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Strange Eden #3

Color of Fire

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“And I thought you were my savior in my darkest hour. How very wrong I was.”

1794: Devastated by the violent disappearance of her husband, Charles Sharpe, Eliza struggles to save Pleasant Hall from the hands of crooked creditors and the governor’s greed. In the aftermath of the attack, her husband’s enemies have branded him a traitor and declare him dead.

But an unlikely source carries knowledge that he still lives, and he alone knows who has taken Charles. Eliza’s desperation drives her to form an alliance with the king of the underworld Captain Hiram Bruin, a notorious man who is more pirate than privateer.

Eliza’s death has been ordered by Lord Dunmore, and Bruin himself tasked with the deed. But Hiram Bruin has never been a man to follow orders. He offers her passage on his ship, the Fortuyne, and his personal protection. In her hour of distress, Eliza accepts—for she has no other choice.

Bruin takes Eliza on a dangerous voyage from the island of New Providence to the wild and untamed Saba, and finally to England, where her journey started three years ago.

Eliza endures her new sinister reality, one where death creeps ever closer, and quickly learns that the only monsters at sea are men. Ensnared by the salt air and damning secrets, one thing is startlingly Bruin wants to take everything she holds dear. For the roots of revenge lie deep…

Will Eliza be able to save the life of her husband before it’s too late? What price is she willing to pay for his freedom? And can she escape this unimaginable nightmare, fueled by a man of unspeakable cruelty?

Color of Fire is the dark, thrilling conclusion to Gina Giordano’s sweeping historical epic, the STRANGE EDEN Trilogy.

478 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2025

15 people are currently reading
6171 people want to read

About the author

Gina Giordano

3 books1,507 followers

Gina Giordano always had an insatiable curiosity and a penchant for history. Born in New York City, she is a writer, artist, and a conjurer of the past. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a master’s degree in historical fiction from New York University and has traveled to sixty-seven countries across the globe. When she is not climbing ancient ruins or exploring forgotten palaces, she enjoys swimming with sharks in remote pristine waters. Her debut novel, Strange Eden, was longlisted for the 2023 Bath Novel Award. Strange Eden and The Island King have both topped the bestseller chart for Historical Caribbean & Latin American Fiction on Amazon multiple times, and she is grateful for the support of readers like you.



You can find Gina on Instagram under the handle @ginagiordanobooks. Her website is www.ginagiordanobooks.com.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Joanne Farley.
1,299 reviews31 followers
December 6, 2025
There really was no other way for this book to end. This whole series is magical. In this instalment we join Eliza as she searches for Charles. Everyone else beleives he is dead but she knows he is alive.
This series had me from page 1 of book 1. I am really sad to see these characters go.
This is truly a stunning conclusion to an amazing series.
Profile Image for Catbytheseareads ♡.
828 reviews86 followers
January 17, 2026
If you’re a history lover this Caribbean gothic story will quickly become your favorite.
It’s based around the late 1700’s. Each book in this series has the stage set in a beautiful paradise masked by the brutal ugly truth that’s lurking in the wilderness and surrounding sea.

There’s a variety of challenging patriarchal societies. Revelations in dreams and a bit of paranormal thoughts and visions. With each book the characters are constantly evolving in a dark, violent world that often feels hopeless. A very enjoyable read learning so much about the Bahamas and the British empire.
Profile Image for Caroline.
24 reviews
November 25, 2025
Wow! What an intense conclusion to this trilogy…..and a wild, fun ride. Color of Fire picks up where Island King left off and it transported me to a pirate ship complete with unruly pirates and a despicable, evil captain. Intense and immersive, the story grabbed me and didn’t let go. I enjoyed the entire series but this was my favorite book of the three. I recommend reading the author’s notes as well.
Profile Image for Marilyn Goncalves.
398 reviews140 followers
January 14, 2026
I finished reading Color of Fire, the last book in the Strange Eden trilogy and wow, what a ride. I think this was my favorite. This series just keeps getting better, and this finale absolutely delivered. It had me on edge not knowing what to expect.
Set in the 1790s, the story takes us from the Bahamas to the open sea and all the way to England. Eliza and her husband Charles are separated after his capture, and so much of this book unfolds aboard a privateer ship. Life at sea is brutal, dangerous, and unpredictable and Gina Giordano really makes you feel it. There’s nonstop action, high stakes, and even touches of the paranormal through dreams and visions that add an eerie edge.
Eliza continues to be such a strong, compelling character, and Captain Hiram Bruin was a fascinating, and so well written. I loved how fictional and historical figures are woven together, and the romance, chemistry, and tension kept the pages turning fast. Intense, adventurous, a little wild, and honestly just fun to read. Such a satisfying ending to an amazing trilogy. An emotional rollercoaster.
181 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2025
This is my first time reading a book by Gina Giordano and I was not disappointed at all! I was lucky enough to be chosen as an arc reader and I was blown away with the amazing writing style that Gina has. This is the third book in the series titled “The Strange Eden” and you have to read the first two books in the series to seriously understand this book.

This is a continuation of Eliza’s story and when her husband has been deemed dead to everyone in their town, after being branded as a traitor, Eliza doesn’t believe it. She knows that her husband is still alive, and somewhere, and that he wouldn’t have just died. She is desperate to find him and the only way to do so is by accepting an alliance with the King of the Underworld, Captain Hiram Bruin.

What Eliza doesn’t know is that Lord Dunmore has ordered her death and the one that has to complete that is Captain Bruin. Instead of following the rules (because why would he giggling face), he offers Eliza passage on his ship and she ultimately accepts. The journey that she goes through is full of tension and danger, not knowing what is true or false anymore. And, if she does find Charles, would she still want him? Or has it been too long that she has been led astray? I haven’t read too many historical fiction novels with romance playing a huge factor in the novel, but I absolutely loved reading this book! I was just blown away with how amazing, creative, and one of a kind Gina’s writing truly is and I highly recommend to anyone who wants to disappear to 1794’s Pleasant Hall 🙂‍↕️

Rating: 100000000/5
Profile Image for Toni R..
191 reviews1 follower
December 6, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up!

I devoured this book, and I have to say I am so impressed with how the author keeps the stakes building and the plots becoming darker as the series progresses.

Color of Fire picks up right where the second book left off- Charles has been abducted and Eliza is stuck staving off greedy creditors when she was finally settling into her marriage (think enemies to lovers/fated mates over the course of two books) and beginning their work of freeing slaves. Eliza partners with the pirate, Hiram Bruin, in her desperate attempt to find and save her husband. This novel has dual points of view from Charles’s and Eliza’s perspectives on their harrowing journeys desperately trying to get back to one another. This book is both thrilling and dark, and I just couldn’t put it down!

I can’t wait to see what else Giordano publishes. Definitely recommend this for anyone who likes historical fiction! I also highly recommend you read the authors notes in all the books. She goes through TWs and why some of the darker material were present in the first two books, and in this note, she weaves her whole process together, key details of the books, and her impressive research. Many of these characters (including Bruin) are actual historical figures!

Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC of this book. This review was left voluntarily.
Profile Image for The Book Ssirren.
1,959 reviews76 followers
November 23, 2025
I absolutely loved this. It drew me in from the very first chapter. I loved that this was a historical setting. I’ve really never read much in that regard. So I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how wonderfully this flowed. The description was fantastic. And the characters were so well written. I loved the twists and turns, just everything about it was awesome.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this as an ARC for you. I truly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Danielle B.
1,327 reviews214 followers
January 18, 2026
1700’s historical fiction with a dark twist! This is how I would describe COLOR OF FIRE. I am an occasional reader of historical fiction and it is nice to see something take place in the Caribbean for something completely different. Also the writing was impressive! If this sounds interesting to you, you will likely love it!

Many thanks to Gina Giordano for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.
Profile Image for Megan .
177 reviews3 followers
December 14, 2025
This was an epic conclusion to the Strange Eden trilogy

- gothic vibes
-historical fiction

Her husband is missing
Collectors are coming and threatening her
-Captain Bruin brings her aboard, but things don’t go as planned.
Eliza and Charles each go on their own journeys of torture and survival. Will they be able to make it back to each other.

- side note I was anti- Charles and I really didn’t think Gina was able to give him such a redemption arc and make him likeable and root for him! But she did! This is my top Historical Fiction series of 2025!
Profile Image for Courtney Pityer.
769 reviews46 followers
January 31, 2026
Color of Fire is the conclusion novel to the Strange Eden series and let me tell you reading this series has been a good run! I will say I was super happy that I took the opportunity to read all three of these books because I discovered an amazing trilogy that I came to love. The only disappointment I have is that there won't be a fourth book but overall the way this ended was perfect. In the course of these three books we have witnessed a lot of action, advenure, and major character development.

This book starts off where book 2 ended with Charles being taken hostage. He has been declared dead and creditors are seizing the property. Worst of all the Governor wants Eliza gone and has tasked Hiram Bruin with eliminating Eliza. However, Hiram takes this as the opportunity giving Eliza the opportunity to accompany him in finding Charles. Eliza reluctantly agrees and they start the voyage.

Although Eliza soon realizes that Bruin is a rogue whose intentions are not good. Meanwhile we find out Charles is much alive and surviving by his wits. He has hopes of being reunited with his beloved wife. Will these two manage to overcome and find a way back to each other. Overall this conclusion was truly exciting.
Profile Image for Aida Rivero.
123 reviews5 followers
November 21, 2025
Color of Fire
By Gina Giordano

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What to expect:
🌴 Dark History
🔥 Feminine Rage
🌴 Fierce FMC
🔥 She Saves Him
🌴 Dark Obsession
🔥 Revenge
🌴 Emotional Wreckage
🔥 Last In Series
🌴 Pirates
🔥 Adventure
🌴 Dual POV
🔥 Enemies to Lovers
🌴 Exotic Setting
🔥 Touch Her & Die
🌴 Hidden Identity
🔥 Secrets Unveiled
🌴 Forced Proximity
🔥 Love Triangle
🌴 Political Corruption
🔥 Slow Burn
🌴 Thick Tension

Wow. What an epic, dark, and utterly gripping conclusion to the Strange Eden trilogy! Gina Giordano has crafted an immersive historical world in the 1790s Bahamas and delivered a finale that did not disappoint. The stakes are higher than ever, the atmosphere is incredibly tense, and the characters are pushed to their absolute limits.
Eliza's journey in this book is phenomenal. Devastated by the disappearance of her husband, Charles, and facing ruin from the Governor's greed, her desperation forces her into an uneasy alliance with the notorious "king of the underworld," Captain Hiram Bruin—a man who was actually tasked with her death. The dynamic between Eliza and Bruin is everything: complex, morally gray, and filled with palpable tension. I was completely invested in her "descent into her own version of a Caribbean Hell" to save her husband, a journey that explores female rage, obsession, and resilience.
The plotting is masterful. The story takes readers on a wild, dangerous voyage from New Providence to England, and every twist and turn felt earned and genuinely surprising. Giordano's historical research shines through, making the 18th-century setting a character in itself, full of corruption, danger, and breathtaking descriptions of the sea. The constant reminder that "the only monsters at sea are men" adds a haunting layer to the narrative.
If you love sweeping historical sagas, complex, flawed characters, and a true sense of adventure, you need to read this trilogy. The Color of Fire ties everything up perfectly while maintaining the dark, intense atmosphere that makes this series so unique. An absolute must-read!

10/10 Would recommend to family and friends
Profile Image for AL.
475 reviews12 followers
January 27, 2026
I don't even know where to begin. What a send off for this series. Eliza has become a literary heroine everyone must know in my opinion. Having reached the end of this series, this has been a coming of age story for the ages. Without having read blurbs when I began, I  was expecting adventure, love triangles, romance, history but it was all that and so much more, particularly a story of the power of woman.

Eliza has gone through endless trials in the first two novels but there were no holdbacks for her finale. I think she bore the worst of all circumstances in this novel.

Giordano has a way of writing that almost, ALMOST, feel sympathy for characters who don't and never will deserve it. They are that complex and it gives you whiplash as you bring yourself back to reality. In this way, you really enter Eliza's head as she too has too much compassion for her own good at times but it's what makes her good. There is so much realism in her behavior, as well. So many times the cinematic mindset within me wants Eliza to do this or that but sometimes her thoughts, behaviors, and actions are more attuned to someone truly in her position. We don't always get the kickass moments we may dream up for her but watching the inner transformation is so rewarding. I'm truly sad to close this series up but recommend to all!!!

On a sidenote, the historical aspects are more tremendous than I thought. I knew the location and circumstances of the time period were historically correct but I urge you to read the afterword from the author because I was blown away by some facts I had no idea of and went on my own historical deep dive after reading.
Profile Image for Staceywh_17.
3,737 reviews12 followers
February 3, 2026
Color of Fire is the third and final book in the Strange Eden trilogy and was every bit worth waiting for!

It picked up Immediately where I left off in The Island King. I was immediately transported back to Nassau 1794, where I caught up with Eliza as she searched for husband Charles, all the while fearing for her own life.

Giordano's descriptive writing captured the scenes perfectly making them easy to visualise. It's rich in history and has an immersive atmosphere.

Satisfyingly good.
Profile Image for mila_readss.
148 reviews2 followers
November 20, 2025
˖°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:・ . 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 ˖°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:・

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Dark Historical Fiction
𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 470 pages
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ♾️

• Feminine rage
• Slow-burn romance
• Sailing wild oceans
• Caribbean history
• British Imperialism
• Journey back home
• Revenge plot
• Set in 1790s

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦."

Have you ever been completely absorbed by a book series? For me, this is it.

The Strange Eden series will always have a special place in my heart. It's one of those stories that will keep the characters in your thoughts for years, making you miss them. A truly unputdownable tale.

The long-awaited installment was everything I hoped for and more.

Reading this series took me on an emotional rollercoaster, and while I'm thrilled to have witnessed the characters' reunion, I know I will miss them dearly.

This was a dark adventure through the pirate underworld and the twisted mind of the enemy who aimed to destroy everything and almost succeeded.

It's amazing how the author sheds light on the issues of the slave trade, the injustices of powerful men, and so much more unfairness from that era that we get to experience. There’s so much happening in this series that it’s impossible to cover every detail, so I’ll let you discover it for yourself.

If there’s an author who truly deserves recognition and is so underrated on Booktok, it’s her. The amount of research she put into this, along with how long it’s been a concept in her mind, makes it all the more emotional to see it finally in print. Thank you, Gina for allowing me to experience this 'Strange Eden' of a world. I can’t wait to see what else you have planned for us readers.

If you’re eager to dive into a brand new, exotic world and uncover all its hidden truths and beauty, then you absolutely need to pick this up.

Thank me later! 😉
Profile Image for Emily.
35 reviews4 followers
November 28, 2025
Color of Fire is an epic, storm-tossed finale to the Strange Eden Trilogy, and easily the darkest of the three books. From the moment Eliza learns that Charles has been branded a traitor and declared dead, you feel the desperation pulsing through every chapter. Her uneasy alliance with Captain Hiram Bruin—a man as dangerous as the seas he rules—creates a heart-pounding journey from New Providence to Saba to England. The depravity and depths the villain sinks to in pursuit of revenge are completely unhinged, keeping me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The way Gina threads that backstory through the narrative is nothing short of masterful, making me rethink scenes from the earlier books in a whole new light. Eliza and Charles remain two of my favorite historical fiction characters ever—complex, loyal, and deeply human. Fans of Outlander will rejoice in this gothic Caribbean masterpiece, equal parts romance, peril, and historical intrigue. And that ending? Chef’s kiss. It’s the conclusion I was quietly rooting for from the start, and it delivered in every possible way.
353 reviews10 followers
January 25, 2026
This is the final instalment of the Strange Eden trilogy as Eliza tries to uncover the truth about the fate of her husband Charles Sharpe who she disbelieves is dead. With supposed debts, financial uncertainty and her home at risk she tries to be strong, particularly against the chauvinistic and cruel Captain Hiram Bruin. Elizabeth has no legal rights as a woman to defend herself so who can she trust to help her?

The book has dark themes of death, slavery and patriarchy and I found it to be the darkest book in the trilogy. Elizabeth continues to stand up and stand out in such times of male domination - challenging conformity, control and corruption. As a woman I feel so lucky to be alive today rather than then.

This final instalment concludes the story brilliantly, back at the beginning, despite all that has gone before, but moving forwards too. I have thoroughly enjoyed this historically immersive and well written set of books.
Profile Image for Amanda Felton.
369 reviews20 followers
January 27, 2026
Thank you for having me on this book review tour and for my beautiful copy of this book !! So happy I got a physical copy for my ever growing collection of books.

Ok so first I have to say I love the cover of this book. It’s absolutely stunning. The colors are what make it. Truly so pretty to look at!!

I mean this series couldn’t have ended on a better note really couldn’t have. I couldn’t be more happy with this book. I really couldn’t. Such an incredible series. I do feel like I’m gonna have to go back through and read them all like back to back because of the gaps between them I feel like I was forgetting stuff. So I am definitely going to be doing that.

So this particular book picks up right where Island king leaves off and we find ourselves on a pirate ship with pirates and a really ugly mean captain. I really have more words I can use but I’m not allowed so this will have to do lol.

I really liked how this book was set around Eliza and trying to find her husband Charles who was captured everyone fears he’s dead but Eliza knows he’s still alive !!! I loved that most of the book takes place on a boat. I mean the way the author describes this I felt like I was on said boat with them all. I’m kinda afraid of boats to be honest. I was on one once while I was in the Bahamas to go see stingrays and the water was so choppy I couldn’t do it. I was so sick I was so scared to try again but I did and it didn’t happen but I dunno if I could do it the way these characters did in the book. I dunno lol. That would be rough.

This book was an emotional roller coaster to say the least and I couldn’t put it down. I’m sad that the series is over but I’m curious to see what the author has next in store for us !!
Profile Image for Lisa reads alot  Hamer.
1,008 reviews24 followers
January 26, 2026
The final book in the trilogy and my goodness what a way to finish it!
I found this a lot darker than the previous books but I love the way Eliza is that beacon on light in the cruel male dominated world she lives in.
With Charles missing my stomach was sinking waiting for the troubles that were likely to descend, an emotional read but with Eliza going back to England it was like a full circle in her journey.
Loved all three books what an incredible series of books
Plus the book covers are stunning too
Profile Image for Lily Williams.
144 reviews7 followers
November 12, 2025
I’ll start this review off by saying that by the end of the book, I was sobbing. I mean, literal sobbing. The Strange Eden series has been such a massive part of my life for the past two and a half years that I genuinely do not know how I will ever get over its ending or read another book without comparing it to the trilogy.

Gina is an artist. There is no other way to say it. She has created not just one, but THREE literary masterpieces. The world will not know what has hit it when The Colour of Fire is released.

Since the first page of Strange Eden, Eliza has blown my mind with her courage, determination and sheer strength. Eliza has had to deal with the most incredible challenges, persevered through the toughest trials and tribulations, struggled against society’s expectations of her gender, yet has still managed to remain a trusting and loyal heroine.

Hiram Bruin is honestly the most sick and twisted villain I could ever imagine - to the point where I questioned Gina’s ability to pull off the ending I was hoping for, as I didn’t think an author would be able to recover from writing such a dark book.

I don’t want to say too much about any other character as I do not want to spoil any of the three books, but Gina - you know who I love, and I would die for them.

If any book were to win an award for ‘Best Character Arcs’, it would be this one. I have never (and probably will never again) experienced so many plot twists in one book! If anyone reading this has not read the Strange Eden or The Island King - don’t get too comfortable, it’s not going to end how you think it will.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to write a review that does any book Gina writes justice. Her books should be shouted about from the rooftops; they should be number 1 bestsellers in every country, available in every language, in every shop.

I am genuinely heartbroken that this series has come to an end, and even writing this has left me crying, but I cannot wait for what
Profile Image for Sarah.
31 reviews
January 15, 2026
What an absolutely stunning end to this series of books, perhaps one of the best series I've read for a long time.

In the final installment of the Strange Eden series we spend much of the story with Eliza, who finds herself in trying circumstances. She is required to make difficult and devastating decisions but it course always having to second guess the aims of the powerful men around her.

This series of books by Gina Giordano are superb and are so beautifully written. You can tell just how much research Gina Jas undertaken to create a vivid world for her characters.

The writing is unflinching and raw and does not hide from the realities of the time period.. this can make for uncomfortable reading but it's always done so well and not for the sake of gratuitousness.

I will definitely be looking out for future books from Gina as exploring this works with Eliza and Charles has been wonderful.
Profile Image for Lauren Flewett.
497 reviews15 followers
January 17, 2026
Wow, what to say about this book!

Color of Fire is a dark, twisty, historical fiction novel like no other I have read before.

The twists and turns have your head in a spin throughout this book and to say it’s dark is putting it lightly.

The characters really come to life much like the setting thanks to the author’s use of very descriptive language.

I could not put this book down and would highly recommend it (and the other two in the series) to everyone!

Do check those trigger warnings first.
Profile Image for Emily C.
50 reviews
January 10, 2026
Blurb

“And I thought you were my savior in my darkest hour. How very wrong I was.”

1794: Devastated by the violent disappearance of her husband, Charles Sharpe, Eliza struggles to save Pleasant Hall from the hands of crooked creditors and the governor’s greed. In the aftermath of the attack, her husband’s enemies have branded him a traitor and declare him dead.
But an unlikely source carries knowledge that he still lives, and he alone knows who has taken Charles.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to @lovebookstours and @ginagiordanobooks for the beautiful copy of this book #gifted

This isn’t my usual type of book I’d pick up and I was pleasantly surprised! It was a lovely emotional story and I didn’t want it to end! This is number 3 in the series and although I didn’t read the previous 2 I kind of got the gist of what was what! I’m definitely going to read them now! I’d recommend this one if you’re looking for something new to read

#lbtcrew #ad #bookstagram
Profile Image for Keighley.
8 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2026
A massive thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this, along with e-books of the previous books in the series ❤️

Firstly, what a great trilogy! Color of Fire is the final book in the Strange Eden trilogy, the first work by this author that I’ve read. It was incredibly immersive and detailed, exploring themes of survival and power in a way that was truly eye opening.

Eliza was a really likeable character, extremely strong-willed and determined, which made her very compelling. Her love for her husband brought a welcome bit of light relief among the darker themes of the story.

A real stand out in the dark historical fiction genre. I’d definitely recommend reading the first two books as well, as they really help set the scene and deepen your connection to Eliza and Charles.
Profile Image for Melissa.
78 reviews8 followers
January 13, 2026
Whew! What a ride! Color of Fire is a story of adventure and what a woman will do and endure for her husband who she knows in her heart isn’t dead. I wish I had had the time to read the first 2 books before this one, but I will definitely be going back to read them. Even without reading them, though, I would go out on a limb and say that this is an epic conclusion of an awesome series! 5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Melina Lobo.
826 reviews98 followers
January 6, 2026
Color of Fire is the third book and the conclusion to The Strange Eden Trilogy by Gina Giordano. I had the chance to read the first two books as ebooks as well, and I may eventually post reviews for those too.

This is dark historical fiction that feels heavy and daunting on the surface, but it’s actually a breeze to read thanks to the immersive plot. The characters are multilayered, and real-world issues are seamlessly blended into the storyline. I don’t read a lot of pirate-esque books, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up absolutely loving it.

It definitely helped that the author gave me the opportunity to read the first two books, which really shaped my overall opinion of the series. The story grips you from the very beginning and doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to adventure, romance, or even revenge. The whole series is a page-turner, and I truly think you’d be missing out if you didn’t give it a chance. I’m really happy this has been one of my first reads of 2026, and it definitely didn’t let me down.
Profile Image for Christy Taylor.
1,144 reviews50 followers
January 12, 2026
What an amazing end to this powerful trilogy - wow! It was an incredible mix of history, greed, power, love, politics, pirates, resilience, and much more. I have loved Eliza since the beginning, and she will be an unforgettable character for me.
Profile Image for Trina Jones.
2,717 reviews40 followers
November 19, 2025
Awesome story. It was a page turner, and the suspense was insane. I was on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't even put it down. The book cover caught my attention and more. Lady Sharpe had just lost her dead husband could the person who killed her husband might wanted her for himself in this moment. Will the actions have consequences or will things heat up between this other guy. The characters were amazing, and you could just fall in love with their fire of romance and chemistry they share.
I highly recommend this book Happily Book PR via Bookfunnel and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Trina Jones
Profile Image for Sharon Hudrlik.
96 reviews2 followers
November 20, 2025
As soon as it hit my email for this arc. I went a whirlwind of non stop reading it.
It’s such a page turner.
It continues where it left off, which I was not a happy camper I had to wait what happened next. But the wait was worth it.
The development throughout the series and having such an amazing ending. Definitely will keep you on your toes.
It’s one thing and another, and I just could not put down.
Definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Cait's Reading Nook.
212 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2026
Color of Fire is the third book in the Strange Eden trilogy by Gina Giordano. Set in the late 1790s, the trilogy spans several years in Nassau, Bahamas. In Color of Fire, Eliza finds that her husband Charles has been abducted. Eliza believes that he is still alive. She is resolved to find and save Charles as well as to try to protect her home in Nassau. In order to do so, she forms an unlikely, but strategic, alliance with Captain Hiram Bruin, a privateer from Holland. Eliza’s death has been ordered by Lord Dunmore, and Bruin himself tasked with the deed.

To protect herself and still continue to search for her husband, Eliza travels with Captain Bruin. This book takes readers from the Bahamas across the Atlantic to England and just like us, Eliza learns that Captain Bruin has other motives in his pursuit of wealth.

Eliza’s determination, loyalty, and resolve are shown throughout the novel. She knows her mission: to find her husband and her home. She navigates many perils while at sea, including corruption and intrigue.

We see chapters from Charles’ perspective and how he is trying to find his way back to Eliza. I thought the flashbacks to their pasts were woven well into the story not only as a way to see how their love for each drives them forward, but also in how it connects to the previous books of the series. We see Charles’ story evolve in this third book as well.

The Strange Eden trilogy has high stakes, action, history, and romance and is a great series for fans of historical fiction! It is thoroughly researched and I recommend reading the notes and bibliography at the end of the book with additional information about the late 18th century and the Bahamas.

Readers are drawn in with the vivid details about life in Nassau and British imperialism in the late 18th century. World dynamics are shifting following the American Revolution, and politics and profit drive the actions of those in power.

The pace of the book is well done with twists and turns along the way. It builds the adventure and suspense and balances it with reflective passages and dialogue about the changing world order and a the dawn of a new century.

I highly recommend this series! Thank you to Love Books Tours and Gina Giordano for the opportunity to read and review the book! I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
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1,485 reviews13 followers
January 7, 2026
This atmospheric historical fiction novel provided a satisfying conclusion to the Strange Eden series. The beautiful writing transports readers to the dangerous world that Eliza and Charles find themselves in. I have a very vivid picture of the setting and a sense of danger permeated the story.This story picks up just after the end of the Island King and my heart was in my throat from the beginning. I highly recommend reading the first two books in the series before picking up this book to fully understand and enjoy the story. Eliza and Charles find themselves individually facing dangerous, life altering situations and they have to use every ounce of their strength, intelligence, and luck to endure. Will it be enough and can they possibly find their way back to each other? The characters Eliza and Charles encounter are well written and I had a good sense of if they could be trusted or if they were dangerous. Eliza has worked her way into my heart and I found myself caring and worrying about the situations she found herself in. Her determination to survive and return to her life with Charles was amazing to watch. She continued to exasperate me, but I was also scared for her and raced through the pages to find out what happened to her. Charles has grown on me as he has evolved in the series and he is very different from the character in the first book and I actually worried about him. I adored this book and am sorry that it is the end of the trilogy. I will miss seeing what adventures are next for Eliza and Charles. If you love historical fiction books about unexpected people and places I recommend you add this to your to be read list.

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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