What do you think?
Rate this book
Seafire #3
Stormbreak
In this epic conclusion to the Seafire trilogy, which Booklist called "Mad Max by way of Davy Jones," Caledonia Styx will risk everything--her heart, her crew, and even her life--to defeat Lir and take back the Bullet Seas once and for all.
Aric Athair is dead. But the fight for the Bullet Seas is far from over. Caledonia's nemesis, Lir--the one responsible for getting her parents killed and for turning her brother into a Bullet--has seized control of the warlord's army.
Caledonia and her crew have fled to Cloudbreak to prepare for an all-out war. And they are not the only ones. Defecting soldiers begin to show up in droves to join their fight. But just as it seems like the tides might be turning, a surprise attack decimates the growing rebellion.
Desperate, with much of her crew missing or worse, Caledonia is forced to make an unlikely and unsteady alliance with a new enemy. It's a gamble that could cost her everything, but with the fate of the seas in her hands, Caledonia will do whatever it takes. War has come, and it's time to sink or swim.
Aric Athair is dead. But the fight for the Bullet Seas is far from over. Caledonia's nemesis, Lir--the one responsible for getting her parents killed and for turning her brother into a Bullet--has seized control of the warlord's army.
Caledonia and her crew have fled to Cloudbreak to prepare for an all-out war. And they are not the only ones. Defecting soldiers begin to show up in droves to join their fight. But just as it seems like the tides might be turning, a surprise attack decimates the growing rebellion.
Desperate, with much of her crew missing or worse, Caledonia is forced to make an unlikely and unsteady alliance with a new enemy. It's a gamble that could cost her everything, but with the fate of the seas in her hands, Caledonia will do whatever it takes. War has come, and it's time to sink or swim.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2021
79 people are currently reading
7747 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
March 5, 2021
This was meant to be the epic conclusion to the Seafire trilogy. It wasn't really epic but at least it was a conclusion. This was a solid enough series for me up until this point and I had honestly expected this to be seriously awesome, but I guess my expectations for it were far too high considering how the series was going. Oh well.
Judging by what I see on Goodreads so far, this is going to be an unpopular opinion but whatever. Spoilers ahead and it's pretty long-winded so I'm just going to tag everything underneath so I don't have to think about it anymore.
Judging by what I see on Goodreads so far, this is going to be an unpopular opinion but whatever. Spoilers ahead and it's pretty long-winded so I'm just going to tag everything underneath so I don't have to think about it anymore.
February 24, 2025
My babies, my loves, my everything
I loved them so much but it has come to this moment when I have to say goodbye. I have to leave them behind, read new books even though I‘ll always look for them. This was a long journey, so many fights lost, so many friends buried. I will miss this world so much.
Lace, Red, Tripple, Sledge, Hesperus and so many more. The stories behind them are so painful.
Writing a good villian is really hard. But Natalie? She nailed it. Lir was a perfect villian, tricking me into liking him at first glance, just to turn out to be the most evil out there.
I‘m so glad I found those books, for purchasing them. They were worth it.
So yes this is not a goodbye, just a simple see you later. Let the waters guide you.
“And you can’t change this world without making decisions that will haunt you forever.”
“Hesperus didn’t recognize the perfection of his gift. He could not know that she had always imagined her girls as stones.”
I loved them so much but it has come to this moment when I have to say goodbye. I have to leave them behind, read new books even though I‘ll always look for them. This was a long journey, so many fights lost, so many friends buried. I will miss this world so much.
Lace, Red, Tripple, Sledge, Hesperus and so many more. The stories behind them are so painful.
Writing a good villian is really hard. But Natalie? She nailed it. Lir was a perfect villian, tricking me into liking him at first glance, just to turn out to be the most evil out there.
I‘m so glad I found those books, for purchasing them. They were worth it.
So yes this is not a goodbye, just a simple see you later. Let the waters guide you.
“And you can’t change this world without making decisions that will haunt you forever.”
“Hesperus didn’t recognize the perfection of his gift. He could not know that she had always imagined her girls as stones.”
February 15, 2021
Stormbreak was really interesting and it was worth my time.
March 2, 2020
3/2/2020: HOW DID I NOT KNOW THE TITLE AND COVER HAD BEEN RELEASED?!?!!
OMG. I've missed my girls so much. I need this book NOW!!!! I love that Natalie is a local author and I get to support her and her amazing books!
OMG. I've missed my girls so much. I need this book NOW!!!! I love that Natalie is a local author and I get to support her and her amazing books!
June 22, 2021
I won't be okay for a while.
May 20, 2021
This is Young Adult/Fantasy/Dystopia and it is the final book in the Seafire trilogy. I liked books 1 & 2 more. I appreciated the conclusion. It felt satisfying and that is always appreciated. But this one wobbled a bit for me, plus it felt a little hurried. There were a few giant holes that needed patching, especially when it came to dealing with the herd mentality.
A few of the characters abandoned all that they were supposed to be in order to dip into some other role that didn't seem plausible...Caledonia being the biggest offender there. I like the strength of the MC and even how her boldness always came up roses seemed to fit, but the whole damsel in distress thing didn't quite work. Oran, Pi, and the brother can be tossed in too.
I still liked this one, but book #2 was my favorite. So 3 stars for this one.
A few of the characters abandoned all that they were supposed to be in order to dip into some other role that didn't seem plausible...Caledonia being the biggest offender there. I like the strength of the MC and even how her boldness always came up roses seemed to fit, but the whole damsel in distress thing didn't quite work. Oran, Pi, and the brother can be tossed in too.
I still liked this one, but book #2 was my favorite. So 3 stars for this one.
October 14, 2021
3.5⭐️
This is the conclusion to the Seafire trilogy and I really liked how it ended. I really liked coming back to this world and seeing the characters and how there journey was going to end. Especially with what was going to happen with Caledonia’s brother. I enjoyed the characters mostly but I did find it annoying at times how much Caledonia was being questioned by everyone. I think it would have been better if we saw the side characters more than in those instances. But the romance, I really enjoyed the bits we got and what we see at the end with it. The storytelling I felt was really good but there were a few moments that kind of lulled, mainly in the beginning. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I felt that it wrapped up this trilogy really well.
This is the conclusion to the Seafire trilogy and I really liked how it ended. I really liked coming back to this world and seeing the characters and how there journey was going to end. Especially with what was going to happen with Caledonia’s brother. I enjoyed the characters mostly but I did find it annoying at times how much Caledonia was being questioned by everyone. I think it would have been better if we saw the side characters more than in those instances. But the romance, I really enjoyed the bits we got and what we see at the end with it. The storytelling I felt was really good but there were a few moments that kind of lulled, mainly in the beginning. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I felt that it wrapped up this trilogy really well.
February 17, 2021
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars
AHHHHH such a great ending to a GREAT series! High stakes high seas adventures... gah always a sucker for a good one, and this novel was beyond excellent! I have no wordddsssss.
100% recommend!
AHHHHH such a great ending to a GREAT series! High stakes high seas adventures... gah always a sucker for a good one, and this novel was beyond excellent! I have no wordddsssss.
100% recommend!
February 27, 2021
A good ending to the series! It might’ve been five stars for me if it hadn’t been so long since I read the first two and I didn’t have to spend the first 50 or so pages trying to remember who everyone was and what the heck was going on. But I love a good pirates tale, especially one with badass lady pirates
April 12, 2021
This was such an amazing conclusion to this trilogy I love! Caledonia and her crew are so badass while also being so full of heart! I want to be a part of this crew so much!
March 21, 2021
Stormbreak was the conclusion to the Seafire trilogy we needed.
I'd like to blame the fact that the release date got pushed for why I had such a hard time starting this book, but it was probably me. I couldn't remember who Ares was, which was an issue, and definitely a me problem because he was a huge part of the last book. In fact, I could only remember bits and pieces of Steel Tide, which was an issue because we were building on the momentum we got in Steel Tide. If you're like me and have zero memory once you put down a book, maybe go check out a short summary of Steel Tide before you begin Stormbreak.
Parker continues to do what she does best in this trilogy, take this beautiful crew of people who want to change the world and remind them that they are human. Stormbreak focuses really heavily on Caledonia and her battle and struggles to fix the world while not becoming the people who caused the mess in the first place. There's tactics, plans, and fights. High stakes and losses. But where Stormbreak really shines is in Caledonia's personal battle of trying to live with herself while she must make horrific choices every day.
Caledonia reminded me a little of the heroines of 2010 dystopias, Tris specifically. Caledonia carries a self-awareness that the other girls didn't though. Caledonia is aware of her trauma, that it is occurring, and that it's not okay. She really struggles with her mental health through this book and the approach and response which Parker takes is absolutely breathtaking.
I got caught a little off-guard at the beginning of the book when the "unexpected attack" mentioned in the plot summary takes place. I fell in love so quickly with the dynamics and the plot set-up before the plot changes directions. I had a little bit of a hard time letting go of the planning, battle, group, and stakes that I saw coming down. But the Seafire series has never been about the plot to overthrow the villain, but the team that was doing their best to do so.
This review has been a journey, but I really did enjoy Cala and crew's journey through the trilogy.
I'd like to blame the fact that the release date got pushed for why I had such a hard time starting this book, but it was probably me. I couldn't remember who Ares was, which was an issue, and definitely a me problem because he was a huge part of the last book. In fact, I could only remember bits and pieces of Steel Tide, which was an issue because we were building on the momentum we got in Steel Tide. If you're like me and have zero memory once you put down a book, maybe go check out a short summary of Steel Tide before you begin Stormbreak.
Parker continues to do what she does best in this trilogy, take this beautiful crew of people who want to change the world and remind them that they are human. Stormbreak focuses really heavily on Caledonia and her battle and struggles to fix the world while not becoming the people who caused the mess in the first place. There's tactics, plans, and fights. High stakes and losses. But where Stormbreak really shines is in Caledonia's personal battle of trying to live with herself while she must make horrific choices every day.
Caledonia reminded me a little of the heroines of 2010 dystopias, Tris specifically. Caledonia carries a self-awareness that the other girls didn't though. Caledonia is aware of her trauma, that it is occurring, and that it's not okay. She really struggles with her mental health through this book and the approach and response which Parker takes is absolutely breathtaking.
I got caught a little off-guard at the beginning of the book when the "unexpected attack" mentioned in the plot summary takes place. I fell in love so quickly with the dynamics and the plot set-up before the plot changes directions. I had a little bit of a hard time letting go of the planning, battle, group, and stakes that I saw coming down. But the Seafire series has never been about the plot to overthrow the villain, but the team that was doing their best to do so.
This review has been a journey, but I really did enjoy Cala and crew's journey through the trilogy.
June 17, 2024
An engaging trilogy. The author made it easy for the reader to become attached to the characters. Well written but this book felt especially long-winded. I love the covers.
July 2, 2025
4.5 stars
Now when I look up to the stars… I will form shapes with each one; a reminder what can be done and what will be done is my choice. All that matters is if I pursue it, like how Caledonia Styx did. ⚔️⚓️🏴☠️🌊🗡️❤️🩹
Now when I look up to the stars… I will form shapes with each one; a reminder what can be done and what will be done is my choice. All that matters is if I pursue it, like how Caledonia Styx did. ⚔️⚓️🏴☠️🌊🗡️❤️🩹
January 20, 2023
This entire series is phenomenal, and STORMBREAK, the final book, gives us the ending the story deserves, all while subverting typical YA epic expectations. My only regret is that it took me so long to finish the series. When will this trilogy be made into a streaming series I can obsess over?!
Spoilers for the first two books follow (but hopefully you've already read them).
Okay, so in this final book the challenge is both bigger and hyper-focused: it's finally down to Caledonia versus Lir, and yet the whole lifestyle of the "Bullet Seas" is at stake as well - since by now, Caledonia is not just pursuing personal revenge, but leading a rebellion against a militarized and drug (Silt)-dependent way of life. She's amassed her supporters at Cloudbreak and even has a secret weapon - but will Lir continue to be two steps ahead of her? Can Caledonia actually defeat him without becoming like him, and other Bullets?
