A captivating sequel to Dark Water Daughter, we got a more expansive world and brilliant character growth. I cannot wait for the next book. 4.5 stars.

The vibes were immaculate for book two of The Winter Sea! We picked up right where we left off after Dark Water Daughter - Samuel and Mary are navigating their new relationship (SLOW BURN!). The political intrigue, magic system, accessible writing style, and fantastic execution of character and world development kept me tethered to this book - I finished it in one sitting. I did notice that the pacing was a bit uneven throughout, but that didn't get in the way of how much I enjoyed this book.

I'm obsessed with this story and characters. The fact that this did not suffer even a little bit from second book syndrome makes me even more excited to dive back into this world when book three comes out. H.M Long is easily one of my favorite discoveries of the year!

Thank you so much RBMedia for providing an ARC through NetGalley!

I really couldn’t get into this. When I’ve listened to other books in the past I couldn’t take my headphones out. This wasn’t for me

This was such an amazing follow-up to Dark Water Daughter! There was so much character development for all of the characters, but especially for Benedict. I really liked how the author wrote and developed his character in this book, and I can't wait to read the next book :)

4.5/5 stars.

I've had the privilege of reading everything H.M. Long's published since the description of Hall of Smoke piqued my interest. I can say with no uncertainty that she's found her stride with the Winter Sea Trilogy. She recently spoke about how the story has evolved over time (r/Fantasy AMA) and I am so happy where it landed (though fiddler Sam would be good iykyk).

Black Tide Son picks up where Dark Water Daughter leaves off and the plot is quick. This absolutely does not fall into middle book syndrome at any point. The characters are compelling, especially Benedict but catch me interested in the darker characters, always. I don't want to get into the plot since it's a sequel but rest assured it's fast-paced, completely captivating. Long's prose is perfectly crafted to suite the world she's crafted. In my mind this is very much Kiera Knightley and Orlando Bloom from Pirates of the Caribbean adjacent which I am absolutely in love with.

The audiobook is incredible, Moira Quirk (one of my all time favourite narrators) and Samuel Roukin do an incredible job of bringing the characters to life. If you haven't yet, I highly recommend checking out Dark Water Daughter (which does start a bit slower, but stick with it!) and then continuing on the series.

HOLY SMOKES. Honestly this review is for book 1 and 2 cause i read them with about a 5 minute break in between so can hardly tell them apart. But I think that says a lot right there. As a series so far, perfection. Its giving me the best pirate feels and heisting and interesting characters who do shitty things, as we all do. Spoilers ahead.

I LOVE it when an author can redeem a seemingly irredeemable character in a realistic way that doesn't take them from asshat to loveable hero in one chapter and spends some time in the grey. And yes I am talking about a side character but that is because i am hoping beyond all hope that book 3 is all about him and whatever the heck he is up to.

Black Tide Son by H. M. Long was a very entertaining listen. Both narrators, Moira Quirk, and Samuel Roukin, do an excellent job. The plot is quick and interesting. Some aspects of the story were a little too convenient, but overall an enjoyable audiobook for summer. Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the advanced copy.

This is how you do a fantasy sequel. I appreciated the authors effort to jog the reader’s memory without info dumps. (I recently had a less than optimal experience with this lol) The audiobook narration brings back the full cast from the last book with a sort of northern UK accent that’s right at home with this Jacobean inspired pirate fantasy. I especially loved the female narrator and her comedic timing with the hilarious Mary Firth.
This novel was really for character development more than anything and I loved that. Benedict’s growth from 2D villain to guy with a heart and then healing as we get to know him better really had me so emotional. I also adored Mary’s transparency and Samuels tortured disposition it was such a cute little untraditional romance with the actual world against them.
Mary is such a complex character, you can’t really put her in a box. She’s absolutely not evil and her morality holds her back from quite a bit, but at the same time she’s totally fine doing what she needs to to survive and for the well-being of her loved ones. All that whole being genuinely hilarious and powerful. An Icon.
There were, of course, plenty of battle scenes but I found myself sort of zoning out during most of them. I’m not sure that this is a fault of the book as much as it’s my disinterest in that aspect. I also think that this book was more lucid about the realities and impacts of the war than the last book, this obviously being because the characters were in the midst of it. But the ethical implications and struggles were also interesting to me.
My favorite part about this authors work in this book and the last is the effortless layering of beautiful prose and ambiance with the wittiness of characters who have actually been through hell and back.
While I didn’t love this installment as much as the first book, I love the characters more and I can’t wait for the next one!

I love H.M. Long's fantasy world-building and they are quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy authors.

Mary and Samuel set out to rescue Sam's amoral twin brother from prison, not just due to brotherly love but also because he needs Benedict to participate in the cure for their magical corruption or he cannot be healed himself. Near death happens many times, many people are captured many times, and loads of battles and swashbuckling ensues. So much action here! I did get a bit lost with regard to the character names, and I think partly that was due to the length of time between reading this one and the previous title. I think it would be difficult to follow the story without having read the first installation.

Mary and Samuel continue their slowest of slow burn romances, due to Samuel's overactive sense of morality. He was a bit too much of a goody-two shoes in this book and I was ready for Mary to ditch him for something moving faster than a dead snail. I hope the next book in the series follows Benedict on his shenanigans, because there was clearly more to come from this story based on the ending.

Great audio narration!

This is a fantastic continuation of The Winter Sea series. It's like if Pirates of the Caribbean and Priory of the Orange Tree got together and made a book baby. You get the high fantasy world building and magic systems along with the nostalgia of a swashbuckling pirate adventure. The narrators selected for this audiobook have done a fantastic job of immersing you in this dark and adventurous world. I hope I can be selected to receive an ARC for the third installment of this incredible series! Red Tempest Brother cannot come soon enough!

Thoroughly enjoyed the characters and slow burn romance in this book! The plot and world got slightly complicated for audio at times (or maybe I wasn’t paying good enough attention). I still really enjoyed the tension between the characters. Also loved the parallel of fighting for singers’ rights and women’s rights (as most are women). I loved the build up to the battle and a lot of the action scenes seemed to go on a while which is great as they didn’t seem easy. There were times when they were on the run, going through little towns/villages and it reminded me of Lord of the Rings (in a good way!). Lots of action and suspense! Really looking forward to the next one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

3 stars.

Audiobook is well narrated.

Note: I have not read the previous book in this series

I am really torn regarding this book! I really enjoyed the world-building, which blends the seafaring world, various magical abilities and the whole other reality of the black waters. In fact, the creation of this devilishly-fun reality is my favourite aspect of this book. Much of the writing is also better than average - carrying the story along at a reasonable clip while also making time for interpersonal nuances. I wouldn't say that there is much character development (a little near the end), but rather the book is plot-driven.

Honestly, I probably would have rated this book at four stars had it not been for the completely ridiculous handling of one of the main characters (Mary). I am really not sure what the author was thinking!! I really wanted to love her. Mary has incredible, badass magical weather-bending abilities as a Storm-singer. And when she sets her mind to it, she greatly affects the outcome of both challenging situations and warfare. BUT, every other instant that she is not completely kicking ass, she is swooning and grabbing the arm of her indented-beau. She is a little mouse that can't possibly do anything meaningful or make her own decisions - until she makes the biggest possible decisions and changes the course of history. It's so incredibly misogynistic. Granted the world has a deeply patriarchial world-view, but a main character can kick such meaningful ass, she at least deserves to be able to stand up straight on her own two feet.

When I began this book, I was hoping to see character development in Mary. After achieving such magnificent feats, her confidence should surely grow (I know from experience that this is true). But the poor sop remained swooning and clutching the arm of her crush. Clutch his arm, Clutch his arm, clutch his arm ..... over and over and over again. *barf* I definitely will not be pursuing any more books in this series. I can't stand any amazing witch to be treated so poorly by her own story.

If you buy more deeply into the patriarchy, perhaps you will be able to overlook this distraction and enjoy the book for its world-building and writing. I could not.

Huge Gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher, RBMedia, for this AudioARC, in exchange for my (probably much too) honest review.

4.5
A strong sequel that builds upon the unique magic system, naval politics, and slow-burn romantic subplot of the first book. Love these characters and can't wait to get more from this unique fantasy world! The narrators, particularly Moira Quirk, are fantastic to listen to and I highly recommend experiencing this nautical adventure via audiobook.

Mary and Sam must work together to free his twin brother from a notorious prison. While doing so, Sam must come to terms with the powerful but ultimately horrific magic that was forced upon them as children. Mary and Sam also have to decide how far to take their relationship and maintain a professional relationship as captain and storm-singer. Hopefully there's a wee bit more romance in book three, otherwise, I've got no complaints!

I am obsessed with the Winter Sea Series! Black Tide Son was a perfect follow up to Dark Water Daughter. The world building and magic system are perfection. The plot was fast paced and action packed. HM Long writes amazingly developed and engaging characters. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. As with Dark Water Daughter, both narrators for the audiobook are wonderful.

I really enjoyed Dark Water Daughter and was so excited to start the second installment and this book did not disappoint. I really enjoyed getting to know more about Sam, Ben, and their relationship. There was also plenty of action and the world was further developed. Mary continues to be a great character.

The magic in this world is one of my favorite parts and learning more about how it works was so much fun. I also loved the narrators and their storytelling added so much to this book. They made the characters come alive.

Black Tide Son continues the swashbuckling adventures of Mary Firth, a Stormsinger (weather witch), and Capt. Samuel Rosser, a Sooth (pre-cognitive). Having survived the dread pirate Lirr, the pair now sail the Winter Seas as a privateering vessel under contract with the Usti crown. But their peace is soon broken when a pirate reveals that Sam's twin brother Benedict, an Aedine naval captain and Magni (wielding magical charisma), has been imprisoned by the enemy Mereish kingdom. The Mereish secret service / cult, the Ess Noti, are hunting mages like Ben for dark purposes, and Mary and Sam are next on their list.

The Plot: There are three major plotlines in this book. The relationship (working and romantic) between Mary and Sam. The renewal of the Aedine / Mereish war, which necessitates Ben's rescue. And the search for a cure to Sam and Ben's corrupted magic, which the Ess Noti may know something about. There were also a few flashbacks to the 14 months between the two books and further back to Sam's childhood. The war plotline is the strongest and most prevalent, the final 25% of the book is essentially one long battle scene.

The Characters: Mary and her relationships are still the star of the show. I love her friendship with Charles and her bro-in-law relationship with Ben. Also the fact that Mary knows what she wants out of Sam (SEX) and will not be condescended to by him or societies' double standards is a breath of fresh air in the romastasy genre! Sam's relationships (as the other MC / POV) are a bit of a wet blanket in contrast. I especially wanted more depth to the interactions with his brother, which seemed too exasperated and dismissive given the whole prison-break situation.

The Storytelling: Fast-paced, action-packed, and immersive. But somewhat haphazard compared to the last book. Events seemed to go extremely well and then equally badly in cycles that were not quite believable. Also, the flashbacks were unsuccessful; they needed to be cut entirely or expanded into their own full plotline exploring how the relationship between Sam and Ben developed into its current state.

The Narration: I enjoyed the narration of Mary's chapters by Moira Quirk. But Samuel Roukin read Sam's chapters as if every observation, thought, and statement was a declaration. Although, who knows, maybe that's apt for Sam, who is clearly the James Norrington (PoC) of this world.

Summary: An adult pirate romantasy, heavy on combat and light on sex. Still loving it! More Ben and Charles bromance in the final book please!

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to RBMedia and NetGalley for the audio ARC of Black Tide Son. I’d heard nothing but good things about this series and Moira Quirk is one of my favorite narrators, so I knew I had to read it (after reading the first book, of course)!

Black Tide picks up after a brief timeskip from the first book. The characters did their training montage offscreen and are now exploring the seas, hunting down pirates and bringing them to justice.

I loved the character development that continues through this, the characters feel true to who they were in the first book. And Mary’s frustration with Samuel that he wouldn’t just kiss her already made me snicker every time.

Long did a good job of expanding on the lore, magic, and world in Black Tide Son. I could read a million books set in this universe!

I want to thank #netgalley - #TitanBooks for the kindle & #RBMedia for the audio- I realize it’s nerdy gluttony, but I love to go back and forth btwn both mediums so I can hyper focus on a story.

And woo- Long builds a rich world* full of politics, layered magic systems, and yessss– even a slow burn romance** & it demands your attention. Did I mention intriguing gray characters that you *need* to keep your eyes on? TBH, it contains every fantasy element I crave for bookish escapism.

But TBH, I can’t believe it took me till book 2 realize Moira Quirk was on this- she’s one of my favorite narrators!

In book one, I was unsure how I felt about Tane/Mary relationship, in book 1 it felt creepy, but in book 2 it proved itself mores empowering.

I’m looking forward to book 3 (Red Tempest Son slated for July 2025).

Don’t sleep on this series! Highly recommend- 4/5

*At the start of book 3, can there be a series recap so far (the Rook & Rose series by M.A. Carrick does this and I wish this was a standard practice 😩.)

** Though I am begging for a little more spice in book three. (Pretty please!)

I really liked the first book, but quite honestly this one was boring. There wasn’t much development of characters or deepening of relationships, we didn’t get answers to the lore/worldbuilding questions I collected during the first book, Mary suffered from a complete lack of agency, we didn’t have any awesome action sequences, there wasn’t much tension or suspense of any kind…

Even Moira Quirk’s narration couldn’t hold my attention (and not just because the male narrator had significantly more chapters).

I’m still interested in Long’s Norse mythology inspired backlist, but I probably won’t return to this series.

4.5 stars
This was fantastic! I loved the writing style. It was very immersive and atmospheric. It was great to be back with characters I really enjoyed. The character development in this was phenomenal. It had a strong plot that wrapped up nicely at the end. It was action-packed, and the pacing was great. I absolutely adored the narrators. They did such an amazing job and really complimented each other. The narration really brought the story to life.