A dark and enchanting fairy tale-inspired historical fantasy combining elements of "The Little Mermaid" and "Cinderella" into a wholly original tale of love, power, and betrayal.
Saint-Malo, Brittany, 1758.
For Lucinde Leon, the youngest daughter of one of Saint-Malo's wealthiest ship-owners, the high walls of the city are more hindrance than haven. While her sisters are interested in securing advantageous marriages, Luce dreams of escaping her elegant but stifling home and joining a ship's crew. Only Samuel—Luce's best friend and an English smuggler—understands her longing for the sea, secretly teaching her to sail whenever she can sneak away. For Luce, the stolen time on the water with Samuel is precious.
One stormy morning, Luce's plans are blown off course when she rescues Morgan de Chatelaine, the youngest son of the most powerful ship-owner in Saint-Malo, from the sea. Immediately drawn to his charm and sense of adventure, she longs to attend the glittering ball held in honor of his safe return and begins to contemplate a different kind of future for herself.
But it is not only Luce's hopes at stake—the local fae are leaving Brittany and taking their magic with them, while the long-standing war with the English means Saint-Malo is always at risk of attack. As Luce is plunged into a world of magic, brutality, and seduction, secrets that have long been lost in the shadowy depths of the ocean begin to rise to the surface. The truth of her own power is growing brighter and brighter, shining like a sea-glass slipper.
Or the scales of a sea-maid's tail.
My Review:
This was such a fantastic read! The synopsis sounded really intriguing, and once I started reading, I couldn't stop, I was interested in these characters, and I had to know what was going to happen next! Watching as Luce works to get what she wants, while political tensions are rising, I loved it!
The fact that it's a mix of The Little Mermaid, as well as CInderella, was such an interesting mix in the story, and I really enjoyed seeing it all play out, and whether it was going to lean into the Disney side of the tales, or the Brothers Grimm.
Luce isn't mistreated, per se, but she is her adoptive father's favourite, at the expense of his daughters by blood. Which isn't the best parenting decision a person can do. But when she rescues Morgan, it results in a series of events, that I had to keep reading to see how things would unfold! And boy, were there some reveals, and some pretty epic twists!
Once answers started coming in, about the fae and what had been done, yeah, I wanted to know what was going to happen because of that. So I found the end really satisfying, thought that bit with her love, that hurt, but that epilogue healed that hurt!
Loved reading this book and I would love to read more by Kell Woods!
Author: Kell Woods
Read: January 29th, 2025
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, Historical Fiction 2025 Book and a SAC 2025 Book!
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Expected Publication: February 18th 2025
 |
| 5/5 Hearts |
 |
| 5/5 Books |
 |
| 5/5 Stars |
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love comments, so comment away! I'll comment back if you leave a post-specific link for me to visit! If you leave that link, I'll always comment back, even if it's like, a month late!
This is an award free blog! Thanks for thinking of me but I just don't have the time to pass it along!