September 1, 2018
Gr 9 Up-While Seafarer's Kiss focused on Nordic mermaid Ersel's pursuit of freedom, love, and legs, this companion novel is Ragna's story. Beginning with the godborn origin of her powerfully accurate navigational tattoos and the slaughter of her village in order to capture her magic, Ragna's survival and quest for revenge take front stage. With Ersel's assistance in her kraken form, thanks to the trickster god Loki granting her more legs than she bargained for in the first book, Ragna and a crew of reluctant Vikings fight their way through icebergs, fenrir (Asgardian monster-wolves), and one another to reach Ragna's homeland. When they find her town guarded by one of Loki's deadliest creatures, Ragna's band must form an alliance with Jarl Honor, a dark-skinned female ruler of a nearby settlement, Honor's genderfluid deputy, and, in desperation, Loki. Ragna's commitment to Loki promises a continuation of this exciting and violent quest with mostly female leads and fascinating mythology. Many Old Norse terms are defined in a glossary. Also included in both front and back matter are content warnings. These unnecessary alerts for what is clearly a potentially barbaric adventure-the attractive cover features raging waters, a Captain Hook-like female warrior holding an axe, a menacing tentacle curled alongside the ship, and skulls floating in the churning sea-are very concerning. VERDICT This companion novel elevates the captivating stories of mermaid Ersel and warrior-captain Ragna introduced in Seafarer's Kiss. Fans of mythology adventures will embrace this high-action, emotional, and gory tale.-Elaine Fultz, Madison Jr. Sr. High School, Middletown, OH
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2018
Ragna always dreamed of sailing the high seas.When Jarl Haakon sends his men to raid her village for children who, like Ragna, have magical maps on their skin, she escapes, but her family is killed. Vowing revenge, she takes over a ship and crew with the help of her lover, a female mermaid named Ersel. Young, female, and inexperienced, Ragna is unsure of her ability to lead, something she is sure her all-male crew is waiting to use to their advantage. That is until Ragna and her men land on the shores of a country ruled by a queer, brown-skinned, biracial female jarl (chieftain) named Honor, who gives her a much-needed lesson in being a powerful, female leader and equal partner. In this haunting novel set in a world inspired by Norse mythology, Ember (The Seafarer's Kiss, 2017, etc.) refreshingly places a number of queer and gender nonbinary characters at the forefront, all rendered with nuanced care. Although Ragna's development rings true, the prose itself sometimes is bogged down with too much of her inner monologue, repetitiously spelling out her insecurities. Ember's writing is at its best in action and romance sequences, both of which, thankfully, are plentiful.Although the pace could be faster, all in all this is an enjoyable read with a cast of diverse and likable characters. (glossary, content warnings) (Fantasy. 14-18)
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