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The Tides That Reign #3
Before the Ghost Sea
A state of upheaval grips the realms.
Returning to her homeland, Queen Yiscel finds herself surrounded not by a triumphant celebration, but deadly disease. Amid a desperate search for a cure, a rising tide of discontent threatens her regime.
Meanwhile, harrowing circumstances on either side of the Endless Ocean vie for Emperor Kaori's attention. An unforeseen shadow surfaces in Nokara, endangering his seat on the Golden Throne. Yet, leaving Faron without unraveling the symbols left behind by Fogosombre could have dire consequences for the known world.
Thus unfolds the most expansive entry in The Tides That Reign. Amid sweeping treks to snow-capped peaks and harrowing nights in the darkest of storms is a tale about sailing the surge of passion, surviving the tide of consequence, and wading through a sea of ghosts.
Returning to her homeland, Queen Yiscel finds herself surrounded not by a triumphant celebration, but deadly disease. Amid a desperate search for a cure, a rising tide of discontent threatens her regime.
Meanwhile, harrowing circumstances on either side of the Endless Ocean vie for Emperor Kaori's attention. An unforeseen shadow surfaces in Nokara, endangering his seat on the Golden Throne. Yet, leaving Faron without unraveling the symbols left behind by Fogosombre could have dire consequences for the known world.
Thus unfolds the most expansive entry in The Tides That Reign. Amid sweeping treks to snow-capped peaks and harrowing nights in the darkest of storms is a tale about sailing the surge of passion, surviving the tide of consequence, and wading through a sea of ghosts.
770 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2026
About the author
R.D. Pires
9 books118 followersRD Pires has found there's always a story to tell, and so he spends his time writing them down. A writing project is always on his mind, even when there aren't enough hours in a day to work on them.
Author of many genres, he has a special place in his heart for queer fiction. His latest works have been part of The Tides That Reign series with book 1, Design of Darkness out last summer, and book 2, Sparrows Sing of Dying just released!
He lives in California with his husband and their daughter.
Author of many genres, he has a special place in his heart for queer fiction. His latest works have been part of The Tides That Reign series with book 1, Design of Darkness out last summer, and book 2, Sparrows Sing of Dying just released!
He lives in California with his husband and their daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 14, 2026
R.D. Pires has done it again! The Tides That Reign series just gets better and better. I am so serious when I say you are all doing yourselves a disservice if you are not reading this series. It is amazing and on par with major, well known fantasy authors. The well-developed and dynamic characters, the immersive world-building, and the meticulous storylines found in this book, and series, are on another level. Before the Ghost Sea also has good pacing, political drama, strong emotional impact, and an addictive story that leaves you wanting more. There are just so many things I can say, but you’ll just have to take my word for it and read this book! It’s so good and Pires has done a fantastic job writing it! And with that ending, I can’t wait for the final book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you R.D. Pires for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!
In the third book of this epic fantasy series, there is a state of upheaval across the world. As Queen Yiscel deals with the deadly contagion, a political foe starts to raise discontent. She sends other familiar characters to identify and bring a cure to the contagion of her people, but will it be enough? Meanwhile, Emperor Kaori’s time is cut short across the ocean, and he must rush home before a threat occurs in his own kingdom. New revelations come to light, forcing many characters to grapple with their own life-altering decisions.
I’m realizing it’s so hard to write a review about a third book in the series without giving away much of what happens in the first two books, so you’re just going to have to trust me: this one is so good! It’s definitely the longest book in the series so far, but there’s so much complexity, so many characters, and so many interwoven storylines that there could truly be nothing to trim. And let’s be honest: I wouldn’t want to miss out on anything! In true nail-biting fashion, R.D. Pires keeps the reader so engrossed in the mystery and allure that you can’t help but to keep turning the page, nor can you stop thinking about the characters between chapters. There’s so much tension in this installment, and I truly cannot wait for it all to POP OFF in the fourth and final book!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC directly from the author.
Read this book if you:
🏔️ have ever fantasized about climbing a mountain (or just reading about it from under the warmth of your own bed)
🗡️ swoon for morally gray heroes
🎲 can’t get enough from high-stakes fantasy politics
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
In the third book of this epic fantasy series, there is a state of upheaval across the world. As Queen Yiscel deals with the deadly contagion, a political foe starts to raise discontent. She sends other familiar characters to identify and bring a cure to the contagion of her people, but will it be enough? Meanwhile, Emperor Kaori’s time is cut short across the ocean, and he must rush home before a threat occurs in his own kingdom. New revelations come to light, forcing many characters to grapple with their own life-altering decisions.
I’m realizing it’s so hard to write a review about a third book in the series without giving away much of what happens in the first two books, so you’re just going to have to trust me: this one is so good! It’s definitely the longest book in the series so far, but there’s so much complexity, so many characters, and so many interwoven storylines that there could truly be nothing to trim. And let’s be honest: I wouldn’t want to miss out on anything! In true nail-biting fashion, R.D. Pires keeps the reader so engrossed in the mystery and allure that you can’t help but to keep turning the page, nor can you stop thinking about the characters between chapters. There’s so much tension in this installment, and I truly cannot wait for it all to POP OFF in the fourth and final book!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC directly from the author.
Read this book if you:
🏔️ have ever fantasized about climbing a mountain (or just reading about it from under the warmth of your own bed)
🗡️ swoon for morally gray heroes
🎲 can’t get enough from high-stakes fantasy politics
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
📖 Before The Ghost Sea – R. D. Pires 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Releases June 12th 2026 — THIS FRIDAY!!)
Holy moly….I honestly think this might be my favourite book in The Tide That Reigns series so far! If I had to describe this book in just one word, it would be: WOW.
Following the aftermath of Fogosombre’s death, we reunite with the characters we’ve come to love (and in some cases, love to hate 😂) as they attempt to rebuild cities, heal fractured nations, and find their way back to the people they care about most.
This book put me through the emotional wringer in the best possible way! I laughed, cried, audibly gasped, and spent several moments staring at the page in complete disbelief.
And can we PLEASE talk about those deaths?! 😭 I was absolutely not prepared for losing both a beloved MMC and FMC. Neither deserved the endings they received, and I will be holding a grudge for at least the next few business days. The execution was phenomenal though! Having them happen only a couple of chapters apart, within the final 5% of the book, completely wrecked me.
One thing that did bring me some comfort was seeing Otohiko and Arsenio seemingly escape Ira’s grasp relatively unscathed in the final pages. Now I have to (im)patiently wait for book four to find out whether their escape was truly successful and if they finally get reunited with their families, and whether Arsenio gets back to Kaori! 🥹
And that ending?! The cliffhanger was absolutely ON POINT. I suspected it was coming, but that didn’t stop me from being completely shooketh when it happened. Now I’m desperately counting down the days until book four to see how this incredible story concludes!
Thank you, Robby, for another phenomenal instalment in a series that somehow keeps getting better with every book! ❤️
📖 Before The Ghost Sea – R. D. Pires 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Releases June 12th 2026 — THIS FRIDAY!!)
Holy moly….I honestly think this might be my favourite book in The Tide That Reigns series so far! If I had to describe this book in just one word, it would be: WOW.
Following the aftermath of Fogosombre’s death, we reunite with the characters we’ve come to love (and in some cases, love to hate 😂) as they attempt to rebuild cities, heal fractured nations, and find their way back to the people they care about most.
This book put me through the emotional wringer in the best possible way! I laughed, cried, audibly gasped, and spent several moments staring at the page in complete disbelief.
And can we PLEASE talk about those deaths?! 😭 I was absolutely not prepared for losing both a beloved MMC and FMC. Neither deserved the endings they received, and I will be holding a grudge for at least the next few business days. The execution was phenomenal though! Having them happen only a couple of chapters apart, within the final 5% of the book, completely wrecked me.
One thing that did bring me some comfort was seeing Otohiko and Arsenio seemingly escape Ira’s grasp relatively unscathed in the final pages. Now I have to (im)patiently wait for book four to find out whether their escape was truly successful and if they finally get reunited with their families, and whether Arsenio gets back to Kaori! 🥹
And that ending?! The cliffhanger was absolutely ON POINT. I suspected it was coming, but that didn’t stop me from being completely shooketh when it happened. Now I’m desperately counting down the days until book four to see how this incredible story concludes!
Thank you, Robby, for another phenomenal instalment in a series that somehow keeps getting better with every book! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my, oh my! The third installment is nothing short of an adventure. Pires really put out his best work of the series thus far in the penultimate book of The Tides That Reign series. That ending has set the stage beautifully for the final battle. Each of the characters has had such an amazing arc and creation. It will be really satisfying to see characters reunite in the end. Oh, and the deaths we did get? Absolutely heartbreaking. I know the last book will utterly destroy me.
Thank you to RD Pires for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Before the Ghost Sea by RD Pires release June 12, 2026! Or now out if you supported the Kickstarter campaign!
Thank you to RD Pires for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Before the Ghost Sea by RD Pires release June 12, 2026! Or now out if you supported the Kickstarter campaign!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews