Week 26 Review: Voyage of the Damned

From Goodreads:

The TikTok sensation from the UK has come to North America! The special first edition hardcover will include a gorgeous, shimmering jacket with effects, beautifully illustrated endpapers and detailed-stained edges.

A mind-blowing murder mystery on a ship full of magical passengers. If Agatha Christie wrote fantasy, this would be it!

For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible feat, the emperor's ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess's Mountain. Aboard are the twelve heirs of the provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing.

All except one: Ganymedes Piscero—class clown, slacker and all-around disappointment.

When a beloved heir is murdered, everyone is a suspect. Stuck at sea and surrounded by powerful people and without a Blessing to protect him, Ganymedes's odds of survival are slim.

But as the bodies pile higher, Ganymedes must become the hero he was not born to be. Can he unmask the killer and their secret Blessing before this bloody crusade reaches the shores of Concordia?

Or will the empire as he knows it fall?

My Review:
This was such a fantastic read! It sounded really good, and the idea of a mystery in a fantasy world, I just had to read it! Ganymedes-Dee-is reluctant and doesn't want to be taken on this voyage, off to the start of the rest of his life of having to living a lie. And then the murders start happening, and he's a pretty good detective.

This world was so interesting to read, with the different provinces and animals, each one with a Blessed with a Blessing. The history of the world and the politics, with the cast-out Crabs, and the Goddess who gave them these blessings, it was such an interesting set up! And of course there were those who were considered higher than others, with Fish, Dee's province, at the bottom. That mentality, of Uppers and Lowers, oh, it was pretty infuriating, especially when those Lowers do things like food and protection.

Things start off pretty much right away with a shocking death, and oh, this was such an interesting mystery! I really enjoyed watching Dee and a few other of the heirs come together to investigate, as the situation became more and more urgent and dire! Their swarm, oh, that was so heartwarming, but also scary, given the secrets he was keeping.

The reveal, though, of what had happened? Yeah, that was so shocking, and it explained so much, of the things that didn't hadn't made sense-with that piece of information, they did. It was so rewarding, that ending! I loved that he found out who he wanted to be, and was happy with who he was. He had a journey of self-discovery as they were on this murder boatride, and I loved it! 

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to read more by Frances White! 

Author: Frances White
Read: June 25th, 2024 
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a DAC Book, SAC 2024 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: MIRA
Expected Publication: August 20th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars