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Lost Isle
When cartographer Edwin Vlaris is tossed off the ship, The Torrent, he’s left to die with just his wits, his skills and his companion, Ben Keel, a hard and handsome sailor with an incredible power of his own. They find themselves fighting for survival on the Giant’s Whip Isles, previously thought to be nothing but myth. Yet there are secrets lost within these isles—secrets of beasts and birds, both wondrous and dangerous, and of a mystical current that can be bent to human will. A current that could make any ship an unstoppable force across the entire Serene Ocean. However, they are not the only ones seeking out the current. Between dangers of gryphon claws and sailor cutlasses, Edwin and Ben must find a way to work together in order to have a chance of escaping the isles. But Ben was called traitor among the crew of The Torrent and a lust for that magical current is strong enough he may very well find it easy to turn traitor again, his promises to Edwin mere manipulation and lies. And if Edwin can't trust Ben, then he’ll truly be alone on the most dangerous isle in the ocean. This novel is the beginning of the trilogy, The Ocean's Aviary, and takes place along a series of isles within the Serene Ocean. Come prepared for pirates, a vast collection of magical birds, and the rambling words of a madman.
- GenresFantasyM M Romance
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2021
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Emmi Lawrence
17 books16 followersEmmi Lawrence is a gay romance/fantasy author who loves reading, writing and video games and tends to avoid cooking whenever possible. She also suffers from an unhealthy obsession for a specific reality show where the contestants eat a lot of rice. She lives in Maryland with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 28, 2021
Edwin Vlaris is a chart-maker, not a sailor, but when he's marooned by the pirate crew he was hired to help, with only gruff wind-whisperer Ben for company, on an island overrun with magical creatures, he's forced to confront truths about himself he never would've realised were it not for Ben, the island, and the entire experience, whilst searching for a treasure that may not exist.
Lost Isle has M/M romance, pirates, magic, magical creatures, and a main character who grows throughout the story. You're thrown right into the action: Edwin wakes on a small boat in the middle of the ocean after being abandoned by pirates, with Ben. We learn about Edwin, and what happened to him, gradually through the story, and the pacing is perfect: I could never really guess where the plot would go next. Normally I'll put a book down for a few days because there's a lull in the action, but Lost Isle kept throwing more intrigue at me and I struggled to put it down. I also loved the fantasy aspect: The island is full of magical creatures with all kinds of abilities, fire, ice, and more.
From Captain Nirothe, to Jym (Ben's rival Wind-whisperer), to the crew: Mick, Lee, Terrance, Ecker, Abraeme and Riley, each character had unique personalities and abilities. Edwin was my favourite. He grows so much throughout the book, and I'm a sucker for characters who change and achieve their potential! There were some really awesome scenes too, like when Edwin was alone with a Griffin in a storm, or when Ben and Edwin were on top of an arch over the sea together.
I rarely rate a book a 5, but I adored Lost Isle and if a sequel came out I'd want to read it right away. It was the perfect blend of fantasy and romance, and I feel like there's so much more to explore in this world: Oh, and there was no cliff-hanger ending either, which was a HUGE bonus!
Lost Isle has M/M romance, pirates, magic, magical creatures, and a main character who grows throughout the story. You're thrown right into the action: Edwin wakes on a small boat in the middle of the ocean after being abandoned by pirates, with Ben. We learn about Edwin, and what happened to him, gradually through the story, and the pacing is perfect: I could never really guess where the plot would go next. Normally I'll put a book down for a few days because there's a lull in the action, but Lost Isle kept throwing more intrigue at me and I struggled to put it down. I also loved the fantasy aspect: The island is full of magical creatures with all kinds of abilities, fire, ice, and more.
From Captain Nirothe, to Jym (Ben's rival Wind-whisperer), to the crew: Mick, Lee, Terrance, Ecker, Abraeme and Riley, each character had unique personalities and abilities. Edwin was my favourite. He grows so much throughout the book, and I'm a sucker for characters who change and achieve their potential! There were some really awesome scenes too, like when Edwin was alone with a Griffin in a storm, or when Ben and Edwin were on top of an arch over the sea together.
I rarely rate a book a 5, but I adored Lost Isle and if a sequel came out I'd want to read it right away. It was the perfect blend of fantasy and romance, and I feel like there's so much more to explore in this world: Oh, and there was no cliff-hanger ending either, which was a HUGE bonus!
March 25, 2021
This fantasy novel is a treasure trove of lyrical descriptions, engaging characters, fantastical beasts and the overwhelming power of nature, which some can control, and others not so well!
Edwin Vlaris is a cartographer, hired onto The Torrent to navigate the rough and belligerent crew to a lost isle to find treasures out of this world. Except on the way he is tossed overboard with nothing but a skiff and his wits to keep him alive. Fortunately he is accompanied by Ben, who has a magical power of his own which enables him to control the wind, and drive their skiff to dry land. Only the island they find themselves on will test both of them, and Edwin will need to doing deep to find the strength at his core.
Excellent novel. Immerse yourself in Lawrence's wonderful world. You won't regret it. Fortunately this is the first book in the The Ocean's Aviary series, and I can't wait to meet Edwin and Ben again in the next book.
I was fortunate to receive a Hidden Gems Arc, and am leaving this review enthusiastically and voluntarily!
Edwin Vlaris is a cartographer, hired onto The Torrent to navigate the rough and belligerent crew to a lost isle to find treasures out of this world. Except on the way he is tossed overboard with nothing but a skiff and his wits to keep him alive. Fortunately he is accompanied by Ben, who has a magical power of his own which enables him to control the wind, and drive their skiff to dry land. Only the island they find themselves on will test both of them, and Edwin will need to doing deep to find the strength at his core.
Excellent novel. Immerse yourself in Lawrence's wonderful world. You won't regret it. Fortunately this is the first book in the The Ocean's Aviary series, and I can't wait to meet Edwin and Ben again in the next book.
I was fortunate to receive a Hidden Gems Arc, and am leaving this review enthusiastically and voluntarily!
February 21, 2024
Darker than I thought it’d be.
I wavered on a rating for this book. All the characters were morally grey, if not right out dark. The adventure was good if verging on the edge of horror, sometimes creeping over that edge…
I’d read the author’s Hound Master books and really enjoyed them. They too were a little dark but I never felt so unmoored by them.
The writing itself was good with few editing errors. I was immersed in the story. The setting was unique and interesting. Edwin was an interesting character. However, I couldn’t get a grasp on any of the other characters, not even Ben, the supposed love interest. I spent most of the book trying to figure him out. It left me feeling uneasy.
The ending was also only a tentative HFN with real threats still hanging over Edwin’s head. Book two was supposed to be out 2023 but hasn’t been released yet. I’m not sure if I’ll read it…
I wavered on a rating for this book. All the characters were morally grey, if not right out dark. The adventure was good if verging on the edge of horror, sometimes creeping over that edge…
I’d read the author’s Hound Master books and really enjoyed them. They too were a little dark but I never felt so unmoored by them.
The writing itself was good with few editing errors. I was immersed in the story. The setting was unique and interesting. Edwin was an interesting character. However, I couldn’t get a grasp on any of the other characters, not even Ben, the supposed love interest. I spent most of the book trying to figure him out. It left me feeling uneasy.
The ending was also only a tentative HFN with real threats still hanging over Edwin’s head. Book two was supposed to be out 2023 but hasn’t been released yet. I’m not sure if I’ll read it…
March 23, 2021
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Being thrown from a ship that you help set the course for a lost treasure was about just Edwin's luck but to be thrown with a suspicious Ben was just the icing on the cake. How likely are they to not to kill each other. Ben is survival of the fittest right, the scholar couldnt help that his captain and crew was only after one thing but did that make him just as bad. What are the chances that the island that Edwin was seeking was the one they also landed on? Only thing was it was already inhabited by deadly creatures and the vile shipcrew that had abandoned them. When Ben is taken, Edwin encounters an unlikely fiend turned friendly? That that such a thing could a wild Griffin turn friendly or would turn on him? Will they survive the long lost island?
April 22, 2021
What a wild ride! This was a hell of an adventure, set in the coolest world. Somehow I missed that this treasure hunt was featuring a randy young map maker and a sexy pirate with All The Smoulder. It was like a gay Indiana Jones meets Pirates of the Caribbean; totally and unexpectedly delicious, on top of exciting and adventurous.
I loved the relationship dynamics, and how they managed to stay connected without being overly demonstrative, or emotionally needy. Don't get me wrong, I love a good sappy romance, where the tears and angst are all that hold the story together, but this is an adventure tale first, and a romance second, and very well done on both points.
I loved the relationship dynamics, and how they managed to stay connected without being overly demonstrative, or emotionally needy. Don't get me wrong, I love a good sappy romance, where the tears and angst are all that hold the story together, but this is an adventure tale first, and a romance second, and very well done on both points.
August 30, 2022
A totally pleasing fantasy story, full of magical creatures, mystery and romance. Well written, with engaging characters, interesting setting, and a relatable story, that leaves the reader wanting more books about these characters! I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews