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A Sea of Pearls & Leaves
Princess Ingrid of Norella Isle does not want to get married. So, her priestess girlfriend, Lilura, devises a wicked plot to deter suitors with a nearly impossible marriage contract: should Ingrid die first, her husband must be buried at sea beside her.
The plan backfires when all seven suitors agree, and the king announces a competition for Ingrid’s hand. Ingrid must keep her head above water as she deals with the suitors, a jealous girlfriend, and the news of two murdered priestesses.
As the suitors are eliminated, one man stands out: the quirky and anxious Prince Soren who charms both Ingrid and Lilura.
When Lilura goes missing, Ingrid and Soren must piece together who has murdered the priestesses and why before it’s too late.
CW: This novel contains violence, sexual situations, and adult language.
A Sea of Pearls & Leaves is a twisted retelling of the Grimm's fairy tale "The Three Snake-Leaves."
The plan backfires when all seven suitors agree, and the king announces a competition for Ingrid’s hand. Ingrid must keep her head above water as she deals with the suitors, a jealous girlfriend, and the news of two murdered priestesses.
As the suitors are eliminated, one man stands out: the quirky and anxious Prince Soren who charms both Ingrid and Lilura.
When Lilura goes missing, Ingrid and Soren must piece together who has murdered the priestesses and why before it’s too late.
CW: This novel contains violence, sexual situations, and adult language.
A Sea of Pearls & Leaves is a twisted retelling of the Grimm's fairy tale "The Three Snake-Leaves."
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2020
15 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 29, 2021
A wonderful book! When Princess Ingrid and her sorcereress lover, Lilura, are almost torn apart by King Rolf's plans to marry Ingrid to a Prince, they didn't expect the sweet, shy, and brave Prince Soren. Magical leaves, a journal and a hidden cipher, Gods, murderers, and challenges to narrow down Princess Ingrid's potential husband, all culminates in an exciting climax featuring three brave souls who know what (and who!) they want and aren't afraid to show the world. I loved it. First book I've read by the author, but I already have the other book, A Crown of Bones on my Kindle and I look forward to getting stuck in. A beautiful polyamorous fantasy romance with bisexual MCs.
December 21, 2020
3.5 stars
for a lovely fairytale retelling with a twist.
Ingrid is a princess who doesn't want to get married. Could be because she is in love with her best friend Lilura, who happens to be a sorcerer priestess. :) But the Kingdom needs an heir and the King insists. So seven suitors are called for Ingrid to choose from. Lilura, devises a wicked plot to deter said suitors with a nearly impossible marriage contract but the plan backfires and in no time Ingrid finds herself caught in a royal competition in between all 7 princes who not only agree to her absurd claims but are set on winning her hand.
Now Lilura is faced with Ingrid's growing affections for a certain quirky prince with a love for letters and numbers, while Ingrid must find a way to appease both her father, her heart and her jealous girlfriend.
And to top it all off, Ingrid needs to deal with a creepy doppelgänger stalker as well as a murder mystery that endangers way more than her own life.
Light, quirky and endearing, this sweet little tale features a lovely cast of adorable characters as well as great mythological creatures like halflings, harpies and gods. It is a bit predictable at times and fairytalelike at others, while the vocabulary combining modern and medieval terms felt a little jarring. But then, it is a fairytale after all.
The charm and quirkiness of some characters and the raw emotions of others were absolutely fabulous. And even though Ingrid is the princess, Liluria stole the show for me. She is one character I absolutely adored. Her strength and raw feelings, her longing to be accepted and loved as well as her journey of self-acceptance tugged on all my heartstrings.
All in all, A Sea of Pearls & Leaves is a lovely mix of humor, magic, mystery and love. It's fun and alluring and absolutely refreshing.
It is pretty tame considering the warning
'CW: This novel contains violence, sexual situations, and adult language.'
And if you're worried about the love triangle - don't be. It is a perfect fit for this tale.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
for a lovely fairytale retelling with a twist.
Ingrid is a princess who doesn't want to get married. Could be because she is in love with her best friend Lilura, who happens to be a sorcerer priestess. :) But the Kingdom needs an heir and the King insists. So seven suitors are called for Ingrid to choose from. Lilura, devises a wicked plot to deter said suitors with a nearly impossible marriage contract but the plan backfires and in no time Ingrid finds herself caught in a royal competition in between all 7 princes who not only agree to her absurd claims but are set on winning her hand.
Now Lilura is faced with Ingrid's growing affections for a certain quirky prince with a love for letters and numbers, while Ingrid must find a way to appease both her father, her heart and her jealous girlfriend.
And to top it all off, Ingrid needs to deal with a creepy doppelgänger stalker as well as a murder mystery that endangers way more than her own life.
Light, quirky and endearing, this sweet little tale features a lovely cast of adorable characters as well as great mythological creatures like halflings, harpies and gods. It is a bit predictable at times and fairytalelike at others, while the vocabulary combining modern and medieval terms felt a little jarring. But then, it is a fairytale after all.
The charm and quirkiness of some characters and the raw emotions of others were absolutely fabulous. And even though Ingrid is the princess, Liluria stole the show for me. She is one character I absolutely adored. Her strength and raw feelings, her longing to be accepted and loved as well as her journey of self-acceptance tugged on all my heartstrings.
All in all, A Sea of Pearls & Leaves is a lovely mix of humor, magic, mystery and love. It's fun and alluring and absolutely refreshing.
It is pretty tame considering the warning
'CW: This novel contains violence, sexual situations, and adult language.'
And if you're worried about the love triangle - don't be. It is a perfect fit for this tale.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
April 7, 2021
https://www.bookwormblues.net/2021/04...
I recently went onto Twitter and asked for LGBTQIA+ indie fantasy recommendations (If you’ve got suggestions, hit me with them). When someone suggested A Sea of Pearls & Leaves, I knew I had to give it a try. I’m a huge sucker for fairytale retellings. While I’m not familiar with the tale this one is inspired by, I still felt the fairytale aspect of it throughout every page.
First of all, can we all take a moment to admire that cover, because it is absolutely beautiful. I could just look at it forever.
And honestly, the cover is a good representative of the book itself. It’s unique, gets your attention right away, and makes you want to know more.
A Sea of Pearls & Leaves tells the story of three people. Princess Ingrid, who is being told in no uncertain terms that it is her time to get married and produce the next generation. Ingrid’s girlfriend, Lilura, who obviously does not want Ingrid to get married (neither does Ingrid, for that matter), and Prince Soren, who sweeps into the scene along with a handful of other princes and begins to win over hearts and minds.
