The Bright and Breaking Sea by Chloe Neil is going to be a very hard book for me to categorize which, for anyone looking into it, is going to be a repeated refrain. The story is heavily fantastical. A very different historical setting, with an interesting system keeps it very much in the fantastical. But the emphasis on the characters and the interpersonal relationships, including a budding romance, make me want to tentatively class it as romance. That being said there is no on page sex, so I wouldn't call it a Romantic Fantasy (like a Heart of Blood and Ashes earlier this year). Regardless it's a lot of fun.
As I stated the setting is world that feels very much like a Post-Napoleonic England, but with a much more diverse and rich cast than you might get from a true historical fiction set in that period. The queen, for example, is of mixed race, and our protagonist is a young female captain in the military. Both things that wouldn't have happened then. Our male hero is your classic grouchy noble. The story takes place on both land and sea, so don't go in just expecting naval action.
This was the highlight for me. My main hesitancy with this book was that I don't always do well with ship/sea mechanics. I find it terribly dull, and it never keeps my attention. Once past the half-way mark though this one barrels through a naval voyage, some possibly feelings and backstory building for our male hero, a couple of spy missions, and lots of sassy dialogue. There is a lot here past the naval setting and that keeps the book rich and interesting.
It was a fun and easy read, not one that had a lot of surprises though. I will continue on as this seems to be a really good light read to keep the spirits up. A great jumping off start for a new series.

I'm a big fan of Chloe Neill's vampire series, but this is so boring in comparison. I think I'm not the correct audience for naval battles.

Captain Kit Brightling loves the sea. Not only does she have a magical affinity for the sea itself, but she’s worked hard on the seas to rise up to her current rank as one of the few female captains after starting her early years as an abandoned foundling. Kit is used to working alone with her own crew as they seek out signs of what the Gallic emperor, Gerard Rousseau, may be up to now that he is exiled to Montgraf after the end of the war. However, Queen Charlotte has commanded Kit to work with Viscount Rian Grant. Rian doesn’t trust Kit’s magical abilities as he’s not Aligned and doesn’t trust anything he can’t see or touch. However, Rian and Kit will have to learn to work together if they hope to accomplish their assigned task and rescue Marcus Dunwood.

THE BRIGHT AND BREAKING SEA is the first book in the Captain Kit Brightling series, and wow, Chloe Neill hits it out of the park yet again! I have to admit that I was a little skeptical as I’m generally not a fan of seafaring books, even in the fantasy genre, but I am a huge fan of Chloe Neill’s other works and decided to give it a try- and boy, am I thankful I did! It’s not vampires but THE BRIGHT AND BREAKING SEA is still darned good!
Kit is a phenomenal heroine! She’s full of spunk and fire and willing to stand up to anyone who dismisses her for being Aligned or female. She’s also very loyal and I love the witty repartee between her and Rian as they navigate both the dangerous waters of the sea and their own building relationship. Rian is a bit of a handful as he has his own ideas about magic, but he does respect Kit’s position and knowledge, even if he disagrees or doubts what it means to be Aligned.

THE BRIGHT AND BREAKING SEA is a fascinating tale, full of adventure, intrigue, humorous bantering, and a hint of romance. History fans will notice the nod towards Napoleonic history in the setting and events, but I love the magical twist Chloe Neill puts on her world building. I look forward to seeing where Chloe Neill takes things in this alternate history fantasy world! Chloe Neill is a must read author for me and THE BRIGHT AND BREAKING SEA once again showcases her gift for storytelling.

*review is in the editing queue at Fresh Fiction*

Kit Brightling is one of the few women captains in the Queen's Navy, and one of the youngest due to her prowess in battle and her magical abilities. Her true abilities, however, are kept secret, until she's assigned on a rescue mission alongside Rian Grant, a viscount and veteran of the Continental war. Kit never asked to work alongside Rian, but they definitely have chemistry...

Solidly entertaining, however I was annoyed by the lackluster (and tbh, kinda lazy) worldbuilding and the fumbling romance aspect.
Military action should be about physical skill. Mental prowess. Leadership and hardiness.

This is obviously not what the book is about, but one of the many encounters Kit has with those who want to shoot her down and diminish her worth and abilities. In this case, it's her dual womanhood and magical abilities that make her a liability, even though this is a world where *technically* women are equal (but misogyny still exists).

However, this quote resonated hard, because how often are women in the military (in the real world) faced with this kind of logic? That if you can't keep up physically (hah) you don't belong at all? That your only worth as a leader is how many pull-ups you can do or how fast your three-mile time is?

Pure poppycock.

Anywho, off that soapbox and into what this book is about, beside showing that there are different types of leading and the one with an open mind is naturally the one that's going to win.

This was a pretty standard reluctant-partners-to-partners-to-kinda-lovers book, with two people (land and sea) thrown together and find that they work together despite their initial misgivings and in spite of any real chemistry between the two. And it's set in a pretty familiar world, where Napoleon—er, Gerard or whatever—has recently been defeated and sent to exile on an island but he's gathering up his forces and shit and plotting something diabolical in order to retain power.

It's basically Regency England with a queen slapped in position for Feminism™️, some magic to make it fantasy and changing a couple of names for...posterity? I guess?

I think much of my skepticism and unwillingness to suspend my belief came after the much-better alternate worldbuilding of The Once and Future Witches, which had many flaws but the twisting of history was not one of them.

However, I would have been more willing to slide away from the lazy worldbuilding (okay, yeah no, if there is one thing that irks it's alternate history that pretends to be clever by changing two names and a few events but keeping the rest in place) if the two leads had had any sort of connection.

I don't really get Kit's Great Hatred towards the nobility. Yes, she is an orphan (and I wished her sisters had had more screen time instead of being used as convenient plot devices), but her mother is wealthy and she's had the benefits of that wealth and privilege? Sure, she's not nobility, but is this a ceiling she really wants to break into? I dunno, I wasn't feeling it, and it felt that her and Rian's reluctance and general bitchiness towards each other was unfounded and made up entirely for Plot Purposes.

And when they do get together, it's just as awkward as their initial dislike. There's a mention of them coming together and her pressing against them like the snapping of a sail going taut, and I just...is this supposed to be romantic? Because I was laughing my ass off at the image.

And there was little to no chemistry between the two, as Kit was a blank canvas of Girlpower™️ and Rian was a half-eroded block of wood.

However, despite all this, I'm still giving it three stars.

Why?

Because despite its flaws, it was entertaining. The plot had some sagging moments (yawning at the lounging in the manor, because why???), but when the plot got hopping it got hopping! And the general tropes of Regency period (masquerades, pretty dresses, a fine manor house in disrepair, the scoundrel younger brother, a flock of women angling for better, the great threat of France/Gaul, etc., etc.) was enjoyable to read once I turned my brain off and powered through.

Although, I have to admit that this cover got done dirty. It's like they were trying to go off the Throne of Glass illustrated covers (which I hate) and hired a twelve-year-old to draw something.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review

This book was so much fun and it was so incredibly unexpected. Kit Brightling was wonderful; she was smart, she was clever, she was sarcastic, and she was driven. She was so enjoyable to read and the journey we went on with Kit was just so much more than I was ready for.

I really did love this one. I loved the story, I loved the use of multiple perspectives, I loved the adventure, I loved the realistic avenue Grant and Kit's relationship went on (and how CLOSE THEY ARE NOW) and I can't wait to see what comes next for them. I'm glad their story is just starting because I'm not ready for it to be over.

I laughed, I cried, I ate this one up. Thank you so much, Berkley and Netgalley for the review copy!!

I’ll be honest, I picked up this book because I tend to read anything that Chloe Neill puts out, but I wasn’t sure that it was something that interested me. I guess that should have been a warning because in the end, this book wasn’t quite what I expected.

I feel like this book is a difficult one to categorize because it’s so unique. It’s fantasy mixed with pirates and historical elements. Sounds interesting, right? But for some reason, I just couldn’t get into this style of writing. It’s weird because Neill is normally an easy read for me when it comes to her Urban Fantasy, but this one just didn’t capture my interests like I expected it to. I couldn’t get into the narration or the dialogue and the characters didn’t shine like I wanted them to.

I’m not sure that I will continue this series, but I think it’s more because of my tastes rather than the actual book. I’m not sure. But I just don’t think that this series is for me.

The overthrown King of Gallia is seeking to return to power and manipulating magic to do so, so it's up to Captain Kit Brightling of the Queen's Own and Colonel Rian Grant to stop him.

I never thought a fantasy focused on the seas could be as interesting as riding a horse across a continent until I read RJ Barker's The Bone Ships last year. Since then, I haven't seen too many, so I was quick to request it when I saw it on Netgalley. As someone who easily gets seasick, this is really the only way I can enjoy a sea adventure, so I was so excited to be approved. It wasn't quite what I expected, but I thought it was a pleasant surprise.

The Plot: A Fun Fantasy Full of Adventure

The Bright and Breaking Sea is a fantastical retelling of Napoleon's escape from Elba. It pits England against France, with a Guild thrown in for good measure.

Captain Kit Brightling, a young woman in the Queen's Own who is also Aligned to the sea, is more than a mere courier, but her role is closely guarded by the Crown. Because of her unique abilities and the true nature of her job for the Queen, she's perfectly suited for extracting a captured spy, but she must do so alongside a member of the Beau Monde. Colonel Rian Grant was present when the King of Gallia was defeated, and it wasn't a pretty battle. But he'll do anything for the man who literally saved his life, even if it means sailing with a woman he doesn't think much of right into pirate territory. It's just the start of their partnership, and the Queen's never ending missions to protect the world from the King of Gallia's return.

A fluffy fantasy. A delightful fluffy fantasy. I expected The Bright and Breaking Sea to be more along the lines of the complex and complicated fantasies I've been reading lately with overladen story lines and almost too much going on, while also full of crusty old sailors. Instead, this novel presented a fairly straightforward and more simplistic story with some slight complexities thrown in for good measure. It turned out to be a lovely break, but by no means didn't deliver on the story. It was fun and chock full of adventure. There was a good dose of intrigue and a streak of romance. It was a wonderful story of two very different people learning to work together and truly become partners.

The most fascinating thing was that this book reminded me of the sea adventure I enjoyed in RJ Barker's The Bone Ships and also made me think of Jane Austen's novels. Since I adore both, I found that this story completely worked for me. There was so much adventure, one thing after another, that I did sometimes wonder where it was going and how it was tied together, but the partnership between Kit and Grant was fascinating and I loved how it oscillated between the adventure and the elements more likely to be found in a Regency novel.

The Characters: Perfectly Tailored to the Story

The Bright and Breaking Sea follows the adventures of Kit Brightling and Rian Grant. Initially unwelcoming to each other, they each brought something to every one of their adventures, and made the novel that much more fun.

I really liked Kit. She's a tomboy with an appreciation for the finer things in life, who enjoys a good trashy novel while not hesitating to throw a knife at an enemy. I wanted her to be a fierce sea captain, someone with a sharp temper who strode around the deck barking orders, but she surprised me by being remarkably practical and feminine with a fierce loyalty to the sea, the crown, and her crew. I adored her and just how smart she was and how well it worked for the story being told.

Rian Grant felt like a storm cloud held at bay next to her. He's appropriately dark and brooding, bristling under the idea of sharing command with a mere female courier. But he's a good man with an unshakable loyalty to those he owes it to, which drives him in everything he does. While I wish he and Kit had been at each other's throats a little more and a little longer, watching them try so hard to deal coldly with each other and asserting control over the situation, I did like that both of them are a bit softer around the edges, that they proved to be an insanely perfect pair.

The Setting: On Sea and On Land

As an historical fantasy, The Bright and Breaking Sea is set during the time of Napoleon, a fictional one, mostly on the seas between Britain and France. Though, of course, they're fictional versions of Britain and France. As a big fan of novels like War and Peace, Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Jane Austen's novels, it felt both comforting and different. I loved how it was so familiar, but also had touches unique to fantasy and to the novel.

Like the pirates. I've read mentions of pirates during that time period, but the pirates in The Bright and Breaking Sea were so much more interesting, and I loved getting a look into their stronghold. Then there was the home for foundling girls that sounded like a lovely and fun place to grow up in. Run by a forward thinking woman with strong ties to the Crown, she let the girls she raised find their own feet and their own interests, making for a lively home.

And then there's the sea and Kit's ship. As some who easily gets seasick, this is the best way for me to enjoy a seafaring adventure. I have no real, clear idea of what ships actually look like, but I enjoyed imagining being on the deck and seeing only sea for miles and miles. I wish there had been more sea in this book, but it ended up being a lovely split between land and sea.

The whole world felt like it sprung from reality and then was given a twist of magic. It was familiar, so the author didn't have to go into large digressions to world build. But it was also different with it's own flavor in such a way that I can't wait to return and get to know it better.

Overall: Surprisingly Fun

Initially, I was disappointed The Bright and Breaking Sea wasn't more along the lines of the fantasy I've read all year. As I kept reading, though, I couldn't help feeling delighted. It was very different from what I expected, but in a good way. It managed to blend two things I love to present an extraordinarily fun fantasy that somehow absolutely worked. It turned out to be an easy read, though I did wonder at first where the story was going. But the groundwork has been laid and now I find myself eager to find out what happens next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Link to post: https://thelilycafe.com/book-review-the-bright-and-breaking-sea-by-chloe-neill/

Foundling Kit Brightling has worked hard to earn her spot as Captain on a ship in the Queen’s Crown Command fleet. It helps that she loves the sea and is also Aligned to it—someone who has a magical bond with one of the elements.

When the queen sends Kit on a mission to rescue a spy whose cover has been compromised, she jumps at the opportunity to help queen and country. Even when those orders include tagalong Viscount, and veteran of the Continental War, Rian Grant.

Kit doesn’t know Rian or his motivations, but she does know others of the Beau Monde—New London high society—and she’s not about to let him take control of the mission. But, as they both learn, titles can be deceiving, and what they discover will have them both setting aside their preconceived notions and working together as the fate of mankind hangs in the balance.

I like the different direction Chloe Neill is taking with a high-seas adventure that is firmly seated in the historical fantasy category, which is a departure from her various urban fantasy series.

The Bright and Breaking Sea works so well as a setup to the new series and it was one that almost went by too quickly. I wanted to savor the time in this first book, but Chloe Neill pretty much sets things off running right out of the gate as Kit and Rian search for a traitor and try to thwart potential war on the horizon.

Honestly, I would have loved more time fleshing out characters and setting. In particular, the magic system was one such area where I could have used a bit more background on how it works, its limitations and advantages. I think it would have been especially helpful seeing as how one of the main conflict—and one I assume will be overarching—stems from magic use. But there’s enough so far that I at least have a rudimentary understanding of what’s good and what’s bad. I have no doubt Chloe Neill will continue to build upon this beginning and familiarity will come with more reading. I guess I can’t fault her for not putting all her eggs in one basket.

Probably my favorite aspect of the story was the fact that Chloe Neill puts Kit and Rian on pretty equal ground when it comes to working together on this mission. Despite Kit being Aligned, their skills and capabilities are on pretty level, but it’s their varying experiences—Rian being part—although an almost outside part—of the Beau Monde, Kit being a foundling, etc. that really brings that something extra to their interactions.

Which of course leads into the lovely opposites-attract slow-burn (hopefully) romance we have going on. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a series that develops a relationship over a number of books, and as we should all know by now, Chloe Neill is a pro at this. One of the things I look forward to most is how things continue to develop between Rian and Kit.

If you’re a fan already of Chloe Neill, you’ll be delighted to have a new world from her. It’s a great departure from what we’re used to but still full of all the things we know we can count on from Chloe Neill.

The cover for The Bright and Breaking Sea is what first caught my attention and led me to read the blurb and then actively inquiring about a review copy. I am 100% here for badass ship captains magically attuned to the sea.

This book was quite unlike any I can remember reading. Sort of a fantasy historical adventure with a dash of romance. The main protagonists were introduced rather quickly and I knew right away I would be ride or die Kit Brightling. Kit, the competent, bright, sharp-edged Captain of the Diana with an affinity for the magic of the sea and the legacy of a wonderful found family. Colonel Rian Grant, Viscount Queenscliffe took a while to grow on me, mainly because he was rather an uptight, rude jerk to Kit in the first few chapters. He does evolve though, and I became a fan by the end.

I was completely delighted by this unique fantasy. The worldbuilding and background were easy to power through and understand, The social structure seemed to be patterned after a more traditional Regency England historical setting, just with less sexism and more diversity. It also feels like it was heavily influenced by the Napoleonic wars. If that seems like a lot, don’t worry it really isn’t. This story was easy to fall into.

While I think fans of hard-core fantasy will really like this first book in a new series, I also think readers of romantic fantasy will enjoy. The romance is one that I feel like Ms. Neill will take her time developing and let me just say, I am here for it. Kit and Rian have a chemistry and a flourishing partnership that is irresistible to me.

I was also completely taken by the secondary characters and the promising sub-plots they represented. Jin, Jane, even Rian’s wastrel younger brother all have me intrigued for what’s to come in this series. It’s been some time since I was this intrigued by an entire cast of characters. I look forward to finding out what comes next.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
Pirates, magic and mayhem..
Such a wonderful start to a new series for Chloe Neill. The Bright and Breaking Sea follow Captain Kit Brightling and her crew. Captain Brightling is tasked with saving a member of the Crown. The task includes sharing the leader role with Viscount Rian Grant. The success of the mission will depend on how well these two can and will work together.
I listened to The Bright and Breaking Sea on Audio. Danielle Cohen is a new narrator to me. I thought she did a wonderful job narrating this book. I will say that there was a time or two when she said a word that caught me off guard. But only because that is not how I pronounce them. But I had to remind myself that this story takes place in New London.
I am very much looking forward to the next adventure in the Kit Brightling series! If you are looking for an adventure romance who’s main character is awesome I would suggest picking up this book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2020/11/17/bright-and-breaking-sea-by-chloe-neill/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

4.5 hearts

I am fond of this author's work but the description of this new series, <em><strong><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/290302-captain-kit-brightling" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Captain Kit Brightling</a></strong></em>, didn't really appeal to me. Wow, was I wrong.  Still, it took me a bit to get started on reading (as is often the case this year), but I was drawn into story quickly.

<strong>Bright and Breaking Sea</strong> has so many things I love.  The setting is some sort of historical fantasy world. There is a class system with the elite, Beau Monde, and the regular folks.  Women are considered inferior by the misogynistic which is many Beau Monde men.  After marriage, they would be expected to stop and career and cater to the home.  However,  the ruler is a queen.  She took over when her father the King died and is savvy and capable.  The world has an interesting magic system we only begin to see.

Of course, characters are key to a great book.  Kit has an interesting backstory as a foundling.  Her current work as a sea captain is a position she loves and handles very well.  She has amazing intelligence, care for her crew, abilities with magic and strategies. Kit is also better able to control her temper and follow orders, even when there is bias or injustice than I would be.   She has the support of a great found family.

There are other characters who add to the development. There are the key members of Kit's family and crew, as well as those in the palace.  The queen has a bit of personality as does one of her advisors, Chandler.   She has a few male friends, Kingsley and Dorian.  And for her new mission, she is teamed with a soldier, Rian Grant, part of the Beau Monde.  Grant has fought in the war recently ended in some horrific battles with great loss of life.

The missions here take place mostly at sea with wind, sails, storms, pirates, and magic affecting the travel, and strategy, magic and guns part of the battles.  But sea battles are not all of the action.  There is covert surveillance, theft of documents, and retrieval of key individuals from kidnap. So the queen assigns diverse tasks to Kit and Grant.

I liked this more than a little and highly recommend it.  The writing was charming, but the clincher is the humor. The banter between Kit and Grant is distrustful at first and then teasing as they learn to work together.  I ran looking for when there would be more, as the threats from the Queen's enemies will undoubtedly continue.

Believe it or not, this is my very first read by Chloe Neill! I'm ashamed to admit that considering how long she's been on my radar and TBR. In The Bright and Breaking Sea, she has created a strong female lead named Captain Kit Brightling. A young woman who was raised in an orphanage and managed to rise out of poverty to the esteemed position in Isles' the Crown Command. Even more notably, she has garnered the respect of Queen Charlotte herself, and is one of the most trusted in her inner circle. She's worked hard to reach the heights she has at such a young age, and that's probably why she doesn't take anything for granted. Kit is a leader-through and through-and she doesn't take kindly to anyone trying to undermine her authority. One of her best qualities I think was her sheer unwavering confidence in herself, even in situations where the odds were against her. She knew her own worth and never failed to put 110% into whatever mission is put in front of her.

The book begins when Kit returns home for a needed rest, only to be summoned by the queen for new, urgent orders. There have been rumors that Gerard Rousseau, the exiled emperor of Gallia may be plotting something. One of the queen's spies investigating has been captured, and it's imperative that Kit travel immediately to the prison where he's reportedly being kept and break him out. She doesn't bat an eye...until she's told that she'll be joined by Colonel Grant who will assist in leading the mission. She immediately puts her barriers up against him because of his aristocratic lineage-which is a little judgmental in my book, but coming from her life experience most likely logical.

This is where my three star rating comes in. This book really dragged for me. The pace was excruciating as it took me three days to read 15% at some points. Did that consistently stretch on for the entire book? No. But there were long periods where I was having to force myself to hold my concentration on the story because it wasn't grabbing me with ease. I would say that the first 50-60% was an effort. Not because I didn't enjoy the characters or the plot, but it was just stretched out in a way that I didn't enjoy. It was bogged down by so much description of the technicalities of the Diana: how they operated her, and how they maneuvered her through the action scenes. It kind of took me out of the moment to constantly be fed information about what they were doing rather than allowing me to just enjoy the adventure. I like research and facts in fiction as much as the next person, but for me I needed to feel more organic. There was also worldbuilding to be done as it's the introduction to a new series which also tends to slow things down to a degree.

This world has a definite feminist spin. While there are females in high positions of power, as well as lower ranking such as those in Kit's crew, that's not to say that there wasn't still prejudice against Kit. There was one instance in particular when she was confronted by a man at the palace who had preconceptions about her solely based on her being a woman. However, for the most part, the author created a historical fantasy world in which women were given many more freedoms that in real world historical reality. I think that added credence to the world because you're never going to have a utopian society that's completely free of prejudice and discrimination. In fact, it's instances like this that illustrated Kit's unconcern for others' poor opinions of her. The magic was not as strong as I was expecting in this world. The "Aligned" can control elements-as Kit can control the sea.

Yes, she uses her magic, and it's explained to some extent, but I wouldn't say that there's a detailed magic system. This feels more like a feminist military book.

I honestly loved Captain Kit-she's a firecracker with endless reserves of courage that anybody could respect. She's loyal to Hetta Brightling, the woman who raised her at the orphanage, and still considers her and the orphans family. She has a soft core that she tries to hide under her tough exterior, but it reveals itself in many ways throughout the book, giving her character more dimension.
The way she treats her crew like a team rather than subordinates who are beneath her, the way she cares for the stowaway child on her ship and worries after her, these are all examples of her principles and strong character.

The second half of the book picked up some, and there is a romance developing that this romance reader really appreciated. It was definitely in the background, but I think that's the way it should be in a YA fantasy. It doesn't need to overtake the central action of the plot. I really liked her love interest, Colonel Grant and enjoyed how their initial antagonism and distrust evolved into the warm tenderness at the end. The book ended on a high note, but there was a cliffhanger last minute which I think many will already anticipate since this is a first in series. Although I had some issues with this one, I would still recommend giving it a try, especially if you're already a Chloe Neill fan. I think the series has a lot of positive things going for it into book two, and I'm willing to continue on to join more adventures with the bold Kit Brightling in the future.

A seafaring fantasy with a female captain? Yes, please. The Bright and Breaking Sea by Chloe Neill is the first in the Captain Kit Brightling series. Batten down the hatches and prepare for adventure, danger, magic and a budding romance.

I first read the novel and enjoyed it immensely before diving into the audiobook edition narrated by Danielle Cohen.

Kit Brightling was rescued and raised as a foundling at Brightling House; a home for talented girls. Kit has a magical affinity to the sea that allows her to connect and manipulate the waters. She moved her way up the ranks of the Isles’ Crown Command and now is a captain in Queen Charlotte’s fleet.

We learn about the history of the Isles, destruction wrought by magic and the exile of the former King. It flabbergasts her when the Queen demands that she and Rian Grant, Viscount Queenscliffe; a veteran of the Continental war work together to rescue one of the Queen’s men.

This world is an alternate version of 1815’s Europe during the Napoleonic war. The setting is an intriguing one. Neill gives readers only a glimpse of the magic, its history, and of things to come. We know some people magical and aligned to the elements. However, some are against magic and a female ruler. This created some tensions.

The lighter touch of world-building and learn as you go, allowed for a fast-paced adventure as her focus was on our hero, heroine and the crew of the Diana.

I love a good enemies to lovers romance, and while Kit and Rian aren’t enemies, there is a power-play. The back-and-forth banter and denied chemistry was great fun. While I think romance readers will want more focus on the romantic elements, I loved this side dish and am content for things to slowly unfold.

I adored Kit. She is loyal, fearless, and stands up to the men who surround her and dismiss her. Rian is desperately trying to restore his homestead, is loyal to the Queen and protective of his family seat. He is a leader, but acknowledges Kit’s skills and knowledge. I love that he was man enough to support her. Their barbs occurred when they were alone as both are too duty bound to do so in front of the crew, their equals and their Queen. Their inner dialogue made me laugh aloud more than once.

Adventures on the high seas from rescues to outrunning pirates was delightful. The author delivered danger, near-death escapades, and chases that kept me reading into the wee hours.

The audiobook was equally delightful, and I quickly became slipped into the narrative. I even picked up a few things that slipped my mind during the first round.

Secondary characters such as Jin, Hetta, Jane, Tamlin, and Louisa all added to the tale. I found myself vested and felt like I was a part of the crew and household. I love the foundling house and Kit’s sisters. Jane is delightful, brilliant, and someone I hope we spend more time with.

Danielle Cohen narrates the audiobook. Her lyrical accent and wide-range of voices brought another layer of enjoyment to this high-seas adventure. The banter and budding relationship between Kit and Rian shone through her narration. I intend to continue on audio.

Whether you read or listen, I highly recommend this swashbuckling, seafaring adventure!

Happy release day to The Bright and Breaking Sea and thank you so much to Berkley and Netgalley for letting me read a copy of it early! I really enjoyed this book and ugh now that I’m done with it, I NEED to have another Kit Brightling book in my hands right now!

The Bright and Breaking Sea 5/5 Stars


Summary from Goodreads:

Kit Brightling, rescued as a foundling and raised in a home for talented girls, has worked hard to rise through the ranks of the Isles’ Crown Command and become one of the few female captains in Queen Charlotte’s fleet. Her ship is small, but she’s fast–in part because of Kit’s magical affinity to the sea. But the waters become perilous when the queen sends Kit on a special mission with a partner she never asked for.

Rian Grant, Viscount Queenscliffe, may be a veteran of the Continental war, but Kit doesn’t know him or his motives–and she’s dealt with one too many members of the Beau Monde. But Kit has her orders, and the queen has commanded they journey to a dangerous pirate quay and rescue a spy who’s been gathering intelligence on the exiled emperor of Gallia.

Kit can lead her ship and clever crew on her own, but with the fate of queen and country at stake, Kit and Rian must learn to trust each other, or else the Isles will fall….

This book was so good! I really, really enjoyed The Bright and Breaking Sea. It was the perfect mix of action, fantasy, sea-faring, pirate facing, adventure, magic, historical fiction, with the smallest dash of romance thrown in. I really liked Kit Brightling as a main character. Her affinity to the sea was really interesting- I think the way Chloe Neill wrote affinities in general was really interesting and I liked how nuanced it was. Like there’s a fine line between knowing how something like the currents are running and manipulating them, and if you err too far on the manipulation realm, there are major consequences and you’re definitely not allowed to do that. I like that Kit toes that line, but she never goes over that. I also enjoyed how she was constantly underestimated, and because of how young and unassuming she seemed, the queen was able to use her in more ways than expected. I love how people never expect young women to know what they’re doing or to be capable…. Queen Charlotte was another character I loved! She had to make so many tactical decisions and be civil to people she knew questioned her authority and her claim to the throne and she did it with grace and poise- I don’t know if I would have been able to do that at all. Man, this was my first Chloe Neill book, and it’s definitely not going to be my last, because, if y’all have followed my reviews for a while, you know that while I’m a plot driven reader, I love my characters, and Chloe Neill really knows how to write incredible characters! I loved Colonel Grant and all of Kit’s sisters and everyone on the Diana and even our villain and the other captains. The plot itself was so interesting throughout the whole book. There was never a point where I wanted the book to end because I was bored. I know some people might be annoyed by the romance within the book, but there wasn’t enough to take away from the action and adventure, and I actually feel like it added to the tension throughout. There were some plot points that didn’t really seem to add anything to the overall story, but they also didn’t take anything away from it, so I’m super excited to see if they mean more in book two! Overall, I really enjoyed The Bright and Breaking Sea and I think y’all will too, so definitely be sure to check it out!

A fun series starter, Chloe Neill delivers adventures on the high sea with a storyline that draws inspiration straight from the Napoleonic wars. Magical and fun with just a touch of enemies-to-lovers romance, this is yet another of Neill’s series that’s going straight to my favorites shelf.

In THE BRIGHT AND BREAKING SEA, readers are introduced to Kit Brightling, Captain of the Diana. Kit has been tasked by the Queen to rescue one of her spies. She’s also (unfortunately) tasked with working alongside Beau Monde member Rian Grant. Kit doesn’t exactly pair well with anyone Beau Monde, so she and Rian start out on a very prickly note. But through the course of their mission, they slowly but surely warm up to one another.

The Bright and Breaking Sea gives readers plenty of high-seas adventure with sailors and pirates and a myriad of different ships. There’s also a fascinating magic system with Aligned magic users, and there’s plenty of intrigue and tension surrounding magic because in this world, magic is power. Or just plain frivolous, depending on who you ask. There’s also a hint of romance blossoming between Grant and Kit and it should definitely please the enemies-to-lovers fans. Though it’s more like enemies-to-sorta-friends in this case, because the romance is still very much in its infancy.

Bottom line — fast paced and fun series starter, and I can’t wait to see what adventures the future holds for Kit and Grant.

An intriguing start to a brand new series by Chloe Neill full of sailors, captains, strange new magic, the sea, and roguish yet fancy love interests.

Kit Brightly is a clever woman who is the captain of her own ship. She deals with misogyny from other captains with style, and is willing to go to the end of the world for her crew. She also has strong ties to the woman who raised her, along with her six other sisters. The Bright and Breaking Sea is set in an alternate reality in which women seem to have a lot more freedom and respect, though misogyny is not entirely gone. It is also a world full of magic, and Kit is very good at toeing the line between overusing the magic (which leads to catastrophe) and gently manipulating it.

There is a lot being set up in The Bright and Breaking Sea, and if this is like Neill's other series' then we are in for the long haul. In TBABS we deal with traitors to the crown, a tyrant who wants his power back, the experimentation of magic (and its consequences), the oppression of the people who are aligned (can somehow feel the magic imbued in the sea, the air, or the earth, and sort of manipulate it), and the beginnings of a slow burn courtship. I think there is a lot to like here.

At some parts the story is a bit slower than I would have liked. I want more chapters were the crew come together as an unlikely family. You do have a lot of adventure at sea, but it is a couple of small missions with not a lot of tension. I was missing that goal at the end of the book. I felt the revelation of the spy was also kind of anticlimactic, as I wasn't hugely invested in the character that was revealed to be the culprit.

Overall it is a great start to a new series! I look forward to the next installment.

This was my first Chloe Neill book I have read, and I was so pleasantly surprised. I had a feeling that I was going to like her work, and I'm glad I was correct. I've been looking for a pirate fantasy to suck me in for ages, and Neill delivers a great pirate fantasy full of sass, action, and a bit of romance that kept me turning the pages. 

Now military fantasy isn't usually my cup of tea, and The Bright and Breaking Sea is a bit heavy on the naval strategy and fighting (it's not the most I've ever tried to slog through, but it's very present). But, Neill's writing fell into an easy rhythm as the story progressed that it didn't overwhelm the story. It also helped that there was never really a lull in the story as the crew went from one mission to another without much stopping. It'll be interesting to see if Neill can keep the pace up like that without plot repetition or making the storyline too confusing.

In terms of world building, this book could have used a bit more. The book started off throwing you right into the action; throwing names, places and history all at once with very little context, which was a bit jarring and may turn off readers who don't like information dumps. However, the pieces start to fall into place the farther into the book you get and, if you don't mind putting some pieces together yourself, I think it's worth wading through the first few chapters to get to the meat and heart of the story. The strongest part of this world is the magic system. In this world, certain individuals are Aligned to one of the elements, but the manipulation of the elements is outlawed due to the destructive nature that each has. There are also a few personal limitations that Neill has added which makes it one of the more nuanced magic systems that I've read in quite a while, so I'm intrigued to see where she takes it in the rest of the series. 

The main selling point for this book, though, has to be the characters. The banter and character dynamics between Kit, Grant, and the crew are so much fun to read. The cast of characters is so large, so some characters aren't as fleshed out as others, but it was still easy to keep everyone straight without much thought or trouble. Kit has all of the qualities of a main character that I love to read about: sarcastic humor, quick witted, and a solid sense of self. I hope the rest of the series is told from her point of view (which I assume it will be since the series is named Captain Kit Brightling but you never know) because I cannot wait to read another story from her point of view. 

Overall, The Bright and Breaking Sea is a solid start to a new fantasy series. Even though the pacing is a little off in spots and the world could be fleshed out a bit more, the action, characters, and the magic system were enough to keep me intrigued page after page. I'm interested to see where else Neill takes Captain Kit, Grant, and her crew as she further develops the story and world.

I love stories about pirates, sailors and conspiracies, so when I heard about this novel, I was immediately intrigued. And then how could I turn down a new Chloe Neill series? I couldn’t!

Kit has a new mission imposed on her by her queen: to rescue a great spy who has been taken prisoner. But she is not free of her choices, because the queen also imposes a man she doesn’t know. Trust between them is really not easy.

I had a good time with the novel, but I have to say that I expected to hang on to the story a little more. Because while it was fun to read, I didn’t really manage to get interested in the whole thing as I would have liked.

It’s an intriguing and different novel, with lots of ideas.

There's nothing wrong with The Bright and Breaking Sea. It features complex (yet familiar) world building, that brings to mind the Napoleonic Wars in a world where magic exists. Kit was also a trail blazing characters, a woman who has a successful career and has no desire to give it up.

Despite the world building and interesting main character, I found myself forcing myself to finish each chapter and ultimately decided to call it quits. For me, I felt that I was being told that the characters were compelling rather than actually feeling that investment that really needs to be there for me. The world building was good, but it was balanced out by detailed action-packed scenes rather than character-driven moments. I need the character development and there just wasn't enough of it in this one for me to maintain my interest.

The Bright and Breaking Sea by Chloe Neill is the first book in her new Captain Kit Brightling series. I always enjoy Chloe Neill’s books, but wasn’t sure about this new seafaring fantasy series. WOW I totally loved the book and can’t wait for more about our wonderful heroine, Kit. I enjoyed this wonderful story from start to finish, and absolutely loved Kit, Grant and all the secondary characters that Neill created. It did not take long to read this book, as I could not put it down.

Kit Brightling, our heroine, is one of the few female captains for the Queen’s fleet. Kit, who has a magical affinity to the sea, and is only in her mid-twenties, has risen up quickly through the ranks of the Isles’ Crown Command, and has gained much respect from the Queen, and especially her magnificent crew. She has successfully completed all her assigned missions, even though her ship, Diana is small, but it is the fastest ship. Kit has such a fantastic crew, especially her top people, who were totally loyal to her.

Upon completion of her assignment, Kit is surprised to be called to see the Queen. She learns that the exiled emperor of the previous victorious war, is secretly getting help to plan a revolt. Seems there is a traitor in the Crown Command, as one of their best undercover agents has been kidnapped, and the Queen wants Kit to find a way to rescue the agent, as well as find the traitor. But she is told that someone else will go this dangerous mission with her, and she isn’t too happy about that.

Colonel Rian Grant, Viscount Queenscliffe, is a former soldier and veteran of the previous war; and because the missing agent is a respected friend, he agrees to join the mission. Rian may be a veteran of the wars, but he too is not thrilled to be sharing the mission with Kit, whose crew and ship will be used. The start of this mission pits Kit and Rian constantly sniping at each other, and their banter was fun to watch. Rian feels his experience should allow him to lead, but he will learn quickly that Kit is a master at what she does, and her alignment to the sea is a definite plus, not to mention how her crew respects and adores her. In a short time, Rian will see Kit in a different life, especially when she puts her own life in danger to rescue one of her crew members. He not only begins to respect her decisions, but finds himself slowly falling for her. The chemistry between them though slow burn, was flirty, fun and sassy. But the knowledge that he is a viscount and she is a captain destined to be at sea, keeps them at a forced distance.

What follows is a wonderful exciting tense adventure, where Kit and Rian work together to find the traitor, as well as stop the exiled emperor from regaining his power; the Queen will send them both on another mission that is also dangerous. The more time they spent and work together, the more they learn to respect each other. I totally loved them together, and cannot wait to see what Neill has in store for them in future books.
The Bright and Breaking Sea was a wonderful magical world created by Neill, filled with two great heroes, fabulous secondary characters, exciting adventures, seafaring escapades, pirates, and a budding romance. I for one look forward to the next book in this series, so very well written by Chloe Neill.