So this book isn’t bad. I enjoyed aspects of it and I feel like there is potential there. I think the world is very creative, though I would like to see some more detail and maybe a world map. The characters are likable enough. My biggest issues are the relationship developments between the characters and the lack of development of the side characters. The backstories and the feelings of the main characters feels a bit superficial. I’m not feeling the hatred, the love, or the camaraderie. I also had some issues with pacing, the structure of the timeline, and ways some things were phrased. I feel like this book probably could have been broken down into 2 books to allow for more time to build the world, backstories, personalities, etc. I’d like to see more interaction with people outside your core characters, and more varied personalities. Two of the side characters seem to have essentially the same personality, and only seem to show that they are different when they happen to be in the room together.
I’m definitely going to give the next book in the series a chance though, especially as it appears to be the writers first book. There is a lot of potential here, and I think with practice and experience she will do very well.
I do look forward to seeing how the author grows and improves.

The world-building in this debut novel was amazing... I got a great feel for the island of Azantian and the magical land Katherine Quinn has created.
This book had everything I love in a fantasy romance with strong characters, great tension and banter between the main characters, Margrete and Bash, and action-packed scenes!
Margrete was a complex character trying to balance being loyal to her family and people, despite her hatred towards her father, while also finally being free to become the person she wants to be. I loved the dual POV of getting in Bash's head and seeing his frustration over Margrete not being the spoiled princess he thought she would be.
The next two books in the trilogy are going to be a must-read for me!! Perfect for readers of Danielle L. Jensen's series!!

Thank you Owl City Press via NetGalley for the ARC copy!

Just finished this book and I absolutely loved it. I got early access from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. It got me hooked from the first page and got an amazing experience. I recommend this book to everyone who loves pirates, fantasy and romance.

Firstly, I wanted to thank @netgalley for allowing me to read this eARC!
This is the first book of the Azantian Trilogy and the premise is quite promising! (I won't spoil it for you, don't worry 🤭) It's released tommorow!
I loved the plot! It was very intelligently constructed! The characters were very realistic and empathetic! I especially enjoyed Margrete and Bash's relationship as well as Adrian and Bay's relationship! The friendship between Adrian and Bash was also really meaningful and quite adorable!
The ending was amazing and I'm very excited to see where this goes next!
(It has POC and LGBT+ rep!)

Katherine Quinn crafted a beautiful enemies to lovers set away in the fantasy world of Azantian. Margrete finally has the chance to get out from under her fathers thumb, through marriage to a palatable young and handsome Count. Things don't go as planned, and she is kidnapped by a dapper pirate King. Though she finds herself captive by yet another man, Margrete is able to find some freedom on the island of Azantian. Things with the King get hot and heavy as fate mercilessly pulls them together. Both Margrete and Bash are pushed to their limits, and their loyalties tested, as they fight to save their world as they know it.

Oh, my, goodness–this book. By the first page, I knew I had found a gem. Honestly, this book has consumed me for the past few days to where I haven’t been able to pick up any of the other books that I’m supposed to be reading.

This is a story about a young woman who has been raised by a highly-abusive father. To the point where she makes a wish for escape. A wish that someone hears and grants.

At this point in the story, Margret finds herself being forced to marry, but, before that can happen–she’s “rescued”. Enter Bash.

Bash really didn’t want to rescue Margrete, however, that’s kind of a by-product of why he takes her. From here, the interactions between Margrete and Bash basically make up the bulk of why this story just shines.

Bash and Margrete were just–fantastic. Margrete was the kind of heroine who you know won’t just lie down and take it–unless she’s protecting someone she loves. And throughout the story she proves time and time again that she’s beyond loyal in this way. When she loves, she loves strongly and without a question will sacrifice anything.

Bash, seems a conflicted hero at first. However, his sense of humor and charming ways shine throughout all of his and Margrete’s interactions–regardless of how hard he tries to put up a wall.

The writing by Ms. Quinn–I honestly can’t even. She really knows how to write romance. It wasn’t over-the-top or cheap–but, the love and affection these two seem to have for each other from the beginning comes off as natural and unavoidable.