However, not everything is hinging on this marriage arrangement. There is plenty going on that does not focus on romance. For example, Ingrid is being stalked by some evil doppelganger, and people start dying in and around the palace.
There’s a lot to unpack, but thankfully this is the kind of book that can handle it, and manages to balance all the different elements really well. The pacing is perfect, never a dull moment, and yet the author doesn’t shy away from quiet, intimate moments either. This made things feel well balanced, never too much focus on any one aspect of the book, always something to keep the reader engaged and moving forward. Plenty of twists along the way.
I want to speak a bit about the relationships, because this book is, fundamentally, about relationships. I really enjoyed seeing a well-established relationship from the start between Ingrid and Lilura. It was stable and balanced, with each party offering something the other needed. The fact they were comfortable with each other, and their place in each other’s lives, was really refreshing. It isn’t often in fantasy where I read about established, comfortable relationships like this, and while they go through growing pains, and some changes in their dynamics with each other, it felt right and true to the nature of who they were, and their relationship.
In fact, I will say this book deals with relationships in a way I didn’t expect, and I found the sex-positive aspects (sex is spoken of, hinted at, but never explicit, really. This is not an erotica, do not mistake it as such.) also incredibly refreshing, and the representation in this book was well done, and carefully, thoughtfully written. So, bonus points for established relationships, and sex-positive dynamics.
There are three perspectives in this book, and I will say this might be where I struggled a bit. Their voices, while unique, aren’t unique enough to always be able to tell them apart, so I did occasionally find myself flipping back to the chapter headings to remind myself who I was reading about in this chapter. This was especially noticeable in Ingrid and Lilura’s chapters. However, this didn’t ultimately detract overmuch from my enjoyment of the book as a whole. As time passes, each of these characters has enough going on in their own arcs to be able to distinguish from actions easily enough.
A Sea of Pearls & Leaves is carefully written, with a flowing style that sweeps its readers away. I enjoyed how descriptive the author could be, without ever really dipping a toe into purple. She knew when to lean into things, and when to back off and leave just enough hints. She was great at dropping cues, and unraveling things in a way that kept readers engaged and constantly moving forward.
The magic system truly shines as well. I love magic systems that have definite boundaries and parameters and that’s what I found here. Magic is used, but only so much, and only for certain reasons and in certain ways. I enjoyed how thoughtfully done it was, and how it’s strengths and limitations played into the book as a whole.
All in all, A Sea of Pearls & Leaves was a surprise, and a welcome one. This book swept me away. Once I got started, I had a hard time putting it down. Well-written, thoughtfully crafted, with characters you can’t help but love, A Sea of Pearls & Leaves is well worth reading, especially if you’re a fan of LGBTQIA+ representation and fairytale retellings.
I recently went onto Twitter and asked for LGBTQIA+ indie fantasy recommendations (If you’ve got suggestions, hit me with them). When someone suggested A Sea of Pearls & Leaves, I knew I had to give it a try. I’m a huge sucker for fairytale retellings. While I’m not familiar with the tale this one is inspired by, I still felt the fairytale aspect of it throughout every page.
First of all, can we all take a moment to admire that cover, because it is absolutely beautiful. I could just look at it forever.
And honestly, the cover is a good representative of the book itself. It’s unique, gets your attention right away, and makes you want to know more.
A Sea of Pearls & Leaves tells the story of three people. Princess Ingrid, who is being told in no uncertain terms that it is her time to get married and produce the next generation. Ingrid’s girlfriend, Lilura, who obviously does not want Ingrid to get married (neither does Ingrid, for that matter), and Prince Soren, who sweeps into the scene along with a handful of other princes and begins to win over hearts and minds.
However, not everything is hinging on this marriage arrangement. There is plenty going on that does not focus on romance. For example, Ingrid is being stalked by some evil doppelganger, and people start dying in and around the palace.
There’s a lot to unpack, but thankfully this is the kind of book that can handle it, and manages to balance all the different elements really well. The pacing is perfect, never a dull moment, and yet the author doesn’t shy away from quiet, intimate moments either. This made things feel well balanced, never too much focus on any one aspect of the book, always something to keep the reader engaged and moving forward. Plenty of twists along the way.
I want to speak a bit about the relationships, because this book is, fundamentally, about relationships. I really enjoyed seeing a well-established relationship from the start between Ingrid and Lilura. It was stable and balanced, with each party offering something the other needed. The fact they were comfortable with each other, and their place in each other’s lives, was really refreshing. It isn’t often in fantasy where I read about established, comfortable relationships like this, and while they go through growing pains, and some changes in their dynamics with each other, it felt right and true to the nature of who they were, and their relationship.
In fact, I will say this book deals with relationships in a way I didn’t expect, and I found the sex-positive aspects (sex is spoken of, hinted at, but never explicit, really. This is not an erotica, do not mistake it as such.) also incredibly refreshing, and the representation in this book was well done, and carefully, thoughtfully written. So, bonus points for established relationships, and sex-positive dynamics.
There are three perspectives in this book, and I will say this might be where I struggled a bit. Their voices, while unique, aren’t unique enough to always be able to tell them apart, so I did occasionally find myself flipping back to the chapter headings to remind myself who I was reading about in this chapter. This was especially noticeable in Ingrid and Lilura’s chapters. However, this didn’t ultimately detract overmuch from my enjoyment of the book as a whole. As time passes, each of these characters has enough going on in their own arcs to be able to distinguish from actions easily enough.
A Sea of Pearls & Leaves is carefully written, with a flowing style that sweeps its readers away. I enjoyed how descriptive the author could be, without ever really dipping a toe into purple. She knew when to lean into things, and when to back off and leave just enough hints. She was great at dropping cues, and unraveling things in a way that kept readers engaged and constantly moving forward.
The magic system truly shines as well. I love magic systems that have definite boundaries and parameters and that’s what I found here. Magic is used, but only so much, and only for certain reasons and in certain ways. I enjoyed how thoughtfully done it was, and how it’s strengths and limitations played into the book as a whole.
All in all, A Sea of Pearls & Leaves was a surprise, and a welcome one. This book swept me away. Once I got started, I had a hard time putting it down. Well-written, thoughtfully crafted, with characters you can’t help but love, A Sea of Pearls & Leaves is well worth reading, especially if you’re a fan of LGBTQIA+ representation and fairytale retellings.
December 26, 2020
I loved this book! Such an intriguing and exciting (not to mention spicy!) tale. I'll admit it took me a few chapters to really get hooked, but once the third MC was introduced and the suitor challenges began, I was all in. Great pacing, diverse and endearing characters, and a unique and engaging plot make for a highly recommendable adult fantasy.
January 13, 2022
Kindle Unlimited. An interesting fairy tale with magics, sorcery, half-lings, and a princess who must make a decision and finds herself in a love triangle, and dragging her lover into it, as well.
I unfortunately just didn't realize this was a poly-throuple themed story, with first an FF romance, and then an FM/FFM resulting. I'm not really sure how this made it's way onto my kindle, since I only like WLW/FF stories.
I think even if I did know going into it - I would have a hard time believing the resulting threesome. I just never did feel it was true enough for one character, which made me sad and disappointed for her. I felt like she was only going along because she wanted to please her lover. The princess character was selfish and moody, also demanding. While the prince was far too perfect and yet unexperienced and 'coy' in only the sweetest eyerolly ways.
The resulting drama and overall storyline of the kingdom and the magics and healing and who the enemy ended up being was predictable. I just didn't feel much here.
I unfortunately just didn't realize this was a poly-throuple themed story, with first an FF romance, and then an FM/FFM resulting. I'm not really sure how this made it's way onto my kindle, since I only like WLW/FF stories.
I think even if I did know going into it - I would have a hard time believing the resulting threesome. I just never did feel it was true enough for one character, which made me sad and disappointed for her. I felt like she was only going along because she wanted to please her lover. The princess character was selfish and moody, also demanding. While the prince was far too perfect and yet unexperienced and 'coy' in only the sweetest eyerolly ways.
The resulting drama and overall storyline of the kingdom and the magics and healing and who the enemy ended up being was predictable. I just didn't feel much here.
July 28, 2022
A Sea of Pearls and Leaves is a delightful fairytale retelling (although not one that I was familiar with) with a unique twist.
This book hooked me instantly. I had a hard time putting it down. The author writes characters in a way that had me instantly falling in love with them. Coupled with a plot that was a combination of a romance and a murder mystery, this was everything I wanted in a story!
I especially appreciated the LGBTQ+ rep in this story as well as the polyamorous elements. The diversity made the book even more enjoyable for me.
This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year and I’m looking forward to reading more by this author very soon!
This book hooked me instantly. I had a hard time putting it down. The author writes characters in a way that had me instantly falling in love with them. Coupled with a plot that was a combination of a romance and a murder mystery, this was everything I wanted in a story!
I especially appreciated the LGBTQ+ rep in this story as well as the polyamorous elements. The diversity made the book even more enjoyable for me.
This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year and I’m looking forward to reading more by this author very soon!
July 8, 2021
"We don't fight against the waves; we go home with them."
Even though it's expected of her to find a husband with which to rule the kingdom of Norella and perpetuate her bloodline, Princess Ingrid of Norella Isle doesn't want to get married to the best suitor. So she and her priestess lover, Lilura, devise a plan: an impossible-to-fulfill marriage contract, by which any suitor who wants to marry Ingrid will have to go through a series of difficult quests and agree to be buried by her side underwater when she dies. But their plan backfires when all the potential suitors agree to the contract's terms and conditions... This isn't, though, the only problem Lilura and Ingrid will find themselves facing. An eerie döppelganger has been haunting Ingrid for a while now, and mysterious deaths have started happening in the island, Princess Ingrid will have to figure out how to save her kingdom, find a way to avoid an unhappy marriage, and put an end to the murders.
"Death makes life beautiful."
What an incredible story this was! Rosalyn's quill has been praised for conveying enthralling atmospheres, and I couldn't agree more with everyone who spoke highly of her prose. Every page had the right amount of description, and action, to take the reader to Norella Isle and lead them into an adventure like no other. I really enjoyed the way Rosalyn balanced the showing and the telling, as well as how smoothly the scenes flowed, blending into one another to form a hauntingly charming story I couldn't stop reading. Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm would be honoured to see that she has taken "The Three Snake-Leaves", and spun such a well-written tale inspired by their original story.
"The silk clings to my skin like guilt."
One of the things that hooked me the most while reading ASOPAL was the way there was always something to look forward to, in terms of plot and stakes. Rosalyn brought different subplots to the table, and expertly balanced the progression of each of them. I never felt like any part of the story was neglected in favour of another one, and I loved how there was always at least one mystery, or one trial, to keep me at the edge of my seat! Combined with how agile the transitions from a scene focused on X subplot to another focused on Z subplot were, this made ASOPAL a really addictive book.
"Bravery isn't about being fearless; it's about working hard despite fear."
Regarding the characters, I can't not mention Lilura and Soren as my absolute favourites! Each of them was charming in their own way. Lilura's bravery and suffering made me root for her from the very beginning, just like Soren's vulnerability and golden heart made me cheer for him in every one of the trials he, as one of Ingrid's suitors, had to face. As for the princess..., I'm a little sad that, for some reason, I couldn't quite connect to her. I think it had to do with the way I was so deeply connected with Lilura and her struggles, I felt bad when Ingrid failed to understand her lover and what she was going through, or when the differences in their sex drives and the so-so communication between them turned into misunderstandings and hurt feelings. A lot of people do adore Ingrid, from the looks of other reviews, so mind you, this is a very personal (and unpopular) opinion! Taking into account that she's the main character, though, these ambivalent feelings towards her did, sometimes, make me lose a little interest in what happened to her. I was far more invested in the other characters. Also, MAJOR CHEERS for the lovely poly rep!
This being said, ASOPAL is a book I would really recommend to anyone looking for a good, eerie story with fairy tale vibes; an enthralling prose; and mysteries to keep them up long after the lights should've been out!
**
[CWs: Anxiety, Blood, Death, Explicit sexual content, Graphic injuries (mild), Loss of a loved one, Misogynistic language (brief, challenged), Poisoning, Racism (against another species, challenged), Suicidal thoughts, Violence]
May 27, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. The lore was so enchanting and well thought through, it was a pleasure to dive into the watery world Rosalyn Briar has created. I also really loved seeing a sex-positive female main character and an anxious male lead - as well as the exploration of a polyamorous relationship. Lots of tropes subverted here which was refreshing and affirming. Looking forward to reading more work from this author.
April 22, 2021
I have to say that this is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read. Briar's prose flows like poetry across the page, giving me the sense of being on a beach with warm waves washing over me and giving great comfort. A masterfully crafted story, with characters so well-developed I could actually picture every single one of them in my mind while reading. I would definitely love to see this one on the silver screen.
February 4, 2021
A Sea of Pearls and Leaves is an incredible book! I loved everything about it and can't wait to read more book by Rosalyn Briar!
December 23, 2020
Huge thanks to the author for the arc!!!
This book felt so pretty in my hands. The cover is gorgeous.
Anyway, I've been dipping my toes into books outside the norm, and starting to shy away from big 5 publications and give indie authors a chance. As an indie author myself, reaching readers is crucial to success. Books like A Sea of Pearls and Leaves show me that there are diamonds in the rough.
Ingrid is next in line in the succession of her kingdom-a kingdom that needs an heir. Tricky thing is, Ingrid is in love with a woman. But the king doesn't GOF. He sends for seven princes to come and try to woo Ingrid's hand, but she and Lilura have other plans, plans that backfire horribly. Ingrid finds herself in the middle of the competition for her hand. All the while, there's a mystery to be solved, a prince to fall for, and lots of drama all around.
I loved the quirkiness of this book. I wasn't expecting to fall in love with every character They are so well done. Ingrid is a character to root for. I felt connected to her plight. And shy Soren is such a cinnamon roll that I just want to hug and keep safe forever. I totally get his anxiety. It spoke to me.
If you love fairy tales, queer stories, magic, a sex-positive plot-line, and fierce women, this is the book for you.
This book felt so pretty in my hands. The cover is gorgeous.
Anyway, I've been dipping my toes into books outside the norm, and starting to shy away from big 5 publications and give indie authors a chance. As an indie author myself, reaching readers is crucial to success. Books like A Sea of Pearls and Leaves show me that there are diamonds in the rough.
Ingrid is next in line in the succession of her kingdom-a kingdom that needs an heir. Tricky thing is, Ingrid is in love with a woman. But the king doesn't GOF. He sends for seven princes to come and try to woo Ingrid's hand, but she and Lilura have other plans, plans that backfire horribly. Ingrid finds herself in the middle of the competition for her hand. All the while, there's a mystery to be solved, a prince to fall for, and lots of drama all around.
I loved the quirkiness of this book. I wasn't expecting to fall in love with every character They are so well done. Ingrid is a character to root for. I felt connected to her plight. And shy Soren is such a cinnamon roll that I just want to hug and keep safe forever. I totally get his anxiety. It spoke to me.
If you love fairy tales, queer stories, magic, a sex-positive plot-line, and fierce women, this is the book for you.
December 2, 2020
A wonderfully intriguing and wholly captivating retelling of the Grimm Fairytale "The Three Snake-Leaves", but make it queer.
Briar builds an intricate world of magic, betrayal, competition, and murder. Her writing style drew me in from the first sentence and only drew me in deeper the more I kept reading.
"It visits in murky waters. It visits in mirrors. It visits in windows. Storm clouds. Shadows. Even polished silverware. This time, though, is different."
What we have:
- a bisexual princess (Ingrid)
- a king forcing his daughter to find a husband
- a sorceress girlfriend who manipulates the law to keep her princess (Lilura)
- a competition of 7 princes for the princess' hand
- a murder mystery
- priestesses, sorcerers, gods, harpies, halflings, and snakes
While some of these things I was able to infer (which prince is chosen and the murderer), I found myself still entirely captivated by the story and shouting out warnings to the other characters.
Incorporating the marriage contract from the original story, Ingrid & Lilura demand that Ingrid's husband must agree to be buried at sea next to her, should she die first. To their surprise, all 7 suitors agreed and the competition commenced.
If you want to see men competing for a princess and a princess who is not at all interested in finding a husband, then this book is for you. It's also perfect for those who love the sea, magic, gods, and solving murders.
TWs: murder, violence, sexual situations, and adult language
I was provided with an ARC of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. A Sea of Pearls and Leaves comes out on December 1, 2020.
Briar builds an intricate world of magic, betrayal, competition, and murder. Her writing style drew me in from the first sentence and only drew me in deeper the more I kept reading.
"It visits in murky waters. It visits in mirrors. It visits in windows. Storm clouds. Shadows. Even polished silverware. This time, though, is different."
What we have:
- a bisexual princess (Ingrid)
- a king forcing his daughter to find a husband
- a sorceress girlfriend who manipulates the law to keep her princess (Lilura)
- a competition of 7 princes for the princess' hand
- a murder mystery
- priestesses, sorcerers, gods, harpies, halflings, and snakes
While some of these things I was able to infer (which prince is chosen and the murderer), I found myself still entirely captivated by the story and shouting out warnings to the other characters.
Incorporating the marriage contract from the original story, Ingrid & Lilura demand that Ingrid's husband must agree to be buried at sea next to her, should she die first. To their surprise, all 7 suitors agreed and the competition commenced.
If you want to see men competing for a princess and a princess who is not at all interested in finding a husband, then this book is for you. It's also perfect for those who love the sea, magic, gods, and solving murders.
TWs: murder, violence, sexual situations, and adult language
I was provided with an ARC of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. A Sea of Pearls and Leaves comes out on December 1, 2020.
July 12, 2021
I purchased a signed copy of A Sea of Leaves and Pearls from the author and I am so glad I did. I absolutely LOVED this book! It has everything from mythology, action, adventure, murder, mystery and a divine love triangle. Briar’s writing is elegant and strong. The sexual situations are saucy and I gained a new book boyfriend. Hello Soren the Savior (enter swooning here)! This was an easy read that I devoured in just two days. Highly, highly, highly recommended!
May 28, 2021
Rosalyn Briar crafts a fast-paced story of love and romance in "A Sea of Pearls & Leaves." Early on, the plot reads like something out of Shakespeare: though Princess Ingrid wants to be with her girlfriend Lilura, her father attempts to arrange a marriage to one of seven men, and a tournament ensues where the seven suitors compete for Ingrid's hand.
At every turn, Rosalyn tells her story with incredible care and delightful drama. Her characters are strong-willed and clever. Through all that happens, the reader does not lose sight of the love at stake in this story. She writes in the first person, naming chapters for their protagonist a la George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" series. We constantly have an intimate insight into events as they unfold, and Rosalyn connects all the dots as she moves her story to a satisfying and beautiful conclusion.
As someone belonging to the LGBTQ community, I thoroughly enjoyed the representation at play here. Primary characters Ingrid and Lilura are partners from the outset, and later in the story, we see bisexual and polyamorous representation that is done without resorting to fetishization and a demeaning of the LGBTQ community.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced drama, LGBTQ representation, and a story that feels Shakespearean in its craft and telling.
At every turn, Rosalyn tells her story with incredible care and delightful drama. Her characters are strong-willed and clever. Through all that happens, the reader does not lose sight of the love at stake in this story. She writes in the first person, naming chapters for their protagonist a la George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" series. We constantly have an intimate insight into events as they unfold, and Rosalyn connects all the dots as she moves her story to a satisfying and beautiful conclusion.
