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Jubilant
Kelta's life on a small clan warship has given her peace and anonymity, and a way to fight through her grief. But when her ship is called upon to search for a missing ambassador, Kelta can no longer remain safely in the shadows. Will she sacrifice her future for her family, or will she let the mission fail and keep her secrets?
After being barred from studying magic, Wren Elspur's only way to make a name for himself is to work up through the ranks of the Ellondese Navy. Passing his lieutenant’s exam should have put him on the fast track for promotion, but a tyrannical captain, an arranged marriage, and an alliance with the southern savages interfere with his plans and pit his conscience against his career.
When Wren and Kelta's ships both find evidence of slavers working in international waters, they have no choice but to put aside their cultural differences and work together to rescue hundreds of innocents bound for the Alokite slave-markets. But there's more going on behind the slave trade. As an ancient evil stirs in the west, Kelta and Wren find themselves fighting side by side in the opening moves of a war they don’t yet understand.
After being barred from studying magic, Wren Elspur's only way to make a name for himself is to work up through the ranks of the Ellondese Navy. Passing his lieutenant’s exam should have put him on the fast track for promotion, but a tyrannical captain, an arranged marriage, and an alliance with the southern savages interfere with his plans and pit his conscience against his career.
When Wren and Kelta's ships both find evidence of slavers working in international waters, they have no choice but to put aside their cultural differences and work together to rescue hundreds of innocents bound for the Alokite slave-markets. But there's more going on behind the slave trade. As an ancient evil stirs in the west, Kelta and Wren find themselves fighting side by side in the opening moves of a war they don’t yet understand.
751 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2021
4 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Galadriel Coffeen
8 books9 followersI live in Huntsville, AL with my tiny dog and my best friend. When I'm not writing, I teach high school, sell nerdy art, and sew costumes. I also enjoy hiking, fencing, and studying linguistics.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 2, 2022
Too many fantasy tales follow shallow elves running through deep forests. Fantasy tropes left me so tired that I stopped following the genre a couple years ago. But Wren and Kelta's ocean voyages gave me a fresh taste for magic and sword fights. Jubilant submerged me in a world of grit and salt, of courage and corruption. But it's also grounded in the authors' historical knowledge of Napoleon-era naval warfare. The finished product is fantastical but also believable. It's creative and also well-researched. I can't wait for the next book! Do yourself a favor: buy a copy immediately. I promise you'll be re-reading it within the year.
January 15, 2023
This review was originally posted at http://bit.ly/3iIs8dt.
Feeling as if he wasn't leaning anything under his father's "tutelage" on his merchant ship Wren escapes and joins the Navy. He has worked hard to earn rank being without a noble heritage and is proud to have earned the status of Midshipmen. Now, all he has to do is take his Lieutenant's test and hope for a promotion and his salary. It is everything he could want. But, with the changing of a captain and salvers on the loose Wren's desires may quickly change.
Kelta is determined to avenge the wrong done to her in her past. In order to do so she must bide her time, gather skills, and information. She is a snake that studied under one of the greatest and most famous Taxian teacher and is now aboard the Keltorax. She is a fine warriors vessel and Kelta has learned much under the fair captaining of her uncle. While escorting the dignitary, Alphira, through Fosseni waters the merchant ship Alphira is on is captured by slavers. Now Kelta and her captain must team up with an Ellond Navy vessel to bring her home. Can they hold their tempers while dealing with the snobbish attitudes of those who consider themselves above the Taxians?
I received a copy of this book from one of the authors in exchange for an honest review. While I was warned before I started that it is a hefty book I want to let you know that the 700+ pages isn't a hard read. The story does not drag and you aren't just reading to get through something in order to mount this daunting task. Instead, with long chapters filled with beasts of both prey and humanity there are plenty to keep your attention.
I will say for the first few chapters I was confused as it was seemingly randomly bouncing back and forth between two characters and I didn't immediately see the correlation. However, bear with it and that connection will present itself.
Wren is a bit hot-headed, even beginning the book with a dual with another due to a slight the man felt at wren's gambling. This presents itself time and again showcased in Wren's impulsive actions followed by some level of regret. While he is impulsive and even goes so far as to say he is looking forward to the impending war with another country (leaving it out since it's not said until over halfway through the book) he still has stronger morals than many of the Ellondese. Because of this he was easily one of my favorite characters.
That being said, Kelta is easy to love. Her past is hinted at throughout the book, although we still haven't gathered the full picture. I hope that she opens up to her new mentor in time. I hope for great things from this character. She has already shown strength of will and body, being able to take down experienced warrior men with relative ease, now she risks something much more closely guarded.
From start to finish I enjoyed this book full of creatures of the land and sea as well as battles with pirates and slavers. You'll feel Wren's determination and righteous anger while finding amusement in how poor his true first name fits him. Wellerdon will have you gritting your teeth and hoping for a change for the entire crew. Meanwhile on the Taxian ship you'll see the joys of mutual respect and how this works well between the captain and his crew. They are constantly learning and teaching each other to be better warriors in every sense and this serves them well.
As this book is the first in a series it does not end with things tied in a pretty bow. The main issue within this book is solved, but more are on he horizon and our main characters futures are anything but certain.
Feeling as if he wasn't leaning anything under his father's "tutelage" on his merchant ship Wren escapes and joins the Navy. He has worked hard to earn rank being without a noble heritage and is proud to have earned the status of Midshipmen. Now, all he has to do is take his Lieutenant's test and hope for a promotion and his salary. It is everything he could want. But, with the changing of a captain and salvers on the loose Wren's desires may quickly change.
Kelta is determined to avenge the wrong done to her in her past. In order to do so she must bide her time, gather skills, and information. She is a snake that studied under one of the greatest and most famous Taxian teacher and is now aboard the Keltorax. She is a fine warriors vessel and Kelta has learned much under the fair captaining of her uncle. While escorting the dignitary, Alphira, through Fosseni waters the merchant ship Alphira is on is captured by slavers. Now Kelta and her captain must team up with an Ellond Navy vessel to bring her home. Can they hold their tempers while dealing with the snobbish attitudes of those who consider themselves above the Taxians?
I received a copy of this book from one of the authors in exchange for an honest review. While I was warned before I started that it is a hefty book I want to let you know that the 700+ pages isn't a hard read. The story does not drag and you aren't just reading to get through something in order to mount this daunting task. Instead, with long chapters filled with beasts of both prey and humanity there are plenty to keep your attention.
I will say for the first few chapters I was confused as it was seemingly randomly bouncing back and forth between two characters and I didn't immediately see the correlation. However, bear with it and that connection will present itself.
Wren is a bit hot-headed, even beginning the book with a dual with another due to a slight the man felt at wren's gambling. This presents itself time and again showcased in Wren's impulsive actions followed by some level of regret. While he is impulsive and even goes so far as to say he is looking forward to the impending war with another country (leaving it out since it's not said until over halfway through the book) he still has stronger morals than many of the Ellondese. Because of this he was easily one of my favorite characters.
That being said, Kelta is easy to love. Her past is hinted at throughout the book, although we still haven't gathered the full picture. I hope that she opens up to her new mentor in time. I hope for great things from this character. She has already shown strength of will and body, being able to take down experienced warrior men with relative ease, now she risks something much more closely guarded.
From start to finish I enjoyed this book full of creatures of the land and sea as well as battles with pirates and slavers. You'll feel Wren's determination and righteous anger while finding amusement in how poor his true first name fits him. Wellerdon will have you gritting your teeth and hoping for a change for the entire crew. Meanwhile on the Taxian ship you'll see the joys of mutual respect and how this works well between the captain and his crew. They are constantly learning and teaching each other to be better warriors in every sense and this serves them well.
As this book is the first in a series it does not end with things tied in a pretty bow. The main issue within this book is solved, but more are on he horizon and our main characters futures are anything but certain.
May 18, 2022
Jubilant: A Review
by Galadriel Coffeen and Anneliese Knop
2022
This is a story that has a little something for everyone. Heroes and villains; monsters and mages; morals and mischief – why it even hints at romance. It is appropriate for kids of all ages.
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2022...
It is long – but it introduces to us to a whole new world. Post-apocalyptic; almost steam punkish; yet also chivalrous at the same time. Like I said, this story has a little something for everyone.
The book tells the story, or should I say begins to tell the story of a woman and a man. Both are mid-level officers on their respective ships. The similarity seems to end there. They come from different nations, different cultural backgrounds, with varying attitudes on many things – including the role of women in the navy and society at large.
It makes from some interesting and enlightening dialogue, and situations. Especially as it is the female, Kelta, that is the warrior, trained and deadly in martial combat. Kelta is challenged with commandeering a ship from mutinous pirates, spying, liaising with potential allies, and fighting slavers. Yet, that is not all. There is more there. Her training as “a snake;” her fear of physical contact (when not fighting); her past – there is a story there waiting for the telling.
