#Review - On Sinister Shores by Jennifer Ellision #YA #Fantasy

Series: Lady Pirates #3
Format: Kindle, 236 pages
Release Date: June 1, 2020
Publisher: Jennifer Ellision
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

Is her pirate revenge worth the price she'll have to pay?

Pirate Grace Porter has lost both her mother and her crew--her family--to the monstrous Mordgris creatures.

But it never would have happened if it not for the villainous pirate Whighorn.

Tracking Whighorn to a mythical island, Grace must grapple with her slipping grip on her humanity as she succumbs to a darkness in her. A darkness that isn't just her pirate experience talking. It's something deeper. Something ancient.

Something in her blood.

And she’ll have to decide if her revenge on Whighorn and the Mordgris is worth sacrificing what she has left--what she holds more dear than any treasure she's ever encountered.

Her soul.

On Sinister Shores, by author Jennifer Ellison, is the third and final installment in the authors Lady Pirates series. This story picks up right where Through Fathoms Dark and Deep left off. Protagonist Grace Porter and the survivors of the Lady Luck, including Lord Leonardo Wesson & Sam Smi, have found themselves on board her father's ship the Commandant after being rescued. Things though are not so simple. Grace is changing. She knows she's changing but she keeps up her hope that she can find her way to gain revenge against Captain Whigborn and the Broken Serpent for what he did to the crew of the Lady Luck. 

Grace needs to find a way to get to La Isla de Oro (Island of Gold) where Whigborn and his crew are heading. Leo’s brother John is also on board, so finding the Captain's ship and its crew may lead them to helping John escape which would go a long way of making things right. She also has the Map of Omna which allegedly can lead her to the home of her most dreaded enemy; the Mordgris. 3 years ago, the Mordgris allegedly took Grace's mother and vanished back to their homes.

The most curious aspect about Grace is that she seems impervious from attacks by her enemies. They've had numerous chances to take her but have left her alone for some reason. She can't forget that the Mordgris warned Grace to say away from their home. The Mordgris have the curious ability to walk on two legs and take the face of anyone that they've encountered. Grace believes that if she can find the island, she may solve the mystery of what happened to her mother. Is her mother really the monster that she believes? Or, can she be saved? Meanwhile, Grace’s relationship with her father apparently ends in a good place of respect. 

Summary: I think this story could have been longer. I would have liked to see more action. I would have liked to see more scenes between Grace and the Mordgris. There are some romance scenes between Grace and Leo. In the time of this pandemic, I understand that authors are struggling to put out a product to satisfy fans. In this case, I think the author could have waited a few more months to tighten up editing errors and making the story sing.  

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#Review - Through Fathoms Dark and Deep by Jennifer Ellision #YALit #Fantasy

Series: Lady Pirates # 2
Format: Kindle, 278 pages
Release Date: November 5, 2018
Publisher: Amazon
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

What’s a pirate without her crew?

Abandoned on an island and left for dead, pirate Grace Porter has no idea how she’ll save the crew of the Lady Luck from the traitors in their midst... until an unexpected ally appears, bringing new hope with them.

But Grace hadn't counted on the fact her new alliance means she'll be forced to confront her past--not to mention, her strange connection to the sea monsters who stole her mother. A connection that's only growing stronger.

Now, armed only with her wits and the stolen scrap of a magical map, Grace races off in hot pursuit of her ship, desperate to reach the Lady Luck before her enemies can rain destruction and havoc upon them.

Grace prays she finds them first, but the clock is ticking.

And she may already be too late.

The second fantasy novel in this YA pirates adventure series will continue to enthrall fans of Daughter of the Pirate King, Seafire, and To Kill a Kingdom.

 

 

Through Fathoms Dark and Deep is the second installment in author Jennifer Ellision's Lady Pirates series. This book picks up pretty much where Over Raging Tides left off. Pirates Grace Porter, her friend Samantha (Sam) Simi, and Allarian Leo Wesson, have been stranded on an island with no hopes of getting off. The fact that Grace is now outcast from a ship which she grew up on the past 10 years, weighs heavily on her conscious. The only thing she has left with is her mother's old watch which hasn't worked in a very long time, and a pistol with two bullets.

Thankfully, Sam was quick enough to make a copy the Map of Omna which Grace needs to lead her to the home of her nemesis, the Mordgris. The same Mordgris who seem to follow Grace everywhere she goes which leads to several hairy connections. Grace can't forget that the Mordgris warned Grace to say away from their home. The Mordgris have the curious ability to walk on two legs, and take the face of anyone that they've encountered. Grace believes that if she can find the island, she may solve the mystery of what happened to her mother.

After several days on the island, Grace, Sam, and Leo are rescued by none other than Grace's father and his ship the Commandant. The same father who Grace believes tossed her away when her mother joined with Captain Ilene and the Lady Luck. The same father who is reluctant to work with his pirate daughter, Sam, and Leo in order to find the Lady Luck. There is a whole lot to talk about regarding the mystery behind Grace and her relationship with the Mordgris. I would say that I would love to tell you how that relationship expands, but that would defeat the point of having a spoiler free review.

There is plenty of action and adventure to keep the most jaded reviewer happy. This book is about Grace's relationships with her father, as well as Leo who is sick with heartbreak knowing his only brother is stuck behind on the Lady Luck and no clue as to what his fate will be if The Commandant doesn't quickly catch up so that Grace can take care of those who betrayed her and committed mutiny against Captain Ilene. This second book has really made me curious as to what will happen in the third installment the author is calling On Sinister Shores. Once again, the author leaves readers with a few surprises along the way to the end of this story. If you loved Pirate's of the Caribbean, and Pirate's in general, you will love this series.

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Tuesday #Review - Over Raging Tides by Jennifer Ellision #YALit #Fantasy

Series: Lady Pirates # 1
Format: E-ARC, 239 pages
Release Date: March 20, 2018
Publisher: Jennifer Ellision
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

The pirate crew of the Lady Luck lives by many rules, but chief among them is this: they do not allow men on board.  That’s a rule that quartermaster Grace Porter is willing to break when a shipwrecked young nobleman offers her information of an omniscient map, stolen from his warship by an enemy vessel. Until now, the map was only the stuff of legend… but with its help, Grace may finally be able to hunt down the Mordgris, the sea monsters who stole her mother away from her.  Unfortunately, some members of her crew have other plans...  To find the map and face the Mordgris, Grace will have to confront her past, put the Luck between warring nations, and uncover treachery aboard the ship. And ultimately, her revenge and the destruction of the Mordgris will come at a hefty price: the betrayal of her crew.  Grace promised them they wouldn’t regret this.  She just isn’t sure that she won’t.

Over Raging Tides is the first installment in author Jennifer Ellision's Lady Pirates series. Onboard the Lady Luck, Grace Porter is both Quartermaster and First Mate under Captain Ilene. Onboard the Lady Luck, there are no loyalties to Kings, or Queens. It is also a ship that is filled with women pirates. The twist? "No man shall board this ship." However, after stumbling upon a wrecked warship & searching for treasure, Grace makes the choice to save survivors Leo and his younger brother John from the horrible monsters known as Mordgris.

The reason? Leo claims to know the location of a magical map that is said to be omniscient. The Map of Omna is said to be able to find the precise location of every treasure, every legend, and people who have been lost. Leo believes it is a bargaining chip to keep him and his brother alive. Grace believes it is a way to find the home of the Mordgris. The same Mordgris who were responsible for taking Grace's mother away from her. Mordgris have been haunting and stalking her wearing her mother's face for years.

After spending nearly her entire life onboard, the Lady Luck, Grace may have to do some things she never thought she would do in order to discover whether or not her mother is dead or alive. She may have to break a lot of rules, betray her fellow shipmates, and break hearts to get the revenge she is hunting. She may also have to ignore warnings to stay away from the island where Mordgris call home if she wishes to live another day. 

If you haven't already figured out that the author is a huge Pirates of the Caribbean fan, well she pretty much admits it in the credits. This is not a standalone series. You have a clear cliffhanger ending that will lead into the next installment. I shall definitely recommend this story to everyone. Grace is a great lead character, and there are plenty of twists and surprises that await the reader. 

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#Thursday Review - Fall of Thrones and Thorns by Jennifer Ellision #YALit #Fantasy

Series: Threats of Sky & Sea #3
Format: Kindle, 234 pages
Release Date: September 27, 2016
Publisher: Jennifer Ellision
Source: NetGalley
Genre: YA, Fantasy

War hurtles in, a typhoon over the sea.

After Bree’s life was torn apart, Nereidium had represented a haven to her. A place that—if she could save it—was beyond the King’s reach.

And, at last, she’s arrived upon its shores. But things in Nereidium are not what they should be.

The land is plagued by a rash of mysterious earthquakes, the likes of which it’s never known. The governors are distracted by old traditions, while Bree and her friends grapple with changing identities and the sense that the longer they wait to take action… the greater the danger from Egria grows.

Bree is tired of living under the shadow of King Langdon’s power. And she’s tired of waiting for him to be the first to act.

In this final chapter of the Threats of Sky and Sea series, it all comes down to Nereidium or Egria. To Bree or the King. It’s kill… or be killed.

And not everyone will escape the battle unscathed.

Fall of Thrones and Thorns is the third and final installment in author Jennifer Ellision's Threats of Sea & Sky Trilogy. The story alternatives between Bree, Aleta, and Prince Caden which gives it more depth by not sticking to just one or two characters. When last we left Bree and her allies Aleta, Caden, Meddie, Elena, Liam, Lilia, and Tregle at the end of Riot of Storm and Smoke, Bree's secret had been revealed and it caused all sorts of shocking reactions to everyone involved. 

Bree, not Aleta, is the real Princess and heir to the crown of Nereidium. Bree now has to deal with the fallout of deceiving her friends for so long, while also learning how to be the Queen of Nereidium.  It is a story that shows how much secrets can really harm those who are supposed to be your friends and allies and forces one character, Aleta, into looking at her own life more closely to see what exactly she is supposed to do mow that she's not the destined Princess.

To be fair and honest, most of the first part of this book is about the characters recovering over the fallout of Bree being the real Queen and thus having to learn how a monarch is expected to rule over her people who are having major problems with earthquakes. She has to learn the job from her Aunt Helen who has been the Regent of the country ever since Bree's parents were killed. She has to hope that her friends will forgive her for her misleading them for so long so that they can focus on defeating King Langdon.

There's not a whole lot of romance in this story, but I was happy to see Aleta making the right choices with Tregle who has been with her since the beginning of this series. I am curious as to the reasoning behind the Epilogue, but since it really didn't have a heavy impact on the story itself, I shall let it slide. Open ending stories leave me with a headache. I want more of a solid closing to a series than what we are left with. Overall though, I am glad that there was enough action, magic, and a grand confrontation between Bree's allies, and the dreaded King Langdon. 

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#Tuesday Review - Riot of Storm and Smoke by Jennifer Ellision (YA, Fantasy)

Series: Threats of Sky and Sea # 2
Format: Kindle, 239 pages
Release Date: August 18, 2015
Publisher: Self-Published
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

War draws closer, like a tide to the shore.

Bree and her friends have escaped the clutches of the Egrian King, but their troubles are far from over. Still reeling from the secrets that drew new breath when her father took his last, Bree sets off for the safety of Nereidium-- the kingdom she's just learned is hers.

But with the King's ire at its peak and war a certainty, Nereidium is no longer safe. As Prince Caden rallies the Egrian people against his tyrant father, Bree, Princess Aleta, and Tregle race to the Nereid shore to warn them of the incoming danger—and to put the Nereid Princess on the throne.

The only trouble there: Bree can’t bring herself to reveal that the Princess is her.

It’s not a dilemma she can waste time pondering. With a new weapon in his arsenal, the King's strikes are sure to be bolder than ever before. And Bree may not be ready to wear a crown… but she won't let her kingdom down without a fight

Riot of Storm and Smoke is the second installment in author Jennifer Ellision's Threats of Sky and Sea trilogy. This story picks up immediately where the first book left off. Bree, Aleta, and Tregle have escaped King Langdon's castle leaving many unanswered questions and bodies in their wake. For Bree, things are even more complicated after a shocking confession by the man who was thought to be her father. Bree was never was told the truth about her actual parentage, or the fate that awaits her if she can find a way to Nereidium, or the fact that she is a Water Wielder which came out in all its glory in front of a King. 

Now, however, she and her friends are lucky to be able to escape the castle without facing the injustices that are soon to be reigned down on Prince Caden by his father and his torturer Tutor Larsden. So, while Bree and the others are making their way across country, Caden is trying to stay alive. While Bree is coming to terms with what happened, and what her father told her, she meets the Underground led by a man named Clift who has been working with Caden. We are are also introduced to Meddie who will become more than just a bit player introduced to make things more intriguing. I adore Meddie, and I am sure you will too.

The story alternatives between Bree and Caden. Gives things a more wide range perspective as the two are rushing head first into driving alliances to take down a King, while getting Bree to Nereidium. I also liked that we get a better look at Caden, and how he pulled the wool over his own father's eyes while helping the Underground. While Bree, Aleta, Meddie, & Tregle are making their cross country, Caden gets a little assistance, and puts together his own alliance and army with the help of Lilia & Liam & Elena.

This is a book where things actually happen. It is a book that has Bree in an emotional state and even seeing someone that has connected with her on a soul level. There is plenty of action. There is some really horrible things that happen, and there is a cliffhanger ending that will encourage readers to read the final novel in the series.

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#Friday Review - Threats of Sky & Sea by Jennifer Ellision (Young Adult, Fantasy) @JenEllision

Series: Threats of Sky & Sea, # 1
Format: Paperback, 360 pages
Release Date: May 20, 2014
Publisher: Self Published
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy>Magic

Sixteen year-old Breena Perdit has spent her life as a barmaid, innocent to her father’s past and happily free from the Elemental gifts that would condemn her to a life in the Egrian King’s army. Until the day that three Elemental soldiers recognize her father as a traitor to the throne and Bree’s father is thrown in jail—along with the secrets from his last mission as the King’s assassin. Secrets that could help the King win a war. Secrets he refuses to share.

Desperate to escape before the King’s capricious whims prove her and her father’s downfall, Bree bargains with him: information for their lives. It’s a good trade. And she has faith she’ll get them both out of the King’s grasp with time. But that was before the discovery that she’s the weapon the King’s been waiting for in his war.
Now, time is running out. To save her father’s life and understand her own, Bree must unravel the knot of her father’s past before the King takes his life– and uses her to bring a nation to its knees.

Threats of Sky and Sea is the first installment in author Jennifer Ellision's Threats of Sky and Sea trilogy. The series starts out with 16-year old Breena Rose Perdit living and working as a barmaid in Aberline with her father who runs The Bridge and Duchess tavern. Bree and her Da live the simple life keeping to themselves, knowing that Elementals are spirited away to join the Kings army. But, things change after Bree encounters King's Dogs searching for rogue elemental and they follow her home. 

Bree's entire world shatters when her father's past comes home to roost. Her father isn't the person she thought he was. Instead, her father is the Duke of Secan who has been AWOL for Sixteen years after disappearing on a mission to the land known as Nereidium. He was supposed to bring back a certain treasure, but disappeared instead. Ardie, as he is called, was also one of the Kings Rider's along with Lady Katherine du Eirya. Bree and her Da are taken away to the capital of Egrian where he was once the best friend of King Langdon, and ends up in prison.

But not for long. While Ardie is sent to the dungeon for being a traitor, now Lady Breena since she is technically the heir to the Duchy of Secan, is sent into Egrian society where people scorn and treat her like a poisoned thorn. It is a place where she is expected to learn social graces, while also being experimented on by a maniac to see if she has any worthwhile value to the King. The same King who is looking for a Thrower to destroy Nereidium's defenses. The same King who has issued orders that Prince Caden and Princess Aleta marry. 

Nobody could imagine, including Bree, what she holds inside her. How could it when her father kept her hidden and away from society for her entire life? How can it when people continue to try and label her unwanted and unrealistic labels?It will take allies like Prince Caden, Princess Aleta (the supposed heir to the Nereidium crown), and Adept Tregle to stay one step ahead of the King, and his loyal dog Lady Kat.

Bree's world that is filled with elementals who have an affinity for earth (Shakers), fire (Torchers), water (Throwers), and air (Riders). 

Here's the things I liked about Bree. She's resourceful. She knows how to fight back, and not wilt like a flower. She's got an attitude and isn't afraid to back it up. She also has a curiously warm relationship with her father even when he has let her down in the most shameful way possible. While this story does end on a pretty stunning cliffhanger, I was able to pick up the sequel and the finale thanks to Patchwork Press. Reviews for those two books will be coming along shortly. 

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