Fleet of the Five Winds: Part 2: West

by Robert Gordon, Conor Nolan (Illustrator)

In Part 2: West, Captain Tomas Casadore of the Righteous Supplicant makes port with the Fleet of the Five Winds in Tetwan, a powerful and decadent city-state which the Admiral Gai-Loh seeks to bring beneath the imperial fold. The lords of Tetwan are proud, however, and as payment for their submission they demand the impossible: the newcomers must “cage the quetzal”- a bird that dies in captivity- and thereby fulfill an ancient prophecy of their people.

Only the lawless jungle-dwellers called Quetzitos know the secret of their quarry’s capture, and so Tomas, a “half-savage,” is dispatched to find them. Success demands that they brave the treacherous jungle of the Knot and enter into the mountain called Stoneheart, where a vanished civilization lies entombed with the tools of its self-destruction. There amidst the ruins, Tom will be forced to reckon not only with the tragedy of his own fate, but that of all mankind.

150 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2026

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great instalment in the series, following on with a side character from the first and focusing on a separate aspect of civilisation, looking closer at oral story telling and the jarring expansion of one civilisation into another. I really enjoyed the fusion of ‘modern’ technology falling into the category of ancient magic with the progress through the ages, and I’m curious to see how the Fleet’s progress will continue.

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.

[Peter Schmidt · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Part 2 centers on Captain Tomas Casadore and is another great installment in this series. This series has been so easy to read - there is a real flow and rhythm to the writing. It is also a little mind blowing especially in Part 2 as the epoch spanning world building underlying and setting the scene for the present day of the story is so enticing and breathtaking to contemplate.

We also get a neat set of new characters to dig into but still with connection to Part 1.

The author is also very good at leaving breadcrumbs of other characters' adventures that are obviously occurring in parallel but are not the core part of this story. Talk about bait for the old imagination!

I've only given this one 4.5. That wasn't the book's fault - it was my subconscious comparison to Part 1. I also think it was a difficult book for me to read, as it has some tough themes in connection with colonialism, subjugation, cultural imperialism, the human cost of power and true freedom (versus cultural slavery). You don't have to think about this stuff too deeply, but it not something my mind wanders far from - and consequently I felt distinctly more melancholy on behalf the Captain (as compared to Josephine in Part 1). Sorry, no spoilers here.

So, another cracking installment.

Ever grateful for receiving an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michael A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style. It was engaging and added flavor to the story. The author did well with the first person POV to develop main character and interiority. The support characters were unique and interesting. I would have liked a little more description of the ship, landscapes, and world. The sprinkling of hints about the fall of earlier civilizations was just enough to be intriguing, wanting more, and compelled me to want to read the prequel and sequels. I felt a slight betrayal in one scene when the use of fantasy conveniently “popped up.” Otherwise, I would have given the book a five-star rating.

[sonia brown · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Fleet of the Five Winds: Part 2 – West ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another brilliant instalment! This book was just as good as the first, keeping me hooked with plenty of adventure, mystery and excitement.

I love how this book tells a completely different story, from another character’s point of view and under very different circumstances, yet ties in so seamlessly with the first book. It adds another layer to the world and makes you appreciate how all the different stories connect.

There was plenty to keep me entertained, and I’m loving how the series is unfolding. Already looking forward to the next book!

#Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Part 2: West, Captain Tomas Casadore of the Righteous Supplicant makes port with the Fleet of the Five Winds in Tetwan, a powerful and decadent city-state which the Admiral Gai-Loh seeks to bring beneath the imperial fold. Robert Gordon

I enjoyed this continuation of the five winds. You meet some new characters, who venture into the jungle, and attempt to fulfill a quest to ascertain their future.

Not as engaging as the first installment but enjoyable. Looking forward to the third installment.

I received a Review Copy of this book from the author.

[Viking Jam · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTCReview: This installment of the cardinal directions was not real engaging. I liked the MC but the supporting characters were not built with depth and the story line should have been simple given where they are but was made confusing with the dialogue. Of a sudden there are inserted names of people along with there affiliation, which really had no bearing on the outcome.

The premise of the journey lacked foundation. One group goes to the jungle to get a live bird, encounters the natives that agree on conditions, while the third group sends their main guy and his harpy GF to guide them and will submit to group one should they get the bird. BUT, they first must travel within a subterranean maze with traps etc. of which group two is terrified of. Fukin confusing and really made no sense.

On the whole, it seems the author was attempting to be creative while pushing a narrative that did not fit. The scenes would have been fine but the story line lacked logical progression. The world building is average compared to South and instances where the novel does a backstroke through the MCs past as told by a hostile first mate, made no relational sense. It is never revealed why Mary tells a story she shouldn't, why it matters and why she runs into his arms seeking forgiveness. Scenes are also glitchy with arrows being shot, people hit but somehow no one is wounded and the Harpy GF "mysteriously" disappears but she somehow survives a deadly jungle where the natives cannot find her. Riiiiight.

I will continue with this series because South was so good.

2.4/5

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The magic and prophecies… so much more back story come together… you really get more lost in the flow of this book. The world is so dreamy. The layers of everything going on. Really beautiful.

[Anayah Navarrete · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the book as it was exceptionally well-crafted, engaging, and held my attention from beginning to end. The storyline was fascinating, the characters were richly developed, and the themes sparked deep reflection.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Merged review:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book; it was truly captivating from start to finish. Thank you so much for sharing the advanced reader copy (ARC) with me.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great second installment to the Fleet of the Five Winds story. A really enjoyable book, filled with adventure and a classic quest. I especially enjoyed the rich descriptions of past Ages' architecture and the journey through it. The main character is complex and I felt for him along the way. I look forward to reading the third book in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.