Did Not Finish. I had a really hard time getting into this story. I have mixed feelings because people say it is so good. I will probably need to go back and visit this book on a later date.

*HUGE thanks to Bloomsbury, Netgalley & Sarah Tolscer for the eGalley copy of Song of the Current. All opinions are my own.

PLOT

Song Of The Current is THE book you must read if you've been seeking adventure in the high seas! the main protagonist Caro has a passion & true calling for sailing and adventure, she is an Orestia after all! Caro is waiting for the day that the River God calls her name to meet her fate however, it hasn't happened & this makes her question if she's even cut out for the waterways. Nevertheless she continues to work alongside her father taking contracts to smuggle all sorts of goods (some shadier than others). It is when her father is imprisoned for refusing to help smuggle a highly classified item that Caro is forced to take the helm. She plans to get her dad out of prison with or without the help of the river god by fulfilling the contract her father declined. This job will take her far away from the river she knows so well, into the vast ocean & troubled waters where only a true captain & thrill seeker would dare go. Caro has no idea what lies inside the crate she's been tasked with transporting in exchange for her father's freedom, only that it's highly secretive. We follow Caro on an adventure that may seem like fate after all. This book has it all! Privateers VS. Pirates, people of color, politics, its own mythos, frogmen, Gods, feminism, & a bit of romance.

CHARACTERS

Diversity rules the pages of Song of the Current & I just LIVED for every single character introduction! Starting with Caro our main female protagonist who is described as being darker skinned with dark reddish colored coiled hair. Although when we meet Caro she is content with life up and down the river alongside her father, we get a sense that hers is a destiny much larger. With Caro, there is nothing traditional & she’s just not having it, this includes any ideologies on being a housewife. Our MC knows what she wants & isn’t afraid to go after it. I loved seeing the strong bond she had with her dad, Father-daughter relationships are my Kryptonite. On their modest ship it’s only three of them: Caro, her dad, and Fee a Frogmen (half human/half frog). They have each others backs and basically just aim to survive until it all changes. Along the way we meet Caro’s mother but I won’t go to much into her role for fear of spoilers. I will say that Caro’s mother is also a POC & that I LOVED her flawed & all! the love interest is another I can’t go into too much detail but I will say that he is the complete opposite of Caro & that the age old saying “opposites attract” would apply here ;)

WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS

Song of the Current is THE ULTIMATE! Pirate book so if you’re a hardcore fan of pirates, this is the book you’re going to want to read. Down the lingo used in the dialogue, you’re getting pirate take which made for a more authentic reading experience. Earlier in the year I read & LOVED Daughter of the Pirate King (MUST READ! Lol) but I also came across reviewers who felt they didn’t get the full on Pirate experience. Song of the Current will satisfy those looking for a Pirates of the Caribbean experience. The pacing however, if i’m being completely honest, was a bit on the slower side to start. However, I was never bored and the the story itself hooked me in (see what I did there? ehhh) from the very start. The love interest wasn’t my favorite but I’m beginning to see more & more of that in YA Fantasy with strong female heroines. My thoughts on the romance are that it isn’t made to take center stage to Caro’s story & in that sense I was OK with it, her feelings are explained in the book. The world building was A+ from the lingo, clothing, way of life, and mythos behind the Gods. This is book 1 in what I think is a duology? (correct me if I’m wrong) & the ending (one of my faves) was perfect! just enough to make me want to come back for more. After-all, Caros fate awaits her…

Have any of you bookworms picked this one up yet? If you have, how did this adventure fare with you? excited for the sequel? let me know in the comments ;)

Looking for an epic adventure filled with pirates, magic, mystery and action? Look no further. Song of the Current is everything you are looking for and more. In exchange for her father's freedom after he gets arrested for smuggling, Caro agrees to transport a mysterious box. If only she knew the adventure she was about to ensue on. The world building is absolutely phenomenal. You will get drawn into this unique world that is so fleshed out and brilliantly created. The protagonist is one worth rooting for. The mythology is outstanding. The political intrigue is everything. It is rare that a YA book comes out and has this sort of effect on readers. But believe me now when I say: Song of the Current is that book. Do not hesitate to check this one out today!

Caroline has been raised by her father, a wherryman, and has lived her life on the river transporting goods from port to port on board their beloved wherry. Until pirates destroy many wherry boats searching for a special crate. Caro’s father refuses officials when they demand he transport the crate, while being pursued by pirates, so they throw him in jail. Caro strikes a deal that she will transport the crate, earning the release of her father upon successful delivery.

It doesn’t take long for Caro to defy instructions and open the crate, awakening the contents, the heir to a neighboring kingdom. Markos’s family has been murdered and the court magician enchanted crates to whisk away Markos by enchanting him into a deep sleep. Now that he is awake, he and Core struggle to escape pirates and rescue his sister who was also sent away in a crate. And then, what to do about his kingdom and the overthrow attempt?

Core is a headstrong heroine, full of spunk and boldness. She can certainly take care of herself and doesn’t think much of the pampered noble that she is stuck with. Markos is the stereotypical noble snob turned genuine person. He is brave and loyal and of course, falls for Core. Plenty of swash-buckling action, near deaths, and nasty pirates make this derring-do story a fun read.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: There was nothing terribly wrong with Song of the Current really, but it didn't excite me like it should've. I wanted to love this book so badly. Any fantasy novel that doesn't follow the normal formula is bound to be great...except this one disappointed me.
The good news is, the world-building felt very original. I loved that it wasn't all humans, that there were frog-people, and they weren't the enemy. I also loved the difference between Caro's world and her mother's world. I really wanted more setting details, though. Nothing was lush enough to help me imagine it.
I never felt connected to Caro or Tarquin/Markos or any of the other characters. The plot didn't keep me on the edge of my seat.
Language, romance, and violence all seemed relatively tame.

The Verdict: Could've been so good; I'm definitely a black sheep when it comes to this one.

Are you looking for a Fantasy YA with a pirate feel to it? If so, you should definitely check out Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser. The main character is Caro and she knows she is destined to live her life on the river but she is also worried as the river god hasn’t spoken her name yet and she wonders if he ever will.

I loved Caro. She knows what she wants and she is willing to do whatever she needs to in order to protect her friends and family. She definitely faces off with some tough situations but manages to find her way through and figure out what her fate truly is.

When her father is arrested, Caro takes on a task that she knows may create bigger issues for her than she might be prepared to handle. When she realizes what she has really agreed to, Caro finds herself in a situation where she has to decide what she really wants for herself and what she is willing to do for it.

I don’t want to give much away here but there happens to be a courier that Caro encounters and the banter these two have was fantastic. The way their relationship was developed was one of my favorite parts of the book and I need more of these two.

In addition to that, I thought Tolcser did a wonderful job of pulling me into the world Caro lives in. Despite spending a lot of time on the water/on a boat, the story never felt stuck or dragged. There was plenty of action, danger, and some swoony bits that kept me turning the pages and because I needed to see what was going to happen next.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next in this series. If you don’t have this on your radar, definitely go add this to your TBR shelf right now. It has great characters and an interesting story and I don’t know how I’m going to wait until 2018 to see what happens in the next.

This was so much fun to read. I want all the pirate books! Though Caro is technically a privateer, I still think of this as a pirate story. This was full of swashbuckling and romance and adventure. Caro was such a fun heroine, and I really enjoyed the world Tolscer created. Highly recommend.

Sorry, for me this not a good match. I just can't seem to get started. I've tried to read it 2 times and don't make it through chapter 1.

I absolutely loved this book and will try not to gush too much about all the things that were done so so so right. I didn't know I was going to love this book as much as I do, I went into it open minded and expecting a fluffy young adult romance. Instead I got a smart, thoughtful adventure (and some romance). Excellent world building, nicely woven plot, and consistent pacing. The characters feel real and their conversations are completely natural, especially the banter. Many passages throughout Song of the Current that were very quotable!

"Current Carry You"
Fate is central to the lives of the people of Song of the Current, it is reflected in their words of greeting, blessing, parting- "Current carry you," and it is a strong theme throughout the book. Fate is a very difficult thing to write and Tolcser tackles it well by incorporating it into the lives of the characters and the world, she instills it with meaning beyond a plot device or a means to keep the plot moving or justify events. Fate is an accepted part of this world and by no means does it deprive the characters a sense of choice and agency.
Themes of agency and choice are interwoven with fate in a way that allows the characters to still forge their own paths and solve their own problems.

“Who ever tried to kiss a girl because she’s capable?”
Song of the Current is full of powerful female characters. Caro, most of all, is perfectly described as capable. She is completely ready to leap into action and solve problems because she is smart, thoughtful, and bold. In addition to Caro, there are a number of other, equally bold, interesting women. And even better, the women interact positively and constructively with one another.

"We're stronger together than apart. Don't you think?"
Yes. Yes. Yes to romantic partnerships that emphasis characters becoming stronger and better because they are together. I appreciate a romance free from angst and doubt and endless pining, Caro always remained focused on achieving her goals. The plot movement did not revolve around decisions made because of romance, Caro knows herself and even when she learns new secrets about herself she is still true to her goals and dreams, she would never ever consider adjusting her life and goals for a man- this was very refreshing. Also, the narrative was always true to Caro's true feelings, it never delved into I-hate-this-man-but-look-at-his-rippling-biceps-swoon-cuz-deep-down-I-am-in-love-even-though-he-has-no-redeeming-qualities, Caro hated Markos until he shifted into a decent human being and she didn't swoon over him when he was still a jerk. Come to think of it, Caro doesn't swoon at all! Again, so very refreshing.

I found very few faults with this book and easily overlooked them because of how much I enjoyed the rest of the story. I hope that Fee (or frogmen in general if we don't see more of Fee) is further developed in later books. She doesn't come across as a character with her own desires and motivations, she seems to follow Caro no matter what, I found myself wanting to know more about her and why. My other issue is that there isn't a lot of danger, in that I had no doubts that the characters would be safe. Amazingly, this didn't take away from the plot's movement because Tolscer writes very exciting action sequences, and narrow escapes were almost always complicated with more problems. These few minor things completely pale up against the positive aspects of the book, they are things that I imagine will likely improve as Tolcser continues to develop and grow as a writer.

Song of the Current is an amazing debut novel and I am so excited (find a time machine excited) to read Sarah Tolcser's work in the future.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. But I'm placing an order for my own copy right now!

An adventurous story set in a newly-imagined world dominated by rivers, Song of the Current is a strong debut for Sarah Tolcser. Obviously the launch of a new young adult series, this fantasy might take a few chapters or so to gain steam but ends up being a fun, clever ride before long.

Very much in the tradition of travel fantasy, Song of the Current's Caro spends the novel journeying all over her world, in search of herself and a way to fulfill a bargain to save her dad. In a world of gods and monsters, pirates and frogmen, coup d'etats and magic, it's a tall order for a rivergirl on her lonesome. Still, Caro is her own person and a fully capable young woman; she's worked her whole life on the river and that expertise comes in handy. She's also fiery and feisty, a bit quick to take offense and to get angry. I loved her.

Other characters besides Caro can be a bit frustrating as they come into play during Song of the Current. Tarquin's role and reveal is pretty predictable from the blunt storytelling and his own foolishness, though he does become a more nuanced person as the novel continues. There's plenty of action and adventure to keep the plot moving and the pace quick, but it can feel a bit repetitive. The writing itself is strong for a debut, and occasionally lovely in its unique syntax.

("There is a god at the bottom of the river. Some folks will tell you that's just a story. But us wherry folk know different. When the reeds along the banks whisper that a squall is rushing across the marshland, we listen. When the tide flows up from the sea, we know enough to watch.

The god in the river speaks to us in the language of small things.")



Sarah Tolcser is a talented writer and her debut is a memorable and thrilling read. Some of Song of the Current's narrative may be a bit bluntly handled, the secondary characters may feel a bit underdeveloped, but there's no denying this a strong, entertaining fantasy.

Sarah Tolscer's debut effort, Song of the Current, is a swashbuckling YA Fantasy that is non-stop fun!
Caroline Oresteia is the headstrong daughter of a wherryman. Having grown up on a small cargo vessel in the riverlands, she and her father travel from port to port delivering whatever it is they've been hired to transport. It's an adventurous life and Caro wants nothing more than to follow in her father's footsteps - to be blessed by the river god and live a wherryman's life on the river.

Our story begins with a pirate attack that leaves many a vessel burning in port; hired mercenaries seeking something valuable held within the port's keep. When her father is arrested by the harbor master on smuggling charges, Caro finds herself in a situation unlike any other she's been in. To free her father, she must deliver a mysterious box to a neighboring city. However, when it turns out that the cargo she's been hired to deliver is the same cargo that the pirates are seeking, a thrilling chase ensues as Caro must outmaneuver and keep hidden from the Black Dogs who pursue her.

Tolscer delivers a fast paced YA fantasy complete with mysterious shadowmen, a courier with a secret, plenty of intrigue, a little romance and a high stakes cat and mouse chase through the waters of the riverlands. Tolcser's cast of characters are a likeable bunch and many of the exchanges throughout the book are fun and engaging. The plot is well developed for a first novel, but leaves plenty to be explored in later volumes - which I'm hoping for! There were a few exchanges at later points in the book that I could have done without, but overall I felt the storyline was strong, the characters well developed and enjoyed the vivid descriptions of life on the water.

If you enjoy a unique, fast paced YA adventure you'll likely enjoy this book! I found it to be a fun addition to my summer reading list and anticipate the next installment!

Sarah Tolcser's debut novel wasn't on my radar until Amber-Elise mentioned loving it, and I'm so glad that she talked about the book, because this book is one of the best historical YA fantasy books that I've read in a long time. It's been a while since I've been THIS invested in a new series, and a new cast, so I'm thankful beyond words to this author and Song of the Current for that. 

Any time a book mentions pirates, sailing, and the ocean, I'm 100% in. I got out of this exactly what that blurb promises. Song of the Current was fun from beginning to end, and it's a story that's hard to put down because of how compelling it is. There's a lot of great things going on here, so I'll talk a bit about all the elements that worked for me. First off the world building. It was stunning. Tolcser managed to craft a fantasy world that bears familiar elements, but is still unique in many aspects. I think one of my concerns going into any YA fantasy is that the world is difficult to picture because of info-dumping, but that wasn't the case here. The author builds the world foundation by foundation, and slowly introduces us to the history, culture, and magical inhabiting her world. I particularly enjoyed the different cultures and the different people in the world, and I'm looking forward to learning more about them in the next book. I also liked how adventurous the book was. Like I said, it was a fun book, and Sarah Tolcser weaved together a pretty addicting story in Song of the Current.

The story wouldn't have been great had it not been for its terrific heroine. Caro was sassy, brave, strong and mouthy - just the kind of heroine this book needed. She was quite the blast, and I enjoyed what a firecracker she was. She wouldn't bow down to others, and she did not let anyone boss her around. She's not perfect though, and along the way, she stumbles and makes mistakes. But Caro also undergoes a lot of growth as she goes on this journey to deliver the special cargo, across the ocean. I love that she was a character who was willing to learn from her mistakes. I think that's what made her infinitely more attractive as a heroine. Tarquin, who at first I wasn't sure I could trust, also managed to sweep me off my feet by the end. He's a bit more uptight and proper compared to Caro, and they butt heads a lot in the beginning, but they also grow to become very fond of each other. 

The romance here between the two was an enemies-to-lover romance, and it was exactly the way I like my hate-to-love romance, not too acerbic. The build-up to the kissing scenes especially was fantastic, and you bet, I was giddy with the swoons when it came to the chemistry between Caro and Tarquin. I loved how they made each other better through their relationship. I also have to give major props to Sarah Tolcser for the detailed conversation about consent, and what has to be the most consenty (not a word, I know), love scene I have ever come across in YA book. These conversations are so important, and I wish we'd see more of them in YA. 

OK. I think I've rambled enough about my love for Song of the Current. I know that there are many books out this month, but do yourself a favor, and add it to your TBR. It's a whole lot of fun, has an A+ cast, and the romance is swoony as heck. What more can you ask of from a fantasy book? :)

This book absolutely caught my heart with its levels of epicness. I'm always on the look out for delicious pirate books, and this doesn't disappoint! Also add in a dash of love/hate romance, smuggling, dark power that does not sleep, badass female captains, personified water gods, a small mention of a water drakon, and delicious amounts of fried fishfingers. I love this book.

I will also rave over the world building. Most of the book takes place on rivers, and I could just feel the murky depths and the jungles and the wherries catching the right tides as they slink up and down jungle infested rivers. I COULD SEE IT ALL. It was perfect and brilliant. #aesthetic Plus it actually had a unique and interesting magic system and an intoxicatingly vicious political aspect going on. I didn't get confused or overwhelmed. Details were sparse but pointed.

Caro was an AMAZING protagonist! She's stubborn and feisty and loyal and brave. She's in love with the water and her boat and when her dad gets thrown into jail for not smuggling something for the royalty? CARO DOES IT.
She gets a letter of the marque and becomes a privateer. Also she will stab you in the eye if you insult her ship.

The romance was just the best, with the love-to-hate trope done to perfection. Caro getting entangled with an important and stuffily vain boy who needs her help. Their banter is exceptional. Mostly because they hate each other. I ship these two. Markos is forever my favourite. He dresses nicely, he has no idea what anything does on a ship (#relatable), and he is badass when he's finished being vain.

The plot was engaging the whole time! Although all the sea/ship explanations lost me. However it did make the book feel real. There as plenty of sailing and gunshots and sneaking around like skulking pirates.

My only dislikes? Not much! I was just disappointed I guessed all the plot twists and the stakes never felt really high enough for me to be worried for the characters.

This is a completely murky and beautiful tale of rivers and pirates, of smugglers and guns, of sea gods and monsters. It was beautifully and engagingly written with characters I fell totally in love with! I adored how much it empowered women and gave us the badass female pirates we've all been longing for.

An enjoyable adventure story! Loved Caro and her determination to sail her father's wherry in the face of great danger, with only a mysterious stranger and a frog-person as company. A fun, swashbuckling tale.

This everything I love in a book, pirate-mayhem, magic, and mystery- Song of the Current brings readers on the journey of a girl who has lived her life on the water, and a boy who has secrets that threaten to unfold. Caroline Oresteia embarks on a dangerous adventure to prove her worth to her father, other wherrymen, and the river god, as she seals her fate. Caught in political intrigue and trouble with pirates, Caro learns more about herself, her skills, and her future to save those she loves. Join Caro as she escapes danger, faces pirates, and protects her family, despite the costs she may face. This story is exciting and adventurous as readers embark on this journey themselves.

Tolcser's writing is fresh, witty, and fun, a combination that had me speeding through this book! If you like swashbuckling pirates, young women who don't take no for an answer, and adventures on rivers and by sea, then pick up SONG OF THE CURRENT right now. This book is a fabulous addition to any library,

Review date: June 1, 2017
Review link: http://dulivre.blogspot.com/2017/05/book-review-song-of-current.html


Plot: Caro had her future all outlined, she would inherit the family boat and live her days on the river like a true wherryman. Her plans went to hell when she was forced to deliver a package to a neighboring kingdom and deal with a boy who clearly had never set foot on a boat. Unexpectedly, Caro found herself with unlikely allies and a key player in a political scheme.

I don't know how to start this review. I have written words and deleted words multiple times and looked up synonyms for "great." No matter what I say, it won't truly describe how much I loved this book. From the start, you could tell that Song of the Current was going to be a non-stop adventure. The plot is your basic political betrayal, but it pulled from a lot of other happenings in the Song of the Current world which I'm eagerly awaiting to learn more about in the sequel.

Characters: Be still my heart; Caro was everything and I wanted and more. Raised by her father, Caroline wasn't afraid to get down and dirty and would do anything to protect her home. She was headstrong, fearless, and unsure of her place in life. I loved her because she thought that she was destined for a quiet river life and saw herself as a "sidekick" in someone else's story.

Caro was also biracial and I found it really interesting how Tolcser handled race relations in this fantasy world. I recommend checking out this blog post the author wrote before reading Song of the Current, because it's great insight to Tolcser's intentions and hopes for Caro's portrayal.

Okay enough of that, can we talk about the kissing? Because the kissing, it killed me guys! The romance was my all-time favorite trope of "enemies-to-lovers" and those two were at each other's throats 90% of the time. The banter was witty and had me laughing out loud at times, and I absolutely adored how the author wrote their journey to each other and her subtle thoughts on love and attraction.

Worldbuilding: Sarah Tolcser wrote one of the most authentic fantasy worlds I've seen in a while. Tolcser clearly had a deep love for life on water and her passion for it spilled onto the pages. She incorporated regional dialects, traditions, and local mythologies. Song of the Current took place mostly on water but it never felt limiting. I grew to love wherryman life and easily fell into Caro's day to day motions on the river.

Short N Sweet: Song of the Current took my breath away with Caro's sass and the beauty of the river lands. This is a series I'll be talking about for a long time.

Wow, such a strong debut! This book was definitely one of the most adventurous pirate stories I have ever read. I loved that Caro was such a strong female lead in a roll that is usually fulfilled by a male character. She was so fierce and spunky which made her really endearing. I also loved Fee, the frogman who worked for Caro and her father. When Caro and Fee set off on their journey, there were some heart pounding moments, along with some comedic moments. The writing was fantastic and the world building was on point even though some of the names felt a little hard to pronounce. There were moments that felt as though I had already read them in other books but sometimes that is hard to get away from in fantasy novels. Overall this book was very enjoyable complete with thrilling adventures and lovable characters.

Current carry you, my friend, because this book certainly will! I was so excited about Song of the Current and usually all that excitement tends to mean I absolutely love a book or it doesn’t meet my expectations. This happened to be the former (yay!) and I am SO ready for the next book in the series.

Tolcser creates such an interesting world with the god at the bottom of the river, the frogmen, the wherries traveling the rivers beholden to no emparch or lord. It’s the story of the common people with a destiny that cannot be escaped and that immediately stood out for me. There’s such a vibrancy to the writing, the way the characters talk, the different cultures of the people Caro meets along the trip. It’s rich, unique, and I devoured it.

Caro is the perfect example of what I look for in a heroine. She’s strong and brave, but makes mistakes, gets flustered, knows a lot about some things but still has a lot to learn—she is a character who grows. In this book alone she’s not the same girl she started out as and I loved watching that transformation. She’s caring and devoted and if I had to pick a character to be in my corner, I’d want her.

Not that Tarquin is anything to sneer at, quite the swordsman that one. Tolscer actually showed a great character arc for him too which I was really impressed by. He and Caro have to work together and it changes both of them ultimately for the better. Plus, their dynamic made for some pretty entertaining scenes (a bucket of water comes to mind…).

I even liked their romance even though I saw it coming. While I don’t think it was necessary exactly, I totally want more. I love romance in my stories and this one was perfect, somewhat of an enemies-to-lovers deal but not rushed and also not childish. The characters are treated as both teens and adults in the decisions they make which I appreciated as a reader.

The other characters that came and went throughout the book never suffered either. I felt like each received enough detail to give them life depending on how large of a role they played. There are definitely some side stories I can see coming out in the future, like Kenté’s (oh PLEASE give us her story!).

Song of the Current is full of action and adventure that sang to my inner pirate lover (even if the main character isn't a pirate). Perfect for fans of the sea-driven Daughter of the Pirate King and the beautifully written The Hundredth Queen. I don’t think I can recommend this book enough, and if you haven’t already, definitely get this one on your TBR and pre-ordered. It’s time to sail down the river in your own wherry!