the Caribbean with her partner and dog. On the rare occasion Liz isn't writing, you can find her reading, swimming, telling her dog "I love you" for the bazillionth time today, or watching 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 16, 2024
LIZ WHY?! WHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYY
December 7, 2024
Bloody hell! What a ride!
Um well that was nuts! Still in shock.all I have all the feelings and none of the words to express them. Thank the gods the next book is on the way in Jan. Not sure what I'm going to do with my life until then.
Um well that was nuts! Still in shock.all I have all the feelings and none of the words to express them. Thank the gods the next book is on the way in Jan. Not sure what I'm going to do with my life until then.
February 24, 2025
I hate to admit that I got confused between 'Paz' and 'Passage' about what happened in which book. I read them both in one night. So what I said for Paz can go here, too.
[These are] the least favorite of this series. I understand the need to view from another character than Bird. It is her friend turned lover, Sargo’s point of view. But sadly, he isn’t as perfect as we thought in previous books.
[And now Paz is falling for Johnny. Our lead man is confused on so many levels. We all get there sometimes. The best fictional characters show a lot of flaws and confusion.]
Another thing I didn’t like was all the fighting with or without weapons. I love visiting all the alternate dimensions, but the good guy and bad guy stuff was hard to take. And though the sex scenes before were fun, now it got weird, and with drugs involved, especially from the drug-free anchor partner, it just made Sargo even less appealing to me.
Still, as part of the series, I felt this part of the story needed to be told. And I’ve already moved on to #6! There is still a lot of interesting adventure to be had here.
[These are] the least favorite of this series. I understand the need to view from another character than Bird. It is her friend turned lover, Sargo’s point of view. But sadly, he isn’t as perfect as we thought in previous books.
[And now Paz is falling for Johnny. Our lead man is confused on so many levels. We all get there sometimes. The best fictional characters show a lot of flaws and confusion.]
Another thing I didn’t like was all the fighting with or without weapons. I love visiting all the alternate dimensions, but the good guy and bad guy stuff was hard to take. And though the sex scenes before were fun, now it got weird, and with drugs involved, especially from the drug-free anchor partner, it just made Sargo even less appealing to me.
Still, as part of the series, I felt this part of the story needed to be told. And I’ve already moved on to #6! There is still a lot of interesting adventure to be had here.
March 23, 2024
this book hurts…
Confused, hurt, angry, sad, forgiving, unrelenting love, lost and burning lust. Feeling every single emotion that Sargo feels has left me feeling broken and hurt. This book is such a whirlwind and I couldn’t keep up with everything. His feelings are written so well that you HAVE to feel them with him. Which just makes this book so good and so hard to put down. I feel broken and hurt after finishing and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to wait almost a whole year for the next one. This series has been engraved into my brain and heart and I don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking about it or loving it.
Confused, hurt, angry, sad, forgiving, unrelenting love, lost and burning lust. Feeling every single emotion that Sargo feels has left me feeling broken and hurt. This book is such a whirlwind and I couldn’t keep up with everything. His feelings are written so well that you HAVE to feel them with him. Which just makes this book so good and so hard to put down. I feel broken and hurt after finishing and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to wait almost a whole year for the next one. This series has been engraved into my brain and heart and I don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking about it or loving it.
April 28, 2025
I'll try my best to review the fifth book of the Thalassic series without spoilers... It's not easy!
The struggles that Paz is facing, both on a mind matter and a heart matter, were so well written that I felt for him, and I just wanted him to regain control of his life. He doesn't quite know where he's standing between the Exiters and Zenith, and he doesn't know where his feelings are between Bird and Johnny. He's being pushed around by everyone, in a confused state, until he decides he must trust someone and choose a path forward.
This is the second book from Paz's perspective, and it took me even further away from Bird than the previous book. Seeing her through his eyes, especially when he's not sure of his feelings anymore, made me dislike some of Bird's choices (or most of them!) and see Johnny in a brighter light. There's a rollercoaster of emotions and uncertainty and I loved every minute of it.
Sargo Paz needs to infiltrate the Exiters to gain information on them, although part of him does it to be closer to Bird. A few of the people at Zenith aren't certain that he's got what it takes, and between his training for fighting and training for mastering teleportation he doesn't have time to even consider what he wants. Johnny continues to be mean to him after their kiss, and Paz continues to call Bird his girlfriend.
The love triangle plus the very spicy sex scenes reminded me once again that this is not a YA book despite the plot being very much something I'd have enjoyed some years ago - I'm glad the author released a YA version without the spice because it truly is a great story and younger audience would love it! But this book definitely took the spice up a notch, which fit well with the surroundings and Paz's mental state.
The ending shocked me and I can't wait to see what happens next...
Overall 4.5/5 stars rounded up, great addition to the previous Paz book and I'm looking forward to seeing how everything ends (before continuing with Savage's POV).
The struggles that Paz is facing, both on a mind matter and a heart matter, were so well written that I felt for him, and I just wanted him to regain control of his life. He doesn't quite know where he's standing between the Exiters and Zenith, and he doesn't know where his feelings are between Bird and Johnny. He's being pushed around by everyone, in a confused state, until he decides he must trust someone and choose a path forward.
This is the second book from Paz's perspective, and it took me even further away from Bird than the previous book. Seeing her through his eyes, especially when he's not sure of his feelings anymore, made me dislike some of Bird's choices (or most of them!) and see Johnny in a brighter light. There's a rollercoaster of emotions and uncertainty and I loved every minute of it.
Sargo Paz needs to infiltrate the Exiters to gain information on them, although part of him does it to be closer to Bird. A few of the people at Zenith aren't certain that he's got what it takes, and between his training for fighting and training for mastering teleportation he doesn't have time to even consider what he wants. Johnny continues to be mean to him after their kiss, and Paz continues to call Bird his girlfriend.
The love triangle plus the very spicy sex scenes reminded me once again that this is not a YA book despite the plot being very much something I'd have enjoyed some years ago - I'm glad the author released a YA version without the spice because it truly is a great story and younger audience would love it! But this book definitely took the spice up a notch, which fit well with the surroundings and Paz's mental state.
The ending shocked me and I can't wait to see what happens next...
Overall 4.5/5 stars rounded up, great addition to the previous Paz book and I'm looking forward to seeing how everything ends (before continuing with Savage's POV).
January 17, 2025
I'm ambivalent here. Maybe it's because the MMC's journey in this book was all about his own ambivalence. About *everything*. His moral compass. His growing awareness of his bisexuality and feelings for a man who he admits he barely knows. His feelings about the governing company. Whether he believes in the rebel alliance du jour. What he's willing to fight for. His feelings towards the woman he isn't sure if he loves anymore...
On the one hand, the story took me through *all* the feels, as Shipton's writing style is very palpable and is so well written such that you know exactly who the characters are, and Paz goes through a lot of serious loss and struggle in this story.
On the other hand, I just can't shake that every action he takes is done without conscious thought, and that was extremely troublesome for me. It's like the story happens TO him, while he just goes along with it.
Heck, even his MMF experience is a drug-induced non-decision that he just goes with and barely remembers afterwards.
The only choices he makes for himself have the emotional maturity level of a 5 year old getting even for someone not sitting with them at lunch, and his gullibility for other people's lies, based on his inherent need to trust like a child, was frustrating.
So, while I couldn't help but feel sympathetic for his character and the depth of his struggles, I also kind of wanted to slap the indecision out of him. Especially the ending, because WTF?
Conveniently, the 6th book in the series comes out tomorrow. I just don't know if I can push through another round of non decisions with this character again.
On the one hand, the story took me through *all* the feels, as Shipton's writing style is very palpable and is so well written such that you know exactly who the characters are, and Paz goes through a lot of serious loss and struggle in this story.
On the other hand, I just can't shake that every action he takes is done without conscious thought, and that was extremely troublesome for me. It's like the story happens TO him, while he just goes along with it.
Heck, even his MMF experience is a drug-induced non-decision that he just goes with and barely remembers afterwards.
The only choices he makes for himself have the emotional maturity level of a 5 year old getting even for someone not sitting with them at lunch, and his gullibility for other people's lies, based on his inherent need to trust like a child, was frustrating.
So, while I couldn't help but feel sympathetic for his character and the depth of his struggles, I also kind of wanted to slap the indecision out of him. Especially the ending, because WTF?
Conveniently, the 6th book in the series comes out tomorrow. I just don't know if I can push through another round of non decisions with this character again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2024
Series review: You've got to go back and start with "Savage".
The series setting is post-apocalyptic dystopian future, a lot with boats. You will be made to feel things--all the things. The writing is frigging riveting. But if you start here, (8th book including the prequels), you're cutting yourself out of so much
Read none of the book descriptions, just beeline for a prequel.
****
Okay. This book.
So, I was mad by the end (and at various points throughout). Not like, actual mad-mad, but conceptually enraged at the proverbial idea of the author, for having crafted something gut-wrenchingly correct
It's riveting and real (yes, I'm a calling a buckwild science fiction story Real, because the people and their thoughts and feelings and actions and fuck ups and grasping for connection are So Frigging Real).
Early on I was reading this while on an elliptical machine, which was a convenient outlet for some scenes sending a giddy kicking fit down my legs.
The last 80% was read in a single sitting, ending at about 3am this morning. Still had to get up and go to work; and was completely satisfied to move through the day in a sleep-deprived book hangover
This is another piece in an incredible series; a part of a whole.
And I'm still mad about it.
At some point down the road, I'll get to do a complete series re-read in one breathless marathon; and I'm fairly stoked about that.
The series setting is post-apocalyptic dystopian future, a lot with boats. You will be made to feel things--all the things. The writing is frigging riveting. But if you start here, (8th book including the prequels), you're cutting yourself out of so much
Read none of the book descriptions, just beeline for a prequel.
****
Okay. This book.
So, I was mad by the end (and at various points throughout). Not like, actual mad-mad, but conceptually enraged at the proverbial idea of the author, for having crafted something gut-wrenchingly correct
It's riveting and real (yes, I'm a calling a buckwild science fiction story Real, because the people and their thoughts and feelings and actions and fuck ups and grasping for connection are So Frigging Real).
Early on I was reading this while on an elliptical machine, which was a convenient outlet for some scenes sending a giddy kicking fit down my legs.
The last 80% was read in a single sitting, ending at about 3am this morning. Still had to get up and go to work; and was completely satisfied to move through the day in a sleep-deprived book hangover
This is another piece in an incredible series; a part of a whole.
And I'm still mad about it.
At some point down the road, I'll get to do a complete series re-read in one breathless marathon; and I'm fairly stoked about that.
January 31, 2026
Ok so the book is interesting enough but I feel my attention lagging on this one. Maybe I’m just unsympathetic to Paz’s plight. Bird becoming a covert rebel without him feels a bit forced since they seemed to trust each other with their lives (this was the last book, but the lack of communication continues here and Bird acts like she wants forgiveness and like she didn’t do anything even though…SECRETS). It feels like she isn’t trusting him and wants him to blindly commit to her no matter what…but this issue of trust and communication is sidestepped for the is-she-or-isn’t-she right about the rebel group? Maybe I’m mad that Sargo keeps going back to “you blew up a school” as a sign of her untrustworthiness instead of Bird not trusting him with the truth.
And also, I’m a bit annoyed by the ending, which felt devastating but in an unsatisfying way.
And also, I’m a bit annoyed by the ending, which felt devastating but in an unsatisfying way.
August 31, 2024
If you had asked me when I started this book if I would expect my review of the previous book coming true and then cry about it, I would say absolutely not. I don’t think Bird’s story is over, obviously, but I was right on the money and OUCH.
Also, the station scene was 🔥😩 I manifest that for their little family reunion
Also, the station scene was 🔥😩 I manifest that for their little family reunion
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
It took me a month to read this and normally I’m a 4day book girlie. I just could not get into it. The beginning was interesting. And then from like 20-75% I was bored and didn’t care about the characters. Finally in the last 25% of the book it got interesting again and I couldn’t put it down. I am going to read 6 because I am a completionist. But this book sorta lost me.
February 28, 2024
Another fantastic book in the series, the author knows how to take me through an emotional rollercoaster! Brilliant characters, great plot, and a cliffhanger that’s got me desperate for the next book.
March 2, 2024
This book is by far my favorite of the series! Sargo being pulled in so many directions and struggling with all the different emotions really made the book an up and down adventure. I read this in one sitting and held my breath the entire time while bawling my eyes out!!
March 2, 2024
Perfection
This was a wonderful continuation of the series. I loved remaining in Sargo's headspace. The spy endearments were precious and the chemistry was off the charts. This was a perfect blend of dystopian, sci-fi and spice. And of course pirates! Loved it!
This was a wonderful continuation of the series. I loved remaining in Sargo's headspace. The spy endearments were precious and the chemistry was off the charts. This was a perfect blend of dystopian, sci-fi and spice. And of course pirates! Loved it!
May 27, 2024
I've been burning through this series! Only started cause Liz is funny on tiktok, but evidently I need the next book like yesterday, I am well and truly hooked. I've got Savage to keep me company for a few days, but I think the wait will be loooooong for the next one. Highly recommend the whole series 👏
March 30, 2025
We're back on track.
Paz still isn't my favourite, he's a little whiney while also crossing some pretty serious lines himself.
But! More politics! More world building! Overall a return to the vibe of the first few books in a way I enjoy!
Did not expect that ending. 🥲
Paz still isn't my favourite, he's a little whiney while also crossing some pretty serious lines himself.
But! More politics! More world building! Overall a return to the vibe of the first few books in a way I enjoy!
Did not expect that ending. 🥲
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
This book is such an emotional roller coaster and takes many an unexpected turn. January 2025 cannot come soon enough!
July 21, 2024
😭😭😭 Poor lil baby Paz can’t catch a break
August 4, 2025
This series just keeps getting better!
There are some points of this book that I don't like...the drugged threesome just didn't sit right for me.
I need to read the final book now!!
There are some points of this book that I don't like...the drugged threesome just didn't sit right for me.
I need to read the final book now!!
January 21, 2026
You know what? It had to happen. Three stars because everyone involved are still awful people, but they're improving. Or perhaps regrowing on me?
February 5, 2026
wow, just fucking wow
I've shed sooooo many fucking tears
I've shed sooooo many fucking tears
March 1, 2024
READ THIS SERIES IMMEDIATELY!!! It has quickly become one of my top favourite series. The snarky banter, the messy chaotic characters and action adventure packed pages, I cannot get enough. I read this latest one SO FAST, and the rollarcoaster of emotions it took me on was wild. I can't wait for the next one (a whole year 😭😭) but anything Liz writes is gold and I cannot wait to see more 👏
March 11, 2024
Passage comes after in the timeline where book 4, Paz, leaves off. If you have not read it yet then run to get the first 3 books and get reading. There is such growth with Sargo in this one. The adventure doesn't stop and there is even more spice than before. It goes in a direction I don't see coming. Get ready for another nonstop ride from Liz with a cliffhanger that had me reeling for days. This wait will be agonizing!
I can't wait!! lol
I can't wait!! lol
March 16, 2024
So good, I want more!
Passage by Liz Shipton was so good that it left me emotional and wanting more!!
