Ship of Spells

Overall Rating: 5/5

Step aboard the Touchstone...

When Ensign Honor Renn, a bluemage in service to the Navy is shipwrecked. She fears her life is over. After all, she has no ship, and she is a barely trained bluemage... despite the fact that she was one of the best of her class...

So, when she is unexpectedly rescued by who she views as the enemy, she quietly hopes for death...

Only to find herself aboard the Touchstone... a ship not only with a mind of its own but also bonded to its captain.... and a motley crew of the best mages and misfits...

Ok, ok, grab on to something because things are going to get a little bumpy (somewhat literally but also not) ... To be frank when I hopped on to catch up to my reviews and get myself situated, I did not expect to see the stunning number of low-star reviews on this book. Maybe it's because I too am easily pleased by a good novel, or that my vivid imagination has a fond appreciation for more things than I realized... but Ship of Spells is a beautifully complex fast-paced tale that is steeped in tales of the sea, and of rich piratical lore like no other...

Yes, there is cursing, but is that not to be expected when it comes to pirates?

Ship of Spells is not as heavily focused on the romance factor as much as other romantasies may, nor may it seem as torch to flame. But for me, I thoroughly enjoyed watching as the romance blossomed in a true sort of slow burn fashion...of banter and the increasing trust between the two that blossoms into so much more...

And the thing that makes Ship of Spells so special in my eyes is the magic, the fantasy... and of course, the Touchstone.... this ship... this sentient ship.... is such an important element in this book.... taking them through dangerous magical storms... and wrapping our female character in a dangerous state of the in-between... of the life she knows and her new life on the Touchstone. All that Honor knew will be thrown out the window...

It might be confusing at first as you begin to read Ship of Spells but do not be discouraged, for this tale is darkly enchanting, evocative, and truly feels alive with how complex the pirates feel....Perfect for fans of Arya Stark and Leigh Bardugo... also, there is a glossary of things if you are feeling confused by the old-school ship talk and other terms in the back of the book! Just in case.

I am voluntarily leaving this review as I was sent a copy in advanced by the publisher. (I'm still floating on a cloud from the reality of it!) Thank you, Red Tower, Entangled Publishing, and of course, to the fantastic talent behind this magical tale that will haunt me as Davy Jones' Song does and always will... H. Leighton Dickson. Thank you for bringing a story as magical as this one to life, and I cannot wait to read the sequel.

Will I be going out to actually purchase a copy of this book? Absolutely. (Also, because the sprayed edge goblin in me demands it.)