I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

An excellent follow up to Dark Water Daughter, Mary, Samuel, Benedict and the gang are all back to try and discover a remedy for the corruption forced on the twins by their mother's cult when they were children and avoid getting dragged into a war that is breweing on the sea. There is a lot of action, a lot more depth and time spent in "the other" and returning characters get more time to be rounded out which is always nice. I was sad that Mary & Samuel's relationship didn't get more focus (as was Mary!!) but I'm happy it being very much a side plot rather than the focus. Narration was expertly done again by Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin, who fully embody the main characters and give life to the entire cast.

Roll on Red Tempest Brother!

Black Tide Son returns readers to the Winter Seas, continuing the story that began in Dark Water Daughter and expanding on the world and scope. I really enjoyed this second installment and look forward to the final book releasing next year. In this book, we continue to see the growth of Mary and Sam as they work together to navigate the world. We also learn more about Sam's background as well as Benedict's, which I really enjoyed. There was no issue with second book syndrome here. If you loved Dark Water Daughter, you'll love jumping back into this world.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin. It was as wonderfully done as the first book. I look forward to hearing their performances in the final book.

Thank you to Recorded Books and NetGalley for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Return to wintry, blustery seas and high adventure in this follow up to Dark Water, Daughter.

Disclaimer: I did do a tandem read with the physical and audiobook. The physical book I purchased myself but the audiobook I did read through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I could not wait to dive back into the icy waters of the winter seas. This was absolutely spectacular from start to finish. It was high action. It was quickly paced, and the character development and political intrigue got even deeper and more interesting. I really loved the progression of the relationship between Sam and Ben. I feel like we got a lot of context through the few flashbacks into their childhood as well as their progression of relationship throughout the book. I was happy to see the relationship between Sam and Mary continue to develop as well and I'm really happy with the way that is heading. I do like that the romance is not the main focus of the book, but only a catalyst to further along the character development. I would call this more of a fantasy than a Romantasy.

I feel like they're political intrigue is definitely getting more interesting and more complex. I liked the introduction of other cult like entities within the novel. I feel like everything that is melting to create this amazing plotline is working really well together. I wish we had more of Grant and his character honestly. I feel like he's very interesting but what is going on with him is very much sub plot. I was thinking that will be accelerated in the third book.

This book was so tense and suspense fail. If you like high seeds, adventure, and tons of worships battling, then this is absolutely the sequel you wanna read. I really loved the development of the powers of each person and how they are integrated within the plot.

The narrators as far as the audiobook have been doing a fantastic job I feel like the voices and emotion that they lend to the novel really hit where I think they should. They keep it fresh and interesting and are exactly the way I picture of the character sounding.

This series is just so dang good. I was really excited for this sequel and it did not disappoint. Dark Water Daughter was a solid 5 star read, as was this one. The character development was *chef's kiss*, continuing to build out the world and the narratives were excellent. And agh, I loved this book.

Just as good on audiobook! I loved the first one and this one was great too! I love the multi-povs. Those are my favorite books! Can’t wait to hear the last one!!

**Book Review: *Black Tide Son* by S.C. Gowland**

*Black Tide Son* by S.C. Gowland is an electrifying continuation of the author's gripping fantasy series. Set in a world teetering on the brink of darkness, this installment brings with it an enthralling mix of political intrigue, vivid world-building, and richly developed characters.

The novel follows Zander, a prince-turned-fugitive, as he battles to reclaim his throne while grappling with personal demons and a world rife with treachery. Gowland does a masterful job of blending action with emotion, creating a story that feels both epic and intimate. Zander’s internal struggles—his guilt, fears, and growing sense of responsibility—add depth to his character and make his journey all the more compelling. The shifting power dynamics and alliances keep readers on their toes, and the stakes feel incredibly high, with each decision carrying far-reaching consequences.

One of the book's standout elements is the immersive world-building. The lands of Veloria are described in such detail that you can almost feel the salty air from the Black Tide, hear the whispers of betrayal in the royal courts, and see the looming threat of the shadow creatures that lurk in the background. The author’s ability to paint such vivid settings without overwhelming the reader is impressive and contributes to the novel’s immersive quality.

Gowland's prose is sharp and engaging, with moments of reflection interspersed with heart-pounding action. The pacing is relentless but well-balanced, allowing for quieter, emotional moments amid the chaos. Themes of loyalty, identity, and sacrifice are explored deeply, adding layers of meaning to the intense plot.

Though *Black Tide Son* is part of a series, it stands strong as a novel in its own right, providing enough context for new readers while rewarding long-time fans with further development of its expansive lore. The cliffhanger ending will leave you yearning for the next chapter in this dark and captivating saga.

Overall, *Black Tide Son* is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy. It’s a story of personal and political conflict, where survival often comes at a great cost. If you’re looking for a complex, character-driven fantasy with high stakes and a richly imagined world, this book delivers in spades.

Wow!

I mean this book was so much better than the first one. I know you have to like the first one because it explains the world and how everything works, but I found it annoying.

This book was so good because Mary and Sam finally got to be their own people. In the first book they felt like their fate was always tied to the well being of others. Sam and Mary got to be the main characters I wanted them to be in the last book.

Do not get me started on Sam and Mary's romance. I can barley hold it together to think about how amazing they are together. They are the true meaning of meant to be. Their relationship reminds me of mine with my husband and I just cant!

I really don't want to spoil the plot because I want you to go read it!

I have not read or listened to the first book in The Winter Sea series. However, I did not find it a big hindrance when listening to the audiobook version of Black Tide Son. Learning the characters others already knew may have taken me a little time, but that wasn't a big stumbling block.

The 'universe' H.M. Long has created is rich and detailed. The characters are layered, too. The plot moves along at a decent pace.

For lovers of fantasy, this would be a great read. I'll be looking to read the original book as well as anticipating the third in the series.

The chapters are each written from the point of view of either Mary or Samuel. Moira Quirk narrated the chapters for Mary and Samuel Roukin narrated the chapters for Samuel. I enjoyed both of their approaches to the narration and felt they helped move the story forward.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for an advance audiobook copy to review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, RB Media, and Recorded Books for this arc!

4.5/5 stars rounded up!

I was soooooo excited for this book, and it did not disappoint! It was full of the magic and mystery like the first one, but the way the story went was a complete surprise - which I liked!! The only thing that annoyed me was how much Ben was in this, but thats a me problem lmao. I just don't like him and I know that like you're not supposed to, but dammit is don't like him 😤😤😤 😂 some things that happened at the end were a little confusing, but I feel like they'll be explained more in the next book as it feels like that's how the story is leading us. I can't wait for the next one!! Definitely going to read Long's other series this winter, yes yes

Once again, Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin knock it out of the park with this audiobook. Their voices and shifting accents are perfect, i could listen to only them narrate audiobooks forever tbh. I highly recommend listening to this while playing Skyrim, the vibes between the two are ✨️ perfection ✨️ Plus, it helps Moira Quirk was a voice actor in that as well, so it just matches, ok??

I love this series so much and I was very excited for this book, it did not disappoint. Loved the story and the narration was great the narrators did a great job. Can’t wait for the next one!

I love this series. I'm not sure how to even put coherent words together about this book really. The characters, the setting, the audiobook.. every aspect is perfect.

I love Sam and Mary. He is rigid in his morals and Mary is much more flexible. They are so clearly into each other, but he's so worried about their professional relationship being above board. It's equally adorable and frustrating.

Benedict, wow. We learn so much about him in this novel. I really enjoyed his personal arc and growth in this novel. I was a little bit worried about him having so much focus, but it was amazing.

And the audiobooks lift this series to even greater heights. I think Moira Quirk might be my favorite narrator out there right now. I could listen to her endlessly. And the male narrator also does a fantastic job. I'll never pick up the physical copies of this series because I love these audiobooks so much.

H.M. Long tackles everything in the Winter Sea series masterfully. I can't wait for book 3, Red Tempest Brother next year! Thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the early audiobook copy.

This story has the vibes of an fantasy/action/adventure movie, but in a book. I read the audio version, and wow, it really shone with narration. This was a worthy sequel to its very fun predecessor, "Dark Water Daughter," and continues the stories of Sam, Mary, and Ben. I will say, this was billed as a duology so I thought that things would be pretty well wrapped up at the end of this one and... they definitely are not. But that's alright. Mary and Sam's stories feel complete, all the characters have undergone growth, and most importantly, I had a good time reading it. Pick this up if you want pirates and magic in a fast-paced story with a fun world that has the feel of YA but with adult themes.

H. M. Long is a master at creating worlds and stories that feel real immediately, have details that latch onto your imagination, and really allow you to feel the tension. motivation, and emotions of the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review!

I can always count on HM Long’s Winter Sea series to give me a pirate book that doesn’t make me feel disappointed. This sequel was great and though I didn’t think it was as strong as Dark Water Daughter, I still had a good time and I liked hanging out with all of the characters again. Long’s writing is readable and I loved the expansion of the world in this book. It’s impressive how you really can feel the cold, bitter winds and dampness from the sea. In this installment, I don’t think I felt like the characters were as strongly fleshed out as in Dark Water Daughter, but Mary and Samuel are still strong narrators and I’m so excited to see where this series will go.

Moira Quirk is, of course, one of my favorite narrators, and she does a wonderful job here. Samuel Roukin also does a great job and I love the audio for this series.

Author H. M. Long has a whole cast of character’s that are very interesting and atypical for this genre. So interesting!

I am pleasantly surprised with how much I like this audio book after my first confusion. To be fair I started with this book 2 of the series and I was not aware of the Book 1 story line and there are so many active characters involved that I had to repeat the first three chapters till I got my listening groove.

Black Tide Son is very fast paced and complex. Sometimes with everything going on in the storyline I would repeat parts of the audio to get a thorough understanding of what was happening. My brain likes puzzles a lot so this was fun for my brain to figure out and analyze where the author was leading the reader.

Some of the outstanding characters are Samuel and Benedict who are twins. One trying to be good and worthy while another heading to darkness and uncaring. Benedict always getting into mischief of some sort while Samuel is always trying to save him and not become dark.

Mary is the main female character and I loved her strength and dedication to Samuel. I do feel that the interaction between them could of been a little hotter but their relationship fit with the plot.

As far as narrators go I didn’t feel connected to either of them but eventually I got over my opinions of them and enjoyed the storyline.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This was a good follow up to DWD, not my favorite but still good. The narration is wonderful. I am looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy!

I love a good pirate story, and this series delivers just that! <3

The story picks up some month after the end of the first book. Mary and Samuel set out to find Benedict, and the story takes off from there. The world these characters move in is further established and together with the rich and unique magic system it makes for a great reading experience.

This sequel puts a bit more focus on character development imo and excels on that front, but it's action packed nonetheless.
Both Mary and Samuel are complex, fleshed out characters who have great chemistry. Their love story is very much a slow burn, which I love! But it might be a bit too slow for others, as the focus isn’t overwhelmingly on the love story. In my opinion, though, it’s perfect because it makes the relationship development feel more organic and real.
The same goes for the side characters and their growth, especially Benedict, who is such a great addition to this story.

I listened to the audiobook and while I loved the female narrator, I unfortunately didn’t like the male narrator, he just wasn’t the right fit for Samuel imo. And that took me out of the story sometimes..

Overall, I had a great time with this and will for sure continue this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

What an exciting fantasy audiobook! I was so into it, I didn't even take the time to realize it was book 2 of a series so now I gotta go back and listen to Winter Sea book 1. It's prison break, pirates on the high seas, fleet battles, and intrigue. What a great ride!

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

"Black Tide Son" by H.M. Long is a thrilling continuation of the adventure that started with "Dark Water Daughter." This time, we dive deeper into the magical, seafaring world with Mary and Samuel as they embark on a quest to find Samuel's brother, Benedict. The world-building is superb, blending strange magic with a richly detailed maritime setting, making you feel like you're right there on the ship with them.

The narrators, Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin, bring the characters to life perfectly. Their performances enhance the experience, making the audiobook an absolute treat. The story itself is packed with action and suspense, though it can be a bit predictable at times. Despite that, the atmosphere and character dynamics keep it engaging. I especially loved the exploration of Samuel and Benedict's complicated relationship and the magical elements that added a unique twist to the plot.