Genres: Dark Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy | Release Date: 4 August 2023 | Series: Sea of Souls Saga | Series Book: #1 | Pages: 413 | Indie Author | Review
“Above the waves or below, death beckoned.”
N. C. Scrimgeour
Overview:
A huge thank you goes to Book Sirens and the author for letting me read an e-ARC of Sea of Souls! This dark fantasy hooks the reader from the very first line, and I couldn’t put it down once I started. Look no further if you want a story of selkies, the treacherous sea and a heroine desperately longing to belong somewhere…
After fighting monsters within the turbulent waters for years, Isla Blackwood is called home due to a family tragedy. But upon arrival, selkie raiders attack the estate and Isla barely escapes with her life, alongside her brother and the grim swordmaster. To reclaim what’s lost, she makes a pact with a selkie who is looking for her ancestor’s pelt. But to follow through with their bargain and avenge Isla’s family, they have to go against the Grand Admiral. Can this ragtag crew work together for a common cause? Is it possible that they’ve been wrong about the selkies all these years? And what happens when Isla must choose where her loyalties lie?
Happiness Boost:
If, like me, you’ve never read a book by N. C. Scrimgeour before? Please for the love of *everything*, read this one. Sea of Souls is a masterpiece in dark fantasy, high stakes and perilous creatures who can slaughter anyone in their path. I kid you not, this is one of my favourite reads of the YEAR. Is that a big call? You bet it is. But this intense novel more than delivers in worldbuilding, mood and character development.
Scrimgeour has elevated selkie myths to a whole new level within Sea of Souls, and plunged my heart to the darkest depths of the ocean. I am struggling for words, because I’m so in love with this fantasy and don’t know what I can say to best convince you to read it! But this story… Do you love Kate Forsyth? Alison Croggon? How about Kate Schumacher, R. K. Hart, Emily Lloyd-Jones or A. G. Slatter? This story is *epic* and you need it. Seriously, you do.
My heart went out to Isla, our battered and bruised heroine, and I just felt it break with every decision she had to make. She’s trying so, so hard to do the right thing. Add to this the tension between her and the swordmaster, Darce Galbraith? Glitterbugs, you’re in for such a treat. Noble, heroic, sarcastic… All the things we want for Isla is delivered in Galbraith’s character! I am fangirling *so* hard behind this screen, you have no idea. Just please, read this book. I need to freak out with someone over how good it is!
Downside:
Are you kidding?! Sea of Souls is exceptional!
Final Thoughts:
Sea of Souls by indie author N. C. Scrimgeour is a dark fantasy which will entice you into turbulent seas and leave you aching for more. I could go on about this beautiful story for days, if not longer. It’s truly special. And I can’t give much higher praise than that. If you love the sound of this story from my review? Just click on any of the links below to pre-order a copy! Happy reading, glitterbugs!
You can pre-order Sea of Souls via these links:
Amazon | Blackwell’s | Booktopia | Fishpond