Oh the weight of this story! Heavy the head that wears the crown and all that; we definitely feel the burdens of Caledonia's leadership position in this book. Caledonia has to deal with some absolutely heartbreaking losses in this book, and make even more morally questionable choices. And yet just when it was all starting to wear me down, Parker gives us moments of lightness toward the end and shows us that despite challenges, Caledonia has her sisters and her allies around her.
Which is good because OH MAN. I respect the hell out of the climax Parker wrote here. Caledonia THREE TIMES has to choose the high road over revenge. And dang, it's all the right moves but usually in a YA epic the author will play up the twisted fascination between the good guy and the bad guy - in this case, Caledonia and Lir - and/or find a somehow excusable way to make sure the bad guy gets punished (re: suffers) somehow. But Parker does not give us the treats! She gives us a true reflection of character change in Caledonia. I felt it, I knew it, I saw it, and all I can do is slow clap.
Special shoutout to Pine, who continues to be one of my favorite characters since his introduction in the second book. Special shoutout to queer love and relationships, which continue to be at the forefront. Special shoutout to sisterhood, which continues to be the steel thread woven throughout this whole trilogy. And special shoutout to sea battles, of which there are many in this book!
Oh and - it's worth it to say that I normally would NOT like a book series that had a drug portrayal as one-sided as this one. But I think since in the world of the story, Silt was developed and used only in the context of establishing control and military power, it didn't bother me it was described as having no redeeming qualities. Drugs are never so narrowly confined in real life, but I was able to roll with it (sail with it?) in this imaginary setting. Caledonia's emphasis on having choice was vital in the world Parker created, but it's actually something that's highly relevant in this one as well.
I finished this book with a feeling of deep satisfaction, like when you've eaten a healthy and yet delicious, filling meal. I am so happy with what I consumed, but I also kinda want more. That's a good feeling at the end of a trilogy. Hats off to Natalie C. Parker.
Spoilers for the first two books follow (but hopefully you've already read them).
Okay, so in this final book the challenge is both bigger and hyper-focused: it's finally down to Caledonia versus Lir, and yet the whole lifestyle of the "Bullet Seas" is at stake as well - since by now, Caledonia is not just pursuing personal revenge, but leading a rebellion against a militarized and drug (Silt)-dependent way of life. She's amassed her supporters at Cloudbreak and even has a secret weapon - but will Lir continue to be two steps ahead of her? Can Caledonia actually defeat him without becoming like him, and other Bullets?
Oh the weight of this story! Heavy the head that wears the crown and all that; we definitely feel the burdens of Caledonia's leadership position in this book. Caledonia has to deal with some absolutely heartbreaking losses in this book, and make even more morally questionable choices. And yet just when it was all starting to wear me down, Parker gives us moments of lightness toward the end and shows us that despite challenges, Caledonia has her sisters and her allies around her.
Which is good because OH MAN. I respect the hell out of the climax Parker wrote here. Caledonia THREE TIMES has to choose the high road over revenge. And dang, it's all the right moves but usually in a YA epic the author will play up the twisted fascination between the good guy and the bad guy - in this case, Caledonia and Lir - and/or find a somehow excusable way to make sure the bad guy gets punished (re: suffers) somehow. But Parker does not give us the treats! She gives us a true reflection of character change in Caledonia. I felt it, I knew it, I saw it, and all I can do is slow clap.
Special shoutout to Pine, who continues to be one of my favorite characters since his introduction in the second book. Special shoutout to queer love and relationships, which continue to be at the forefront. Special shoutout to sisterhood, which continues to be the steel thread woven throughout this whole trilogy. And special shoutout to sea battles, of which there are many in this book!
Oh and - it's worth it to say that I normally would NOT like a book series that had a drug portrayal as one-sided as this one. But I think since in the world of the story, Silt was developed and used only in the context of establishing control and military power, it didn't bother me it was described as having no redeeming qualities. Drugs are never so narrowly confined in real life, but I was able to roll with it (sail with it?) in this imaginary setting. Caledonia's emphasis on having choice was vital in the world Parker created, but it's actually something that's highly relevant in this one as well.
I finished this book with a feeling of deep satisfaction, like when you've eaten a healthy and yet delicious, filling meal. I am so happy with what I consumed, but I also kinda want more. That's a good feeling at the end of a trilogy. Hats off to Natalie C. Parker.
July 23, 2022
I definitely enjoyed this book the most out of the trilogy. I think everything was wrapped up quite nicely, and I enjoyed the different character arcs throughout the story. The moral/theme of the story was quite beautiful, and I loved seeing Caledonia struggle with this concept over and over.
March 3, 2021
This book fucking ruined me. The end.
October 19, 2021
I ate this series like sweets. All in one sitting only to have a terrible sugar rush and nausea afterward xD Like damn. The story is over #timeforabookhangover
This series was really good. Very happy to read a non-fantasy pirate book/series. Cause let’s be honest, most have a fantasy element in them, the usual being sirens. This was different and that was really nice!
I might have made it a duology instead. Felt a little dragged out at some points. Not that it was boring by any means, it just might have been better as a duology. Or maybe I just liked the second book the best and wanted to feel that hype all the time.
Once again, the romance, ahh it has yet to convince me. But I’m picky about that so it's okay. I might have left it out of the story altogether, but I know YA books have to have that romance, especially the enemies to lover part. Buuut, well yeah. Would have been fine without it.
Will give the series a 4/5 in all. Very good pirate series. Read it!
This series was really good. Very happy to read a non-fantasy pirate book/series. Cause let’s be honest, most have a fantasy element in them, the usual being sirens. This was different and that was really nice!
I might have made it a duology instead. Felt a little dragged out at some points. Not that it was boring by any means, it just might have been better as a duology. Or maybe I just liked the second book the best and wanted to feel that hype all the time.
Once again, the romance, ahh it has yet to convince me. But I’m picky about that so it's okay. I might have left it out of the story altogether, but I know YA books have to have that romance, especially the enemies to lover part. Buuut, well yeah. Would have been fine without it.
Will give the series a 4/5 in all. Very good pirate series. Read it!
May 13, 2025
This book was so good! I really liked all of the emotions and how the way their characters dealt with the trauma was kind of realistic and it wasn’t just ignored. I loveddddd all of the gay couples lol the LGBTQIA+ representation in this series is great! SLEDGE. HOW COULD SHE KILL OFF SLEDGE?!?! He was one of my favorite characters and the way he died was so noble😭He sacrificed himself so Caledonia could get to the rig and right before his ship exploded, he radioed Pine😭😭💔Now I have trauma I’m literally never gonna get over him. Her relationship with Oran developed a lot and I like how she took it slow and didn’t just completely rush in head over heels. Trust takes time. Overall it was a great series, even if a little slow or confusing at times. Lol I still don’t know which side is starboard and which is port.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2023
Book one was great, and then next two got progressively worse. Decent story, but won’t be a reread.
March 25, 2021
I enjoyed returning to the world of the Bullet Seas, but I think my rating of this one might be a little shy of 4 stars. It's not that it wasn't on par with the other books--I think my timing may have been off on reading it, or something. For some reason, though, I just didn't feel as connected to the characters, like I couldn't quite get them off of the page. I don't know what it was. It was still well written, and there are some absolutely beautiful passages.
Some of the most heart-wrenching scenes were between Caledonia and Donnelly, which is understandable. I just wanted to knock Donnelly over the head sometimes because he couldn't get past the whole "Lir's my brother" to the truth that Lir is the reason his family was dead. I still wish the author had given Oran less of a back-seat ride to the story. He plays a definite part, don't get me wrong. But I feel like he's just so . . . quiet and timid . . . compared to how I feel like he should be. He's almost relegated to being Caledonia's puppy dog at times. At others, his love, good nature, and understanding really shine through.
The plot itself was good, and the story ended in a way that completely makes sense. The aftermath, as well. So do I recommend reading the series? Sure. Will I go back and listen to the audiobooks? Yes.
How it ends:
Notes: Maybe some mild language--I can't remember. Off-page sex (completely off the page). A lot of LGBTQ characters.
Some of the most heart-wrenching scenes were between Caledonia and Donnelly, which is understandable. I just wanted to knock Donnelly over the head sometimes because he couldn't get past the whole "Lir's my brother" to the truth that Lir is the reason his family was dead. I still wish the author had given Oran less of a back-seat ride to the story. He plays a definite part, don't get me wrong. But I feel like he's just so . . . quiet and timid . . . compared to how I feel like he should be. He's almost relegated to being Caledonia's puppy dog at times. At others, his love, good nature, and understanding really shine through.
The plot itself was good, and the story ended in a way that completely makes sense. The aftermath, as well. So do I recommend reading the series? Sure. Will I go back and listen to the audiobooks? Yes.
How it ends:
Notes: Maybe some mild language--I can't remember. Off-page sex (completely off the page). A lot of LGBTQ characters.
July 29, 2024
What a good way to wrap everything together, keep a main villain in focus, allow a few reasonable surprises and still keep the pirate spirit alive.
May 19, 2021
3.5* but I'll round up.
Satisfying if also somewhat predictable end for this trilogy (but that's also what makes it satisfying?). Lot of action throughout, and it's compulsively readable but more in a "I'm enjoying the read" kind of way for me rather than "I must find out what happens next."
Disappointed in the way Donnally-Lir's relationship plays out in this book because I never got a sense that I understood what exactly made Donnally so special to Lir.
Satisfying if also somewhat predictable end for this trilogy (but that's also what makes it satisfying?). Lot of action throughout, and it's compulsively readable but more in a "I'm enjoying the read" kind of way for me rather than "I must find out what happens next."
Disappointed in the way Donnally-Lir's relationship plays out in this book because I never got a sense that I understood what exactly made Donnally so special to Lir.
September 23, 2021
I think multiple POV's would've greatly improved this story, there's just too many characters with too little screentime. Conclusion was good, but could've been more complex. I think that's my main theme for this series: good but simple.
January 23, 2026
Well. I’m done. I feel my a piece of my heart has been cleaved out of my chest, but it’s done. The ending was perfect. Absolutely, 100 percent perfect.
This book series is genuinely everything to me, and I don’t say that lightly. From that first time seeing this book on a Barnes and Noble shelf and picking it up, I had never imagined the effect this book series would have on me. I almost feel like it was made FOR me, at this point.
I said this from the first book and I’ll say it again: if I had read this when I was 14, I would be in a much different place in my life. And, honestly, even though I waited to read it, its impact won’t be wasted.
I do have to take off a star because this book does this thing that I HATE with YA novels, which is when there’s a love interest, the other connections the main character has takes a backseat when they get together. And I felt like that with this, which made me so angry. Pi and Cala should have had more scenes, damnit. Amina and Hime, too. A final book in a series should always been about the main cast, in my opinion, and as much as I love Oran, Cala and Pi would have been AMAZING together. Both as girlfriends and with more sister scenes, in general. With everyone else, too! Ugh. Missed opportunity.
I’m also a bit disappointed that no one important died. I’ve always respected Natalie for not being afraid to kill off her characters, and I feel like she took the easy way out with this one. I feel like this book in general is just much more basic than her usual style, so that kind of disappointed me.
(also, a scene with Oran and Pi would have been so cool! since, ya know, her saving him from death is what lead to everything in the series in the first place)
I am so, so glad that the final scene was with Pi and Cala, though. The final choice Cala makes at the end, too, is perfect. So right. Means so much more than I’ll ever be able to express through words, and makes up for a lot of my irritation. Very mixed feelings.
Anyway. That’s my only solid critique, and now it’s time for me to say goodbye to these characters.
Oh, how I adore them to pieces. I love Amina and her strength, Redtooth and her fire, Hime and the mix of her fierceness and kindness, Nettle and her ability to find her strength in her size, Pisces and her heart, and Caledonia and her spirit. Every single one of these girls taught me so much, and I will hold a VERY large portion of my heart open for them.
I will never ever let this series go, and I will always treasure the crew that stole my heart from the very first page. I will miss these characters IMMENSELY, but I will most definitely come back to this series again. The world was in good hands at the end, and Cala, my own personal mini-book me, will be okay. I’m so proud of her, and I adore her to absolute pieces. I will miss these seas and these islands, too, and will treasure them always.
I don’t want to finish writing this, because then this series will truly be over. But all I have left are my final goodbyes. So here they go.
Thank you Amina, Redtooth, Hime, Nettle, Pisces, and Caledonia. Especially Pisces and Caledonia. They’ve all taught me so much, and I will carry them and their lessons with me always. Thank you, THANK you to Natalie Parker, for creating this series and showing me what I needed to know. And the biggest of thank yous to past me, who even picked this book up in the first place. Goodbye, Seafire trilogy. You will be missed very, very much.
P.S.: the final question still stands: should I have read this when I was 14?
Answer: Yes. Yes I should have, and I am a bit frustrated that I didn’t. I refused to listen to it then, but I’ll sure as hell listen to it now.
This book series is genuinely everything to me, and I don’t say that lightly. From that first time seeing this book on a Barnes and Noble shelf and picking it up, I had never imagined the effect this book series would have on me. I almost feel like it was made FOR me, at this point.
I said this from the first book and I’ll say it again: if I had read this when I was 14, I would be in a much different place in my life. And, honestly, even though I waited to read it, its impact won’t be wasted.
I do have to take off a star because this book does this thing that I HATE with YA novels, which is when there’s a love interest, the other connections the main character has takes a backseat when they get together. And I felt like that with this, which made me so angry. Pi and Cala should have had more scenes, damnit. Amina and Hime, too. A final book in a series should always been about the main cast, in my opinion, and as much as I love Oran, Cala and Pi would have been AMAZING together. Both as girlfriends and with more sister scenes, in general. With everyone else, too! Ugh. Missed opportunity.
I’m also a bit disappointed that no one important died. I’ve always respected Natalie for not being afraid to kill off her characters, and I feel like she took the easy way out with this one. I feel like this book in general is just much more basic than her usual style, so that kind of disappointed me.
(also, a scene with Oran and Pi would have been so cool! since, ya know, her saving him from death is what lead to everything in the series in the first place)
I am so, so glad that the final scene was with Pi and Cala, though. The final choice Cala makes at the end, too, is perfect. So right. Means so much more than I’ll ever be able to express through words, and makes up for a lot of my irritation. Very mixed feelings.
Anyway. That’s my only solid critique, and now it’s time for me to say goodbye to these characters.
Oh, how I adore them to pieces. I love Amina and her strength, Redtooth and her fire, Hime and the mix of her fierceness and kindness, Nettle and her ability to find her strength in her size, Pisces and her heart, and Caledonia and her spirit. Every single one of these girls taught me so much, and I will hold a VERY large portion of my heart open for them.
I will never ever let this series go, and I will always treasure the crew that stole my heart from the very first page. I will miss these characters IMMENSELY, but I will most definitely come back to this series again. The world was in good hands at the end, and Cala, my own personal mini-book me, will be okay. I’m so proud of her, and I adore her to absolute pieces. I will miss these seas and these islands, too, and will treasure them always.
I don’t want to finish writing this, because then this series will truly be over. But all I have left are my final goodbyes. So here they go.
Thank you Amina, Redtooth, Hime, Nettle, Pisces, and Caledonia. Especially Pisces and Caledonia. They’ve all taught me so much, and I will carry them and their lessons with me always. Thank you, THANK you to Natalie Parker, for creating this series and showing me what I needed to know. And the biggest of thank yous to past me, who even picked this book up in the first place. Goodbye, Seafire trilogy. You will be missed very, very much.
P.S.: the final question still stands: should I have read this when I was 14?
Answer: Yes. Yes I should have, and I am a bit frustrated that I didn’t. I refused to listen to it then, but I’ll sure as hell listen to it now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2021
I love this series. I have loved each book in this series for what they bring. More than anything, Stormbreak is Caledonia's story: hard, impossible decisions she wants to spare her friends from; embracing darkness (and feeling it mightily) to stand in the way of something worse; being battered by devastating losses and turning around to fight back; but also holding out the hand of trust and mercy and being a beacon of hope.
This book set a relentless pace, even though we spend less time on the water and more time planning and nursing wounds. Even as Caledonia is surrounded by more people (allies and enemies alike) we see her even more alone and while this frustrated me (we have met so many fascinating and complex characters over the course of this trilogy, and I really wanted them to shine), part of Caledonia's story in this book is turning her back on them and trusting them all to act without her.
This is one of those books where I sat down to read a chapter and looked up 60 pages later. It was so easy to just... Devour. But I love the way it ended: with change and hope.
Also, hello queernormative world!
This book set a relentless pace, even though we spend less time on the water and more time planning and nursing wounds. Even as Caledonia is surrounded by more people (allies and enemies alike) we see her even more alone and while this frustrated me (we have met so many fascinating and complex characters over the course of this trilogy, and I really wanted them to shine), part of Caledonia's story in this book is turning her back on them and trusting them all to act without her.
This is one of those books where I sat down to read a chapter and looked up 60 pages later. It was so easy to just... Devour. But I love the way it ended: with change and hope.
Also, hello queernormative world!
July 1, 2023
I love this trilogy, and despite me knowing it has several flaws, I will hear absolutely no slander against it. A new all time favorite for sure.
I said it with the first book, but if middle school Lauren had come across this series, she would have been absolutely insufferable. Mad Max inspired, girl power, pirates... literally what more could I ask for? The plot was fairly predictable, but some of the decisions made along the way were still surprisingly refreshing. Friendship can solve a lot of problems, but sometimes violence has to be the answer, and boy did that feel good.
I was so close to unhauling these books. I bought the first one on a whim because it was on sale and the cover was pretty. I bought the other two because they were cheap and I'm a completionist. When I put them on my to-read list, I did so with the understanding I'd be getting rid of them soon after. Now they'll continue to sit in a proud position on my shelves, I have learned zero lessons about impulse buying books, and I'll hang on to the hope we'll get a spin off series to explore more of this fantastic world.
I said it with the first book, but if middle school Lauren had come across this series, she would have been absolutely insufferable. Mad Max inspired, girl power, pirates... literally what more could I ask for? The plot was fairly predictable, but some of the decisions made along the way were still surprisingly refreshing. Friendship can solve a lot of problems, but sometimes violence has to be the answer, and boy did that feel good.
I was so close to unhauling these books. I bought the first one on a whim because it was on sale and the cover was pretty. I bought the other two because they were cheap and I'm a completionist. When I put them on my to-read list, I did so with the understanding I'd be getting rid of them soon after. Now they'll continue to sit in a proud position on my shelves, I have learned zero lessons about impulse buying books, and I'll hang on to the hope we'll get a spin off series to explore more of this fantastic world.
July 18, 2022
This was such a great end to this trilogy. The action was nonstop in this and the entire book had me on the edge of my seat. I didn't expect to love this trilogy as much as I did. I loved the family relationships in this and how it shows how family doesn't always have to be someone you're blood related to. I love the characters and how strong they are. I loved how they didn't give up in that final battle and kept fighting for what they believed in.
May 26, 2020
Kick butt girl pirates fighting for what's right for all, even though grappling with what means to an end help keep you from becoming what you're fighting against, while supporting sisterhood above all - what's not to love?! I am a HUGE fan of this series & was so happy to know how Caledonia's story ended, even while being sad that it's over. I reread Seafire & Steel Tide before starting Stormbreak and am glad I did so I could get lost in this dystopic future world one more time.
August 31, 2021
A fantastic ending to Caledonia Styx and her crew. Just as action-packed as the rest of the series. I was fighting dueling desires to complete the story and not wanting it to end. Great character relationships. Masterful character growth. Satisfying ending. I fell in love with these characters and I'm sad to see them go. This is a series that will stick with me until I inevitably revisit it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews