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.

H.M. Long really hit with this series. I loved Dark Water Daughter and Black Tide Son was no different. I thought it was a really engaging and unique fantasy world, with depth to characters that only continues to deepen with each installment. I really liked the pacing and plot development as well as the very clear character POVs. Another fabulous job by the author!

I thought the narrators did a great job with accents and embodiment of the characters. I enjoyed their performance and hope they continue as these characters in the next installment.

I have mixed feelings about the sequel to Dark Water Daughter. First off, it is a journey through a richly detailed landscape that continues to enchant. The writing, magic system & landscape is as captivating as ever, painting vivid images of the world that draw you in. H.M Longs ability to create such an immersive setting is one of the highlights of the book. The atmospheric writing beautifully captures the essence & darkness of the sea, making readers feel like they are right there alongside the characters, navigating the treacherous waters.

However, despite the captivating backdrop, the romance between the Mary & Sam feels disappointingly flat. The spark that hinted at potential in the first book seems to have fizzled out in the sequel. Their interactions lack the depth and emotional intensity needed to make their relationship truly compelling, making the romance subplot a weak point in an otherwise thrilling narrative.

Interestingly, I felt more drawn to Benedict & felt he had more depth & charisma (even though yes he has made some horrible choices) . I wasn’t sure if i would continue on with this series but based off the epilogue & the potential to see his storyline, I’m definitely intrigued now.

The audiobook narrators bring the story to life with their amazing performances, enhancing the immersive experience of the high-seas adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5

Another solid entry into this pirate fantasy. While this isn't a new favorite series, I do love how cozy the world is. The story is action packed and full of twists and turns and old magic and the looming threat of war. I really appreciate how Long created a world that feels familiar and lived in, yet still has me wanting to learn more.

This book dives a bit further into the romance between Mary and Samuel, and I found that I appreciated set up in book 1 much more after seeing some of that pay off here. I also am very intrigued by Benedict. He has made some objectively awful decisions but the magical corruption (and hopefully forthcoming redemption/atonement arc?) is really fascinating and the epilogue has me intrigued by where his story might go. That being said, I still think the characters are the least interesting part of this series, which is probably why I'm left feeling rather middle of the road about it because I tend to be a character driven reader.

Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin both give the excellent performances I have come to expect from them.

This is more like a 4.5 stars if I'm being nitpicky. The middle didn't hold together quite as well as it did in book one. However, this was a really enjoyable return to the Winter Sea universe. Mary, Sam and Benedict have come a long way since book one - each following their own arc to show believable character development. It was also an interesting take to have Mary know exactly what she wanted and Sam to dither over choices.

This is just as action packed as Dark Water Daughter, with a series of high stakes sea faring adventures along the way. The story is engaging and I actually found myself rooting for the romance (which is quite unusual for me!) I especially like the way the folklore of this world is woven into the story but also used as world building - you feel that you've never seen everything and that there could be more adventures in this universe.

Book 3 can't get here soon enough.
Gaaah, I loved Black Tide Son just as much as Dark Water Daughter. The Winter Sea trilogy is easily becoming one of my favorite series of all time, and definitely my favorite pirate series. For me, BTS was a lot like DWD but with MORE. More tension, more action, more magics, more cult-y deeds, more depth, more understanding of the characters and world. I even liked a certain character more.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced audiobook and Samuel Roukin was perfect as Samuel Rosser. I couldn't help but think of him as James Norrington from Pirates of the Caribbean, and I mean that as a compliment.
As always, Moira Quirk can do no wrong. She easily brings every character to life, especially Mary Firth. There is never any doubt as to who she's portraying, giving each character an appropriate accent, and distinct personalities.
Thanks to NetGalley, RBmedia and Recorded Books for the advanced audiobook!

Black Tide Son, written by H. M. Long, was a captivating tale that earned 4 stars. Set in a richly-detailed world, this book is the second installment in the series and presented a thrilling combination of adventure, subtle romance, and a climactic sea battle. I opted for the audiobook version, which was skillfully narrated by Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin, bringing the story to life.
The author has a gift for crafting engaging stories, making this audiobook worth recommending. Thanks Recorded Books via NetGalley.

I only picked up the first book in this series because Moira Quirk narrates, and I heard she uses her Palamedes voice (from the Locked Tomb audiobooks) for one of the male characters. I wound up enjoying Dark Water Daughter on its own merits—though Moira Quirk's fabulous narration didn't hurt—and I think this second book is even better.

