"'There.' I lean across to tuck [a flower] behind his ear. 'Everything useless around here is beautifully decorated. I wouldn't want you to feel left out.'"

I thought I was emotionally prepared for The Isles of the Gods this time, but it turns out I was wrong. This book has so many amazing quotes and tropes and I love it so much.
The story follows Selly (a sailor), Leander (a prince), and Keegan (a scholar) as they sail to the Isles of the Gods to make an overdue sacrifice to their goddess in order to prevent a war. While I will say that I remember it being a bit more action-packed, the banter is impeccable and the character dynamics carry the story. There's a sense of danger, but I'm hoping for more (and more angst) from book two. Also, the ending is cruel and the world is unjust and I am sad.
Like I said, the characters are absolutely amazing. Selly is the main female protagonist and she's so stubborn and strong but also genuinely cool. Keegan is literally me (a bookworm who could care less about romance) except he doesn't want to be on the adventure. Leander is ... look, he's one of my favorite book characters of all time. A spoiled, snarky prince who uses sarcasm to hide his insecurities? What more could I ask for? I like Jude's character, but I did not like Laskia at all. Also, I'm hoping for more Anselm and Galen backstory because the one chapter we got was so sad and good.
I will become a monster the moment book two releases and I will recommend this book to anyone and everyone who crosses my path.
4.5/5
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‘I didn’t think any sort of romantic entanglement suited you, Wollesley.’
‘Correct.’
‘Better a book than a person?’
‘A book rarely lets you down,’ he says crisply. ‘You will find friends in its pages when they are nowhere else’”(pages 173-174)

Amie Kaufman, how dare you do this to me! That ending was just plain cruel!
Pirates? Multiple POV? Magic systems focused on sacrifice? Banter? Only-one-bed trope? A character who hates romance because why fall in love when there’s books? I adored this book so much but now I have to wait another year to find out what happens next.
Selly, Leander, and Keegan might be one of my favorite book trios of all time.

Link to Libby Annotations