Format: E-Galley, 448 pages
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Publisher: Imprint
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Historical
For fans of Graceling and The Mists of Avalon, this lush fantasy about warring countries and forbidden romance will have readers entranced.
As best friend and lady-in-waiting to the princess, Branwen is guided by two principles: devotion to her homeland and hatred for the raiders who killed her parents. When she unknowingly saves the life of her enemy, he awakens her ancient healing magic and opens her heart. Branwen begins to dream of peace, but the princess she serves is not so easily convinced. Fighting for what's right, even as her powers grow, will set Branwen against her best friend and the only man she's ever loved.
Kristina Pérez's debut features star-crossed lovers who changed the fate two nations. Inspired by the legend of Tristan and Iseult, this is the story of the legend’s true heroine: Branwen.
Sweet Black Waves is
the debut novel from author Kristina Pérez. While this trilogy is a retelling
of Tristan and Isolde, it is 19-year old Branwen Cualand of Laiginzir
that is the series protagonist. Branwen is a character who puts everyone's
happiness ahead of her own. That includes her cousin Princess Eseult of Iveriu,
daughter of King Oengus and Queen Eseult, who is beyond spoiled unlike her
mother. The Queen is renowned for her skills with herbs and healing which
she has passed onto Branwen. Branwen's world was rocked to the core when
her parents, the Lord and Lady of Castle Bodwa, were murdered by ravaging
pirates when she was a child. They continue to invade Iveriu relentlessly
killing indiscriminately and leaving families shattered.
By the way, when I say Iveriu, I actually mean Ireland. When I say
Kernyv, I really mean Cornwall. While Branwen manages to do things for
everyone except herself, she makes a number of questionable choices. Choices that
will leave no doubt that her main
motivation is to protect the people she loves as well as bring peace to
Iveriu. But, when a strange man (who just happens to be Prince Tristan,
heir to the protectorate of Liones) washes up on the shore badly hurt, she
makes the choice to save his life in secret. This one moment in time is just
the beginning of Branwen's becoming more than just the niece of the King and
Queen, and the lady's maid to her cousin Essy. Branwen explores her hidden
magical abilities as well as giving her the opportunity to expand on her
desire to protect her home by aligning herself with a man who should be her
enemy.
Tristan has similar goals in mind; peace between Iveriu and
Kernyv. He chooses to participate in a champions tournament for the right to
marry Eseult and unite the countries in a long desired peace. Meanwhile,
Branwen is inching closer to making a life changing choice in order to give her
cousin the love and happiness she desires. The fact that much of the story
seesaws back and forth between Tristan and Branwen's feelings for the
other, and Essy's desire to be her own woman, throws things into disarray when
you get to the ending.
I am basing my review on the shocking and soul shattering ending
that just was mean spirited. Yes, I do know and have read the story about
Tristan and Isolde.Tristan and Isolde weren't that far behind Gweniever, Arthur
and Lancelot for the most twisted love story in history. I even watched a
really awful remake not too long ago. However, I'm not quite sure what the
point was of having the so called heroine of the story, Branwen, be involved if
the author was going to stick close to the original tale. My favorite part of
this story is the relationship between Branwen and Queen Eseult. There is so much
to gather from their conversations about magic, and the old ones, and Branwen
becoming much more than just a role player in a romance that has been retold
numerous times over the ages.
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