What do you think?
Soul of the Sea
A chosen priestess trapped in service to a wrathful goddess. A kind man washed up on her shores. A choice: abandon her post and risk unleashing a deadly tempest or follow her heart and learn for herself how people live, and love, before the whole world drowns.
Suila was born with a moon on her wrist, the mark of the sea goddess’s claim on her life. As one of nine priestesses, Suila possesses rare magic to tame wild seas and heal fatal wounds, but these gifts come at a cost—she can never leave the tiny island where she serves, no matter how much she wants to see the mainland and find the family who was forced to give her up. Her sacred duty is all that keeps the sea from rising and drowning the world.
One night, the duke’s charming son, Rieg, comes ashore seeking aid for his cousin, Bronan. Suila uncovers a stain of dark magic holding Bronan in its thrall—magic that only the gods and their servants should wield. Suila can’t deny her curiosity, nor can she deny the sparks between her and Rieg. So she devises a dangerous plan…
Suila tears out a piece of her soul and leaves it on the island, fooling the sea goddess into believing she’s still upholding her duty while she makes her escape.
But in her quest for freedom, she’ll soon find it’s not just the world she’s putting at risk, but her heart, too.
Soul of the Sea is a lush, folkloric fantasy with an aching slow-burn romance for fans of Rebecca Ross and Juliet Marillier.
Suila was born with a moon on her wrist, the mark of the sea goddess’s claim on her life. As one of nine priestesses, Suila possesses rare magic to tame wild seas and heal fatal wounds, but these gifts come at a cost—she can never leave the tiny island where she serves, no matter how much she wants to see the mainland and find the family who was forced to give her up. Her sacred duty is all that keeps the sea from rising and drowning the world.
One night, the duke’s charming son, Rieg, comes ashore seeking aid for his cousin, Bronan. Suila uncovers a stain of dark magic holding Bronan in its thrall—magic that only the gods and their servants should wield. Suila can’t deny her curiosity, nor can she deny the sparks between her and Rieg. So she devises a dangerous plan…
Suila tears out a piece of her soul and leaves it on the island, fooling the sea goddess into believing she’s still upholding her duty while she makes her escape.
But in her quest for freedom, she’ll soon find it’s not just the world she’s putting at risk, but her heart, too.
Soul of the Sea is a lush, folkloric fantasy with an aching slow-burn romance for fans of Rebecca Ross and Juliet Marillier.
394 pages, Paperback
Published August 11, 2026
About the author
Carly Jonathan
1 book20 followersCarly Jonathan was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. With a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Biology, she's both a word nerd and a science nerd, which comes in handy when creating new fantasy worlds. When not reading or writing, she can usually be found managing her endless TBR or meticulously planning her next travel adventure with extensive spreadsheets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 5, 2026
wild wonderful magical mysterious and full of longing and heart! real characters, big conflict, beautiful setting, creepy magic and a tender love story! killer debut!
July 4, 2026
A beautiful story about love, loss, and the sacrifices we make for the people we care about. Soul of the Sea captured me from the very first page and maintained that momentum until the very end. I fell in love with every character and find myself reluctant to say goodbye to a world that I am just starting to know. I highly recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest interest - you will not be disappointed!
June 25, 2026
Loved this book! Story enraptured me from the start. FMC embodies courage, strength, and resilience. Her quest for self determination is a path of discovery full of challenges and mysteries.
July 31, 2026
Wow! I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy from the author and I loved it!!
Super fast paced, high stakes while still having some cozy and wholesome moments! The characters had so much depth to them and I’m super excited to follow the rest of their journey!
5 stars! Would highly recommend to any fans of romance, folklore fantasy vibes, and ocean/beach lovers!
Super fast paced, high stakes while still having some cozy and wholesome moments! The characters had so much depth to them and I’m super excited to follow the rest of their journey!
5 stars! Would highly recommend to any fans of romance, folklore fantasy vibes, and ocean/beach lovers!
Did Not Finish
August 11, 2026Today is #review day!👀
Unfortunately, #soulofthesea by Carly Jonathan is a #dnf for me. 🥲
First of all, I want to thank the author for the opportunity to read this eARC! Here's my honest review for it.
I cannot express how sorry I am for not liking this #book… I managed to get to 64% in hopes of finding something that works for me, but it seems that was a wasted effort.🫣
General info: a folkloric ya fantasy with a slow burn romance, interesting sea-based religion and magic, and an exploration of freedom and its meaning; if you want an easy to read fantasy story with the focus solely on the protagonist and her struggle to find meaning, this is it; great for novice fantasy readers!
CW: SA
BOOK THOUGHTS
As I said, this was a mismatch between my tastes and the actual story.🥲
We follow Suila as she's struggling with her vow to serve the Sena, the Sea Goddess, and her desire to see the world, find her family and just be free. One day, as she's once again needed to heal, her fate is changed by a simple interaction. She finds her courage and tests the boundaries set upon her.
With that being said, I found her POV very young, inexperienced (which is totally fine in different circumstances), but also very VERY sure of herself even in situations she definitely shouldn't.😅 My girl has a serious problem with trusting strangers, going along with what they want and say, and basically not questioning if she's safe once.
I won't give anything away for those of you interested in the synopsis, but, trust me, your patience will be put to trail in some instances, and the rest…you'll be…bored?🧐…frustrated?🤷♀️…a bit disappointed?🥹…I don't know exactly what word should I use….I guess I'll just say you will want for things to have consequences, for her journey to be complicated and nuanced, and most certainly, for her to be more active in her own story. 🥲
So yeah…this is a perfectly good story if you're newer to fantasy, if you don't really want an epic tale or some underlying message 🤓…but if you're expecting some realistic stuff to happen in certain moments 😅…like…maybe *here* her life should be at risk, or her actions could have spelled disaster, or just a simple struggle to speak of…I can tell you that at the 64% mark…our protagonist barely has something to show of🫠.
Anyways😤…enough of that! I want to talk about the other elements of this #book, in case someone is wondering
World building : this was the strongest part of the story. We have a myth, we have a way of life ( in my opinion, well explained) for the 9 Gallisenae, we have culture, traditions, a way of thinking and speaking based on the lore, some architecture, a bit about the world and its history. All of these are well integrated into the narrative, and good enough that you feel a little sadder that the plot and characters don't live up to it.😔
Atmosphere and pacing : the atmosphere is good, very summery ( this could be a beach #read for many people 👀🤷♀️); you can feel the love for the sea poured into the pages, coming out of the MC. Actually, the whole thing has an air of summer break…nothing is urgent here, just enjoy the sun, the sand and the waves, with a slight doze of melancholy.🧐 The pacing is a little strange…initially we have a slow start with lots of descriptions, character moments ( the best part, from my point of view 👀), to suddenly jump from a slow walk to jogging and a little bit of running, only to go back to a slow pace in less than 20%( especially plot wise 🥲…because, despite days passing, I could tell nothing important was truly happening...not even character growth 🥹)
Themes : well😅…we do have freedom and choices as a core topic mentioned over and over again, alongside sacrifice due to the circumstances of our MC, but I cannot say how these will land with other people 🤔…for me, nothing was exploded beyond surface level 🥲.
Magic system : this is an element-based one, but additional stuff. Very low fantasy because you have gifts from Gods😇.
The writing style is nice, polished, but not inducing much emotional response.( At least for me it was not).
Plot: well😅…what I can say is: don't pick up this one because of the plot🥲…you will be disappointed, and start judging every action of the characters, and yeah…some logical problems do exist. To be honest…it seems like the plot which seems very important at the beginning was swiftly replaced by the MCs quest to do something completely different👀. ( And not in the good way, or for any valid reason🫠)
Characters : aaaand…we get to the weakest part of the novel🫣…I'm sorry to say that every single character is one-dimensional.🥹 From Suila, to her sisters, to Marec, Aveline and Loeiza, to Bronan, Rieg and his sister, to everyone😭.
Every time they have an opportunity to become more or act in a logical manner…they don't 😖…it's like a children's story, a fantasy in which nothing bad will happen 💁♀️…why??Just…why?🥹 Why choose to go from A, to B and C in the most ludicrous, unrealistic way, when you could have a better, more complex, believable and thought-provoking story?? I can't understand that…😶
In the end, I can't recommend this book to a broad audience . Only if you know you want a straightforward narrative, with a simple plot and very little internal or external struggle for our characters as they supposedly solve a grave issue while also falling in love🤷♀️. Maybe some of you will read this review and say: yeah! This is exactly what I want right now☺️ or… it's perfect for the teenagers in my life!👀🤷♀️ I know most fantasy readers will be harsher than me…so be warned!😅
Again, this is not the book's fault, it's a me issue. (although questionable decisions/actions are present several times in the text and that doesn't help me find its readership🥲) It just wasn't what I was looking for.
Unfortunately, #soulofthesea by Carly Jonathan is a #dnf for me. 🥲
First of all, I want to thank the author for the opportunity to read this eARC! Here's my honest review for it.
I cannot express how sorry I am for not liking this #book… I managed to get to 64% in hopes of finding something that works for me, but it seems that was a wasted effort.🫣
General info: a folkloric ya fantasy with a slow burn romance, interesting sea-based religion and magic, and an exploration of freedom and its meaning; if you want an easy to read fantasy story with the focus solely on the protagonist and her struggle to find meaning, this is it; great for novice fantasy readers!
CW: SA
BOOK THOUGHTS
As I said, this was a mismatch between my tastes and the actual story.🥲
We follow Suila as she's struggling with her vow to serve the Sena, the Sea Goddess, and her desire to see the world, find her family and just be free. One day, as she's once again needed to heal, her fate is changed by a simple interaction. She finds her courage and tests the boundaries set upon her.
With that being said, I found her POV very young, inexperienced (which is totally fine in different circumstances), but also very VERY sure of herself even in situations she definitely shouldn't.😅 My girl has a serious problem with trusting strangers, going along with what they want and say, and basically not questioning if she's safe once.
I won't give anything away for those of you interested in the synopsis, but, trust me, your patience will be put to trail in some instances, and the rest…you'll be…bored?🧐…frustrated?🤷♀️…a bit disappointed?🥹…I don't know exactly what word should I use….I guess I'll just say you will want for things to have consequences, for her journey to be complicated and nuanced, and most certainly, for her to be more active in her own story. 🥲
So yeah…this is a perfectly good story if you're newer to fantasy, if you don't really want an epic tale or some underlying message 🤓…but if you're expecting some realistic stuff to happen in certain moments 😅…like…maybe *here* her life should be at risk, or her actions could have spelled disaster, or just a simple struggle to speak of…I can tell you that at the 64% mark…our protagonist barely has something to show of🫠.
Anyways😤…enough of that! I want to talk about the other elements of this #book, in case someone is wondering
World building : this was the strongest part of the story. We have a myth, we have a way of life ( in my opinion, well explained) for the 9 Gallisenae, we have culture, traditions, a way of thinking and speaking based on the lore, some architecture, a bit about the world and its history. All of these are well integrated into the narrative, and good enough that you feel a little sadder that the plot and characters don't live up to it.😔
Atmosphere and pacing : the atmosphere is good, very summery ( this could be a beach #read for many people 👀🤷♀️); you can feel the love for the sea poured into the pages, coming out of the MC. Actually, the whole thing has an air of summer break…nothing is urgent here, just enjoy the sun, the sand and the waves, with a slight doze of melancholy.🧐 The pacing is a little strange…initially we have a slow start with lots of descriptions, character moments ( the best part, from my point of view 👀), to suddenly jump from a slow walk to jogging and a little bit of running, only to go back to a slow pace in less than 20%( especially plot wise 🥲…because, despite days passing, I could tell nothing important was truly happening...not even character growth 🥹)
Themes : well😅…we do have freedom and choices as a core topic mentioned over and over again, alongside sacrifice due to the circumstances of our MC, but I cannot say how these will land with other people 🤔…for me, nothing was exploded beyond surface level 🥲.
Magic system : this is an element-based one, but additional stuff. Very low fantasy because you have gifts from Gods😇.
The writing style is nice, polished, but not inducing much emotional response.( At least for me it was not).
Plot: well😅…what I can say is: don't pick up this one because of the plot🥲…you will be disappointed, and start judging every action of the characters, and yeah…some logical problems do exist. To be honest…it seems like the plot which seems very important at the beginning was swiftly replaced by the MCs quest to do something completely different👀. ( And not in the good way, or for any valid reason🫠)
Characters : aaaand…we get to the weakest part of the novel🫣…I'm sorry to say that every single character is one-dimensional.🥹 From Suila, to her sisters, to Marec, Aveline and Loeiza, to Bronan, Rieg and his sister, to everyone😭.
Every time they have an opportunity to become more or act in a logical manner…they don't 😖…it's like a children's story, a fantasy in which nothing bad will happen 💁♀️…why??Just…why?🥹 Why choose to go from A, to B and C in the most ludicrous, unrealistic way, when you could have a better, more complex, believable and thought-provoking story?? I can't understand that…😶
In the end, I can't recommend this book to a broad audience . Only if you know you want a straightforward narrative, with a simple plot and very little internal or external struggle for our characters as they supposedly solve a grave issue while also falling in love🤷♀️. Maybe some of you will read this review and say: yeah! This is exactly what I want right now☺️ or… it's perfect for the teenagers in my life!👀🤷♀️ I know most fantasy readers will be harsher than me…so be warned!😅
Again, this is not the book's fault, it's a me issue. (although questionable decisions/actions are present several times in the text and that doesn't help me find its readership🥲) It just wasn't what I was looking for.
August 24, 2026
This book has a special place in my bookish soul - I remember reading an earlier iteration of this story while in college, and even back then, I knew that this book was going to be special. Now being able to see how this story has matured and come to life, I am simply stunned.
Soul of the Sea is a beautiful story of resilience, magic, and finding the courage to forge your own path. Suila is an amazing FMC, she has that quiet strength that readers will find both relatable and empowering. This story was a breath of fresh air, there is just something about a story that doesn't rush, but takes the time to explore the nuances and allows the time for a reader to settle in. This is the perfect book for someone looking for a book that holds their hand and doesn't drag them from chapter to chapter where each plot twist is larger than life and action packed with magic blazing.
Needless to sat I am huge fan of this book and cannot wait for book two.
Soul of the Sea is a beautiful story of resilience, magic, and finding the courage to forge your own path. Suila is an amazing FMC, she has that quiet strength that readers will find both relatable and empowering. This story was a breath of fresh air, there is just something about a story that doesn't rush, but takes the time to explore the nuances and allows the time for a reader to settle in. This is the perfect book for someone looking for a book that holds their hand and doesn't drag them from chapter to chapter where each plot twist is larger than life and action packed with magic blazing.
Needless to sat I am huge fan of this book and cannot wait for book two.
September 2, 2026
5 ⭐️ Love love loved this book! Beautiful writing, unique story, lovable characters, and perfect pacing! Highly recommend! <3
Review of advance copy received from Author
A really strong debut novel, and I'm eager to read more about this world!
August 11, 2026
I actually finished this book a week after receiving it, but somehow forgot that I hadn't posted a review yet haha. 😭 I've mentioned this many times before, but there are certain tropes that just excite me more than others and this was definitely one of them.
Soul of the Sea is the introduction to the series, and I always have high expectations when it comes to books like this. Safe to say, Carly Jonathan did not disappoint me. This was also my first time reading anything by Carly, so I went into this with absolutely no expectations or prior knowledge of her writing or world. And honestly? I think that made the experience even better. I got to discover everything as Suila did, and it made the whole reading experience feel much more immersive.
The story follows Suila, one of the nine priestesses bound to a tiny island. Born with a moon on her wrist and a life that was never really hers to choose, she's spent her entire life knowing that freedom isn't something that's meant for her.
The premise sounds familiar enough: girl wants freedom, boy arrives, sparks fly. It's basically the recipe for a typical fairy tale, right? But this book keeps sidestepping the beats you expect, and that's exactly what made it so interesting to me.
The worldbuilding was probably one of my favorite parts. The world Carly Jonathan created reminded me of the folklores and mythologies we grew up hearing about, but with her own twist woven into them. And I really loved that the lore isn't just dumped on you through pages and pages of explanations. Instead, you experience it through the priestesses' faith, their rituals, their relationships, and the everyday rhythm of life on the island.
Then we get to explore the mainland city of Kemper and the ancient forests beyond, and somehow each new setting feels just as alive. There is a certain atmosphere throughout this book that I absolutely loved. It feels like stepping into a folklore you've somehow never heard before.
And then there's Suila. 🥹
She's curious, quietly stubborn, and trying to understand a world that has always been much bigger than the tiny island she's known her entire life. What I especially loved about her journey is that escaping the island isn't simply the end goal and, once achieved, everything is magically fine.
I initially thought the escape would be the main focus of the story, but nope. Suila literally tears a piece of her own soul away and leaves it behind to fool the goddess. Problem solved, right?
Well... not exactly. 👀
Her escape comes with consequences, and I really appreciated that the story explored what freedom actually costs. Because sometimes getting what you want doesn't mean you're suddenly free from everything that came before.
The romance is also a slow burn, just as promised in the synopsis, and I think the pacing worked really well. Rieg is charming but complicated, and I like that not everything about him is immediately explained or neatly resolved. Their relationship has room to develop naturally instead of being rushed just because this is a fantasy romance.
And I have to mention the sisterhood between the priestesses because I genuinely loved it. Their relationships add so much warmth to the story, and they make Suila's decision to leave feel much more emotional. She's not simply leaving a place—she's leaving people she loves.
Is this book perfect? No.
Will everyone love it? I definitely hope so because this story deserves all the love. 🥹
Will I continue the series and patiently wait for the next book?
Absolutely. Without hesitation.
Soul of the Sea is ultimately a story about the cost of living a life chosen for you and what it truly takes to become free.
If you love folkloric fantasy, atmospheric worldbuilding, slow-burn romance, sisterhood, and heroines who feel genuinely human, I definitely think this is a series worth checking out. I won't spoil anything else because there are definitely things you should discover for yourself. So... you better read this on your own! 👀🌊
A huge thank you to Carly Jonathan for trusting me with an advance review copy of Soul of the Sea. It truly means a lot! As always, every thought and opinion shared in this review is completely honest and my own. 💙
Soul of the Sea is the introduction to the series, and I always have high expectations when it comes to books like this. Safe to say, Carly Jonathan did not disappoint me. This was also my first time reading anything by Carly, so I went into this with absolutely no expectations or prior knowledge of her writing or world. And honestly? I think that made the experience even better. I got to discover everything as Suila did, and it made the whole reading experience feel much more immersive.
The story follows Suila, one of the nine priestesses bound to a tiny island. Born with a moon on her wrist and a life that was never really hers to choose, she's spent her entire life knowing that freedom isn't something that's meant for her.
The premise sounds familiar enough: girl wants freedom, boy arrives, sparks fly. It's basically the recipe for a typical fairy tale, right? But this book keeps sidestepping the beats you expect, and that's exactly what made it so interesting to me.
The worldbuilding was probably one of my favorite parts. The world Carly Jonathan created reminded me of the folklores and mythologies we grew up hearing about, but with her own twist woven into them. And I really loved that the lore isn't just dumped on you through pages and pages of explanations. Instead, you experience it through the priestesses' faith, their rituals, their relationships, and the everyday rhythm of life on the island.
Then we get to explore the mainland city of Kemper and the ancient forests beyond, and somehow each new setting feels just as alive. There is a certain atmosphere throughout this book that I absolutely loved. It feels like stepping into a folklore you've somehow never heard before.
And then there's Suila. 🥹
She's curious, quietly stubborn, and trying to understand a world that has always been much bigger than the tiny island she's known her entire life. What I especially loved about her journey is that escaping the island isn't simply the end goal and, once achieved, everything is magically fine.
I initially thought the escape would be the main focus of the story, but nope. Suila literally tears a piece of her own soul away and leaves it behind to fool the goddess. Problem solved, right?
Well... not exactly. 👀
Her escape comes with consequences, and I really appreciated that the story explored what freedom actually costs. Because sometimes getting what you want doesn't mean you're suddenly free from everything that came before.
The romance is also a slow burn, just as promised in the synopsis, and I think the pacing worked really well. Rieg is charming but complicated, and I like that not everything about him is immediately explained or neatly resolved. Their relationship has room to develop naturally instead of being rushed just because this is a fantasy romance.
And I have to mention the sisterhood between the priestesses because I genuinely loved it. Their relationships add so much warmth to the story, and they make Suila's decision to leave feel much more emotional. She's not simply leaving a place—she's leaving people she loves.
Is this book perfect? No.
Will everyone love it? I definitely hope so because this story deserves all the love. 🥹
Will I continue the series and patiently wait for the next book?
Absolutely. Without hesitation.
Soul of the Sea is ultimately a story about the cost of living a life chosen for you and what it truly takes to become free.
If you love folkloric fantasy, atmospheric worldbuilding, slow-burn romance, sisterhood, and heroines who feel genuinely human, I definitely think this is a series worth checking out. I won't spoil anything else because there are definitely things you should discover for yourself. So... you better read this on your own! 👀🌊
A huge thank you to Carly Jonathan for trusting me with an advance review copy of Soul of the Sea. It truly means a lot! As always, every thought and opinion shared in this review is completely honest and my own. 💙
July 12, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
“To the sea, the sky, and those who live between them.”
Set between the sacred Isle of Sena and the thriving mainland of Kemper, Soul of the Sea follows Suila, one of the nine Gallisena priestesses devoted to the sea goddess Sena despite quietly yearning for a life beyond the island’s shores. Everything changes when a ship arrives carrying Rieg, the Duke of Kemper’s charming son, seeking aid for his cousin Bronan, who has been afflicted by a mysterious illness. With them come long-buried secrets that slowly unravel everything Suila has ever believed about herself, her faith and the world beyond the sea.
One thing Carly absolutely excelled at was the atmosphere. From the windswept shores of the Isle of Sena to the bustling streets of Kemper and the ancient forests beyond, every corner of this world felt rich, expansive and wonderfully alive. The Celtic folklore is woven so seamlessly into the story that it never feels like background lore. Rather, it becomes part of the characters’ everyday lives, making the world feel both lush and magical.
The sisterhood was another standout for me. Watching Suila work, learn and pray with the other priestesses gave the story so much warmth. Their bond felt genuine and supportive and it also made Suila’s eventual life-changing decision all the more heartbreaking. I also loved how the importance of female friendships continued to shine throughout the story in ways I won’t spoil here, but it was definitely one of my favourite aspects of the book.
Suila herself completely stole my heart. She’s curious, compassionate and quietly rebellious, constantly torn between the life she’s always known and the one she secretly dreams of. Watching her step beyond the boundaries of her world and slowly discover who she wants to become was easily the most rewarding part of the story.
More than anything, though, this book is about freedom. It’s about questioning the life you’ve been told to live, finding the courage to choose your own future and discovering that love should never ask you to become someone else.
By the time I turned the final page, I wasn’t ready to leave this world behind. The ending left me desperate for more and I already know I’ll be counting down the days until I can return to these characters. Carly Jonathan has created a beautiful beginning to what promises to be an unforgettable series.
5 stars from me!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“To the sea, the sky, and those who live between them.”
Set between the sacred Isle of Sena and the thriving mainland of Kemper, Soul of the Sea follows Suila, one of the nine Gallisena priestesses devoted to the sea goddess Sena despite quietly yearning for a life beyond the island’s shores. Everything changes when a ship arrives carrying Rieg, the Duke of Kemper’s charming son, seeking aid for his cousin Bronan, who has been afflicted by a mysterious illness. With them come long-buried secrets that slowly unravel everything Suila has ever believed about herself, her faith and the world beyond the sea.
One thing Carly absolutely excelled at was the atmosphere. From the windswept shores of the Isle of Sena to the bustling streets of Kemper and the ancient forests beyond, every corner of this world felt rich, expansive and wonderfully alive. The Celtic folklore is woven so seamlessly into the story that it never feels like background lore. Rather, it becomes part of the characters’ everyday lives, making the world feel both lush and magical.
The sisterhood was another standout for me. Watching Suila work, learn and pray with the other priestesses gave the story so much warmth. Their bond felt genuine and supportive and it also made Suila’s eventual life-changing decision all the more heartbreaking. I also loved how the importance of female friendships continued to shine throughout the story in ways I won’t spoil here, but it was definitely one of my favourite aspects of the book.
Suila herself completely stole my heart. She’s curious, compassionate and quietly rebellious, constantly torn between the life she’s always known and the one she secretly dreams of. Watching her step beyond the boundaries of her world and slowly discover who she wants to become was easily the most rewarding part of the story.
More than anything, though, this book is about freedom. It’s about questioning the life you’ve been told to live, finding the courage to choose your own future and discovering that love should never ask you to become someone else.
By the time I turned the final page, I wasn’t ready to leave this world behind. The ending left me desperate for more and I already know I’ll be counting down the days until I can return to these characters. Carly Jonathan has created a beautiful beginning to what promises to be an unforgettable series.
5 stars from me!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was invested from start to finish and really loved this book! The storytelling is really so intriguing and pulls you in quickly.
Suila is a great narrator. She's naive, which makes you think the story is going in one direction, but the naivety works against her. Suila is spunky, kind, and thoughtful. I loved reading her internal monologue and I felt like I was feeling her emotions with her.
I also liked the other characters in the story. I thought Rieg was a particularly interesting character and the writing for him is so interesting. I felt like the book really leaves it up for interpretation what you should think about him towards the end. I really liked how complex and human Jonathan makes him . In the end I felt overall very confused about him, but I kind of liked that since it felt more accurate to how you might feel for someone you have a complicated history with.
The plotline with the Tustan tea was also so interesting. I thought it was a cool metaphor for medication and how it can suppress your emotions, but also make you more capable of going around and doing everyday tasks that would be hard to do otherwise. The overall message where Suila I recognize this was probably drawn heavily on the author's personal experiences, in which case it makes sense. I just would've enjoyed further exploration of the ideas because it was such a unique plot point.
I think this is a great book and I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy fantasy (YA and adult) or who are searching for a unique story. I genuinely really enjoyed reading it and looked forward to picking it up for the night and reading new chapters. The narration is engaging, the plot is fun with serious moments interspersed throughout it, and it leaves enough open-ended questions for future books in this series.
Suila is a great narrator. She's naive, which makes you think the story is going in one direction, but the naivety works against her. Suila is spunky, kind, and thoughtful. I loved reading her internal monologue and I felt like I was feeling her emotions with her.
I also liked the other characters in the story. I thought Rieg was a particularly interesting character and the writing for him is so interesting. I felt like the book really leaves it up for interpretation what you should think about him towards the end. I really liked how complex and human Jonathan makes him . In the end I felt overall very confused about him, but I kind of liked that since it felt more accurate to how you might feel for someone you have a complicated history with.
The plotline with the Tustan tea was also so interesting. I thought it was a cool metaphor for medication and how it can suppress your emotions, but also make you more capable of going around and doing everyday tasks that would be hard to do otherwise. The overall message where Suila I recognize this was probably drawn heavily on the author's personal experiences, in which case it makes sense. I just would've enjoyed further exploration of the ideas because it was such a unique plot point.
I think this is a great book and I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy fantasy (YA and adult) or who are searching for a unique story. I genuinely really enjoyed reading it and looked forward to picking it up for the night and reading new chapters. The narration is engaging, the plot is fun with serious moments interspersed throughout it, and it leaves enough open-ended questions for future books in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Soul of the Sea is a thoughtful fantasy novel with a strong psychological core, compelling symbolic magic, and a somewhat more familiar external plot structure. Its greatest strength is the idea of a young woman escaping captivity by leaving a piece of her soul behind, only to discover that physical escape is not the same as freedom. Suila may leave the island, but she cannot build a new life while part of her remains imprisoned in the place she fled.
The characters around her represent different forms of love, freedom, and power. Rieg embodies the seductive fantasy of being rescued by someone else, while Bronan offers a quieter relationship built on trust, respect, and the recognition of shared vulnerability. Kelenn is Suila’s dark mirror: both women rebel against systems that claim ownership over their lives, but Kelenn is willing to purchase her freedom with the suffering and subjugation of others. Adelise, meanwhile, demonstrates that a role can be a prison for one person and a genuine calling for another—the difference lies in choice and consent.
I especially appreciated that the novel explores duty without choice, love as possession, protection as restriction, emotional suppression as survival, and liberation achieved through violence. The romance is meaningful, but it is not presented as a magical solution to Suila’s problems. The political intrigue is less emotionally powerful than the personal and mythological conflict, and some parts of the middle feel slightly too functional, moving the characters from one necessary discovery to the next. A few secondary characters could also have been developed more deeply, particularly considering how important their decisions become near the end.
Still, the emotional architecture of the novel is intelligent and carefully constructed. Its magic is not merely decorative; it gives physical form to Suila’s fractured identity, fear of attachment, and struggle for autonomy. This is not a perfect book, but it is an emotionally honest one, and its central image stayed with me after I finished reading. Suila does not become free when she escapes the island; she becomes free when she no longer has to leave part of herself hostage to her own escape.
The characters around her represent different forms of love, freedom, and power. Rieg embodies the seductive fantasy of being rescued by someone else, while Bronan offers a quieter relationship built on trust, respect, and the recognition of shared vulnerability. Kelenn is Suila’s dark mirror: both women rebel against systems that claim ownership over their lives, but Kelenn is willing to purchase her freedom with the suffering and subjugation of others. Adelise, meanwhile, demonstrates that a role can be a prison for one person and a genuine calling for another—the difference lies in choice and consent.
I especially appreciated that the novel explores duty without choice, love as possession, protection as restriction, emotional suppression as survival, and liberation achieved through violence. The romance is meaningful, but it is not presented as a magical solution to Suila’s problems. The political intrigue is less emotionally powerful than the personal and mythological conflict, and some parts of the middle feel slightly too functional, moving the characters from one necessary discovery to the next. A few secondary characters could also have been developed more deeply, particularly considering how important their decisions become near the end.
Still, the emotional architecture of the novel is intelligent and carefully constructed. Its magic is not merely decorative; it gives physical form to Suila’s fractured identity, fear of attachment, and struggle for autonomy. This is not a perfect book, but it is an emotionally honest one, and its central image stayed with me after I finished reading. Suila does not become free when she escapes the island; she becomes free when she no longer has to leave part of herself hostage to her own escape.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2026
***Thank you to Carly Jonathan for the ARC copy. All opinions are my own.***
Soul of the Sea ensnares you from the first page and refuses to let go until the last. An incredible debut from Carly Jonathan, the first book in the Gallisenae series is thought-provoking, emotionally evocative, and forces the reader to ask themselves how far they would go to find freedom in a world where your fate was determined before your birth?
The world itself was beautiful, from the isle of the Gallisenae to the vibrant city streets of Kemper. Suila’s wonder and awe at a world she had never seen before added a magical air to the novel, allowing her to experience everything for the first time alongside the reader. Add in the history of the gods and goddesses of the realm, mixed with the complexity of the politics, and you have a rich, intricate setting for our protagonist to explore and find herself.
Suila’s story is one of exploration and self-discovery. She sacrifices a part of her soul to search for a past she has always craved to know and learn about a world that was kept from her. There are many secrets in the realm of Kemper, secrets that Suila is determined to uncover. She also finds love along the way; the romance is a slow-burn that grows alongside the story, not overshadowing it.
I loved the depth of every bond that was presented, from the sisterhood of the priestesses to the brotherly love shared between Rieg and Bronan. Jonathan expertly captures human nature, all of its strengths and flaws, creating realistic characters whom the reader can relate to. I felt for Suila especially; her desire to escape a fate that was chosen for her, not by her. Her struggles, both emotionally and with the tools she uses to keep her soul tethered for fear of retaliation from the Goddess she serves, spoke to me on a deeper level. And I feel that Suila’s story would resonate with others as well.
If you are a fan of lore-rich fantasy works that focus on world-building and characters more than romance, then Soul of the Sea is the perfect book for you. I will continue this series for sure. Carly Jonathan is a masterful author and deserves all the praise she is receiving for this book and more.
Soul of the Sea ensnares you from the first page and refuses to let go until the last. An incredible debut from Carly Jonathan, the first book in the Gallisenae series is thought-provoking, emotionally evocative, and forces the reader to ask themselves how far they would go to find freedom in a world where your fate was determined before your birth?
The world itself was beautiful, from the isle of the Gallisenae to the vibrant city streets of Kemper. Suila’s wonder and awe at a world she had never seen before added a magical air to the novel, allowing her to experience everything for the first time alongside the reader. Add in the history of the gods and goddesses of the realm, mixed with the complexity of the politics, and you have a rich, intricate setting for our protagonist to explore and find herself.
Suila’s story is one of exploration and self-discovery. She sacrifices a part of her soul to search for a past she has always craved to know and learn about a world that was kept from her. There are many secrets in the realm of Kemper, secrets that Suila is determined to uncover. She also finds love along the way; the romance is a slow-burn that grows alongside the story, not overshadowing it.
I loved the depth of every bond that was presented, from the sisterhood of the priestesses to the brotherly love shared between Rieg and Bronan. Jonathan expertly captures human nature, all of its strengths and flaws, creating realistic characters whom the reader can relate to. I felt for Suila especially; her desire to escape a fate that was chosen for her, not by her. Her struggles, both emotionally and with the tools she uses to keep her soul tethered for fear of retaliation from the Goddess she serves, spoke to me on a deeper level. And I feel that Suila’s story would resonate with others as well.
If you are a fan of lore-rich fantasy works that focus on world-building and characters more than romance, then Soul of the Sea is the perfect book for you. I will continue this series for sure. Carly Jonathan is a masterful author and deserves all the praise she is receiving for this book and more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hello everyone! Soul of the Sea releases tomorrow and before I leave this space to the readers, I wanted to drop a quick note about this book and what it means to me:
Soul of the Sea has been waiting nearly twenty years for its moment to shine. I wrote a different, much messier version of this story as my college thesis project and then, as tends to happen when you're a new adult navigating the real world, life got busy and my dream of becoming an author got pushed to the side. It wasn't until about ten years later that I came back to writing in earnest. I completely rewrote Soul of the Sea and decided to pursue the path to traditional publishing. Nearly 100 query letters later and this book that meant so much to me didn't find its home. So I wrote the next thing, and the next. But this story always had a piece of my heart (and soul). I couldn't let it go. So I decided I would publish it myself and here we are! I can't wait for you to read it!
This story was inspired by so many of my favorite things: my love for Arthurian and Celtic folklore; growing up in the Pacific Northwest and spending summers digging clams; and romances that make my heart skip a beat. But perhaps most importantly, Soul of the Sea and Suila’s journey was inspired by my mental heath struggles in my teen and young adult years. Part of my that journey included trying different medications to see which one might help. I remember a few that made me feel so numb, like nothing mattered, and how equally crippling that was compared to my depression and anxiety. I’m so glad I listened to my gut and advocated for myself. That I tried different options until I found what worked for me. As is my wish for everyone experiencing similar struggles. So when you read what Suila goes through as she navigates her new world, you might notice some of my own journey reflected through hers. While this book isn’t dark, it does tackle some important (sometimes heavy) themes. But it’s also full of laughter and love and, most importantly, hope.
My hope is that you love it!
Thanks for reading and supporting my debut!
Soul of the Sea has been waiting nearly twenty years for its moment to shine. I wrote a different, much messier version of this story as my college thesis project and then, as tends to happen when you're a new adult navigating the real world, life got busy and my dream of becoming an author got pushed to the side. It wasn't until about ten years later that I came back to writing in earnest. I completely rewrote Soul of the Sea and decided to pursue the path to traditional publishing. Nearly 100 query letters later and this book that meant so much to me didn't find its home. So I wrote the next thing, and the next. But this story always had a piece of my heart (and soul). I couldn't let it go. So I decided I would publish it myself and here we are! I can't wait for you to read it!
This story was inspired by so many of my favorite things: my love for Arthurian and Celtic folklore; growing up in the Pacific Northwest and spending summers digging clams; and romances that make my heart skip a beat. But perhaps most importantly, Soul of the Sea and Suila’s journey was inspired by my mental heath struggles in my teen and young adult years. Part of my that journey included trying different medications to see which one might help. I remember a few that made me feel so numb, like nothing mattered, and how equally crippling that was compared to my depression and anxiety. I’m so glad I listened to my gut and advocated for myself. That I tried different options until I found what worked for me. As is my wish for everyone experiencing similar struggles. So when you read what Suila goes through as she navigates her new world, you might notice some of my own journey reflected through hers. While this book isn’t dark, it does tackle some important (sometimes heavy) themes. But it’s also full of laughter and love and, most importantly, hope.
My hope is that you love it!
Thanks for reading and supporting my debut!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book felt really unique. Suila's small-world view almost made it feel like a cosy fantasy. But there was lore and feeling and depth to make it bigger. The writing made it feel like a folktale, almost.
Plot: Suila is one of 9 priestesses of Sera, the goddess of the sea. They must live on a tiny island in the sea, and are unable to leave because they are what stops the sea rising and consuming the lands. So when a young man comes to their island in need of their healing magic for his cousin she realises she wants more than a tiny island, and forms a plan to leave, while still keeping the sea at bay.
I still cant put my finger on WHY this felt unique. Was it because, in a world of romantasy where the fmc always trains, gets stronger, has flirty arguments with the slightly arsehole-ish mmc, this did none of that? Or was it because Suila's small-world view felt actually genuine, as did everything else in this book.
I spent the first half of this book wondering why it felt slightly bittersweet, when nothing bittersweet was particularly happening, and i worked it out towards the end when I realised that feeling had lightened. Suila takes a tea to dull the pain of her split soul (left at the island to fool the never-leaving-the-island issue) that leaves her emotions dulled and unable to experience things fully. When that feeling left this book was when she stopped taking the tea. I dont even know how the writing achieved that, but the mood shifted ever so slightly that I eventually noticed. It was so well done.
I loved the characters. They all had such depth to them. Suila is such a great mc being soft, naive, learning but tough when she needs to be. MMC (im not gonna spoil who) but yeah I liked him a lot. They both stood out for being different from the norm of fantasy mcs, in a very good way.
Writing, characters, lore, world - such a great book, and even more impressive as a debut book. Next book in the series when?
I received an advance review copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
Plot: Suila is one of 9 priestesses of Sera, the goddess of the sea. They must live on a tiny island in the sea, and are unable to leave because they are what stops the sea rising and consuming the lands. So when a young man comes to their island in need of their healing magic for his cousin she realises she wants more than a tiny island, and forms a plan to leave, while still keeping the sea at bay.
I still cant put my finger on WHY this felt unique. Was it because, in a world of romantasy where the fmc always trains, gets stronger, has flirty arguments with the slightly arsehole-ish mmc, this did none of that? Or was it because Suila's small-world view felt actually genuine, as did everything else in this book.
I spent the first half of this book wondering why it felt slightly bittersweet, when nothing bittersweet was particularly happening, and i worked it out towards the end when I realised that feeling had lightened. Suila takes a tea to dull the pain of her split soul (left at the island to fool the never-leaving-the-island issue) that leaves her emotions dulled and unable to experience things fully. When that feeling left this book was when she stopped taking the tea. I dont even know how the writing achieved that, but the mood shifted ever so slightly that I eventually noticed. It was so well done.
I loved the characters. They all had such depth to them. Suila is such a great mc being soft, naive, learning but tough when she needs to be. MMC (im not gonna spoil who) but yeah I liked him a lot. They both stood out for being different from the norm of fantasy mcs, in a very good way.
Writing, characters, lore, world - such a great book, and even more impressive as a debut book. Next book in the series when?
I received an advance review copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
August 11, 2026
★★★★★ 5 stars
ARC Review — Soul of the Sea by Carly Jonathan
Soul of the Sea pulled me in from the very beginning, and honestly, the cover alone had me obsessed. 🌊✨ It’s absolutely gorgeous and does such a good job of setting the mood for the story.
The book has a captivating atmosphere that made it incredibly easy to get lost in its world. I loved the way the story draws you in and keeps you curious about what’s waiting beneath the surface. There’s a beautiful sense of mystery surrounding the story, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see where everything would lead.
One of my favourite things about this read was the overall atmosphere. It has that immersive, almost dreamlike quality that makes you feel completely transported. The setting and storytelling work together beautifully, and the book has a distinct identity that really stood out to me.
I also really enjoyed the characters and the way their journeys unfolded throughout the story. There was enough emotional depth to keep me invested, while still maintaining the sense of adventure and mystery that made the book so enjoyable.
And can we talk about that cover again?! 😭💙 It is genuinely one of those covers that makes you want to pick up the book immediately.
Overall, Soul of the Sea was a beautiful and immersive read that left me completely satisfied. If you enjoy atmospheric fantasy, intriguing stories, emotional moments, and books that make you want to disappear into another world, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
🌊 Rating: 5/5 stars
✨️
ARC Review — Soul of the Sea by Carly Jonathan
Soul of the Sea pulled me in from the very beginning, and honestly, the cover alone had me obsessed. 🌊✨ It’s absolutely gorgeous and does such a good job of setting the mood for the story.
The book has a captivating atmosphere that made it incredibly easy to get lost in its world. I loved the way the story draws you in and keeps you curious about what’s waiting beneath the surface. There’s a beautiful sense of mystery surrounding the story, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see where everything would lead.
One of my favourite things about this read was the overall atmosphere. It has that immersive, almost dreamlike quality that makes you feel completely transported. The setting and storytelling work together beautifully, and the book has a distinct identity that really stood out to me.
I also really enjoyed the characters and the way their journeys unfolded throughout the story. There was enough emotional depth to keep me invested, while still maintaining the sense of adventure and mystery that made the book so enjoyable.
And can we talk about that cover again?! 😭💙 It is genuinely one of those covers that makes you want to pick up the book immediately.
Overall, Soul of the Sea was a beautiful and immersive read that left me completely satisfied. If you enjoy atmospheric fantasy, intriguing stories, emotional moments, and books that make you want to disappear into another world, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
🌊 Rating: 5/5 stars
✨️
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5/5 Stars!
Thank you so much to the author for sharing an advanced copy of this book. <3 It was a really good time reading this!
“Sometimes, it is easier not to know, than to know more and not be able to do anything about it.”
So. Where do I begin?
This book is a very nice summer read - not only because it has an island setting, but it also feels refreshing to read about the sea and the sky and the trees and the land.
Suila (FMC) thirsts for what lies beyond the small island where she and her 8 sisters live and pray together. They are gifted with magic that keep the seas calm and heal the wounded. She has always been curious of what life is in the mainland. She did not try to leave, until she met the duke’s son, Rieg, who visited their island seeking help to cure the dark magic that has affected his cousin, Bronan.
As a mother whose daughter loves to watch Disney movies, this book reminded is like Moana meets Little Mermaid - Suila felt the spark between her and Rieg. What is she willing to give up to find him in the mainland? What is life like beyond her tiny island?
There is one very tiny small part of the book that I wish was elaborated a little (where the male character travels alone and visits a family to ask about a certain history). I think that this part of the story was very interesting, and I wanted to learn more about it.
After finishing the book, I found that I have left a piece of my soul in the book.
Now, I just have to sit back and wait for book 2. ^__^
Thank you so much to the author for sharing an advanced copy of this book. <3 It was a really good time reading this!
“Sometimes, it is easier not to know, than to know more and not be able to do anything about it.”
So. Where do I begin?
This book is a very nice summer read - not only because it has an island setting, but it also feels refreshing to read about the sea and the sky and the trees and the land.
Suila (FMC) thirsts for what lies beyond the small island where she and her 8 sisters live and pray together. They are gifted with magic that keep the seas calm and heal the wounded. She has always been curious of what life is in the mainland. She did not try to leave, until she met the duke’s son, Rieg, who visited their island seeking help to cure the dark magic that has affected his cousin, Bronan.
As a mother whose daughter loves to watch Disney movies, this book reminded is like Moana meets Little Mermaid - Suila felt the spark between her and Rieg. What is she willing to give up to find him in the mainland? What is life like beyond her tiny island?
There is one very tiny small part of the book that I wish was elaborated a little (where the male character travels alone and visits a family to ask about a certain history). I think that this part of the story was very interesting, and I wanted to learn more about it.
After finishing the book, I found that I have left a piece of my soul in the book.
Now, I just have to sit back and wait for book 2. ^__^
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a fun and entertaining book. The writing is well done and I thought the pacing was pretty spot on. The characters were well developed and had unique personalities. I thought Suila was a likeable and relatable FMC. She has character flaws, like being ignorant of life beyond her island and having severely limited magic once she leaves said island. Suila is a genuinely kind and caring person but her naivety gets her into troublesome situations. She is able to learn from setbacks and doesn't whine or blame others.
Another positive thing about Suila was her steadfast determination despite being 1) overwhelmed by her new surroundings, 2) mentally and physically exhausted from being away from her island, and 3) desperately fighting to find a way to convince her goddess of allowing to leave the island permanently. Her journey wasn't easy but she worked diligently to find a solution to her problem, strengthen her connections with both her long lost family, and navigate new friendships and love. I don't read as much romance as many readers but I enjoyed Suila's romantic journey. It had some heavy moments, and not all is as it seems, but the resolution was so cute and cozy!
On top of looking for family, love, and friendship she gets swept into political drama, increasing the stakes even more. And oh boy is this worth the wait! The ending is fast paced, emotional, and all consuming. It wraps up parts of the story but raises more questions, which left me instantly longing for more!
If you like YA fantasy then I think you will enjoy Soul of the Sea. This book is an absolute gem!
I am thankful to the author for having me on her ARC team. While I was provided an early copy my opinions are entirely my own.
Another positive thing about Suila was her steadfast determination despite being 1) overwhelmed by her new surroundings, 2) mentally and physically exhausted from being away from her island, and 3) desperately fighting to find a way to convince her goddess of allowing to leave the island permanently. Her journey wasn't easy but she worked diligently to find a solution to her problem, strengthen her connections with both her long lost family, and navigate new friendships and love. I don't read as much romance as many readers but I enjoyed Suila's romantic journey. It had some heavy moments, and not all is as it seems, but the resolution was so cute and cozy!
On top of looking for family, love, and friendship she gets swept into political drama, increasing the stakes even more. And oh boy is this worth the wait! The ending is fast paced, emotional, and all consuming. It wraps up parts of the story but raises more questions, which left me instantly longing for more!
If you like YA fantasy then I think you will enjoy Soul of the Sea. This book is an absolute gem!
I am thankful to the author for having me on her ARC team. While I was provided an early copy my opinions are entirely my own.
August 9, 2026
ARC Review!!
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Spice: 0 🌶️
“I’d experienced more pain than I'd ever
thought possible when I'd escaped from the Isle. But it was the trials that made the joys even sweeter when they came.”
Suila (our FMC) is one out of nine priestesses who are gifted with magic and destined to live their lives on an island serving the goddess Sena, but Suila longs to see the world outside of her home. So when the duke’s son (Rieg) brings his cousin (Bronan) to be healed by Suila and she discovers a dark magic inside of him, Suila makes a choice. She decides to spilt part of the soul, leaving it on the island in order to warn others about this strange magic while finding Rieg, her family and ultimately, a place where she belongs.
I think it’s easy to get lost in this story, the storytelling sucks you right in, and the setting and descriptions in this book are very vivid. It paints a clear and vibrant picture of everything Suila is going through. I really enjoyed it! And I also really enjoyed getting to see Suila learning who she is and where/who she truly feels at home with. As for the plot line, I honestly didn’t see the twist at the end of the book coming, although I probably should’ve suspected it. I also understand the representation in Suila falling for Rieg, but I honestly didn’t like him very much, so I’m glad that their storyline went in the direction I suspected it would at the beginning! I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
“I would tear down anyone who tried to harm Bronan. I didn't care if it was an abuse of my magic.”
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Spice: 0 🌶️
“I’d experienced more pain than I'd ever
thought possible when I'd escaped from the Isle. But it was the trials that made the joys even sweeter when they came.”
Suila (our FMC) is one out of nine priestesses who are gifted with magic and destined to live their lives on an island serving the goddess Sena, but Suila longs to see the world outside of her home. So when the duke’s son (Rieg) brings his cousin (Bronan) to be healed by Suila and she discovers a dark magic inside of him, Suila makes a choice. She decides to spilt part of the soul, leaving it on the island in order to warn others about this strange magic while finding Rieg, her family and ultimately, a place where she belongs.
I think it’s easy to get lost in this story, the storytelling sucks you right in, and the setting and descriptions in this book are very vivid. It paints a clear and vibrant picture of everything Suila is going through. I really enjoyed it! And I also really enjoyed getting to see Suila learning who she is and where/who she truly feels at home with. As for the plot line, I honestly didn’t see the twist at the end of the book coming, although I probably should’ve suspected it. I also understand the representation in Suila falling for Rieg, but I honestly didn’t like him very much, so I’m glad that their storyline went in the direction I suspected it would at the beginning! I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
“I would tear down anyone who tried to harm Bronan. I didn't care if it was an abuse of my magic.”
July 27, 2026
I loved learning more about the Gallisenae, their connection to Sena, and the lore surrounding their role in the world. I found myself fascinated by Suila’s determination to push the limits of her abilities, even when doing so came at a cost. As the story unfolded, I loved discovering more about why the Gallisenae were gifted their powers and the responsibility that came with them. The magic felt thoughtful and intentional, and I especially appreciated that it wasn’t something everyone simply possessed. It made those who could wield it, and the responsibilities that came with it, feel all the more meaningful.
What I appreciated most about this book, though, was its emotional core.
At its heart, this is a story about identity, sacrifice, family, and choosing the life you truly want, even when that choice comes with heartbreak.
Her curiosity constantly pushed her to question the boundaries others had always accepted, and seeing her choose her own path was incredibly rewarding.
I also caught the romance pretty early. 😅 The chemistry between them was undeniable from the start, and I found myself hoping I was right. It’s a wonderfully slow burn built on trust, respect, understanding, friendship, and genuinely wanting the best for one another rather than instant attraction, which made every moment between them feel earned.
The sisterhood between the Gallisenae was another highlight for me. Their relationships were layered and complicated, full of love, loyalty, grief, disappointment, and sacrifice. It gave the story so much emotional depth and made the ending hit even harder.
Speaking of the ending… it was bittersweet in the best possible way. It isn’t just about finding love, it’s about accepting that every new beginning requires leaving something behind. I was smiling, tearing up, and wishing I could spend more time with these characters.
There are still so many stories I’d love to experience in this world, and I cannot wait to be immersed in it again. Carly Jonathan has created something beautiful, and I’m already looking forward to returning to it.
If you enjoy folkloric fantasy, rich lore, beautifully layered magic systems, slow-burn romance, and emotional stories about identity, sacrifice, and finding where you belong, I highly recommend picking this one up.
What I appreciated most about this book, though, was its emotional core.
At its heart, this is a story about identity, sacrifice, family, and choosing the life you truly want, even when that choice comes with heartbreak.
Her curiosity constantly pushed her to question the boundaries others had always accepted, and seeing her choose her own path was incredibly rewarding.
I also caught the romance pretty early. 😅 The chemistry between them was undeniable from the start, and I found myself hoping I was right. It’s a wonderfully slow burn built on trust, respect, understanding, friendship, and genuinely wanting the best for one another rather than instant attraction, which made every moment between them feel earned.
The sisterhood between the Gallisenae was another highlight for me. Their relationships were layered and complicated, full of love, loyalty, grief, disappointment, and sacrifice. It gave the story so much emotional depth and made the ending hit even harder.
Speaking of the ending… it was bittersweet in the best possible way. It isn’t just about finding love, it’s about accepting that every new beginning requires leaving something behind. I was smiling, tearing up, and wishing I could spend more time with these characters.
There are still so many stories I’d love to experience in this world, and I cannot wait to be immersed in it again. Carly Jonathan has created something beautiful, and I’m already looking forward to returning to it.
If you enjoy folkloric fantasy, rich lore, beautifully layered magic systems, slow-burn romance, and emotional stories about identity, sacrifice, and finding where you belong, I highly recommend picking this one up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
where do i even begin? i feel like this book encapsulates everything i adore about both fantasy and romance. the worldbuilding is incredible!! it blew me away as it developed and i cannot wait to know more. i’m honestly very interested in the etymology of all the words and places made up by carly jonathan like !!!! name a cooler worldbuilding.
soul of the sea also feels very youthful, in a way. i always try to think if i would have enjoyed this book when i was a teenager and honestly, i would have eaten this up! and i ate this up right now so… lets u know it’s incredibly written, with wonderful characters and interesting plot, and also very very very fun!
something i really appreciated about the book is that no plot twist felt like it didn’t make sense. everything had at least dropped a little pebble from the very start until it turned into the plot twist itself, and i love that i was surprised but not to the point that it felt forced within the story or like a shock factor we could’ve gone without. i always love little details like this.
thank uuu so much to carly jonathan for the arc!!!
soul of the sea also feels very youthful, in a way. i always try to think if i would have enjoyed this book when i was a teenager and honestly, i would have eaten this up! and i ate this up right now so… lets u know it’s incredibly written, with wonderful characters and interesting plot, and also very very very fun!
something i really appreciated about the book is that no plot twist felt like it didn’t make sense. everything had at least dropped a little pebble from the very start until it turned into the plot twist itself, and i love that i was surprised but not to the point that it felt forced within the story or like a shock factor we could’ve gone without. i always love little details like this.
thank uuu so much to carly jonathan for the arc!!!
August 1, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced ready copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I was first drawn in by the beautiful cover, but once I started reading I was swept in by the story. This is a world set between the sea and the land full of folklore, magic, danger, love, and discovering who you are.
Suila is destined to live a life serving the goddess Sena. The goddess has given her the magical gift of healing, but in return she must never leave the small island where she was born. Suila has always felt that there is so much more for her out beyond the sea. She decides to risk everything by leaving a piece of her soul hidden on the island to make the goddess believe she has not left.
The world she enters is described so well that I could imagine myself there. I loved reading about her experiencing all of these new sights, sounds, tastes, and places. Suila also has to learn how to navigate all of these new relationships and the emotions that come with them while feeling incomplete without the piece of her soul she left behind.
If you are looking for something unique and refreshing that brings in those Disney princess vibes while also blending in authentic emotions, then Soul of the Sea is for you. I can’t recommend it enough.
August 23, 2026
Soul of the Sea by Carly Jonathan is a beautifully written, atmospheric fantasy debut that completely pulled me in from the very first chapter.
The world-building is where this book truly shines—you can practically smell the salt air and feel the chill of the storm brewing off the coast. I loved the unique lore surrounding the nine priestesses and the sheer high stakes of Suila’s decision to tear off a piece of her own soul just to taste freedom.
The dynamic between Suila and Rieg is a top-tier slow burn. It’s grounded in real trust and mutual respect rather than instant love, which made their chemistry feel earned and emotionally powerful.
The only reason I’m knocking off a fraction of a star is that the pacing in the middle slows down quite a bit as the story shifts focus to atmospheric setup and emotional beats. If you’re expecting non-stop battle action, it might feel a little quiet in parts—but the payoff is well worth it.
If you’re a fan of Rebecca Ross or Juliet Marillier, rich oceanic folklore, and stories about duty vs. desire, do not skip this one. I’m so excited to see where the rest of the Gallisenae series goes!
The world-building is where this book truly shines—you can practically smell the salt air and feel the chill of the storm brewing off the coast. I loved the unique lore surrounding the nine priestesses and the sheer high stakes of Suila’s decision to tear off a piece of her own soul just to taste freedom.
The dynamic between Suila and Rieg is a top-tier slow burn. It’s grounded in real trust and mutual respect rather than instant love, which made their chemistry feel earned and emotionally powerful.
The only reason I’m knocking off a fraction of a star is that the pacing in the middle slows down quite a bit as the story shifts focus to atmospheric setup and emotional beats. If you’re expecting non-stop battle action, it might feel a little quiet in parts—but the payoff is well worth it.
If you’re a fan of Rebecca Ross or Juliet Marillier, rich oceanic folklore, and stories about duty vs. desire, do not skip this one. I’m so excited to see where the rest of the Gallisenae series goes!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book really went through a metamorphosis for me.
The beginning had such a beautiful setup: maidens of a goddess, an island, and an FMC who wanted more from life than the existence chosen for her. I loved that premise.
Then I got increasingly frustrated because all that wanting suddenly became about a man who gave her approximately half a sentence about another life, and she decided she was in love. I kept thinking, girl, what about the rest of your life?! 😭
I was genuinely very close to DNFing.
And then… the story transformed.
The second half became richer, the choices started making more sense, the romance finally pulled me in, and the MMC twist had me suddenly invested in everything. Even the magic deepened in a way that made me just as curious about the secrets of this world as I was about the romance.
So yes, the first half tested me.
But the second half won me back completely.
I'm really glad I stuck with it, and I already feel like Suila's journey is only beginning. I cannot wait to see where Carly takes this story next.
The beginning had such a beautiful setup: maidens of a goddess, an island, and an FMC who wanted more from life than the existence chosen for her. I loved that premise.
Then I got increasingly frustrated because all that wanting suddenly became about a man who gave her approximately half a sentence about another life, and she decided she was in love. I kept thinking, girl, what about the rest of your life?! 😭
I was genuinely very close to DNFing.
And then… the story transformed.
The second half became richer, the choices started making more sense, the romance finally pulled me in, and the MMC twist had me suddenly invested in everything. Even the magic deepened in a way that made me just as curious about the secrets of this world as I was about the romance.
So yes, the first half tested me.
But the second half won me back completely.
I'm really glad I stuck with it, and I already feel like Suila's journey is only beginning. I cannot wait to see where Carly takes this story next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sea and sky's. Wow. The way Carly invoked the feelings of suppressed emotions on the FMC was so closely reminiscent to how I know people often feel on medication, how I've felt on anti depression medication. It made me see the FMC as a piece of me. I wanted her to win. I wanted her to FEEL. I wanted her to be free in every sense of the word.
Carly gave us incredible world building, a great villian (or 2 or 3) and while there were surprises, none of them were shocking. They fit the book, they fit the storyline and they gave me all the feels.
Initially I was worried the story was a bit too easy, but it very quickly turned into more than just a romantasy narrative. The true narrative is about a girl finding herself. Accepting herself. Loving herself. When I say I cannot wait for the next book. The next 2 or 3 books if she will give them to us - I'll be patient but I wont like it 🫠the book held me captive. 5 stars
Carly gave us incredible world building, a great villian (or 2 or 3) and while there were surprises, none of them were shocking. They fit the book, they fit the storyline and they gave me all the feels.
Initially I was worried the story was a bit too easy, but it very quickly turned into more than just a romantasy narrative. The true narrative is about a girl finding herself. Accepting herself. Loving herself. When I say I cannot wait for the next book. The next 2 or 3 books if she will give them to us - I'll be patient but I wont like it 🫠the book held me captive. 5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Author
[ARC Review]
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Soul of the sea
By Carly Jonathan
"the cover sucked me in, I love anything to do with the sea and fantasy it's one of my favourite things, the story made me stay, it was unique I haven't read anything like it before, Suila's story was one of heartache and not knowing where you belong, I could relate I wanted to know more, the magic was a bonus, the gods and goddess were intriguing, at first I wasn't a fan of the Rieg and Suila storyline but at the end of the book I realized why it had to be written because in the end we as the readers had to understand that Suila is just a eighteen year old girl and a bit naive, which is understandable since everything on the mainland is new to her, I was happy that her and Bronan finally did something about their feelings, I'm intrigued and excited for book two, I really am wondering where the story is going! Thank you for letting me read the book early it was an absolute pleasure."
"Sena's blessings"
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Soul of the sea
By Carly Jonathan
"the cover sucked me in, I love anything to do with the sea and fantasy it's one of my favourite things, the story made me stay, it was unique I haven't read anything like it before, Suila's story was one of heartache and not knowing where you belong, I could relate I wanted to know more, the magic was a bonus, the gods and goddess were intriguing, at first I wasn't a fan of the Rieg and Suila storyline but at the end of the book I realized why it had to be written because in the end we as the readers had to understand that Suila is just a eighteen year old girl and a bit naive, which is understandable since everything on the mainland is new to her, I was happy that her and Bronan finally did something about their feelings, I'm intrigued and excited for book two, I really am wondering where the story is going! Thank you for letting me read the book early it was an absolute pleasure."
"Sena's blessings"
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'd call this a 4.5 for me, but the fact that I'm already excited for a Book Two (when this debut is just now publishing this week) tips me into rounding up to the 5 star rating. I'll admit, I was a little slow to get into it, but the things I didn't like were small potatoes (or perhaps... tiny shells?) and once I got into the flow, I devoured the rest of the book and was aghast when there was suddenly no more!
The imagery of this book is so gorgeous and evocative, it's a really creative and enjoyable read. There's a variety of great familial bonds, I thought the introduction/unraveling of the magic system and the world was well-paced, and the romance is well-dispersed (it doesn't save all just for the sake of it, nor was I questioning its necessity). Carly Jonathan could give me a sequel, a prequel, a map, and an album of in-world tavern songs from The Sloshed Seal and I would be a happy camper.
Thanks to the author for the chance to read & review this book early!
The imagery of this book is so gorgeous and evocative, it's a really creative and enjoyable read. There's a variety of great familial bonds, I thought the introduction/unraveling of the magic system and the world was well-paced, and the romance is well-dispersed (it doesn't save all just for the sake of it, nor was I questioning its necessity). Carly Jonathan could give me a sequel, a prequel, a map, and an album of in-world tavern songs from The Sloshed Seal and I would be a happy camper.
Thanks to the author for the chance to read & review this book early!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC, and this is my honest review.
Suila is a Gallisena, a priestess dedicated to serve Sena, the goddess of the sea. She and her eight "sisters" live on a small island in the middle of the ocean. They are chosen by the goddess and don't have a choice on whether they serve or not. They aren't allowed to leave the island, but are gifted magic, including a healing magic that helps people who seek them out for help. Suila has always wanted to leave the island, to see the world, and just wants more. She finally figures out how to "trick" the Goddess by leaving a piece of her soul behind and sets out on an adventure. I enjoyed this story, following Suila as she learns about the world and herself. It wasn't a complicated story, or full of action, but it was written well and held my attention. As a water baby myself, I enjoyed her connection to the sea, the utter feeling of peace she felt whenever she was near it. I am looking forward to the next book.
Suila is a Gallisena, a priestess dedicated to serve Sena, the goddess of the sea. She and her eight "sisters" live on a small island in the middle of the ocean. They are chosen by the goddess and don't have a choice on whether they serve or not. They aren't allowed to leave the island, but are gifted magic, including a healing magic that helps people who seek them out for help. Suila has always wanted to leave the island, to see the world, and just wants more. She finally figures out how to "trick" the Goddess by leaving a piece of her soul behind and sets out on an adventure. I enjoyed this story, following Suila as she learns about the world and herself. It wasn't a complicated story, or full of action, but it was written well and held my attention. As a water baby myself, I enjoyed her connection to the sea, the utter feeling of peace she felt whenever she was near it. I am looking forward to the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was SUCH an amazing read! I would give it 6 stars if I could. Beautifully told. Highly highly highly recommend to everyone. This is book one of a duology but does not leave you with a terrible cliffhanger which I appreciate.
The characters were all so well thought out and delivered, and I love love love the storyline, plot, writing, literally everything about this book. I was so happy with how strong of a character Suila is, she grew so much and I am excited to see her story continue. Cannot wait for book 2!
There were a couple twists I did not see coming and a couple things that made me suspicious and I love the way it all came together and how we were given little breadcrumbs throughout. And when she used her powers 💪👑💅
The MMC is such a cutie 🥰🥰
ARC read!
Tropes:
✨️ Magic
🕯 Slowburn (no spice)
🌊 Ocean vibes
The characters were all so well thought out and delivered, and I love love love the storyline, plot, writing, literally everything about this book. I was so happy with how strong of a character Suila is, she grew so much and I am excited to see her story continue. Cannot wait for book 2!
There were a couple twists I did not see coming and a couple things that made me suspicious and I love the way it all came together and how we were given little breadcrumbs throughout. And when she used her powers 💪👑💅
The MMC is such a cutie 🥰🥰
ARC read!
Tropes:
✨️ Magic
🕯 Slowburn (no spice)
🌊 Ocean vibes
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. so this novel is about a magic-using young woman who has bigger plans for herself than her current life dictates. She’s the girl who is yearning for more - not content with the cards fate has dealt her.
Within the first quarter of the book comes the first plot twist and I did not see it coming. Then, as Suila continued on her journey, the book deviated from what I thought was purely romantasy to the FMC really discovering who she was and what she really wanted. Her story was not just one of one girl pining for love, and I felt that the author handled it beautifully.
As the story continues, a few more plot twists got thrown in, which I was very pleased with - it kept the plot fresh and me hooked. I binge-read this book over the course of 1 day - approximately 7 hours - and it was 7 hours well spent. Sea & sky, I just need book 2.
Within the first quarter of the book comes the first plot twist and I did not see it coming. Then, as Suila continued on her journey, the book deviated from what I thought was purely romantasy to the FMC really discovering who she was and what she really wanted. Her story was not just one of one girl pining for love, and I felt that the author handled it beautifully.
As the story continues, a few more plot twists got thrown in, which I was very pleased with - it kept the plot fresh and me hooked. I binge-read this book over the course of 1 day - approximately 7 hours - and it was 7 hours well spent. Sea & sky, I just need book 2.
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