Review of Sea of Souls by N. C. Scrimgeour
Sea of Souls by N. C. Scrimgeour (Alcruix Press, 2023) is a gorgeous fantasy novel inspired by Scottish mythology and filled with family secrets and loads of heart-stopping action and danger.
Isla Blackwood left her family’s home to become a sailor. But on learning that her mother has taken ill, accompanied by a cryptic letter from her mother, she returns home. She’s barely there and settled before things go from bad to worse, and soon she, her brother Lachlan, and their bodyguard Darce are running and fighting for their lives everywhere they go.
I really enjoyed this Scottish-inspired fantasy novel and the little touches of worldbuilding strewn throughout. The characters, too, are top notch, with complex motivations leading to very realistic characterizations. And while the conclusion of the story made it clear this is the first in a series, it still wraps up in a fairly satisfying way but leaving the door open for so much more. I can only hope that many of Isla’s friends and associates, especially the crew of the Jade Dawn, return in future books!
If you enjoy the sort of book that keeps you biting your nails over whether your favorite characters are going to be safe (but knowing full well this is the first book of an eventual series), Sea of Souls is the book for you. It’s got flavors of piracy and evil empires, but also great found family vibes and the sacrifices people make to keep their family, blood or chosen, alive. Sea of Souls comes out on Friday, August 5, 2023.
The author provided me an advance copy of this book for review consideration.
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