Across the Long Sea

Bone Magic #2

by Sarah Remy

The gripping follow-up to Stonehill Downs

As the most valuable asset in the kingdom of Wilhaiim, Malachi Doyle has many responsibilities—protector, assassin, detective, and King Renault's right-hand man. And until he met Avani in the cursed village of Stonehill Downs, he believed he was the last of his a magus who can communicate with the dead.

But Wilhaiim is left vulnerable when Mal and his page, Liam, are kidnapped and ferried across the Long Sea to a warring kingdom in search of its own magus. To make matters worse, a springtime plague is rapidly spreading, and beneath the earth the sidhe are preparing for war. With Mal missing and presumed dead, Avani reluctantly takes his place as Wilhaiim's magus. But her powers are unreliable and untested, her many allies are treacherous, and she is certain Mal is alive. Will she be able to keep Wilhaiim—and herself—safe?

Genres: Fantasy

387 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2015

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading anything by this author. Wow, this book took me on a long, wonderful journey of adventure. As soon as I started reading this book I was intrigued and could not wait to keep reading more. This was even before the story really started with chapter one. Everything about the characters, the storyline, and the travel across lands was great. Mal was rough around the edges but this is only because of the image he had to uphold. He had a lot of wisdom that he did pass along to his sidekick, Liam. For this fact, Liam by the end of the story had grown wiser and stronger. I enjoyed Avani as well. She did start out shaky as well but just like Liam, she grew by leaps and bounds at the end of the story. I enjoyed seeing Avani use her abilities. The fact that there was a deadly plague and that the dead could talk kept this story interesting and new. A nice take on historical fiction with a fantasy twist. I look forward to reading more books by this author. The title of this book may have the word "long" in it but there was nothing long about reading this book.

[Anne Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that I enjoyed this book even more than the first in the series. The structure of the plot was very straightforward, with the two main characters on different story arcs. Some of the lesser characters were interesting in this book, with, perhaps some future possibilities later in the series.

Sadly, I don’t think my library service has bought the ebooks of the rest of the series, so I will probably have to finish my journey at this point.

[Mar’s Book Bag · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a captivating novel. I won it as a giveaway and didn't read the prequel but it was so easy to follow and can really take you out of reality. The character development as well as the writing style were great. Would definitely recommend!

[Molly Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one!

[JoAnn N Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This book is very different and good. A new voice to me. I will look for more by this author.

[William Bentrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The follow up of Stonehill Downs may be better than the original. Avani is growing into her power while Mal takes an unwanted trip across the long sea. Once again we see violence, talking to the dead and unrequited love.

Avani tries to avoid her destiny as a Vocent replacement while Mal struggles to stop a plague. When Mal discovers the extent of his power when traveling by ship he recognizes the potential for addiction to destruction.

Remy crafts memorable characters and has put together an excellent sequel with a consistent plot while maintaining separate story lines.

I really enjoyed the book.

Web: http://www.sarahremy.com/?book=stoneh...

[Mareena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malachi Doyle is the King's Lord Vocent - a man of many talents and very few fears. His responsibilities to king and kingdom are many: as protector, royal investigator and assassin, the trusted right hand of King Renault, himself. Indeed as the most valued asset in Wilhaiim, Malachi has become much beloved by the king, and truly indispensable. And until he met Avani of the cursed village of Stonehill Downs, Mal had always believed himself to be the last of his kind - a magus with the extraordinary ability to communicate with the dead.

When Mal receives an urgent summons to return home to his native province of Selkirk, he reluctantly sets out to make the journey. However, the kingdom of Wilhaiim is left vulnerable when the magus and his young page, Liam, are ambushed and seized from the bustling seaport of Selkirk. As the two hostages battle for their lives on board a ship bound for the fractured kingdom of Roue - a warring kingdom across the Long Sea - Malachi soon learns that Roue is a kingdom in need of its own magus; willing to resort to such desperate measures to acquire one.

To make matters worse, a springtime plague is spreading rapidly through Wilhaiim and decimating the population. While it is believed that the sickness is being caused by some natural contagion - and nothing more mysterious than that - the situation is no less dangerous in the realm of the fair folk. Beneath the earth the sidhe have been preparing for war; but otherwise have kept to themselves for the past year.

A year ago, a majority of the residents living in the village formerly known as Stonehill Downs were murdered, and the entire village razed to ground by dark magic. While many others believe the land is now cursed, Avani - one of the very few survivors - nevertheless has been working diligently with certain members of the sidhe to rebuild her home. However after she receives devastating news of Mal's abduction from his own home province, Avani reluctantly steps into his position as Wilhaiim's magus.

Her allies are few and treachery may surround her - but despite hearing a myriad of conflicting reports to the contrary - she is beyond certain that Mal is still alive. Avani's own innate talents tell her that much. However, while her powers as a magus may be wholly unreliable and completely untested, will she ultimately be able to use them appropriately - to keep Wilhaiim, as well as herself - safe?

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to Stonehill Downs: A Novel by Sarah Remy. While I was only slightly disappointed that the two main characters spent the majority of the story apart, I soon came to understand that this distance actually enhanced their separate storylines. In my opinion, this was definitely a dramatic sequel - one which moved the story along at a surprising pace. I was intrigued by this story and appreciated the further development of the characters. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future and would certainly give Across the Long Sea an A!

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Red Worm (epidemic) has ravished Stonehill Downs in Wilhaiim (Kingdom).
The Sidhe (aka Folk, Barrowmen) wait in the shadows & plan on taken over the kingdom also.
Malachi “Mal” Doyle (nee Serrano, assassin, protector, detective, King Renault confidant) & Liam (Mal’s page) must try & solve the 2 problems.
Avani (f, sheep/lamb rancher) & Russel are also trying to help.

Will anything happen to the Lord of the Poppies?
Will the Red Worm epidemic be eradicated?

Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great movie, or a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; MakingConnections; Harper (Voyager Impulse) Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning of the book Wilhaiim, Malachi Doyle was my favorite character he was a protector, assassin, detective, and a King's right-hand man. He literally filled every role my favorite character's normally do in numerous other novels. However as the story continued onward I found myself liking Avani. I liked how Avani was a strong character even though she was untrained. I liked how she fought to keep herself and those to close to her alive no matter what. I truly enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to those who enjoy books with assassins, detectives, and magic users. The book covers quite a diverse range of genres and yet they all fit together like a puzzle.

***I was sent this product for free for test and review purposes for only my honest and unbiased review; I was given no payment or any form of compensation for this review. These views are 100% my own and were not influenced by anything, but the product itself.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Chris Eells · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided this ARC edition for an unbiased review.

Across the Long Sea, a quick, easy... and even fun read, with little depth. I've run across pieces like this before and I always have a hard time rating them. For the most part the story provides two separate, but essentially the same, us vs. them scenarios. Nothing wrong with that... it is a classic trope after all. The world building needs to be fleshed out a bit more... even if this is the second (or third, I couldn't tell) book in the series, the reader needs to feel immersed and I just didn't get that.

I liked the book, but didn't love it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up not knowing it was not the first of a series. A third of the way through the story, we abruptly changed protagonist, taking me entirely by surprise. Some world-building points were never explained, leaving me wondering, or confused. And worst of all, the pacing was of the "this happened, then this happened" variety - without strong structure or theme.

And yet, I read it happily and even somewhat obsessively. Loved the characters, the setting and the style (except for the structure) and would - will - happily go back for more.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book featuring Mal and Avani is set both in the capital and across the sea. There is another mystery for them to solve, one very key to the survival of the capital. I liked that we get to see Mal's origins and breadth of his power, and that Avani's powers are tested. But the focus on Mal in the beginning left me waiting impatiently for Avani, who was my favorite character in the last book. And though Liam comes close, she still is!

[Julie]

I won this book through first reads.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

Fantasy at its best. I thoroughly enjoyed book 2 in this series. Avani matures as Mal faces new struggles. Once again a well written book with an interesting plot and engaging characters. I can't wait to read book 3.