What do you think?
Rate this book
Leading Aegis
In a world where Captain Carolina Trace could’ve been an indentured worker, or a soldier for a corrupt government, she chose the freedom of piracy instead. But what the rest of the world doesn’t know is that she’s cursed, and bound to her ship, Omen, for all but a few hours at a time. When her most recent quest to break the curse puts her on a trajectory to cross paths with Ophelia, a fugitive doctor, and Wyatt, a Sovereign soldier, she might just have to reevaluate the things that are most important to her.
What is she willing to sacrifice for her freedom? And what is she willing to sacrifice when her freedom isn’t the only thing at stake?
What is she willing to sacrifice for her freedom? And what is she willing to sacrifice when her freedom isn’t the only thing at stake?
533 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2024
19 people are currently reading
3374 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 26, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ A sapphic & trans pirates in the sky adventure!
☠️ Think Treasure Planet meets Pirates of The Caribbean meets Mortal Instruments. 🏴☠️
It has island and ships in the sky. It has pirates, magic users, and bounty hunters. It has dragons (briefly.) Ex lovers to enemies to lovers. And so much action!
This read is upper YA 16+. I think this is one of the best YA fantasy books I’ve read in a while and is honestly perfect for adults too as it has so much depth. It has NO sex references/scenes but does have complex language and story plots at times and is a dense read. So really I feel it’s perfect for younger advanced readers too.
This is a LONG story. I was sceptical of the size, and side eyed that brick for months before picking it up (just as I did with Priory) but my word was I happy I did. As soon as I cracked the book open it rarely left my hands.
Z.R. Reed has such a way with words and manages to captivate you in this bustling fantasy realm. He really is one of the few authors that could put a book this long in front of me and I would enjoy every second.
Rep// trans Black sapphic mc, sapphic White mc (28?). Relationships featured are sapphic WLW, and one is WLM.
Set in// Fantasy realm in the sky.
TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// themes of coming out (as trans), colonialism, injury & fighting, magical curses, mandatory conscription and desertion.
☠️ Think Treasure Planet meets Pirates of The Caribbean meets Mortal Instruments. 🏴☠️
It has island and ships in the sky. It has pirates, magic users, and bounty hunters. It has dragons (briefly.) Ex lovers to enemies to lovers. And so much action!
This read is upper YA 16+. I think this is one of the best YA fantasy books I’ve read in a while and is honestly perfect for adults too as it has so much depth. It has NO sex references/scenes but does have complex language and story plots at times and is a dense read. So really I feel it’s perfect for younger advanced readers too.
This is a LONG story. I was sceptical of the size, and side eyed that brick for months before picking it up (just as I did with Priory) but my word was I happy I did. As soon as I cracked the book open it rarely left my hands.
Z.R. Reed has such a way with words and manages to captivate you in this bustling fantasy realm. He really is one of the few authors that could put a book this long in front of me and I would enjoy every second.
Rep// trans Black sapphic mc, sapphic White mc (28?). Relationships featured are sapphic WLW, and one is WLM.
Set in// Fantasy realm in the sky.
TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// themes of coming out (as trans), colonialism, injury & fighting, magical curses, mandatory conscription and desertion.
March 28, 2025
My biggest issue comes with the last ~15 pages. How do we spend 500 pages discussing the ramifications of imperialism and capitalism in this world just for the "happy ending" to be a regime change of totaliarian emperors? Hearing the rebellion leader that I spent most of the book rooting for call himself an "emperor" at the end felt like a betrayal.
While you can say that the new regime could help the most impoverished people forced into slavery or the military, I presumed the rebellion wanted to dismantle the empire, redistribute the political power amongst the people rather than a few select families, and/or create a system of local governments. A "kind" empire is not fundamentally different than the "evil" empire that was instated at the start of the book.
I read the book with the understanding that the antagonist was representative of the established empire, but since the book didn't want to denounce the idea of emperors, I guess that the antagonist was a singularly evil person and not the product of the world. Overall, disappointed in the surprise great man theory there.
Up until the last chapter, it was a fun story. The split focus between different characters made some chapters drag on and I couldn't really grip onto the story.
While you can say that the new regime could help the most impoverished people forced into slavery or the military, I presumed the rebellion wanted to dismantle the empire, redistribute the political power amongst the people rather than a few select families, and/or create a system of local governments. A "kind" empire is not fundamentally different than the "evil" empire that was instated at the start of the book.
I read the book with the understanding that the antagonist was representative of the established empire, but since the book didn't want to denounce the idea of emperors, I guess that the antagonist was a singularly evil person and not the product of the world. Overall, disappointed in the surprise great man theory there.
Up until the last chapter, it was a fun story. The split focus between different characters made some chapters drag on and I couldn't really grip onto the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2025
4.5 stars
While Charon Docks at Daylight remains my favourite Reed book, “Leading Aegis” has taken the second spot. Z.R. Reed has always been a very good writer, but, with this book, he’s shown that he’s improved in two areas: writing and worldbuilding. I simply loved the world in this book! From the flying islands, the minerals, the magic and the different creatures, everything was so creative and engrossing; I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to learn more about them. The characters were delightful and I even enjoyed the romance though it used one of my least favourite tropes. There were a few epic scenes that I liked a lot, but I did find that last battle scene a bit too long. The ending was quite satisfying.
Can’t wait for Reed’s next book!
While Charon Docks at Daylight remains my favourite Reed book, “Leading Aegis” has taken the second spot. Z.R. Reed has always been a very good writer, but, with this book, he’s shown that he’s improved in two areas: writing and worldbuilding. I simply loved the world in this book! From the flying islands, the minerals, the magic and the different creatures, everything was so creative and engrossing; I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to learn more about them. The characters were delightful and I even enjoyed the romance though it used one of my least favourite tropes. There were a few epic scenes that I liked a lot, but I did find that last battle scene a bit too long. The ending was quite satisfying.
Can’t wait for Reed’s next book!
July 30, 2024
3,75*
do i think it’s best the work of reed? no, but it is the most creative one
i loved the world building and i liked the characters, but one thing that since the beginning bothered me was that in this book was the first time a pirate captain was never called captain by anyone lol only by her name and that was it…. idk it was just weird, but i guess i’ve grow used to reading pirate captains making a Thing
another problem i had with the book was the pacing. which i was shocked, because i never had this issue with reed’s books before! he has the zombie book (my fav zombie book) and it’s HUGE, and not once that was a problem for me but this book is just too big and like… it gets tiring, idk it lost me at 75%, after that i just kept going fast so i could get to the 95%
so yeah i guess i’m a bit disappointed but i hope reed’s next stuff will be mind blowing
do i think it’s best the work of reed? no, but it is the most creative one
i loved the world building and i liked the characters, but one thing that since the beginning bothered me was that in this book was the first time a pirate captain was never called captain by anyone lol only by her name and that was it…. idk it was just weird, but i guess i’ve grow used to reading pirate captains making a Thing
another problem i had with the book was the pacing. which i was shocked, because i never had this issue with reed’s books before! he has the zombie book (my fav zombie book) and it’s HUGE, and not once that was a problem for me but this book is just too big and like… it gets tiring, idk it lost me at 75%, after that i just kept going fast so i could get to the 95%
so yeah i guess i’m a bit disappointed but i hope reed’s next stuff will be mind blowing
March 18, 2024
Another Winner!
I didn’t know that I needed a pirate novel in my life until I read this. It’s exciting, it’s light on the spice and heavy on the adventure. The world building lore were new, refreshing and well thought out! The fight scenes were written so well that I could imagine them perfectly in my head. The angst is on par with the rest of Reye’s work but this one won’t shatter your heart, it’s quite upbeat and humorous for the most part. Told from three perspectives if memory serves and they are easy to follow. The character are extremely like-able and relatable.
Honestly, it’s a sapphic, magical world pirate novel, what are you waiting for?!
I didn’t know that I needed a pirate novel in my life until I read this. It’s exciting, it’s light on the spice and heavy on the adventure. The world building lore were new, refreshing and well thought out! The fight scenes were written so well that I could imagine them perfectly in my head. The angst is on par with the rest of Reye’s work but this one won’t shatter your heart, it’s quite upbeat and humorous for the most part. Told from three perspectives if memory serves and they are easy to follow. The character are extremely like-able and relatable.
Honestly, it’s a sapphic, magical world pirate novel, what are you waiting for?!
October 18, 2025
The plot was great and moved very swiftly, though sometimes the motion felt a bit mechanical and predictable. I absolutely loved some of the action pieces in this book, they were exciting, very visual and immersive.
I wish the narration was a bit more homodiegetic though: each chapter clearly focuses on one point of view at a time so it's a bit disappointing we don't get more internal thoughts. When things happened or were described I kept on wondering "yes but how does this character feel about this? what are they noticing that's revealing of who they are?"
This story is gonna feed my next DnD campaign heavily though I clearly loved it a great deal!
I wish the narration was a bit more homodiegetic though: each chapter clearly focuses on one point of view at a time so it's a bit disappointing we don't get more internal thoughts. When things happened or were described I kept on wondering "yes but how does this character feel about this? what are they noticing that's revealing of who they are?"
This story is gonna feed my next DnD campaign heavily though I clearly loved it a great deal!
April 9, 2024
I really like the premise and the complexity of the characters, it's just a little slow and was way harder to get into than some of his other books. Maybe a bit of a pacing issue, maybe my inability to stick with some of the rapid world building that happens in the beginning.
Also, the number of times the word "hummed" was used drove me crazy. Almost threw the book out a window because of that. Other than that, it's great!
Also, the number of times the word "hummed" was used drove me crazy. Almost threw the book out a window because of that. Other than that, it's great!
January 4, 2024
This captivating tale of pirates and adventure is a thrilling journey into the skies of imagination. The author skillfully weaves a narrative that keeps you hooked from the first page, navigating through daring escapades and heart-pounding encounters. A swashbuckling masterpiece that combines the allure of the open air with the magic of a well-crafted love story, making it an absolute must-read for those seeking an exhilarating escape into the world of high-stakes romance.
March 27, 2025
I am a big Fan of Z.R. Reed. However, i failed to connect with the characters this time. based on the other books i was expecting more chemistry between the characters. The plot is interesting. but the lack of chemistry and tension was not what i was expecting.
May 29, 2024
z.r. reed never misses.
January 17, 2025
some long books dont feel long but this one felt looooong idk. still loved but not the best
July 7, 2025
ugh i love silly fun books
March 9, 2024
Reed missed the mark on this one for me. Really missed the very strong voice of Reed’s characters like I’m used to through their 1st person POV storytelling. Characters, romance, and sense of adventure fell very flat compared to Reed’s other books.
May 2, 2024
A fun, pirate adventure with magic, heartbreak, and love throughout. The characters were fun, and I loved Carolina Trace. Part of the books were a little confusing due to the world building needing to fit in the 500ish pages while fleshing out the characters, but it was a breezy read. I liked the crew of the Omen, and I felt like you could tell these people were friends. The action was easy to follow and it actually made sense too, which I know sounds silly to say but people tend to write what sounds good rather than plausible.
My only major nitpick was too many hums! Half the time people were humming in response or while talking in general, I counted it 4 times in one page once. When you notice it, it's impossible to ignore.
Yet another fun read from Reed, and I can't wait to see what comes next.
My only major nitpick was too many hums! Half the time people were humming in response or while talking in general, I counted it 4 times in one page once. When you notice it, it's impossible to ignore.
Yet another fun read from Reed, and I can't wait to see what comes next.
April 23, 2024
This was a fun adventure book, I liked the characters and the relationship between Carolina and Ophelia was really well developed and unfolded in a fairly unique way. Wyatt, the tritagonist, is ok; I was never bored reading him, but my buddy reader was, and his story was noticeably less developed that the others. I would hesitate to call this a romance book though, the romance played a big part of the story but also never felt like the main focus. This isn't a complaint, just an observation. It was disappointing to read a Z.R. Reed without any smut in it, as I did go in expecting that and the tone of the book seemed like it was on the horizon.
Thematically, it was basic but well done anti-imperialism/anti-colonialism, enough to give the book a story and antagonist, but not very deep.
Thematically, it was basic but well done anti-imperialism/anti-colonialism, enough to give the book a story and antagonist, but not very deep.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews