I loved this watery world! The reader slips easily onto the small boat with Caro, feeling the wind in the sails and the current of the water carry them through the story. Caro's careful listening for the voice of the river god, a voice her father says she will hear in the language of small things, the quiet whispers of animals and plants along the river, and the motion of the water itself, makes the world feel real.

The story moves quickly and the plot has plenty of twists. Romance and pirates, sword fights and quick escapes. Even a sea monster. It took me some time to get pulled into the characters, but sticking with them pays off. I’d recommend this for action-adventure and fantasy lovers.

Caroline Oresteia is destined for the river. For generations, her family has been called by the river god, who has guided their wherries on countless voyages throughout the Riverlands. At seventeen, Caro has spent years listening to the water, ready to meet her fate. But the river god hasn’t spoken her name yet—and if he hasn’t by now, there’s a chance he never will.

Caro decides to take her future into her own hands when her father is arrested for refusing to transport a mysterious crate. By agreeing to deliver it in exchange for his release, Caro finds herself caught in a web of politics and lies, with dangerous pirates after the cargo—an arrogant courier with a secret—and without the river god to help her. With so much at stake, Caro must choose between the life she always wanted and the one she never could have imagined for herself.

From debut author Sarah Tolcser comes an immersive and romantic fantasy set along the waterways of a magical world with a headstrong heroine determined to make her mark. (via Goodreads)
I received an eARC from Netgalley courtesy of the publisher, Bloomsbury Children's Books, in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Song of the Current, but it wound up having everything I wanted from it - sea monsters, beautiful ships (of all kinds *wink wink*), frogpeople, learning to recognize privilege, enthusiastic consent and true familial love.

I also really loved that this was hate-to-lovers. The love interest drove me a little bit crazy until he pulled his head out of his ass, and I loved that both he and Caro changed quite a bit during this story.

I loved that Caro's mom was not necessarily the warmest of people, but that she still works to show Caro she cares about her. I really liked her as a character, and I look forward to seeing how she grows in future books. Her business smarts are something that Caro could learn a lot from as a privateer. I also can't wait to learn more about Kenté. She's a badass.

I also loved that both Caro and the love interest realized that a traditional marriage would not work for them, and that they still wanted to do whatever they wanted in the meantime. These are two things that I rarely see in YA.

All that being said, I found the use of "be" constantly to be a little bit grating at first, especially since it was only in Caro's speech, not her thinking. However, I got used to it pretty quickly.

I really wanted to know more about Fee, and I'd loooooove to read the novella of how Caro's parents met. I recommend this book for fans of the Bloody Jack series and True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, and those who just enjoy a good, rollicking journey.

Overall, this was a fun story that I'd happily read the next installment in! I'm giving this a four star rating. You can grab a copy on Amazon, Indiebound or your other favorite bookseller!

four stars and one empty one meant to signify a four star review

Disclaimer: All links to Indiebound and Amazon are affiliate links, which means that if you buy through those links, I will make a small amount of money off of it.

This book sets sails into fast-paced adventure with a girl, who no man should ever dare to take on. . .or offend her ship.

Caro's content sailing with her father over the rivers and delivering cargo. She dreams of taking over the small trading ship herself someday. But fate has other plans. When her father is captured and locked away, she must deliver a secret cargo or never see him again. This cargo, however, isn't what it appears to be and soon, the entire world seems to be after her.

There's something magical about pirate ships and open seas full of unknown danger, and this story has tons of both and more. Caro is a spunky character, who is daring, brave, and more capable than anyone gives her credit for. But these skills aren't inborn. She's spent years learning the trade and makes her fair share of mistakes. This is what makes her so endearing.

The cast surrounding her adds all the right spice and life. Caro's best ship mate, Fee, is frog folk and although she only speaks one word at a time, by far the wisest and most interesting crew member in the book. Caro's parents add a constant push and pull, while putting in a sense of family and the support only blood bonds can give. There's a hero too--arrogant, snippy, but with a warm heart. He comes across a bit ridiculous at times and wasn't always easy to sympathize with. But the romance, with all of it's sharp back and forth, creates an air of fun without overwhelming the main, action-packed plot. There is an intimate scene, but this is by no means explicit and demonstrates definite mutual consent.

My favorite part of this tale is the world building. The author sets up a magical world, which is easy to get submerged in and feel at home. The play of 'gods' and supernatural abilities is delivered with a subtle tone and never overpowers the importance of sweat, clever thought and hard work and experience.

There were a few stumbles in some of the background information--the opposing political desires and plots were a bit mumble-jumbled. And the ending, although wrapping up the loose ends, didn't hold the power it might have, smoothing down with too much ease and grace.

Fans of high-sea adventures, kick-butt heroines, snarky romances and action pure will surely enjoy this book. Especially since there are so many possibilities still unexplored, which promise an exciting series in the future.

Caroline (“Caro”) Oresteia is a wherryman’s daughter and wants to be a wherry pilot one day herself. Eight generations of Oresteias have been pilots who have been favored by the river god, but to Caro’s dismay, she has not yet heard the call of this god. Her pa was fifteen when the river god first whispered to him; Caro is 17, and is yet to hear anything. Nevertheless, she joins her pa on his voyages and learns everything she can.

As the story begins, though, Caro and her dad have bigger problems. The port of Hespera’s Watch has been set on fire by the “Black Dog” pirates and eleven wherries were sunk. They stop there to help, and, having the only operational wherry, are charged with delivering some important cargo in a locked crate to the city of Valonikos. The crate is what the pirates were after, so Caro’s father refuses to do it because it is too dangerous. He is imprisoned, and Caro impulsively volunteers if they will release her father when she returns.

Once underway, Caro opens the mysterious crate only to find inside a boy around Caro’s age. She only later finds out he is actually the new Emparch of Akhaia because of the assassination of his father. Moreover, now that he is awake, he imperiously insists they must go to Casteria, not Valonikos. It turns out his only remaining family member, his 8-year-old little sister Daria, is there. He wants to rescue her before the Black Dogs get to her and kill her.

The rest of the book follows their adventures as they try to hide from and outrun the Black Dogs. In the process, their relationship changes, in a way that of course you knew it would.

Eventually, Caro finds out where she really belongs in life, and what her destiny will be.

Discussion: Caro is a fearless female who serves as a great role model for young girls. She declares that she isn’t meant just for marriage and parties: “I have more important things to do. . . . I’m going to be a captain and privateer. I’m going to be the terror of the seas.” Yet this book is not without romance.

Evaluation: A pirate novel series with danger and chase scenes that features a female protagonist as the “star”? Yes! Can’t wait for a follow-up.

So, this book took me a while to get into... I did really like Caro and thought she was a strong character. The love interest, however, I could not connect with him at all. There was lots of action and sword fighting that kept the book moving along. I am still waiting for that 5 star pirate YA book, because I love pirates in general, but maybe the pirate's life isn't meant for me. Still a fun read, though.

LOVED this one and I can definitely see it being a favourite of mine. The main character is funny and fierce and smart and so realistic! The love interest was absolutely adorable and I loved the change he went through and OH, lord, it was SO swoony!