Red Tempest Brother

The Winter Sea #3

by H.M. Long

The epic naval fantasy trilogy concludes, as Sam, Mary and Benedict play a deadly game of war and espionage on the high-seas. Perfect for fans of pirate-infested waters, magical bestiaries and battling empires, by authors such as Adrienne Young, L. J. Andrews and Naomi Novik.

In the wake of the events of Black Tide Son, Hart flees into pirate-infested waters to shelter on the island where former rogue James Demery and the Fleetbreaker, Anne Firth, now rule. 

Reeling from their discoveries about the truths of the Mereish-Aeadine war, Mary and Sam hover on the precipice of a terrible, world-altering choice – they can stay silent and maintain their good names, or they can speak out, and risk igniting total war across the Winter Sea. 

Meanwhile, Benedict captains The Red Tempest, a lawless ship of deserters and corrupted mages in search of an Usti spy with incendiary stolen documents. Benedict is determined to make the truth known, consequences be damned.

As rumours spread of a new Ghistwold sprouting in the Mereish South Isles, May and Sam sail once more into intrigue, espionage and an ocean on the brink of exploding into conflict. They must chart a course toward lasting, final peace, at the heart of the age-old battle for power upon the Winter Seas.

Genres: Fantasy, Pirates, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy, Romance, Adult, High Fantasy

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2025

About the author

Hannah (H. M.) Long is a Canadian fantasy author. She inhabits a ramshackle cabin in Ontario with her family, but she can often be spotted snooping about museums or wandering the Alps.

Hannah writes for Titan Books and is the author of the Four Pillars Quartet (Hall of Smoke), the Winter Sea Trilogy (Dark Water Daughter), the Entwined Duology (2026/27), Ashmarked (2027), and more.

For the latest updates, follow Hannah on TikTok (@hmlongbooks), Instagram (@hmlongbooks), and Twitter (@hannah_m_long).

Reviews

[EmmaSkies]

Mourning the end of this series that I’ve loved so much. What a beautiful ending 😭 I can’t believe it’s over

[H.M. Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just hit "Send" on final edits for this little tome. It's no small thing to finish up a series. There's an incredible amount of pressure and drive to live up to expectations, while also staying true to the story, tying up loose ends and hitting all those emotional notes. It's still a little dizzying to look back over how this book came together and how much it has changed from first draft to last. But now it's DONE.

So, what can you expect in Red Tempest Brother?

-Benedict being Benedict
-New beasts and monsters, determined to eat people. And eat ships. And everything else.
-The shadow of an old enemy
-Mary and Tane being badass
-Samuel Learns Priorities
-Bromance and banter (and Charles Grant)
-Cinematic atmosphere and epic battles
-A side of kissing
-TENTACLES
-Pirate ports and sea forts

aaaaand much much more.

Thank you all for your love and enthusiasm for these characters. Get ready to set sail one last time on July 8th!

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me a final romp with this series.

I don't think this is the end for certain characters (more about that in a moment), but for Sam and Mary, this is their end. Fighting for the future of those with spirits within them and spirits not within them. Mary and Sam also have to reign in Ben, or get him to settle down which we know is a hard ask since he is dealing with his awakened sooth gift.

I love that, again, we have to mature characters who love one another and know the risks and and dangers, and one point Samuel says "I'm safer when we're together" instead of sending Mary off while he handled an issue. That is true couple goals. That he doesn't see his Mary as a simple damsel but his equal.

Now, Ben? Ben has a lot of anger, angst, and things he needs to settle. New powers, a hatred for those who tortured him, the government, and what he did while pretending to be his brother. I love that at the end of the acknowledgement H.M. Long thanked us but knew that "even Ben" had fans. He will always have fans, he is my antihero babe and I will stan him and his devil may care attitude. I don't think we've seen the last of him since he parted ways with a woman who he had his eye on and, he has a daughter who he is absolutely wanting to love and cherish. I hope that H.M. Long gives him a good future series where he is with his daughter and he crosses paths again with he woman he had his eyes on.

All in all, this was a solid series. I had fun with it and while some stories closed some seem to remain open and hope for more adventure on the seas with other characters.

Edit 2: Yo. Publisher. Give me my Ben.

Edit: Oh god, the galley is out. *requests* Come on NetGalley, I've given this series glowing reviews. Gimme my Ben!

