IR VERDICT:
THE BREATHING SEA I is epic in the best sense of the word, richly and beautifully rooted in Russian folklore and legend, touched with just the right amount of magic, with new and interesting cultural twists, thoroughly well-designed characters whose personalities have depths and layers to them, and most of all, an engaging writing style and lively plot that makes the book feel far shorter than it actually is and leaves the reader eagerly anticipating the sequel.