Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Edelweiss for approving my e-ARC request in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.3/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Two yearThanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Edelweiss for approving my e-ARC request in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.3/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Two years I read a murder mystery book that was unlike anything I’ve read, “The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle”, and it blew my mind, and I’m still not over the exhilarating experience. Ever since then I’ve been eagerly awaiting the author’s next book, “The Devil and the Dark Water”. When I saw it was up on Edelweiss, I could not resist requesting the e-ARC. My excitement at getting approved for the ARC is only matched by how I feel now after finishing it.
The book did not disappoint. It was a riveting page-turner that had my mind spinning and heart pounding while reading. So, yes, it is worth the hype and excitement!
Spoiler-free review (so, don’t worry):
“The Saardam’s cargo is sin, and all who board her will be brought to merciless ruin.”
Plot/Summary: The less you know, the better, of course. Since the thrill of surprise is what you sign up for in a murder mystery book. But like with the author’s previous book, this is so much more than that. It short – it’s an atmospheric and gripping murder mystery, set in the 17th century, on a doomed ship that may or may not be stalked by a malevolent devil. I loved the almost spooky feel – but as someone who does not read spooky books, I liked how it always felt more intriguing rather than scary.
And the best part, the book has a Sherlockian vibe to it – with an interesting cast of characters to solve the mystery – while still being very unique.
* I would advise you not to go further in the review and just go into the book blindly. Because while I did try my best to make sure this review is spoiler-free, I still feel like it’s best to go in knowing as little as possible beyond the synopsis. (Just know that I enjoyed the book and I definitely recommend it! - trigger warnings are at the very end of the review).
The Characters: I loved that this book is actually very character driven, which is something I did not expect. You have a mystery solving duo to start with – almost like Sherlock and Watson. But our Sherlock here, Sammy Pipps, is accused of a crime he isn’t even told of and is locked up in a cell on the ship – while his bodyguard and friend, Arent Hayes (a former mercenary with a noble heart), is left to solve the murder mystery and stop the unknown threat to the ship. But Arent isn’t alone – the governor general’s wife, Sara Wessel, is another brave and inquisitive passenger who defies her domineering husband and joins Arent to find answers. I really liked Sara and Arent! The personal development between them was as engaging to read as their sleuthing for answers. (Slight spoiler ->) (view spoiler)[What I mean is there may or may not be a little romance there, and I’ll just say I was all here for it. (hide spoiler)]
There’s a whole cast of characters that make up the nobles, the musketeers, the crew, and passengers – and the notable ones of those are also very interesting. And the ship – the – almost feels like one of the main characters itself, the way it creates a setting that surrounds you like you’re right there experiencing the exhilarating and terrifying journey.
Pacing: I expected the book to plunge right into a roller coaster of events from the start – like The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. But I shouldn’t compare because they are different books. This one builds more of plot, setting, and characters at first. So, while it does have a strong and intriguing beginning, it’s still a bit of a slower start. However, it picks up the pace soon enough into the novel. Then it becomes a real page turner, gripping your focus and moving you along faster until the very last page of the book.
I love how the reveals don’t just come together like puzzle pieces, but rather there are layers upon layers of surprises, which is my favorite part of the author’s writing style. It’s utterly unique in both theme and style, it doesn’t feel like your regular mystery novel. It blends genres together from historical fiction, mystery, the possibility of the supernatural, the eerie, the atmospheric… it’s a unique experience.
I also like the theme of questioning whether a person needs a devil to commit horrific acts, and the way greed or desperation can push human beings to do their worst, while others still strive to remain noble and fight their worst natures in the face of all that.
Writing: I was so focused on finding out what happens next and trying to fit the puzzle pieces together that I did not highlight enough of the stand-out quotes in the book – though there are many! I may return to this review to add some. But I like how Turton’s writing illustrates the situations and feelings very well, always setting the right tone and feel.
I think the only reason I didn’t give this a full five stars is that I guessed one of the reveals early on, though I will say that did not stop me from being surprised at the many other reveals. Like I mentioned earlier, there are layers to the surprises and events in the book, so I did not know the how and why and where – and this did not stop me from enjoying the outcome or how it happened.
Another reason is that there’s one small detail I didn’t love, or I wish was done a little bit differently, though I don’t really think it will bother anyone else (and it’s way too spoilery to mention).
Overall: Like with the author’s previous book, again it’s that feeling of needing to catch your breath at the end of it – in a good way! But also this time, there’s the satisfaction of having met likable characters and wondering what happens next to them. As a character driven reader, that’s a huge plus for me. And I do see potential for a sequel (or short stories?) – though in terms of the plot, the book does not need one. The conclusion gave me all the answers I needed. I just liked the characters and I feel it would be fun to see more of them.
I fully recommend this book if you like books that are full of surprises, intrigue, and that wrap around your mind and don’t leave you even after you finish reading the final page. And if you liked “The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle”, I advise you to try not to compare the two and appreciate that this one builds differently and while it’s similar in some ways, it’s a whole other experience in the end.
The book is out today, so yes, go read it!
Trigger warnings: domestic abuse, mentions of rape....more
I received an E-ARC of the book through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 4.7/5 rounded up to a full 5!
If you know me at I received an E-ARC of the book through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 4.7/5 rounded up to a full 5!
If you know me at all you’ll know how much this series means to me. I’ve fallen in love with this world and characters since the first book released and I’ve been waiting desperately – and nervously – for the final book.
Now that I’ve read it I can definitely say that it solidifies the trilogy as one of my all time favorite book series ever.
The book was filled with everything I could have wanted – and more!
What I love most about it is the character development. I was on cloud nine so many times because of these amazing characters. If I loved Alizayd before, I had no idea how much more this book would make me feel for this character! I am just so happy with his journey and the person he grew to be. His storyline was such a joy to read! And then there’s Nahri. I’ve always liked Nahri but I connected to her so much in this book! Her strength, her fears, her vulnerabilities, her triumphs and losses - and everything that got her to this point... you feel all of it with her.
Dara also has a rich and complex arc in this book, but it took a while for me to understand him fully. And I didn’t enjoy his chapters as much I did Ali’s and Nahri’s. They were dark and disturbing sometimes (blame Manhizeh for that and even Dara’s perspective which was always in conflict). My friend called his chapters Grimdark - in comparison to the exciting Fantasy and Adventure of Ali and Nahri’s chapters - and I agree. But rest assured, the author put so much care into bringing all three POV characters’ stories to the right place for them.
I loved seeing more of Jamshid in this book, and getting to know him a little better! I adore the sibling bonds in this series and the development of that in this book is one of my favorite parts! I just wish there was more of Muntadhir and Zaynab. Though I did really enjoy their scenes! Muntadhir’s sass was at a high in this one, and I loved it! But I wish he had at least one POV chapter because there was one chapter in particular where I really wanted to know what he was feeling and thinking.
There was some wonderful slow burn romance in this book that made me SO happy. I don’t want to say too much, but how these two characters are around each other - completely able to be themselves, and the best versions of themselves too - is exactly the kind of romantic development I like to see. Subtle but deep. Slow but so very real. It’s rare to see a depiction of such a healthy love and friendship, especially in a Fantasy book with so much brutality and conflict surrounding the characters. It’s so well done here!
Expect more magical surprises, exciting adventure, edge-of-your-seat suspense, shocking reveals, heartwarming romance, friendship, family bonds, heartache, happiness... everything you want in a final book!
There wasn’t a single chapter that didn’t pull me in heart and soul! I ended this book with my heart full and my mind filled with thoughts of these characters.
I’m going to miss them and Daevabad so much. But I’m glad I can revisit the books and it’ll be a special joy to reread the series knowing I love the ending and where it all leads to!...more
Nouf *LostinFantasy*
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Books:
2020-release
(2)
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