Iron Tide Rising

The Map to Everywhere #4

by Carrie Ryan, John Parke Davis

Magical worlds and incredible creatures fill the pages of this epic, action-packed finale of the Map to Everywhere series, from John Parke Davis and New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ryan!

Intrepid travelers Fin and Marrill have shared countless thrilling and treacherous adventures on the magical waters of the Pirate Stream. But neither could have expected that their final adventure would force them to team up with their oldest enemy: the evil wizard Serth! With the fate of the Stream and all their friends hanging in the balance, can they challenge the most frightening power they've ever come up against? Find out in this mind-blowing conclusion to the Map to Everywhere series!

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Adventure, Pirates, Magic, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published February 13, 2018

About the author

Carrie Ryan is the New York Times bestselling author of a lot of books. She use to be a lawyer. Happily, she is not anymore. You can keep it that way by reading her books:

Latest release (out Aug 2, 2022), perfects for fans of thrillers, serial killers, missing girls, mysteries, unputdownable books: Trapper Road

If you like zombies, try the Forest of Hands and Teeth series.

If you like clever, fun adventure fantasy for 8-12 year olds, definitely read the Map To Everywhere series (co-written with her husband, John Parke Davis).

If you like cold calculated revenge involving hidden identities and lots of secrets: Daughter of Deep Silence.

If you or your kids like multi-author, multi-platform series like 39 Clues and Spirit Animals, try Infinity Ring: Divide and Conquer -- it's produced by the same publisher (and has vikings and true history!)

If you like true-crime stuff (both fiction and podcasts), check out her upcoming release, Dead Air, a serialized thriller co-written with Gwenda Bond and Rachel Caine.

If you're pretty sure you won't survive the zombie apocalypse, you're in good company. She won't either.

instagram: @CarrieRyanWrites
twitter: @CarrieRyan
website: www.CarrieRyan.com

Reviews

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first, Is there a store that sells any of these things? There is a candle with no wick, made from wax that smells like whispered secrets. A string of red, heart-shaped pearls that are sweet to taste and feel like you ought to remember where they came from. A blade that can cut through anything - I imagine that will stand out. And an ornate mirror that reflects everyone who looks in it as a fox.

Now the actual review -

I was having a bit of a weird dream.
Well, shake it off. We've got a weird reality to deal with.

We found out the identity of the Master of the Iron Tide at the end of the previous book and now The Enterprising Kraken crew along with the newest addition, Serth are planning to stop the Master and the Iron Tide and save the pirate stream once and for all. The Master is none other than the wizard, Ardent so they are trying to figure out how to actually stop him without killing him in the process. They are also trying to contain the Lost Sun of Dzannin which the Master absorbed and he is all too powerful now. Too many things to do and not enough time.

Serth is no longer the oracle now but he still knows a lot of things and he makes a plan to gather some things from his previous home to help stop the master. Fin and Fig being the fade are successful in retrieving a blade called Evershear that can cut through anything. They go back in time following the Master who goes back in time in hopes of changing Rose to Annalessa. They come across the Dawn wizard, the most powerful wizard to have ever lived. They also get to see the birth of pirate stream. The Dawn wizard gives them hints to follow.

So long as there's one possibility, there's every possibility.

They end up in a place called Mirrorweb, a place of endless mirrors and all the opportunities/possibilities that are, that were and that will be. The Master plans to destroy all of them and all the worlds in his grief. After Serth battles with the Master and loses, it's up to Fin and Marrill to save everything and everyone they love. They don't see eye to eye with everything and they have some tough decisions to make in the end.

This is an action-packed, fast-paced, mind-boggling book. I loved the story in this and I loved the writing even more. I also loved the art at the start of the chapters and in between. Those illustrations gave my imagination a focus point. Now onto the actual world, wow it is such an intricate world the writers have created and I just can't get enough of this.

I have loved Fin from the beginning and he's been my favorite character throughout the series and he was exceptional in this too. But I do feel that the end feels really unresolved for him and sometimes I like the unresolved end but not in this and not for Fin. I wish something was changed that made more people remember him. Even Fin's Rise, Vell's end felt unresolved.

I also love Remy and with her as well, I felt that she deserved better. Yes, she gets Coll at the end but I wish she could go back to her family as well, as she pleased. Speaking of Coll, it was quite a surprise and I'd like some explanation as to how he got back to the Kraken and also since I learnt that Coll is hundreds of years old, I don't like him and Remy together. Yes, previously I shipped them but now I feel weird about them.

I loved Serth in this. It was such a nice change to see him as the good guy in this as compared to the bad guy in the previous books. I thought his character was handled the best in this book. I also love Naysayer and I never saw his secret coming. And it goes without saying that I'd like more information about him too.

I am not the biggest fan of Marrill and Ardent and it seems fitting that they are more alike than they realize. Honestly, I really disliked Marrill in this for the most part just like I disliked her in City of Thirst. Every time, they were getting somewhere she just had to intervene. And the fact that she didn't want Ardent to die but it was okay to lose Serth in the process did not sit well with me. Ardent, well Ardent was the Master and everything was happening pretty much because of him and honestly, I haven't liked him since City of Thirst either. I do wish that there was more explanation about Rose though and if that can be changed meaning if she's ever going to turn in to Annalessa.


I love Fantasy. It is one of my favorite genres and I can say that my fantasy hunger is satiated with the series. Although, I didn't much like the second book in the series, all the other books completely blew my mind. I have come to love this series so much and I know it is the last book in the series which means it is a goodbye and I hate goodbyes. I hope that I get to read more books in the series even novellas will do say namely about a boy (Fin) whom no one can remember or the purple lizard (the naysayer) or the girl (Remy) who recently got a knotted tattoo or even the wizard (Serth) with permanent scars from crying black tears for centuries. I truly wish that I had a wishing orb right about now and I'd like to wish to be on the Pirate stream.

5 stars

[Tara Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this series out loud to my son. Really good

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never emotionally recover from this.

[Suzanne Maley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly 4 stars for the series as I enjoyed this book until the end. It felt like the ending was too easy after all they had been through. I get that the shard of mirror holds one possibility. It doesn’t seem to me that the shard was the last mirror. It was rather anticlimactic to just have the Master touching the mirror shard and then Ardent is saved and the Iron Tide is vanquished with everything restored. I still really like the characters and the world of the Pirate Stream was well developed. Does anyone else want to know how Coll was saved from the Sheshefesh when that seemed an impossibility? Especially since both Coll and Remy are still tied to the Sheshefesh.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final chapter of the Map to Everywhere series finishes with everything you would expect from the books: emotional rollercoasters, crying, laughter, anxiety, and satisfaction when everything at last goes RIGHT. After Shadows of the Lost Sun, you become a little convinced that there is no way Ryan and Davis can fix all of the problems they created without weak cliches or deus ex machinas, but they do! Everything that happens makes sense with each character, and everything that happens fits and flows so perfectly into the story. 5/5 stars for Iron Tide Rising! (As usual, vague spoilers in this review).

One of the things I absolutely adored about this book was Serth's character. As the principle villain throughout the past three books, it was a wild ride having him as a good guy. He quickly became lovable because of his seriousness and frightening demeanour that was so contradictory to the flat lines and quirky humor he offered throughout the story. The way it took time for Marrill and Fin to warm up to him was also believable, and made the part he plays in the final chapters that much more emotional and powerful. Ryan and Davis don't just allow Serth a free pass into the hearts of the Enterprising Kraken's crew; he IS the reason for all of the bad things that have happened throughout their trip, and Serth must earn their love and friendship to rectify the wrongs he committed as the Meressian Oracle.

The way Ardent was saved in this book was absolutely beautiful. The masterful way Ryan and Davis twist Marrill's fear of losing Ardent to being her fear of losing her mom was so well done I was crying while reading Fin's comforting dialogue about the issue. It was so real, and could touch the hearts of so many people. To love, regardless of whether you may lose someone or whether they may do wrong, is one of the hardest things to do. And with colour, fun, and adventure, the Map to Everywhere series teaches its readers that pure possibility is scary, but an adventure all the same, just as riding the Pirate Stream has been.

I am a little disappointed that I will never know how Remy rescued Coll, but I screeched in delight when he returned to the crew in the Epilogue. I still don't know how I feel about Remy and Coll being in a relationship, but I think that's only because I love Coll and want him to be mine. Speaking of Remy, what a twist Ryan and Davis pull with her. She was the last one you expected to stay on the Stream, but when she does it feels completely natural and you have a bit of a "of course Remy has to stay" feeling. Like Fin and Marrill, I also was so relieved that "this wasn't goodbye". Moreover, Marrill's parents being brought into the adventures also felt right and gave a sense of completeness. Overall, the story was magical, phenomenal, and one of the best reads I've had in a very long time. Nothing but the highest praise for the Map to Everywhere, and Iron Tide Rising provides the perfect ending to the adventure of a lifetime.

[Amita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this series years ago and enjoyed it, and even though I didn't remember tons, I absolutely loved it this time around. This book is definitely the best; I was honestly surprised and impressed by how intense and/or meaningful certain parts were.

I love this series for how imaginative it is, I love it for all the characters and their chaotic found family, and above all, I love it for the many different types of love it explores and how much emphasis it places on the strength of those connections, especially the non-romantic ones. Seeing all the relationships, particularly the main friendship, given so much importance means a lot to me <3

There's only one tiny, tiny nitpick I have about this book specifically and it's that I wish we got to see the scene where Remy rescues Coll because I think it would have been so much fun. But that honestly would have just been a bonus to an already fantastic book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun and exciting conclusion for this series. None of the books really live up to the whimsy of the first, but the authors still have such vivid imagination that it's hard not to love taking this last part of the journey with Marrill and Fin. I really love the Mirror Maze portion, and the way the plot weaves between time and possibility (making this a less confusing "time travel" option than other books and movies that try a similar kind of resolution). Fin is probably one of my favorite characters in modern children's fiction, so I do wish there were just a little more resolution and growth for him right at the end, but there's at least enough that I'm not feeling overwhelmingly disappointed. Ha ha.

[eve.lyn._.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

🧭⚓🍁Iron Tide Rising🍁⚓🧭
Marrill and Fin now fight an enemy that they didn't expect. Serth there dear friend is blinded by guilt desperate to save his love. Now, Remy, Marrill and Fin must work together with Vell to stop the Iron Tide overtaking the whole Pirate Stream. The conclusion to the quartet, The Map to Everywhere.

This was a good conclusion to the series. Fin got the character growth he deserved, Marrill was explored well enough. Fig felt very flat, a character that wasn't really explored. I love the unexpected antagonist of the story, as normally a series has a very obvious antagonist.

Despite there being different plot lines in this series and each book could be seen as a standalone, it kept true to its themes and plot. I don't have super strong emotions towards this series, nor could I get really invested or interested in the characters, but it was good. I enjoyed the ending.
✅PLOT
✅PLOT TWIST
🆗CHARACTERS

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Normally I gallop through books and gulp them up whole, but this one I was scared to finish and read ever so slowly. I didn't want to finish it; I didn't want the series to end. What to read now that it has ended?

The tension kept building throughout the entire book; would good/bad guys remain true? Would bad/good guys be saved? Very riveting. And the mistrust/distrust was very believable. Fortunately things were resolved to my heart's content--though I would be happiest of all if I could visit/live on the Pirate Stream and second happiest if many more books would be written about it.

[Rachel E. Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great end to a really great series. Four books always feels a little awkward, but each one in this series worked well and it had a great overarching plot. I just loved it and loved how everything was wrapped up and happy at the end. (No, I don't care if it's unrealistic. I like happy endings. Fight me.)

Some great things were-
• The parallel between Marrill and Ardent. Very clever and with an excellent lesson.
• More Fin!
• How we got back certain characters that died.
• Serth. (Or is it Sereth?) He was so dark and broody and yet funny at the same time.
• The way the whole book was dark and fun.

It was just amazing and I loved it. I totally recommend it for anyone, any age.

[Lua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and was so happy with the ending. I liked that Remy got the Sheshefesh tattoo because now she & Coll are together. Am I the only one who thinks they are such a cute couple🥰? I also liked that Serth and the Naysayer had bigger parts. Ok so I’ve always thought like, why don’t Marrill’s parents just live on the Pirate Stream? Like since the first book, I’ve thought that. I’m happy that they went on the Kraken and met the crew. But I still think they should just live there. Like why not?

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iron Tide Rising is a spellbinding close to the series. Fin and Marrill’s quest to save Ardent (and the Pirate Stream . . . again) leads them down some very strange paths. The two best friends form alliances with enemies, travel to far off places (and times), and have fun while doing it! The end of the Kraken’s adventures (or at least the written ones) will bring tears to your eyes and a smile to your face.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming, loving, and hopeful. Our plucky band stays true to themselves as everything turns grey around them.

I did not love the ending. In the end, the evil wizard is redeemed by the Power of Love and understanding. It felt too pat. And my attention wandered several times.

But I really appreciate that these two kids try hard to save each other and their world. And that it sometimes involves jumping off a cliff.

[James Matney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this highly creative series. In a way, it is a little too creative. I got confused as to the reasoning of some of the settings other than an excuse for the author to take a crack at describing some crazy unique locations. I really liked the characters. I am still intrigued by the fact that one of the main characters characteristics is that most everyone forgets about him within minutes... and then eventually finding out why.

[Twyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part was when Ardent was stopped without him being killed, and he went back to being nice. I also liked the epilogue when Marrill and her parents came back to visit the pirate stream again. My least favorite part was when they thought that the only way to stop the Iron Tide was to kill Ardent/the Master.

[Neurocomp · Rating 4 out of 5]

still dont' like time-traveling in books...so wont rate this 5-stars!!!...but the weird & quirky adventure itself is worth 5-stars.

On-the-whole, the series itself is worth 5-stars cuz its just one epic wacky adventure, that surprised me for how much i liked it.

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like serth. He's the most human of them all. Naysayer is the realist. I was surprised by what her parents did. The dawn wizard is tricky but understandable. Good ending, but I wanna know what happened to Fig and Vell.

[María A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent end to one of the best sagas I have ever read. Filled with adventures, fantastic elements as magic and pirates and a mix of deep and fun scenes, it's one of the books you'll probably remember throughout your life. The end is great.

[Jacqueline P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An end to an engaging series. I highly recommend it.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful ending to the series; just as fun as the previous books.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigh, a delightful ending to a delightful series. Wonderful- action packed, emotional, creative, mysterious, and intriguing.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the Pirate Stream!

[Mike Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

A satisfying ending to the series. I read this series of books to my son over the course of 2 years when he was 7-9 years old. Great for that age range or slightly older.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is so full! How grateful I live in a world where anything is possible!

[Briony-Lee Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series. So sad it’s over. Would love another adventure on the Pirate Stream.

[Chris Zondlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awsome series, may have to read agin.

[Musfirah Urooj · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is good and I love it.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Enterprising Kraken has lost a number of friends over their journey, but stopping now will mean leaving the Pirate Stream to fall apart, an no way are Marrill and Fin going to sit by and let evil get away with hurting anybody else they care about! In this adventurous conclusion to the "Map to Everywhere" series, Carry Ryan amps up the danger as the crew races to save the world - the many worlds - from destruction!

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chris Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immensely satisfying conclusion to an imaginative series.

I'm sad that the Map to Everywhere series had to end, but all good things must, I suppose. The stakes are higher than they've ever been in this one, as Fin and Merrill race against not one, not two, but *three* apocalyptic terrors that threaten to destroy the Pirate Stream - and all of reality along with it!

The characters continue to be fun and interesting to read about, the action is thrilling, and the series' trademark inventiveness is still present in full force. This book is definitely lighter on the humor and whimsy than the previous entries, but that's understandable given the constant presence of terrible danger and the truly sad fate of those caught by the Iron Tide.

If you've enjoyed the previous books in this series, you'll not be disappointed by this exciting conclusion.