Sea of Storms is a 2022 fantasy romance novel by Lindsey Pogue. It was published by Roar Press and was released in November 2022. The novel is the second entry in the Ruined Lands series, but it can be read as a standalone. It's a retelling of the Norse myth of Skadi and Njord.
The Reaper's name is whispered throughout Norseland–the infamous sea captain who visits the frozen kingdom with each rising tide to collect a shipful of unfortunates. No one knows where he's from or where he takes them, only that he leaves wreck and ruin in his wake. After a terrible tragedy, Brynn wakes on the Reaper's ship. Bloody, broken, and with nothing left to lose, she vows she'll avenge her family before they reach the Reaper's homeland. But the gods of old play wicked games, and when the Reaper and Brynn are stranded together, destiny weaves an epic, unforgettable love story of pain, passion, and jaw-dropping discoveries.
The characters in this novel were incredibly compelling. Brynn was a fascinating character, since she was tough and determined and angry, but also had a compassionate side. She had a tragic history, but didn't allow it to consume her or define her. Her character development was subtle, but it was interesting to watch it unfold. The Reaper, Killian, initially comes across as a fairly simple character, but as the story unfolds, his complexity becomes apparent as the intricacies of not only what he does, but why, becomes clearer. He's a feared figure, but there's a good reason for that, a reason he accepts that reputation, and a revelation that reframes some key factors in how he and Brynn view each other. Neither of these characters were perfect, however. At times, Brynn was written as a little too angry or Killian was a little too broody, but it wasn't overwhelming. The supporting cast of characters are also incredibly complex, with each having distinct personalities and struggles. While reading, each feels like a real person, and reacts accordingly. The dynamics and interactions between characters became very interesting, as the depths of each character was explored.
The novel doesn't have a very complex plot, telling a pretty straightforward enemies-to-lovers tale. It's a story that's centered more on the characters than the plot, which works very well for both the story itself, and the myth the story is retelling. The reader sees Brynn and Killian begin as enemies and grow closer over time, eventually resulting in them falling in love. While the overarching plot doesn't break new ground, the narrative did pull off some surprises. There are some plot twists that an observant reader could easily see being foreshadowed, while others come as complete, but welcome, surprises and revelations, adding some depth to the story. The climax of the novel was interesting and the resolution felt satisfying, and it was a refreshing change to the myth that inspired the story.
I enjoyed the overall writing in this novel. The author gave vivid descriptions that made it very easy to become immersed in the story. The prose told the tale in a digestible way that was easy to follow and get lost in. The world is written in such a way that it's clear the reader's only seeing a small part of it, with hints at a much larger story that the series can tell. The novel did have a pacing issue, as the story moved slowly at certain parts, making those parts feel like they dragged. The story does recover the lost momentum, but the slowdown was noticeable to me. This is an author who's work I definitely want to read more of, given how much I enjoyed the writing itself.
This novel is part of a series, but it works well as a standalone. I wasn't aware that this book was part of a series until after I had finished it, and I had no issues navigating the story or the world, having not read anything else by this author. The story itself feels complete and fully contained within this novel, so I believe the first novel in the series either only takes place in the same world, with no direct connection to this book, or has a very tangential connection to the events in this one. Either way, you could read this book on its own, or as part of the series.
Sea of Storms took me by surprise. The plot itself isn't complex, but there are plenty of surprises as the story unfolds. The characters were incredibly compelling, including the supporting characters. The writing was overall very good, despite a pacing issue. The novel works perfectly as a standalone, and as a part of a series. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a fantasy romance, especially a Norse-inspired one.
Rating: 4 Stars
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