In this continuation, Sargo plans to infiltrate the Exiters and get Bird out then bring them all to justice but things don’t go as planned and they get downright confusing and painful at times for him!
There’s lots of action and spice in this one. Some things I didn’t see coming at first and then a big twist at the end! Be prepared to grab some tissues and then wait patiently for the next one!
Passage by Liz Shipton was so good that it left me emotional and wanting more!!
In this continuation, Sargo plans to infiltrate the Exiters and get Bird out then bring them all to justice but things don’t go as planned and they get downright confusing and painful at times for him!
There’s lots of action and spice in this one. Some things I didn’t see coming at first and then a big twist at the end! Be prepared to grab some tissues and then wait patiently for the next one!
October 3, 2025
.💻 5 books in and I’m still not convinced I like this series. I have absolutely loved every short story Liz has put out but this novel series has just been meh for me. I was thrown by the narrator change in the past two books from Howsley to Paz though not too sad bc Howsley is kind of a damn mess but Paz doesn’t seem much better. This is possibly the reason I can’t engage with this storyline - it’s hard to get behind a protagonist that seems incompetent. I’m not a quitter though and I do want to know what happens at the end so I will endure.
October 27, 2025
I'm doing a reread of this series but I didn't write a review during my initial read. I'm trying to base my review on this book as it is, rather than the story as a whole and where I know it's going.
"Those words hit me like a blow to the chest. A sensible young man. A polite young man. The responsible young man everyone assumes will do the right thing. That everyone assumes will keep following Bird around, cleaning up her messes."
It's somehow possible that the dissolution of Sargo and Bird's relationship is more emotionally charged than them getting together in the first place. Slow burn, only it's a slow burn down to ashes. Anyone who's been through a really tectonic, messy break up could feel this one down to their bones.
Liz Shipton's writing absolutely comes alive in this book. If you could blip from book one straight to here, your head would be spinning. Where is the sailing, the pirates, the hi-jinks?
There's a lot of good things to say about this book, but it has to be the best representation of the conflict of being bisexual that I've ever read. I would say the previous book goes more into the admittance, but this book gets more into the living.
As for the issues going on between the Exiters and Zenith, there's nothing I love more than a gray area conflict. What are you supposed to do when both sides are just behaving terribly?
"My mouth opens, but I find nothing in it. He's right, of course, but I'm floored by it. By the guy who, I'm starting to see, is truly, desperately trying to do what's right - maybe more than I ever have. Because we don't do that. Because what are we even fighting for if that's the kind of shit we're going to let happen?"
"Those words hit me like a blow to the chest. A sensible young man. A polite young man. The responsible young man everyone assumes will do the right thing. That everyone assumes will keep following Bird around, cleaning up her messes."
It's somehow possible that the dissolution of Sargo and Bird's relationship is more emotionally charged than them getting together in the first place. Slow burn, only it's a slow burn down to ashes. Anyone who's been through a really tectonic, messy break up could feel this one down to their bones.
Liz Shipton's writing absolutely comes alive in this book. If you could blip from book one straight to here, your head would be spinning. Where is the sailing, the pirates, the hi-jinks?
There's a lot of good things to say about this book, but it has to be the best representation of the conflict of being bisexual that I've ever read. I would say the previous book goes more into the admittance, but this book gets more into the living.
As for the issues going on between the Exiters and Zenith, there's nothing I love more than a gray area conflict. What are you supposed to do when both sides are just behaving terribly?
"My mouth opens, but I find nothing in it. He's right, of course, but I'm floored by it. By the guy who, I'm starting to see, is truly, desperately trying to do what's right - maybe more than I ever have. Because we don't do that. Because what are we even fighting for if that's the kind of shit we're going to let happen?"
July 12, 2025
DNF could not get through. It was such a slog, I couldn’t get into the shift in POV and how our FMC is now maybe on the bad side??
I was so bored
I was so bored
November 4, 2025
Absolutely loved this book and all the others in the series! One of my favourite series I've read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews