What do you think?
The Heart of the Sea
Some secrets are older than time.
Some choices change everything.
Victor joins a dangerous sea expedition searching for the lost Valeria Treasure alongside four boys known as The Invisible Men. But beneath the ocean waits something far more terrifying than gold.
A forgotten kingdom.
A sea that remembers names.
And a place where time no longer moves the way it should.
When the crew crosses into the mysterious waters of Valeria, reality begins to fracture. The moon turns red. The sea watches them. And one impossible choice may cost them everything.
As ancient truths surface and the line between memory, myth, and destiny begins to collapse, Victor discovers that some stories are not buried — only waiting.
The Heart of the Sea is the first book in the TICK TICK TICK trilogy — a dark fantasy mystery filled with time loops, haunting secrets, emotional bonds, and a world where the sea never forgets.
A love that broke time. A sea that remembers.
Some choices change everything.
Victor joins a dangerous sea expedition searching for the lost Valeria Treasure alongside four boys known as The Invisible Men. But beneath the ocean waits something far more terrifying than gold.
A forgotten kingdom.
A sea that remembers names.
And a place where time no longer moves the way it should.
When the crew crosses into the mysterious waters of Valeria, reality begins to fracture. The moon turns red. The sea watches them. And one impossible choice may cost them everything.
As ancient truths surface and the line between memory, myth, and destiny begins to collapse, Victor discovers that some stories are not buried — only waiting.
The Heart of the Sea is the first book in the TICK TICK TICK trilogy — a dark fantasy mystery filled with time loops, haunting secrets, emotional bonds, and a world where the sea never forgets.
A love that broke time. A sea that remembers.
498 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2026
About the author
BlueSkySoul
2 books14 followersBlueskysoul is the author of stories that feature mythology, monsters, mystery, and magic. Writing under a name that reflects her endless imagination, she crafts clean, yearning romances where fated soulmates are bound by the invisible red threads of destiny. Her stories are written for adults and older teenagers who believe in soft love, reincarnation, and connections that live far beyond time and earth.
Her passion for storytelling began at a very young age, when she would fill her personal notepads with magical tales, spending much of her childhood happily lost in worlds of her own making. Years later, she began sharing her work online by writing fanfictions for Kim Taehyung, who served as a major creative inspiration. When readers started flooding in, she experienced that unforgettable realization: "Wow, people actually read my stuff, and they love it!"
Encouraged by a close friend who recognized her natural gift for weaving captivating plots and emotional depth, she decided to take her storytelling to the next level. This journey led to the creation of her debut novel, THE HEART OF THE SEA—a story steeped in her favorite motifs: the mysteries of the moon, the endless depth of the sea, and a cross-era love story that defies time itself.
When she isn't weaving complex legends or crying over star-crossed lovers, Blueskysoul can be found singing her favorite melodies or dreaming up her next magical universe. She writes for the souls who love the emotional depth of anime like Your Name, the eternal devotion of K-dramas like Goblin, and the pure magic of finding your true counterpart across lifetimes.
Connect with her to follow the threads of her upcoming worlds!
Her passion for storytelling began at a very young age, when she would fill her personal notepads with magical tales, spending much of her childhood happily lost in worlds of her own making. Years later, she began sharing her work online by writing fanfictions for Kim Taehyung, who served as a major creative inspiration. When readers started flooding in, she experienced that unforgettable realization: "Wow, people actually read my stuff, and they love it!"
Encouraged by a close friend who recognized her natural gift for weaving captivating plots and emotional depth, she decided to take her storytelling to the next level. This journey led to the creation of her debut novel, THE HEART OF THE SEA—a story steeped in her favorite motifs: the mysteries of the moon, the endless depth of the sea, and a cross-era love story that defies time itself.
When she isn't weaving complex legends or crying over star-crossed lovers, Blueskysoul can be found singing her favorite melodies or dreaming up her next magical universe. She writes for the souls who love the emotional depth of anime like Your Name, the eternal devotion of K-dramas like Goblin, and the pure magic of finding your true counterpart across lifetimes.
Connect with her to follow the threads of her upcoming worlds!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 2, 2026
I really enjoy it! The theme and concept are highly engaging, and the characters, who seem normal at first, actually have deep psychological layers and wounds. Each character's trauma represents a different form of human suffering.
My absolute favorite characters are Julian and Victor. Their friendship and witty banter always make me smile! Grandpa is also a wonderful character. There is so much foreshadowing for future books, so I am noting everything down and cannot wait to see if my theories are right. It is a fantastic read. If you love fantasy world-building, unique concepts, and treasure hunts, you should definitely read this!
My absolute favorite characters are Julian and Victor. Their friendship and witty banter always make me smile! Grandpa is also a wonderful character. There is so much foreshadowing for future books, so I am noting everything down and cannot wait to see if my theories are right. It is a fantastic read. If you love fantasy world-building, unique concepts, and treasure hunts, you should definitely read this!
June 21, 2026
If you love Pirates of the Caribbean and are looking for that perfect pirate vibe, this book is for you. The brotherhood and deep bond between the crew is honestly the best part of the story, which makes the whole treasure hunt feel so much more intense. It does take a little time at the beginning to really build up the characters, but that slow burn pays off perfectly. You end up caring about them so much that it genuinely hurts when they get hurt. By the time you get to the end, it leaves you dying to know what happens next to Victor. If you're a fan of high-seas adventures, you definitely need to read this.
August 2, 2026
I absolutely love sea fantasies, so reading this book was an amazing experience! I really enjoyed it because the connection between the moon and the sea is beautifully done. On top of that, the characters are deep and the writing style is highly engaging. Overall, it is an awesome read for me, and I highly recommend it!
July 16, 2026
First off want to thank the author so much for sending me an arc copy of his book
If you like pirates of the Caribbean or any type of pirate sea fantasies this book is for you
I so very much enjoyed the plot and I’m excited to see what happens next !
The strong bond of the crew immediately drew me in and while the story takes a little bit to “take off” that slow build up was great when it got to that point
My favorite part honestly were the characters they truly each had their very own personality and thoughts and i had no confusion of each of their storylines
If you like pirates of the Caribbean or any type of pirate sea fantasies this book is for you
I so very much enjoyed the plot and I’m excited to see what happens next !
The strong bond of the crew immediately drew me in and while the story takes a little bit to “take off” that slow build up was great when it got to that point
My favorite part honestly were the characters they truly each had their very own personality and thoughts and i had no confusion of each of their storylines
July 13, 2026
Intense, poetically sound, exploration
Thank you Blueskysoul for the ARC copy and the opportunity to read your book!
"The Sea is more than what the eye can behold; it guards secrets that light cannot reach. To see it's true colors, one must not look with sight, but open their heart to the deep. And remember- the ocean only grants what you are brave enough to let go."
This book immediately reminded me of the Disney movie Treasure Planet and I knew from the start I was going to enjoy this story. The book flowed seamlessly, it painted a clear story of what Victor and the 4 invisible men who are the best divers around experienced. As they endure on their expedition to find the lost Valeria Treasure soon to discover ancient relics. The bond between these men was like no other, they truly cared for each other's safety, feelings and protection. Through the thick and thin in the darkened trencherous waters, the sea holds a lot of emotion and anguish. But there secrets and ominous sea creatures that are so beautiful but so terrifying. Victor and the 4 invisible men experienced hardship, survival, nightmares and fear determined to unravel the mysterious even when everything beneath them begins to fall apart. "Real. Alive. Together." I absolutely loved the dynamic between Yoren and his Grandpa Alistar, they had strong and deep connection. I can't wait to see how the story continues and what's in store for Victor next!
"Because the sea never forgave weak machines."
Thank you Blueskysoul for the ARC copy and the opportunity to read your book!
"The Sea is more than what the eye can behold; it guards secrets that light cannot reach. To see it's true colors, one must not look with sight, but open their heart to the deep. And remember- the ocean only grants what you are brave enough to let go."
This book immediately reminded me of the Disney movie Treasure Planet and I knew from the start I was going to enjoy this story. The book flowed seamlessly, it painted a clear story of what Victor and the 4 invisible men who are the best divers around experienced. As they endure on their expedition to find the lost Valeria Treasure soon to discover ancient relics. The bond between these men was like no other, they truly cared for each other's safety, feelings and protection. Through the thick and thin in the darkened trencherous waters, the sea holds a lot of emotion and anguish. But there secrets and ominous sea creatures that are so beautiful but so terrifying. Victor and the 4 invisible men experienced hardship, survival, nightmares and fear determined to unravel the mysterious even when everything beneath them begins to fall apart. "Real. Alive. Together." I absolutely loved the dynamic between Yoren and his Grandpa Alistar, they had strong and deep connection. I can't wait to see how the story continues and what's in store for Victor next!
"Because the sea never forgave weak machines."
September 22, 2026
Adventure awaits!
This book takes you on an epic adventure to a land lost to the world, with pirates who are honorable. I loved the world building and the comradery between the main characters!
This book takes you on an epic adventure to a land lost to the world, with pirates who are honorable. I loved the world building and the comradery between the main characters!
July 1, 2026
This book really brought me into a world of pirates with its visual way of writing, the illusions and depth of the characters. I’m in their mind and I see every place and situation, this was very well written fantasy book and I’m grateful for this authors art.
Don’t let the dark secrets and unknown of the sea break you, because the devil in the deep dark sea is hungry for your soul.
But what’s really lurking in the missing piece of the map? what will you find, and how many are you willing to sacrifice for a ship of gold?
Don’t let the dark secrets and unknown of the sea break you, because the devil in the deep dark sea is hungry for your soul.
But what’s really lurking in the missing piece of the map? what will you find, and how many are you willing to sacrifice for a ship of gold?
July 16, 2026
Welcome aboard the Sea Deep Seeker! You're now part of The Invisible Men crew! This isn't just any crew, this is a brotherhood, a family.
Did you enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean? Maybe you're a gamer and enjoyed Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood? Maybe you enjoyed Atlantis: The Lost Empire?
Well, you're in luck because this is a mixture of all that! You've got ships, pirates, no damsels in distress, a group of men who trust and know each other, there are no secrets between them, a lost treasure, a world that's a myth, a rumor, a mystery!
We follow Victor, Jason, Julian, Yoren and Captain Nathan who are all part of The Invisible Men. They're pretty famous in their harbor, not to brag or anything. You want the job done? Done right? Maybe others have failed? Send these guys!
We get to learn who these men are, we get to see them interact with each other, friends and most importantly the person who brings up the idea of Valeria.
They research, prepare, plan and gather before sailing off on their adventure. What do they face? Storms? Megalodon? Other pirates? Ghosts? Do they find Valeria or this end in a cliffhanger? 🤷♀️ I'm not spoiling anything but if you want to find out you gotta read it!
Did you enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean? Maybe you're a gamer and enjoyed Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood? Maybe you enjoyed Atlantis: The Lost Empire?
Well, you're in luck because this is a mixture of all that! You've got ships, pirates, no damsels in distress, a group of men who trust and know each other, there are no secrets between them, a lost treasure, a world that's a myth, a rumor, a mystery!
We follow Victor, Jason, Julian, Yoren and Captain Nathan who are all part of The Invisible Men. They're pretty famous in their harbor, not to brag or anything. You want the job done? Done right? Maybe others have failed? Send these guys!
We get to learn who these men are, we get to see them interact with each other, friends and most importantly the person who brings up the idea of Valeria.
They research, prepare, plan and gather before sailing off on their adventure. What do they face? Storms? Megalodon? Other pirates? Ghosts? Do they find Valeria or this end in a cliffhanger? 🤷♀️ I'm not spoiling anything but if you want to find out you gotta read it!
July 7, 2026
4.5 / 5 Stars — Honestly, such an incredible, Good debut!
I just finished this book and honestly, I'm blown away. The whole vibe and the dark sea setting are so good. The author did a great job building this mysterious ocean world, and that ending completely hooked me. I need book two right now!
What Worked For Me
The Concept & Theme: The entire premise of this book is brilliant. I completely fell in love with the dark, atmospheric nautical themes. The sea mysteries the author develops are incredibly engaging and unique.
Character Development: The characters are easily one of the best parts of the book! They are exceptionally well-written, to the point where I just wanted to spend more time with them. Instead of feeling like background noise, each crew member has a completely distinct voice, their own deep-seated fears, and a unique personality.
Vespera: I have to give a special shoutout to Vespera. Her character design and attitude gave me major anime villain vibes, which I absolutely loved. She added a fantastic layer of tension to the story.
The Ending: The finale completely gripped me. It wraps up the initial journey perfectly while brilliantly setting up the stakes for Book Two. I am genuinely amazed and desperate for the sequel!
What Didn't Work For Me (Room for Growth)
Illusion vs. Reality Confusion: At certain points in the narrative, the line between what was real and what was an illusion became quite confusing. To be fair, because the characters themselves were disoriented, this mutual confusion actually helped me empathize with their panic. However, there were a few instances where the plot felt a bit too tangled to follow easily.Polishing Needed: As with many debut novels, there are a few places where the prose holds back the pacing. A bit more editing and technical polishing would help the beautiful world-building shine even brighter.
⚓️ Final Verdict Overall, this is a Good debut. If you love deep world-building, complex characters, and haunting ocean mysteries, you can read this book.
I just finished this book and honestly, I'm blown away. The whole vibe and the dark sea setting are so good. The author did a great job building this mysterious ocean world, and that ending completely hooked me. I need book two right now!
What Worked For Me
The Concept & Theme: The entire premise of this book is brilliant. I completely fell in love with the dark, atmospheric nautical themes. The sea mysteries the author develops are incredibly engaging and unique.
Character Development: The characters are easily one of the best parts of the book! They are exceptionally well-written, to the point where I just wanted to spend more time with them. Instead of feeling like background noise, each crew member has a completely distinct voice, their own deep-seated fears, and a unique personality.
Vespera: I have to give a special shoutout to Vespera. Her character design and attitude gave me major anime villain vibes, which I absolutely loved. She added a fantastic layer of tension to the story.
The Ending: The finale completely gripped me. It wraps up the initial journey perfectly while brilliantly setting up the stakes for Book Two. I am genuinely amazed and desperate for the sequel!
What Didn't Work For Me (Room for Growth)
Illusion vs. Reality Confusion: At certain points in the narrative, the line between what was real and what was an illusion became quite confusing. To be fair, because the characters themselves were disoriented, this mutual confusion actually helped me empathize with their panic. However, there were a few instances where the plot felt a bit too tangled to follow easily.Polishing Needed: As with many debut novels, there are a few places where the prose holds back the pacing. A bit more editing and technical polishing would help the beautiful world-building shine even brighter.
⚓️ Final Verdict Overall, this is a Good debut. If you love deep world-building, complex characters, and haunting ocean mysteries, you can read this book.
July 15, 2026
The Heart of the Sea is a fantastical journey of treasure, mythical monsters and lost cities. A tale of a crew in search of a magical lost city that holds a treasure that any pirate would die for. The Invisible Men agree to go in search of the treasure. Battling the sea is the first but easiest challenge they face. Victor is lost in strange magic that keeps coming to him. A key that was his father's, a watch that works in mysteries ways, books and tales from his grandfather and pieces of a map that may or may not lead them to a lost city. During their journey they have to trust in one another as nothing is as it seems. Author Blue Sky Soul writes us a fantasy tale that leaves us wanting more as we follow the five crew members face monsters, strange worlds and a test of who they are and what truly holds value to them. 4.5 out of 5 rating. I really enjoyed this tale. If you like pirates, treasure hunting with a bit of magical fantasy you will enjoy this book.
July 11, 2026
Shoutout to the author for sending me an e-arc copy! Thank you so much!
I had no idea what to expect, only that it happend around the sea.
We follow 5 divers called the invisable men. They are the best divers in the Village and on a day they are asked to go and find a big treasure. The treasure is known to be a myth and very dangerous to search.
Despite it being dangerous they go to find the treasure, but the sea doesn't make it easy for them...
It was a quick read. I started yesterday and finished it today. It's fun how you follow all 5 the POV's and not just one. I gave me pirates of the Carribean vibes with all the mysterious things happening on the sea. The first book is a great introduction to everyone and it ends so good, OMG😍 Can't wait for the second book
I had no idea what to expect, only that it happend around the sea.
We follow 5 divers called the invisable men. They are the best divers in the Village and on a day they are asked to go and find a big treasure. The treasure is known to be a myth and very dangerous to search.
Despite it being dangerous they go to find the treasure, but the sea doesn't make it easy for them...
It was a quick read. I started yesterday and finished it today. It's fun how you follow all 5 the POV's and not just one. I gave me pirates of the Carribean vibes with all the mysterious things happening on the sea. The first book is a great introduction to everyone and it ends so good, OMG😍 Can't wait for the second book
August 22, 2026
This was a mix of pirates of the Caribbean with Final Fantasy. I not a pirates person and usually either dnf books with pirates or give them one star. This one I could not put down. I was invested in the brotherhood the journey and the story. I do wish we got more of the vespera and maybe a sword fight but all in all I would be reading the next book.
September 22, 2026
I loved this book so much and couldn't believe what a journey it was. Thank you so much for the ARC copy.
August 4, 2026
The Heart of the Sea is a shorter novel that follows a group of sea voyagers on their journey. I really enjoyed how quickly the story moved and found the descriptive settings especially immersive. The atmosphere made it easy to picture the world and added to the adventure.
I did find the story a little difficult to follow at times, though I was also reading with a few outside distractions, so that may have contributed to my experience.
Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read that I'd recommend to readers looking for a fast-paced nautical adventure.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-book in exchange for an honest review.
I did find the story a little difficult to follow at times, though I was also reading with a few outside distractions, so that may have contributed to my experience.
Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read that I'd recommend to readers looking for a fast-paced nautical adventure.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-book in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2026
The Heart of the Sea completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. The mystery never stops, and every chapter leaves you wanting answers. The atmosphere gave me major Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. Stormy seas, hidden legends, mysterious artifacts, and thrilling adventures but with a unique story of its own.
My favorite line was "Find me again." It perfectly captures the haunting, mysterious feeling that stays with you long after you finish reading.
My favorite line was "Find me again." It perfectly captures the haunting, mysterious feeling that stays with you long after you finish reading.
September 2, 2026
ARC review
This book was good. I found it a very interesting that was outside of my usual. It was a bit confusing at times but I enjoyed the story. I believe it was only confusing because of the time elements that went into the later story. But it was a very interesting story. I enjoyed victors character and am curious where it will go moving forward.
This book was good. I found it a very interesting that was outside of my usual. It was a bit confusing at times but I enjoyed the story. I believe it was only confusing because of the time elements that went into the later story. But it was a very interesting story. I enjoyed victors character and am curious where it will go moving forward.
July 24, 2026
This was a good and interesting read. I went into it blind so wasn't sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised.
A crew of treasure hunters, each of whom is extremely good at their position on the ship, hear tell of a legendary treasure possibly being real. After researching and plotting, they decide to sail for it.
They absolutely were not expecting the creatures tracking them. Nor what they find when they "go off map"and continue sailing. The camaraderie between these men is wonderful, they have saved one another many times and are family.
A crew of treasure hunters, each of whom is extremely good at their position on the ship, hear tell of a legendary treasure possibly being real. After researching and plotting, they decide to sail for it.
They absolutely were not expecting the creatures tracking them. Nor what they find when they "go off map"and continue sailing. The camaraderie between these men is wonderful, they have saved one another many times and are family.
July 15, 2026
Not a bad debut.
A little different than what I read usually.
A pirate crew that finds adventure in a supernatural setting. Kept me intrigued as I read and the characters helped with that.
* ARC book
A little different than what I read usually.
A pirate crew that finds adventure in a supernatural setting. Kept me intrigued as I read and the characters helped with that.
* ARC book
July 14, 2026
This book left me reeling. I need book two immediately to answer all the questions the ending left. If you loved treasure planet as a kid you'll eat this book up and spit it out like.... Read it to find out.
July 13, 2026
If you enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean then this is the book for you. It has brotherhood, mystery and some interesting concepts. I read it quickly and wish I had more of Grandpa’s story as he was my favorite character
June 29, 2026
If you loved pirates of the Caribbean this is definitely a book for you. The brotherhood, the pirate vibes, ths mystery, the traveling, the story it self took us on an adventure of a lifetime. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, the pieces that put together the travel that they did, the people waiting for them they got back and many others. Really enjoy it. 100% recommended.
June 25, 2026
Wow I LOVED it. Definitely would recommend it.
September 25, 2026
Review of advanced copy recived from the author.
I just love pirates and sea fantasy. So when author BlueSkySoul asked if I wanted to read her debut book it was an easy yes.
I received an ARC copy from the author and started reading. But I actually struggled to get into the book and almost DNF’d around 50%. I felt there was a lack of flow in the text and some repetition. I decided to take a pause and maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood for it.
When I started reading again I read from the final draft on Amazon and that delivered something else. There was still some repetition but I found myself enjoying the story so much more.
So what I really loved about this book was the dark atmosphere, almost like a gothic sea fantasy. The crew’s brotherhood, the treasure hunt, all the mythology surrounding the sea creatures, the time loops, the fear of the unknown and of course the pirate banter.
"The dawn gradually burned through the famous fog of St. Jude's, spilling across the harbor town. Damp cobblestone streets stretched between rows of shops selling fresh fish, fragrant spices, and rusted anchor chains."
The characters were easy to like from the start. The crew the Invisible Men Victor, Julian, Yoren, Nathan and Jason really was all the best and I definitely have some theories about Grandpa Alister.
"Five hearts. Five bodies. Yet, in that moment, every heartbeat seemed to merge into a single rhythm. Real. Alive. Together."
And I absolutely love the names of the pirate ships The Deep Seeker and The Black Marrow. Love it.
So I think this is a great debut book and I’m really really glad I continued reading. The ending definitely leaves me wanting to pick up the next book and see what's going to happend next.
If you love a pirate adventure with a dark sea fantasy atmosphere. Then this book might just be your next read. 🖤🏴☠️
I received an advanced copy for free from the author and these are my honest thoughts which I leave freely. Thank you so much BlueSkySoul for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to be part of your ARC journey.
⭐️4/5
I just love pirates and sea fantasy. So when author BlueSkySoul asked if I wanted to read her debut book it was an easy yes.
I received an ARC copy from the author and started reading. But I actually struggled to get into the book and almost DNF’d around 50%. I felt there was a lack of flow in the text and some repetition. I decided to take a pause and maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood for it.
When I started reading again I read from the final draft on Amazon and that delivered something else. There was still some repetition but I found myself enjoying the story so much more.
So what I really loved about this book was the dark atmosphere, almost like a gothic sea fantasy. The crew’s brotherhood, the treasure hunt, all the mythology surrounding the sea creatures, the time loops, the fear of the unknown and of course the pirate banter.
"The dawn gradually burned through the famous fog of St. Jude's, spilling across the harbor town. Damp cobblestone streets stretched between rows of shops selling fresh fish, fragrant spices, and rusted anchor chains."
The characters were easy to like from the start. The crew the Invisible Men Victor, Julian, Yoren, Nathan and Jason really was all the best and I definitely have some theories about Grandpa Alister.
"Five hearts. Five bodies. Yet, in that moment, every heartbeat seemed to merge into a single rhythm. Real. Alive. Together."
And I absolutely love the names of the pirate ships The Deep Seeker and The Black Marrow. Love it.
So I think this is a great debut book and I’m really really glad I continued reading. The ending definitely leaves me wanting to pick up the next book and see what's going to happend next.
If you love a pirate adventure with a dark sea fantasy atmosphere. Then this book might just be your next read. 🖤🏴☠️
I received an advanced copy for free from the author and these are my honest thoughts which I leave freely. Thank you so much BlueSkySoul for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to be part of your ARC journey.
⭐️4/5
July 17, 2026
The Heart of the Sea is the first book in the TICK TICK TICK trilogy — a dark fantasy mystery filled with time loops, haunting secrets, emotional bonds, and a world where the sea never forgets. BlueSkySoul
The crew of the The Sea Deep Seeker set off to find a treasure trove that may, or may not, exist. They must survive the journey, through many trials, and return home as promised.
The beginning of the story is a little slow to get going but once you're into the adventure it grabs you and keeps you invested in the outcome.
The story does need some tweaking, a little more character background to understand how they formed this formidable group, and a bit of editing here and there.
Overall I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for adventure. Think Pirates of The Caribbean mixed with a Dirk Pitt adventure. I think you’ll enjoy it.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
The crew of the The Sea Deep Seeker set off to find a treasure trove that may, or may not, exist. They must survive the journey, through many trials, and return home as promised.
The beginning of the story is a little slow to get going but once you're into the adventure it grabs you and keeps you invested in the outcome.
The story does need some tweaking, a little more character background to understand how they formed this formidable group, and a bit of editing here and there.
Overall I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for adventure. Think Pirates of The Caribbean mixed with a Dirk Pitt adventure. I think you’ll enjoy it.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
July 12, 2026
I really like the overall concept of this book, and the theme of brotherhood and camaraderie between the members of the Invisible Men really comes through.
Unfortunately there were a few points that fell flat for me. The narrative felt quite repetitive, with the same or similar phrases being used several times in the space of a few chapters. The setting was a bit confusing - I'm not sure whether it was supposed to be hinting towards steampunk with the ship having a mast but also an engine and brakes, while the crew members referring to each other as "guys" was a bit jarring. I also felt that having the POVs of all 5 members wasn't necessarily needed - I would have much preferred having just Victor's POV, or his and one other, and gone more in-depth with their thoughts and feelings.
The book ended with lots of unanswered questions and loose ends, and an intriguing cliffhanger that will lead well into book 2. I think this series holds a lot of potential, and I thank the author for the opportunity to read an ARC copy of this book.
Unfortunately there were a few points that fell flat for me. The narrative felt quite repetitive, with the same or similar phrases being used several times in the space of a few chapters. The setting was a bit confusing - I'm not sure whether it was supposed to be hinting towards steampunk with the ship having a mast but also an engine and brakes, while the crew members referring to each other as "guys" was a bit jarring. I also felt that having the POVs of all 5 members wasn't necessarily needed - I would have much preferred having just Victor's POV, or his and one other, and gone more in-depth with their thoughts and feelings.
The book ended with lots of unanswered questions and loose ends, and an intriguing cliffhanger that will lead well into book 2. I think this series holds a lot of potential, and I thank the author for the opportunity to read an ARC copy of this book.
July 2, 2026
Shoutout to the author for sending me an ARC copy of this book! I am so thankful for the opportunity!!
This book was so well developed, with the descriptions of the adventures and where everyone fit into the story. You could tell that the author absolutely knew what they were talking about.
It really launched you into the world, as it should. There were side characters that clearly had a history and a found family that could read each other’s thought just by facial expressions. Honestly I wish I had more friends I could read like that.
Each member of this crew, “The Invisible Men”, clearly had a job to do and a role to play and was vital to the mission of the story. We had ancient relics and people who could read the sea’s mood like it was a human.
Unfortunately I am a very character motivated person and this story just sort of launched us into the plot. There’s a grandpa that I would’ve loved to get to know better and a few times where I absolutely would’ve loved to spend more time in a character’s head, but we moved right on. I just wanted to get to know the characters better, but even as a character driven reader I am committed enough to the plot to continue the series, so if that tells you anything, I recommend you grab this book and commit! I’m sure it will be worth it!
This book was so well developed, with the descriptions of the adventures and where everyone fit into the story. You could tell that the author absolutely knew what they were talking about.
It really launched you into the world, as it should. There were side characters that clearly had a history and a found family that could read each other’s thought just by facial expressions. Honestly I wish I had more friends I could read like that.
Each member of this crew, “The Invisible Men”, clearly had a job to do and a role to play and was vital to the mission of the story. We had ancient relics and people who could read the sea’s mood like it was a human.
Unfortunately I am a very character motivated person and this story just sort of launched us into the plot. There’s a grandpa that I would’ve loved to get to know better and a few times where I absolutely would’ve loved to spend more time in a character’s head, but we moved right on. I just wanted to get to know the characters better, but even as a character driven reader I am committed enough to the plot to continue the series, so if that tells you anything, I recommend you grab this book and commit! I’m sure it will be worth it!
July 4, 2026
The Heart of the Sea by Blue Sky Soul - I have such mixed feelings about this one! The overall concept and the bones of this story are absolutely fantastic - it’s a great idea with so much incredible potential.
What worked for me: the characters. The invisible men and their bond was lovely! They never stop choosing brotherhood. Vesper was scary, incredibly powerful, and a character I wanted to see so much more of. Victor is smart, sweet and there’s a lot we are still to find out about him! He has the potential to become very interesting.
The final scenes were intriguing! I can’t really explain without a spoiler but I liked the ending as it really opens up for the next books in the series.
For me, the book felt a bit too short. There were so many interesting aspects of the lore and the world-building that I would have loved to see deeply explored and expanded on. Because the ideas were so big, the execution felt a bit fast-paced and left me wishing for a longer, more fleshed-out journey to really ground the plot.
While the writing style and structure didn't entirely match what I usually look for in a fantasy, the core idea is undeniably cool. If you love a fast, quick-hit fantasy concept with a formidable character like Vesper, this might be a fun afternoon read for you!
Thank you to the author for gifting me this copy of their book. Wishing you all the best for your future books!
What worked for me: the characters. The invisible men and their bond was lovely! They never stop choosing brotherhood. Vesper was scary, incredibly powerful, and a character I wanted to see so much more of. Victor is smart, sweet and there’s a lot we are still to find out about him! He has the potential to become very interesting.
The final scenes were intriguing! I can’t really explain without a spoiler but I liked the ending as it really opens up for the next books in the series.
For me, the book felt a bit too short. There were so many interesting aspects of the lore and the world-building that I would have loved to see deeply explored and expanded on. Because the ideas were so big, the execution felt a bit fast-paced and left me wishing for a longer, more fleshed-out journey to really ground the plot.
While the writing style and structure didn't entirely match what I usually look for in a fantasy, the core idea is undeniably cool. If you love a fast, quick-hit fantasy concept with a formidable character like Vesper, this might be a fun afternoon read for you!
Thank you to the author for gifting me this copy of their book. Wishing you all the best for your future books!
September 14, 2026
This story revolved around a group known as the Invisible Men. The group consists of Victor, Julian, Jason, Nathan, and Yoren. They should honestly be called the Impossible Men as they are who anyone calls for the journey for something that seems exactly that. My favorites of the group are definitely Julian and Victor.
There's artwork in here that is absolutely stunning. In the beginning, it starts with Victor giving us a glimpse into a memory he keeps having but still doesn't understand the connection to it. This begins the intrigue of this book.
Whispers begin emerging of a forgotten place called Valeria and the impossibilities surrounding it. With a final decision struck, they set out to find this mystical place. During this journey, you find out so much more about each person. They all carry some type of trauma, and they most overcome it.
The story does have a slow start, but it's building up the world, the characters, and the whole vibe. It's absolutely worth it. It was such an interesting read, and I can't wait to read what comes after it. If you like fantasy world adventures, you'll definitely be interested in this one.
There's artwork in here that is absolutely stunning. In the beginning, it starts with Victor giving us a glimpse into a memory he keeps having but still doesn't understand the connection to it. This begins the intrigue of this book.
Whispers begin emerging of a forgotten place called Valeria and the impossibilities surrounding it. With a final decision struck, they set out to find this mystical place. During this journey, you find out so much more about each person. They all carry some type of trauma, and they most overcome it.
The story does have a slow start, but it's building up the world, the characters, and the whole vibe. It's absolutely worth it. It was such an interesting read, and I can't wait to read what comes after it. If you like fantasy world adventures, you'll definitely be interested in this one.
August 5, 2026
3.75
ARC Review 🌊
"A single eye turned toward him. Massive. Deep. A mirror of the entire ocean, holding every storm, every calm, every secret the sea had ever kept. It saw him. Not his body. Not his fear. Him."
This was such an enjoyable read with chosen family, swashbucklers looking for a sunken treasure, and a side of fantasy!
The suspense builds from the beginning and, although this is a slightly shorter read, the build out of this world gives me a backbone of family and brotherhood and I really was rooting for these guys throughout their journey.
I couldn't guess what was going to happen - which I always love! 🤓 It kept me curious to know what would be coming next.
This is the first in the series and the first little bit of the next book completely leaves you hanging. 🤣 Why?!? Why?! What comes next?
If you like Pirates of the Caribbean, are looking for a beach read or a story with mysterious fantasy elements, you may like this book.
ARC Review 🌊
"A single eye turned toward him. Massive. Deep. A mirror of the entire ocean, holding every storm, every calm, every secret the sea had ever kept. It saw him. Not his body. Not his fear. Him."
This was such an enjoyable read with chosen family, swashbucklers looking for a sunken treasure, and a side of fantasy!
The suspense builds from the beginning and, although this is a slightly shorter read, the build out of this world gives me a backbone of family and brotherhood and I really was rooting for these guys throughout their journey.
I couldn't guess what was going to happen - which I always love! 🤓 It kept me curious to know what would be coming next.
This is the first in the series and the first little bit of the next book completely leaves you hanging. 🤣 Why?!? Why?! What comes next?
If you like Pirates of the Caribbean, are looking for a beach read or a story with mysterious fantasy elements, you may like this book.
September 18, 2026
Thank you BlueSkySoul for this advanced read. My experience and feedback are my own.
“What if time never stopped - what if it only forgot to take you with it?” -Loved this dedication and sets the tone.
I found this to be a quick read and a good pallet cleanser compared to my usual reads in the fantasy and romance genre. There is a great element of sea adventure but also a love in any lifetime arc. It is a vision that develops over time and not obvious at first. Victor joins a brotherhood searching for a lost Valeria treasure while getting visions he does not understand, finds a forgotten kingdom, and shines a light on the line between fate vs free will in a unique manner.
A no-spice sea adventure that is delightful. The ending sets up well for the next in series.
“What if time never stopped - what if it only forgot to take you with it?” -Loved this dedication and sets the tone.
I found this to be a quick read and a good pallet cleanser compared to my usual reads in the fantasy and romance genre. There is a great element of sea adventure but also a love in any lifetime arc. It is a vision that develops over time and not obvious at first. Victor joins a brotherhood searching for a lost Valeria treasure while getting visions he does not understand, finds a forgotten kingdom, and shines a light on the line between fate vs free will in a unique manner.
A no-spice sea adventure that is delightful. The ending sets up well for the next in series.
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