Edit: It warms my heart that this series has picked up. Not only that, people are accepting of Benedict and his faults and loving him! Yay.

Ben - it's your time to shine, baby! All aboard the final book hype train!

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A trilogy for Pirates of the Caribbean fans. 🏴‍☠️

This trilogy started off so strong with an immersive, magical book one. Book two felt filler and everything too convenient, but I held out hope book three…
This honestly could have all been a standalone with better pacing and editing.

The books are easy to read - fast-paced, lots of dialogue and actions, addicting. However, this does mean that we don’t get to spend many quiet moments with the characters for them to develop and for readers to get attached.
This is definitely plot driven rather than character driven.

But, perhaps, that weight was ballast, rather than burden. And that hollow ache was not the loss of my own desires, but a hollow where something newer, and harder, and better, could grow.

What made me drop my rating to a disappointed two stars was the overall arc as I commented on earlier. The ending was extremely rushed and unsatisfying. So many loose threads and incomplete character arcs. The big problems were resolved off page and I didn’t feel the pay-off.

The more I reflect on it, the more frustrated I am as book one held so much potential with great atmosphere, a unique world, different cultures and power plays, siblings, magical creatures and powers…

Arc gifted by Titan.

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[CarlysGrowingTBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Stats:
📖: 416 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Titan Books
Format: eARC from publisher
Series: 3/3 Winter Seas Series

Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 12 hours 32 minutes
🎤: Moira Quirk, Samuel Roukin
Publisher: Recorded Books
Format: Multi POV / Dual narrator
This series is one of my top favorite audiobooks ever. The narrators are absolutely fantastic. The tones of their voices and the emotion lent to the character is spectacular. Moira Quirk is absolutely one of my top female narrators, and I will listen to anything she narrates.


🥵: Spice: none
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.

General Thoughts:
This was an absolute epic and fantastic conclusion to the winter seas trilogy. We get the same amazing characters it get further development for all of them. They all ended up in places that felt completely satisfying to me.

The ending did not feel rushed, nor did it feel incomplete. Everything was tied up, and I didn't notice any plot holes. I really love this whole series. The characters are new on still layered. The story is fast paced, and interesting and holy unique. I've never read anything like it.

Sometimes fantasy books spend so long wrapping everything up at the endings feel rushed. That did not happen here and everything felt cohesive.

Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted eARC from the publisher and NetGalley and a audiobook I purchased myself via Libro.Fm. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[♥Milica♥]

Give it to me now, please and thank you

[Emma (chaoticbookgremlin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[lookmairead · Rating 4 out of 5]

My, oh my- it’s always bittersweet to say goodbye with a trilogy. But what a satisfying ending to truly a rich world-building plot. I say “ending”, but I am sensing a spinoff and I’m 100% here for it. Or I hope Ben gets one. 🤞

Pirating – it’s such a bleak lifestyle. 😅 Throw it in a world where magic & politics are always at play and it’s bound to be a page turner.

I’d be curious what my Robin Hobb friends think of this series - I say that because I’m chest deep in the Liveship Traders trilogy - and I feel like it’s safe to say- I see the influence, though Long very much holds her own unique vibe.

I do think because of the complex level of magic at play, I’d recommend reading the entirety series closely together. I had to do a fair amount of flipping to remember the certain powers that the non-main characters held.

I’d also say the spice felt pretty closed door, but adult topics are touched on. So if your YA reader is itching to try adult- this is a safe jump.

Overall, I do think this series is TBR worthy - its complexity is impressive. It makes me wonder what H. M. Long will dream up next.

Thanks @netgalley & @titanbooks for this ARC.
Due out 8 July 2025.

[Kerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Tempest Brother brings the Winter Sea Trilogy to a sweeping close, returning readers to the icy waters, seafaring politics, and magic-drenched mystery that have defined this series from the start. Once again, H.M. Long delivers what she does best: a vividly immersive setting, complex and morally gray characters, and a world teeming with original lore and magical beasts that feel like they could step right off the page.

This final installment picks up in the aftermath of Black Tide Son, and while the stakes are just as high, maybe higher, the pacing this time around is tighter and more consistent. There are new characters, new creatures, and a quest whose outcome could determine the future of the world as they know it. I enjoyed Sam’s and Mary’s relationship so much more in this one! Gone was the hesitant over-protective vibe from Sam and there was so much more emotional intimacy and equity between the two of them which I felt like was a satisfying way to end their love story. I did hope for more of a dedicated redemption arc from Ben’s character who seemed to maintain his evil ways up to a point where he shifted gears without any real catalyst for it. With that said, I am kind of hoping for a spinfoff series for Ben (with cameos, of course, from Sam and Mary–if you are listening, Hannah!) where we get to see that expanded upon.

The ending felt a bit rushed but I feel like this series was originally supposed to be a quartet and that had changed along the way which makes me wonder if that was a contributing factor. It certainly FELT as if we could have gotten another book based on how book 3 read and a few unresolved plotlines.

When looking at the sum of its parts, I did enjoy this series, though Dark Water Daughter will always wear the crown for me as best of the three. And as a long-term H.M. Long fan, I look forward to whatever story she brings us next.

[Laken 📚 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Is this series worth the read? Absolutely, full-heartedly I can tell you: yes. Is the finale as good as Dark Water Daughter? Sadly, no.

Dark Water Daughter is so special to me because it felt like the perfect balance of plot, characters, and action. However, as the series has progressed, I think there has been a gradual shift in focus toward hitting plot points over the attention to the characters that really drew me in. I fell in love with Mary, Samuel, Charles, and even Benedict in a way, in the first book. But I just don’t feel the same connection to the characters at this point in the series, and I needed more of certain character interactions. The prose and action was still excellent, but it did feel a bit repetitive after numerous captures and escapes. It seemed like the only objective of this book was to get to the ending—which was actually quite good—as directly as possible.

I know many series would be better read straight through, but I think that is especially the case here so that you keep the momentum and love for the characters from the start. I do think it hindered my experience that I did not reread Dark Water Daughter and Black Tide Son before diving in to the finale (but the TBR is too damn long!).

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for the eARC!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this trilogy and the ending definitely tied everything up nicely and left me satisfied. this was maybe closer to a 4.5 just because some things kinda felt a bit too convenient... but my love for these characters is high.

[Jemimah Rankcom-Toll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t believe that finishing this book means that this series is over 🥲🥲

Quite literally the greatest pirate fantasy series I have ever read and likely will ever read.

[Amy Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

RED TEMPEST BROTHER is a satisfying conclusion to H.M. Long's pirate fantasy trilogy. This installment takes us further out to sea, and further into the forces that govern, haunt, and disrupt the Winter Sea and beyond. Old friends (and enemies) return, ploys cross and double-cross, and Long's expansive imagination is on full display with one of the most exciting examples of fantasy worldbuilding I've seen in a long time. This is a world and a "comfort read" trilogy I know I will long to return to.

[Athena (OneReadingNurse) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A more polished review and many others can be seen at https://onereadingnurse.com/2025/08/0... !

Five stars for Dark Water Daughter
Four for Black Tide Son
Three for Red Tempest Brother

This book was a struggle. The end of Black Tide left lots of exciting paths forward open and I don't think any of it was capitalized on. Like how do you have a titular giant sea monster ghisting and it f*cks absolutely nothing up!?

We spend a lot of time chasing characters around with repeated capturing and kidnapping, most of which ends up (once again) pretty easily solved. We never even found out what Mary's mother offered to set her free.

The character arcs were the best part, and their interactions and dialogue, plus Charles' snark, and all their betrayals and reparations. That said, I thought the last 50 pages or so wasn't enough to magically let them all retire while off-page forces solved the empire wide problems. I do like the micro look at shifting forces and how individual people can only play so large a role though.

The action scenes were great once again and I love Long's sense of setting and atmosphere. Idriss and the stormsingers were a nice touch, and she added a few men into the mix of witches.

Nothing felt....really intentional though. Ben started a nice, slow redemption arc, but I wanted to see more directly intentional things starting to turn it around. Even in the end fight, there was a new big bad guy that just....petered off into nowhere? Long gave Harpy a moment of glory, then I feel like she robbed the climax of action from any intentional character action.

Anyway. I do like what we got from the characters themselves at the end and it seems like maybe there will be more books coming at some point. I'd definitely recommend the series still since Dark Water Daughter is one of my favorite nautical fantasy books ever, and it's so much more than that. Maybe the trilogy peters out at the end but it's still worth it in my opinion!

Sorry for the late ARC review, honestly getting through this one was hard for me.

[Ruth Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here’s my disjointed review…

The writing was sooooo good but the plot… And the characters and world-building were on point as always.

Still… there were so many new characters and changing allegiances and battles upon battles inside battles and old characters coming back and random characters popping up in scenes. Half the time I had no idea what was happening — or where.

The other half I was wondering why ppl kept trying to save or protect Benedict. First, he seduced and impregnated a woman by pretending to be his twin. That is r*** but everyone in the book just acts as if it’s simply unbecoming behavior. Secondly, he’s kind of a mass murderer?

His redemption arc was not wildly convincing. And the fact that this woman — his victim, who knows nothing of his healing/redemption — asks Benedict to take care of their child…? Nooooope…

I’m too tired to write everything that irked me about the other characters. Mostly I hated that they let so many ppl die and killed so many ppl in their selfish, nonsensical quest to keep Benedict alive.

There was a lot of sailing and going from place to place and shit was poppin’ off every few pages… somehow it simultaneously felt like too much and not enough was happening.

Then every loose end seemed to magically work out in the last 7% of the book; until then I thought they were setting us up for a few more installments. I loved this series but this wasn’t quite the ending I was hoping for.

[Eleni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally appearing on FanFiAddict.com
9.5/10

Thanks to the lovely folk at Titan Books, I have once again been graced with an early peek at my most anticipated read of the year. This time, with the epic conclusion to a series that has become very dear to my heart. You know the feeling when you’re positively vibrating for the last installment but you’re also not ready to let the story and characters go? Long caused me this in spades with her Winter Sea trilogy! How very dare.

Minor spoilers for books 1 & 2 of the series ahead. Very minor, I promise. Borderline non-existent even.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again verbatim: H. M. Long raises the bar on what epic high-seas fantasy and character work are supposed to be. And she does so spectacularly, by grabbing you by the proverbial lapels and flinging you into edge of your seat action, humor, and so much heart.

This third and final installment only cemented it further by wrapping up this transporting tale in the most satisfying of ways, for many a reason.

Long picks up the story not much time after the events of Black Tide Son and the author takes no issue with plunging you directly into intense and breakneck action right from the get go. The opening 25% truly felt like the Donald Glover meme from Community, with me, the unsuspecting reader, cheerily walking into a room (see, port, iykyk) in flames and it all going progressively more and more downhill from there. Fittingly, I should add, considering who our first pov protag is in this book. Long puts your feelings through the wringer from the very first chapter, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad one, but whatever the context, you are inevitably reeling. But it hurt so good, as they say. In fact, if I had to describe the overall effect this book had on me it would be by saying it was killing me softly for all of its 416 pages.

Long shines in her character work the most, and that is where the heart of this trilogy lies, for her protagonists have grown and developed so much throughout the course of the story that I felt actual pride for them, as if they were my own friends succeeding and maturing. Not to do any disservice to the plot itself of course, as it was twisting and winding, and also optimally paced, in a way that propels you forward without tiring you out, yet you never quite know where it’ll lead next or which otherworldly monster might suddenly appear to ruin a character’s day. If book two was a slow-burn under some aspects, book three has nothing slow about it. It looks back at you once and boisterously tells you to keep up with a roguish smile. And you will, even pushing through the proverbial stitch in your side, because you will simply not want to put this book down.

It is nearly impossible to do all the central themes of this book justice without spoilers and I do not want to risk diluting effect of the previous two books if you haven’t read them yet, dear reader, so I need to be vague. But trust me when I say that if you’re looking for a trilogy with well-rounded and perfectly imperfect characters that you can’t help but root for, even the antiheroic ones you least expected to be siding with, then this is the series for you. From proper villain decay to restitution and responsibility, from questions of agency and freedom to finding one’s path forward even if it’s not what you’d originally wanted or expected.