This series is so much fun. It's adult fantasy that's both soothing to read and a swashbuckling good time. There are no big twists, grimdark deaths or deep, profound moments, but it's well-written and immersive. Long's prose is very good and she serves up mages, witches, romance, prison breaks, and a hero with an evil twin.

And let me tell you, the evil twin steals the show in this one! He has the best moments and lines. He's self-serving, cruel, and always saying awful things.

And yet, I am a little obsessed with Benedict Rosser (I can fix him!). I’m eager to see where Long takes his character in the next book.

Mary remains a bit of an uninspired heroine and Samuel, our hero, is mostly only interesting to me in scenes with his brother Benedict. Was I the only one who found the scene where Ben suggests he step in for his brother with Mary in the bedroom hotter than any of the Mary/Samuel scenes?

Mary and Sam are very predictable and unrelentingly good. But that works for me in a book like this that is more of a comfort read than anything. They might not be the most complex characters, but they get up to fun hijinks and the people around them add enough drama and conflict to always keep them on their toes and in interesting situations.

I'm surprised this series hasn't blown up. It's like The Shepherd King duology crossed with Pirates of the Caribbean.

"Black Tide Son," the highly anticipated sequel to last year's "Dark Water Daughter," continues the saga with Mary and Samuel embarking on a perilous journey. After a captured pirate reveals shocking news, the duo sets off in urgent pursuit of Samuel's twin brother, Benedict. Their search leads them to uncover much more than they bargained for. While evading a cunning new foe, Mary and Samuel must navigate the complexities of their growing bond as they launch a rescue mission within one of the most secure fortresses on the Mereish Coast.

Unfortunately, this sequel left me feeling underwhelmed. Like so many books I've been reading lately, "Black Tide Son" features yet another instance where the supporting characters were far more compelling than the main protagonists. Mary and Samuel, who are so determined to be good and always do the right thing, quickly became stagnant in their development and, to be honest, downright boring. Their unwavering moral compass made their actions predictable and uninteresting to read.

In contrast, characters like Benedict and Charles have far more dynamic characterizations and interesting motivations. It was a shame we didn't get any POVs from them, as their stories could have added much-needed depth and excitement to the narrative. Their complex personalities and intriguing backstories would have provided a richer and more engaging reading experience.

Another downfall for me was the overall plot. Time and again, the characters would hatch a plan only for it to go horribly wrong. This recurring pattern made it hard to believe that these were competent individuals. The constant failure of their schemes detracted from the story's credibility and made it frustrating to follow their journey.

However, the world-building and magic system remain the standout aspects of this series. The setting of the story, with its fascinating landscapes and intricate magical elements, continues to captivate. H.M. Long excels at creating a vivid and immersive world that draws readers in, making the environment a character in its own right.

In regards to the narrators, both Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin did a great job with their characters. I could fully imagine Mary and Samual through their narration and found them to be another highlight of this reading experience.

Overall, "Black Tide Son" fell short of my expectations. While the world-building and magic system are still top-notch, the main characters' lack of development and the repetitive, often unsuccessful plans made the story less engaging. I found myself wishing for more focus on the supporting characters, whose dynamic and intriguing personalities could have elevated the narrative. Fans of the first book might still find enjoyment in this installment, but it may leave some yearning for a more compelling and well-rounded story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

https://onereadingnurse.com/2024/07/09/book-review-black-tide-son-by-h-m-long/

Also posted to GoodReads today, zon, and Instagram will be tomorrow

I think it’s common knowledge that Dark Water Daughter was my favorite read of last year. I love dark pirates, strange magic, and partnerships that don’t turn into romance, so the book had all the right parts for me. It was just excellent and had all my favorite elements so naturally I had (unrealistically) high hopes for Black Tide Son.

I feel spoiled because I had both advanced reading and listening copies, so thanks very much to Titan Books and Recorded Books for those. Both were received for free in exchange for an honest review, and as always all opinions are my own ⚔️

Black Tide Son was still a very good read despite not quite hitting as hard. The atmosphere remains thick and the magic stays strange, but the plot itself just wasn’t an engaging for me. As you can guess by the title, this is Samuel and Benedict’s book more than Mary’s. We learn how their magic became corrupted and explore the brother’s complicated relationship. It’s not easy, it’s not happy, but is there a cure to their condition? Could Benedict ever not be a monster and can Samuel have a chance at sanity?

The other part is that of course now Mary and Samuel are exploring their feelings. Thankfully there’s blessed little pining and not much repetition, plus I respect his sense of honor. I am never a fan of romantic plots but I’ve seen much much worse.

Anyway, as much as I love swirling tides and the gistings and such, I didn’t think the espionage and war was as engaging of a plot. I also got sick of main characters getting casually shot, like how many bullets can people take before they can’t shrug it off and start acting injured?

Regardless, this is another action packed book and Long is wonderful at creating high stakes and urgency. I love her descriptions of the ice and tides and general setting too. I def wasn’t ever bored while reading or listening.

One thing I’m excited about is that it seems like Benedict is going to have a big role in the next book. He’s a morally questionable character at best and I’m interested in knowing more.

Finally regarding the audiobook… I learned something new. Sometimes the narrators would repeat sentences multiple times with different pronunciations, which I’ve never heard before so it must have been a very early version. Anyway, I am glad that Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin are back and at top form. They are cast perfectly for these characters and do wonderfully clear accents. I would totally recommend Black Tide Son in both audio or book form.

Long story short:
Everything I said about Dark Water Daughter is true here for it’s sequel. I just personally wasn’t hit as hard by the plot. Long is a great writer and I would totally recommend Black Tide Son if you liked Dark Water Daughter. The series is excellent for fans of nautical fantasy with dark currents. Thanks so much for checking out my book review and thanks again to the publishers for the early copies 🖤⚔️🖤

This BOOK!!! This book is a really great follow-up to Dark Water Daughter, and I can't wait for the next one. The story in Black Tide Son goes into Samuel and Benedict's history, which is fascinating. I love that Mary is so strong and straightforward. I really appreciate that these books don't end on cliffhangers and still make me so anxious for the next installment. I think it's time for a backlist binge!

Pirates and magic and storms, oh my!

An atmospheric, adventure-filled follow up to Dark Water Daughter.

This is a great follow up to Dark Water Daughter, with our favourite characters front and centre (especially Charles and Benedict). Important note, this book starts right where we left off, so I recommend re-reading Dark Water Daughter if it's been a minute. It took me about 15% to remember who everyone was and what we were doing. I would have appreciated a little help from the author, but I figured it out.

H.M Long is brilliant at world-building and crafting an atmosphere that feels so real you could swear you feel a snowflake on your cheek in the middle of summer. The characters are so well drawn that I feel I'm missing them now that the book is done.

I was hoping for more of a romance subplot between our main characters, and we get a little tease, but it's mostly on the back burner. Perhaps book three?

H.M Long's prose in this continue to be stunning. It was a beautiful read, and a great set up for book three in the trilogy.

This quote really stuck with me
Ben: "What would I be notorious for?"
Sam: "Hopefully valor, possibly treason."

Let's take a moment to appreciate the amazing narration work by Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin. Moira is Mary, and I can't imagine it being anyone else, but Moira also takes on speaking parts of Mary's companions and fellow pirates and does a great job switching accents and tones to give the world a well-rounded feel. Samuel did a great job bringing the character's emotions through and making the character feel lived in and authentic.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the advanced listener copy. I follow H.M Long on TikTok and Instagram, because her content is on point and she often recommends other amazing fantasy, action and female-lead books. Find her @hmlongbooks.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Audio ARC!

HM Long continues her fantastic pirate series with Black Tide Son, building perfectly on the amazing story of Dark Water Daughter. I especially loved getting to know more about Ben and Grant and am super excited to see where their arcs take them. And Sam, his character development is great! I loved it. Mary is still wonderful too.

Long is a fantastic storyteller, bringing interesting characters, captivating plot, expansive world building, and an intricate magic system involving luck of birth, power from a (mostly) unseen world, and the existence of immortal beings. She also clashes magic with science in this book, showing how reliant some characters and parts of the world have become on their magic....and how far some will go to keep it.

I once again felt like pacing as a bit off, with some aspects feeling like they dragged but overall it was a supremely enjoyable pirate fantasy, and Steve West and Moira Quirk were phenomenal as the narrators, as they always are.

I read a lot of fantasy and a lot of pirate stories and this one was up there - thoroughly enjoyable with great action, betrayal, intrigue, treasure, weird characters, and just a sprinkle of possible romance. Definitely recommend this one!

Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved Dark Water Daughter, and this sequel didn’t disappoint. I love continuing Sam and Mary’s stories, and the world building is just incredible. To top it off, the voice narrators for the book were absolutely phenomenal. Sometimes I have trouble with audiobooks, but the narrators were so clear even when pronouncing words that I had no clue what they were.

If you love Dark Water Daughter, definitely pick up this book/audiobook!!! 4.75 ⭐️

Vibes:
Pirates
Fantasy setting
Magic
Friends to lovers
Adventure
Did I mention pirates and magic?!

Unfortunately, I did not love Black Tide Son, but I think it has more to do with me as a reader than the book itself. This is a very pirate focused books, and I think I was imagining it would be a little lighter or magical. However, if you liked Dark Water Daughter, I think you'll really enjoy the continuation!

I'm very grateful to NetGalley and Titan books for granting me access to the Audiobook version - I think this was my personal saving grace for this read because the narration is PERFECT!

La segunda entrega de la saga The Winter Sea, que comenzó con Dark Water Daughter, mejora con esta segunda entrega. Seguramente sea debido a que ya conocemos las reglas del juego y H.M. Long empieza a desplegar sus peones por todo el tablero para regocijo de sus lectores.


En esta ocasión también he disfrutado de los lectores de la saga, el nunca suficientemente alabado Samuel Roukin y una más que disfrutable Moira Quirk. Es un placer escuchar audiolibros locutados con tanta profesionalidad como pasión.

En esta ocasión el hilo conductor de la novela será el intento de rescate de Benedict, el hermano gemelo de Samuel, protagonista junto con Mary de la primera entrega, y por supuesto también de esta. Pero quizá lo que más nos atrape de la novela sea cómo se siguen desvelando más y más capas del sistema mágico que constituye el pilar fundamental de la serie, sobre el que se sustentan las aventuras marítimas y las conspiraciones que desfilan por sus numerosas páginas. La aventura está salpicada con capítulos que nos retrotraen a la adolescencia de los gemelos y que nos irán aclarando tanto su complicada relación como las causas de su comportamiento actual.

La trama romántica es bastante más creíble que en el primer volumen y también interfiere menos en la historia. Está ahí, sabemos qué está ocurriendo pero no nos distrae de la verdadera acción. Además, y creo que esto es un dato importante a tener en cuenta, se habla sobre consentimiento y relaciones de poder de una forma abierta, desafiando las normas establecidas para intentar establecer un precedente que ayude a las siguientes stormsingers en su búsqueda de libertad.

Es muy interesante el desarrollo de la figura antiheroica de Ben, ya que con su capacidad para manipular los sentimientos de las personas podría ser un villano de opereta maniqueísta. Pero no, Long le dota de profundidad e interés, diría que incluso más que a su hermano, y deja expedito el camino para que sea más protagonista en la tercera entrega.

En resumen, una historia de piratas y magia de agradable lectura y más que entretenida. Bastante recomendable.

Just like Dark Water Daughter, Black Tide Son is packed with action, adventure, intricate magic, and very thorough worldbuilding. I really enjoyed the different settings in this installment, and there was a lot more action and suspense than there was in the first book.
I will say that this felt like filler more than anything - Mary's sole motive in this entire book is to further her relationship with Samuel, while Sam is battling a variety of obstacles in order to save himself and his brother. There was a lot more character development in some areas - mostly with Benedict - but the cast of characters still felt a bit too flat and one-dimensional. Despite this, the narrators did an incredible job with this story and brought the whole fantasy to life.
The writing was excellent - H.M. Long has a gift for creating lush fantasy worlds and magic systems. I loved learning more about the Other and the Dark Water, and I think this book did a lot to set up whatever happens in the third installment. I will say that even though there is more action in this book, it was a bit slow at times and certain plotlines felt completely unnecessary.
Overall, Black Tide Son was a good sequel to Dark Water Daughter, and a definite must-read for any fans of pirate fantasy, magic, and slow-burn romance.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and RB Media for the audio ARC!

BTS was a great follow up to DWD.
This book was very engaging and interesting. I really enjoyed getting to experience the other more and really dive into everyone's abilities.
I was surprised to find myself rooting for certain characters by the end.
I just adore Mary and Samuel.
I love this world and anyone who enjoyed the first book will not be disappointed.

Absolutely loved the second installment of the story, so much. The pace at which the story unfolded, combined with the narration by Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin, made it more captivating. The tension build in the second book has been so much better than the first part and the slow burn between Sam and Mary has been wonderful. Really looking forward to the next installment of the pirate fantasy from Winter Seas.