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Aisling Sea #1
On These Black Sands
He doesn't mind killing people... he just prefers to do it on his own terms.
But the pirates have no say in who they kill on this island.
The council orders. The pirates obey.
This arrangement has kept Declan from setting foot on these shores for years... until a bit of bad luck forces him to return.
But it may prove a lucrative stop, if the rebel's information is true.
Find the dagger. Escape this life.
But only if this damn stowaway doesn't ruin everything first.
=======
This high seas tale of deceit, legends, and love delivers a deliciously gray hero, a relatable heroine, and a found family you'll root for. An enemies-to-lovers story with a slow-burn romance and one bed, this is book one of a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. But it's worth it.
But the pirates have no say in who they kill on this island.
The council orders. The pirates obey.
This arrangement has kept Declan from setting foot on these shores for years... until a bit of bad luck forces him to return.
But it may prove a lucrative stop, if the rebel's information is true.
Find the dagger. Escape this life.
But only if this damn stowaway doesn't ruin everything first.
=======
This high seas tale of deceit, legends, and love delivers a deliciously gray hero, a relatable heroine, and a found family you'll root for. An enemies-to-lovers story with a slow-burn romance and one bed, this is book one of a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. But it's worth it.
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2021
1411 people are currently reading
31503 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Rasanen
11 books897 followersVanessa Rasanen is a former engineer turned fantasy romance author of emotionally charged stories full of love, adventure, and a bit of spice. When she's not writing swoony tension and broody good guys, she and her pilot husband can be found explaining to their four extroverted children why they have to live out in the middle of nowhere. Vanessa is a morning person who lives on coffee, potatoes, and gin (not at the same time) and could watch The Mummy and New Girl on repeat.
To learn more about Vanessa and her books, go to vanessarasanen.com
Bonus chapters and exclusive content are yours when you sign up for her newsletter.
To learn more about Vanessa and her books, go to vanessarasanen.com
Bonus chapters and exclusive content are yours when you sign up for her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,056 reviews
September 18, 2021
well, shiver me timbers, matey, because this is a swashbuckling good time. lol.
honestly though, all corniness aside, if you love pirate stories, then you will definitely want to pick this up. i think this is the first pirate story ive read that involves fae, so i thought that was an interesting cross-over. but the pirates will for sure win you over. there are ones that you love to hate and some that you hate to love. and give me a captain declan any day of the week.
that being said, i honestly couldnt stand aoife for a good part of the novel. she doesnt listen, is very entitled, doesnt use her brain, puts others in danger, and is just overall useless. and then, once things start getting interesting, a flip switches and suddenly shes competent? some might argue thats called character development, but it happens so suddenly and without any sort of build-up that im inclined to disagree.
in the end, she never annoyed me enough to make me stop reading. the seafaring setting and questionable pirates definitely make up for it. this also ends on a cliffhanger, so the second book cant come soon enough.
↠ 3.5 stars
honestly though, all corniness aside, if you love pirate stories, then you will definitely want to pick this up. i think this is the first pirate story ive read that involves fae, so i thought that was an interesting cross-over. but the pirates will for sure win you over. there are ones that you love to hate and some that you hate to love. and give me a captain declan any day of the week.
that being said, i honestly couldnt stand aoife for a good part of the novel. she doesnt listen, is very entitled, doesnt use her brain, puts others in danger, and is just overall useless. and then, once things start getting interesting, a flip switches and suddenly shes competent? some might argue thats called character development, but it happens so suddenly and without any sort of build-up that im inclined to disagree.
in the end, she never annoyed me enough to make me stop reading. the seafaring setting and questionable pirates definitely make up for it. this also ends on a cliffhanger, so the second book cant come soon enough.
↠ 3.5 stars
September 8, 2021
...this felt like coming home, like finding that one place where she belonged after living her whole life feeling off kilter.
It took me approximately 10 minutes to choose a quote to open this review...I have quite the quote list, y'all.
Guys. This book. It is so freaking good. Easily the best seafaring book I've read and easily one of my favorite reads. I'm calling it now. On These Black Sands will be in my top 3 reads of 2021. The world is fascinating and completely unique, the characters are rich, and the plot was full of so much action and unexpected twists that the book was absolutely unputdownable. I cannot wait for you guys to have this book in your hands. Let me go ahead an make one thing clear though...Declan is mine. Sorry. You can join our crew but I won't be sharing him. Perks of reading early is that I can go ahead and stake my claim. So there it is. Claim. Staked.
In all seriousness though, I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens in book two, even though I'm dying a little inside that I'll have to wait forever for it. I don't want to say too much because I want to leave you wanting but here are a couple of my favorite quotes, just to give you a taste of what you're in for when you pick this one up in August...
She'd had a smile as warm as the sunshine at his back, and a will as hard as the stones beneath his feet.
We weren't meant to be alone. We weren't meant for solitude. But what's the point of being among people if you can never be comfortable. Be yourself.
...your mind is on distant lands you've never seen, on adventures you've yet to take, and on a life you have only been able to imagine.
Thanks so much to the author for sending me an early copy. Because this was an early copy, quotes are subject to minor changes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 6, 2022
Pirates!! Need I say more?!
I am a real sucker for any pirate book, so obviously I loved reading this. One of my top favorite pirate books is Fable. Fable and this book are basically the same book with a few differences. They both have…
- Female MC running away from someone
- MC trying to find passage on a pirate ship
- MC finding a hot pirate captain and persuades him to let her on the ship
- MC has complicated parental relationships
- Hot pirate captain has a secret
- Captain also has his own mission to accomplish
See? Basically the same book. I still loved it though! Told ya I was a sucker for pirate books. 🤷🏼♀️❤️
I am a real sucker for any pirate book, so obviously I loved reading this. One of my top favorite pirate books is Fable. Fable and this book are basically the same book with a few differences. They both have…
- Female MC running away from someone
- MC trying to find passage on a pirate ship
- MC finding a hot pirate captain and persuades him to let her on the ship
- MC has complicated parental relationships
- Hot pirate captain has a secret
- Captain also has his own mission to accomplish
See? Basically the same book. I still loved it though! Told ya I was a sucker for pirate books. 🤷🏼♀️❤️
September 19, 2021
I wanted to love this book. I liked it, and I DID finish it, which is rare for me when I don’t fully love a book. The politics of the world kept me intrigued for the length of the book, but while hints of a magic system received offhand mention now and again, that system was not developed enough in book one (although the characters attitudes and remarks seemed to imply THEY understood the magic of the world.) The fabled purpose of the Macguffin item (the dagger) was clearly understood by many of the characters, but their knowledge was never clearly conveyed to the reader, and when it was vaguely conveyed as a power object that could defeat enemies, the “how” was left out. Perhaps if the fairytale had been read aloud to a character at one point, or the origin of the dagger was revealed, that might have helped? Hmm…
The political worldbuilding and character motivations were portrayed with excellence, and while I think this book had potential to become a book I might love, it fell short… mainly due to an extremely slow pace, and dialogue styles that felt inconsistent with the built world.
While I did enjoy the political and societal aspects of the worldbuilding, I felt the believability of those aspects did not extend to the characters’ dialogue or internal thoughts. The insertion of contemporary words and phrases was off-putting, frequently jolting my suspension of disbelief. Also, I felt the world’s level of technology and science did not support some of the spoken and internal terminology used. The use of contemporary American slang, and other contemporary verbiage/cliches/idioms/etc. diluted my enjoyment of what might have been a more compelling story, had world-unique terms and phrases been allowed to enrich the worldbuilding through dialogue.
The pace, though, is what most affected my enjoyment of the book. I could rarely read more than one chapter in a sitting (and sometimes less than that) because it just felt like the story wasn’t taking me where it promised to take me anytime soon. It was too easy to put the book down and go do something else.
All that being said, I am, admittedly, an extremely picky reader, and often DNF books before the third chapter. I finished this one, and I did LIKE it. Unfortunately, it simply didn’t check all the boxes I wanted it to check to be a fully satisfying fantasy tale. 3 stars.
The political worldbuilding and character motivations were portrayed with excellence, and while I think this book had potential to become a book I might love, it fell short… mainly due to an extremely slow pace, and dialogue styles that felt inconsistent with the built world.
While I did enjoy the political and societal aspects of the worldbuilding, I felt the believability of those aspects did not extend to the characters’ dialogue or internal thoughts. The insertion of contemporary words and phrases was off-putting, frequently jolting my suspension of disbelief. Also, I felt the world’s level of technology and science did not support some of the spoken and internal terminology used. The use of contemporary American slang, and other contemporary verbiage/cliches/idioms/etc. diluted my enjoyment of what might have been a more compelling story, had world-unique terms and phrases been allowed to enrich the worldbuilding through dialogue.
The pace, though, is what most affected my enjoyment of the book. I could rarely read more than one chapter in a sitting (and sometimes less than that) because it just felt like the story wasn’t taking me where it promised to take me anytime soon. It was too easy to put the book down and go do something else.
All that being said, I am, admittedly, an extremely picky reader, and often DNF books before the third chapter. I finished this one, and I did LIKE it. Unfortunately, it simply didn’t check all the boxes I wanted it to check to be a fully satisfying fantasy tale. 3 stars.
August 12, 2021
I'm a massive fan of pirate books so my expectations for this book were high and man, it did not disappoint.
It's got everything you would want from a pirate book: the adventure, the fast-paced action, the banter, and plenty of rum. Our main pirate, Delcan, was the perfect morally gray, super sarcastic captain and paired with the runaway heir, Aofie, their dynamic made for a wonderful read. They're both flawed characters, but the growth was developed extremely well and I was living for their conversations.
One of the most surprising aspects of this book was the world building. The island of Cregah (a place where women are in charge) was written incredibly well and I was sucked into the complexity of this society. I wasn't expecting some of the fantasy aspects of the book, such as fae and the mention of dragons and elves. I'm really curious to explore more of the world in the next book!
If you're looking for a daring adventure on the high seas, this is the book for you!
I received an ARC of this title from the author through Books of Matches Media in exchange for an honest review.
It's got everything you would want from a pirate book: the adventure, the fast-paced action, the banter, and plenty of rum. Our main pirate, Delcan, was the perfect morally gray, super sarcastic captain and paired with the runaway heir, Aofie, their dynamic made for a wonderful read. They're both flawed characters, but the growth was developed extremely well and I was living for their conversations.
One of the most surprising aspects of this book was the world building. The island of Cregah (a place where women are in charge) was written incredibly well and I was sucked into the complexity of this society. I wasn't expecting some of the fantasy aspects of the book, such as fae and the mention of dragons and elves. I'm really curious to explore more of the world in the next book!
If you're looking for a daring adventure on the high seas, this is the book for you!
I received an ARC of this title from the author through Books of Matches Media in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2021
This book is SUCH a fun time! I was a little bit hesitant about it because I kept reading reviews that said "this book destroyed me," and I honestly am not particularly a fan of books that leave me feeling destroyed. However, happily, On These Black Sands did NOT destroy me. It did leave me reeeeeeally wanting more, but I know Vanessa Rasanen is working on book two already, so I will be patient :-D I am confident it will be worth it.
One of my favorite things about this book is how the heroine, Aoife, never quite knows what she should do. She's an adult, but she's not great at things like quick decisions or understanding people, and that was very relatable for me. Also, she suffers from panic attacks, and I was really interested in seeing how those can affect a person, and also how other characters respond to them in both good and bad ways. I think it's important to help people like me, who haven't endured a panic attack, to understand how that feels and how to help cope with them. And what doesn't help.
One of my favorite things about this book is how the heroine, Aoife, never quite knows what she should do. She's an adult, but she's not great at things like quick decisions or understanding people, and that was very relatable for me. Also, she suffers from panic attacks, and I was really interested in seeing how those can affect a person, and also how other characters respond to them in both good and bad ways. I think it's important to help people like me, who haven't endured a panic attack, to understand how that feels and how to help cope with them. And what doesn't help.
August 10, 2021
I am a huge lover of pirate/seafaring books so I knew by the blurb that I would be obsessed with this! And WOW I loved this book! The world is fascinating and different, the characters are rich, and the plot had so much action and plot twists that I could not put the book down! I cannot wait for you guys to have this book in your hands.
Declan is the morally grey hero you want. He's driven but can be unsure, I love the way his crew is his top priority. Aoife is a character I haven’t seen before, she different and unique but also a bit awkward, she has great character growth that is very realistic. Their quest for the enchanted dagger is super exciting but dangerous!
This book has all the snark you could want but also serious moments. A pirate tale filled with political intrigue, a little Irish flavour and a promise of magic! Dive into an world that keeps you coming back for more!
Declan is the morally grey hero you want. He's driven but can be unsure, I love the way his crew is his top priority. Aoife is a character I haven’t seen before, she different and unique but also a bit awkward, she has great character growth that is very realistic. Their quest for the enchanted dagger is super exciting but dangerous!
This book has all the snark you could want but also serious moments. A pirate tale filled with political intrigue, a little Irish flavour and a promise of magic! Dive into an world that keeps you coming back for more!
dnr
October 12, 2023I hate it when books seem so good, and have such great reviews, but contain smut and inappropriate stuff. I prefer clean romance.
Ughh, ‘tis a shame. I’m a sucker for pirate books.
Ughh, ‘tis a shame. I’m a sucker for pirate books.
August 29, 2021
This novel is what I’d call a savoury, slow-burn romance. If you like books that build more slowly and are driven by character and relationship then this story is perfect for you!
August 14, 2021
Initially, I was very intrigued because I love pirate books and I instantly liked the MCs Declan and Aoife. Also, the side characters Tommy and Cait. I wish that Declan and Aoife stayed together instead of going their separate ways for a bit when the ship docked. Because that is when my “full steam ahead” reader pace slowed tremendously, and I kept putting On These Black Sands down in favor of other books.
I thought the banter and romantic tension scenes were written well but the internal monologues would stick out to me and made the flow jolt a bit instead of flowing. Sometimes the information being said was also something from earlier in the book so I would check to make sure I wasn’t re-reading a part I already read. I also felt a bit hit on the head with the character's feelings and they were spelled out for me instead of allowing me to come to the conclusion or guess how they might feel on my own.
I will read the next one because I’d like to read more with all the characters. Would especially love more about or from the perspective of Tommy and Cait. Also, usually, when there is a cliffhanger, I can’t just let it hang. I have to read the next one. But, I probably won’t have the urgency to read ASAP.
I thought the banter and romantic tension scenes were written well but the internal monologues would stick out to me and made the flow jolt a bit instead of flowing. Sometimes the information being said was also something from earlier in the book so I would check to make sure I wasn’t re-reading a part I already read. I also felt a bit hit on the head with the character's feelings and they were spelled out for me instead of allowing me to come to the conclusion or guess how they might feel on my own.
I will read the next one because I’d like to read more with all the characters. Would especially love more about or from the perspective of Tommy and Cait. Also, usually, when there is a cliffhanger, I can’t just let it hang. I have to read the next one. But, I probably won’t have the urgency to read ASAP.
Want to read
July 18, 2022Want? Yes.
Need? Absolutely doodily do.
Need? Absolutely doodily do.
June 17, 2021
More than once, I was caught reading this at work. Not because the book was seen or anything, but because I was laughing out loud to myself in my office like a lunatic and had to explain to my coworkers that pregnancy has NOT made me totally insane–yet. The snark in On These Black Sands is 100% my language and, if it’s even possible, brought out my snarky side even more than usual (my poor husband…pirates and snark in one book). This book is really just wonderful, and if you’ve seen the hype on Bookstagram, it DEFINITELY lives up to it!
I am not new to Vanessa Rasanen’s work. In fact, Soldier On, her book that I read and reviewed back in early 2019, is still one of my all-time favorite Contemporary Romances and one that I still readily recommend to my friends. I’ve been patiently waiting for her next release, and though I would’ve loved for the sequel to Soldier On to have been her next book, this pirate fantasy is far from a disappointment. On These Black Sands is vastly different from her other book (obviously) but just like in Soldier On, I found myself drinking in every word penned, holding my breath around every chapter, and yes, falling in love with and rooting for all of her characters. Her romance writing skills are truly unmatched.
The storyline of Aoife (ee-fuh) and Declan and their quest for the enchanted dagger is both exciting and dangerous. From the very first chapter, the promise of action is fulfilled and rarely slows down during all 436 pages. We encounter swashbuckling fun, intense action, romance, and of course, a bit of mystery and intrigue. Though I was forced to put the book down a few times because of life (bleh), Aoife and Declan were rarely far from my thoughts and I couldn’t wait to settle back in and return to the pages. Now that it’s over with a cliffhanger ending (GAH!) and without this book even officially released yet, my natural binge addiction is throwing a tantrum at the thought of how long I might go without book two. Just…so many feels. I honestly can’t wait for book two!
With On These Black Sands being labeled as “New Adult Fantasy”, I’m sure some readers may be concerned about the content that would classify it as NA instead of YA, so this part of my review is for you! I do believe that On These Black Sands lives up to this classification of NA Fantasy because the characters are older than typical YA characters, and though this book is void of any actual scenes that would have my more intense judgment, there are plenty of inuendoes and action/gore that seemed more graphic than a typical YA fantasy, but nowhere near what I’ve come across in some Adult Fantasy. Romance-wise: there are several heavy flirting scenes that play on passionate attraction, a couple of passionate kissing scenes, and plenty of body admiration and verbal flirting. But, it never goes further than that in this book. There might be some potential for that in the sequential books to come, but this one was without. Language-wise: Some very minor cursing and infrequent at that, never the f-word or anything else like that. Action/Gore-wise: It’s pirates, so I mean, you should expect some blood on your shoes. There are a few detailed fight scenes that give you a pretty good mental image of death, but I never thought any of it was overkill. Overall, the content in this book would not go above a PG-13 rating in my opinion.
In complete review, On These Black Sands is absolutely everything I’d hoped it to be coming from an author that I already held in high esteem! I can’t wait to continue Aoife & Declan’s story…even if that means that I must wait a while longer to continue Meg & Charlie’s from Soldier On! It has a glowing, and sparkling, 5 stars from me!
I received this book for free from the author, however, this is a voluntary review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review
I am not new to Vanessa Rasanen’s work. In fact, Soldier On, her book that I read and reviewed back in early 2019, is still one of my all-time favorite Contemporary Romances and one that I still readily recommend to my friends. I’ve been patiently waiting for her next release, and though I would’ve loved for the sequel to Soldier On to have been her next book, this pirate fantasy is far from a disappointment. On These Black Sands is vastly different from her other book (obviously) but just like in Soldier On, I found myself drinking in every word penned, holding my breath around every chapter, and yes, falling in love with and rooting for all of her characters. Her romance writing skills are truly unmatched.
The storyline of Aoife (ee-fuh) and Declan and their quest for the enchanted dagger is both exciting and dangerous. From the very first chapter, the promise of action is fulfilled and rarely slows down during all 436 pages. We encounter swashbuckling fun, intense action, romance, and of course, a bit of mystery and intrigue. Though I was forced to put the book down a few times because of life (bleh), Aoife and Declan were rarely far from my thoughts and I couldn’t wait to settle back in and return to the pages. Now that it’s over with a cliffhanger ending (GAH!) and without this book even officially released yet, my natural binge addiction is throwing a tantrum at the thought of how long I might go without book two. Just…so many feels. I honestly can’t wait for book two!
With On These Black Sands being labeled as “New Adult Fantasy”, I’m sure some readers may be concerned about the content that would classify it as NA instead of YA, so this part of my review is for you! I do believe that On These Black Sands lives up to this classification of NA Fantasy because the characters are older than typical YA characters, and though this book is void of any actual scenes that would have my more intense judgment, there are plenty of inuendoes and action/gore that seemed more graphic than a typical YA fantasy, but nowhere near what I’ve come across in some Adult Fantasy. Romance-wise: there are several heavy flirting scenes that play on passionate attraction, a couple of passionate kissing scenes, and plenty of body admiration and verbal flirting. But, it never goes further than that in this book. There might be some potential for that in the sequential books to come, but this one was without. Language-wise: Some very minor cursing and infrequent at that, never the f-word or anything else like that. Action/Gore-wise: It’s pirates, so I mean, you should expect some blood on your shoes. There are a few detailed fight scenes that give you a pretty good mental image of death, but I never thought any of it was overkill. Overall, the content in this book would not go above a PG-13 rating in my opinion.
In complete review, On These Black Sands is absolutely everything I’d hoped it to be coming from an author that I already held in high esteem! I can’t wait to continue Aoife & Declan’s story…even if that means that I must wait a while longer to continue Meg & Charlie’s from Soldier On! It has a glowing, and sparkling, 5 stars from me!
I received this book for free from the author, however, this is a voluntary review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review
August 11, 2022
I was not prepared for this ❤️❤️
THE AUDIOBOOK >>>>>>
If you love slow-burn romance with lots of angst and banter, combined with PIRATES, sea voyages, a runaway heir, and whispers of magic ... PLEASE READ THIS BOOK 😩❤️
THE AUDIOBOOK >>>>>>
If you love slow-burn romance with lots of angst and banter, combined with PIRATES, sea voyages, a runaway heir, and whispers of magic ... PLEASE READ THIS BOOK 😩❤️
Want to read
May 6, 2024You're telling me that this is a new adult fantasy series with pirates and faes? I don't want but need to read this!
July 11, 2022
Forgive me, at times I skimmed the book. Mainly the bits that had to do with the sister and her co-conspirator.
I think that there is an audience for this book. I don't think I'm one of them? I gave it a shot because of all the stellar reviews it was getting. But the biggest issue I have is little to no world building outside the islands in which the characters came from. Hell, I don't even know the government and or why there are women in charge of governing how pirates do trade and what not.
The slow burn was interesting up until this one bit:
I think that there is an audience for this book. I don't think I'm one of them? I gave it a shot because of all the stellar reviews it was getting. But the biggest issue I have is little to no world building outside the islands in which the characters came from. Hell, I don't even know the government and or why there are women in charge of governing how pirates do trade and what not.
The slow burn was interesting up until this one bit:
March 9, 2021
I rate books 5 stars if I intend to reread them and this is definitely a book I intend to reread!
Declan is the gray hero I want. Conflicted and driven, I love the way his crew’s well being is his chief motivation.
Aoife is a unique character I haven’t seen before. Awkward and curious her character growth feels methodical and realistic.
Tommy, ah Tommy. Really hoping to get into his head later in the series. He has me intrigued & I want more of him!
A pirate tale filled with political intrigue, Irish flavor and a promise of magic to come, this story is sure to keep you wanting more!
Declan is the gray hero I want. Conflicted and driven, I love the way his crew’s well being is his chief motivation.
Aoife is a unique character I haven’t seen before. Awkward and curious her character growth feels methodical and realistic.
Tommy, ah Tommy. Really hoping to get into his head later in the series. He has me intrigued & I want more of him!
A pirate tale filled with political intrigue, Irish flavor and a promise of magic to come, this story is sure to keep you wanting more!
July 7, 2024
Ever hear the term "a mile wide and an inch deep"? These characters are an inch wide and an inch deep.
This book is not good. I've hit my limits on how many times I can renew it at the library, and, to be honest, generously skimmed the last 100 pages. Which went something like this:
*flip, flip* ...he smirked... *flip* ...she glowered... *flip, flip* ...he bit back a laugh... *flip* ...she glared... *flip, flip* ...he/she glowered/glared/bit back a laugh and wondered if he/she noticed she/he was trying not to bite back a laugh...
I kid you not. Something happened maybe every 25 pages. If you took away the romance angle, you'd be left with a 25 page novella. The rest is floating, gloating, smirking, and boating.
Which brings up another pet peeve. If one writes a book about pirates, and pirate ships, one is compelled, nay, REQUIRED to do some heavy lifting in the area of research. Throw in some jargon like port, starboard, jib, rudder, ANYTHING. This is the most lifeless backdrop I've ever seen because clearly no research took place. They're on a BOAT. Take a good, hard look at the mothereffin' boat... oh wait. WE CAN'T. Because no picture has been painted of the mothereffin boat! They may as well be in a cornfield for all the excitement and authenticity it added to the story. Good ol' corn pirates.
If witless, time-consuming banter is your thing, have I got a book for you. If discordant uses of modern words and old piratey English get you going, may I make a suggestion. If a lot of floating, gloating, and boating are your thing and you hate action scenes bogging down your tepid insta-love trilogies- WELL. Look. No. Further.
Don't do pirates like that, man! They deserve better.
I'd rate this book a G for boring and a PG-13 for other stuff. Don't even remember it since I closed the book ten minutes ago.
Original review posted 6/19/24.
This book is not good. I've hit my limits on how many times I can renew it at the library, and, to be honest, generously skimmed the last 100 pages. Which went something like this:
*flip, flip* ...he smirked... *flip* ...she glowered... *flip, flip* ...he bit back a laugh... *flip* ...she glared... *flip, flip* ...he/she glowered/glared/bit back a laugh and wondered if he/she noticed she/he was trying not to bite back a laugh...
I kid you not. Something happened maybe every 25 pages. If you took away the romance angle, you'd be left with a 25 page novella. The rest is floating, gloating, smirking, and boating.
Which brings up another pet peeve. If one writes a book about pirates, and pirate ships, one is compelled, nay, REQUIRED to do some heavy lifting in the area of research. Throw in some jargon like port, starboard, jib, rudder, ANYTHING. This is the most lifeless backdrop I've ever seen because clearly no research took place. They're on a BOAT. Take a good, hard look at the mothereffin' boat... oh wait. WE CAN'T. Because no picture has been painted of the mothereffin boat! They may as well be in a cornfield for all the excitement and authenticity it added to the story. Good ol' corn pirates.
If witless, time-consuming banter is your thing, have I got a book for you. If discordant uses of modern words and old piratey English get you going, may I make a suggestion. If a lot of floating, gloating, and boating are your thing and you hate action scenes bogging down your tepid insta-love trilogies- WELL. Look. No. Further.
Don't do pirates like that, man! They deserve better.
I'd rate this book a G for boring and a PG-13 for other stuff. Don't even remember it since I closed the book ten minutes ago.
Original review posted 6/19/24.
August 10, 2021
Full review on my blog, Storied Adventures!
Second time reading:
LOVE this book so much!! Pirates, shared bed trope, dancing, rescues, secret societies, fae, magic, sirens, and more secrets, plus an ending that hurts! Intrigued? I know you are.
Places:
Cregah, a hidden cove, pirate ships, a pirate port.
People:
Declan- the ruthless pirate captain
Aoife- the naive heir on the run
Tommy- the loyal first mate
Cait- the woman pulling string behind the scenes
They are all working toward making a better world for themselves and for Cregah, which is ruled by a scary council of three women.
First time reading:5 freaking stars. I have had the pleasure of Beta reading this bad boy and y'all, you are going to flip when you read this.
Second time reading:
LOVE this book so much!! Pirates, shared bed trope, dancing, rescues, secret societies, fae, magic, sirens, and more secrets, plus an ending that hurts! Intrigued? I know you are.
Places:
Cregah, a hidden cove, pirate ships, a pirate port.
People:
Declan- the ruthless pirate captain
Aoife- the naive heir on the run
Tommy- the loyal first mate
Cait- the woman pulling string behind the scenes
They are all working toward making a better world for themselves and for Cregah, which is ruled by a scary council of three women.
First time reading:5 freaking stars. I have had the pleasure of Beta reading this bad boy and y'all, you are going to flip when you read this.
August 13, 2021
I am filled with so many emotions. This story was captivating from the beginning. The attention to detail, the ability to talk about panic attacks and grief in the messy way that is life, the snark, OH the snark! So masterfully written. So beautifully done. I am truly in awe of Vanessa's writing and blown away with the twists and turns this story takes you through. Though OTBS gets published in August, I can't wait for book 2 which will probably take awhile, but I will patiently (also impatiently) wait for another masterfully written story. If you haven't bought this already, please go do yourself a favor. You need to meet these characters and hear their stories.
Literally anyone, please read this.
Update: I've now read it twice in one year. Can confirm that it's one of my favorite books of all time. Favorite chapters? 34 and 50. You're welcome.
Literally anyone, please read this.
Update: I've now read it twice in one year. Can confirm that it's one of my favorite books of all time. Favorite chapters? 34 and 50. You're welcome.
September 23, 2022
3.5 stars!
Took me almost a month to finish this book and maybe that’s because it wasn’t fast paced and I keep on getting distracted by romance books lol. The first half was kind of dragging and tedious, there’s a one bed trope happening and I feel like I’ve read too much of this trope to say that it wasn’t executed that good? But as soon as it picked up the pace, it was smooth sailing. I wasn’t really a fan of books with pirates but I had set my expectations high for this one so maybe that’s why I’m rating this lower than I should’ve. Anyway, the ending is what convinced me to read the second installment in this series.
Took me almost a month to finish this book and maybe that’s because it wasn’t fast paced and I keep on getting distracted by romance books lol. The first half was kind of dragging and tedious, there’s a one bed trope happening and I feel like I’ve read too much of this trope to say that it wasn’t executed that good? But as soon as it picked up the pace, it was smooth sailing. I wasn’t really a fan of books with pirates but I had set my expectations high for this one so maybe that’s why I’m rating this lower than I should’ve. Anyway, the ending is what convinced me to read the second installment in this series.
May 22, 2021
Pirates, Fantasy, Secrets, Sarcasm, & Cinnamon Rolls (burnt & otherwise) What’s not to love?? I, very much, enjoyed this book & will be waiting on the edge of my seat for the next installment!
July 10, 2022
I love this book! I really liked Aoife, from the start being sheltered to the end when she is no longer believes the lies. Aoife and Delcan's slow burn was written perfectly. The tension built up to the kiss is 5 stars! Close proximity/one bed trope done perfectly. Their blanter is perfect. I love a good/bad pirate and I was so hurt for Declan. But no spoilers here, but that ending! 😨😱😭😍 Thank goodness book 2 release next month.
September 2, 2024
So good!
Aoife starts off naive and unlikeable at first, but as she discovers more of the corruption and danger that lurks in her world, she genuinely tries to do better. She becomes better.
Declan is a pirate who tries to hide his big cinnamon roll heart behind his dangerous reputation.
This is the start of a trilogy, and be prepared to have the second book ready when you finish this one. It's a doozy of a cliffhanger.
Good for fans of pirates and political intrigue (Think Cruel Prince, or Fable)
Aoife starts off naive and unlikeable at first, but as she discovers more of the corruption and danger that lurks in her world, she genuinely tries to do better. She becomes better.
Declan is a pirate who tries to hide his big cinnamon roll heart behind his dangerous reputation.
This is the start of a trilogy, and be prepared to have the second book ready when you finish this one. It's a doozy of a cliffhanger.
Good for fans of pirates and political intrigue (Think Cruel Prince, or Fable)
March 12, 2024
If pirates of the Caribbean met Fable, it would be On These Black Sands. I love a good pirate book and this one put me in the best mood.
Aofie is the council heir and she discovers that the council has dark intentions and she flees onto a pirate ship. Captain Declan reluctantly lets her stay on the ship and the true action begins.
Aofie is a relatable FMC, if not a little naive, but it makes sense because she was sheltered from some of the realities of the world by the council. I think she will have a great character arc throughout the series because of this though.
Declan is grumpy but kind and his motives are interesting and mysterious. I love me a good hot pirate captain. He’s a bit contradictory as a pirate because he has morals and a conscience but I kinda loved it. He’s also hilarious. I loved how Aofie got under his skin and his banter/comebacks that he came up with had me laughing. Seriously, this book has some of the best banter I have ever read.
I love Declan’s pirate found family, the dynamics between him and his friends were perfect and were so entertaining.
This book is slow paced but not in a bad way. It truly allows you to get to know the characters and understand their motivations. The world building is slow in a way that is easy to comprehend and truly let me appreciate the detail and the world. It honestly sounds so beautiful but has a shit ton of flaws.
I am stunned by this book and I will be starting book 2 immediately. I need to know what happens next with Aofie, Declan, Tommy, and the rest of the crew. On These Black Sands is a tremendous book and is one of my new favorites.
It’s new adult but quite tame so far. The series gets spicier as it continues.
Things to expect:
-Rebels and pirates
-Only one bed
-Dual POV
-Dislike to friends to maybe lovers
-Fae
-Epic adventure
Aofie is the council heir and she discovers that the council has dark intentions and she flees onto a pirate ship. Captain Declan reluctantly lets her stay on the ship and the true action begins.
Aofie is a relatable FMC, if not a little naive, but it makes sense because she was sheltered from some of the realities of the world by the council. I think she will have a great character arc throughout the series because of this though.
Declan is grumpy but kind and his motives are interesting and mysterious. I love me a good hot pirate captain. He’s a bit contradictory as a pirate because he has morals and a conscience but I kinda loved it. He’s also hilarious. I loved how Aofie got under his skin and his banter/comebacks that he came up with had me laughing. Seriously, this book has some of the best banter I have ever read.
I love Declan’s pirate found family, the dynamics between him and his friends were perfect and were so entertaining.
This book is slow paced but not in a bad way. It truly allows you to get to know the characters and understand their motivations. The world building is slow in a way that is easy to comprehend and truly let me appreciate the detail and the world. It honestly sounds so beautiful but has a shit ton of flaws.
I am stunned by this book and I will be starting book 2 immediately. I need to know what happens next with Aofie, Declan, Tommy, and the rest of the crew. On These Black Sands is a tremendous book and is one of my new favorites.
It’s new adult but quite tame so far. The series gets spicier as it continues.
Things to expect:
-Rebels and pirates
-Only one bed
-Dual POV
-Dislike to friends to maybe lovers
-Fae
-Epic adventure
June 8, 2024
This is not romantic, it’s sexual assault.
think I read a 150 pages and I can count two scenes in which the main male character uses his body in a sexual way to intimidate the female male character and in which she feels genuine fear - which makes this a
Hard DNF for me. It is especially weird because he had pressed his hips into her body just because on at least three occasions, kissed her out of nowhere and just does not have any respect for her free will at all.
In one scene, she is like “it’s boring on a pirate ship” and he then uses his body strength to pin her down and demonstrates how easily he could rape her if he wanted to.
“She merely lay there, with a look of shock and fear in her eyes. He pressed his hips harder against hers and licked his lips. It was a show, and yet there was a small part of him that wanted to do exactly what he was threatening”
This is not cute or funny or sexy. This is sexual assault. And it’s even worse that he recognizes the fear in her eyes and he then goes even further! STOP ROMANTICISING SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
If that weren’t bad enough, the writing is horrible. It feels like nothing is happening and we get monologue after monologue and it feels like I could have written it when I was 15. The writing makes it impossible to get through.
think I read a 150 pages and I can count two scenes in which the main male character uses his body in a sexual way to intimidate the female male character and in which she feels genuine fear - which makes this a
Hard DNF for me. It is especially weird because he had pressed his hips into her body just because on at least three occasions, kissed her out of nowhere and just does not have any respect for her free will at all.
In one scene, she is like “it’s boring on a pirate ship” and he then uses his body strength to pin her down and demonstrates how easily he could rape her if he wanted to.
“She merely lay there, with a look of shock and fear in her eyes. He pressed his hips harder against hers and licked his lips. It was a show, and yet there was a small part of him that wanted to do exactly what he was threatening”
This is not cute or funny or sexy. This is sexual assault. And it’s even worse that he recognizes the fear in her eyes and he then goes even further! STOP ROMANTICISING SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
If that weren’t bad enough, the writing is horrible. It feels like nothing is happening and we get monologue after monologue and it feels like I could have written it when I was 15. The writing makes it impossible to get through.
November 9, 2021
“How long had he spent trying to leave the Aisling, and his past, behind? And now here, this girl, who had dared to stow away on his ship, seemed to be calling him to stay, without her knowing or realizing it.”
Guys, there was ONLY ONE BED 👀🤗 and don’t even bother pretending you don’t squeal with joy when the MC says “where am I sleeping? There’s only one bed…” We all do! 😎 This is my new favorite pirate book and one of the best surprises of the year! Honestly, I don’t even know what I love the most.. Aoife and Declan? Tommy? The dagger/fae plot? Their dark past? Her awkward feistiness? His inability to stop caring? Everything. I love everything. Even the villains… I actually wouldn’t mind seeing more of them. And this book absolutely understood the cliffhanger mission because I cannot wait for book 2 🤗🤗 5 freaking stars ⭐️
Guys, there was ONLY ONE BED 👀🤗 and don’t even bother pretending you don’t squeal with joy when the MC says “where am I sleeping? There’s only one bed…” We all do! 😎 This is my new favorite pirate book and one of the best surprises of the year! Honestly, I don’t even know what I love the most.. Aoife and Declan? Tommy? The dagger/fae plot? Their dark past? Her awkward feistiness? His inability to stop caring? Everything. I love everything. Even the villains… I actually wouldn’t mind seeing more of them. And this book absolutely understood the cliffhanger mission because I cannot wait for book 2 🤗🤗 5 freaking stars ⭐️
August 9, 2021
Pirates? Yes please.
I jumped at the chance to read this because of that STUNNING cover, and the book did not disappoint. By the time that one thing happened where Aoife does the thing... you know, the one she shouldn't have and then everything is in chaos (trying to keep it spoiler free), well by that point I was hooked.
Aoife is the main character that we all need. She's not the "I'm not like the other girls" trope, nor is she the "bada*s type who is heartless." She's real. She's a little bit awkward, a lot snarky, and I just love her.
I loved the idea of pirate lords and heirs who must marry them, and I loved trying to figure out Declan's past. All in all, a wonderful book. Five stars from me!
Excuse me while I go start a countdown until book two.
I jumped at the chance to read this because of that STUNNING cover, and the book did not disappoint. By the time that one thing happened where Aoife does the thing... you know, the one she shouldn't have and then everything is in chaos (trying to keep it spoiler free), well by that point I was hooked.
Aoife is the main character that we all need. She's not the "I'm not like the other girls" trope, nor is she the "bada*s type who is heartless." She's real. She's a little bit awkward, a lot snarky, and I just love her.
I loved the idea of pirate lords and heirs who must marry them, and I loved trying to figure out Declan's past. All in all, a wonderful book. Five stars from me!
Excuse me while I go start a countdown until book two.
January 3, 2021
I am left speechless by this book.
Saltwater flows through my veins (don't worry, my husband can attest to this). Ever since I was a child, I had to be dragged from the water, the sand. Still to this day, standing on beaches, the horizon calls my name.
Now, the Aisling Sea calls me.
To live in a time on wooden decks, the salty breeze in your face, with the only destination being that far off horizon. Rasanen brought my dreams to life and took me there.
The pirate snark, the awkward girl who can't keep her mouth shut, and an adorable cinnamon roll are faced against adult sea faring myths. Dive into an immersive world that keeps you coming back for more.
Thank you, Vanessa, for giving me the opportunity to beta read this novel. But most importantly, for writing this beautiful story.
Saltwater flows through my veins (don't worry, my husband can attest to this). Ever since I was a child, I had to be dragged from the water, the sand. Still to this day, standing on beaches, the horizon calls my name.
Now, the Aisling Sea calls me.
To live in a time on wooden decks, the salty breeze in your face, with the only destination being that far off horizon. Rasanen brought my dreams to life and took me there.
The pirate snark, the awkward girl who can't keep her mouth shut, and an adorable cinnamon roll are faced against adult sea faring myths. Dive into an immersive world that keeps you coming back for more.
Thank you, Vanessa, for giving me the opportunity to beta read this novel. But most importantly, for writing this beautiful story.
April 16, 2023
The beginning of this story started out promising! I was all in for the big broody rugged pirate man but very quickly lost interest when the insta love hit with the female mc.
The plot was pretty all over the place with not much making sense. The story needed to be fleshed out more in regards to the world, the contributing characters and much more. There was too much focus on things that didn’t matter at all to the plot. To the point where I was thinking multiple times, what even is the point right now? What are they doing? Why?
To avoid spoilers… There is a *shocking twist* at the end of the book but it didn’t make sense for the character. How the character was portrayed through the entire book- the twist made zero sense.
Very likely will not continue the series because it didn’t have enough for me.
The plot was pretty all over the place with not much making sense. The story needed to be fleshed out more in regards to the world, the contributing characters and much more. There was too much focus on things that didn’t matter at all to the plot. To the point where I was thinking multiple times, what even is the point right now? What are they doing? Why?
To avoid spoilers… There is a *shocking twist* at the end of the book but it didn’t make sense for the character. How the character was portrayed through the entire book- the twist made zero sense.
Very likely will not continue the series because it didn’t have enough for me.
July 30, 2023
I can't even remember the last time I finished a book so fast. I was hooked from page one and had a hard time setting it down. The characters are so well written and it was easy to fall in love with them. Aoife was so relatable and felt like a real person. All the characters had depth and weren't just names in a book. The attention to details while reading made the experience all the much better. I just can't put into words how much I love this book. If you love pirates, adventure, slow burns, and well written characters then read this. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. Add it to your TBR!
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