The first book of an exciting new romantasy duet, Madeleine Eliot’s BALLAD OF SEA AND SKY is a pitch-perfect addition to the growing genre. With its incredibly high-stakes plot, charming cast of characters, and swashbuckling adventure, it’s easy to devour this story in just a couple of sittings. Told in a dual point-of-view between the leading characters, the book follows Marina, a selkie princess, and Caspian, a siren captain of a ship full of pirates. These pirates capture Marina in a bid to broker peace between their warring peoples and retake part of The Silent Isles ruled by Marina’s father. When Caspian reveals himself as the Siren King—the enemy of her family—she finds herself embroiled in an internal war between the selkie traditions in which she was raised and her burgeoning feelings for Caspian, as well as her lifelong curiosity about the sirens. A tale of lore and star-crossed love, BALLAD OF SEA AND SKY brings a refreshing twist to familiar mythology, building a world of fae and magic that’s both immersive and enchanting.
Marina is a protagonist who’s easy to root for; stubborn, resilient, and resourceful, she faces the hard truths of her journey and grows to meet every obstacle she encounters along the way. She also struggles with breathing issues (asthma, in the “real world”) considered a detriment within her selkie culture, but Marina herself is determined enough to prove them wrong. Though she does take time to care for her lungs in ways that improve her daily activities (often at the urging of those who care for her), she doesn’t let it stop her from using her unique magic to find ways out of situations, rescue Caspian and herself, or help them both survive dire conditions. It’s such a real and honest portrayal, and it’s certainly welcome to see this kind of representation of chronic illness in a popular genre.
Caspian proves to be a swoon-worthy love interest and a captivating character in his own right. Roguish and daring with a secret heart of gold, the winged fae is often disabled by his decisions to jump straight into battle for the sake of his people. Both a poet and a pirate, Caspian is easy to fall in love with, and his banter with Marina makes the gradual shift from teasing to playful as they get to know each other. They work well together, even as they sometimes argue back and forth. The slow-burn romance is a lot of fun amid the darker conflicts going on, though it’s not without its own enjoyable angst.
As Marina is already fated to marry another man in her father’s guard by selkie decree, her and Caspian’s relationship is a passionate, forbidden kind of romance, complete with a few sultry love scenes that sizzle off the pages. The book is also fleshed out by an ensemble of likable characters, from Caspian’s pirate crew to the fae in the wider world that Marina explores for the first time. The novel’s take on kelpie lore in particular is fascinating, and opens up all kinds of possibilities for the sequel.
BALLAD OF SEA AND SKY also features the titular ballad, which highlights the novel’s themes of star-crossed love, the lies that victors perpetuate in the aftermath of war, and the siren culture itself. With poignant lyrics and lore told through song, it really helps to tie the entire novel together beautifully:
Horizons meet in a kiss so sweet,
And dance in harmonious tune.
Where sunsets bleed and tides recede,
And twilights fade too soon.
In nature’s dance, they took their chance,
To join together, whereby,
The gods refused, the pair accused,
The ballad of sea and sky.
The dichotomy of sea and sky is carried throughout, echoed in Marina and Caspian’s relationship (as well as their magic) as their bond forms. The ending ties up the first part of their journey, but leaves the next chapter rife with political intrigue, romantic tension, and difficult choices. A soaring and magical read overall.
Madeleine Eliot’s BALLAD OF SEA AND SKY is a pitch-perfect addition to the growing genre. With a high-stakes plot, charming cast of characters, and swashbuckling adventure, it’s easy to devour this story in just a couple of sittings.
~Jessica Thomas for IndieReader