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The Crown of Tremontane #4
Voyager of the Crown
Zara North, Queen of Tremontane, has the ability to unconsciously heal herself—a magic that also keeps her from aging. Faced with the reality that public knowledge of her magic could destroy her family’s dynasty and cost them the Crown, she faked her own death and set out to make a new life for herself, far from the capital and the family she loved. Never settling anywhere for long, Zara became an exile in her own country.Now, sixty years after her “death,” Zara’s ageless face forces her to leave her home yet again. Wanting something different from the quiet life she led for decades, she sets sail for the distant continent of Dineh-Karit, reclusive and alien. When unexpected catastrophe strikes, it strands Zara and a handful of her fellow voyagers in the jungles of Dineh-Karit. Far from civilization, their only guide a reluctant Tremontanan expatriate who has his own reasons for being there, the castaways struggle for survival and to return home.But Zara, entrusted with a secret by a dying man, finds herself caught between the woman she has become and the Queen she used to be. As an implacable enemy bent on retrieving the secret—a mysterious magical object—draws ever closer, Zara realizes her companions’ survival depends on Zara’s ability to lead them as she once did a nation. With an identity and a magical secret she still cannot reveal, Zara discovers depths in herself she thought were long gone—and gains a future she never expected.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2018
30 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Melissa McShane
94 books860 followersMelissa grew up a nomad, following her family all over the United States, and ended up living in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains with her husband, four kids, and three very needy cats. Her love of reading was always a constant during those uncertain years, and her love of writing grew out of that. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, and was surprised at how much she liked it. She loves the fantasy genre and how it stretches the imagination.
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October 25, 2018
A strong 4 stars. Final review first posted on Fantasy Literature:
In a world where a minority of people have inherent magical powers, and in a country where such magical powers are viewed with deep suspicion ― particularly if wielded by people in power ― Zara North has a huge secret: she has the ability to automatically heal physical injuries to herself, even those that cause aging and death. What would be a mortal injury for anyone else simply puts her out of commission temporarily. Zara was the queen of Tremontane sixty years ago, during the events of Servant of the Crown, the first book in Melissa McShane’s CROWN OF TREMONTANE fantasy series. When she discovered her inherent magic in her late twenties, she faked her death for the good of her country and the North family dynasty. Several books and years later, Zara is now eighty-six but still looks like she’s in her early thirties.
After spending seventeen years in the mountain village of Longbourne, Zara knows her lack of aging is bound start causing gossip at any time. So she reluctantly leaves her beloved town and decides to go the exotic adventure route, setting sail for the isolated, hostile country of Dineh-Karit. She gets far more adventure than she was planning on! Murderous pirates attack the ship, searching for some hidden device, and Zara and a few others barely escape with their lives. A dying man on their longboat entrusts her with the item that the pirates were looking for. She and the other survivors are able to steer their boat to the continent of Dineh-Karit, but a vast jungle lies before them, and the pirates are still after them.
Voyager of the Crown is the fourth book in THE CROWN OF TREMONTANE series, and one of my favorites in the series. It’s immediately engaging, with a strong-willed woman on an adventure in strange lands. Zara is one of the most capable and fearless woman characters I’ve run across in fantasy, with an admirable ability to take charge and get things done, and an understandable impatience with those who stand in her way. Her personality reminds me somewhat of Lois McMaster Bujold’s Cordelia from the VORKOSIGAN SAGA. When her path crosses a relentless female pirate captain and a solitary doctor in the jungle, though, she may have met her match.
The emphasis in Voyager of the Crown is on the adventure, but the group of characters surrounding Zara is interesting and diverse. McShane deals well with interpersonal relationships and the roles played by fear, pride and other weaknesses, as well as the way people can come together to support each other in need. Zara, in particular, needs to unearth and even build on the leadership characteristics that she developed as a queen, but has kept buried for so long.
Voyager of the Crown pulled me right into its world: I immediately dropped everything when it hit my Kindle and read the entire book in one evening. Voyager could be read on a stand-alone basis, but familiarity with the world and with Zara’s past will definitely enhance the reading experience, so I advise that interested readers begin with Servant of the Crown and continue from there. I recommend this series for readers who like their fantasy with a fairly strong side of PG-rated romance (well, PG-13 in the case of Servant).
