What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fisher King #1
The Trident and the Pearl
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26A desperate queen makes a deal with the gods to save her land in this spellbinding romantasy debut from Sarah K. L. Wilson.
Queen Coralys rules the Kingdom of the Five Isles, but when disaster strikes, killing her husband and destroying half her nation, she pleads with the gods for salvation. And they do save her, turning back the terrible winds and tide and snatching her islands from the brink of destruction.
But the gods have a wicked sense of justice and they demand an exchange for their help: Coralys must marry the first man to set foot on her pier. Coralys expects the fleet of a neighboring country to come to rescue her people, led by its prince, a loyal ally. What she gets instead is a fisherman so sunburnt and stinking that her court can barely keep their breakfast down.
Coralys marries the fisherman just as she promised the gods, and sets out with him in his unkempt dinghy, with nothing but hopes of revenge against the gods to keep her from despair. But what she does not know is that the fisherman is actually the god of the sea. And he stepped on her dock for a reason.
His own kingdom besieged, his body terribly wounded, and his place as a god threatened, the fisherman has plans to turn the tides set against him and finally offer a place of refuge for his people. But working the magic he needs will require the help of the one woman bent on his destruction.
Queen Coralys rules the Kingdom of the Five Isles, but when disaster strikes, killing her husband and destroying half her nation, she pleads with the gods for salvation. And they do save her, turning back the terrible winds and tide and snatching her islands from the brink of destruction.
But the gods have a wicked sense of justice and they demand an exchange for their help: Coralys must marry the first man to set foot on her pier. Coralys expects the fleet of a neighboring country to come to rescue her people, led by its prince, a loyal ally. What she gets instead is a fisherman so sunburnt and stinking that her court can barely keep their breakfast down.
Coralys marries the fisherman just as she promised the gods, and sets out with him in his unkempt dinghy, with nothing but hopes of revenge against the gods to keep her from despair. But what she does not know is that the fisherman is actually the god of the sea. And he stepped on her dock for a reason.
His own kingdom besieged, his body terribly wounded, and his place as a god threatened, the fisherman has plans to turn the tides set against him and finally offer a place of refuge for his people. But working the magic he needs will require the help of the one woman bent on his destruction.
464 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 24, 2026
61 people are currently reading
11429 people want to read
About the author
Sarah K.L. Wilson
158 books1,104 followersSarah K. L. Wilson is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes fantasy stories featuring practical heroes & heroines in the most impractical circumstances. She loves writing because it is the only way to make a living and give back to the world when your primary skill is an overactive imagination and a tendency toward violent daydreams.
Sarah can be found in the outdoors of Northern Ontario with her young boys and beloved husband, reading a book, or fending off her husband's pet turkeys with a straw broom.
You can find Sarah's books in paperback, hardcover, ebook and audiobook and they have also been translated into Italian, German, and (very soon) Turkish.
Please, do, enjoy the read!
*USA Today bestseller list, November 2, 2017
www.sarahklwilson.com
sarah@sarahklwilson.com
Instagram @sarahklwilson
Facebook @sarahklwilson
TikTok @sarahklwilson
Sarah can be found in the outdoors of Northern Ontario with her young boys and beloved husband, reading a book, or fending off her husband's pet turkeys with a straw broom.
You can find Sarah's books in paperback, hardcover, ebook and audiobook and they have also been translated into Italian, German, and (very soon) Turkish.
Please, do, enjoy the read!
*USA Today bestseller list, November 2, 2017
www.sarahklwilson.com
sarah@sarahklwilson.com
Instagram @sarahklwilson
Facebook @sarahklwilson
TikTok @sarahklwilson
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
Want to read
November 22, 2025In today's episode of Seeing Fairy Tales Where There Aren't Any, I requested this book on the glowing review by Andi, but now that I was granted an ARC and peeked a wee bit into its contents, I got a sense that this:
a. Has vague "King Thrushbeard" vibes,
b. Has stronger Amphitrite & Poseidon vibes.
Yeah, I know it's not a retelling, but you can't give a book a title like The Trident and the Pearl and that blurb, and not expect my Fan-Folklorist antennae not to go buzz buzz buzz!
a. Has vague "King Thrushbeard" vibes,
b. Has stronger Amphitrite & Poseidon vibes.
Yeah, I know it's not a retelling, but you can't give a book a title like The Trident and the Pearl and that blurb, and not expect my Fan-Folklorist antennae not to go buzz buzz buzz!
December 7, 2025
Hugeee thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!!
4.25✨
This was SO GOOD.
Queen Coralys needs to strike a bargain with a God in order to save her people from a terrible storm. The bargain is for her to marry the first man to step foot on the island and take his status… thus confirming that her husband past away at sea.
The first man to step foot on the island is a fisherman. She has to give up her station to take his, all while grieving her husband who was her best friend and the love of her life.
Coralys was such a complex character. I loved her right away because she had many layers and her thought process was interesting. I did think she was a strong willed and resilient character because the fall from Queen to her new husband’s station was quite enormous.
« Impossible has never been a word that applied to me. »
Oke was a softer character. He had a very calm personality and I did feel so bad for him. You can feel his sadness and melancholy through the pages.
The God of War wasn’t a main character but he was very interesting to me. I hope we see more of him in the sequel.
The romance was a very well done slow burn. The kind where you’re at the edge of your seat for just a little kiss.
The writing was very addictive and I didn’t want to put it down. Some plot points were predictable while some took me by surprise. The progression was sometimes on the slower side but it mostly flowed well.
I highly recommend this, I loved the story and am looking forward to the continuity! I’ll be back with my favourite quotes on release day.
4.25✨
This was SO GOOD.
Queen Coralys needs to strike a bargain with a God in order to save her people from a terrible storm. The bargain is for her to marry the first man to step foot on the island and take his status… thus confirming that her husband past away at sea.
The first man to step foot on the island is a fisherman. She has to give up her station to take his, all while grieving her husband who was her best friend and the love of her life.
Coralys was such a complex character. I loved her right away because she had many layers and her thought process was interesting. I did think she was a strong willed and resilient character because the fall from Queen to her new husband’s station was quite enormous.
« Impossible has never been a word that applied to me. »
Oke was a softer character. He had a very calm personality and I did feel so bad for him. You can feel his sadness and melancholy through the pages.
The God of War wasn’t a main character but he was very interesting to me. I hope we see more of him in the sequel.
The romance was a very well done slow burn. The kind where you’re at the edge of your seat for just a little kiss.
The writing was very addictive and I didn’t want to put it down. Some plot points were predictable while some took me by surprise. The progression was sometimes on the slower side but it mostly flowed well.
I highly recommend this, I loved the story and am looking forward to the continuity! I’ll be back with my favourite quotes on release day.
January 19, 2026
sea king x queen to a drowned kingdom who wants to stab him through the heart (while he yearns)? yes and yes
Drown under the weight of the waves in Sarah K.L. Wilson’s turbulent debut The Trident and the Pearl, where few bargains are as desperate as the ones we make before our end. Recounting a marriage of convenience between a queen stripped of her station and a god struck low, Wilson’s romantic fantasy novel puts new meaning on revenge and the path towards fulfilling that desire. Mainly it is okay to stab your husband through the chest, encouraged even. The Trident and the Pearl does not hesitate to drive that spear in deeper with a slow burn romance between our wedded pair: Okeanos, god of the sea, and Coralys, mortal once-queen hell bent on revenge against her godly husband. A recipe for tension if there ever was one, The Trident and the Pearl pulled me deep into the undertow to entangle in the deadly machinations of gods and reflect on not just godhood but the weight of holding such a power. Wilson’s attention to romantic yearning elevates this novel even further, a romance caught between hatred, vengeance, and what we owe to those whom we lead. Atmospheric and rimmed in sea foam, Wilson’s series debut manages to strike the perfect course, an ebb and flow between romantic yearning and the stratagems of fickle fickle gods. Rough seas turn rougher with bargains, quests for revenge, and gods in the mix, making this sea positively treacherous.
Read my review
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the review copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
Drown under the weight of the waves in Sarah K.L. Wilson’s turbulent debut The Trident and the Pearl, where few bargains are as desperate as the ones we make before our end. Recounting a marriage of convenience between a queen stripped of her station and a god struck low, Wilson’s romantic fantasy novel puts new meaning on revenge and the path towards fulfilling that desire. Mainly it is okay to stab your husband through the chest, encouraged even. The Trident and the Pearl does not hesitate to drive that spear in deeper with a slow burn romance between our wedded pair: Okeanos, god of the sea, and Coralys, mortal once-queen hell bent on revenge against her godly husband. A recipe for tension if there ever was one, The Trident and the Pearl pulled me deep into the undertow to entangle in the deadly machinations of gods and reflect on not just godhood but the weight of holding such a power. Wilson’s attention to romantic yearning elevates this novel even further, a romance caught between hatred, vengeance, and what we owe to those whom we lead. Atmospheric and rimmed in sea foam, Wilson’s series debut manages to strike the perfect course, an ebb and flow between romantic yearning and the stratagems of fickle fickle gods. Rough seas turn rougher with bargains, quests for revenge, and gods in the mix, making this sea positively treacherous.
Read my review
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the review copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
in my mind, i am filleting some fish, cleaning a small hut, and sitting on a small boat on the waves of a small island… patiently waiting for them to come home.
I FEEL ALIVEEEEEEE!! the island atmosphere was so tangibleee 😭🤍 this isn’t a greek myth retelling but it’s definitely for those who like the atmosphere, tension, and high stakes those stories bring. it balances tenderness and a will-it-be-tragic-or-not ebb and flow.
i was in love with the writing from the very beginning — top tier yearning and thick tension. an island/ocean atmosphere in a romantic fantasy reminiscent of Poseidon x Amphitrite, highlighting the weight of responsibility and how people will believe what’s convenient to them. i underestimated how dark this was willing to go and how much it would explore systemic power imbalances. everything about this book felt fresh.
most importantly, however, is how much it was able to capture that encapsulating but vast feeling of the ocean’s calm and turbulence. something that feels like it can both welcome you home and consume you. the author’s bio says she spends a lot of time in the “outdoors of Northern Ontario” with her family and it really reads like it. only someone who spends a lot of time in nature with her loved ones can translate this much whimsical nostalgia of the ocean and outdoors into writing. and i say this as someone who lives on a tropical country.
the narrative was weaved together so seamlessly with its setting and reminds me of how percy jackson portrays the nuance of the ocean. it doesn’t help that the male lead is reminiscent of Poseidon (not necessarily the Poseidon in PJO). every time the smallest thing happened, i felt like i was going to jump out of my skin because of how captivating the character dynamics was.
my nerves were on FIRE. Sarah K.L. Wilson, i was not familiar with your game.
i’m very picky when it comes to books marketed as romantasy because i need a strong fantasy foundation in order to internalize character dynamics. so you can imagine my relief when the fantasy plot delivered. although this has a strong romance, i do think it relies more on the fantasy plot and the “queen’s” personal motivations to drive the story. which is how i prefer it, to be honest.
it was investing to me bc not only was the dynamics of the characters engaging to read, it highlights love based on friendship and heavily explores the weight of responsibility, political corruption, and imbalance of power. specifically, how those given power by its people should be in service of those same people. i think it also handled grief and that overbearing feeling really well. our FMC was understandably going through a lot and our MMC never invalidated her emotions.
i usually feel that fantasy fully written in first person is limiting but i think this was very self aware of everything it was doing. it’s not overwhelming, it’s fast-paced, and doesn’t try to bite off more than it can chew. all the while, feeling new and well-realized. i can feel that the author is comfortable letting their readers live in the moment without forcibly pushing the narrative. by the end, i actually think first person is the only way to write this story to keep the mystery alive.
i don’t know how it managed to feel raw, fresh, and clean all at once but that’s what it felt like to me. i’m already anticipating book 2 and this isn’t even out yet. to be a fishwife to the god of the sea doesn’t sound too bad, all things considered.
in my mind i am peacefully floating in the ocean.
*ARC sent by the publisher for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Quotes in this review are taken from the ARC version of this book.*
mehehe love u Orbit 🫶🏼
“Sorrow is the gift you give what cannot be or is not anymore. It is a gift to the past. Anger is the gift you give the future, a sacrifice offered to unrelenting gods in hopes they’ll choke upon it and you can rebuild the world as you like it from their bones.”
I FEEL ALIVEEEEEEE!! the island atmosphere was so tangibleee 😭🤍 this isn’t a greek myth retelling but it’s definitely for those who like the atmosphere, tension, and high stakes those stories bring. it balances tenderness and a will-it-be-tragic-or-not ebb and flow.
i was in love with the writing from the very beginning — top tier yearning and thick tension. an island/ocean atmosphere in a romantic fantasy reminiscent of Poseidon x Amphitrite, highlighting the weight of responsibility and how people will believe what’s convenient to them. i underestimated how dark this was willing to go and how much it would explore systemic power imbalances. everything about this book felt fresh.
most importantly, however, is how much it was able to capture that encapsulating but vast feeling of the ocean’s calm and turbulence. something that feels like it can both welcome you home and consume you. the author’s bio says she spends a lot of time in the “outdoors of Northern Ontario” with her family and it really reads like it. only someone who spends a lot of time in nature with her loved ones can translate this much whimsical nostalgia of the ocean and outdoors into writing. and i say this as someone who lives on a tropical country.
“I fish and I think about gods and men and how people seem to worship whatever is the most convenient for them.”
the narrative was weaved together so seamlessly with its setting and reminds me of how percy jackson portrays the nuance of the ocean. it doesn’t help that the male lead is reminiscent of Poseidon (not necessarily the Poseidon in PJO). every time the smallest thing happened, i felt like i was going to jump out of my skin because of how captivating the character dynamics was.
my nerves were on FIRE. Sarah K.L. Wilson, i was not familiar with your game.
i’m very picky when it comes to books marketed as romantasy because i need a strong fantasy foundation in order to internalize character dynamics. so you can imagine my relief when the fantasy plot delivered. although this has a strong romance, i do think it relies more on the fantasy plot and the “queen’s” personal motivations to drive the story. which is how i prefer it, to be honest.
“You can’t love art without understanding the basis of what makes a thing beautiful”
it was investing to me bc not only was the dynamics of the characters engaging to read, it highlights love based on friendship and heavily explores the weight of responsibility, political corruption, and imbalance of power. specifically, how those given power by its people should be in service of those same people. i think it also handled grief and that overbearing feeling really well. our FMC was understandably going through a lot and our MMC never invalidated her emotions.
i usually feel that fantasy fully written in first person is limiting but i think this was very self aware of everything it was doing. it’s not overwhelming, it’s fast-paced, and doesn’t try to bite off more than it can chew. all the while, feeling new and well-realized. i can feel that the author is comfortable letting their readers live in the moment without forcibly pushing the narrative. by the end, i actually think first person is the only way to write this story to keep the mystery alive.
“I am nothing but this moment. I am no one but the beholder of languid patterns and intricate flows. I am not a grieving queen but only a pair of eyes beholding in wonder.”
i don’t know how it managed to feel raw, fresh, and clean all at once but that’s what it felt like to me. i’m already anticipating book 2 and this isn’t even out yet. to be a fishwife to the god of the sea doesn’t sound too bad, all things considered.
in my mind i am peacefully floating in the ocean.
*ARC sent by the publisher for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Quotes in this review are taken from the ARC version of this book.*
mehehe love u Orbit 🫶🏼
Currently reading
November 16, 2025Literally loved her book Of Deeds Most Valiant so much and I know this woman can write excellent yearning!!
I am so excited for this 🙇🏽♀️
____________
Thank you to Orbit for the ARC!
I am so excited for this 🙇🏽♀️
____________
Thank you to Orbit for the ARC!
December 30, 2025
Thank you to the publisher Little Brown Book Group UK for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book was an interesting ride, it was slow to start as the author is setting the scene but in the second half of the book the action really picks up and I didn’t feel I could catch my breath. I enjoyed the world building in this book, I really liked the Crocus Isles and Oke. I did like Coralys but I don’t agree with all of the choices she made, even if she came to see the error of her ways. Oke was patient, kind and very respectful towards her and gave her time to grieve but she throws this all back in his face, I would have liked to have read chapters from his point of view but even without this we still get the sense of how honourable a man he is and much he loves his people. He came across as very shy, a quiet but strong man. Coralys wanted the best for her people too but she was so lost in her vengeance that she didn’t really see or truly appreciate Oke until it’s nearly too late. After that cliffhanger at the end I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book, the beginning of the book gave me King Thrushbeard vibes.
This book was an interesting ride, it was slow to start as the author is setting the scene but in the second half of the book the action really picks up and I didn’t feel I could catch my breath. I enjoyed the world building in this book, I really liked the Crocus Isles and Oke. I did like Coralys but I don’t agree with all of the choices she made, even if she came to see the error of her ways. Oke was patient, kind and very respectful towards her and gave her time to grieve but she throws this all back in his face, I would have liked to have read chapters from his point of view but even without this we still get the sense of how honourable a man he is and much he loves his people. He came across as very shy, a quiet but strong man. Coralys wanted the best for her people too but she was so lost in her vengeance that she didn’t really see or truly appreciate Oke until it’s nearly too late. After that cliffhanger at the end I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book, the beginning of the book gave me King Thrushbeard vibes.
November 21, 2025
My wait was worth it. This book is like Jim Hensons Storyteller but something completely new.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a read. I have chased this book down for two years. Back when it was known as The Fisher King. It reminded me of various stories about a princess (or sometimes a prince) who married someone due to a forced situation to realize that person was someone else.
In this our princess' island is being hit terribly by an awful storm. Her husband goes to save lives caught in it only to die. She prays to the sea god, in which her people worship, for a respite or end to this storm, and is told to marry the first person who comes to her dock. It is a poor 'fisherman'. She does so, and his gains and bounty are hers, away they go.
Our Fisherman is a sea god, one amongst several. He has been wounded by someone, and he must find out who. Out of respect he keeps his identity from her until she is done grieving and he feels like they have known one another well enough. In return, she is becoming paranoid and angsty because of the revenge she wishes to take upon the god who did not assist her people.
I loved our characters, both have their own issues that result in lack of communication. It makes me think of those greek tales (since this is very grecian god coded) that have that one element that makes the plot become sad, unfortunate. However, there is hope, and since this is to be a trilogy you can start at the bottom and work your way to the top. There are so many 'ifs' and 'maybe I should have' with them that this becomes fuel to the fire that already began with his wounded body.
This isn't really a romantasy but it is two people who learn to love one another. The rest of the gods that make up the tale (including the other story of a list of tasks that our God is trying to complete) add to the fun, and I am excited to see more of them.
The end of the book does not quite end on high note, yet I tend to like books like that because it gives you something to look forward in the next two books. It can't be easy for these two. But if you enjoy watching two people make human follies amongst a world of gods and men, this is your book.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a read. I have chased this book down for two years. Back when it was known as The Fisher King. It reminded me of various stories about a princess (or sometimes a prince) who married someone due to a forced situation to realize that person was someone else.
In this our princess' island is being hit terribly by an awful storm. Her husband goes to save lives caught in it only to die. She prays to the sea god, in which her people worship, for a respite or end to this storm, and is told to marry the first person who comes to her dock. It is a poor 'fisherman'. She does so, and his gains and bounty are hers, away they go.
Our Fisherman is a sea god, one amongst several. He has been wounded by someone, and he must find out who. Out of respect he keeps his identity from her until she is done grieving and he feels like they have known one another well enough. In return, she is becoming paranoid and angsty because of the revenge she wishes to take upon the god who did not assist her people.
I loved our characters, both have their own issues that result in lack of communication. It makes me think of those greek tales (since this is very grecian god coded) that have that one element that makes the plot become sad, unfortunate. However, there is hope, and since this is to be a trilogy you can start at the bottom and work your way to the top. There are so many 'ifs' and 'maybe I should have' with them that this becomes fuel to the fire that already began with his wounded body.
This isn't really a romantasy but it is two people who learn to love one another. The rest of the gods that make up the tale (including the other story of a list of tasks that our God is trying to complete) add to the fun, and I am excited to see more of them.
The end of the book does not quite end on high note, yet I tend to like books like that because it gives you something to look forward in the next two books. It can't be easy for these two. But if you enjoy watching two people make human follies amongst a world of gods and men, this is your book.
December 30, 2025
this was fantastic!!!! such a breath of fresh air. wow. it wasn’t perfect ofc and the fmc in particular was so frustrating for a large chunk, but it was still great. such a cool plot, interesting and well developed world. so many fun twists and turns (though some predictable). i loved this. will elaborate more soon.
thank you Orbit Books for the ARC!
thank you Orbit Books for the ARC!
December 7, 2025
How fitting that I reached my reading goal with this book.
There’s so much I want to say about this book. Just trust the process.
This was truly a unique experience. Danielle L Jensen was spot on when she named this book new and timeless. It was fresh and unique, while also feeling classic. I eat anything up with Gods-especially when they are sentient and meddling.
There is darkness in this world. This story is deep and thought provoking.
Tragically beautiful. Or Beautifully tragic?
I don’t think I’d call this a romantasy. BUT, there is a love story at the core of this book.
The ending of this book has me super annoyed that book 2 isn’t already in my hands.. BECAUSE THAT ENDING! Are you kidding me!?
Thanks Orbit for the arc 👍🏻 and for kicking my heart around a bit
There’s so much I want to say about this book. Just trust the process.
This was truly a unique experience. Danielle L Jensen was spot on when she named this book new and timeless. It was fresh and unique, while also feeling classic. I eat anything up with Gods-especially when they are sentient and meddling.
There is darkness in this world. This story is deep and thought provoking.
Tragically beautiful. Or Beautifully tragic?
I don’t think I’d call this a romantasy. BUT, there is a love story at the core of this book.
The ending of this book has me super annoyed that book 2 isn’t already in my hands.. BECAUSE THAT ENDING! Are you kidding me!?
Thanks Orbit for the arc 👍🏻 and for kicking my heart around a bit
December 27, 2025
oh to yearn for another
wowee this was a fun one, i think
im still a bit unsure of my feelings on this but atm i feel more positive about it. this book doesn't mess around with throwing you straight into the world and immediately starting off strong, and whereas i like a strong start it made it harder for me to build up any connection. Coralys was a great character and everything she goes through in this really does shape her into something entirely different at the end but i still felt something was missing. i do appreciate her never forgetting her love for her first husband and im glad she didn't just get over him straight away once Oke appeared. im also glad Oke respected her needing time to grieve and never pushing himself onto her. Oke's character was truly my favourite and i wish we got moreeeee. some of cora's decisions did make me kinda frustrated especially those towards Oke, had me kinda feeling like a miscommunication trope but there was circumstances so ill let it slide.
overall it was fun. i loved the writing a lot and im excited for the next one.
thank you NetGalley for the arc!
wowee this was a fun one, i think
im still a bit unsure of my feelings on this but atm i feel more positive about it. this book doesn't mess around with throwing you straight into the world and immediately starting off strong, and whereas i like a strong start it made it harder for me to build up any connection. Coralys was a great character and everything she goes through in this really does shape her into something entirely different at the end but i still felt something was missing. i do appreciate her never forgetting her love for her first husband and im glad she didn't just get over him straight away once Oke appeared. im also glad Oke respected her needing time to grieve and never pushing himself onto her. Oke's character was truly my favourite and i wish we got moreeeee. some of cora's decisions did make me kinda frustrated especially those towards Oke, had me kinda feeling like a miscommunication trope but there was circumstances so ill let it slide.
overall it was fun. i loved the writing a lot and im excited for the next one.
thank you NetGalley for the arc!
December 7, 2025
i have to wait HOW LONG for book 2?!
full review to come, thank you to netgalley, etc, etc
full review to come, thank you to netgalley, etc, etc
January 15, 2026
OH I LOVED THIS!! 🔱
This is lyrical fantasy perfection to where I was absolutely inside this book and living through everything!
You can tell that in those moments of “I’m going to throw this book against the wall” THERES A REASON for it all!!!! 😆😆
you can feel the yearn and slow burn to the romance deep to its core and I feel like the next book is going to be sooo epic!! I NEED IT NOW!!
I loved everything about this book!
This is lyrical fantasy perfection to where I was absolutely inside this book and living through everything!
You can tell that in those moments of “I’m going to throw this book against the wall” THERES A REASON for it all!!!! 😆😆
you can feel the yearn and slow burn to the romance deep to its core and I feel like the next book is going to be sooo epic!! I NEED IT NOW!!
I loved everything about this book!
January 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had really high hopes for The Trident and the Pearl. I loved the cover, the premise, and had seen great things online — but unfortunately this one just didn’t work for me.
The prose often felt forced, and much of the dialogue lacked emotional depth. By around 60%, there was still no chemistry or romantic tension between the main characters, only loathing, which made the romance hard to connect to. The timeline of grief also didn’t feel believable; we’re asked to accept potential feelings for the sea god only weeks after the FMC’s husband dies, yet there was very little authentic grieving on the page.
I also found the FMC frustrating and inconsistent. She jumped to conclusions, made impulsive choices, and often went rogue for no clear reason, which made it difficult for me to stay emotionally invested.
This may work better for readers who enjoy an extremely slow-burn romantasy focused more on prose and atmosphere, but for me, it wasn’t the right fit.
I had really high hopes for The Trident and the Pearl. I loved the cover, the premise, and had seen great things online — but unfortunately this one just didn’t work for me.
The prose often felt forced, and much of the dialogue lacked emotional depth. By around 60%, there was still no chemistry or romantic tension between the main characters, only loathing, which made the romance hard to connect to. The timeline of grief also didn’t feel believable; we’re asked to accept potential feelings for the sea god only weeks after the FMC’s husband dies, yet there was very little authentic grieving on the page.
I also found the FMC frustrating and inconsistent. She jumped to conclusions, made impulsive choices, and often went rogue for no clear reason, which made it difficult for me to stay emotionally invested.
This may work better for readers who enjoy an extremely slow-burn romantasy focused more on prose and atmosphere, but for me, it wasn’t the right fit.
December 2, 2025
In a plot that is both spellbinding and heart-wrenching all at once, Wilson tells a lush tale of war, betrayal, loves lost and gained, and a hope that is fickle and yet constant as the sea itself.
You simply can't miss out on this one!
This story is sure to delight fans vividly imagined worlds, the prose of Rebecca Ross and heroines of Juliet Marillier.
You simply can't miss out on this one!
This story is sure to delight fans vividly imagined worlds, the prose of Rebecca Ross and heroines of Juliet Marillier.
September 19, 2025
This story was absolutely mesmerizing From the opening line, I was hooked by the heartbreak, the anger, and the weight of betrayal Coralys carried. Her world filled with beauty, rot, and divine cruelty felt so vivid that I could practically smell the salt and decay of her cursed court.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You can find this review of The Trident and the Pearl on my blog, Heart's Content!
A big shout out and thank you to the publisher Orbit Books UK for gifting me a copy of The Trident and the Pearl in exchange for an honest review!
Have you seen that cover?
I mean it. Have you? It’s quite insane, isn’t it? Just so gorgeous. *looks at the cover* I do feel the artist—whoever they are: bless their soul—has done such a fantastic job capturing how the book feels in this one image. I wonder if they read it, or if the author helped conceptualise it.
It’s so beautiful. *cries*
Apologies for the moment I just had.
Every book, irrespective of the genre, is written with many elements that bind it together, to deliver a singular, but layered and complex story. Books are often applauded for balanced elements because that renders a story well-written/executed and it’s very rare to find a book wherein one element starkly outshines every other element (all of which are shining in their own right). However, in my extremely personal opinion and experience of The Trident and the Pearl, the one element that is impossible to ignore, and who’s presence is like the sand that sticks to your drenched feet while walking by the sea, is the emotion.
The Trident and the Pearl is utterly drenched in emotion. Absolutely dripping with it. Even before the world is built or the characters are wholly introduced, there is emotion. It is … melancholic. It is misery. It is love and it is dread and betrayal and pain, pain, pain. It’s an … interesting kind of pain. It’s strangely soothing, as it is devastating. This balance that the author has achieved with their writing quite literally blew my mind. I found myself never shying away from what I know the book is promising to deliver, and at the same time curling up and spiralling into heaving sobs that took me sometime to calm down from.
The storytelling in this book is what I would imagine the process of getting tattooed would feel like. I can only presume what it feels like since I’m yet to get one; but I would assume it feels like an … unmistakable awareness of pain that you endure willingly because it results in something meaningful and beautiful at the end. The book reads in the voice, thoughts, mind and emotions of the FMC. She’s whose heart is laid bare on the pages, constantly battered, beaten and broken. Much like the sea, she’s both, steady and calm and dangerous and uncontrollable. Falling in love with the narrator is the actual journey a reader takes with a story, and it’s very very hard to not feel for Coralys. Even through her naivety and blunders because it’s balanced out by her depth and how much her life has aged her. She is—this whole book for that matter, is—compelling.
I know, when I started this book, that I was heading into a slump. Sometimes they just come upon us with no good reason. I dreaded the timing because of how much I was looking forward to reading this book. But much like the sea, the writing, the characters and the feelings the book evokes remained echoing inside me no matter how many breaks I took and kept me coming back to it constantly. There was a patient calm the book exudes even while building a steady drumming beat of danger and restless urgency beneath it all. The pace, too, was a good balance between the two. With quiet, echoing moments and loud, terrifying treachery.
The second half of this story is what slowly, surely and gut-wrenchingly reveals many aspects of the world that had been hidden from us before. The world building is thus more concentrated in the second half of the book. I will say I enjoyed that a lot more, because the first half focuses a lot more on the internal workings—be it emotional or mental—of the heroine, setting the foundations for the progress of the story in place before revealing the rules and mechanics of the world and how the characters fit into it. A basic and quick introduction to place the characters is done earlier on, and then the details are filled like hard strikes of the metaphorical trident against our heart as the story begins to emerge.
The plot of The Trident and the Pearl reveals itself in time—much like everything else in the story, to be honest. I do think the first book is an explanation of everything that we need to know to support, uplift and highlight the importance of the main plot-line the series is likely going to follow.
That being said, there are still some aspects of the world, the story and the characters that remain a mystery and I do think the author meant for it to be that way!
Four stars! Happy reading! Please check trigger warnings as always as there are themes in this book that can be difficult for some.
A big shout out and thank you to the publisher Orbit Books UK for gifting me a copy of The Trident and the Pearl in exchange for an honest review!
Have you seen that cover?
I mean it. Have you? It’s quite insane, isn’t it? Just so gorgeous. *looks at the cover* I do feel the artist—whoever they are: bless their soul—has done such a fantastic job capturing how the book feels in this one image. I wonder if they read it, or if the author helped conceptualise it.
It’s so beautiful. *cries*
Apologies for the moment I just had.
Every book, irrespective of the genre, is written with many elements that bind it together, to deliver a singular, but layered and complex story. Books are often applauded for balanced elements because that renders a story well-written/executed and it’s very rare to find a book wherein one element starkly outshines every other element (all of which are shining in their own right). However, in my extremely personal opinion and experience of The Trident and the Pearl, the one element that is impossible to ignore, and who’s presence is like the sand that sticks to your drenched feet while walking by the sea, is the emotion.
The Trident and the Pearl is utterly drenched in emotion. Absolutely dripping with it. Even before the world is built or the characters are wholly introduced, there is emotion. It is … melancholic. It is misery. It is love and it is dread and betrayal and pain, pain, pain. It’s an … interesting kind of pain. It’s strangely soothing, as it is devastating. This balance that the author has achieved with their writing quite literally blew my mind. I found myself never shying away from what I know the book is promising to deliver, and at the same time curling up and spiralling into heaving sobs that took me sometime to calm down from.
The storytelling in this book is what I would imagine the process of getting tattooed would feel like. I can only presume what it feels like since I’m yet to get one; but I would assume it feels like an … unmistakable awareness of pain that you endure willingly because it results in something meaningful and beautiful at the end. The book reads in the voice, thoughts, mind and emotions of the FMC. She’s whose heart is laid bare on the pages, constantly battered, beaten and broken. Much like the sea, she’s both, steady and calm and dangerous and uncontrollable. Falling in love with the narrator is the actual journey a reader takes with a story, and it’s very very hard to not feel for Coralys. Even through her naivety and blunders because it’s balanced out by her depth and how much her life has aged her. She is—this whole book for that matter, is—compelling.
I know, when I started this book, that I was heading into a slump. Sometimes they just come upon us with no good reason. I dreaded the timing because of how much I was looking forward to reading this book. But much like the sea, the writing, the characters and the feelings the book evokes remained echoing inside me no matter how many breaks I took and kept me coming back to it constantly. There was a patient calm the book exudes even while building a steady drumming beat of danger and restless urgency beneath it all. The pace, too, was a good balance between the two. With quiet, echoing moments and loud, terrifying treachery.
The second half of this story is what slowly, surely and gut-wrenchingly reveals many aspects of the world that had been hidden from us before. The world building is thus more concentrated in the second half of the book. I will say I enjoyed that a lot more, because the first half focuses a lot more on the internal workings—be it emotional or mental—of the heroine, setting the foundations for the progress of the story in place before revealing the rules and mechanics of the world and how the characters fit into it. A basic and quick introduction to place the characters is done earlier on, and then the details are filled like hard strikes of the metaphorical trident against our heart as the story begins to emerge.
The plot of The Trident and the Pearl reveals itself in time—much like everything else in the story, to be honest. I do think the first book is an explanation of everything that we need to know to support, uplift and highlight the importance of the main plot-line the series is likely going to follow.
That being said, there are still some aspects of the world, the story and the characters that remain a mystery and I do think the author meant for it to be that way!
Four stars! Happy reading! Please check trigger warnings as always as there are themes in this book that can be difficult for some.
January 30, 2026
~ Thank you to the author and Orbit for providing me a copy of this book through a giveaway I won! ~
When I tell you I was SAT while reading this?! Oh. My. Gosh. I finished this book within a DAY (which is pretty fast for me)!
A fierce queen willing to sacrifice anything for her people meets a bleeding fisherman, forced to marry him because the gods demand it - and she longs for revenge because of it, all while he pines after her in a beautiful enemies-to-lovers slowburn romance.
I absolutely ate this book up, and I found the plot twists to be so good. I was on the edge of my seat, praying for the characters to succeed. And the ending?!
Let's just say that I'm already desperate for the second book, and the first hasn't even come out yet technically. 🥲
When I tell you I was SAT while reading this?! Oh. My. Gosh. I finished this book within a DAY (which is pretty fast for me)!
A fierce queen willing to sacrifice anything for her people meets a bleeding fisherman, forced to marry him because the gods demand it - and she longs for revenge because of it, all while he pines after her in a beautiful enemies-to-lovers slowburn romance.
I absolutely ate this book up, and I found the plot twists to be so good. I was on the edge of my seat, praying for the characters to succeed. And the ending?!
Let's just say that I'm already desperate for the second book, and the first hasn't even come out yet technically. 🥲
December 27, 2025
“This tale starts with the sea and with a storm.“
Let’s talk about absolutely stunning writing and gorgeous prose. The vibes here are immaculate. We are ocean-core to the max! The way they speak to each other is absolutely beautiful.
I’ve seen comps to Daughter of the Moon Goddess and that’s so fair!
“I wager my soul for the will of my heart.“
I did find our main character extremely frustrating. As she is our only pov character it was hard when she came to the wrong conclusion more than any other character has. Now., in her defense her new husband was withholding truths for…plot. Which is not my favorite and it served me poorly here. A few times things were unclear. Sometimes the gods were dead but alive, and sometimes they were dead/dead. And I didn’t have a clear grasp on that.
“What irony—to pray to your god as you murder him.“
The Author delivers some of the most stunning writing I’ve ever seen, and I’ll gladly pick up book 2!
Lining this one up with some of the other Roman/ Greek god inspired books lately like Fallen City, Mother of Rome, and We who will die!
Thank you NetGalley and orbit for the ARC!
Let’s talk about absolutely stunning writing and gorgeous prose. The vibes here are immaculate. We are ocean-core to the max! The way they speak to each other is absolutely beautiful.
I’ve seen comps to Daughter of the Moon Goddess and that’s so fair!
“I wager my soul for the will of my heart.“
I did find our main character extremely frustrating. As she is our only pov character it was hard when she came to the wrong conclusion more than any other character has. Now., in her defense her new husband was withholding truths for…plot. Which is not my favorite and it served me poorly here. A few times things were unclear. Sometimes the gods were dead but alive, and sometimes they were dead/dead. And I didn’t have a clear grasp on that.
“What irony—to pray to your god as you murder him.“
The Author delivers some of the most stunning writing I’ve ever seen, and I’ll gladly pick up book 2!
Lining this one up with some of the other Roman/ Greek god inspired books lately like Fallen City, Mother of Rome, and We who will die!
Thank you NetGalley and orbit for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Received an ARC, opinions are my own.
This is my 14th book that I've read by this author. I love how she writes dark fantasy that works its way towards hope and redemption. This first book of this series is intense! I love Oke's character & I'm interested to see where the story goes and Coralys' character arc.
Such a contrast between the main characters:
-Self-sacrificing vs Revengeful
-Humble vs Prideful
-motivated by hope & careful plans vs Motivated by raw emotion & pushing down conscience
This is my 14th book that I've read by this author. I love how she writes dark fantasy that works its way towards hope and redemption. This first book of this series is intense! I love Oke's character & I'm interested to see where the story goes and Coralys' character arc.
Such a contrast between the main characters:
-Self-sacrificing vs Revengeful
-Humble vs Prideful
-motivated by hope & careful plans vs Motivated by raw emotion & pushing down conscience
December 22, 2025
Big thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing this arc!
The Trident and the Pearl is a sweeping, romantic and tragic story, with mythopoetic/homeric elements. I fell in love immediately with the prose, and Coralys as a FMC. Her inner compass is strong and complex in a way that doesn't trip into the over-done 'cold, girl boss' trope. Her romance with Oke ebbs and flows, and ultimately blooms naturally. I think my only gripe is that I wish I felt stronger about Coralys' grief over her first husband, as that catalyst happens from early in the story.
Regardless, I loved Coralys and Oke's love story, and I know you all will too!!
The Trident and the Pearl is a sweeping, romantic and tragic story, with mythopoetic/homeric elements. I fell in love immediately with the prose, and Coralys as a FMC. Her inner compass is strong and complex in a way that doesn't trip into the over-done 'cold, girl boss' trope. Her romance with Oke ebbs and flows, and ultimately blooms naturally. I think my only gripe is that I wish I felt stronger about Coralys' grief over her first husband, as that catalyst happens from early in the story.
Regardless, I loved Coralys and Oke's love story, and I know you all will too!!
December 24, 2025
Loved this read! The writing in this was so unique and beautiful, looking forward to reading book 2!
remind-me-once-out
October 30, 2025This sounds so good.
November 23, 2025
Yupppp! Utter perfection! I need the second book like yesterday! It had me feeling all the feels. The epic world building, incredible descriptions, and range of unique characters had me in awe! I’m jumping onto the fandom/bandwagon of this romantasy series and never getting off.
Gods, mortals, myths, destinies, impossible quests, love, loss, betrayal, and hope fill this story cover to cover. Don’t miss out on your new favourite adventure, grab this one asap!
I’m actually probably going to go reread it now it was THAT incredible. 🐙 🌊
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and Orbit Books for a copy!
Gods, mortals, myths, destinies, impossible quests, love, loss, betrayal, and hope fill this story cover to cover. Don’t miss out on your new favourite adventure, grab this one asap!
I’m actually probably going to go reread it now it was THAT incredible. 🐙 🌊
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and Orbit Books for a copy!
December 28, 2025
First off, it is my belief that Sarah K L Wilson writes some of the most beautiful wedding vows I’ve ever read. Pure poetry. Absolutely lovely.
Now, to the book!
The Trident and the Pearl is the story of Queen Coralys and how the loss of her husband and the suffering of her people force her to make choices she never would have thought to make before.
Let us talk a bit about Coralys. It’s hard for me to identify with her. The only bit of myself I see in her character is stubbornness. I would not have made the same decisions she made with even half the information she was given. I do, however, understand her reasoning. I can see the thread of logic she follows even as I scream at her to make a different choice. And I appreciate the way that she accepts the consequences of her actions, even as she comes to regret them. And, oh, does she regret them.
And then there’s Oke. He is extremely transparent in his desires to save his people, but less so in how he wants to do it. His evasiveness and distrust is understandable and warranted, considering who and what he is and what he is trying to accomplish, but it ultimately dooms him. He is a steady character and I wish that he and Coralys could have come to an understanding without all the messy character growth they have to do. I know that it is the growth bits that make the story worth reading, but it’s hard for me to get through sometimes, for empathetic reasons. Especially when it’s as well written as this one.
Their romance, in my opinion, is realistic enough. She is grieving the loss of her first husband and fighting growing feelings for her second husband. Partly from loyalty to the first and partly because of trust issues and rage. I think it shows her to be very human in that she can feel several disparate feelings at one time and it drives her crazy. If she had sat with her grief, as Oke suggested, she may have been able to process all the different emotions she was feeling and then been able to work with him to achieve their common goal.
The world is enthralling, set on a chain of islands in the sea. The descriptions paint each scene in vivid detail. It is almost as if I can smell the salty sea air, hear the waves crash, and feel the winds blow. I have always loved this about the author’s writing. She is very good at setting a scene. If you are in a rush to finish the book, it might seem like it slows the story down, but I think it adds an immersive element that gives you the chance to savor it.
The Trident and the Pearl does seem to share similarities to Wilson’s other series Bluebeard’s Secret — A forced marriage, a plea of alliance, a betrayal followed by remorse. It is a familiar formula, but it’s done so well that it easily sets the two series apart from each other. It may make it a little more predictable, plot-wise, but I found this helpful because I have issues with betrayal in stories. I don’t like it and I shy away from it… it makes me want to put the book in the freezer. But because I was familiar with the author’s other works, I trusted her enough to see it through to the resolution, such as it is for the first book of a series. And I was not disappointed. It does end on a cliffhanger, but not a desperate one.
I will happily recommend this book to others and am really looking forward to the rest of the series!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers, and Sarah KL Wilson for allowing me to read this ARC version in exchange for my honest review.
Now, to the book!
The Trident and the Pearl is the story of Queen Coralys and how the loss of her husband and the suffering of her people force her to make choices she never would have thought to make before.
Let us talk a bit about Coralys. It’s hard for me to identify with her. The only bit of myself I see in her character is stubbornness. I would not have made the same decisions she made with even half the information she was given. I do, however, understand her reasoning. I can see the thread of logic she follows even as I scream at her to make a different choice. And I appreciate the way that she accepts the consequences of her actions, even as she comes to regret them. And, oh, does she regret them.
And then there’s Oke. He is extremely transparent in his desires to save his people, but less so in how he wants to do it. His evasiveness and distrust is understandable and warranted, considering who and what he is and what he is trying to accomplish, but it ultimately dooms him. He is a steady character and I wish that he and Coralys could have come to an understanding without all the messy character growth they have to do. I know that it is the growth bits that make the story worth reading, but it’s hard for me to get through sometimes, for empathetic reasons. Especially when it’s as well written as this one.
Their romance, in my opinion, is realistic enough. She is grieving the loss of her first husband and fighting growing feelings for her second husband. Partly from loyalty to the first and partly because of trust issues and rage. I think it shows her to be very human in that she can feel several disparate feelings at one time and it drives her crazy. If she had sat with her grief, as Oke suggested, she may have been able to process all the different emotions she was feeling and then been able to work with him to achieve their common goal.
The world is enthralling, set on a chain of islands in the sea. The descriptions paint each scene in vivid detail. It is almost as if I can smell the salty sea air, hear the waves crash, and feel the winds blow. I have always loved this about the author’s writing. She is very good at setting a scene. If you are in a rush to finish the book, it might seem like it slows the story down, but I think it adds an immersive element that gives you the chance to savor it.
The Trident and the Pearl does seem to share similarities to Wilson’s other series Bluebeard’s Secret — A forced marriage, a plea of alliance, a betrayal followed by remorse. It is a familiar formula, but it’s done so well that it easily sets the two series apart from each other. It may make it a little more predictable, plot-wise, but I found this helpful because I have issues with betrayal in stories. I don’t like it and I shy away from it… it makes me want to put the book in the freezer. But because I was familiar with the author’s other works, I trusted her enough to see it through to the resolution, such as it is for the first book of a series. And I was not disappointed. It does end on a cliffhanger, but not a desperate one.
I will happily recommend this book to others and am really looking forward to the rest of the series!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers, and Sarah KL Wilson for allowing me to read this ARC version in exchange for my honest review.
January 30, 2026
Tender and filled with yearning...
ˋ° *⁀➷ Rating: 4/5 ✰
The Trident and the Pearl was such an incredibly gorgeous book. This has a lot of the aspects I've been desperately craving lately from fantasy romance, with the biggest one being genuine emotions and connections. Both Queen Coralys and her new husband, "Oke," have a lot going on in their lives, and instead of just ignoring it to push the romance ahead, the story allows the characters to get to know each other naturally.
Queen Coralys is grieving, and the repercussions are felt all throughout this book. She misses her home, family, previous husband, everything. The grief is tangible and realistic, and I felt as if a lot of respect was given both to her character and also to her husband from before. I love that her grief wasn't just a way for her and Oke to get closer - there are many times where she just goes off on her own to process. He's always there for her if she needs support, but he also knows that she mostly needs time and space.
Even though it was for semi-understandable reasons, I did find their lack of communication with each other a bit frustrating, and I just felt like it dragged on a bit longer than I would've liked. ESPECIALLY since Oke's lack of communication wasn't fully explained. He's incredibly busy and trying to give her space, sure, but also he should be able to look at the bigger picture happening a bit better. The situation is dangerous, and she should know very clearly what she's now involved in, not just given cryptic messages and warnings without explanation. Too much of the plot revolved around their miscommunication for it not to have better reasoning involved.
Closing thoughts:
I really loved this book, and I'm so glad I got to read it early (although now I'm dying to know what happens in the next one). The setting and writing were both gorgeous and fascinating, and it's easy to fall in love with all of the characters in this, even some of the side ones. The deep connection between the gods and their people is something I wish I could gush over more, but I'm trying to keep this review relatively short (I have to mention it at least though because it's so cool). Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and not sponsored in any way.
ˋ° *⁀➷ Rating: 4/5 ✰
The Trident and the Pearl was such an incredibly gorgeous book. This has a lot of the aspects I've been desperately craving lately from fantasy romance, with the biggest one being genuine emotions and connections. Both Queen Coralys and her new husband, "Oke," have a lot going on in their lives, and instead of just ignoring it to push the romance ahead, the story allows the characters to get to know each other naturally.
Queen Coralys is grieving, and the repercussions are felt all throughout this book. She misses her home, family, previous husband, everything. The grief is tangible and realistic, and I felt as if a lot of respect was given both to her character and also to her husband from before. I love that her grief wasn't just a way for her and Oke to get closer - there are many times where she just goes off on her own to process. He's always there for her if she needs support, but he also knows that she mostly needs time and space.
Even though it was for semi-understandable reasons, I did find their lack of communication with each other a bit frustrating, and I just felt like it dragged on a bit longer than I would've liked. ESPECIALLY since Oke's lack of communication wasn't fully explained. He's incredibly busy and trying to give her space, sure, but also he should be able to look at the bigger picture happening a bit better. The situation is dangerous, and she should know very clearly what she's now involved in, not just given cryptic messages and warnings without explanation. Too much of the plot revolved around their miscommunication for it not to have better reasoning involved.
Closing thoughts:
I really loved this book, and I'm so glad I got to read it early (although now I'm dying to know what happens in the next one). The setting and writing were both gorgeous and fascinating, and it's easy to fall in love with all of the characters in this, even some of the side ones. The deep connection between the gods and their people is something I wish I could gush over more, but I'm trying to keep this review relatively short (I have to mention it at least though because it's so cool). Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and not sponsored in any way.
January 31, 2026
i can almost the taste the sea salt spray while reading this book!
the trident and the pearl is a gorgeous retelling of beloved gods and myths in our own time, reimagined in its own world - coralys is flushed with grief at the destruction of her home, the loss of her husband and forced to make choices that offer no true freedom of her own. what is compelling about cora is that tendrils of the grief drives her emotions, so reflective of how it means to be human and to feel pain.
she is constantly manipulated by those around her, and by those who are directly ordained by god, and who is she to argue? i enjoyed oke as the god undercovering as fisherman, who gives her the space to feel her grief even if he withholds so. much of his own truth and pain. i know both were clouded by what they think was best, but i hoped to see them talk more rather than let their frustrations simmer in silence.
but of course what he says to her in a moment of vulunerability is etched into my mind: "believe me when i say i want what you want. believe me when i say i want... you" !!!! bury me in those words now
i do think coralys' revenge was a great pivot fo the story that really moved our characters ahead as if playing out a chess endgame, and i couldn't stop wanting to find out what would happen!
the trident and the pearl is a gorgeous retelling of beloved gods and myths in our own time, reimagined in its own world - coralys is flushed with grief at the destruction of her home, the loss of her husband and forced to make choices that offer no true freedom of her own. what is compelling about cora is that tendrils of the grief drives her emotions, so reflective of how it means to be human and to feel pain.
she is constantly manipulated by those around her, and by those who are directly ordained by god, and who is she to argue? i enjoyed oke as the god undercovering as fisherman, who gives her the space to feel her grief even if he withholds so. much of his own truth and pain. i know both were clouded by what they think was best, but i hoped to see them talk more rather than let their frustrations simmer in silence.
but of course what he says to her in a moment of vulunerability is etched into my mind: "believe me when i say i want what you want. believe me when i say i want... you" !!!! bury me in those words now
i do think coralys' revenge was a great pivot fo the story that really moved our characters ahead as if playing out a chess endgame, and i couldn't stop wanting to find out what would happen!
November 22, 2025
I received an ARC of this book, and my review is based on that copy. The published work may differ from what I read.
First, I need to note that I liked the prose quite a lot. The writing style is fluid and descriptive, and carries an emotional hook that makes for smooth and fast reading. The story is set in a world that feels Greek mythology adjacent, which is appealing to me and I tend to enjoy.
Second, the main plot point is a major personal pet peeve for me. I don’t like romance plots that depend on the death of a spouse to exist. Especially when the new romance starts within twenty four hours of said death. It cheapens the relationship that came before, makes the protagonist hard to root for, and sets the romance up to fail. In this case, the reasons for that choice are interesting in terms of the plot, but it’s a choice that will always put me off. If a writer wants to look at grief, the loss of a spouse, and recovery, I am all for it. That is a fascinating and powerful topic to address. However, trying to examine it within such a short period does a disservice to everything and everyone involved.
I had a very hard time connecting to the love interest in any meaningful way because I found the romance so distasteful. It also made it hard to root for Coralys. She talks about and references her newly dead husband, but there is no real establishing of his character. And while she is supposedly dealing with her grief over his loss, she is fantasizing about the other man who swooped in the same day that her husband died.
The plot is not complex. The twist, when it comes, was obvious from the first couple of chapters. I don’t think it was intended to be a surprise to the reader? I couldn’t tell if the author was trying to hide it, but it was clear to me early on. The fact that Coralys doesn’t pick up on it was a little hard to believe. She’s a strong, interesting character but she is so easily led, manipulated (by nearly every other character she interacts with), and generally naive that I could not fathom how she was supposed to have been queen of a nation. She is narrow minded, self centered, and inflexible. Her decisions are impulsive and uninformed, and when they spectacularly fail she has the temerity to be shocked. Yes, she grows in a sense, but it’s a growth that is self indulgent and self flagellating rather than mature and accountable.
The challenges she and Oke face are entirely of their own making. Through a combination of lack of communication and willful blindness they create their own circumstances. As a result,I didn’t care about how they would resolve those issues. It was a struggle to stay focused at the end of the book. There was a lot of monologuing, a lot of repetitive bargaining, just a lot. The finale is a total cliff hanger. There is no resolution, nothing.
I spent most of the book feeling conflicted. The author’s skill with words was lovely, but I wanted that skill expressed in a story that was less frustrating to read. I had the urge to yell more than once, and I finished the book feeling deeply aggravated. UGH.
First, I need to note that I liked the prose quite a lot. The writing style is fluid and descriptive, and carries an emotional hook that makes for smooth and fast reading. The story is set in a world that feels Greek mythology adjacent, which is appealing to me and I tend to enjoy.
Second, the main plot point is a major personal pet peeve for me. I don’t like romance plots that depend on the death of a spouse to exist. Especially when the new romance starts within twenty four hours of said death. It cheapens the relationship that came before, makes the protagonist hard to root for, and sets the romance up to fail. In this case, the reasons for that choice are interesting in terms of the plot, but it’s a choice that will always put me off. If a writer wants to look at grief, the loss of a spouse, and recovery, I am all for it. That is a fascinating and powerful topic to address. However, trying to examine it within such a short period does a disservice to everything and everyone involved.
I had a very hard time connecting to the love interest in any meaningful way because I found the romance so distasteful. It also made it hard to root for Coralys. She talks about and references her newly dead husband, but there is no real establishing of his character. And while she is supposedly dealing with her grief over his loss, she is fantasizing about the other man who swooped in the same day that her husband died.
The plot is not complex. The twist, when it comes, was obvious from the first couple of chapters. I don’t think it was intended to be a surprise to the reader? I couldn’t tell if the author was trying to hide it, but it was clear to me early on. The fact that Coralys doesn’t pick up on it was a little hard to believe. She’s a strong, interesting character but she is so easily led, manipulated (by nearly every other character she interacts with), and generally naive that I could not fathom how she was supposed to have been queen of a nation. She is narrow minded, self centered, and inflexible. Her decisions are impulsive and uninformed, and when they spectacularly fail she has the temerity to be shocked. Yes, she grows in a sense, but it’s a growth that is self indulgent and self flagellating rather than mature and accountable.
The challenges she and Oke face are entirely of their own making. Through a combination of lack of communication and willful blindness they create their own circumstances. As a result,I didn’t care about how they would resolve those issues. It was a struggle to stay focused at the end of the book. There was a lot of monologuing, a lot of repetitive bargaining, just a lot. The finale is a total cliff hanger. There is no resolution, nothing.
I spent most of the book feeling conflicted. The author’s skill with words was lovely, but I wanted that skill expressed in a story that was less frustrating to read. I had the urge to yell more than once, and I finished the book feeling deeply aggravated. UGH.
Want to read
December 30, 2025| pre-read: Guess who got an ARC? I'm going to start the new year with this <3
December 29, 2025
4.25⭐️ but rounded down for goodreads. Thank you so much for Orbit for sending me this gifted Arc! I absolutely loved this book! From the Greek myth inspired feel to the beautiful writing and epic story, I felt like this book really had everything you could want in a fantasy. Finally, an enemies to lovers where they actually start off as ENEMIES!
Want to read
November 14, 2025MY KIND OF TROPE 😭
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews