This Splintered Sea

by Haley J. Munroe

“I used to be the warning in the chorus of a sea shanty. Men feared me. Now, I’m a petty thief.”

Killing her betrothed and fleeing an arranged marriage was meant to free Briar, the Princess of the Sea, from a life trapped on land and chained to a throne. Powerful, ruthless, and wild, she once sailed the seas under her queen mother’s rule as the feared captain of The Twelfth Night.

A decade later, she’s a pickpocket and the king’s favorite courtesan in a foreign, enemy court, working as an undercover spy while having a secret affair with the queen. As punishment for her murderous revenge, she’s stuck on land—cursed, forgotten to history, and stripped of her ruthless power that once made her so formidable. One spray of the sea against her skin will kill her.

She’s trapped, hiding in plain sight, until the King announces a competition in which the winner will be granted a single wish—a wish that could undo her curse. Determined, she conceals herself as a pirate, and magically seals herself to The Gales and its trials.

Only, the pirate identity she stole is being hunted by notorious bounty hunter and fellow trials competitor, Kressa—the same bounty hunter Briar is supposed to seduce and spy on as a courtesan.

The same woman whose kiss ignited Briar’s dormant magic, breaking all the rules of her curse.

Fifty competitors, three trials, two stolen identities, and one princess desperate enough to risk it all.
Let the games begin.


The adventure in Pirates of the Caribbean meets the romance of The Serpent of the Wings of Night in This Splintered Sea , a heart-wrenching sapphic romance full of adventure, intrigue, and betrayal.

Genres: Lesbian, Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Romantasy, Pirates, Fiction

446 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2026

Reviews

[Gabriella୨ৎ (mh break) · Rating 3 out of 5]

━━━ઇଓㅤ⤸
꒰ 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ꒱ Ⓘ pub date: march 19th 2026

𝟑.𝟐𝟓 ✩

𝐼 𝓊𝓈𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓊𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒶 𝓈𝑒𝒶
𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓉𝓎. 𝑀𝑒𝓃 𝒻𝑒𝒶𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝑒. 𝒩𝑜𝓌, 𝐼’𝓂 𝒶 𝓅𝑒𝓉𝓉𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝑒𝒻.

꒰ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: ꒱
I had such high hopes from looking at the synopsis, and when I read the first few chapters, I got that feeling. The one where you just know it’s going to be an incredible read. Unfortunately, my rating slowly decreased as the book continued, and I'm settling on alright yet slightly disappointing.

Let’s start with the things I didn’t like.
Honestly, most fantasy books have you utterly befuddled ninety-nine percent of the time; that’s just the norm. But this book was a different kind. There was information–or lack thereof–that made following along really difficult. Numerous times I completely forgot who a character was, and found that it was challenging to picture what exactly was going on. You know, the movie that plays in your head when you’re reading? Blank. Zero clue. Maybe the details the author gave weren’t thorough enough or the wording wasn’t chosen properly in order for us to get a good understanding. But apart from that, the story was pretty solid.

I very much dislike when characters who are pretending to be someone (secret identity, hidden in plain sight, you get me) make it so blatantly obvious as to who they are, but everyone is just too blind to see what’s right in front of their eyes. It’s not fun, and seriously irritates me. How did the Princess of the Sea hide in plain sight for a decade without anyone even a teensy tiny bit suspicious of her? Let alone be a competitor in the trials and not get caught?

Speaking of, many fantasies have the ‘deadly trials’ theme in them, and I know a lot of people are getting tired of how repetitive they are. However, I think the trials in This Splintered Sea were extraordinary compared to others I’ve read. They were unsettling to read, especially for someone who absolutely hates anything to do with the sea. Fun, and a bit emotional if I’m being honest. But on the downside, they sadly fell flat for me. I wanted to be on the edge of my seat, holding my breath and wondering if they were going to make it out alive–or at least unscathed. Yes, they were difficult and ended in bloodshed most of the time, but they were also too easy. Completed too quickly.

Despite there being a few negative aspects to this book, some parts were super enjoyable. It was dark. It was seductive. It was angsty. The world Haley Munroe created was unique with a strong and promising beginning, and the romance was certainly a tearjerker. This was my first sapphic romance, and I was hesitant about what I was getting into, but was blown away with how much I actually liked it. Fifty competitors, three trials, two stolen identities, and one princess desperate enough to risk it all. It certainly had everything I was hoping for, and though the execution wasn’t perfect, This Splintered Sea was still such an entertaining and adventurous read.

The romance was charged with tension and hidden desire, heartbreaking betrayals that leave you gutted, and bittersweet moments between Briar and Kressa; two headstrong and tenacious characters who want to fight for freedom–and love. There's many ups and downs that'll have you giggling when they flirt or one of them holds a dagger to the other's throat, and then sobbing uncontrollably from the soul shattering betrayals that cut deeper than any knife could.

And that ending, what a banger. It did feel a little rushed in my opinion, but my goodness was I shaken to the core when I read that last sentence. Jaw dropped. Eyes wide because I seriously was not expecting that after everything. Well done Haley.

━━━

ᰔᩚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: ꒱
when i read what this was about on netgalley, i just had to request it immediately. [ Fifty competitors, three trials, two stolen identities, and one princess desperate enough to risk it all. Let the games begin. ] girl, this seriously sounds so fun. although i don’t usually read sapphic romance, i’m always open to branching out. please let this be as good as it sounds, i’ve read too many disappointing books already and it’s only february.

Ⓘ thank you @netgalley and publisher for giving me the chance to read this free arc, i'm very eager to share my thoughts.

pub date: march 19th 2026

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝: 3/2/2026
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 4/2/2026

-𝓖

[Berry ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ (Updating Reviews!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Haley J. Munroe and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! This Splintered Sea comes out on March 19th!

4 / 5 ⭐️
2 / 5 🌶️

I got so deeply invested in this sapphic romantasy. This Splintered Sea had me in a chokehold.

Briar and Kressa were PHENOMENAL FMCs. Not only were they insanely resilient and headstrong, but their chemistry was sooo good! They were so passionate and so addictive, and I could really feel that intensity growing with each chapter! The plot itself was great, but the best part was that the romance between them pushed the plot to continue to move forward at a nice pace.

Haley J. Munroe does an amazing job at not only depicting their relationship, but also all of the nuances that come with it. I felt that this book did LGBTQIA+ representation in such a good, tasteful manner! I did also feel that the missing identity plotline tied into this as well!

Also, that cliffhanger was evil! I cannot wait to see where the next book will take us.

♡ pre-read ♡

This was one of my most anticipated ARC reads after looking through Netgalley AHHHH. A sapphic, pirates of the caribbean-esque romantasy oh mY GOD I cannot wait to read this.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 / 5 Stars
I really enjoyed the first half of this book but then either I or the book started to lose some steam. Briar was the Princess of the Sea but is now cursed after killing the man she was supposed to marry ten years ago. Bound to the land, unable to go into water or on a ship because it will kill it, without her powers, and forgotten by history, she is now a courtesan to a ruthless king. When he announces a deadly trial with the winner receiving one wish from a powerful goddess, Briar sees this as her chance to regain all that she has lost. But she can’t enter as herself so she assumes the identity of a pirate woman, who it turns out is being hunted by a ruthless bounty hunter. It is all a tangled web of lies, hidden identities, and feelings.

You will probably like this book if you like:
🌊 Sapphic Romantic Fantasy book about lady pirates
🌊 Deadly trials
🌊 Enemies to lovers
🌊 A love triangle
🌊 Hidden identities
🌊 Royal court politics

I was really intrigued by the first half. There was a lot going on in a good way. You have Briar, the last Princess, who is being hunted by the bounty hunter (Kressa) but Kressa doesn’t know that Briar the courtesan is Briar the princess. You have Briar, the courtesan, who has a hostile beginning to her relationship with Kressa. And then you have Briar pretending to be Harriet and Harriet has a hostile relationship with Kressa. So enemies in all three relationships. It was really fun to see how each relationship developed (especially the latter two) and how Briar managed to balance it all. I did have a harder time understanding why Briar and Kressa started off on the wrong foot and what shifted between them to go to more positive territory, but I was along for the ride.

The magic was interesting too but a tad convoluted for me. You have elemental courts (sea, earth, sky, and a defunct fire) and then gods who have power and my brain just could not understand how they intersected.

I LOVE a love triangle so I was happy about that. I just wish that one of the points in our sapphic love triangle was slightly stronger. Her major flaw was revealed pretty early and then there aren’t many interactions between her and Briar throughout the book. I prefer a love triangle where the tension lasts a bit longer and both are slightly more viable options.

I liked the deadly trials and I liked that Briar had to balance appearing as Harriet and as Briar. That brought a ton of tension to the story and I was holding my breath for the first half. Once, I got the gist of how she would manage it, it did start to feel a tad repetitive and perhaps was one of the reasons I felt like the second half lost some steam.

I did really enjoy Briar as our protagonist. I love a stabby woman who is ruthless and is good at political maneuvers. She was the perfect mix of stubborn and soft and I hope she murders everyone in the next book.

Thank you Haley J Munroe and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: March 19, 2026

ೀ ⋆ Follow me on Instagram @book.recs.by.lina for book recommendations and general fun times ⋆ ೀ ⋆

[Sam’s Sapphic Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Rounded up

Briar, princess of the sea was forced into a marriage a decade ago, but refused, killing get would-be husband. Cursed by her decisions, she cannot use her powers and if she touches sea water, she dies.

Kressa, a bounty hunter in the search for someone comes to the court in hopes of finding them.

A challenge called the Gales (it was giving Hunger Games), and the one who wins gets a wish. Both Briar(under a disguise) and Kressa enter in hopes of getting the one wish they hope to come true.

There was SO much action, SO many surprises and twists and turns. A few times I was a bit confused with what was going on because there was so much, but once I focused in things made a bit more sense. I still have so many questions I hope to get answered in book 2.

I absolutely love Kressa, would literally do anything for her. She was so amazing and was by far my favorite. Briar gave me a bit of whiplash because girly could not make a solid decision to save her life.

I loved the intricacies that the author wrote into the story, you literally feel like you’re part of it. But man, how were things not obvious to other characters? All the information war seriously right in front of them.

Of course we must end it on a cliff hanger while my heart is barely in one piece. I need more, immediately.

Thank you NetGalley and Haley Munroe for the fantastic read!

[Aila Krisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so I 100% understand why people are rating this so highly, cause I breezed through it in like record time, but also there is so much missing? If this wasn’t sapphic but straight it would go straight into my bad-overhyped-romantasy pile and be 2 stars at best, but alas I am not immune to propaganda (propaganda = lesbians).

This was very easy to read and I was invested in the story and the characters. If you’re looking for easy sapphic romantasy and you’re fine with kind of flimsy world-building and plot holes/inconsistencies, this might be one of your new favourite books. But if you’re like me, this book will be mostly enjoyable to you but ultimately still a disappointment.

One of my main issues with this book is the world-building. Because it is not well done, which results in the world being rather confusing. So, the world is split into 3 courts, there used to be a Fire court but that one isn’t around anymore. Each court (Earth, Air & Sea/Water) has its own elemental magic type - water court people can control water, air court folks can control air, earth courtians can control the earth. Also some of them can also control fire, on top of their court’s element, for some reason that is never explained. There are also mind readers that are considered very dangerous and are usually killed and they can appear in any court I think? And there’s one character that can illusion a person to look like another person, for some reason.

The curse is weird. It should have been explained better, because it seems quite complicated. Because it doesn’t just mean that Briar can’t touch the sea without dying and doesn’t have her power, it also makes it so that Thea, one of her crew members, selectively forgets some parts of her past and if Briar reveals the truth to her she remembers her whole backstory for five seconds before reverting to her kind-of-amnesiac state. Maybe something also happened to her other crew members I genuinely don’t know.

I also have no clue what the sea court is about, because initially I assumed it was underwater, because… it’s the water court and also the location of its capital city seems to be a secret, which would make sense if it was underwater and thus inaccessible to non-water-court-folk. But at the end, when Briar has regained her powers, she still seems to be at risk of drowning, which means that water-court-folk are not able to breathe underwater, making it rather unlikely that it is located underwater. But the book never says anything about it so I don’t actually know.

Also, Terra. I don’t know how to explain her, because the book never explains her. She appears to be some kind of goddess, since she is much more powerful than every other character. With a name like Terra you might expect her to be an Earth court deity. And maybe she is, I don’t know. But she does co-operate with Caelus, who violently invaded and took over the earth court, to provide the winner’s prize in the trials he’s organising. And if she is an earth court goddess, I don’t understand why she would do something like that. Actually I don’t know why she’s collaborating with Caelus at all, full-stop, cause I don’t think she’s getting anything out of this deal? There’s also never any other deities mentioned.

Another character that is very confusing is Isolde. She regularly get beaten half to death by Caelus and is planning to rebel against him, but when she finds out that Briar, whom she loves, is falling in love with Kressa, she says fuck that and collaborates with Caelus to try and kill Briar?? Also, on multiple occasions Caelus says that he’s gonna drain Isolde’s power completely in a few hours, thereby killing her. And then he doesn’t actually do it. For that matter, there’s a bunch of instances of someone getting injured quite badly, but a few paragraphs later those wounds are gone. That just ruins any and all suspense that you’ve managed to conjure up, because obviously nothing matters anymore.

And when Kressa finds out Briar’s true identity she gets (somewhat justifiably) mad at her. And then a bit later Kressa actually saves her and seems to have changed her opinion back to liking Briar. And then in the last scene she’s mad at her again and has Briar in shackles as a prisoner of the earth court.

There’s more but I’m so fcking tired. I’m probably still gonna read the next book because I have hope and - as stated earlier - am very susceptible to propaganda (propaganda = still lesbians).
----
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC

[Andrea (looseleftlesbian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC! 4.5 Stars

I was a little worried about how I would feel about the love triangle. I knew I would get attached to the love interest, Isolde. I can’t even imagine the pain she feels about her actions and how she can’t take them back. She is essentially trapped with the king and it felt like the only bright spot for her was Briar. Especially when Briar talks about how everyone has always used Isolde and that she only has Briar. Knowing what was coming, it broke my heart. I hated to think of that for Isolde. But I could see where the author was starting to place doubt in the readers’ mind about Isolde and while it is one way to make the love triangle no longer a love triangle, I wish I could’ve kept loving the queen. I usually don’t care for throuples but I would’ve been fine with a throuple in the beginning. I don’t want to give away anything but my view on Isolde definitely changed. It was kinda crazy how I went from loving her to hating her.

The author has written such a tragic plot. I found myself thinking about how alone Briar must feel, knowing she can’t tell anyone of her true identity, not even her former first mate, Thea, who doesn’t remember anything. It’s brilliantly tragic. I kept thinking about The Priory of the Orange Tree and how that author had a prequel after it. I think it would be really beneficial for This Splintered Sea to have one due to the intensive backstory of Briar. I was so fascinated by it and a lot of the plot in TSS is based on what happened before the story began.

I freaking adored Kressa from the beginning and only loved her even more as the story progressed. I can honestly say I didn’t not see the plot twist coming at all. I’m a little annoyed at Briar for being so upset when she has not right to be. Like girl, you have been doing the same thing the whole time?? I can’t say much more but Briar’s actions in the past are kinda worse than Kressa’s. I’ll leave it at that, iykyk.

This Splintered Sea was action packed from the jump. It literally grabs you by the neck and never let’s go. Throughout the whole book, you are in the midst of it all. I loved it. Usually it takes a while to build in fantasy books, but not this one. Holy cow!! Especially the last 30%.

While I don’t get how Kressa didn’t figure it out, I’ll let it slide. WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT ENDING?!!! I NEED THE SECOND BOOK NOW!!! I feel like I’m all over the place with this review but dang!! I read this so fast and so much happened!

[The Wild Weary Cow Reads Sapphic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't rant and rave enough about this book!

Sometimes you pick up a book you wish you could read for the first time all over again... And THIS is one for me

A cruel arsehole king who has taken control of another Kingdom.. Claimed the Queen and her powers as his own.
Treats the people of its land harshly
A power hungry narcissist

A Queen who's in love with a Cortisian and did what she needed to protect her people but hated for it.
Suffers unimaginable abuse and is slowly being drained of her powers

A Cortisian cursed and taken from her own kingdom on the sea, desperate to find her ship, shipmates and regain her powers
Loves a Queen but feels the pull of another

A bounty hunter in love with a Cortisian but has a job to do in finding The Princess of the Sea

Cortisian Briar, is offered an opportunity to shake off her curse & free herself from the cruel King Caelus, who announces he'll be holding a competition where by the winner gets ONE wish!

The only problem... she has to do it in disguise. With the help of some others in the palace she enters the 3 trials but there's another problem..... Kressa........
!

I really hope this is a multiple book series....
No pressure 😂😂

If you pick up one book this year.. Make it THIS one!

A lovely triangle
Magic
Krakens
Selkies
Competing in trials

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75⭐️

There are not many sapphic romantasy books out there so when one comes out I have high expectations and while this wasn’t bad i was slightly dissapointed.

In this book we follow Briar the forgotten Princess of the sea who has been cursed and stripped of her powers as she participates in deadly trials to be granted a wish and undoe her curse.

I have to say that I found Briar to be a little inmature sometimes and didn’t understand many of her decisions. I really don’t like when there is a love triangle in a book and this one even though it wasn’t really that I still didn’t appreciate what they did to Isolde’s character, like I get she was jealous but still…

On the other hand Kressa was probably my favorite part of the book.
The trials where really good and I wish we had gotten more of them and of the secondary characters such as Thea who was also really likeable.

The realtionship between Briar and Kressa seemed a little bit rushed to me sometimes but I still found it interesting enough to want to know what’s going to happen to them in the next book.
I recommend if you want to have a fun time.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

[Stephieloohoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
4 ⭐️

I really enjoyed my time reading This Splintered Sea. This being Munroe’s debut says a lot about her as an author and I’m excited to read more of her work.

This book caught my attention, and held it, through the entire story. It’s full of action, intrigue, and cool magic.

It felt like a bit of a mix between The Hunger Games and the Triwizard Tournament but just enough to be different and intriguing.

I liked both MCs a lot, especially Kressa and all of her sexy allure, but Briar did give me some emotional whiplash at times.

This book has a lot going for it and I’d like to see more from our leading ladies (and you too, Thea!). If you like fantasy don’t pass this one up.

[Jess Bullock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words. This was SO good. Like The Hunger Games crossed with Pirates of the Caribbean. Non stop action, an incredible amount of tension. Just a great time all around!

[jlreadstoperpetuity · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Fifty competitors, three trials, two stolen identities, and one princess desperate enough to risk it all.
Let the games begin"

🗓 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: March 19, 2026
📚 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: This Splintered Sea
👑 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Haley J Munroe

✨️𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 & 🍵𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
This Splintered Sea follows Briar, once the Princess of the Sea and a feared captain, who killed her betrothed to escape an arranged marriage and is now living as a pickpocket and spy in a foreign court, hiding from her past and cursed so that contact with the sea could kill her. When a high-stakes competition is announced where the winner gets a single wish — potentially undoing her curse — Briar disguises herself as a pirate and enters deadly trials. Things get even more complicated when Kressa, a notorious bounty hunter and competing trial participant, turns out to be both a threat and something Briar never expected. Fifty competitors, three brutal trials, and magic that doesn’t play nice make this a sapphic romantasy full of tension and twists.

This felt like a very addictive blend of enemies-to-lovers, survival competition, and queer fantasy that kept me turning pages. The worldbuilding has breath and salt to it, and the stakes feel personal instead of abstract because Briar’s choices are rooted in her trauma and desire for freedom. At times pacing dipped into setup or world-building chunks, but overall the tension and character interplay carried the momentum forward. The romance is slow burn with messy feelings and betrayals in the mix, which fits the gritty trial vibe. Not every twist shocked me, but the energy remained compelling and emotionally engaging.

🫶 Thank you to @victoryeditingngc for this gifted copy via @netgalley #netgalleycamp

🔥 Fifty competitors, three trials
🌊 Cursed ex-princess turned pirate
🤝 Enemies-to-lovers tension
✨ Sapphic romantasy vibes
⚔️ High-stakes competition
💥 Escalating magic and betrayal

[Katie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute delight from the very first page. The author doesn’t just tell a story, they immerse you in a fully realized world that feels vivid, alive, and emotionally resonant. Every scene is crafted with care, and the writing is both eloquent and effortlessly engaging, striking that balance between lyrical prose and forward momentum. I found myself completely absorbed, as if I were walking alongside the characters rather than simply reading about them.

What truly sets this book apart is how relentlessly it pulls you forward. Each chapter contains just enough tension, intrigue, or emotional weight to make it impossible to put down. It’s a genuine page-turner in the best sense, one of those stories you keep thinking about long after you’ve closed the cover. By the final page, I was equal parts satisfied and desperate for more. I cannot wait for the sequel (I hope there is one) and to return to this world the author has so masterfully created.

[S.L. Hemmings-Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give this book an unending amount of stars if I could!
What a brilliant read this was. From hidden identity to fated bonds, this book has everything I could have possibly wanted from a fantasy book. It gave me a strong female MC, a badass love interest, beautifully written prose, a complex relationship to root for, a villain to hate, magic, politics, and fighting the system. I laughed, I cried, and the ending made me want to scream. I was on the edge of my seat the entire way through the book and it was truly so difficult to put it down. I found myself racing back to it every time.
If you loved Girls of Paper & Fire, you’ll love this book, too!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Splintered Sea was EVERYTHING.

I love a good romantasy, but making it SAPPHIC? Instant obsession!! This book delivered on all fronts—drama, action, betrayal, romance, tension, and twists that had me hooked!

The pacing is fast and addictive, the characters are compelling, and the emotional stakes are high. I genuinely did not want to put this book down. The ending has me desperately wishing the next book was already out! The chemistry, the tension, Kressa! I genuinely loved every second.

This story was everything I didn’t know I needed, and I cannot wait to continue this series. If you love romantasy with high stakes and sapphic representation, do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

[Niamh Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Massive thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for giving me a chance to review this incredible book 🖤

This book had me SO stressed but in the best way possible of course

Briar, princess of the sea, cursed by her own choices and unable to even touch seawater without dying? Immediately my type of messy. A decade after killing the man she was forced to marry, she’s powerless and trapped in the consequences of it all. Say less. IM IN.

Enter Kressa. Bounty hunter. The only one making consistent, intelligent decisions. I would like to personally thank the author for her existence because that woman for sure carried.

And Thea!!! Underrated queen. The tension, the loyalty, the emotional layers she adds to the story? Needed. She complicates everything in the best way and I was very invested in her role in all of it.

Then we get the Gales trials where the winner gets a wish. Both Briar (in disguise) and Kressa enter with their own motives and from there it is just chaos, action, twists, more twists, and then of course another twist for good measure.

There were moments where I had to pause and go “wait… what is happening?” because so much was unfolding at once. But once everything started clicking into place I was locked in. The political layers, the secrets, the reveals - it’s intricate in a way that makes you feel inside the story rather than just reading it.

Briar did give me emotional whiplash at times because GIRL. Make. A. Decision. But I also kind of loved that about her? She feels flawed in a very real way. Meanwhile Kressa? I loved everything about you until the very end.

And that ending. Why are we still doing cliffhangers like this. My heart is in pieces and I need book two immediately because I have QUESTIONS.

Action-packed, dramatic, sapphic tension, morally grey decisions and a competition arc? Yes please.

I will be seated for the sequel. Unwell but seated.

[han · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gonna give this one a solid 3.25 stars, a solid debut novel methinks. Also spoilers up ahead! I can't really give all my thoughts without spoiling a lot.

So I was caught by the marketing for this one, I will not lie. Haley J. Munroe's tiktok passed by fyp with the caption "pov you're writing a wlw romantasy about a woman who works for the king while having an affair with the queen." Now, besides the fact that "pov" was definitely not used correctly here (I mean this lovingly), did the book deliver on this concept?

Yesssssss...? Kinda?

It's definitely true that the main character, Briar, is a woman working for the king, Caelus, while having an affair with his wife, Isolde. However, saying that the romantasy is about that particular triangle of relationships is a bit of a stretch. Caelus is very prominent for sure, and Briar and Isolde's relationship is definitely a focus in the beginning.

But it also quickly gets shafted to the side for Briar's newfound friendship (and later relationship) with Kressa, a pirate entering the romantasy-patented trials of this novel, the Gales. Somehow, Kressa doesn't realize that Briar is juggling like, three different identities throughout the majority of the novel, but sure! That's alright!

Now, don't get me wrong—I love pirates. Hell, I love pirates in loving relationships with other pirates (Melaugo and Liyat from Among the Burning Flowers, my beloveds). But since I came into this book off that particular marketing of a (supposed) servant x queen relationship, I don't think I was as welcoming of this change of direction, LOL. I do take part of the blame, though, for coming in with those expectations. I loved Isolde's character in the beginning of the book, and I couldn't really blame her for being bitter in the latter half—since Briar was sorta just doing whatever she wanted with Kressa while Isolde kinda had no choice but to watch.

(And as a complete side note, I love the name Isolde, it's such a pretty name and it's dumb but that's part of why I was partial to her despite her betrayal towards the end.)

Anyway! My biases aside, I do think this was a solid first entry into what will hopefully Munroe's catalogue of books. The action was snappy, and a lot happens, but it never felt confusing to me. I do wish the trials were had a few more stakes though. And I may have to revisit at a later date, because I don't really remember why the trials were being held to begin with. But overall, I did keep turning the pages. Did the setup sort of remind me Throne of Glass? Yeah, but who am I to complain. I eat romantasy up like nobody's business.

I will say that I think that the romance aspects could've been handled a bit differently. I wish Isolde got a bit more time to be fleshed out as a member of the love triangle (I didn't really believe she stood a chance the moment Kressa walked in), and I feel like Briar and Kressa warmed up to each other really, really fast. I understand that with books like this, you can never be sure if that second book is gonna be greenlit, but because this is only the first book, it felt like Briar and Kressa's endgame status came really early. Like, I already knew they'd be endgame the moment Briar asked if Kressa was okay after the kraken trial, and that was really early.

And given how they're literally soul bonded (that was a plot twist of all time, haha), I'm kinda just left wondering where we go from here? Since the ending was a clear setup for a sequel. It doesn't look like reconciliation with Isolde is on the table (which I'm a bit sad about haha, I love queens with a backbone) so I'm just curious as to what's going to happen next.

Overall, solid start. I'll probably be reading the sequel, whenever that comes out.

[Jennifer White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Haley J Munroe for this arc!

A solid 3/5 stars for me.

A cursed princess turned courtesan spy entering into a competition to break her curse? A bounty hunter also entering the competition, hot on the heroines tail? Queer pirates? Political intrigue?

Sign me up!

First and foremost, this book has triggers. As a dark romance reader, there were some things that I think should be warned in the beginning. Specifically spousal abuse, threat of SA, and actual SA (to various degrees). I applaud Munroe for approaching these topics head on and I can understand the intent behind why the she has included those overhanging themes throughout various parts of the story.

As for world building, I appreciate that there was no giant info dump. I felt like I learned the world as I read, piece by piece. That’s hard to do as a debut author who is excited about the world they’re writing in, but Munroe excels at this.

Another thing I loved was that this author has these stand out moments of incredible one liners and banter. I found myself highlighting a lot of these individual moments, as well as two or three lines between characters.

Where I struggled was connecting with Briar and Kressa. This very much fell prey to telling us who a character is rather than showing. In Briar’s case I found it hard to root for a character self described as clever, cunning, and ruthless, and slip up as much as Briar did. Briar is contradictory in words and actions. There’s a difference between taking calculated risks and outright endangering yourself and others via your actions, which made it really hard to follow why Briar acts in the way she does. The inability to manipulate circumstances to work both for her overall purpose and to support her morality undermined Briar’s personality.

Contradictions between words and actions were consistent enough that I grew frustrated with the main characters. A great example is when Kressa and Briar go to the prison. A prisoner grabs Briar and calls her his new “pretty little play thing.” In that same scene, Kressa gives a speech about the prisoners not actually being bad, including that man (after physically reacting to it). Throughout the entirety of this book, bodily autonomy plays a major role. Specifically, lack of control Briar has over when and how her body is used (the author does a fantastic job exploring this topic). It is used to define who is morally corrupt, and how awful they are by how far they take things (which was extremely well done). Having it ultimately disregarded in this scene was off putting in comparison to how these things were handled up to this point in the story.

Kressa was frustrating. She is a bounty hunter but could not see who Briar was despite Briar frequently dropping the ball on hiding her identity. Especially in regard to magic. However, the things she was doing behind the scenes were a little bit more sensible to me, with the exception of the prison scene. Kressa should be a catalyst to the story, with the ability to make you worry about the MFC’s actions and reactions. With the introduction of a bounty hunter, I wanted to see an epic game of cat and mouse. While there were times it felt the story was heading that way, it ultimately fell flat.

In the end, I struggled with rating this because the parts that were good were great. But, I really needed more showing than telling. There is a ton of room for growth and the ending leaves much for us to explore in the following book. I look forward to continuing Briar’s story and watching this authors journey as a writer.

[Unpopmary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

This Splintered Sea takes place in a fantasy realm where Briar was once the legendary Princess of the Sea and the feared captain of The Twelfth Night. Everything changes when she’s cursed while trying to escape an arranged marriage imposed by her mother. Her very identity is erased from the kingdom’s memory. Ten years later, she survives as a highly regarded courtesan under His Highness Caelus; a vile man whose hunger for power knows no bounds.

After years of enduring a life she never chose, Briar is offered a chance at freedom: enter a deadly competition where the winner is granted one wish. The catch? She must steal a pirate’s identity — the same pirate who crossed paths with the elusive bounty hunter Kressa. The same Kressa, Briar is now assigned to spy on and seduce. But as tension builds and emotional walls begin to fall, Briar is forced to confront a dangerous truth: keeping up the lie might cost her far more than the curse ever did—especially if her feelings for Kressa get in the way.

Briar is a heroine full of grit, and I was impressed by how intact her fiery spirit remained despite everything she’s been through. She’s difficult to pin down, largely because she’s such a complex character. The contrast between her personas — Harriet the rough pirate, Briar the submissive courtesan, and her true self as the forgotten Princess — was handled beautifully and added so much depth to her character. I also appreciated how selfless she was, constantly putting herself in danger to help those around her.

That said, Briar’s complexity also made her frustrating at times. There were moments where her actions didn’t fully align with her words, and while that made sense given her guilt and trauma, it sometimes created distance between us as reader and character. Just when I thought I understood her, she’d surprise me in ways that felt emotionally jarring. I also felt her growth came a bit late and didn’t hit as hard as I hoped; though I’m optimistic the sequel will expand on this.

Kressa, meanwhile, was an absolute standout. Mysterious, confident, and magnetic...I loved how she matched Briar’s energy and never compromised who she was. The reveal surrounding her true identity genuinely surprised me and added an extra layer of intrigue.

The side characters were equally compelling. You can tell Haley crafted them with care and intention, giving each one clear fears, motivations, and desires that made them feel grounded and real. Caelus, especially, stood out as an exceptional antagonist. I felt genuine disgust every time his name appeared on the page, which really speaks to Haley’s strength as a storyteller.

On the more constructive side, the romance was a bit of a sore point for me, mainly because of the love triangle. It’s a trope I’ve always struggled with, and while it was clear who the true romantic interest would be, Briar’s constant indecisiveness between Isolde and Kressa tested my patience. The prolonged will-they-won’t-they dynamic, largely fueled by Briar’s fear and denial, had me on edge. I was relieved when things finally moved forward… until that devastating turn at the end.

I also would’ve loved deeper world-building. The magic system, Briar’s powers, Kressa’s abilities, and the bond between them felt full of potential that we only briefly touched on. But hopefully the sequel will explore this in greater depth.

Overall, This Splintered Sea offers a high-stakes fantasy filled with magic, power struggles, greed, and a ferocious enemies-to-lovers romance — packed with unexpected plot twists and a gripping cliffhanger that will leave you desperate to sink your teeth into the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy! I’m genuinely grateful for the chance to review it.

[Know My Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Haley J. Munroe for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rated 5⭐️

Ten years ago Briar was cursed when she killed the man she was betrothed to marry. The result: she is mow confined to land. A single rogue droplet of seawater or steepening onto the deck of a ship could kill her. She is reduced from the Princess of the Sea to serve as a mere courtesan of a cruel king. However, hope could be on the horizon. The King has just annouced a new kingdom-wide competition, The Gales. Fifty participants, three deadly challenges, one wish of anything the winner desires. After finding out that that castle staff cannot participate, Briar assumes te identity of recently deceased pirate woman; Harriet. Unknowing to her, Harriet was firmly in the crosshairs if a merciless bounty hunter, one who has also made the choice to join The Gales hungering for the prize.

I felt for Briar; girl must be exhausted constantly dancing between Harriet the pirate and Briar the courtesan. Even I got a little whiplash sometimes from keeping up with personalities and decisions. But the unending loneliness she feels must be intense. After all, no one really knows her true self: Briar, Princess of the Sea. They only see Briar the King’s Courtesan loaned out as he deems so, or Harriet the Pirate, a necessary mantle in order to sign up for The Gales. Even Isolde could never really know her, despite being one of the people closest to her. And then Thea, her best friend and first mate, the only connection to her past but cursed to never remember their shared history of their time on the open seas. Much loneliness and isolation.

As for the other characters, let’s start with the best of them: Kressa. The light of my life. What a woman you are. Kressa for best woman: so sexy, so sharp, so full of sass. Her yearning and hunger for Briar. You start realising after a while that everyone in this book hiding something but Kressa’s reveal had me audibly gasping. I mean, I had a niggling feeling about halfway through the book but some details still weren’t adding up so I dismissed it. The tension and chemistry between Briar and Kressa was delicious. The ‘I want you but I don’t WANT to want you’ was 👌🏻 

The world building was basic, which is fine, choosing instead to focus on the plot, characterisation and relationship building. I still need a little confirmation about all the different kingdoms. Like Terra: is she the god for the whole world or just this kingdom? she seems to have just a little bit of a sinister vibe from the tiny bit of the book she was in. And what kingdoms are still around, and what have disappeared? Is it only the Fire Kingdom that’s not around any more?

I will be billing Haley J. Munroe for my new therapy bill caused by the emotional damage the last chapters left me with. Why? Why? Why? Rhetorical question, I know. It made the plot very juicy and thick, but it made my heart hurts. I’m not usually one for cliffhangers like that that leave me with a bittersweet taste in my mouth, unless I’m in the mood for that feeling, but ‘This Splintered Sea’ gets a free pass because it was so good. There will be another book yes? Please, pretty please. You can’t leave me like this. You cant leave me with THAT ending. I crave moreeeeeeeee.

[arley_starkreadingmad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. This honest review was based off my experience reading this eARC, which in no way biased me. All opinions are my own.

First of all I feel the need to disclose I knew next to nothing about this book when I requested for an ARC. It was sapphic, a romantasy, and something about pirates. If I’m being honest that’s all I really needed to know to immediately be intrigued, I wasn’t hopeful I would get an ARC, and yet here we are.

In case you aren’t like me and would like to know a little more of what you’ll find in here:

-enemies to lovers
-(a mild) love triangle (which as an avid love triangle trope hater, I didn’t really mind it)
-elemental magic
-deadly trials (which now that I see A Serpent and the Wings of Night as a comp title this makes sense)
-bounty hunters along with pirates
-lots of hidden identities
-mutual “touch her and die”
-political/court intrigue
-several knife to throat opportunities
-the “I don’t trust you” to “I’m mad that I do trust you now” to inevitable betrayals pipeline is just *chef’s kiss*
-forbidden romance
-(lowkey) fated mates (but not in an insta-love or insta-lust kind of way)
-lots of sapphic yearning
-secrets and betrayals
-its a slow burn

-this ain’t a spoiler but one of the best fucking cliffhangers I’ve ever read
-it is the first book in a trilogy so we have to wait, but I can tell it will be worth it.


Well now that all the facts are out of the way now it’s time for my opinions.

I enjoyed this book. Plain and simple. It was quite the journey. I do believe it personally took me a bit to get into, the first half I wasn’t as hooked, but it was interesting enough to keep my attention to keep going. It was like my own slow burn romance with this book. I don’t know when it happened but right around the middle of the book, it was a page turner and I fought myself to put it down to get things done. I loved the complexity of Briar, I think it could have been the cherry on top to have this either be dual POV with Briar’s love interest, or have it multi POV.

One thing I couldn’t manage to suspend reality that long, was that Briar’s secret identity isn’t figured out by more people, or even a single person. Like babygirl had so many slip ups and no one pieced it together? I think it could have made for a complicated conversation to see play out with a certain someone.

There are quite a bit of plot twists, that you might be able to infer if you pay enough attention, although I will admit, there was one that I did not see coming and I thought it was really well done. Not to toot my own horn, but I’m quite the observant reader, so it’s kind of tough to surprise me.

All in all, I ended up rating it 3.5 stars.
I will be reading book 2 and anything else this author puts out.

This Splintered Sea is out on March 19th, 2026, it will be included in KU.

[Nature Fairy (boy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC for my honest opinion. So let’s go..

Pre-read: very curious about this book. all of my favorite tropes. Water, pirates, LGBT love focus, trials, this felt like the makings of a five star book, but it sadly fell short.

Post-read: From the very beginning, this novel struggles to find its footing. The opening feels unnecessarily convoluted, as though readers have been dropped into the middle of a story that should have had at least fifty pages of backstory already laid out. Instead of easing us into the world and its characters, the narrative assumes a level of familiarity that hasn’t been earned, creating confusion rather than intrigue.

One of the most disappointing aspects is the characterization. Rather than experiencing the excitement of meeting new characters and gradually uncovering their motivations and personalities, it feels as though we are expected to already know them — and not in a compelling way. The emotional connection never fully develops, leaving the cast feeling flat, distant, and ultimately forgettable.

Briar, in particular, is a frustrating protagonist. As the Princess of the Sea, there is an expectation of unique power or depth tied to her identity. Yet she appears to possess no special magic of her own. If this absence is connected to the hinted curse, the story has not done enough to make that mystery engaging or meaningful. Instead of intrigue, it creates a sense of lack — as though something essential to her character is missing.

Additionally, the absence of romance so far removes another potential layer of tension or emotional investment. While not every story requires romance, its absence here contributes to the overall feeling of emptiness. Without strong character dynamics, compelling stakes, or vivid world-building, the narrative struggles to maintain momentum.

I feel like this book shows hints of a potentially interesting premise, but the execution falters. The confusing introduction, underdeveloped characters, and lack of emotional depth make it difficult to stay fully engaged. Readers may find themselves wishing for richer backstory, stronger character development, and a clearer sense of direction as the story unfolds.

Overall: kudos to the author for an ambitious debut. I’m curious to know more about this story as it unfolds, and the author gains a stronger POV for Briar in the novel.

Last thoughts : Kudos to Haley, J. Munroe, as an author. Especially one who I am completely unfamiliar with, this book did have fun moments that surprised me, especially the scene with the kraken! If you read you will know lol. The exciting moments were so much fun in the most positive way. Even despite the negative aspects I have reviewed. I will stay Tuned for the sequel, and the growth of Haley’s novels.

[LovesickJunkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 AT A GLANCE
STARS 6 stars -- obsessed!
SPICE low (one scene) but so much yearning and pining
CHEMISTRY excellent
ANGST high
SLOW BURN yes
CLIFFHANGER YES!
CHARACTERS Briar/Isolde/Kressa


💬 LINES THAT LIVE RENT-FREE
She wants to give me freedom, but little does she know—in the last decade—my power has only felt this free with her. I can’t leave her.

Briar, love. Breathe. A single tear falls to the wooden board, stained with blood from prior executions. Head bowed, I scan the crowd and find Kressa staring at me. You’re okay. I’m here. Focus on me.

Losing me is impossible, my love. I’ve always been yours. And forever will be.

🖤 WHY THIS STORY HIT ME SO HARD
Every once in a while a book comes along that just completely levels you. The kind that leaves you a little stunned when you finish because you’re not ready to leave that world yet.
This Splintered Sea did exactly that to me.
It has everything I love. Pining. Fierce protectiveness. Secrets and mystery threaded through the entire story. Supernatural powers. Dangerous creatures. And relationships built on longing and devotion.
By the time I finished, I was honestly a little shook. I can already tell this will be one of my favorite books of the year.

🫀CHARACTER THOUGHTS
These characters had me emotionally invested from the very beginning.
Briar is the kind of character you immediately want to protect. She’s been through so much, but her instinct is still to care for the people around her.
Kressa fascinated me right away. There’s something about her that pulls you in and makes you want to know every layer of who she is.
And Isolde… she’s complicated, hurting, and carrying a lot of history. What really stood out to me was the way Briar treated her with such gentleness and patience.

🔥 MOMENTS I’M STILL THINKING ABOUT
There are scenes in this book that are permanently living in my brain.
But I refuse to spoil them. If even one thing about this story sounds interesting to you, trust me and experience those moments for yourself.
All I will say is that final paragraph is still haunting me.

⚠️ ONE SMALL NOTE
Expect emotional devastation. This story does not hold back.

📚 READ THIS IF YOU LOVE…
If you’re drawn to stories with impossible odds, dangerous choices, and life-or-death stakes, this one will pull you under fast. It carries that same survival tension that reminded me a bit of The Hunger Games. But it’s the aching longing, the sacrifice, and characters who speak straight to your soul and refuse to let go. Enter at your own risk. Your heart will not leave untouched.

[BB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you both the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to read This Splintered Sea as a free arc and share my thoughts about the book.

Oh boy that was a ride. A sail? It was definitely something.

Okay, so, I’m not that big of a romantasy reader and love triangles aren’t necessarily my thing, but you can’t tempt me with some WLW action and the sea and not to expect me to get interested in that. I love sea lesbians almost as much as I love space lesbians, so I was excited when I noticed an opportunity to request TSS as an arc and I’m very glad I did.

The book really pulled me in. It took me less than 24 hours to read it. I don’t really enjoy ebooks but this time this was so entertaining that I just kept going. For me, the vibe was there and it carried the book. It was entertaining and the pacing was good enough to keep my attention stuck on the screen.

It has some flaws. I feel like so often, especially in the romantasy side of the book world, books just don’t explain enough. This one left me feeling like that. I’m still a bit confused about so many things in the magical side of this world, but I also feel like this was a good base and there’s a good chance that the future parts of this series (I believe it will have at least another part since the end was a bit cliff hanger) will explain more and I don’t mind when fantasy worlds are built slowly through books.

A lot was happening and not all of it was explained which could annoy me, but in this case, I think I enjoyed the story enough not to be bothered by the things that were left unexplained. There were moments when I felt like the story was stumbling a little bit because there was so much happening, so many people, so many shenanigans and evil and not-so-evil plots going on, but in the end I feel like the book finished well, leaving me to crave for more.

I enjoyed the characters although there were moments when I wanted to bang my head against the screen and scream at these gorgeous ladies that are they dump or dumper because how they cannot notice what’s hiding right in front of their eyes. Our main girl’s Briar’s secret identity as a competitor wasn’t hidden that well. Nevertheless, none of the characters were perfect and I liked it that way. Was I frustrated with them? Definitely. Did I like them a lot? Definitely.

I’m left feeling like Jennifer Lawrence’s what do you mean meme, so I’m excitedly waiting to see where this will go. This was definitely a solid debut in the world where we just don’t have enough hot sea ladies who love other ladies and I love everyone who will give us more of those.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 stars

Spice Level
Low spice – one brief open-door scene, otherwise limited to kissing


Overall Thoughts
This had a really promising premise and a strong finish, but the pacing and the balance between the romance and fantasy elements didn’t fully work for me. I went in expecting a sea-magic-centered fantasy, and the magic doesn’t play a significant role until the very end, which made the middle of the book feel slow and drawn out. I kept waiting for a major event, a stronger sense of the world, or more action to move the story forward.
While this is a sapphic romance, it reads much closer to YA in tone, with the relationship dynamics taking center stage and the fantasy elements staying mostly in the background.


What Worked for Me
The final chapters were the strongest part of the book and finally delivered on the promise of the story
Kressa was a standout character with a strong presence and compelling energy
The sea creatures and ocean setting added a lot of atmosphere, and I would have loved even more of this woven into the story
The central concept has a lot of potential for future books in the series


What Didn’t Work for Me
The fantasy and sea magic elements were minimal for most of the book
The middle section dragged, especially through the early trials
Major plot developments often felt obvious, yet the characters repeatedly overlooked them
Briar was difficult to connect with as a main character
When her magic finally returned, the hesitation and lack of control made the payoff feel muted


Romance / Characters
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic had strong potential, and Kressa carried much of the emotional weight of those scenes.
Isolde was an interesting character whose jealousy ultimately drives the late-book turning point, which added complexity even if it made her difficult to like.
Overall, I found the side characters more engaging and relatable than the main character.


Who This Is For
Readers who enjoy character-driven sapphic romance with light fantasy elements, slower pacing, and a YA-leaning tone.


Final Line
A story with a great concept and a powerful ending that needed more magic, action, and momentum to fully deliver on its potential.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publishers and author for providing me with the eARC of "This Splintered Sea" in exchange for my honest review! #arc #arcreader #netgalley

[Jacenya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killing her betrothed and fleeing an arranged marriage was meant to free Briar, the Princess of the Sea, from a life trapped on land and chained to a throne. Powerful, ruthless, and wild, she once sailed the seas under her queen mother’s rule as the feared captain of The Twelfth Night.

A decade later, she’s a pickpocket and the king’s favorite courtesan in a foreign, enemy court, working as an undercover spy while having a secret affair with the queen. As punishment for her murderous revenge, she’s stuck on land—cursed, forgotten to history, and stripped of her ruthless power that once made her so formidable. One spray of the sea against her skin will kill her.

She’s trapped, hiding in plain sight, until the King announces a competition in which the winner will be granted a single wish—a wish that could undo her curse. Determined, she conceals herself as a pirate, and magically seals herself to The Gales and its trials.

Only, the pirate identity she stole is being hunted by notorious bounty hunter and fellow trials competitor, Kressa—the same bounty hunter Briar is supposed to seduce and spy on as a courtesan.

The same woman whose kiss ignited Briar’s dormant magic, breaking all the rules of her curse.

Fifty competitors, three trials, two stolen identities, and one princess desperate enough to risk it all.
Let the games begin.


I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and maaaan, am I glad I did.

Fated mates. Games and trials. A sapphic love triangle (kind of… at least a little, lol). I absolutely devoured this book. The only reason it took me three days to finish is because I had to be a responsible adult and go to work. Otherwise, this would have been a one-sitting read, no question.

I loved Briar. Her determination to fix what she broke and do the right thing, even when it comes at a personal cost, made her so easy to root for. She is 100% a girl’s girl, and I was here for it the entire time.

This is definitely a slow burn, but when the spice finally hits? Whew. Worth. The. Wait.

The only part I wasn’t completely sold on was her relationship with Queen. Their connection didn’t fully translate for me and at times felt a bit forced. But honestly, that was a small hiccup in an otherwise addictive read.

I’m officially hooked and cannot wait for the second installment.

[Jenn James · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, thank you to NetGalley and Haley J. Munroe for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This was a five-star read for me. The romance absolutely had me feral in the best way.. I was kicking my feet, blushing, and completely emotionally invested. And that cliffhanger? Brutal. The true tragedy of ARCs is falling in love with a story and then having to wait even longer for the next installment.

What I loved most: Kressa. My sweet, complicated girl. I love her deeply — even if the ending has me questioning everything. I refuse to believe there isn’t an explanation. Thea’s storyline was equally powerful. Watching her struggle with her memory was heartbreaking, and when everything began to resurface, I was cheering. Those emotional beats truly landed for me.

That said, there were elements that didn’t quite work.

The worldbuilding felt underdeveloped at times. I struggled to understand why only one court could rule at a time and what was happening within each individual court. There were moments when the political structure felt confusing rather than immersive.

The characters occasionally became muddled as well. It felt like there was a lot happening — almost too much — and some of it didn’t fully land because of how ambitious the scope was.

The identity plotlines were also a bit difficult to suspend disbelief for. The fact that the princess of the sea kept her first name and birthday without anyone noticing …. including the king …. felt implausible. Additionally, I immediately guessed Kressa’s identity, and it stretched credibility that she wouldn’t figure out Briar’s identity (or Harriet’s). At times, the secret identities felt more frustrating than shocking.

I understand the narrative purpose of Isolde’s characterization in order to make room for the romance with Kressa, but she felt almost excessively villainized. Because of that, the love triangle ended up feeling unnecessary rather than emotionally complicated.

Even with those critiques, the romance carried this book for me. The emotional intensity, the longing, the chemistry, it all worked. I am deeply invested in these characters and absolutely cannot wait to see where the story goes next.

Five stars, and now I wait (impatiently).

[angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for my E-Arc!

Book Start:02/09/2026
Book End: 02/17/2026

A cursed princess where everyone forgotten her legacy and name (along with her loyal followers of her ship also forgetting their past lives) work in a palace of what was once ruled by a queen of the Sky Court and has been overtaken by a rival kingdom (Terra Court). The cursed princess works as a courtesan under the rule of the current king.

However, when there is a competition that the winner gets a single wish, she signs up with the stolen identity of a dead pirate for a chance for her freedom and to break her curse. The catch is, she cannot be caught as the palace's courtesan during this competition and must keep her disguise as the pirate. Secondly, a bounty hunter is searching for the whereabouts of the missing princess. Also, did I mention that this bounty hunter had a part in the killing of this dead pirate that she stole the identity of? Also, it's very ✨gay✨ (the courtesan aka the FMC has flings with the queen and there's a spark with the bounty hunter).

Minor misspellings like 29% mark ("cannon" on one sentence and "canon: the second sentence), and 33% mark "wher" instead of "where"). It may have already been fixed with the final product. There was also times where I swear the main FMC was going to get caught. I thought the bounty hunter was going to figure it out halfway through the book, and her not getting caught by the king with the excuses she had for the courtesan randomly disappearing at times. Also, kind of wondering how this curse works? Do only certain people remember her (or not remember her)? 🤔

The book is moreso a romantasy with a sprinkling of some palace drama and the cherry on top being that there are trials involved (which may have been overdone in a lot of literature, but I feel that the author did well with the creativity for these trials). Also, there is some sea-related mythological creatures in this book (no spoilers because they have to do with the trials)! There are some good twists and turns in this book that didn't feel predictable (such as the identity of one of the contestants, the real reason why they joined the trials, etc).

The book is also NOT a standalone, and it is left at a cliffhanger.

[✮ ~ soph ~ ✮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

my rating: ✦✦✦✦✦ — 4.70 stars, rounded up

–✧–

“‘I know you well enough to know you amaze me.’”

–✧–

this splintered sea is an amazing sapphic romantasy that follows briar, a fallen, forgotten princess-turned-courtesan, as she is assigned by the king to grow close to a mysterious woman named kressa, and learn what she’s hiding—but the seduction quickly-yet-reluctantly grows into something more. soon after, the king announces a series of trials, permitting all but those who work for the royal court to compete for the chance to win a wish. because briar is desperate for her suppressed power to return to her call, she decides to enter the trials using a disguise. since these two events happen simultaneously, briar is forced to juggle three identities at once, and also the problem of her confusing feelings for kressa.

although compulsively readable, this novel grows just a little bit repetitive toward the end. there’s clearly a pattern in kressa and briar’s relationship: getting close to each other, betrayal, and then the revelation that it was done for the other’s love for them. this pattern repeats itself at least three times throughout the novel, and it does get a little redundant. also, i will add that the entire motive for briar to grow close with kressa in the first place is to relay information from her to the king, caelus. but it’s almost as though this point is forgotten, and not brought up until roughly 60% into the story.

overall, this splintered sea was a great indie debut romantasy. i’d suggest it for people who want the appeal of competition-based romantasies like powerless, caraval, and lightlark, but with a splendid sapphic twist.

p.s. the cliffhanger at the end makes me very excited for the sequel!

–✧–

note: this arc was provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. thank you to netgalley and victory publishing!

–✧–

stats:
spice 🌶️: 3.5/5
emotion 💧: 2.5/5
memorability 💭: 3/5
thought-provoking-ness 🧠: 1/5

[Iliza Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded up from a 4.5

This was a really easy read; and by that I mean it didn’t take much to be fully invested in the plot, world, and characters from the first chapter. I think with any book, there are of course things you can hyper focus on a tear apart, but overall, this was a good, fun, entertaining book. Avoiding spoilers, the story primarily follows two main characters; Briar, the cursed Princess of the sea, and Kressa, a pirate in search of this Princess.

Briar can be a little frustrating in how she goes about handling her newfound feelings for Kressa, but given that she’s cursed and can’t reveal her identity even if she wanted to due to how the curse works, it’s understandable how she bounces from wanting to trust Kressa to wanting to push her as far away as possible.

The trials that drive Briar and Kressa together are meant to be deadly and dangerous, but I didn’t get too much of that. I do wish it would have been a little more nail biting and I also wish we could have seen more of Briar’s own magic-less skills help her out of tight spots, but they did work to bring Briar and Kressa closer and it also helped reiterate how loved Briar was as a princess, even by the creatures of the sea.

I LOVE the concept of the queens and how magic works in this book. I personally felt like it was really unique and I wanted to learn so much more about it. The main villain is easy to hate for being awful and you find yourself naturally wanting Briar to overcome her obstacles and take him out.

♥️ Romance Level: 4 out 5 I feel like it was a great slow burn and there was a lot of build up and the tension between Briar and Kressa was great. There’s another love interest as well that you find yourself torn between for a time.

🌶️ Spice Level: 2.5 out of 5 there’s only once really spicy scene, but it was great and again, paired with the romance, it was a great payoff in my opinion.

There were quite a few times where I found myself promising that I’d be done after this last chapter, but I just needed to see what happened next and I ended up finishing it in just under 4 days, so, safe to say I’m looking forward to the next one!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am well aware that there are tropes that I gravitate towards. Magic? Hidden identities? Queer relationships? Yes to all of the above. But queer PIRATES? Sign me up!

First off: there need to be some trigger warnings for domestic/spousal abuse and psychological torture. If those are distressing topics for you, this book may not be for you.

Briar is the exiled Princess of the Sea, cursed to be forgotten, powerless, and doomed to die if she so much as touches the sea. For the past ten years she’s found work as a courtesan and spy in the court of the King of the Air, all the while being in love with his wife. Everything changes when the King announces a to-the-death competition with the surviving winner getting a wish granted by the gods. Briar sneaks in under a false identity, but she can’t avoid the eye of bounty hunter Kressa who, for the first time in a decade, gives Briar a reminder of what it felt like to be powerful. And for the first time in a decade, Briar has hope.

This book was pretty fun. Briar’s yearning and longing for the life she used to have is palpable, and every interaction she had with Thea was chock-full of it. I think her relationships with Thea and Isolde were some of my favorite aspects of the book - they felt real and lived in. But while her relationship with Thea is warm and constant and painful, her relationship with Isolde becomes more and more neglected the closer Briar gets to Kressa and the taste of power she offers. This isn’t something that Briar gets concerned about or really thinks about more than in passing until things blow up in her face.

There were some serious pacing issues with crucial plot points during the false climax, and some reveals that I wish could have been played out differently or given more time to react to. More significantly, I feel some of those plot points, while pushing the story forward, came out of nowhere for some of the characters involved. Maybe there’s something we as readers weren’t privy to that’ll be addressed as the story continues? I’ll be checking out the sequel. (Justice for Isolde!)