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Of the Stars and Sea
Of the Stars and Sea is a bingeable rivals-to-lovers Romantasy with sharp-witted banter, page-turning adventure and delectable spicy romance.
A traitorous pirate lord. A bounty hunter with a score to settle. And an epic treasure that will grant them both the freedom they desire…unless they destroy each other first.
Rowenya Stone is captain of the once fearsome pirate ship, the Trinity. Bound to her father’s old debts, Rowenya has been forced to break the Pirates’ Code by capturing her own kind in exchange for money. Tired of being shackled to her father’s past, Rowenya hatches a plan to steal an ancient artifact, said to unveil a map to the greatest treasure ever known to man.
But the plan goes awry when Grayson Tyde, the most ruthless and feared pirate lord in the Southern Realm, intercepts them. When Grayson discovers Rowenya has one thing he does not—knowledge of the old gods’ language inscribed upon the artifact—he forces her onto his ship.
However, they are not the only ones in search of the artifact, and as the threat of their enemies looms, Rowenya must trust the one person she’s always feared. But what terrifies her more is her perilous attraction to Grayson.
In a world where love is a traitorous thing and danger lurks around every corner, Rowenya must decide if finding the treasure is worth losing her heart.
A traitorous pirate lord. A bounty hunter with a score to settle. And an epic treasure that will grant them both the freedom they desire…unless they destroy each other first.
Rowenya Stone is captain of the once fearsome pirate ship, the Trinity. Bound to her father’s old debts, Rowenya has been forced to break the Pirates’ Code by capturing her own kind in exchange for money. Tired of being shackled to her father’s past, Rowenya hatches a plan to steal an ancient artifact, said to unveil a map to the greatest treasure ever known to man.
But the plan goes awry when Grayson Tyde, the most ruthless and feared pirate lord in the Southern Realm, intercepts them. When Grayson discovers Rowenya has one thing he does not—knowledge of the old gods’ language inscribed upon the artifact—he forces her onto his ship.
However, they are not the only ones in search of the artifact, and as the threat of their enemies looms, Rowenya must trust the one person she’s always feared. But what terrifies her more is her perilous attraction to Grayson.
In a world where love is a traitorous thing and danger lurks around every corner, Rowenya must decide if finding the treasure is worth losing her heart.
464 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2025
736 people are currently reading
13721 people want to read
About the author
Brianna Remus
9 books315 followersBrianna Remus is a Florida-based author who lives with her husband, three pups, and terrorizing cat. She started her writing journey in 2016 to ward off the woes of graduate school. The light-hearted hobby quickly turned into a passion filled dream that consistently distracts her from the real world.
When Brianna isn't working as a psychology resident or writing books, you can find her getting lost in the worlds created by others (through writing and movies), spending a day at the ocean, or taking a walk in the forest. She loves to spend her days outdoors surrounded by the beauties of nature.
A true Tolkien nerd, she also spends a lot of her time immersed in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, as well as praying that Amazon doesn't completely fuck up the new LOTR series.
When Brianna isn't working as a psychology resident or writing books, you can find her getting lost in the worlds created by others (through writing and movies), spending a day at the ocean, or taking a walk in the forest. She loves to spend her days outdoors surrounded by the beauties of nature.
A true Tolkien nerd, she also spends a lot of her time immersed in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, as well as praying that Amazon doesn't completely fuck up the new LOTR series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 890 reviews
August 25, 2025
It feels like a crime that this book has so few Goodreads reviews. Such a fun ride, and that ending left me reeling. I read so much fae fantasy and this was a treat my Pirates of the Caribbean loving heart needed…. It is faster burn than I normally read, but it worked for the book. I will definitely pick up book 2 :)
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July 17, 2025DNF.
(I waited to post my review until at least after release so it wouldn’t affect the rating)
This one sounded SO promising. I love pirates, I love romance, I love adventure. And while this really has the potential to be great, it fell so flat for me when the FMC wouldn’t stop thinking about much she wanted the MMC even though she shouldn’t and how attractive he was within 24 hours of knowing each other. And honestly it took me out of the story and I couldn’t continue reading. Again this has a lot of potential and I think this author has a really good writing style, but yeah not for me at this time.
(I waited to post my review until at least after release so it wouldn’t affect the rating)
This one sounded SO promising. I love pirates, I love romance, I love adventure. And while this really has the potential to be great, it fell so flat for me when the FMC wouldn’t stop thinking about much she wanted the MMC even though she shouldn’t and how attractive he was within 24 hours of knowing each other. And honestly it took me out of the story and I couldn’t continue reading. Again this has a lot of potential and I think this author has a really good writing style, but yeah not for me at this time.
September 26, 2025
2.5⭐️
ARC Review:
I was first drawn to apply for an ARC copy of this book when I found the authors instagram page and saw her comparing it to Pirates of the Caribbean, which I love. However, seeing it marketed like that gave me an expectation that I didn’t feel was met.
The fun adventure vibes were definitely there in this story, which I liked. When there was talk of Vampyrs at the beginning, I was excited to have more encounters with them but then there weren’t any, which was a bummer.
There was a lot of redundancy and fluff that didn’t really advance the plot much. The romance was decently fun, but it felt like the same buttons were pushed over and over, like gazing into the MMC’s eyes and the constant face touching, enough that it was a distraction. Don’t get me wrong, those things are great, but they were overused so it lessened the impact of each occurrence.
I had a difficult time engaging with the characters. The emotions felt spoon-fed, and left little room for interpretation. Instead of getting to read the characters body language, the narrative explicitly told me exactly what the Rowenya was feeling most of the time, which made it difficult to connect with her and invest in her journey. It made for unrealistic inner dialogue since people usually aren’t that in tune with their emotions as they are going through stressful experiences.
I think the author has a gift for beautiful imagery, description, and fun banter. I wish I would have been more captivated by the story so I could have appreciated it more. Overall, I think if there would have been more showing instead of telling, I would have been more engaged with the book and most likely would have enjoyed it more.
Even though this book wasn’t for me, I hope there are many who will love it and have a fun time reading it. I can tell that the author put so much time and effort into it, and I think that deserves a round of applause in itself.
ARC Review:
I was first drawn to apply for an ARC copy of this book when I found the authors instagram page and saw her comparing it to Pirates of the Caribbean, which I love. However, seeing it marketed like that gave me an expectation that I didn’t feel was met.
The fun adventure vibes were definitely there in this story, which I liked. When there was talk of Vampyrs at the beginning, I was excited to have more encounters with them but then there weren’t any, which was a bummer.
There was a lot of redundancy and fluff that didn’t really advance the plot much. The romance was decently fun, but it felt like the same buttons were pushed over and over, like gazing into the MMC’s eyes and the constant face touching, enough that it was a distraction. Don’t get me wrong, those things are great, but they were overused so it lessened the impact of each occurrence.
I had a difficult time engaging with the characters. The emotions felt spoon-fed, and left little room for interpretation. Instead of getting to read the characters body language, the narrative explicitly told me exactly what the Rowenya was feeling most of the time, which made it difficult to connect with her and invest in her journey. It made for unrealistic inner dialogue since people usually aren’t that in tune with their emotions as they are going through stressful experiences.
I think the author has a gift for beautiful imagery, description, and fun banter. I wish I would have been more captivated by the story so I could have appreciated it more. Overall, I think if there would have been more showing instead of telling, I would have been more engaged with the book and most likely would have enjoyed it more.
Even though this book wasn’t for me, I hope there are many who will love it and have a fun time reading it. I can tell that the author put so much time and effort into it, and I think that deserves a round of applause in itself.
June 19, 2025
If you loved Brianna as a contemporary author, just WAIT until you read this. She is thriving in her Romantasy era. The descriptions she uses are beautiful, and really immerse you in not just the physical environment but also the emotion swirling underneath.
If you love a feisty FMC, a mysterious morally gray MMC, found family, PIRATES but add a splash of magic and lore to the world, and fast paced adventure. You’re going to love this!
She also does a beautiful job at making fantasy accessible and easy to understand for readers that are new to the genre.
If you love a feisty FMC, a mysterious morally gray MMC, found family, PIRATES but add a splash of magic and lore to the world, and fast paced adventure. You’re going to love this!
She also does a beautiful job at making fantasy accessible and easy to understand for readers that are new to the genre.
June 22, 2025
It’s been a while since I read a pirate romance, so I leapt at the opportunity to read and review an
advanced copy of Brianna Remus’s latest novel, Of the Sea and Stars (OTSAS). After all, how could I say no to a novel that promises to appeal to people who love Pride and Prejudice, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Mummy?
I may or may not have devoured OTSAS in a single day, despite many interruptions. I read a big chunk of it while I was curled up awkwardly in the driver’s seat of my van, waiting for a child to finish laser tag.
Here are some of the things that made this book binge-worthy for me:
• Top notch witty banter that starts in the first chapter and doesn’t stop
• One specific line that I dubbed “Opposite day for Mr. Darcy” because it yanked my mind to Pride and Prejudice and made me squeal with glee.
• Female lead who is in her mid-thirties
• Excellent world-building with historical elements
• Rich, colourful descriptions that set the scene impeccably
• Treasure hunt/heist adventure vibes
• Pirates, because obviously
• Elements of fantasy (vampires, sirens, etc.)
• Intense action and heavy topics interspersed with humour
• Plot pacing that had me wanting to keep reading
• Sword fights, sweaty men, and badass women
• Heart-warming moments of self-reflection
• Raw discussions about choice and responsibility
• Grief, guilt, love, hope, joy…all the emotions
Of the Sea and Stars is a book that owns its place in the book world, unashamedly checking the boxes of genre convention while maintaining its identity and being beautifully self-aware. I look
forward to seeing what Remus does next with this world and these characters.
advanced copy of Brianna Remus’s latest novel, Of the Sea and Stars (OTSAS). After all, how could I say no to a novel that promises to appeal to people who love Pride and Prejudice, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Mummy?
I may or may not have devoured OTSAS in a single day, despite many interruptions. I read a big chunk of it while I was curled up awkwardly in the driver’s seat of my van, waiting for a child to finish laser tag.
Here are some of the things that made this book binge-worthy for me:
• Top notch witty banter that starts in the first chapter and doesn’t stop
• One specific line that I dubbed “Opposite day for Mr. Darcy” because it yanked my mind to Pride and Prejudice and made me squeal with glee.
• Female lead who is in her mid-thirties
• Excellent world-building with historical elements
• Rich, colourful descriptions that set the scene impeccably
• Treasure hunt/heist adventure vibes
• Pirates, because obviously
• Elements of fantasy (vampires, sirens, etc.)
• Intense action and heavy topics interspersed with humour
• Plot pacing that had me wanting to keep reading
• Sword fights, sweaty men, and badass women
• Heart-warming moments of self-reflection
• Raw discussions about choice and responsibility
• Grief, guilt, love, hope, joy…all the emotions
Of the Sea and Stars is a book that owns its place in the book world, unashamedly checking the boxes of genre convention while maintaining its identity and being beautifully self-aware. I look
forward to seeing what Remus does next with this world and these characters.
July 11, 2025
I (very happily) received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.
Of the Stars and Sea centers around Rowenya Stone, a pirate forced to become a Bounty Hunter. During an attempt to steal an artifact that would reveal the location of the greatest treasure ever spoken about in the history of the realm, she is kidnapped by the most feared pirate around– Grayson Tyde (I see that you did there Brianna 😉) and forced to help his crew uncover the treasure. But is Grayson as fearsome and heartless as his reputation would have Rowenya believe? Can she resist the physical pull she feels when he gets near? And will they survive not only the dangers of the waters, but the other pirates who are also racing to find this treasure?
When I saw that this book was being compared to not just Pirates of the Caribbean, but also Pride and Prejudice AND The Mummy – I was beyond desperate to get my hands on it! Those three movies were like my entire personality in the early 2000’s. The misunderstood enemies to lovers, the puzzle riddled search for treasure and the swoony sea escapades were all delivered. (Although I think the Mummy comparison fell a bit short, because this novel isn’t campy or humorous like the movie.)
This book started out strong and exciting – I was hooked into the action and so intrigued by all the mystery of the two main characters, and the dangerous journey they were going on. The banter and tension between them was *chef’s kiss* and all the side characters were super enjoyable. Plus, Brianna does an amazing job of describing the battles on the ships – I felt like I was right there watching the cannons fly about.
However, despite all there was to enjoy about this book, and I truly did enjoy reading it, I think ultimately it fell short of the level of amazing it could have been. There were too many scenes that felt repetitive – rehashing the same events from character’s history, circling around the same feelings of guilt, dealing with the same source of friction between the main characters, etc. There were also just too many storyline threads started that ultimately went nowhere in this book. And I know that was to set up the subsequent books (which I will probably still read, if I’m being honest), but there were just SO many plot points and characters that were introduced, just to be completely dropped, that it left this story feeling unsatisfying.
Do I still recommend reading this book? Absolutely!
But will it find itself amongst my top favourite reads? Unfortunately, no.
Of the Stars and Sea centers around Rowenya Stone, a pirate forced to become a Bounty Hunter. During an attempt to steal an artifact that would reveal the location of the greatest treasure ever spoken about in the history of the realm, she is kidnapped by the most feared pirate around– Grayson Tyde (I see that you did there Brianna 😉) and forced to help his crew uncover the treasure. But is Grayson as fearsome and heartless as his reputation would have Rowenya believe? Can she resist the physical pull she feels when he gets near? And will they survive not only the dangers of the waters, but the other pirates who are also racing to find this treasure?
When I saw that this book was being compared to not just Pirates of the Caribbean, but also Pride and Prejudice AND The Mummy – I was beyond desperate to get my hands on it! Those three movies were like my entire personality in the early 2000’s. The misunderstood enemies to lovers, the puzzle riddled search for treasure and the swoony sea escapades were all delivered. (Although I think the Mummy comparison fell a bit short, because this novel isn’t campy or humorous like the movie.)
This book started out strong and exciting – I was hooked into the action and so intrigued by all the mystery of the two main characters, and the dangerous journey they were going on. The banter and tension between them was *chef’s kiss* and all the side characters were super enjoyable. Plus, Brianna does an amazing job of describing the battles on the ships – I felt like I was right there watching the cannons fly about.
However, despite all there was to enjoy about this book, and I truly did enjoy reading it, I think ultimately it fell short of the level of amazing it could have been. There were too many scenes that felt repetitive – rehashing the same events from character’s history, circling around the same feelings of guilt, dealing with the same source of friction between the main characters, etc. There were also just too many storyline threads started that ultimately went nowhere in this book. And I know that was to set up the subsequent books (which I will probably still read, if I’m being honest), but there were just SO many plot points and characters that were introduced, just to be completely dropped, that it left this story feeling unsatisfying.
Do I still recommend reading this book? Absolutely!
But will it find itself amongst my top favourite reads? Unfortunately, no.
June 22, 2025
3.75⭐
This one started strong—hooking me from the first few pages with a fast-paced setup and a rich, intriguing world. The characters are easy to like, particularly Rowenya, who’s fiery, determined, and as full of heart as she is stubbornness. Her dynamic with the enigmatic and brooding Grayson is the story’s emotional core, and the tension between them is thick with slow-burn chemistry. The writing is engaging and even though there were some minor typos, it was the strongest element—clear and fluid, with just the right touch of lyrical description to bring both character and setting to life.
Despite the early momentum, though, the middle section lost a bit of steam and started to lose me. The romantic back-and-forth between the MCs began to feel a little repetitive, and there was a lot going on, plot-wise. On top of the romance (which was the main plot, IMO), there’s a treasure hunt that really only gets going in the last 15–20%—sure, it’s mentioned here and there throughout, but not significantly until the end. There’s also a third plot point involving the child sex trade, which was unexpected and maybe didn’t need to be there?
I found myself wishing the treasure-hunting arc had a stronger presence, especially after the initial setup promised something adventurous and high stakes, which I likened to The Mummy and Pirates of the Caribbean. Those comparisons aren’t unfounded, but they sit more as flavour than foundation—the action is lighter, the focus more squarely on the romantic tension than any swashbuckling spectacle.
So—would I re-read it? Probably not. Am I curious enough to see what happens next? Absolutely. Especially since this ends on a cliffhanger.
—
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review—many thanks to Brianna Remus for the copy. All opinions are my own.
This one started strong—hooking me from the first few pages with a fast-paced setup and a rich, intriguing world. The characters are easy to like, particularly Rowenya, who’s fiery, determined, and as full of heart as she is stubbornness. Her dynamic with the enigmatic and brooding Grayson is the story’s emotional core, and the tension between them is thick with slow-burn chemistry. The writing is engaging and even though there were some minor typos, it was the strongest element—clear and fluid, with just the right touch of lyrical description to bring both character and setting to life.
Despite the early momentum, though, the middle section lost a bit of steam and started to lose me. The romantic back-and-forth between the MCs began to feel a little repetitive, and there was a lot going on, plot-wise. On top of the romance (which was the main plot, IMO), there’s a treasure hunt that really only gets going in the last 15–20%—sure, it’s mentioned here and there throughout, but not significantly until the end. There’s also a third plot point involving the child sex trade, which was unexpected and maybe didn’t need to be there?
I found myself wishing the treasure-hunting arc had a stronger presence, especially after the initial setup promised something adventurous and high stakes, which I likened to The Mummy and Pirates of the Caribbean. Those comparisons aren’t unfounded, but they sit more as flavour than foundation—the action is lighter, the focus more squarely on the romantic tension than any swashbuckling spectacle.
So—would I re-read it? Probably not. Am I curious enough to see what happens next? Absolutely. Especially since this ends on a cliffhanger.
—
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review—many thanks to Brianna Remus for the copy. All opinions are my own.
June 25, 2025
⭐️ I received this book as an ARC for review ⭐️
This book was a great merger of magic and pirates, and a genuinely fun read. The banter between the FMC and MMC was witty and funny.
However I do think overall this book fails to deliver on some key points that keep me from giving it a higher rating. Firstly there’s a LOT of grammar and phrasing mistakes in this that take me out of the book more often than is ignorable. There’s quite a few issues with switching homophones such as fowl, foul, shutter, shudder, head, heed, waste and waist. There’s also a good two pages where the word “haul” is used instead of “hull”. Narrative wise there’s many things that are made to feel like an important plot point: what Grayson is, what Rowenya’s mother is and why it was so damnable that her father fell in love with her, what her grandfather did to her, who betrayed her father, among other smaller plot points that are never explored. Sure these could be plot fodder for future books but to not have a single poised question answered feels a little lackluster. Moreover, for a book about treasure hunting there’s a distinct lack of treasure ever seen.
All that being said, I think there’s so much potential here not only in the current story but also in the world building that can be done.
This book was a great merger of magic and pirates, and a genuinely fun read. The banter between the FMC and MMC was witty and funny.
However I do think overall this book fails to deliver on some key points that keep me from giving it a higher rating. Firstly there’s a LOT of grammar and phrasing mistakes in this that take me out of the book more often than is ignorable. There’s quite a few issues with switching homophones such as fowl, foul, shutter, shudder, head, heed, waste and waist. There’s also a good two pages where the word “haul” is used instead of “hull”. Narrative wise there’s many things that are made to feel like an important plot point: what Grayson is, what Rowenya’s mother is and why it was so damnable that her father fell in love with her, what her grandfather did to her, who betrayed her father, among other smaller plot points that are never explored. Sure these could be plot fodder for future books but to not have a single poised question answered feels a little lackluster. Moreover, for a book about treasure hunting there’s a distinct lack of treasure ever seen.
All that being said, I think there’s so much potential here not only in the current story but also in the world building that can be done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2025
4.25⭐
Brianna Remus is a repeat author for me! I have a whole contemporary romance series by her and absolutely love them. So, when I saw she was coming out with a romantasy book that had Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, I jumped at the opportunity to read this one. Let's just say she did not disappoint me! The author does an amazing job at truly immersing you with her beautiful descriptions of a rich and intriguing world. The writing grabs your attention from the very beginning and is very easy to follow. The banter between the characters left me wanting more at every turn of the page and the found family with the crew pulled at all my heart strings.
What to Expect
🌊Pirates
🌊Slow-burn
🌊Rivals to Lovers
🌊FMC in her thirties
🌊Villian MMC
🌊Treasure Hunting
🌊Forced Proximity
🌊Found Family
The ENDING....Omg I need the next one ASAP!
Brianna Remus is a repeat author for me! I have a whole contemporary romance series by her and absolutely love them. So, when I saw she was coming out with a romantasy book that had Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, I jumped at the opportunity to read this one. Let's just say she did not disappoint me! The author does an amazing job at truly immersing you with her beautiful descriptions of a rich and intriguing world. The writing grabs your attention from the very beginning and is very easy to follow. The banter between the characters left me wanting more at every turn of the page and the found family with the crew pulled at all my heart strings.
What to Expect
🌊Pirates
🌊Slow-burn
🌊Rivals to Lovers
🌊FMC in her thirties
🌊Villian MMC
🌊Treasure Hunting
🌊Forced Proximity
🌊Found Family
The ENDING....Omg I need the next one ASAP!
June 21, 2025
This was my very first pirate-themed book and I devoured it in just two sittings. I think that says enough about how much I enjoyed it!
Rowenya is such a fun and fierce FMC to follow, and Grayson… so mysterious! This book has everything you’d want from a pirate adventure: a thrilling treasure hunt, a fast-paced plot, witty banter, and a rivals-to-lovers slow burn.
There’s just the right amount of spice, not too much, not too little, and I loved how the emotional and heartfelt moments gave the story extra depth. Those parts really helped me connect with the characters, who were all unique and so enjoyable to read about.
I still have a lot of questions about some of the characters’ backgrounds, but honestly, I love that. It means there’s still so much to discover in the next books and not everything is handed to you at once. The mystery adds to the excitement and keeps you hooked.
The cliffhanger left me reeling. I need book two ASAP!
If you’re into adventure-filled stories with clever pirates, banter, and a slow-burn romance, then I highly recommend picking up Of the Stars and Sea.
And lastly, a big thank you to author Brianna Remus for kindly reaching out and providing me with an early review copy in exchange for an honest review. 💙
Rowenya is such a fun and fierce FMC to follow, and Grayson… so mysterious! This book has everything you’d want from a pirate adventure: a thrilling treasure hunt, a fast-paced plot, witty banter, and a rivals-to-lovers slow burn.
There’s just the right amount of spice, not too much, not too little, and I loved how the emotional and heartfelt moments gave the story extra depth. Those parts really helped me connect with the characters, who were all unique and so enjoyable to read about.
I still have a lot of questions about some of the characters’ backgrounds, but honestly, I love that. It means there’s still so much to discover in the next books and not everything is handed to you at once. The mystery adds to the excitement and keeps you hooked.
The cliffhanger left me reeling. I need book two ASAP!
If you’re into adventure-filled stories with clever pirates, banter, and a slow-burn romance, then I highly recommend picking up Of the Stars and Sea.
And lastly, a big thank you to author Brianna Remus for kindly reaching out and providing me with an early review copy in exchange for an honest review. 💙
June 25, 2025
3.5* rounded up.
I really enjoyed reading Of the Stars and Sea and I'm definitely going to be reading the next one. Unfortunately it didn't grip me as much as I'd have liked and I found I had to push myself a little to keep reading.
That said Brianna has written a wonderful book and I loved the characters. I especially loved that Rowenya was in her mid thirties, something that's not often depicted in fantasy. I wish the romance had more of a slow burn rather than Rowenya both hating and desiring Grayson, but I didn't dislike it.
I really enjoyed reading Of the Stars and Sea and I'm definitely going to be reading the next one. Unfortunately it didn't grip me as much as I'd have liked and I found I had to push myself a little to keep reading.
That said Brianna has written a wonderful book and I loved the characters. I especially loved that Rowenya was in her mid thirties, something that's not often depicted in fantasy. I wish the romance had more of a slow burn rather than Rowenya both hating and desiring Grayson, but I didn't dislike it.
July 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Who knew I needed a pirate romantasy in my life? Not me, but holy hell, Of the Stars and Sea delivered everything I didn’t know I was craving.
Let’s start with our badass FMC, Rowenya. A female pirate captain? Say less. She’s fierce, loyal, smart, and will stop at nothing to protect those she loves. I was hooked on her character from the first chapter.
Then enters Grayson. The MMC who is literal darkness and danger wrapped in one delicious package. He’s giving off full “touch her and die” energy, and I ate it up. He might seem evil incarnate, but underneath that cold exterior? Yeah, he melts for Rowenya. Their dynamic? TENSION. SLOW BURN. SPICE. When they finally kissed, I was fully kicking and screaming like a lovesick teen. That moment alone deserves its own five stars.
The pirate crew brought so much charm and heart to the story. Found family tropes are my weakness, and this one did it perfectly. Tommy especially stole my whole heart. He’s the sweetest, most loyal cinnamon roll, and I would protect him with my life.
This book had me laughing, crying, swooning, and just emotionally spiraling in the best way. It’s a high-stakes adventure filled with danger, magic, loyalty, and just the right amount of steam. And yes, it ends on a cliffhanger, but I’m already counting down the days until book two drops.
Brianna Remus has made me a pirate romantasy believer. Bring on the next voyage. 🏴☠️✨💀❤️🔥
Who knew I needed a pirate romantasy in my life? Not me, but holy hell, Of the Stars and Sea delivered everything I didn’t know I was craving.
Let’s start with our badass FMC, Rowenya. A female pirate captain? Say less. She’s fierce, loyal, smart, and will stop at nothing to protect those she loves. I was hooked on her character from the first chapter.
Then enters Grayson. The MMC who is literal darkness and danger wrapped in one delicious package. He’s giving off full “touch her and die” energy, and I ate it up. He might seem evil incarnate, but underneath that cold exterior? Yeah, he melts for Rowenya. Their dynamic? TENSION. SLOW BURN. SPICE. When they finally kissed, I was fully kicking and screaming like a lovesick teen. That moment alone deserves its own five stars.
The pirate crew brought so much charm and heart to the story. Found family tropes are my weakness, and this one did it perfectly. Tommy especially stole my whole heart. He’s the sweetest, most loyal cinnamon roll, and I would protect him with my life.
This book had me laughing, crying, swooning, and just emotionally spiraling in the best way. It’s a high-stakes adventure filled with danger, magic, loyalty, and just the right amount of steam. And yes, it ends on a cliffhanger, but I’m already counting down the days until book two drops.
Brianna Remus has made me a pirate romantasy believer. Bring on the next voyage. 🏴☠️✨💀❤️🔥
June 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*** I received a digital copy of this as an ARC directly from the author for my honest review ***
- Pirates - Rivals to lovers - Forced proximity - Epic treasure hunting - Morally grey MMC - Stabby FMC - Touch her & d*e - Slow burn - "I'll be your villain" - "She's mine" -
Brianna, ma'am, I am going to need the next book ASAP!
Let me start by saying, I really enjoyed this book. For this being your first fantasy, you did an amazing job! I have been in a fantasy slump, where none of the fantasy books I was reading were grabbing my attention the way I wanted them to, but I flew through Rowenya & Grayson's story and I want more.
I still have questions about the characters that I'd like to see answered, but im assuming those may be covered in a sequel(maybe? Hopefully? Please?) But I still got sucked into the settings and characters with their descriptions and sprinkles of backstories throughout.
And the way you left us with that ending! My gods, woman! I need more!
*** I received a digital copy of this as an ARC directly from the author for my honest review ***
- Pirates - Rivals to lovers - Forced proximity - Epic treasure hunting - Morally grey MMC - Stabby FMC - Touch her & d*e - Slow burn - "I'll be your villain" - "She's mine" -
Brianna, ma'am, I am going to need the next book ASAP!
Let me start by saying, I really enjoyed this book. For this being your first fantasy, you did an amazing job! I have been in a fantasy slump, where none of the fantasy books I was reading were grabbing my attention the way I wanted them to, but I flew through Rowenya & Grayson's story and I want more.
I still have questions about the characters that I'd like to see answered, but im assuming those may be covered in a sequel(maybe? Hopefully? Please?) But I still got sucked into the settings and characters with their descriptions and sprinkles of backstories throughout.
And the way you left us with that ending! My gods, woman! I need more!
October 17, 2025
Morally gray characters? Pirates? An FMC in her thirties who can hold her own? YES PLEASE. I ate this book up it was so good! From the first chapter, I was hooked on the adventure, the tension, and the sizzling banter. Rowenya is fierce and layered, and Grayson Tyde is exactly the kind of complicated pirate lord my dark-romance heart loves.
The world is vivid and sea soaked, full of cursed maps, treasure hunts, and ancient magic. It gave me Pirates of the Caribbean meets romantasy vibes in the best way. The found family crew dynamic made my heart happy, and the slow-burn chemistry? Perfection.
The ending absolutely wrecked me, I need book two right now. Thanks to Hambright PR for the gifted book.
The world is vivid and sea soaked, full of cursed maps, treasure hunts, and ancient magic. It gave me Pirates of the Caribbean meets romantasy vibes in the best way. The found family crew dynamic made my heart happy, and the slow-burn chemistry? Perfection.
The ending absolutely wrecked me, I need book two right now. Thanks to Hambright PR for the gifted book.
September 26, 2025
I love fae, but my romantasy loving heart had so much fun switching things up with a pirate romance. I liked that there was a hint of other mythical creatures, I hope in upcoming books this is explored more!
The FMC starts of super stabby and feisty and somewhere along the way she loses some of that but it’s still worth it getting the romance. Overall I had a good time.
Thank you so much to Hambright PR for the e-ARC.
The FMC starts of super stabby and feisty and somewhere along the way she loses some of that but it’s still worth it getting the romance. Overall I had a good time.
Thank you so much to Hambright PR for the e-ARC.
July 28, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and waited to leave my review until after the initial release period.
One line summary: I would describe this book as if hallmark tried to make a romantasy movie.
Not my bag, but judging by the other reviews I can see that a lot of people really loved it, so it’s obviously a me issue (mostly).
I was so excited for this book, the premise sounded so promising!! Unfortunately it was not for me.
The author’s experience as a contemporary romance author really shines through in this book, so if you like that genre you will likely love this! The worldbuilding, characters and fantasy genre elements fell flat for me, however. Everything felt shallow, 2D and half baked.
Also, the copy I received had a lot of typos, including a phrase that was literally struck out as if during the editing process. These details were distracting, but as I was never fully immersed in the story anyways it didn’t detract much from my experience.
I think this just comes down to me expecting a different reading experience than I got. Clearly, this book, and perhaps genre, is not for me. If you are looking for a high fantasy pirate adventure with a strong romance and an action forward, character driven plot, this book is not for you. If you’re looking for a romance against the backdrop of a pirate fantasy setting, you might like this!
Thank you to the author for the ARC, congrats on your release and success so far, and I wish you all the best!
One line summary: I would describe this book as if hallmark tried to make a romantasy movie.
Not my bag, but judging by the other reviews I can see that a lot of people really loved it, so it’s obviously a me issue (mostly).
I was so excited for this book, the premise sounded so promising!! Unfortunately it was not for me.
The author’s experience as a contemporary romance author really shines through in this book, so if you like that genre you will likely love this! The worldbuilding, characters and fantasy genre elements fell flat for me, however. Everything felt shallow, 2D and half baked.
Also, the copy I received had a lot of typos, including a phrase that was literally struck out as if during the editing process. These details were distracting, but as I was never fully immersed in the story anyways it didn’t detract much from my experience.
I think this just comes down to me expecting a different reading experience than I got. Clearly, this book, and perhaps genre, is not for me. If you are looking for a high fantasy pirate adventure with a strong romance and an action forward, character driven plot, this book is not for you. If you’re looking for a romance against the backdrop of a pirate fantasy setting, you might like this!
Thank you to the author for the ARC, congrats on your release and success so far, and I wish you all the best!
June 22, 2025
Pirates of the celestial seas: a tale of love and adventure.
This is my kind of Romantasy. Give me pirates and sea monsters over fae and dragons any day.
“His eyes are wholly trained on me. A cascade of fallen stars shines amongst the churning ocean—sapphire blue and sparks of silvery white swirl in his irises. Staring into them feels as though I’m falling through some endless bound of time with nothing to hold onto except for him.”
This is part one of the Divine Trinity and what a fantastic introduction. Rowenya Stone finds herself separated from her crew and captured by the feared Pirate Lord Grayson Tyde as they chase an epic treasure that could set them both free.
It’s a slow burn rivals to lovers, with a morally grey hero, and I am here for it!!
The characters are fantastic, especially some of the side characters that help Rowenya along the way, young Tommy rescued from the pit given the opportunity to work for Grayson, the doctor who treats Rowenya’s injuries with patience and kindness, Zaos, Grayson’s grumpy quartermaster who Rowenya continues to banter with throughout the story. Despite the fact that Grayson is supposed to be the most ruthless, heartless villain you start to see that he has formed a family of his sea mates where there are rules and mutual respect.
There’s spice but it’s part of the bigger story and the slow burn makes sense to the characters. Rowenya’s body wants to respond to Grayson but her mind is stopping her, protecting her from the darkness she sees in him. That is until she starts to unravel the blackness that surrounds him to see the man beneath the mask of stone he wears. There’s a gentle dominance coming from Grayson and I love how Rowenya makes him wait to hear her call him captain, she’s a little bratty. But what I really love about their dynamic is the healing he offers her, he can see how she’s feeling and knows just what she needs, he calms her at her most panicked and one of my favourite moments is when he tells her not to let his praise give her meaning. I really felt that like a sword to my heart.
I enjoyed that it was written just from Rowenya’s perspective. So many books I’ve read this year have had multiple perspectives and I expected the same here but actually the story makes more sense to the reader written this way because you get to experience everything through her eyes and see how her impression changes as she learns more about Grayson and his crew.
I absolutely devoured this story and I can’t wait to read what happens next.
This is my kind of Romantasy. Give me pirates and sea monsters over fae and dragons any day.
“His eyes are wholly trained on me. A cascade of fallen stars shines amongst the churning ocean—sapphire blue and sparks of silvery white swirl in his irises. Staring into them feels as though I’m falling through some endless bound of time with nothing to hold onto except for him.”
This is part one of the Divine Trinity and what a fantastic introduction. Rowenya Stone finds herself separated from her crew and captured by the feared Pirate Lord Grayson Tyde as they chase an epic treasure that could set them both free.
It’s a slow burn rivals to lovers, with a morally grey hero, and I am here for it!!
The characters are fantastic, especially some of the side characters that help Rowenya along the way, young Tommy rescued from the pit given the opportunity to work for Grayson, the doctor who treats Rowenya’s injuries with patience and kindness, Zaos, Grayson’s grumpy quartermaster who Rowenya continues to banter with throughout the story. Despite the fact that Grayson is supposed to be the most ruthless, heartless villain you start to see that he has formed a family of his sea mates where there are rules and mutual respect.
There’s spice but it’s part of the bigger story and the slow burn makes sense to the characters. Rowenya’s body wants to respond to Grayson but her mind is stopping her, protecting her from the darkness she sees in him. That is until she starts to unravel the blackness that surrounds him to see the man beneath the mask of stone he wears. There’s a gentle dominance coming from Grayson and I love how Rowenya makes him wait to hear her call him captain, she’s a little bratty. But what I really love about their dynamic is the healing he offers her, he can see how she’s feeling and knows just what she needs, he calms her at her most panicked and one of my favourite moments is when he tells her not to let his praise give her meaning. I really felt that like a sword to my heart.
I enjoyed that it was written just from Rowenya’s perspective. So many books I’ve read this year have had multiple perspectives and I expected the same here but actually the story makes more sense to the reader written this way because you get to experience everything through her eyes and see how her impression changes as she learns more about Grayson and his crew.
I absolutely devoured this story and I can’t wait to read what happens next.
November 14, 2025
This was an enemies to lovers book but not only that its about a sense of belonging and found family even after hearing so many untrue rumors .
beware this ends on a crazy cliffhanger ! my jaw was on the floor and need book 2 immediately after that one.
I did enjoy this pirate book only thing is I wish there was more action and fighting but the way it ended I know theres bound to be in the next book !
fav quotes :
"But I am not a pretty bird to be caged."
"There is no force great enough to stop me from tearing apart this world and everyone who lives upon it to ensure no harm ever comes to you again."
"But nothing, Rowenya. We do not live in a just world. There is evil around every corner, beckoning us toward it. Evil that forces our hand, making survival the only thing we think we're capable of. You did what you had to do to survive.
"Oh, but you are mine, Little Pearl. From the moment you stepped onto my ship, I have possessed you, body and soul. For I see all the ways you look at me. Even now, I can feel the heat between your legs." He presses his thigh against my sex and cruel desire blooms low in my belly.
"I see the way your breath catches in your chest every time I look your way."
"Let this man be an example for all of Emerald Cove." Grayson's voice lowers an octave as he addresses the inn. "Rowenya Stone is mine." He looks pointedly at me and every pair of eyes in the tavern slide in my direction. "Hear me when I say that anyone who lays a hand on what belongs to me shall lose that hand." He unsheathes a dagger from the leather bandolier strapped across his chest and in one fell swoop he cuts the man's hand off. I gasp as his body plummets to the floor and he awakens with a guttural scream before falling unconscious once again from the pain.
beware this ends on a crazy cliffhanger ! my jaw was on the floor and need book 2 immediately after that one.
I did enjoy this pirate book only thing is I wish there was more action and fighting but the way it ended I know theres bound to be in the next book !
fav quotes :
"But I am not a pretty bird to be caged."
"There is no force great enough to stop me from tearing apart this world and everyone who lives upon it to ensure no harm ever comes to you again."
"But nothing, Rowenya. We do not live in a just world. There is evil around every corner, beckoning us toward it. Evil that forces our hand, making survival the only thing we think we're capable of. You did what you had to do to survive.
"Oh, but you are mine, Little Pearl. From the moment you stepped onto my ship, I have possessed you, body and soul. For I see all the ways you look at me. Even now, I can feel the heat between your legs." He presses his thigh against my sex and cruel desire blooms low in my belly.
"I see the way your breath catches in your chest every time I look your way."
"Let this man be an example for all of Emerald Cove." Grayson's voice lowers an octave as he addresses the inn. "Rowenya Stone is mine." He looks pointedly at me and every pair of eyes in the tavern slide in my direction. "Hear me when I say that anyone who lays a hand on what belongs to me shall lose that hand." He unsheathes a dagger from the leather bandolier strapped across his chest and in one fell swoop he cuts the man's hand off. I gasp as his body plummets to the floor and he awakens with a guttural scream before falling unconscious once again from the pain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2025
LOVED this book! Definitely a must read! 📚
Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Mummy is a perfect description of the book.
I was so happy to be chosen as an ARC reader.
This book was everything it needed to be! Full of tension between the MC’s, an older FMC which was really refreshing and a lot more relatable. Absolutely loved the world building as well. I found the world and the magic very different to what I’ve read recently and highly enjoyed it.
The cliffhanger actually had me screaming. I couldn’t believe how it ended. I needed to read more immediately.
Grayson is *chefs kiss* perfection
Only issue I had with it was the FMC sometimes had a very woe is me but I won’t let anyone help me vibe which wasn’t my favourite but overall absolutely devoured this in a couple of sittings. Will definitely be buying this once it hits the shelf and waiting with bated breath for book two!
Rated: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Mummy is a perfect description of the book.
I was so happy to be chosen as an ARC reader.
This book was everything it needed to be! Full of tension between the MC’s, an older FMC which was really refreshing and a lot more relatable. Absolutely loved the world building as well. I found the world and the magic very different to what I’ve read recently and highly enjoyed it.
The cliffhanger actually had me screaming. I couldn’t believe how it ended. I needed to read more immediately.
Grayson is *chefs kiss* perfection
Only issue I had with it was the FMC sometimes had a very woe is me but I won’t let anyone help me vibe which wasn’t my favourite but overall absolutely devoured this in a couple of sittings. Will definitely be buying this once it hits the shelf and waiting with bated breath for book two!
Rated: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 5, 2025
4.25 ⭐️ First of all THE CLIFFHANGER?! Why you do me dirty like that 😭
I really enjoyed this, the story definitely captured my attention and am pleasantly surprised with how easy it is to read. My first pirate fantasy and this was GIVING 👏 I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ARC reader and am so excited to read the next book in this series.
Pirates, treasures, battles, secrets, friendship and best of all a smoking hot Captain 🥵
I really enjoyed this, the story definitely captured my attention and am pleasantly surprised with how easy it is to read. My first pirate fantasy and this was GIVING 👏 I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ARC reader and am so excited to read the next book in this series.
Pirates, treasures, battles, secrets, friendship and best of all a smoking hot Captain 🥵
June 24, 2025
I read this ARC in two days. I could not put it down.
This book wrecked me in the best possible way. It’s been a while since a book affected me so much.
From the very first page, I was caught in its grip—and I never once tried to break free. It’s emotional. Powerful. Addictive in the most dangerous way. I didn’t just read this book—I felt it. 🔥 Every vow left me breathless. Every mystery spun my mind into chaos. Every whispered promise cracked and healed my heart over and over again. ❤️🩹
The pacing? Flawless.
The plot? Thick with action, romance, and mind-twisting reveals.
The writing? Like poetry laced with gunpowder.
The tension, the banter, the longing, the battles? Chef’s 💋
Our fierce FMC is a whirlwind of loyalty and rage, softness and steel. The MMC? A dark, possessive pirate warlord—obsessed, brutal, and absolutely hers. ❤️🔥 Their dynamic is everything: from throwing daggers and trading insults to claiming hearts “this one is mine” 🥹… and yes, still throwing a few more daggers. 🗡️
And the ENDING?
It destroyed me. 🤯 I will wait an eternity for Book 2 if I must.
Tropes:
🐚 slow-burn
🐚 enemies to lovers
🐚 banter
🐚 forced proximity
🐚 he falls first
“I have wished upon every star in the heavens to find you. Now that I have, I will never let you go.”
“And what if I wish to go?”
“Then I shall watch you from a distance, praying that you might find your way back to me.” 😭
This book wrecked me in the best possible way. It’s been a while since a book affected me so much.
From the very first page, I was caught in its grip—and I never once tried to break free. It’s emotional. Powerful. Addictive in the most dangerous way. I didn’t just read this book—I felt it. 🔥 Every vow left me breathless. Every mystery spun my mind into chaos. Every whispered promise cracked and healed my heart over and over again. ❤️🩹
The pacing? Flawless.
The plot? Thick with action, romance, and mind-twisting reveals.
The writing? Like poetry laced with gunpowder.
The tension, the banter, the longing, the battles? Chef’s 💋
Our fierce FMC is a whirlwind of loyalty and rage, softness and steel. The MMC? A dark, possessive pirate warlord—obsessed, brutal, and absolutely hers. ❤️🔥 Their dynamic is everything: from throwing daggers and trading insults to claiming hearts “this one is mine” 🥹… and yes, still throwing a few more daggers. 🗡️
And the ENDING?
It destroyed me. 🤯 I will wait an eternity for Book 2 if I must.
Tropes:
🐚 slow-burn
🐚 enemies to lovers
🐚 banter
🐚 forced proximity
🐚 he falls first
“I have wished upon every star in the heavens to find you. Now that I have, I will never let you go.”
“And what if I wish to go?”
“Then I shall watch you from a distance, praying that you might find your way back to me.” 😭
July 10, 2025
Omg how is this Brianna’s first Romantsy?? It feels like she’s written in the genre before.
This one had me hooked from start to finish and there was never a dull moment. The angst and action had me on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t even 60 pages in and she had me crying. 😭
I absolutely love the raw tension between the two main characters. Then how that enemies to lovers slow burn is just pure gold. 😮💨
I absolutely devoured this book and immediately need the book because of that ending!!!
This one had me hooked from start to finish and there was never a dull moment. The angst and action had me on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t even 60 pages in and she had me crying. 😭
I absolutely love the raw tension between the two main characters. Then how that enemies to lovers slow burn is just pure gold. 😮💨
I absolutely devoured this book and immediately need the book because of that ending!!!
June 21, 2025
4.5 🌟
“The sea is where I have always belonged. I am made of water and salt. It has been bred into my bones, etched into my soul.”
As a lover of all things ocean-related 🌊 , Of the Stars and Sea tugged me in right from the start. This is a beautifully written, well-paced story that weaves so many FUN elements together:
🗡️ Compelling FMC
🩶 Morally grey MMC
💰 Treasure hunting
🏴☠️ Pirate swagger and battles
✨ Sprinkle of fantasy
Rowenya and Grayson 🫶🥹 I loved them, their debut was just the right balance of romance and action. This book starts to graze the surface of the magic system (mentions of vampyres, sea witches and mer) and I’m eager to dive even deeper into their world through the rest of the series. 💫
•••••••••••••
Thank you to Brianna Remus for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“The sea is where I have always belonged. I am made of water and salt. It has been bred into my bones, etched into my soul.”
As a lover of all things ocean-related 🌊 , Of the Stars and Sea tugged me in right from the start. This is a beautifully written, well-paced story that weaves so many FUN elements together:
🗡️ Compelling FMC
🩶 Morally grey MMC
💰 Treasure hunting
🏴☠️ Pirate swagger and battles
✨ Sprinkle of fantasy
Rowenya and Grayson 🫶🥹 I loved them, their debut was just the right balance of romance and action. This book starts to graze the surface of the magic system (mentions of vampyres, sea witches and mer) and I’m eager to dive even deeper into their world through the rest of the series. 💫
•••••••••••••
Thank you to Brianna Remus for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2025
I need book two ASAP!!
Of the stars and sea was an absolute delight to read from beginning to end. Brianna Remus's lyrical writing style is so beautifully immersive it sucked me in and swept me away right from the start.
The pacing felt just right, with the perfect balance of action, witty banter, spice, emotional depth and a give-you-butterflies kind of romance that really worked for me. (Grayson is *chefs kiss*) and
Rowenya is a serious badass, she is a fierce and fun FMC with just the right mix of fire and heart who cares deeply for her crew mates, and I loved following her journey.
I thought the world building was a standout, and the pirate theme was so well executed it was incredibly refreshing to read.
The world needs more pirate fantasy romance - just saying!
If you're looking for a romantic fantasy lush with prose, strong heroines, and adventurous pirate vibes with a rival to lovers' trope, this is the one to keep on your radar.
I can't wait for book number two!
Lastly, thank you so much to Brianna Remus for kindly providing me with the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Of the stars and sea was an absolute delight to read from beginning to end. Brianna Remus's lyrical writing style is so beautifully immersive it sucked me in and swept me away right from the start.
The pacing felt just right, with the perfect balance of action, witty banter, spice, emotional depth and a give-you-butterflies kind of romance that really worked for me. (Grayson is *chefs kiss*) and
Rowenya is a serious badass, she is a fierce and fun FMC with just the right mix of fire and heart who cares deeply for her crew mates, and I loved following her journey.
I thought the world building was a standout, and the pirate theme was so well executed it was incredibly refreshing to read.
The world needs more pirate fantasy romance - just saying!
If you're looking for a romantic fantasy lush with prose, strong heroines, and adventurous pirate vibes with a rival to lovers' trope, this is the one to keep on your radar.
I can't wait for book number two!
Lastly, thank you so much to Brianna Remus for kindly providing me with the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I can't wait to see what happens next.
June 24, 2025
Ahhhhhh this book fulfilled the pirate sized hole I always have in my heart! This book has everything: slow burn, enemies to lovers, grumpy mmc, and PIRATES! Ugh this book was full of yearning, exciting twists, and great banter!
Final thoughts: loved this book, cannot wait for the second one, my babies Zaos and Tommy better get a happy ending or I’m gonna cry!
Final thoughts: loved this book, cannot wait for the second one, my babies Zaos and Tommy better get a happy ending or I’m gonna cry!
June 23, 2025
Holy batman this is the best book I have read in a very long time. The perfect amount of world building, violence, spice, suspense and well written story. I would give this book 10 stars if I could. Run to buy this book you won't regret it!!!!
July 28, 2025
This book had so much potential. I was so excited for the story: pirates, a rivals to lovers romantasy, a quest for legendary treasure. Fantastic! But it fell so flat for me. The pacing was...not good, and the characterization was very rough. Also, this really needed another round of edits. There's a whole chapter plus when the hull of the ship is labeled the haul. Admittedly, I'm not a boat person, so maybe this is actually a thing and I will happily retract this criticism if I am wrong, but it is not a terminology I have ever heard and couldn't verify it with a google search, so mostly it just seemed like a word was mispelled over and over again for twenty pages. And it was irritating as it happened more and more, one of the many things that ripped me out of the story.
I did not hate everything about this book, I liked many moments (basically those after the leads stop battling back and forth for no reason over their feelings), but the moments when I was frankly pretty bored were way more frequent. It often felt like a chore. Honestly I finished it mostly because I'm chronically incapable of DNFing books, so the fact I stuck with it probably shouldn't be indicative of anything, but fortunately this book is one where the last 100 pages are where the story finds its stride mostly, so I don't fully regret reading it. And I will continue with the series (I believe this is a series? if it's not, WTF was that ending?) to see where this goes. I thought this book might get to a 3 stars with a strong ending, but I'm not wild about a nebulous cliffhanger, so this lands at a 2.5 for me.
The pacing of this book is rough. It starts with some solid action, then the plot is nerfed for 150 odd pages while the FMC, Rowenya (a seemingly badass pirate captain) subjects the reader to endless inner monologuing of her Bella Swan-level horniness for Grayson Tyde, the most fearsome pirate captain to ever sail the Aelynthi Sea and a man she can't decide if she hates or wants to fuck. It's a slow burn that is the most annoying type of slow burn because they both want to be together, and it's pretty immediate that those feelings are there, it's more about Rowenya denying herself the thing she wants. It's not tension, it's ridiculous stubbornness that is more exhausting than anything. Some of the banter from Grayson is pretty fun, though. He's also a charming and interesting character and is the main reason I think I'll continue with the series--I need his backstory.
But also, the description of his eyes as speckled with starlight was pretty the first six times it's mentioned, but after 100, I became tired. There is some good character development when the topic of Rowenya's and Grayson's concern for their crews, for their friends, is built. But then Grayon is the male love interest that will burn the whole world down, sacrifice himself and anyone else to protect Rowenya. If that's your thing, love that for you, but I've never been able to get behind that. But one of her best moments is when she points out how terrible of a plan that is, since she'd be left alone and miserable. But the love story/attachment is also kind of weird because it jumps to like "I've been looking for you forever..." even though they met only a few weeks ago. It was a strange turn, but one that wasn't explained super well--like were you looking for someone/your other half and Grayson/Rowenya just happens to be that person for each other, or are they fated mates? It was weird how little it was explained in a book that honestly was pretty heavy-handed in how much it over explained exposition. It dragged because it tells a lot rather than shows. But then it also leaves so many questions unanswered as well. Which again, if series, I get it, but it's not the most ideal set up.
I just...I wanted this to be so much better than it was.
Full transparency, I did receive an ARC of this book, but didn't manage to finish it before release. Instead I read the special edition hardcover I bought. The copy is stunning and highly recommend it if you like this book/story. It's a fun add for a collector.
I did not hate everything about this book, I liked many moments (basically those after the leads stop battling back and forth for no reason over their feelings), but the moments when I was frankly pretty bored were way more frequent. It often felt like a chore. Honestly I finished it mostly because I'm chronically incapable of DNFing books, so the fact I stuck with it probably shouldn't be indicative of anything, but fortunately this book is one where the last 100 pages are where the story finds its stride mostly, so I don't fully regret reading it. And I will continue with the series (I believe this is a series? if it's not, WTF was that ending?) to see where this goes. I thought this book might get to a 3 stars with a strong ending, but I'm not wild about a nebulous cliffhanger, so this lands at a 2.5 for me.
The pacing of this book is rough. It starts with some solid action, then the plot is nerfed for 150 odd pages while the FMC, Rowenya (a seemingly badass pirate captain) subjects the reader to endless inner monologuing of her Bella Swan-level horniness for Grayson Tyde, the most fearsome pirate captain to ever sail the Aelynthi Sea and a man she can't decide if she hates or wants to fuck. It's a slow burn that is the most annoying type of slow burn because they both want to be together, and it's pretty immediate that those feelings are there, it's more about Rowenya denying herself the thing she wants. It's not tension, it's ridiculous stubbornness that is more exhausting than anything. Some of the banter from Grayson is pretty fun, though. He's also a charming and interesting character and is the main reason I think I'll continue with the series--I need his backstory.
But also, the description of his eyes as speckled with starlight was pretty the first six times it's mentioned, but after 100, I became tired. There is some good character development when the topic of Rowenya's and Grayson's concern for their crews, for their friends, is built. But then Grayon is the male love interest that will burn the whole world down, sacrifice himself and anyone else to protect Rowenya. If that's your thing, love that for you, but I've never been able to get behind that. But one of her best moments is when she points out how terrible of a plan that is, since she'd be left alone and miserable. But the love story/attachment is also kind of weird because it jumps to like "I've been looking for you forever..." even though they met only a few weeks ago. It was a strange turn, but one that wasn't explained super well--like were you looking for someone/your other half and Grayson/Rowenya just happens to be that person for each other, or are they fated mates? It was weird how little it was explained in a book that honestly was pretty heavy-handed in how much it over explained exposition. It dragged because it tells a lot rather than shows. But then it also leaves so many questions unanswered as well. Which again, if series, I get it, but it's not the most ideal set up.
I just...I wanted this to be so much better than it was.
Full transparency, I did receive an ARC of this book, but didn't manage to finish it before release. Instead I read the special edition hardcover I bought. The copy is stunning and highly recommend it if you like this book/story. It's a fun add for a collector.
October 14, 2025
Here we are.
I'm going to sit for a second. Let me tell you about a treasure. A lost treasure so spectacular and mystical that nobody was ever able to find it. A key to a clue in the possession of a king. A pirate captain hunting after the scrap of hope she sees in this treasure to free her crew and herself.
And let me tell you about a lord, a pirate lord who is chasing after the same treasure for different reasons.
She is hated, an outcast, and a code breaker.
He is the Nightmare you hear of in a dark night at the table in a tavern. Feared and claimed to be immortal. Chasing merchants, killing, robbing, murdering his way across the seas. Nothing gets between him and his next prize.
And.He.Wants.This.Key.
I am so grateful to receive an ARC of this book.
I can't remember the last time I read a pirate story. And I have to say it was everything I hoped for.
A no-nonsense, hard-headed, and passionate FMC who would do everything for her people and a mysterious MMC who has no qualms using every soft string in her heart against her to get what he wants.
Rowenya and Grayson on their journey to find this treasure are exactly what we need. Banter and threats, adventures in caves and battles at sea. Why did her father have to die? Who are his parents? What role does the king play, and will this treasure save or damn whoever claims it?
But most importantly.... how will Rowenya withstand Grayson once she is forced to look past her hatred for him and has to see man behind the monster.
This book ends in a cliffhanger that will have you yell Briannas' name to the heavens. I did when I finished the last page, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes us.
Leave the safety of your favorite realm and step aboard the Caelestia. Dare the adventure.
I'm going to sit for a second. Let me tell you about a treasure. A lost treasure so spectacular and mystical that nobody was ever able to find it. A key to a clue in the possession of a king. A pirate captain hunting after the scrap of hope she sees in this treasure to free her crew and herself.
And let me tell you about a lord, a pirate lord who is chasing after the same treasure for different reasons.
She is hated, an outcast, and a code breaker.
He is the Nightmare you hear of in a dark night at the table in a tavern. Feared and claimed to be immortal. Chasing merchants, killing, robbing, murdering his way across the seas. Nothing gets between him and his next prize.
And.He.Wants.This.Key.
I am so grateful to receive an ARC of this book.
I can't remember the last time I read a pirate story. And I have to say it was everything I hoped for.
A no-nonsense, hard-headed, and passionate FMC who would do everything for her people and a mysterious MMC who has no qualms using every soft string in her heart against her to get what he wants.
Rowenya and Grayson on their journey to find this treasure are exactly what we need. Banter and threats, adventures in caves and battles at sea. Why did her father have to die? Who are his parents? What role does the king play, and will this treasure save or damn whoever claims it?
But most importantly.... how will Rowenya withstand Grayson once she is forced to look past her hatred for him and has to see man behind the monster.
This book ends in a cliffhanger that will have you yell Briannas' name to the heavens. I did when I finished the last page, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes us.
Leave the safety of your favorite realm and step aboard the Caelestia. Dare the adventure.
December 26, 2025
First off, I am so thankful to have received an ARC of this absolute treasure of a book. Brianna Remus, ye’ve done it. A solid 5-star voyage from page one to the final, heart-stopping cannon blast of an ending.
Now listen, Brianna…I see you. After reading this, I’m going to need two things :
1. A paperback edition complete with gorgeous sprayed edges, perhaps adorned with a map or some compass rose foiling.
2. A CONFIRMATION that Book 2 is happening. Don’t make me walk the plank of uncertainty. I need more of Grayson and Rowenya’s story or I shall mutiny (respectfully…but still).
If you’re a fan of that pirate-core, Fable-adjacent magic, with broody, secretive leads and danger on every tide, Of The Stars and Sea is your next obsession. I’m trying hard not to give anything away, but let’s just say: I was hooked, and briefly considered abandoning my land life to become a pirate myself.
Rowenya? She’s a fierce, dagger wielding storm in human form who takes zero nonsense and somehow still manages to keep her secrets closer than a siren’s song. I need answers, Brianna. I need them! What haunts her past?
And Grayson… oh Grayson. What is your lineage, my mysterious sea captain? Also, as much as I’m terrified, I know we must visit the Pit. You can’t dangle that place in front of me and not take us there. It’s practically in the pirate code.
In short, I loved this book. It’s cinematic, emotionally rich, and just the right amount of salty. I’m calling it now: this one’s going to sail straight into the hearts of readers everywhere.
Now…where’s my spyglass? I need to keep watch for Book 2.
Now listen, Brianna…I see you. After reading this, I’m going to need two things :
1. A paperback edition complete with gorgeous sprayed edges, perhaps adorned with a map or some compass rose foiling.
2. A CONFIRMATION that Book 2 is happening. Don’t make me walk the plank of uncertainty. I need more of Grayson and Rowenya’s story or I shall mutiny (respectfully…but still).
If you’re a fan of that pirate-core, Fable-adjacent magic, with broody, secretive leads and danger on every tide, Of The Stars and Sea is your next obsession. I’m trying hard not to give anything away, but let’s just say: I was hooked, and briefly considered abandoning my land life to become a pirate myself.
Rowenya? She’s a fierce, dagger wielding storm in human form who takes zero nonsense and somehow still manages to keep her secrets closer than a siren’s song. I need answers, Brianna. I need them! What haunts her past?
And Grayson… oh Grayson. What is your lineage, my mysterious sea captain? Also, as much as I’m terrified, I know we must visit the Pit. You can’t dangle that place in front of me and not take us there. It’s practically in the pirate code.
In short, I loved this book. It’s cinematic, emotionally rich, and just the right amount of salty. I’m calling it now: this one’s going to sail straight into the hearts of readers everywhere.
Now…where’s my spyglass? I need to keep watch for Book 2.
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