I was given an ARC by the author and this is my voluntary review. Thanks!
In a world where a minority of people have inherent magical powers, and in a country where such magical powers are viewed with deep suspicion ― particularly if wielded by people in power ― Zara North has a huge secret: she has the ability to automatically heal physical injuries to herself, even those that cause aging and death. What would be a mortal injury for anyone else simply puts her out of commission temporarily. Zara was the queen of Tremontane sixty years ago, during the events of Servant of the Crown, the first book in Melissa McShane’s CROWN OF TREMONTANE fantasy series. When she discovered her inherent magic in her late twenties, she faked her death for the good of her country and the North family dynasty. Several books and years later, Zara is now eighty-six but still looks like she’s in her early thirties.
After spending seventeen years in the mountain village of Longbourne, Zara knows her lack of aging is bound start causing gossip at any time. So she reluctantly leaves her beloved town and decides to go the exotic adventure route, setting sail for the isolated, hostile country of Dineh-Karit. She gets far more adventure than she was planning on! Murderous pirates attack the ship, searching for some hidden device, and Zara and a few others barely escape with their lives. A dying man on their longboat entrusts her with the item that the pirates were looking for. She and the other survivors are able to steer their boat to the continent of Dineh-Karit, but a vast jungle lies before them, and the pirates are still after them.
Voyager of the Crown is the fourth book in THE CROWN OF TREMONTANE series, and one of my favorites in the series. It’s immediately engaging, with a strong-willed woman on an adventure in strange lands. Zara is one of the most capable and fearless woman characters I’ve run across in fantasy, with an admirable ability to take charge and get things done, and an understandable impatience with those who stand in her way. Her personality reminds me somewhat of Lois McMaster Bujold’s Cordelia from the VORKOSIGAN SAGA. When her path crosses a relentless female pirate captain and a solitary doctor in the jungle, though, she may have met her match.
The emphasis in Voyager of the Crown is on the adventure, but the group of characters surrounding Zara is interesting and diverse. McShane deals well with interpersonal relationships and the roles played by fear, pride and other weaknesses, as well as the way people can come together to support each other in need. Zara, in particular, needs to unearth and even build on the leadership characteristics that she developed as a queen, but has kept buried for so long.
“I hate this part.”When an unexpected chance for romance comes her way, Zara needs to consider whether a relationship is something she’s willing to chance, given the type of magic she carries and the likelihood that she would far outlive her husband. There’s an issue of a very large age difference in the romantic couple here, understandably; the issue is touched on but not dealt with quite to the extent I would have liked. At least the sexes are reversed from the usual situation!
“The waiting? How often do you fight pirates that you can call it ‘this part’?” Belinda teased.
Zara shrugged. “It’s always the same, no matter what the challenge. The hardest part is waiting for others to do their jobs so you can do yours.” Memory surfaced, of facing down the Magistrix of the Scholia in her throne room, her nerves keyed to the breaking point waiting for all the pieces to fall into place. It was essential not to let the waiting break you. She let out a long breath and surreptitiously rolled out her shoulders. She was much older now, and better at waiting. It didn’t make her like it more.
Voyager of the Crown pulled me right into its world: I immediately dropped everything when it hit my Kindle and read the entire book in one evening. Voyager could be read on a stand-alone basis, but familiarity with the world and with Zara’s past will definitely enhance the reading experience, so I advise that interested readers begin with Servant of the Crown and continue from there. I recommend this series for readers who like their fantasy with a fairly strong side of PG-rated romance (well, PG-13 in the case of Servant).
I was given an ARC by the author and this is my voluntary review. Thanks!
Read
November 27, 2023Re-read 11/2/22: And here's the end of the series. There are more stories, but I feel I've mostly said what I wanted to say. When you consider that I believed Agent of the Crown would be a one-off, ten books in this world is remarkable. Zara eluded me for so long as a protagonist that I treasure this book--as I say below, the book I thought would never be.
It's not actually the ending. For an upcoming holiday short story collection, I managed to write a Tremontane novella. Unfortunately, writing it means sacrificing the possibility of more stories in this world. Maybe I'm wrong. If I'm not, I'm still satisfied.
Read 9/6/18: This is the book I thought would never be.
I have no memory of where Zara North came from. Five years ago, when I wrote Agent of the Crown, she was just there--Telaine's mysterious "aunt," deathless and effectively immortal, but I can't remember why I came up with her or what I intended for her. In writing Servant of the Crown, she came into her own--the powerful Queen of Tremontane, driver of much of the action through which Alison and Anthony move.
And then it turned out she was popular. People wanted to know more about her and what happened to her after staging her death. So I started a novel, all about Zara moving on to start another new life and finding more than she bargained for. It seemed to be going really well, until I hit chapter 22, just before the final showdown--and ran out of ideas. I simply could not work out how it ended. Hoping to kick-start my imagination, I wrote Exile of the Crown, a series of short stories about Zara's life between Servant and Agent, but it didn't work. My husband suggested that maybe Zara was just too big for a novel. So I regretfully set it aside and went on to other things.
But I could never entirely let it go. That 3/4ths of a book was really good! And I loved Zara's romantic interest--yes, someone for Zara, who'd been alone for forty years--and the characters who accompanied her on her adventures. I tried writing a new version only to discover I'd fallen into a different Tremontane story, one set 80 years after the Willow North Saga, and not a Zara novel at all. (I fully intend to finish that one someday.) Finally, a year and a half after starting Voyager of the Crown, I decided to give it one last shot.
It worked. All you writers out there who are struggling to finish your dream manuscript--sometimes letting it lie fallow for a while is the solution. It took about four days to finish the book (I hadn't realized how close I was to the end) and I loved it. Probably I loved it more because I'd given up hope that it would ever be complete.
At any rate, this is Zara's story, complete with shipwrecks, pirates, death, resurrection, and True Love. I hope readers will love this addition to the series as much as I do.
It's not actually the ending. For an upcoming holiday short story collection, I managed to write a Tremontane novella. Unfortunately, writing it means sacrificing the possibility of more stories in this world. Maybe I'm wrong. If I'm not, I'm still satisfied.
Read 9/6/18: This is the book I thought would never be.
I have no memory of where Zara North came from. Five years ago, when I wrote Agent of the Crown, she was just there--Telaine's mysterious "aunt," deathless and effectively immortal, but I can't remember why I came up with her or what I intended for her. In writing Servant of the Crown, she came into her own--the powerful Queen of Tremontane, driver of much of the action through which Alison and Anthony move.
And then it turned out she was popular. People wanted to know more about her and what happened to her after staging her death. So I started a novel, all about Zara moving on to start another new life and finding more than she bargained for. It seemed to be going really well, until I hit chapter 22, just before the final showdown--and ran out of ideas. I simply could not work out how it ended. Hoping to kick-start my imagination, I wrote Exile of the Crown, a series of short stories about Zara's life between Servant and Agent, but it didn't work. My husband suggested that maybe Zara was just too big for a novel. So I regretfully set it aside and went on to other things.
But I could never entirely let it go. That 3/4ths of a book was really good! And I loved Zara's romantic interest--yes, someone for Zara, who'd been alone for forty years--and the characters who accompanied her on her adventures. I tried writing a new version only to discover I'd fallen into a different Tremontane story, one set 80 years after the Willow North Saga, and not a Zara novel at all. (I fully intend to finish that one someday.) Finally, a year and a half after starting Voyager of the Crown, I decided to give it one last shot.
It worked. All you writers out there who are struggling to finish your dream manuscript--sometimes letting it lie fallow for a while is the solution. It took about four days to finish the book (I hadn't realized how close I was to the end) and I loved it. Probably I loved it more because I'd given up hope that it would ever be complete.
At any rate, this is Zara's story, complete with shipwrecks, pirates, death, resurrection, and True Love. I hope readers will love this addition to the series as much as I do.
Read
September 16, 2018I actually finished this book within a day of starting it, but I wanted to review it closer to the pub date. New readers could begin here, as McShane does an excellent job of sketching in what you need to know, but to truly enjoy the book I strongly recommend starting at the beginning of this series.
For one thing, Zara North changes her name a couple of times in this book. Readers familiar with the series will have no trouble with these name changes because they know who Zara is, and why she had to reinvent herself every generation. But mostly, the reader can get the full impact of Zara's story by knowing the story of her family.
There is a ton of action in this novel, the pacing ranging from brisk to white-knuckle as Zara and her new companions try to outrun pirates while traveling to a new region that is not especially friendly to outsiders. Different cultures and tough jungle traipsing, complete with dangerous wildlife, keep things moving fast, but highlighting everything are the sparks between the itinerant doctor who goes by the name Ransom, and Zara.
I have to admit I had some trouble with aspects of Zara's emotional arc; it was at times difficult to believe her reactions, and choices, would be those of a woman nearly a century old. But I suspect that this would actually be a feature for most readers, who should enjoy Zara's feisty views of life and love, and her struggle not to "come the queen" when she's supposed to be a simple tradeswoman. (Oh, but it's so satisfying when she lets out her inner Zara!)
All in all a satisfying conclusion to this series.
Copy provided by author.
For one thing, Zara North changes her name a couple of times in this book. Readers familiar with the series will have no trouble with these name changes because they know who Zara is, and why she had to reinvent herself every generation. But mostly, the reader can get the full impact of Zara's story by knowing the story of her family.
There is a ton of action in this novel, the pacing ranging from brisk to white-knuckle as Zara and her new companions try to outrun pirates while traveling to a new region that is not especially friendly to outsiders. Different cultures and tough jungle traipsing, complete with dangerous wildlife, keep things moving fast, but highlighting everything are the sparks between the itinerant doctor who goes by the name Ransom, and Zara.
I have to admit I had some trouble with aspects of Zara's emotional arc; it was at times difficult to believe her reactions, and choices, would be those of a woman nearly a century old. But I suspect that this would actually be a feature for most readers, who should enjoy Zara's feisty views of life and love, and her struggle not to "come the queen" when she's supposed to be a simple tradeswoman. (Oh, but it's so satisfying when she lets out her inner Zara!)
All in all a satisfying conclusion to this series.
Copy provided by author.
September 19, 2018
This is fourth in a series. You can read this one as a stand-alone, but Zara plays important side roles in the first and third so you may enjoy reading in order.
Okay, so my standard, non-standard disclaimer applies. Namely, that I'm not unbiased, though I always strive for honesty. I've read this book four times at this point, in various stages of its development—mainly because Melissa likes to bounce ideas off me occasionally while writing and this one more than most for some reason.
Anywaaaay. I've loved Zara since meeting her in Agent of the Crown (fun fact, the first written, though they were published in chronological order). She's smart and determined and willing to do the hard things, even though they're thankless and, well, hard. And I really wanted her to have a happily ever after with someone who would love her without needing to change her. So I was thrilled to meet Ransom and discover what a great fit he is.
It did take a bit for me to warm to him at first, though. He's a bit of a curmudgeon and it was hard to see him so resistant to helping them when they needed his help so much. And then we got to see him working and come to understand how important caring for others is for him and to see how central that is to his character. So it didn't take long for me to like him in his own right and not just because I could see how perfect he'd be for Zara.
I'm a romantic at heart so I mention the relationship first, but that's probably a disservice to the story. The pace for this story is breathtaking and it's probably more of an adventure story than anything else if you come right down to it. It doesn't take long for me to get swept up into the story even having read it enough to know what is coming.
Anyway, I'll wrap here. This is a great addition to the Tremontane series and I'm so glad Zara got such a fantastic story.
A note about Chaste: This is a chaste story with only a couple kisses on page. There's mention of sex, though not in any detail at all.
Okay, so my standard, non-standard disclaimer applies. Namely, that I'm not unbiased, though I always strive for honesty. I've read this book four times at this point, in various stages of its development—mainly because Melissa likes to bounce ideas off me occasionally while writing and this one more than most for some reason.
Anywaaaay. I've loved Zara since meeting her in Agent of the Crown (fun fact, the first written, though they were published in chronological order). She's smart and determined and willing to do the hard things, even though they're thankless and, well, hard. And I really wanted her to have a happily ever after with someone who would love her without needing to change her. So I was thrilled to meet Ransom and discover what a great fit he is.
It did take a bit for me to warm to him at first, though. He's a bit of a curmudgeon and it was hard to see him so resistant to helping them when they needed his help so much. And then we got to see him working and come to understand how important caring for others is for him and to see how central that is to his character. So it didn't take long for me to like him in his own right and not just because I could see how perfect he'd be for Zara.
I'm a romantic at heart so I mention the relationship first, but that's probably a disservice to the story. The pace for this story is breathtaking and it's probably more of an adventure story than anything else if you come right down to it. It doesn't take long for me to get swept up into the story even having read it enough to know what is coming.
Anyway, I'll wrap here. This is a great addition to the Tremontane series and I'm so glad Zara got such a fantastic story.
A note about Chaste: This is a chaste story with only a couple kisses on page. There's mention of sex, though not in any detail at all.
September 24, 2018
Willow is still my favorite... But Zara holds a special place in my heart too - I've been intrigued by her personality and no nonsense leadership since Servant of the Crown - and I was so happy to get a whole novel dedicated to our favorite nearly immortal queen of Tremontane.
When I heard this book was coming I was curious over how the author would manage Zara's secrets and how she could find someone who could be a romantic match without a built in tragedy. I am really pleased with the results of both. Ransom totally holds his own and gives as good as he gets. It doesn't hurt that he's hot. (And for those who might be worried the romance is very important, but it is in good balance with the rest of the story which is full of action, adventure, wild jungles, politics and pirates!)
I am always happy to get to see more of Tremontane and it was fun to be taken far away from the familiar lands and get a glimpse into other places in the world and how they work. I like seeing the different responses to natural magic and source and how that comes into play as far as the politics and personalities of each nation.
It's also great to see Zara continuing to develop as a person. There were bits here that were Queen Zara. Bits that were Agatha Weaver. And bits that were brand new as she continues to develop and change. I always worry with very old/immortal characters that they will end up stagnate and boring (Forever 17? Ugh.). But Zara is anything but boring.
Long live the Queen. :)
When I heard this book was coming I was curious over how the author would manage Zara's secrets and how she could find someone who could be a romantic match without a built in tragedy. I am really pleased with the results of both. Ransom totally holds his own and gives as good as he gets. It doesn't hurt that he's hot. (And for those who might be worried the romance is very important, but it is in good balance with the rest of the story which is full of action, adventure, wild jungles, politics and pirates!)
I am always happy to get to see more of Tremontane and it was fun to be taken far away from the familiar lands and get a glimpse into other places in the world and how they work. I like seeing the different responses to natural magic and source and how that comes into play as far as the politics and personalities of each nation.
It's also great to see Zara continuing to develop as a person. There were bits here that were Queen Zara. Bits that were Agatha Weaver. And bits that were brand new as she continues to develop and change. I always worry with very old/immortal characters that they will end up stagnate and boring (Forever 17? Ugh.). But Zara is anything but boring.
Long live the Queen. :)
September 15, 2018
Zara North is such an intriguing character and this is a different view of her than we have seen in previous books in the series. Usually in books and movies when we hear about an immortal character we get a glossing over of how long they've lived, fortunes they've amassed and deaths they've faked, identities they've shed and created anew. This book is different in that we see the start of a new life instead of coming in in the middle of one.
And it works wonderfully well. Especially with a heavy dose of Melissa McShane adventure. Pirates, shipwrecks, rescues and the like. With an entertaining cast of secondary characters to keep the MCs company.
And it works wonderfully well. Especially with a heavy dose of Melissa McShane adventure. Pirates, shipwrecks, rescues and the like. With an entertaining cast of secondary characters to keep the MCs company.
October 27, 2018
I love how it all turned out for Zara.
October 3, 2019
Zara North gets her own book in this fourth volume of the Crown of Tremontane series. As with the previous volumes, though, since each book takes place about a generation apart and therefore stands well enough on its own, a newcomer could start here if they wanted. Still, you'll appreciate Zara even more if you've already read the other books in the series.
Once the Queen of Tremontane, Zara has inherent magic that constantly heals her, erasing the process of aging and rendering her virtually immortal. While in her eighties in reality, she looks like she's merely in her thirties. And it's time for her to start yet another new life, otherwise the people of her current home will grow suspicious that she doesn't look any older than she did when she first arrived there.
Zara is craving adventure, something different from the weaver's life she's led since faking her own assassination. She journeys south to the mysterious country of Dinah-Karit, a land we've heard very little about so far in the books. She ends up with more adventure than she planned when pirates attack her ship and she is stranded with a few unlikely companions in a strange jungle.
Fortunately, Zara is level-headed and a natural-born leader. She ends up using her long-forgotten skills as a queen to help her companions survive their treacherous journey. Along the way, they join forces with Ransom, a young doctor who also has magic that allows him to heal others. Together, they all learn the secret of a mysterious Device - a magical invention - that is the object the pirates are seeking.
I enjoyed this adventure into new lands. Zara is a great character. I like her pragmatism and it was nice to spend so much time reading from her perspective. I do feel like this story wasn't quite as ... epic as I think she deserves. The central conflict tries to be world-changing, but I never really felt like the stakes were that high.
Overall, though, I don't have any major complaints. The author has indicated she's not done with Tremontane yet, and I for one am looking forward to what happens next in this fantasy world.
Disclaimer: I do know the author, if only through Goodreads, and while that is the reason I was aware of and decided to read this book, it has not influenced my rating. She did not contact me to ask me to read or review this book.
Once the Queen of Tremontane, Zara has inherent magic that constantly heals her, erasing the process of aging and rendering her virtually immortal. While in her eighties in reality, she looks like she's merely in her thirties. And it's time for her to start yet another new life, otherwise the people of her current home will grow suspicious that she doesn't look any older than she did when she first arrived there.
Zara is craving adventure, something different from the weaver's life she's led since faking her own assassination. She journeys south to the mysterious country of Dinah-Karit, a land we've heard very little about so far in the books. She ends up with more adventure than she planned when pirates attack her ship and she is stranded with a few unlikely companions in a strange jungle.
Fortunately, Zara is level-headed and a natural-born leader. She ends up using her long-forgotten skills as a queen to help her companions survive their treacherous journey. Along the way, they join forces with Ransom, a young doctor who also has magic that allows him to heal others. Together, they all learn the secret of a mysterious Device - a magical invention - that is the object the pirates are seeking.
I enjoyed this adventure into new lands. Zara is a great character. I like her pragmatism and it was nice to spend so much time reading from her perspective. I do feel like this story wasn't quite as ... epic as I think she deserves. The central conflict tries to be world-changing, but I never really felt like the stakes were that high.
Overall, though, I don't have any major complaints. The author has indicated she's not done with Tremontane yet, and I for one am looking forward to what happens next in this fantasy world.
Disclaimer: I do know the author, if only through Goodreads, and while that is the reason I was aware of and decided to read this book, it has not influenced my rating. She did not contact me to ask me to read or review this book.
September 22, 2020
I think this and the first one were my favourite of the series
September 13, 2018
When does a book deserve 5 stars? For me, when I have trouble putting it down, when I think about the characters when I’m not reading, and when I’m sad when it ends, wishing there was another book to read where I could continue following their adventures. I’ve loved all of the books in the “Crown of Tremontane” series, and was looking forward to finding out more about this particular character. In this book McShane explores the question of what it would truly be like to live forever, mixing in plenty of adventure while letting us explore yet another corner of the intriguing and creative, yet solidly consistent, world she’s built for this series. I admit it was slightly predictable, but I honestly don’t mind knowing that the good guys will win and everyone will get a happy ending. A well-written, fast-paced novel with a good storyline and multi-faceted interesting characters, set in a believable and fascinating world? Give me more like this book, please! I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader’s copy of this book, but all opinions are my own, and no review was required.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2018
Voyager of the crown definitely has a different feel from all the other books in the series, but that’s not a bad thing, in fact, I think because it was so different that I enjoyed it so much. On this one, we, at long last, see Zara get her happily ever after and honestly it was just so satisfying. I liked that instead of being at court or filled with political intrigue this book was about survival and counting on each other when literally anything could be after them, be it an actual person or an animal. It did have a little bit of some political things in there that got the plot moving, but it didn’t involve any courts or royal families like the others. In this one, we get a whole new cast of characters aside from our wonderful Zara and a familiar face appearing here and there, but they don’t appear long enough to outshine the new characters. And my favourite was definitely Ransom, his bickering with Zara was just my favourite and to see their relationship growing was simply amazing, and to see what secrets he had been hiding as well, and by the end every private moment between the two of them was just absolutely swoony. I do hope we get to see more of this world because it never fails to entertain me and leave me wanting more, but for the moment it was nice to go back and see it again one more time.
* I received a copy of this book, but all thoughts and opinions are my own
* I received a copy of this book, but all thoughts and opinions are my own
September 18, 2018
Melissa McShane’s The Crown of Tremontane series has been a total pleasure. Each book has been a totally separate tale with some connection to Tremontane and it’s court, though that connection has been weaker each time. Now in Voyager of the Crown (The Crown of Tremontane Book 4), we get the story of Zara North, Queen of Tremontane, who fakes her own death so that her magical self-healing and unaging will not be discovered. Her eventually voyage, shipwreck and transformation are covered in the publisher’s blurb and I won’t add more as I don’t want to spoil things. Instead I will simply note that this is a wonderful tale with a fantastic cast and plot, totally different from the prior books but sharing their own magic. You simply cannot go wrong reading this and, as with all the books in this series, it can easily be read on a stand alone basis. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I miss Tremontane already.
September 28, 2018
4.5 Stars
Good book but some of the things I loved about the previous Tremontane books were missing here.
So Zara North (if you have read the previous books you know who she is and her special circumstances) - she decides to go off on an adventure after having lived a quiet life for a long time. She is an awesome character and very well written (as are the rest of the characters). She gets involved in a frantic rescue mission, falls in love etc.
However - what I loved about the previous books was the romance was a slow one, building up to a relationship. Here however the main couple has only known each other for a few weeks and they are in love - despite some really big issues (ie age gap, deathlessness)
Also because this was more of an action book than the previous ones - not as much description/world building etc - not my fav.
And if it was me - I would have thrown the stupid device away as soon as I realized the pirates could track it. Items are not worth our lives - and Zara didn't even know what it was or if/why it was important! Could have saved everyone the pain.
But all in all still a good conclusion to the series
Good book but some of the things I loved about the previous Tremontane books were missing here.
So Zara North (if you have read the previous books you know who she is and her special circumstances) - she decides to go off on an adventure after having lived a quiet life for a long time. She is an awesome character and very well written (as are the rest of the characters). She gets involved in a frantic rescue mission, falls in love etc.
However - what I loved about the previous books was the romance was a slow one, building up to a relationship. Here however the main couple has only known each other for a few weeks and they are in love - despite some really big issues (ie age gap, deathlessness)
Also because this was more of an action book than the previous ones - not as much description/world building etc - not my fav.
And if it was me - I would have thrown the stupid device away as soon as I realized the pirates could track it. Items are not worth our lives - and Zara didn't even know what it was or if/why it was important! Could have saved everyone the pain.
But all in all still a good conclusion to the series
January 7, 2019
Zara North is flat out fun to read. Strong and feisty, she’s a match for just about anything. Even if you know how it’s going to end up, it’s fun watching her get there.
I like seeing a wider view of the world in this series. The side characters seem like real, multi-dimensional people. All the plot points are a good balance between being logical and making the characters work for the progress. And they’re allowed to make mistakes and be stupid from time to time without losing their likability. Which seems like a hard balance to achieve.
I got an advance copy of this book to review, but the thoughts are mine. :)
I like seeing a wider view of the world in this series. The side characters seem like real, multi-dimensional people. All the plot points are a good balance between being logical and making the characters work for the progress. And they’re allowed to make mistakes and be stupid from time to time without losing their likability. Which seems like a hard balance to achieve.
I got an advance copy of this book to review, but the thoughts are mine. :)
March 31, 2020
Aaah! I forgot how much I loved this series, and why I've been planning on reading other stuff by Melissa McShane. God, I enjoyed this one so, so much. I was waiting on Zara's story ever since the first book, and only got a very disappointing novella. But this installment absolutely made up for it 100 %. Zara is just a badass and I'm glad I could read about her finally getting the happy ending she deserved.
September 27, 2018
Voyager of the Crown is fourth installment from Melissa McShane's The Crown the Tremontane series. I think this is my favorite of the series. I loved Zara's story. So intriguing.
I give Voyager of the Crown five stars.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I give Voyager of the Crown five stars.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
October 12, 2018
For some reason, I didn't realize this was #4 in a series until I started reading it. But that didn't matter. There were a few places where I thought it would have helped to have read the others first, but overall, this book was well done enough that I still fully enjoyed it.
I loved the strength of the main character, the adventure. I'm definitely going to go back and read the others now!
I loved the strength of the main character, the adventure. I'm definitely going to go back and read the others now!
January 27, 2020
I didn't think I needed another story about Zara, but boy was I wrong. Melissa McShane, and anything in relation to Tremontane, is now firmly moved into my auto-buy list . . . sad to have finished The Crown of Tremontane, but glad that I have The Saga of Willow North to move onto on a rainy day.
June 1, 2021
Wonderful series! I read all 10 books in chronological order.
Saga of Willow North, Heirs of Willow North, Crown of Tremontane with the novella Exile if the Crown.
The whole series covers over 200 years of Tremontane history. Strong, interesting heroines and the men (royal or not) they love. Lots of adventure and romance.
Highly recommend them all!
Saga of Willow North, Heirs of Willow North, Crown of Tremontane with the novella Exile if the Crown.
The whole series covers over 200 years of Tremontane history. Strong, interesting heroines and the men (royal or not) they love. Lots of adventure and romance.
Highly recommend them all!
September 21, 2018
Always like this series
I always like this series. I am glad that Zara found someone. Interesting journey through the wilderness wish there was a little more world changes, but overall a fun story
I always like this series. I am glad that Zara found someone. Interesting journey through the wilderness wish there was a little more world changes, but overall a fun story
January 16, 2020
This is the fourth book in a series. The first wasn’t especially great. But it kept me reading. My husband assures me they got better. They did. I really liked the series as a whole. It’s more of a series of love stories than fantasy, but they have some excitement to them.
September 20, 2018
Fabulous
I love Zara North. This was a great story that suited her. My only critic is it need too abruptly. I did want to see more of their crews endings.
I love Zara North. This was a great story that suited her. My only critic is it need too abruptly. I did want to see more of their crews endings.
September 20, 2018
A wonderful end to a fantastic series. I enjoyed every aspect of this and am so happy that Zara gets her happy ending with someone she can be honest with.
November 12, 2018
3.5 stars. Decent enough book, but nothing remarkable. Although it's not strictly necessary to have read previous books in series, if you have read them this book is a good sequel.
June 20, 2019
Favorite of the series, equal parts Pirates of the Caribbean and the African Queen.
September 14, 2021
A nice ending to the series.
December 25, 2021
good ending to the series
A nice finish to the series. We finally get to visit the last unexplored country, and wrap up Zara’s character.
A nice finish to the series. We finally get to visit the last unexplored country, and wrap up Zara’s character.
December 28, 2022
i loved it
March 18, 2019
This book is everything I’ve been waiting for! Zara embarks on what should be a simple voyage to start a new life in a new land, but instead finds adventure, danger, friendship, love...and pirates. As her journey becomes more perilous, Zara struggles to keep her inherent magic and true identity secret from her unintended traveling companions, foreign guards, and those who wish her harm. But she just might discover that trusting someone is worth the risk.
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