This was an interesting second installment. I liked being back with the characters. I was a little disappointed as the story tension from the first book was not as high in the second. I also had to knock it down a half star because the audiobook narrator is audibly swallowing multiple times throughout the book and it just kept throwing me out of the story. I would potentially pick up a third book if one happens.

I am just as happy with the book as the 1st! I really enjoy the world / character building this author takes the time to do with her books. This book kept me on my toes with all of the adventure, mystery, and sexay pirates.

Black Tide Son is the follow up to Dark Water Daughter as Mary and Samuel search for Samuel's twin, Benedict (who can control other people), all while being hunted by the Ess Noti.

I wanted to love this book. I loved Dark Water Daughter. Unfortunately, I had a harder time with this one. I felt there was a lot going on in this story. I felt that the way too much that was going on took away from the character development, and they felt a bit flat to me as most of the focus was put into the story. The progression of Mary and Samuel's relationship wasn't really earth-shattering in my opinion. I had hoped for more. (Not saying I need full on romance just a bit more emotion.) I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it as much as I did the first one. I will say though that the book is very atmospheric. You really feel like you're sailing through the sea.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin were great narrators and really brought the characters to life.

Long created a fascinating high fantasy pirate adventure with The Winter Sea, so I had incredibly high hopes for Black Tide Son, which it lived up to. Black Tide Son makes considerable progress in moving the overall series plot forward both for the characters themselves as well as the overarching storyline. There was also considerable character and relationship development between Mary and Sam although a significant portion occurred off page during the time gap between The Winter Sea and Black Tide Son. Additionally, I was absolutely delighted by the cast of surrounding characters. Also, I need to talk about evil twin Ben. He is such a fascinating character. He certainly makes terrible choices and decisions but he’s still interesting to learn about. The other element I found interesting was the blending of past and present to tell the story. Like the first, I read this book via audiobook and would highly recommend it again. Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin did a fantastic job bringing the characters and story to life. Listening to their narration feels like watching a movie play out in your head. It is seriously so good and in my opinion, the best way to experience this series.

Overall rating 4.5⭐️

Thanks to RBMedia for the arc!

I had my problems with Dark Water Daughter but Black Tide Son really pulled through. The tension that i missed in the first book were finally given and it was just sooo good. The characters felt more fleshed out, especially Samuel and Ben. The writing was more fast paced than the first book and at no point did i feel like the story was dragging on. But i do think given the promising worldbuilding that this book could have been more. Regardless i am interested to see where this world keeps going.

I love this world so much. The blend of fantasy and historical elements are unique and fascinating, and I never grow tired of learning more of it. The characters were also a delight to return to, and the dynamic of the main group is always an excellent source of entertainment. The development of the relationship of Mary and Samuel is wonderfully slow burn. I don’t know for sure if this is a planned trilogy, but H. M. Long definitely ended the book with the possibility of more story. With that in mind, I feel as though this book might have suffered from middle-book syndrome, in which there is somewhat of a lull in pacing. The middle dragged a little for me, but still not enough to prevent me from thoroughly enjoying the book as a whole. Once again Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin both had excellent performances narrating the audiobook. They ARE these characters.

I am very into the world building H.M. Long has done in this series. It really has it all - pirates, a unique magic system, cults, naval battles, politics, and a quiet, but beautiful romance. In this sequel we see Samuel captaining Hart with Mary at his side as stormsinger. They are on the hunt for Samuel's twin brother, Benedict for many reasons, but chief among them is in pursuit of a cure for Samuel. I loved that while this book was a continuation of the characters we met in Dark Water Daughter, the primary action stood on its own. While you will certainly benefit from reading the first book prior to this, you could probably follow the action without too much confusion. But, the character development from book one to book two would be missed and that would absolutely be a pity. I listened to the audio galley and was struck by the strength of both narrators, Moira Quirk and Samuel Roulkin. Quirk I've listened to before and knew I liked; Roulkin is new to me, but also excellent!
My only complaint is that I thought this was set to be a duology and based on the ending that is not the case. I see now that Long has plans for a book three... Oh well, I guess I'll have to go back to the Winter Sea ;)

The dual narration is fantastic. These two are exactly how I imagine in I’m head. Both are great narrators and I feel like do the story such justice.

While I enjoyed dark water daughter more I still lover this one. I love Mary so much. And samuel. Didn’t always hate Ben’s presence in this one either.

This series is my ideal pirate epic fantasy(with a minor romance.) I love the magic system and just find the world to be so interesting. Hannah’s writing is perfection in my opinion and she can do no wrong.

An excellent dual POV performance! For those who grew up with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and a deep love of pirate stories, this series continues to be a thrilling delight. Pick this book up for the transportive world building and enthralling action.

While I still loved Black Tide Son, I did not love it as much as I loved Dark Water Daughter. I loved Mary and Samuel’s relationship. I did feel like some of the side characters lacked the depth I wish they had. The tension was palpable and I loved how they developed individually and together. The writing was very easy to understand and was accessible. I did struggle a bit with the pacing - things would ramp up and then the conflict would end rather quickly. The setting is still so wintery and cold, I love it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

"Black Tide Son" by H. M. Long continues The Winter Sea series. This time they want the sociopath with them.

Mary, Samuel, and the crew of the Hart are doing pretty good business as privateers. Having a sentient ship, crew members that have second spirits that give some powers, a captain that can see glimpses of the future, and a witch who can sing wind into existence and sink nigh anything helps. But when word that Sam's twin Benedict is in a prison of a country they are slightly in conflict with it gets complex. Doesn't help that agents of said country are after them and any nationals who might have secrets their government doesn't want getting lose. Oh and the waters are doing something weird that folks haven't seen before, which is awkward for everyone on the coast.

Narrated by Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin, wonderfully charming and delightfully vengeful when crossed. A pleasure as always.

Reasons to read:
-You want to shake the MCs and scream "just bone!" in their faces, propriety be damned
-Few plot threads are expounded upon
-Comeuppance for weird stuff folks did
-I like when "leaders" are flummoxed by competence

Cons:
-Shake the MCs again

3.75/5 ⭐️
A swashbuckling adventure filled with redemption and brotherhood. As Dark Water Daughter was Mary’s book, Black Tide Son was Samuel and to a lesser extent Benedict’s book. The way the brothers’ relationship grew and slowly mended throughout the story was heartwarming to see and just as gripping as seeing Mary and Samuel chart the course of their lives. The world within the Winter Sea is one of pulse pounding adventure and of things that lurk beneath the waves and behind those same waves. Black Tide did an excellent and mostly more admirable job of setting up the rest of the story than Dark Water Daughter did and I am very excited to see the end of this adventure.

4.5/5

It's so exciting to return to the Winter Seas alongside Mary and Sam!

When I reviewed Dark Water Daughter, I critiqued that our protagonists barely had any "screen time" (page time? I am listening to it on audio, so maybe sound time?) together, and I am happy to report that they have a lot of quality time in this sequel. It was worth the wait to get to know these characters as individuals first and then have them become a team. While I don't love the whole "we can't be together because we are an example" excuse, I do allow for it because the angst is delicious and we need a reason for why their relationship has not grown romantically.

We start our adventure when Sam is informed that his twin brother, Ben, is in prison (as he should be). Of course, no prisonbreak is complete without being hunted by a secret organization, right? If the people trying to kill you are also the only ones with the knowledge to heal the messed up magic bond that you have with your sociopathic twin that your grieving mother gave you because of a cult, then I guess espionage is the next best thing. It's a good thing you find a spy when you break out of a different captive-hostage situation. Oh, and did I mention the war that is coming? It's a very busy time.

My highlights:
-Mary singing with the Stormsingers (despite how we got there)
-Sam's flashbacks. Only fair after having Mary's in the previous book.
-How Mary and Sam interact with each other. I like how he is so honorable and she is being so respectful of that, however, she doesn't hesitate to matters into her own hands. Truly, a great partnership.
-Despite me fighting this tooth and nail...Ben. He's just so snarky. At least he's trying, I suppose. I do like how he learns to respect Mary. Is he redeemed? That's spoilers, but let's just say that I am intrigued by the end.

The narrators did a fantastic job!

I can't wait to return to the Winter Seas.

I didn’t realize in requesting this arc (TY to the publisher) that this was the second in a series, because they expect a review I had to read it. Believe it or not, a lot of other books you’d be lost and out of place. I think this speaks volumes on this one, it was so much fun!

I love hm long as a person and author. Her audiobooks are always on point, and this shouldn't be surprising cause of house much she enjoys the medium. Hit it out of the park as always