(3.5) What a fun ride!
When I heard there was a pirate adventure book featuring a Black cast, I was SOLD!
I was so excited to read something a little different in the fantasy sphere and it was a such a fun time!

MC Samara is working a shitty job in a tavern on the isles desperate to get away to a more adventurous life on the sea. When the call to the ocean comes in the form of having to reunite with the ex who jilted her some years ago, Samara is reluctant but goes anyway and starts an adventure for the mysterious Macarios' Scepter.
Joined by her twin sister Seraphina, an academic nun and her aforementioned ex, pirate captain Baz Blackwater; Samara learns about her new purpose in life and all the magic that now entails.

Where this book shines is the incredible descriptions of the islands they inhabit and the pirate life. I loved the terminology and the motley crew of the Pursuer. I felt really engaged in the physical world that was built and loved the exploration of the various isles. The characters feel authentic as well which is another bonus. The debauchery of pirate life, the banter between the crew and the secret love between ex lovers was so funny and relatable.

The main reason I didn't give this a solid 4 is because of the lack of lore in the world building. There is so much richness in the world that wasn't significantly explored for me. The scepter, the gods, the chosen one prophecy and reasoning were sort of rushed over so even though the adventure and action was amazing; there was a larger understanding of why that was missing for me. It could have gone a lot deeper in that respect but I hope this is done more in the second and third books in the trilogy!

Book 2, The Secret Library is available now and book 3, The Spell Keeper is available soon!