Sea of Shadows

by C.M. Gilvere

Sea of Shadows is the sweeping first book in The Sea of Stars series. Perfect for readers who love lush fantasy romance with the epic scope and emotional depth blended with the danger and atmosphere of high-seas adventure.

Nerina has always felt like an outsider among the merfolk of Thalassia. Born during the Eclipsera Convergence—a rare celestial event that stilled the ocean—she carries a crescent mark on her skin and a strange, unpredictable magic that sets her apart.

When a sacred ritual goes wrong, offering a glimpse of power she never knew she had, Nerina flees the ocean in search of answers. But the sea is not so easily escaped. Her journey collides with Alaric, a cursed pirate captain bound to the waves by ancient magic. Charismatic, sharp-tongued, and harboring secrets of his own, Alaric is equal parts danger and temptation.

Their fates entangle the moment they meet.

He believes her magic can break his curse.

She believes he’s her quickest ticket to freedom.

Neither believes they can trust the other.

As they venture across treacherous seas, haunted coves, and forgotten ruins, Nerina begins to unravel the truth about her birth—and the unimaginable power hidden within her. The closer she comes to finding out who she is, the more enemies rise from the deep.

With tensions rising and desire simmering, Nerina and Alaric must decide if their uneasy alliance will save them… or tear them apart.

Sea of Shadows is a story of identity, forbidden magic, slow-burn romance, and the dangerous cost of secrets.

A tale of a girl discovering who she is—while the world tries to claim her fate.

Genres: Fantasy

855 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2026

About the author

C.M. Gilvere is a fantasy romance author known for richly imagined worlds, complex characters, and emotionally driven storytelling. Her work blends myth, magic, and adventure with themes of identity, power, and found family, drawing inspiration from dark fairytales, mythology, nautical legend, and epic fantasy traditions.

She writes stories centered on characters who exist between worlds—caught between duty and desire, destiny and choice—often exploring what it means to reclaim power that has been taken or suppressed. Her narratives frequently combine high-stakes supernatural conflict with intimate, character-focused relationships, creating stories that balance epic scope with emotional depth.

Sea of Shadows is the first novel in her Sea of Stars series, an interconnected series that follows a young mermaid born during a rare celestial event and the cursed pirate whose fate becomes entangled with hers. The series blends siren mythology, vampire lore, and celestial magic within a sweeping oceanic fantasy setting.

Through her writing, Gilvere seeks to create immersive, character-driven fantasy that resonates with readers who enjoy slow-burn romance, layered worldbuilding, and stories of transformation and self-discovery.

Reviews

[Tiffany Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to be an ARC reader for this book. I enjoyed the storyline overall, the only thing was the pacing at times felt a little too dragged out, lingering too long in spots that made moments just feel a bit underwhelming. But once I made it past those sections I was once again hooked in. Also im pretty sure I have second male lead syndrome xD haha The cliffhanger at the end had me sitting on the edge of my seat, NEEDING more, having to wait for the next book is going to be TORTURE! haha 4.5 stars 🌟 I will be buying the physical copy 💕

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sea of Shadows by C.M. Gilvere is a story that feels like standing at the edge of something vast and unknowable—beautiful, dangerous, and deeply emotional. It’s a journey shaped as much by inner transformation as it is by the shadows lurking beneath the surface.

At its heart, this novel leans into what the author does best: blending fantasy with emotional depth. Gilvere is known for crafting worlds rooted in myth, magic, and identity, where characters are often caught between who they are and who they’re meant to be —and that tension is felt in every page of this story.

What makes Sea of Shadows truly resonate is its emotional core. The characters feel raw and searching, shaped by loss, longing, and the quiet pull of something more. There’s a softness to the way relationships develop—never rushed, always earned—and it gives the story a heartfelt weight that lingers. You don’t just read their journey—you feel it, like waves pulling you under and then letting you breathe again.

The atmosphere is another standout. There’s a haunting, almost melancholic beauty woven through the setting—an ever-present sense of danger beneath something serene. It creates a mood that feels immersive and intimate, like a secret the ocean is trying to keep.

That said, the pacing occasionally drifts. There are moments where the story lingers a little too long in introspection, softening the urgency of the plot. But even then, it never feels wasted—just quieter, more reflective, like the calm between storms.

In the end, this is a story about becoming—about stepping into your power, even when it terrifies you. It’s tender, atmospheric, and quietly powerful.

[Morgana Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prologue alone had me hooked in Sea of Shadows. It immediately pulled me into the world and set the tone for the story in a way that made enjoyable to read. I went into this not knowing much about it, and I ended up really enjoying the atmosphere and overall direction of the book.

This story hits several tropes that I’m always a sucker for ; pirates (hello, sexy af) , fantasy creatures like mermaids and vampires, forced proximity, and a slow burn with plenty of tension. The relationships develop gradually and the tension between characters builds in a really satisfying way without feeling rushed (although yes I wish it was a bit sooner).

That said, the pacing did feel a little uneven at times. Some sections felt longer than they needed to be, and there were moments where it felt like several chapters passed without much actually happening. It didn’t ruin the experience for me, but tightening those slower stretches would have made the story flow a bit better.
Normally I can read a book in one sitting, especially if I'm super hooked, but I found myself totally okay with going stretches between chapters during my week. So it's not necessarily a bad thing, I just found it a nice pace for myself.

Overall though, I had a really good time with this one. The opening grabbed me, the tropes were right up my alley, and the world has enough intrigue that I definitely want to see where the story goes next.

I’ll absolutely be picking up book two when it releases.

Thank you C.M. Gilvere for the early copy to read!

[lauren dedinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What To Expect:
- grumpy x sunshine
- dual pov
- forced proximity
- cursed mmc
- pirates, mermaids, vampires and mythological creatures

3.8⭐️ so i rounded up

this was a very intriguing book and i am so grateful that i was able to arc read it! so thank you so much c.m. gilvere for trusting me with your book!

it does start off a little slow and there is so much world building, it took a minute for me to absorb it all. but that being said it was also descriptive so i could fully imagine the world and everything that was going on which i loved. i would love to actually transport myself into this world as well. also once this book started to pick up and move a little faster i was completely hooked!

there is so much character growth throughout the book, especially for the fmc nerina. i loved watching her gain strength and discover who she is as i read.

the best way to describe this book is like a mix of the little mermaid and pirates of the caribbean with added elements and mythological creatures. all of that really speaks to me and if you like those kind of vibes, i definitely recommend checking it out!

also imma need the next book asap because that ending has me feeling all kinds of ways 😩😅

[Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

Its a verrryy long book. Maybe a bit too long especially since its going to be a series. Normally long books are good with me, but this case it felt a bit unnecessary. However, the writing is beautiful. Was the author a bit over descriptive in some places? Yup for sure. But some of her language was exquisite. I love the lush lyrical writing. Ive always been a fan. Nerina is a wonderfully developed character. Because the book was so long, I was able to get to know her quite a bit before she ever left Thalassia. Same with Alaric.

Unfortunately, besides the length of the book, I found the story very boring. The author seemed so caught up in describing things and having me feel things that they forgot the plot. It didnt feel as fleshed out as it could be. They told me what was going on instead of letting me see what was going on with the characters. I think with some more time and as this author develops, so will her stories.

Im still extremely interested in how the next book will go with that cliffhanger but im mostly wanting to see more of Nerina because her character is freaking amazing!!!! I cant get enough.

[Eleonore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start out by saying that I was given an ARC copy to read and am giving my own opinion.
This book is absolutely amazing and I need everyone to read it immediately! If I could give a higher rating than just 5 stars, I would absolutely give it 10 stars, it is that good. The best description of the story that I can give (without spoiling it) is imagine a cross over between Pirates of the Caribbean and the Little Mermaid, but it also has Vikings, vampires, many other magical creatures, and curses.
The story does a fantastic job at balancing adventure and romance while also adding in plenty of hilarious scenes and allowing the characters to grow to better understand themselves. While the book is on the longer side (with about 565 pages), every single page is worth it. I absolutely cannot wait until book 2 comes out and I get to jump back into this world!
Thank you so much to C.M. Gilvere and her team for letting me read the book! I really enjoyed it and appreciate the opportunity!

[Janna Felix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sea of Shadows is an atmospheric fantasy with an intriguing premise, merfolk magic, cursed pirates, and a journey across dangerous seas. Nerina’s story begins with a strong sense of mystery as she struggles with the strange magic that marks her as different from everyone around her, and I enjoyed watching her search for answers about her origins. The dynamic between Nerina and the pirate captain Alaric adds a slow-burn tension to the adventure, especially as their uneasy alliance is built on secrets and mutual need rather than trust. The setting of haunted coves, ocean ruins, and shifting tides creates a vivid backdrop for the story, and the concept behind Nerina’s powers is interesting. While the pacing and character development didn’t fully pull me in at times, the overall atmosphere and magical elements kept me curious about where the story might go next. And I have to mention the absolutely beautiful cover, which perfectly captures the oceanic fantasy vibe of the book.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

What in the Aquamarine, H2O, Twilight, and Pirates of the Caribbean mashup did I just read? First off, this one book could be two different books. Just end it roughly halfway (if you read, you'll know the spot that I am talking about), and that would have been a great way to end the first book. There is a lot of fluff going on, and I found myself getting lost in the fluff. There were things that I found that could have just been omitted from the story. I am ALL for long books and stories. Generally, I prefer longer books, especially if it is a standalone, which this is not. I found myself having to take multiple breaks, especially with the chapters that could be shorter or not there at all.

A problem that I had was, if she had never had legs before, how did she know how the deed goes? And I do not think that they reacted the way that they should have when they noticed that she no longer had a tail.

[Samantha Bilodeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the premise for this! Nerina, a mermaid/siren who was born during a cosmic event, giving her unusual powers, is treated as an outcast. She goes in seek of answers to her past.

And our pirate captain MMC, Alaric, who is afflicted with a curse similar to POTC where he can't enjoy food or drinks and he can't walk on land. He is also seeking answers to alleviating his curse.

The vibes are very cool and I really liked the caverns, islands, "the Veil" between land and see, and adventures! It was all really well described, and immersive.

The pacing felt a bit slow at times, which did make it harder to connect with Alaric and Nerina. The slow burn is a slowww burn, as well, though the pay off for that works well!

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is 100% my own.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounding up to 4

The poetic style of writing used was absolutely exquisite. I also loved the premise of mermaids and vampire pirates. 

The journey of growth the FMC goes on is something I think a lot people can resonate with. She goes from sheltered and naive to gritty and determined by the end.
 
That being said, I wish there had been more dialogue; especially in the beginning. I felt like I was being told what was going on from an internal monologue versus going on the adventure with them. The lack of dialogue made it hard to get the know the characters together and made some of the ending lack the emotional depth I think was intended....this does get better towards the end, which is where most of the action was. 

I am intrigued to see how her journey will continue, especially after that cliffhanger. 

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just... wow.


Sea Of Shadows by C.M. Gilvere has it all. Mermaids, pirates, vampires, and vampirates all mixed together in an instense and dangerous fantasy world, where theyre forced to work together, each for their own reasons.

In this enemies to lovers, forced proximity, slow/medium burn romantasy we have a strong, stubborn, and fierce mermaid FMC and 2 strong, protective pirate MMCs, both great in their own way. The character and world building is
✨️chefs kiss✨️ and the pacing is perfect...no slow, lagging chapters! I can't tell if this is going to be a love triangle situation yet with this being the first book and it ending on a cliffhanger 😭. Definitely a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and 🌶 read!

[Sheila Gilbraith · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a mermaid who leaves the safety of her world to discover answers then the adventure begins. The book started off pretty slow but I liked the world building. We meet some cursed pirates, other creatures, adventures to bad places , and a cold north that reminds me of like Vikings with wolves. At times I wanted to be like face palm here we go FMC but it added to the story. There's a small bit of spice here but doesn't take away from the story. Overall really liked it! Not sure what's gonna happen in the next one since there's things that need answering but I'm looking forward to it. The book doesn't end as a HEA for your pre warning.


* Recieved Arc*

[J.A. Stepp · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Sea of Shadows in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The word sharp alone is doing Olympic-level heavy lifting in this book. Every glance is sharp. Every breath is sharp. (A lot of glances, gazes and breaths as well). When everything is sharp, nothing cuts. We’re also very fond of measured, raw, and unguarded. These adjectives recur so often they stop describing anything and start feeling like default settings.

The writing leans heavily on telling vs showing, which greatly takes away from the narrative experience.

Lastly, the formatting leans heavily on wide white space and block paragraphs, which gives the illusion of momentum without much actually happening with the pacing.

I was hoping for better specificity, deeper immersion, and characters with depth who demonstrate who they are instead of announcing it. I believe stronger developmental and professional line editing would greatly enhance the clarity, immersion, and pacing.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adventure. Nerina’s story contains the magic of mermaids and vampires and other magical creatures while also hinting at a voodoo like woman. This book is plot heavy and is a little harder to read because of it, but it makes for an amazing story. While reading it, some parts gave off Pirates of the Caribbean vibes but with much more at stake. And let’s not forget about the emotional ride her story will take you on, because all of the emotions are there at some point. And even though this is a longer read, I feel like this is just the beginning of her story.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will give this book a four star. Mostly because of the beautiful world building. I loved the magical creatures and the cursed pirates. You can feel The tension between Nerina and captain Alaric build up during the story. It really is a slow burn. The power that Nerina has intrigued me. And I really want to learn more of what more she can do. Tho only thing is that the book could have been written with a 100 less pages. It was kind of long. Overall it was a good read.

[Ana Annie Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I'm not okay. The ending has me in a mood. This story had me in a choke hold, with all the secrets, unknown magic, tension, and character's development. It feels like the little mermaid meets Pirate's of the Caribbean with a splash of vikings. This was such a fun read, and I can't wait to see what happens with Nerina.

[Frida · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a bit slow in the beginnig yet when things started happening I was hooked. Nerinas journey from being sheltered to discovering the world and her own strength was done well. This has pirates, mermaids and curses. Love the worldbuilding and I want to know more of it and Nerina 😍

[Marilyn Formosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing. The search for the truth is never an easy endeavor especially when you're trying to find yourself.

[Amy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It started slow, and then exploded.
I have to say, it took awhile to get into the story, but once the action started it didn’t stop. I can’t wait to see where the story leads to next.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to the author for this ARC*


I’m having a hard time processing this book 🫠 The world building was insane. We finally have a book that isn’t the same story, just rewritten in a different way with new name slapped on the main characters. It was a breath of fresh air. Mermaids, vampires, hot Viking men 😭 Can you really ask for any thing more?! Be still my beating heart.

Seriously, I loved this book. Nerina is a total bad*ss. No soft, I need you to save me, FMC. She’s headstrong and doesn’t take no for an answer. Her taking her power back was exciting. Both MMC’s are written to perfection so you have a hard time choosing a favorite. Veyrion makes you want to hate him so badly. And then Alaric with his own dark seductiveness. Personally, I’m a Rion girly and if that’s not where we end up, I will cry real tears lol. 😌 Don’t let me down C.M!! These characters though, no matter who you’re drawn more too, are solid with actual qualities. Even the secondary characters are enjoyable.
I am screaming inside for the next book. I can’t believe I have to wait. Definitely pick this up and give it a read!!


**The only reason I’ve given 4 stars instead of 5 is because the details are thick. Now, that’s just my personal preference. The author did an incredible job with the detailing, but personally, I would’ve enjoyed a little less.**