As someone belonging to the LGBTQ community, I thoroughly enjoyed the representation at play here. Primary characters Ingrid and Lilura are partners from the outset, and later in the story, we see bisexual and polyamorous representation that is done without resorting to fetishization and a demeaning of the LGBTQ community.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced drama, LGBTQ representation, and a story that feels Shakespearean in its craft and telling.
February 28, 2021
Wow, did I fall head-over-heels for this book! A Sea of Pearls & Leaves by author Rosalyn Briar hooked me from the beginning and didn’t let go. What a beautiful tale of love, of magic, and of real bravery—not that fake machismo stuff. As a fellow fantasy writer and long-time reader of fantasy, I have to say how nice it is to feel represented in this book! Finally MCs I can relate to in a fantasy setting.
The strongest part of this book for me was the characters. I fell in love with all three MCs: Princess Ingrid, Lilura, and Prince Soren. I cared about them. I thought about them when I wasn’t reading. Princess Ingrid knows the time is coming soon when she must choose a husband. She and her magical girlfriend, priestess Lilura, worry about that day and devise a plan to chase Ingrid’s suitors away. It works for a time, but then the day arrives when Ingrid must make a choice. During the competitions for Ingrid’s hand, priestesses mysteriously start dying in the kingdom. A murderer is on the loose and the palace goes into lockdown. Only one suitor befriends Princess Ingrid: the anxiety ridden, awkward but adorable Prince Soren. Together, the three of them try to unlock the mystery behind the murders and stave off other suitors.
As well as being a great story, with lovable characters, it was nice to read a story where these LGBTQ characters have agency. The power of their love is highlighted and the stresses of their orientation are portrayed in an authentic manner that this reader found to be beautiful and moving.
Overall, this is a lovely story of sea magic, love, and mystery. I loved every minute of it, and A Sea of Pearls & Leaves has become an all-time favorite of mine.
The strongest part of this book for me was the characters. I fell in love with all three MCs: Princess Ingrid, Lilura, and Prince Soren. I cared about them. I thought about them when I wasn’t reading. Princess Ingrid knows the time is coming soon when she must choose a husband. She and her magical girlfriend, priestess Lilura, worry about that day and devise a plan to chase Ingrid’s suitors away. It works for a time, but then the day arrives when Ingrid must make a choice. During the competitions for Ingrid’s hand, priestesses mysteriously start dying in the kingdom. A murderer is on the loose and the palace goes into lockdown. Only one suitor befriends Princess Ingrid: the anxiety ridden, awkward but adorable Prince Soren. Together, the three of them try to unlock the mystery behind the murders and stave off other suitors.
As well as being a great story, with lovable characters, it was nice to read a story where these LGBTQ characters have agency. The power of their love is highlighted and the stresses of their orientation are portrayed in an authentic manner that this reader found to be beautiful and moving.
Overall, this is a lovely story of sea magic, love, and mystery. I loved every minute of it, and A Sea of Pearls & Leaves has become an all-time favorite of mine.
February 12, 2021
I was granted a complimentary review copy of A Sea of Pearls & Leaves as part of my participation in the February 2021 blog tour for this title through Storytellers On Tour. Thank you to all involved in granting me this opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.
Blog post: https://www.westveilpublishing.com/?p...
First of all, let me say that the cover design for this book is absolutely stunning and definitely played a big part in making me request a review stop on the tour rather than simply spotlighting the book or featuring some prewritten promo materials. The art style on the cover made me think of one of my favourite YouTube artists, Emily Artful, but if she added sea-themed embellishments to her designs rather than assorted foliage. The book's title is also quite catching and immediately associates itself with all of the successful fantasy titles before it using the same "a/the (noun) of (noun) and (noun)" formula, such as those by George R. R. Martin and Sarah J Mass, or the adjacent formula "a (noun) so (adjective) and (adjective)." Great marketing strategy!
Princess Ingrid has a problem. Well, a few problems. First and foremost, she doesn't want to get married and produce an heir but the duty falls to her to do so and time is running out. The big problem? Ingrid would much rather spend the rest of her life loving Lilura, her girlfriend. Together they design a contract of conditions for Ingrid's male suitors that they figure no man who ever agree to, removing the need for her to pick a suitor, but to their shock and utter dismay all of the latest suitors Ingrid's father invited to the palace agree. Now Ingrid finds herself balancing growing feelings for one of these suitors with her existing strong feelings for her girlfriend. Oh, and Ingrid has a döppleganger stalking her through mirrors and water to warn her of impending death, and various people in and near the palace are being murdered. What a mess! How will it resolve?
I'll start off by saying I was won over by the Ingrid & Lilura relationship immediately and love the dynamic between them. I'm also absolutely in love with the clearly defined magic system in this world that dictates all uses of magic must come at a cost. I can't decide if this book should be considered YA or adult (is New Adult still a category we're going with?) It's certainly a coming of age, major life milestone sort of story, and these characters certainly aren't well aged and experienced people just yet, but they also don't feel young enough for YA. They don't read like teens and their problems are bigger than this world's equivalent of high school drama and finding one's place in their own vision of the world.
I had a tough time deciding what rating to give this book. It's not a 5 for me (an instant new favourite, with no major/distracting issues, that I want to force on everyone) but do I call it a 3 or a 4? The way I use the 5-star system, a 4 is "almost there," a great book but with one or more critique points I can't ignore and/or it simply didn't feel like it was going to be a 5 for a significant portion of the first half. Still could be a new favourite, still something I would recommend widely. A 3 is a good book, a strong contender, but definitely not a new favourite, either had big/numerous issues or never at any point felt like a 5 and I'm likely to recommend it in more target audience specific circles. I think I've settled high between the 3 and 4, high enough not to split the difference and say 3.5 on my blog where I'm allowed to do such things, but let me explain why the decision was so difficult.
First, point of view characters. POV is consistent for the duration of each chapter and the character whose head we're in is indicated at the top of each new chapter. When multiple POV characters are done impeccably well, I find I don't need those POV marker lines, the first sentence or two always gives it away because the characters are so distinct. I didn't find that to be the case here. I was routinely doubling back a paragraph or so to look for how names were used to figure out if I was reading Ingrid or Lilura. This makes me wonder how clear or confusing the POV shifts will be if this becomes an audiobook, particularly if it isn't done with an ensemble cast. Also because of this, when the suitors first showed up and the immediate next chapter hit me with another POV from Prince Soren I was extremely tempted to throw the book down and walk away. I didn't want to juggle another POV. Fortunately, Soren proved different enough, be it through his character or through the fact that he's one of the suitors and not necessarily always in the same places with the same people as Ingrid, and I actually started to find the breaks off to male POV chapters refreshing.
Second, the love triangle. I have mixed feelings about love triangles in general because they have the potential to be handled so well but also so poorly. I would say that in this case, the love triangle in A Sea of Pearls & Leaves is handled very well and does very much fit the story. The plot would go in a very different direction without it, and I doubt it could have resolved in anything close to the same way without going through the twists and turns of navigating a surprise love triangle. With that said, I felt cheated out of what felt like a long-established sapphic life partnership romance that couldn't be shaken. The first chapters really felt like they were setting that up and then surprise! Ingrid swings both ways and she can be persuaded to entertain other affections. I'm not saying this can't be done well or that it doesn't happen. Just last fall I highly praised the bisexual, polygamous triangle in The Cyborg Tinkerer with the same female lead, 2 girls 1 guy arrangement. The difference is that in TCT Gwen meets Rora and Sebastian pretty much at the same time, it's a new romance with both partners, but in ASOPAL the male suitor who catches Ingrid's attention is a new addition intruding upon an established relationship. No matter how well the triangle fits the story, no matter how much I end up liking the characters involved, he will always feel like an interloper to me and that spoils it a bit.
Overall this is a very interesting and beautifully written story that has a whole lot of awesome representation for queer identities and relationships (including poly) AND living with anxiety disorders. If you are at all interested in the fantasy genre and you like LGBTQIA romances, strong magic systems, loose fairytale inspiration, or shocking plot twists, this should be on your TBR! I will absolutely keep an eye out for more books by Rosalyn Briar in the future.
Blog post: https://www.westveilpublishing.com/?p...
First of all, let me say that the cover design for this book is absolutely stunning and definitely played a big part in making me request a review stop on the tour rather than simply spotlighting the book or featuring some prewritten promo materials. The art style on the cover made me think of one of my favourite YouTube artists, Emily Artful, but if she added sea-themed embellishments to her designs rather than assorted foliage. The book's title is also quite catching and immediately associates itself with all of the successful fantasy titles before it using the same "a/the (noun) of (noun) and (noun)" formula, such as those by George R. R. Martin and Sarah J Mass, or the adjacent formula "a (noun) so (adjective) and (adjective)." Great marketing strategy!
Princess Ingrid has a problem. Well, a few problems. First and foremost, she doesn't want to get married and produce an heir but the duty falls to her to do so and time is running out. The big problem? Ingrid would much rather spend the rest of her life loving Lilura, her girlfriend. Together they design a contract of conditions for Ingrid's male suitors that they figure no man who ever agree to, removing the need for her to pick a suitor, but to their shock and utter dismay all of the latest suitors Ingrid's father invited to the palace agree. Now Ingrid finds herself balancing growing feelings for one of these suitors with her existing strong feelings for her girlfriend. Oh, and Ingrid has a döppleganger stalking her through mirrors and water to warn her of impending death, and various people in and near the palace are being murdered. What a mess! How will it resolve?
I'll start off by saying I was won over by the Ingrid & Lilura relationship immediately and love the dynamic between them. I'm also absolutely in love with the clearly defined magic system in this world that dictates all uses of magic must come at a cost. I can't decide if this book should be considered YA or adult (is New Adult still a category we're going with?) It's certainly a coming of age, major life milestone sort of story, and these characters certainly aren't well aged and experienced people just yet, but they also don't feel young enough for YA. They don't read like teens and their problems are bigger than this world's equivalent of high school drama and finding one's place in their own vision of the world.
I had a tough time deciding what rating to give this book. It's not a 5 for me (an instant new favourite, with no major/distracting issues, that I want to force on everyone) but do I call it a 3 or a 4? The way I use the 5-star system, a 4 is "almost there," a great book but with one or more critique points I can't ignore and/or it simply didn't feel like it was going to be a 5 for a significant portion of the first half. Still could be a new favourite, still something I would recommend widely. A 3 is a good book, a strong contender, but definitely not a new favourite, either had big/numerous issues or never at any point felt like a 5 and I'm likely to recommend it in more target audience specific circles. I think I've settled high between the 3 and 4, high enough not to split the difference and say 3.5 on my blog where I'm allowed to do such things, but let me explain why the decision was so difficult.
First, point of view characters. POV is consistent for the duration of each chapter and the character whose head we're in is indicated at the top of each new chapter. When multiple POV characters are done impeccably well, I find I don't need those POV marker lines, the first sentence or two always gives it away because the characters are so distinct. I didn't find that to be the case here. I was routinely doubling back a paragraph or so to look for how names were used to figure out if I was reading Ingrid or Lilura. This makes me wonder how clear or confusing the POV shifts will be if this becomes an audiobook, particularly if it isn't done with an ensemble cast. Also because of this, when the suitors first showed up and the immediate next chapter hit me with another POV from Prince Soren I was extremely tempted to throw the book down and walk away. I didn't want to juggle another POV. Fortunately, Soren proved different enough, be it through his character or through the fact that he's one of the suitors and not necessarily always in the same places with the same people as Ingrid, and I actually started to find the breaks off to male POV chapters refreshing.
Second, the love triangle. I have mixed feelings about love triangles in general because they have the potential to be handled so well but also so poorly. I would say that in this case, the love triangle in A Sea of Pearls & Leaves is handled very well and does very much fit the story. The plot would go in a very different direction without it, and I doubt it could have resolved in anything close to the same way without going through the twists and turns of navigating a surprise love triangle. With that said, I felt cheated out of what felt like a long-established sapphic life partnership romance that couldn't be shaken. The first chapters really felt like they were setting that up and then surprise! Ingrid swings both ways and she can be persuaded to entertain other affections. I'm not saying this can't be done well or that it doesn't happen. Just last fall I highly praised the bisexual, polygamous triangle in The Cyborg Tinkerer with the same female lead, 2 girls 1 guy arrangement. The difference is that in TCT Gwen meets Rora and Sebastian pretty much at the same time, it's a new romance with both partners, but in ASOPAL the male suitor who catches Ingrid's attention is a new addition intruding upon an established relationship. No matter how well the triangle fits the story, no matter how much I end up liking the characters involved, he will always feel like an interloper to me and that spoils it a bit.
Overall this is a very interesting and beautifully written story that has a whole lot of awesome representation for queer identities and relationships (including poly) AND living with anxiety disorders. If you are at all interested in the fantasy genre and you like LGBTQIA romances, strong magic systems, loose fairytale inspiration, or shocking plot twists, this should be on your TBR! I will absolutely keep an eye out for more books by Rosalyn Briar in the future.
November 29, 2020
[Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!]
CNs: murder, violence, sex, adult language
“A Sea of Pearls & Leaves” is the queer, high fantasy fairytale retelling I’ve been dreaming of!
Here are some things I loved about this book:
• amazing worldbuilding
• beautiful writing
• interesting and loveable main characters
• cute polyam love story
• queer representation
• anxiety representation
• shocking plot twists
If you love queer fantasy stories: read this book!
CNs: murder, violence, sex, adult language
“A Sea of Pearls & Leaves” is the queer, high fantasy fairytale retelling I’ve been dreaming of!
Here are some things I loved about this book:
• amazing worldbuilding
• beautiful writing
• interesting and loveable main characters
• cute polyam love story
• queer representation
• anxiety representation
• shocking plot twists
If you love queer fantasy stories: read this book!
January 26, 2021
4.5/5 ⭐ you know what maybe its five and im just sleepy we'll see.
hear me out, HEAR ME OUT!!!
do you know how i found out about this book??? on TWITTER. i was scrolling down my timeline and i found this tweet (from someone i dont even follow its just that someone i do follow liked it) complaining that there werent enough sapphic stories out there, and someone in the replies just said "a sea of pearls & leaves, thank me later". AND YOU CANT UNDERSTAND HOW THANKFUL I AM TO THIS RANDOM PERSON.
at first i thought this was like the selection but bisexual. you know, the whole princess needs to get married so we'll throw a ball for her birthday and princes will come to try to win her heart??? but its SO MUCH MORE. this is so well done, so well done, and i cant believe this only has 33 ratings!!!! i swear it's really good!!
there's this princess ingrid (whose name i dont like but whatever) who's got a girlfriend, lilura. they're soulmates and love each other but you know the drill, she has to get married to have kids (heirs to the throne) and whatever. BUT THEN there's this doppelganger following her. BUT THEN someone's out there murdering lilura's people. BUT THEN there's this back-from-the-dead magic!!!
and it all works out for me. some will say the plot twist was kind of obvious, but even though i was suspicious, i kept doubting myself??? and at the end it was really good.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ITS 4 AM. I DONT STAY UP UNTIL 4 AM. EVER. i just couldnt put it down.
if this twitter person ever reads this i want them to know im forever grateful 😭💜
hear me out, HEAR ME OUT!!!
do you know how i found out about this book??? on TWITTER. i was scrolling down my timeline and i found this tweet (from someone i dont even follow its just that someone i do follow liked it) complaining that there werent enough sapphic stories out there, and someone in the replies just said "a sea of pearls & leaves, thank me later". AND YOU CANT UNDERSTAND HOW THANKFUL I AM TO THIS RANDOM PERSON.
at first i thought this was like the selection but bisexual. you know, the whole princess needs to get married so we'll throw a ball for her birthday and princes will come to try to win her heart??? but its SO MUCH MORE. this is so well done, so well done, and i cant believe this only has 33 ratings!!!! i swear it's really good!!
there's this princess ingrid (whose name i dont like but whatever) who's got a girlfriend, lilura. they're soulmates and love each other but you know the drill, she has to get married to have kids (heirs to the throne) and whatever. BUT THEN there's this doppelganger following her. BUT THEN someone's out there murdering lilura's people. BUT THEN there's this back-from-the-dead magic!!!
and it all works out for me. some will say the plot twist was kind of obvious, but even though i was suspicious, i kept doubting myself??? and at the end it was really good.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ITS 4 AM. I DONT STAY UP UNTIL 4 AM. EVER. i just couldnt put it down.
if this twitter person ever reads this i want them to know im forever grateful 😭💜
March 8, 2021
What an exciting story! A unique and wonderful mix of spicy romance, mystery, action, and political inriuge. As soon as the news of the first priestess arrived, I knew there was going to be a delicious mystery to unfold, and the book delivered. The exciting and vivid world rooted me in the story, and the unique and memorable characters and the multi-dimensional plot, made this story the best part of my days while it lasted, and I didn't want it to end! On top of everything else, what I especially loved about this book was how well Briar depicts social anxiety. It was so on-point and relatable, especially for me, and it brought Soren so much closer to my heart.
December 24, 2020
I saw the cover and it was like i sold my soul to the devil. But it's not the cover the only beautiful thing about this book. The story was amazing. But of course we all love some lgbtq stories.
It had me captivated from the first sentence. Briar is really talented and is shows. Her writing is really magical and the plot is so interesting. Her characters are so realistic and i love the romance (all the romance <.<). I'm intrigued to read everything from Rosalyn Briar because her writing is so beautiful. I'm in love!!!!!!
Review on my blog coming soon...
It had me captivated from the first sentence. Briar is really talented and is shows. Her writing is really magical and the plot is so interesting. Her characters are so realistic and i love the romance (all the romance <.<). I'm intrigued to read everything from Rosalyn Briar because her writing is so beautiful. I'm in love!!!!!!
Review on my blog coming soon...
February 15, 2021
An Unconventional Fairytale Romance
Having read Rosalyn Briar's previous book, I knew I would enjoy this one. From the introduction of headstrong Princess Ingrid and her lover, Lilura, it's clear this isn't going to be your standard tale. When Ingrid is forced to marry, the women come up with what they think is a foolproof marriage contract in order to stay together.
The story picks up when the third character, Prince Soren, enters the narrative. His voice is very clear and his view of Norella Isle allows Briar to describe her unique setting.
Without going into detail, suffice to say there's a mystery, several murders, family drama, gods, goddesses, and a bit of botany. And in the end, a good time is had by all.
Having read Rosalyn Briar's previous book, I knew I would enjoy this one. From the introduction of headstrong Princess Ingrid and her lover, Lilura, it's clear this isn't going to be your standard tale. When Ingrid is forced to marry, the women come up with what they think is a foolproof marriage contract in order to stay together.
The story picks up when the third character, Prince Soren, enters the narrative. His voice is very clear and his view of Norella Isle allows Briar to describe her unique setting.
Without going into detail, suffice to say there's a mystery, several murders, family drama, gods, goddesses, and a bit of botany. And in the end, a good time is had by all.
December 11, 2020
I honestly had trouble putting this book down once I started it. The world is unique, the characters are likeable (well, most of them. Some you love and others you love to hate), and the plot is intriguing. As someone who suffers from severe social and general anxiety, I really enjoyed Rosalyn Brair's portrayal of a character who also suffers from these issues and how they work past it without it being "fixed". I also enjoyed the message that being different is okay and not something to be ashamed of or shunned for and that in the end we're more similar than we are different.
March 6, 2021
I thought this was a great page-turner fantasy romance novel with an unexpected f/f/m romance (at least to me!). I really loved the mystery elements, the lore about Norella's daughters, the island's magic, and especially the challenges Princess Ingrid and Lilura set up for Ingrid's suitors. I adored Soren, who was sweet yet brave. I liked how he wasn't an alpha male, too. While I did figure out the twists and whodunnits early on, it was still a really enjoyable read.
June 23, 2021
Lush and twisty tale
I thought the atmospheric scene descriptions were gorgeous but my absolute favorite part were the characters! Plan to read more by this author soon. Really can’t express how great this book is, I’m not usually into romance but the relationships were so unique and complex that I enjoyed them way more than I expected.
I thought the atmospheric scene descriptions were gorgeous but my absolute favorite part were the characters! Plan to read more by this author soon. Really can’t express how great this book is, I’m not usually into romance but the relationships were so unique and complex that I enjoyed them way more than I expected.
January 11, 2021
Loved reading this, the three main characters were awesome and I love the ending for the 3, we honestly need more positive stories for those kind of relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2020
Princess Ingrid does not want to get married, so her girlfriend Lilura devises a plan, but when the plan backfires, a contest amongst her suitors ensues!
'A Sea of Pearls & Leaves' broke through my reading slump in the first couple of pages. Rosalyn's writing is so rich and atmospheric that I immediately felt drawn into the shadowy caverns and could smell the sea salt of Norella Isle.
This is a story that has stuck with me! I'll be wandering around, and then suddenly I think about the meaning behind 'this' aspect of Soren's personality, and how it contrasts with 'that' of another character's. I cannot wait until I can discuss this book in more detail with others, because I have so many thoughts about it.
Without giving too much away, I was struck by the twist on the love triangle trope, and the ending of the story. I loved all three of the main characters, and appreciated how there was no sense of 'blame' or 'right and wrong' amongst the main characters when it came to their feelings and desires.
I really loved this book!
'A Sea of Pearls & Leaves' broke through my reading slump in the first couple of pages. Rosalyn's writing is so rich and atmospheric that I immediately felt drawn into the shadowy caverns and could smell the sea salt of Norella Isle.
This is a story that has stuck with me! I'll be wandering around, and then suddenly I think about the meaning behind 'this' aspect of Soren's personality, and how it contrasts with 'that' of another character's. I cannot wait until I can discuss this book in more detail with others, because I have so many thoughts about it.
Without giving too much away, I was struck by the twist on the love triangle trope, and the ending of the story. I loved all three of the main characters, and appreciated how there was no sense of 'blame' or 'right and wrong' amongst the main characters when it came to their feelings and desires.
I really loved this book!
September 23, 2021
This novel is absolutely beautiful through and through! Right off the bat I adored Ingrid and Lilura. Their banter and interactions were just so sweet. They are so mutually supportive of each other and it's a joy each time they're together. But they are both interesting characters in their own right. Soren is also incredibly endearing from the moment he's introduced. The descriptions of the environment are rich and colorful. Every character stands out in their own little ways. The setting sounds so enchanting I want to take a vacation there.
Side note: Dang it! I KNEW IT! I didn't want it to be true but I KNEW IT!!!
A wonderful and delightful read that will surely have you rooting for these three protagonists as they face trials of love, danger, and death.
Side note: Dang it! I KNEW IT! I didn't want it to be true but I KNEW IT!!!
A wonderful and delightful read that will surely have you rooting for these three protagonists as they face trials of love, danger, and death.
December 1, 2020
I loved this enchanting, dark, romantic fantasy! From the very beginning, I was pulled in by the world-building. The author has created such a lush, immersive world in the island of Norella, complete with a long history and mythology. As the plot gets moving, we have a bit of "The Bachelorette" style of multiple suitors vying for the princess's hand, which is always fun. But I really enjoyed the added element of a murder mystery. I found myself rooting for all three main characters, and enjoyed reading their various points of view. Get ready for steamy romance and a very surprising climactic scene! Thanks to the author for a gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2022
I devoured this book in a single day! The plot was fast-paced and I loved the mystery element to it. I adored the characters and Soren in particular completely stole my heart. He was adorable, a little nervous with some endearing quirks, but whenever the occasion called for it, he mustered his strength and always did the right thing. He was refreshing, a perfect gentleman, and entirely without ego. I must say that the relationship in this story was unlike anything I've read before. When I realized it was I was very hesitant. I have rarely read or watched those represented in media where I didn't walk away disappointed, but this one was perfect! There were no toxic traits, no jealousy, no manipulations, only love. It was so sweet and so well-written! All the little details of the world were fun and really help the reader get immersed in the story. The seaside kingdom was enchanting as was the clothing, jewelry, pearl dust makeup, not to mention the magic elements. Overall, this story was just a joy to read. I can't wait to read more by this author!
December 12, 2021
This fantasy story has many cool ideas. An island kingdom that used to harbor magical creatures. The princess and her handmaiden in a loving but not publicly acknowledged romantic relationship. A competition for her hand in marriage. A murderer loose on the island, intent on burying a magical secret.
Too bad it all wraps up way too neatly for my tastes and any possible interesting moments are resolved or clumsily addressed just pages later.
While the worldbuilding is nice and detailed without feeling boring, I can't say the same about the writing. It is very obvious and predictable in how the characters act, react and talk that just didn't work for me. None of the more emotionally charged moments worked for me, neither did any of the revealed secrets. If the author's style is more to your taste or you don't mind its plain execution, the rest holds up just fine. It feels perfunctory as if the characters are only performing because the author wants it to happen and not because it is a natural progression of their narrative.
The magical parts were too overpowered and didn't fit well into the story. With the politics surrounding an arranged marriage, the established but hidden relationship to Lilura and so on, we did not need the leaves to magically fix the plot was unnecessary.
All in all, I would say it was all a little too convenient for me. I would cut it more slack if the writing had engaged me more. Too many small nitpicks and nothing to balance them out.
Too bad it all wraps up way too neatly for my tastes and any possible interesting moments are resolved or clumsily addressed just pages later.
While the worldbuilding is nice and detailed without feeling boring, I can't say the same about the writing. It is very obvious and predictable in how the characters act, react and talk that just didn't work for me. None of the more emotionally charged moments worked for me, neither did any of the revealed secrets. If the author's style is more to your taste or you don't mind its plain execution, the rest holds up just fine. It feels perfunctory as if the characters are only performing because the author wants it to happen and not because it is a natural progression of their narrative.
The magical parts were too overpowered and didn't fit well into the story. With the politics surrounding an arranged marriage, the established but hidden relationship to Lilura and so on, we did not need the leaves to magically fix the plot was unnecessary.
All in all, I would say it was all a little too convenient for me. I would cut it more slack if the writing had engaged me more. Too many small nitpicks and nothing to balance them out.
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