The world of the Winter Sea is one of mesmerizing magic, high stakes, unforgiving elements, and badass action. Its cadre of characters do not leave you wanting, avoiding clichés and presenting archetypes in a way that is fresh and rich. There truly is something for everyone, be it camaraderie to die for, a romantic plot that will have you clutching your chest from the feels (they are goals, just chef’s kiss goals), political intrigue and conspiracies whose threads you seek to unravel along with the protagonists, wisecracks and humor that hit the spot every time, or moral frustrations that will have you pulling your hair as the characters learn priorities and which way their loyalties lie. Because nothing is ever quite as it seems and even when you think you know the characters and their drives by the third book, they will still surprise you. Not in a rug pull way of “the author needed an ex machina and this was the easiest way, character consistency be damned”, but in a way that still makes perfect sense for each character arc. Said in a better way, I was always pleasantly surprised but never confusedly shocked.

Not only was I immensely satisfied with how Mary and Samuel faced the action and where they eventually ended up but also with the ways they both grew as individuals and as a team overall throughout the trilogy – seriously the development of his attitude toward Mary going from “must protect the helpless damsel because I’m a gentleman” in book one, onto “the damsel is actually a highly capable and lowkey feral and formidable woman” throughout book two, and finally “we’re safer and more effective when working as a team” with book three, was utterly impeccable – but I am truly bowing to Long’s mastery in delivering a true antihero, whose guts I positively hated in book one, and for whom, by the end of this third book, I was feeling my chest tighten in sympathy to his struggle to redeem himself in order to be worthy of something I will not spoil. Hell, even his journey to accepting whether he wanted to in the first place, held me veritably captive.

Like, I am not sure I can fully explain to you dear reader how unforgiving of a person I am over certain things, and the fact that Long never once panders or sweeps anything under the rug to make the character more palatable and to wrap things up in a neat bow, was masterful. She instead works hard to show the nuance and difficulty in the rehabilitation and penance and the work they must still do to make up for their past. That, I could get behind so well. Bluntly put, she doesn’t excuse the asshole but at least you get to understand him and maybe even hope he will make the right choices going forth. Simply the fact that you are rooting for that to happen after the events of the first book alone, is testament to an expertly woven tale by a powerhouse storyteller.

Red Tempest Brother is everything you want in a series conclusion. It reunites you with beloved characters one last time, keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time, while enthralling you with wondrous and epic ambiance you’ve loved and have been transported by throughout the whole series. The Winter Sea trilogy is one I will find myself rereading often in the future and if you haven’t yet started it, dear reader or listener, now is your chance to binge the whole thing in one go. Trust me, you’ll want to.

This final installment comes out July 8th so run to preorder it now; an epic tale of brave and sassy seafarers awaits.

Until next time,
Eleni A.E.

P.S: as always, a major shoutout to mah boy Charles who is truly the mvp in every single one these books because he is Best Boi™ and the ever delightful foil to someone else. No, I will not elaborate.

[Aly Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

he found his compass and I am a mess

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to give this 3 stars because Charles and Benedict didn’t kiss and that’s insane? The sudden inclusion of the hot lady-Sooth was an odd choice and I shall not be forgiving.

[Ellis Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve finished Red Tempest Brother and just wow, this took me back to the magic of the first book. It also reminded me more of pirates of the Caribbean but in winter, the atmosphere in this book is so much more spooky and mysterious than other books of its kind. These books would be a perfect read for Halloween because of where it’s set and the creatures and the magic that is within its pages.

This felt so much more grand than the second book but I guess that’s to be expected with the last book in the series. The stakes were so much more higher than what we saw previously. Epic battles and journeys/quests in a different part of the winter sea.

The plot is much like the other two books, where the main character are looking for something to change the fate of their world. To change the politics of the world, to stop slavery of the stormsingers and the ghistlin. The thing that can do this is some papers that prove the the war has been instigated by an outside force. These papers are then used as leverage. But in the middle of all of this are massive battles of consequence.


The characters:

I absolutely love Sam and Mary they are just amazing together. There relationship makes the other person stronger, how they look out for one another. How protective Sam is of Mary but without being constricting or he doesn’t hold her back. They both support one another in their journey for a free life, but in the life that they eventually want together. This series is most definitely a slow burn but that’s what makes this book so much sweeter. The relationship that we’ve longed to see has finally come to fruition.

Sam is now healed of his corruption and it’s made him more confident in himself. He doesn’t however rely on his power as he is a strong leader and man who others turn to when the time is needed. He looks out for those he cares about even when sometimes they don’t deserve it.

Mary much like Sam has come into her own, her raw power is amazing. She is constantly fighting for a free life which is all she’s ever wanted but in the end she tries to distance herself from the politics of her world and let others take up that battle. I am gutted that Sam and Mary’s story has come to an end but what a story they get what they’ve always wanted. To be free, to have a family and to be together.

Now Ben is a morally grey character but he starts to change throughout this book. He is trying to be a better person and not the man he was when he was corrupted before he was healed although there are glimpses of this. He is constantly fighting to try and be better person and in the end not use his power to get what he wants.

Would I recommend these book yes 100 percent especially now they can be read at once.

[Caitlin G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Final rating: 3.5/5 stars.

Benedict Rosser has a mission: to locate stolen documents hidden by a spy and use their contents to unmask the forces goading the seas to war. But Benedict is too fond of using his Magni power like a blunt instrument, gaining him enemies wherever he goes. It isn't long before those enemies turn their sights on Benedict's twin brother Samuel, mistaking him for the now notorious pirate. Samuel and the Stormsinger Mary must hunt down Benedict to clear Samuel's name and put an end to the chaos he's unleashing across the seas.

RED TEMPEST BROTHER is carried along by its charming characters, despite a rather aimless plot. I love Mary and Samuel’s chemistry together, the way they trust each other to handle danger, even when they want to be protective. I love the sardonic Charles Grant, sometimes the only voice of reason in brother Benedict’s ear (if only Benedict would listen to it). And I enjoyed the new POV chapters from Benedict, which allow us our first glimpse at the POV of someone who has the ability to influence the emotions of others; these are made all the more interesting as Benedict has only recently gained the capacity to feel empathy and is struggling to understand these new found feelings in himself.

Unfortunately, while I loved the characters and the overall seafaring adventures, I felt the plot in this finale was lacking. Benedict is hunting for a Macguffin while Mary and Samuel are in turn hunting for him. The players involved hunting for the same Macguffin eventually become too many to count, with no well-defined central villain. And while the owner of the Macguffin (incriminating documents) will supposedly have the ability to shift the balance of power in the seas, the concept is so nebulous, I found myself not particularly caring about the outcome.

Overall, I enjoyed my time in THE WINTER SEA TRILOGY and really love the characters and the world the author created. While this wasn’t my favorite outing, there was still plenty to enjoy. I will definitely be checking out more of the author’s works in the future!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book but it just didn't go where I wanted it to. Rather than focusing on Benedict's continued journey and personal development, the book switches between Mary, Sam, and Ben as they are once again kidnapped repeatedly, engaging in battles, and traversing the entire map. In some ways it felt a little repetitive, a smidge chaotic and not as concise as the previous books. With under 100 pages to go I started to wonder whether it was possible for everything to be resolved in a way that made sense.

[ ] The story is entertaining enough but I really felt all of the main characters had been abruptly pulled back from where they'd been emotionally at the end of the previous book, and I think this was a missed opportunity. At the end of Black Tide Son I had felt that Mary and Sam's stories - individually and as a couple - had come to a satisfying conclusion and Ben and Grant would do the heavy lifting to carry the remaining threads the rest of the way. Even the title of the book implied it would be Ben's journey but I don't think Long redeemed him any more in this book than she had in the last. If anyone wants to write some Ben or Grant character study fanfiction I'm ready to read it. This was my experience with Long's The Four Pillars series as well; one book brought the characters to a place that made sense and then the next one walked it back to keep them involved in the story.

I assume the next book, if there is one, will include one or two of the next generation characters' POV.

[Erin Crane]

I was excited for this ARC, but I ended up struggling with it! So I’m DNFing?? Weird. Made it to 25%.

Part of it is the fact that it has been long enough since I read book 2 that I don’t remember some key bits. Benedict is after Enisca Alamay because of some papers she has… what were they? What was the significance? Why does Benedict want them so bad? I’m drawing a complete blank which is making it harder to feel invested in his urgency. Unfortunately it’s difficult to figure it out when I don’t own book 2, and the series isn’t popular enough to have a bunch of fan summaries online.

I kind of wish we didn’t have Mary’s POV at this point. She and Samuel feel like an established unit, and like in the previous book, she doesn’t really have a growth journey anymore. With the addition of Benedict’s POV (appreciated), hers feels like more than we need.

The strength of the book is Benedict’s POV and getting his arc. If the book was *only* him I think I’d keep going - hoping I’d learn what these papers mean as I kept reading. 😂 Samuel’s POV is also still interesting in that he seems to be exploring an angrier side of himself. But the story is still episodic, and I don’t enjoy that.

Absolutely worth the read if you’ve enjoyed the other books, especially if you reread book 2 before diving into this one. And I’ll still read more from Long as I liked the writing and world-building in general. I need to learn how much she depends on episodic plotting to decide if she’s not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[jlreadstoperpetuity · Rating 4 out of 5]

☠️🌊𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆🌊☠️

📚 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆
Set in a world where voice-wielders can command the weather and sea spirits haunt the waves, The Winter Sea trilogy follows Mary Firth, a weather singer on the run; Samuel Rosser, a soldier chasing redemption; and Benedict Saylor, a sailor turned reluctant revolutionary

From 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 cursed bargains to 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗻 explosive betrayals, it all led to this: final battles, torn alliances, and a desperate race against the rise of a second Ghistwold.

🍵 𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
Right off the docks, 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 grabs everything I loved in the first two books—storm-magic, shady loyalties, and that naval drama—and dials it up to eleven. Benedict’s gone full rogue-captain mode, sailing a ship full of deserters and secrets. Mary’s caught between loyalty and truth, and Sam? Sam is steady, scarred, and finally done playing anyone else’s game.

The writing is viciously good—emotions fray with the ropes, trust snaps like sails in wind, and I’m just clinging to the mast yelling “DON’T DIE” to everyone I’ve grown stupidly attached to. It’s the kind of finale that doesn’t just close arcs—it burns them with salt, sky, and sacrifice. I’m nervous. I’m screaming. I’m in love.

🌊 Found Family with Fractures
⚔️ Pirate Politics & Rogue Crews
🧭 Enemies-to-Reluctant-Allies Again
👑 Royal Secrets & Hidden Lineage
🌪️ Magic-Touched Weather Warfare

[Stevie · Rating 4 out of 5]

probably more like 3.5 but 4 works.. i have to sit with it more maybe?

i loved this series immensely at the start and i feel like ive lost my connection with it a bit? maybe i needed to reread before finishing idk..

by the end i enjoyed where all the characters ended up but i felt like we got too lost in the sauce in the middle. i couldn’t keep track of who was where and there’s a lot of side characters. also it felt pretty repetitive.. we have to find ben.. we have to find the documents.. oh now we have to find mary.. wait where is sam.. it was just over and over..

[Mariya T (msbookworld) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will try to keep this minimal in terms of spoilers, because this was the last book in the Wintersea series! I thought this was the perfect conclusion to HM Long’s historical fantasy pirate romance. The conflict set up in book two is wrapped up well, our protagonists finally figure out their relationship and my favorite bad boy gets a bit of redemption.

Fans of Clare Sager’s Beneath Black Sails will really enjoy this one I think

Thank you to Titan Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review

[Brett Crabtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured the final entry of The Winter Sea trilogy. I wish so badly this author to revisit this world one day, H.M. is a master of world building and atmosphere, as well as epic naval/physical /magical action and character arcs. It's not my favorite in the series but that won't stop me from heartily recommending this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy stories about people finding love and surviving a world trying it's best to these them down. I can't wait to read the rest of her catalog. Thank you H.M. for giving us what has to be one of the best pirate fantasy series ever (and my personal favorite).

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much. This final installment was action-packed and suspenseful and full of all the nautical, pirate vibes I was craving. A very satisfactory conclusion to the series.

I am sad to see the characters go though. I’ll just quietly hope for a spinoff series someday!

Thanks to Titan for providing an arc through NetGalley for me to review!

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved returning to the Winter Seas with Red Tempest Brother, it is such a great follow up to Dark Water Daughter and Black Tide Son. I loved the addition of Benedict's point of view as he contends with the fall out from the end of Black Tide Son and the way H.M. Long continued to expand the world of the Winter Sea without it feeling like world building is being pushed on the reader. It felt like a satisfying end to the trilogy, but I also appreciated how the door is left open for more stories in the world.

[Zen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Overall, I really enjoyed this series. There were a few parts that dragged a bit for me, but it was more that I was least invested in the characters featured. The world this author created is an interesting one, with the storms ingerir and pirates.

[Grack21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

one million stars