I also was completely immersed in the descriptions of the ocean and the island of Azantium. The villain of the story was also intriguing–but, I just need to know more about him.

There were quite a few unanswered questions for me at the end of this one. However, given that it’s a trilogy, I’m imagining that many will be answered in the next two books. I sincerely cannot wait until I read more of these two fabulous characters and find out more about who they are and what the future holds for them.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book! My review will be live at the given link on 9/28.

The Girl Who Belonged to the Sea is one of the best debuts I have read in a long time. This book delivers with the action, adventure, mythology and steamy enemies to lovers romance. The plot flows so well from page one and the worldbuilding truly captures you. Quinn has done a phenomenal job with her characters and reader will fall in love with Margrete and Bash. The romance in this book adds to an already strong story and does a great job of moving the plot along. I am excited to see the magic system and mythology expanded more in the next book because readers definitely just got the tip of the iceberg in this book. I cannot wait for the next book in this series because this feels like a new favorite series for me.

Fans of Danielle L Jensen's The Bridge Kingdom and Jennifer L Armentrout's From Blood and Ash series do not want to miss this book!

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review

This book is a masterpiece. If you loved A Court of Thorns and Roses and From Blood and Ash this book is for you it is the perfect combination of these two books and a sprinkle of The Cruel Prince.
The plot is so interesting and so amazing. I love the whole sea story and how powerful it is.
The writing is a 10/10 it is smooth, catching, hypnotizing.
The characters are.... P E R F E C T !!! I would do anything for them let's be real. You'll fall in love with them immediately. A traumatized woman who becomes a badass and a desperate king who is the most daring and loving man out there. Their dynamic is so heart melting "I hate that I love you" kind of trope. THERE IS A KNIFE TO THE THROAT SCENE !!!!!
Anyways this book is amazing I can't wait to read the second book I miss them already :(
Best reading of this year and this book is now one of my favorite.

'The Girl Who Belonged to the Sea' is the first book in Katherine Quinn's new 'Azantian Trilogy'. Quinn has created a beautifully developed world with a unique mythological background, full of characters with great.

Margrete has grown up her entire life with an abusive father. To save herself and her younger sister, Margrete agrees to marry Count Casbian, a man hand picked by her father and whom she has never met. Prior to her wedding day, Margrete makes a silent plea to the gods to save her and they answer.

Bash, a king looking to save his country, crashes Margrete's wedding in the hopes of retrieving a relic her father had stolen from his people. In the chaos of the raid, Bash kidnaps Margrete in the hope that he could use her as a bargaining chip.

This is the first time I have read Quinn, I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy. I love the selflessness, strength, and snakiness of Margrete.

I flew through this book. Enemies to lovers and a bit of forbidden romance, adventure, excitement, and pirates?! It was all so amazing! The setting is magical and breathtaking, and the characters are just incredible. There’s mystery to uncover and twists and turns along the way, this was one of the best books I’ve read this year! I can’t believe this is a debut novel and I’m so eager to see where this trilogy will go!

This novel was an enjoyable read for the first novel in the series. We met a young woman, whom has been abused by her father, a powerful and evil man, but refuses to back down. Margrete protects her sister from their father, who has committed many crimes and always wants more. Bash, a king, needs to get back what was stolen from him. His plans go wary when he kidnaps Margrete. He expects a spoiled woman, but who he meets is so much more than he expected, one who stands up to him. Margrete has no intentions of being a prisoner and plots her escape. However, the more time she spends on the island and Bash, she gets a feeling that she belongs there. The past will answer questions about the stolen relic and what must be done to reclaim it.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Great THANK YOU to Katherine Quinn, Owl City Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. (I received both ebook and physical in exchange for an honest review.) This will also be posted on my Bookstagram (@cassietheghostluvsbooks) on publication day as well as my book blog (https://cassieshauntedlibrary.blogspot.com) and reviews listed here and NetGalley.

This is a story about a woman who faces a life of nightmares each day she wakes from the one person who is supposed to protect her and her younger sister. Instead, Margrete finds that her life has only gotten more complicated with news that she's being wed - or sold off, really by her father to a Count. Is this her only means of escape? Can she truly capture freedom through forced marriage? Well, she can only hope. Or so she thought, when a mysterious pirate of all creatures, crashes the big day and takes her on board to an adventurous destiny she never knew existed.

Okay, I'm going to be a little shallow here but - have you looked at that beautiful cover? Have you really looked? It's breathtaking and it pulled me in so fast. I'm a lover of all things mythology and retellings of myths/fairy tales. Throw some pirates (or pirate heh) and you got me hooked.

From the get go, I knew this story was going to be interesting. The pacing was good, the flow kept me intrigued - and the then bam, more mayhem and a certain pirate stops the show and just - I had to slow myself down before I tore through the book too fast. Now, granted, I've seen a few saying there is just way too much Insta-love - hmm - and maybe, it is, for them. I'm not the biggest fan of Insta-Love myself. I'm not a teenager anymore and find the swoony eyes over two people who have no clue about the other kind of ridiculous. But no, I did not get Insta-Love with this. Maybe the chemistry built a bit fast for some people's taste but to me, I feel like it was more of a "hatred turned ally turned to something more" kind of thing happening. Think about it, truly think about what both characters wanted and maybe it's not so far fetched at all.

For me, I loved the story, loved the atmosphere and the wittiness of the characters. I admit, I wish there had been a bit more of the two getting to know each other better and maybe more of the side characters but I don't mind how it went either. Especially knowing this is only the first book (which not gonna lie, I got super excited by) it makes sense why some things were left unsaid or vague. I hope to explore more of the story, characters and world.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars Rounded up to 5! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This story revolves around Margrete Wood, and her connection to Azantian, an island known to be mythical. I love the development of Margrete's character while she is in the island, as well as her feelings with Bash, the Azantian King. Its a bit dragging in the middle, but once you're past that, heck, next pages are very eventful! After reading this, I went back to The Exile chapter, just to double check who's point of view is that.. There are lots of question on my mind after the Epilogue, that I really want to get my hand on the next book!

An incredible novel which has left me wanting more!!! Following Margrete into her own narrative has been a wonderful world to be a part of. Bash, Bay and Adrian have become firm favourites when it comes to literary favourites and I am desperate to find out the next part of the tale.

THIS BOOK. OMG.
I requested it because I was very curios about it, but my expectations were at a basic level.
BUT GUYS. This book is unexpected surprisingly amazing! Especially for being a debut book

A mix of Sarah J.Mass and Armentrout books. I found similarities with "From Blood and Ash" (in all points, even the hottest ones😏)

I loved the writing style and the characters: OMG. Bash 😭🔥
A romance with my favourite tropes: enemies to lovers, semi-forbidden love and KNIFE TO THROATH SCENE!!!! How could I not like it!

I'm curios about Margret's powers and how the story will continue
4 stars well deserved!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have a hard time rating this book because the writing was very technically and professionally well-done, but I never got fully immersed in the story. I think my main issue is that I found the character and relationship development to be underdeveloped.

As an admitted die-hard fan of slow-burn, the relationship developed much too fast for me. I just didn’t see WHY the love interest fell for her or put so much of their trust in her, so fast. The heroine felt just a bit too perfect, but also would make some very ill-thought out decisions. I think it would’ve been more compelling perhaps if there was more internal character development that happened. Since the heroine almost came across as too perfect (with everyone loving her right off the bat), it didn’t leave a lot of room for character development. I think the dialogue also felt a bit contrived which made it harder to see the character interactions as authentic.

I think the cover is beautiful and the story is intriguing, I just would’ve loved to see more character depth!

I really enjoyed reading The Girl Who Belonged to the Sea, it has a wonderful blend of fantasy and mythology and the cover art is gorgeous. It's a well written and excellent debut.

*****5 Stars!

“𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥. 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯...𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘴.”

First I would like to thank Owl City Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book! I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give an honest review!

The Girl Who Belonged to the Sea is an adventurous tale that follows a young woman named Margrete Wood, crushed beneath the thumb of a controlling and power-hungry father. She craves an escape from her father’s control and a chance at her own freedom, desperate for the sweet taste of freedom Margrete turns to the Gods for help. It was a prayer she had not expected to be answered. Receiving word from her father of her engagement to a young wealthy Count Casbian, Margrete is forced to the altar against her desires.

Then enters Bash, a rogue pirate and King to a mysterious island that should only belong in myths. With plans to use Margrete to reclaim a powerful relic stolen from his people, Bash kidnaps her on the day of her nuptials and brings her to his home, Azantian. Little did they both expect to be drawn to one another despite their better judgement, thus leading to a forbidden romance that could destroy them all.

As the lines between them blur, Margrete must make a choice between a passionate love, and saving the realm from the dangerous magic awakening inside of her soul.

This book was an absolute delight to read and filled my craving of an engaging and adventurous pirate fantasy! I found myself easily hooked to Margrete and Bash’s tale, sitting on the edge of my seat eager to see what would happen next. One thing that I really enjoyed about this book was the world building--the island of Azantain was so easy to imagine as were the sights and the smell of the sea as well as the culture of the people who resided there. I would absolutely love to hear more of the lore behind this rich world.

I also found each and every character to be very easy to love and become invested in; I can’t wait to get to know them even more in the next book! I found the chemistry between Margrete and Bash to be very well written, I absolutely loved the slow burn romance that blossomed between them since the moment they met. That is an aspect I really enjoyed and drew me further into this beautiful tale. I couldn’t wait to see where our two heroes found themselves at the end of the book!

This was a book I enjoyed immensely and would highly recommend! As someone who is obsessed with all things pirates, I was very pleased with this book and will happily add it to my list of favorite books I’ve read this year! I am so looking forward to continuing with this series, I can’t wait to see where the characters find themselves next!

4.75⭐
R for some sexy time but the main heat in this book is the yearning glances and tension!

Um, hi. Do you like a feisty heroine who's mad about being kidnapped, a broody male love interest, interference from the gods and an island that shouldn't exist? Enjoy ACOTAR, Cinda Williams Chima, Furyborn or Tamora Pierce? Cool, then you should probably just stop reading this review and go get this book because I think you'll love it. 🙂

This book took everything I want in a fantasy romance novel and it delivered and then delivered some more! First, Margrete gets kidnapped on her wedding day before she says "I do" and finds herself imprisoned on an island that shouldn't exist, but then she finds she absolutely can't stand the pirate king who kidnapped her... And also can't stop thinking about him when not trying to figure out how to stop a malicious sea gods' creations from destroying the world.

Need I say more?!? The tension and yearning between Bash and Margrete was so perfect and they were 🔥 together. The island of Azantian sounded incredible. And the backstory of the sea gods and how Margrete tied into the whole plot was so well designed--there was always something that left me guessing about what would happen next. Also some key characters were LGBTQIA+ which is just something normal I want to see in all fantasy books. My only small issue was that sometimes the books pacing and transitions were a little off.

Overall this is a phenomenal debut, from a local author no less! I think if you're looking a book that's not on Booktok but is similar to other books promoted on Booktok, this a great find. I cannot wait for book two and to see what's next for Margrete and Bash!!

The girl who belonged to the sea is about Margrette, a girl who will always put aside her own needs to protect her younger sister that she adores, including marrying a man she doesn't know. A daring pirate kidnaps her on her wedding day and takes to her to a mythical island laced with secrets.

This is the first in a series. Lovers of From blood and ash will really enjoy this story. I'm a real sucker for that enemies to lovers story line and Bash and Margrette are fantastic characters. The plot had lots of twists and turns, though I felt some areas were not as well developed as they could have been. The world building is fantastic. A great debut and a wonderful start to this trilogy that I look forward to seeing how it develops.

Thank you so much to netgalley and City Owl press for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful ARC in return for an honest review.