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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.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2026
About the author
BlueSkySoul
2 books13 followersBlue Sky Soul writes stories born from feelings before plots.
A dream, a memory, a single line of dialogue, or a moment that refuses to leave her mind often becomes the seed of an entire world.
Her debut novel, The Heart of the Sea, is the first book in the Tick Tick Tick trilogy — a dark fantasy about time, memory, sacrifice, and the people we cannot let go of.
Whether writing dark fantasy, alternate universes, or quiet romances, her stories explore the same question in different forms: What happens when love, grief, hope, and memory refuse to disappear?
Before publishing original fiction, she built worlds through fanfiction, gathering thousands of readers who connected with her emotional storytelling and character-driven narratives. That same heart now lives in every story she writes.
She writes late at night when the world is silent, and believes stories are not created — they are discovered, one feeling at a time.
You can find her on Wattpad, AO3, Tumblr, Instagram, and Reddit as BlueSkySoul.
A dream, a memory, a single line of dialogue, or a moment that refuses to leave her mind often becomes the seed of an entire world.
Her debut novel, The Heart of the Sea, is the first book in the Tick Tick Tick trilogy — a dark fantasy about time, memory, sacrifice, and the people we cannot let go of.
Whether writing dark fantasy, alternate universes, or quiet romances, her stories explore the same question in different forms: What happens when love, grief, hope, and memory refuse to disappear?
Before publishing original fiction, she built worlds through fanfiction, gathering thousands of readers who connected with her emotional storytelling and character-driven narratives. That same heart now lives in every story she writes.
She writes late at night when the world is silent, and believes stories are not created — they are discovered, one feeling at a time.
You can find her on Wattpad, AO3, Tumblr, Instagram, and Reddit as BlueSkySoul.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
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.
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 22, 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."
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!
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 17, 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
July 18, 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!
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.
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.
July 18, 2026
This book does remind me a lot of Pirates of the Caribbean.
The sea is full of creatures and mysteries that are described in a very visual way by the author, allowing the reader to proper picture every scene.
I found the writing closer to a screen play than a novel.
Each chapter has lots of little scenes, focusing on a different character.
Overall I didn’t mind that, it was different but still worked.
The brotherhood between the 5 characters is very well described, and you can really feel how much they think of each other as family.
The book has little world building, but you still have enough information on each character.
There’s clearly some elements that will likely be explained more in the next books.
The story is short but sweet, quickly catapulting you in a new mystery of the deep 😊
The sea is full of creatures and mysteries that are described in a very visual way by the author, allowing the reader to proper picture every scene.
I found the writing closer to a screen play than a novel.
Each chapter has lots of little scenes, focusing on a different character.
Overall I didn’t mind that, it was different but still worked.
The brotherhood between the 5 characters is very well described, and you can really feel how much they think of each other as family.
The book has little world building, but you still have enough information on each character.
There’s clearly some elements that will likely be explained more in the next books.
The story is short but sweet, quickly catapulting you in a new mystery of the deep 😊
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.
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 23, 2026
This has the makings of an amazing story. The idea of the story is very intriguing. But unfortunately, this felt more like a work in progress. It’s very surface level and lacking depth and description. The world building was very vague and I wasn’t able to see anything in my mind as I read. But I really feel with some diving in and really getting into it, this could be a solid and fun read. DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE PAGE LENGTH. So many of us LOVE thick books lol.
With that being said, this was an absolutely amazing debut and I will be looking forward to more books from this author.
With that being said, this was an absolutely amazing debut and I will be looking forward to more books from this author.
July 5, 2026
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was initially very intrigued to dive into this debut because moon mythology is something I really love, and the premise promised a unique mix of dark fantasy and oceanic mysteries. The story follows a tight-knit diving crew on a high-stakes search for ancient treasure, which immediately pulled me in. While the core concept holds a lot of potential, my actual reading experience turned into a bit of a mixed bag, leaving me with complex feelings and landing it right in the middle of the road as a solid three-star read.
My Reactions & Emotions
Vivid and Intense Atmosphere: There are parts of this book that completely captivated me. When the deep-sea dangers and dark fantasy elements take center stage, the tension is beautifully built, delivering genuinely intense and highly memorable sequences that showcase the unique potential of the world-building.
Disorienting Narrative Rhythm: The momentum becomes quite chaotic as the psychological elements kick in. The boundaries separating what is real and what is a vision get very blurry without clear formatting transitions to guide the reader. I found myself feeling a bit detached and confused as I struggled to track the characters' actual reality.
Timeline Clashes: A source of personal disconnect for me was trying to pin down the setting's era. The narrative builds a classic, historical atmosphere, yet it frequently includes mechanical and technical terms that feel much too modern for that framing. This clash pulled me out of the immersion, leaving me unsure of the actual time period.
An Open-Ended Conclusion: The journey brings the main mission to a clean, self-contained stopping point while dropping a final magical twist to set up the next book. I finished the book with multiple unanswered questions lingering. Interestingly, the narrative layout left me feeling like the first installment gave me enough of the overall vibe to be satisfied with leaving those mysteries as they are.
Final Thoughts
I walked away from the final page with conflicting emotions about the story's execution. On the one hand, the graphics the author included are absolutely incredible and add a stunning visual layer to the experience. This debut delivered a creative, unique concept that satisfied my curiosity about the ocean setting, but the execution left me feeling that the script would benefit from further formatting, attention to layout, and polishing to truly hit its stride.
I was initially very intrigued to dive into this debut because moon mythology is something I really love, and the premise promised a unique mix of dark fantasy and oceanic mysteries. The story follows a tight-knit diving crew on a high-stakes search for ancient treasure, which immediately pulled me in. While the core concept holds a lot of potential, my actual reading experience turned into a bit of a mixed bag, leaving me with complex feelings and landing it right in the middle of the road as a solid three-star read.
My Reactions & Emotions
Vivid and Intense Atmosphere: There are parts of this book that completely captivated me. When the deep-sea dangers and dark fantasy elements take center stage, the tension is beautifully built, delivering genuinely intense and highly memorable sequences that showcase the unique potential of the world-building.
Disorienting Narrative Rhythm: The momentum becomes quite chaotic as the psychological elements kick in. The boundaries separating what is real and what is a vision get very blurry without clear formatting transitions to guide the reader. I found myself feeling a bit detached and confused as I struggled to track the characters' actual reality.
Timeline Clashes: A source of personal disconnect for me was trying to pin down the setting's era. The narrative builds a classic, historical atmosphere, yet it frequently includes mechanical and technical terms that feel much too modern for that framing. This clash pulled me out of the immersion, leaving me unsure of the actual time period.
An Open-Ended Conclusion: The journey brings the main mission to a clean, self-contained stopping point while dropping a final magical twist to set up the next book. I finished the book with multiple unanswered questions lingering. Interestingly, the narrative layout left me feeling like the first installment gave me enough of the overall vibe to be satisfied with leaving those mysteries as they are.
Final Thoughts
I walked away from the final page with conflicting emotions about the story's execution. On the one hand, the graphics the author included are absolutely incredible and add a stunning visual layer to the experience. This debut delivered a creative, unique concept that satisfied my curiosity about the ocean setting, but the execution left me feeling that the script would benefit from further formatting, attention to layout, and polishing to truly hit its stride.
July 13, 2026
It honestly pains me to give any book a two star review.
While I'm not an author, I do understand how much work, time, and emotion goes into writing a book, so leaving a review like this is never something I enjoy doing.
For me, The Heart of the Sea feels like a work in progress.
The biggest strength of this book is the plot. I genuinely liked the premise, and I enjoyed where the story seemed to be heading. That was what kept me reading.
Unfortunately, almost everything else needed more development.
The world-building was only partially there. We know the characters come from a fishing and pirate town, but that's about it. I never had a clear sense of when the story takes place, whether it is our world or a completely different one, and if it is a fantasy world, what that world actually looks like.
I also struggled with how the pirates were portrayed. We are told repeatedly that these characters are vicious pirates, but nothing in the story really supports that. What I saw were treasure hunters, and to me those are two very different things.
The characters themselves also needed more development. We get small pieces of backstory, but not enough to really understand who they are or what motivates them. As a result, they felt very two-dimensional, and I never formed a strong connection with any of them.
Right now, this is a two star read for me.
That said, I was an ARC reader, and I do think this story has potential. The foundation is there. With more work on the world-building and character development, I think this could really bloom into something special.
While I'm not an author, I do understand how much work, time, and emotion goes into writing a book, so leaving a review like this is never something I enjoy doing.
For me, The Heart of the Sea feels like a work in progress.
The biggest strength of this book is the plot. I genuinely liked the premise, and I enjoyed where the story seemed to be heading. That was what kept me reading.
Unfortunately, almost everything else needed more development.
The world-building was only partially there. We know the characters come from a fishing and pirate town, but that's about it. I never had a clear sense of when the story takes place, whether it is our world or a completely different one, and if it is a fantasy world, what that world actually looks like.
I also struggled with how the pirates were portrayed. We are told repeatedly that these characters are vicious pirates, but nothing in the story really supports that. What I saw were treasure hunters, and to me those are two very different things.
The characters themselves also needed more development. We get small pieces of backstory, but not enough to really understand who they are or what motivates them. As a result, they felt very two-dimensional, and I never formed a strong connection with any of them.
Right now, this is a two star read for me.
That said, I was an ARC reader, and I do think this story has potential. The foundation is there. With more work on the world-building and character development, I think this could really bloom into something special.
August 7, 2026
3.5⭐️ rounded up for GoodReads.
A more modern take on Pirates of the Caribbean. I enjoyed the plot of the story and the characters. Each one had their own psychological traumas but they fit together so well. Although they were considered ruthless pirates, they had a softness when it came to family and each other.
I felt that the story could actually have been a little bit longer. An odd thing for me because I usually think books are too long and drawn out. This one felt a tad bit clipped short in some areas. The encounter with the sea witch and the blue whale, I would have liked a little more time with. It felt like once they found the cave, the story was over and each scene from there was quickly glossed over.
I loved the artist’s art work, it provided a visual representation that didn’t come across through the written words. The time period was also hard to pinpoint. Through most of the book, I envisioned an old seaside town built along a pier with lanterns hung outside the doors. Women in long dresses and men in heavy wool pants, leather boots and white tunics. The ships like old-time pirate ships with sails. But then she talks about the boats having engines and Yoren loading gear in his truck. So that was hard for me to reconcile.
I loved how they all came together in the end. That Yoren finally realized that he had a family and Victor’s grandfather welcomed him into their home. That cliffhanger, though! Did not see that coming! It makes me curious to see where the story goes from here.
Overall, it was a quick, entertaining read. I look forward to seeing more from this author as she continues to develop and refine her writing style.
A more modern take on Pirates of the Caribbean. I enjoyed the plot of the story and the characters. Each one had their own psychological traumas but they fit together so well. Although they were considered ruthless pirates, they had a softness when it came to family and each other.
I felt that the story could actually have been a little bit longer. An odd thing for me because I usually think books are too long and drawn out. This one felt a tad bit clipped short in some areas. The encounter with the sea witch and the blue whale, I would have liked a little more time with. It felt like once they found the cave, the story was over and each scene from there was quickly glossed over.
I loved the artist’s art work, it provided a visual representation that didn’t come across through the written words. The time period was also hard to pinpoint. Through most of the book, I envisioned an old seaside town built along a pier with lanterns hung outside the doors. Women in long dresses and men in heavy wool pants, leather boots and white tunics. The ships like old-time pirate ships with sails. But then she talks about the boats having engines and Yoren loading gear in his truck. So that was hard for me to reconcile.
I loved how they all came together in the end. That Yoren finally realized that he had a family and Victor’s grandfather welcomed him into their home. That cliffhanger, though! Did not see that coming! It makes me curious to see where the story goes from here.
Overall, it was a quick, entertaining read. I look forward to seeing more from this author as she continues to develop and refine her writing style.
July 23, 2026
I really do not like giving books less than 4 stars but I believe this story needs a little more to build the rating up.
I really enjoyed the plot of the book and the adventure. But I also believe we were missing a lot of information as well. I did not feel that these pirates were the vicious men others thought them to be. They seemed soft rather then hardened to the life they chose. I do understand being soft around each other.
The dialog was also hard to read. Again, they all were supposed to be vicious men but what they said was completely against that. They seemed more like merry men. Also the transition between characters was a bit confusing. There are many characters point of views in this book so I really believe there should have been name titles in the beginning or change to first person point of view.
The adventure was fun but also seemed long. I believe it could have been shortened a bit to still get the same ending. However, I really like the idea of the story.
I am not sure how the ending is going to transition into book 2 but I will definitely read it to see where this adventure goes.
*thank you for allowing me to read this an ARC reader*
I really enjoyed the plot of the book and the adventure. But I also believe we were missing a lot of information as well. I did not feel that these pirates were the vicious men others thought them to be. They seemed soft rather then hardened to the life they chose. I do understand being soft around each other.
The dialog was also hard to read. Again, they all were supposed to be vicious men but what they said was completely against that. They seemed more like merry men. Also the transition between characters was a bit confusing. There are many characters point of views in this book so I really believe there should have been name titles in the beginning or change to first person point of view.
The adventure was fun but also seemed long. I believe it could have been shortened a bit to still get the same ending. However, I really like the idea of the story.
I am not sure how the ending is going to transition into book 2 but I will definitely read it to see where this adventure goes.
*thank you for allowing me to read this an ARC reader*
June 27, 2026
I received an ARC of The Heart of the Sea in exchange for an honest review.
It was a fast-paced, action-packed ocean adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's very immersive as well, making it easy to picture yourself onboard the Sea Deep Seeker. Captain Nathan and his crew are great characters as well, making you root for them. Their friendship and comradery shines through, especially in those final chapters.
I can't wait to read book two. You can tell the author put a lot of thought and passion into her story.
**Recommended**
It was a fast-paced, action-packed ocean adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's very immersive as well, making it easy to picture yourself onboard the Sea Deep Seeker. Captain Nathan and his crew are great characters as well, making you root for them. Their friendship and comradery shines through, especially in those final chapters.
I can't wait to read book two. You can tell the author put a lot of thought and passion into her story.
**Recommended**
July 9, 2026
I enjoyed this book overall! The plot was creative and engaging, and the author's imagination really shined throughout the story. That said, the writing itself wasn't always strong. However, I think the author shows a lot of potential. There were some fun ideas and interesting moments that kept me invested and wanting to see what happened next. The story's creativity and underlying plot were strong enough to keep me reading, and I'd be interested to see how the author's writing grows in future books. I'm excited to read how the next part of the adventure unfolds!!
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