Her counterpart, Wren, is a commoner that wants to become an officer, in a navy that looks askew upon commoners. Officers are expected to be noblemen, more refined, with sponsorship from the nobility – and they expect that the commoners should know their place. Wren clearly doesn’t. He has a knack for numbers, sailing, and a little magic in him too. Did we mention that his understanding of rules and regulations, far exceeds his ability to follow them? There is more of this story waiting to be told. You see, Wren is willing to fail, and take that fail as experience for learning, and not as failure. He is determined, willing, and capable – and don’t forget that there is some magic that flows through his veins. There is more of his story waiting to be told.
One navy, the Ellondese, is formal and formalistic. Relying on nobility, tradition, and static methods training. The other navy, the Taxians, is gruffer, rougher, and gets things done. They rely on skill, training, and learning. One considers the other savages. Which will you think are the actual savages?
One of my favorite exchanges is when Kelta and Wren are negotiating for their respective sides. “We have a deal,” Wren says, offering Kelta his hand. “In Taxia, this gesture is a sign of surrender,” Kelta responds. “The man who offers his hand first acknowledges defeat.” Wren laughed. “I’m here as Captain Wellerdon’s representative. If he accepts the agreement, he’s the one shaking your hand.”
Get ready for the adventure. It is not slow incoming, steady in its delivery, with the full expectation that there is always more to come!
My review copy came via the co-author and my Twitter friend, Anneliese Knop. I thank her for the kind consideration.
4.5 stars – for anyone that is counting.
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
by Galadriel Coffeen and Anneliese Knop
2022
This is a story that has a little something for everyone. Heroes and villains; monsters and mages; morals and mischief – why it even hints at romance. It is appropriate for kids of all ages.
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2022...
It is long – but it introduces to us to a whole new world. Post-apocalyptic; almost steam punkish; yet also chivalrous at the same time. Like I said, this story has a little something for everyone.
The book tells the story, or should I say begins to tell the story of a woman and a man. Both are mid-level officers on their respective ships. The similarity seems to end there. They come from different nations, different cultural backgrounds, with varying attitudes on many things – including the role of women in the navy and society at large.
It makes from some interesting and enlightening dialogue, and situations. Especially as it is the female, Kelta, that is the warrior, trained and deadly in martial combat. Kelta is challenged with commandeering a ship from mutinous pirates, spying, liaising with potential allies, and fighting slavers. Yet, that is not all. There is more there. Her training as “a snake;” her fear of physical contact (when not fighting); her past – there is a story there waiting for the telling.
Her counterpart, Wren, is a commoner that wants to become an officer, in a navy that looks askew upon commoners. Officers are expected to be noblemen, more refined, with sponsorship from the nobility – and they expect that the commoners should know their place. Wren clearly doesn’t. He has a knack for numbers, sailing, and a little magic in him too. Did we mention that his understanding of rules and regulations, far exceeds his ability to follow them? There is more of this story waiting to be told. You see, Wren is willing to fail, and take that fail as experience for learning, and not as failure. He is determined, willing, and capable – and don’t forget that there is some magic that flows through his veins. There is more of his story waiting to be told.
One navy, the Ellondese, is formal and formalistic. Relying on nobility, tradition, and static methods training. The other navy, the Taxians, is gruffer, rougher, and gets things done. They rely on skill, training, and learning. One considers the other savages. Which will you think are the actual savages?
One of my favorite exchanges is when Kelta and Wren are negotiating for their respective sides. “We have a deal,” Wren says, offering Kelta his hand. “In Taxia, this gesture is a sign of surrender,” Kelta responds. “The man who offers his hand first acknowledges defeat.” Wren laughed. “I’m here as Captain Wellerdon’s representative. If he accepts the agreement, he’s the one shaking your hand.”
Get ready for the adventure. It is not slow incoming, steady in its delivery, with the full expectation that there is always more to come!
My review copy came via the co-author and my Twitter friend, Anneliese Knop. I thank her for the kind consideration.
4.5 stars – for anyone that is counting.
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
December 8, 2021
Summary:
A fun read for lovers of adventure, fantasy, and flawed yet moving characters. It’s a fun change from the sprawling epic fantasy that fills the market these days. I was a beta reader and I’ve particularly enjoyed seeing how far this story has come since early drafts! I highly recommend it and have rounded up to 5 stars!
Plot: 4/5
Fans of Temeraire and the Aubrey-Maturin series will enjoy this book. I’m not as versed in nautical fantasy, but the authors brought novices into a naval world in an exciting and accessible way, including very helpful illustrations in the front to explain the parts of the ship. The story has a slower pace than other genres of fantasy, but we are still kept engaged as we gradually discover more about the characters’ pasts and investigate a mystery plaguing the seas. A larger plot and story is set up in this first book, and I am excited to see more in sequels.
Characters: 5/5
This is a character driven story, dedicated to exploring grief, conflicts with authority figures, secrets, and friendship. There are two main characters. Wren’s story is a coming of age - he iis a young sea officer who we get to see struggle with loneliness, temper, a family who despises and controls him, and abusive leaders. He is a reckless, free spirit who longs for adventure and a chance to do what’s right despite the strict protocols of an aristocratic navy. Kelta is a runaway who doesn’t trust anyone - we don’t know what she’s running from, but we know she has traumas in her past that she means to resolve with her brutal, yet refined skill. It is rewarding to watch them struggle together, become friends, and find balance in the other that they lack.
Worldbuilding: 5/5
This world is richly developed, with some familiarity in the form of British-reminiscent naval officers, tropical pirate islands, and sea serpents, yet with many nations and cultures that are completely fresh. Cross-cultural interactions are actually a major theme in this story so we get to experience new foods, traditions, martial styles, funerals and more from the point of view of these characters. I can tell that there’s a vast history lurking in this fantasy world, with magic and mysterious plots waiting to be discovered.
Writing: 4/5
The writing is deft and practiced. It is clear and concise, with distinct voices in the dialogue, a great use of en media res, and smooth transitions between exposition, action, and character thoughts. The most unique element of this book is that we switch between the two POV characters, Wren and Kelta, not only between chapters, but within the same chapters. We flow back and forth between them in the same scenes. While this might take a bit of getting used to, I found the novelty enjoyable and refreshing. It has the chance to be groundbreaking as a new style of POV, especially for co-authors. The only reason I gave the language style 4/5 stars is because of personal preference. I like a more lyrical or poetic style of language in the narration, and more minimal descriptions, but from an objective standpoint of skill in this kind of style, I’d give it 5/5 stars.
Also, extra points for all the fun drawings throughout the book. Fun fact: they're all drawn by one of the authors, Galadriel Coffeen, including the cover!
A fun read for lovers of adventure, fantasy, and flawed yet moving characters. It’s a fun change from the sprawling epic fantasy that fills the market these days. I was a beta reader and I’ve particularly enjoyed seeing how far this story has come since early drafts! I highly recommend it and have rounded up to 5 stars!
Plot: 4/5
Fans of Temeraire and the Aubrey-Maturin series will enjoy this book. I’m not as versed in nautical fantasy, but the authors brought novices into a naval world in an exciting and accessible way, including very helpful illustrations in the front to explain the parts of the ship. The story has a slower pace than other genres of fantasy, but we are still kept engaged as we gradually discover more about the characters’ pasts and investigate a mystery plaguing the seas. A larger plot and story is set up in this first book, and I am excited to see more in sequels.
Characters: 5/5
This is a character driven story, dedicated to exploring grief, conflicts with authority figures, secrets, and friendship. There are two main characters. Wren’s story is a coming of age - he iis a young sea officer who we get to see struggle with loneliness, temper, a family who despises and controls him, and abusive leaders. He is a reckless, free spirit who longs for adventure and a chance to do what’s right despite the strict protocols of an aristocratic navy. Kelta is a runaway who doesn’t trust anyone - we don’t know what she’s running from, but we know she has traumas in her past that she means to resolve with her brutal, yet refined skill. It is rewarding to watch them struggle together, become friends, and find balance in the other that they lack.
Worldbuilding: 5/5
This world is richly developed, with some familiarity in the form of British-reminiscent naval officers, tropical pirate islands, and sea serpents, yet with many nations and cultures that are completely fresh. Cross-cultural interactions are actually a major theme in this story so we get to experience new foods, traditions, martial styles, funerals and more from the point of view of these characters. I can tell that there’s a vast history lurking in this fantasy world, with magic and mysterious plots waiting to be discovered.
Writing: 4/5
The writing is deft and practiced. It is clear and concise, with distinct voices in the dialogue, a great use of en media res, and smooth transitions between exposition, action, and character thoughts. The most unique element of this book is that we switch between the two POV characters, Wren and Kelta, not only between chapters, but within the same chapters. We flow back and forth between them in the same scenes. While this might take a bit of getting used to, I found the novelty enjoyable and refreshing. It has the chance to be groundbreaking as a new style of POV, especially for co-authors. The only reason I gave the language style 4/5 stars is because of personal preference. I like a more lyrical or poetic style of language in the narration, and more minimal descriptions, but from an objective standpoint of skill in this kind of style, I’d give it 5/5 stars.
Also, extra points for all the fun drawings throughout the book. Fun fact: they're all drawn by one of the authors, Galadriel Coffeen, including the cover!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews