Sweet Black Waves Published by Imprint by Kristina Pérez
Series: Sweet Black Waves #1
on June 5, 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Retellings, Romance, YA
Pages: 448
Format: ARC, eBook
Find the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
ISBN: 1250132851
Rating:
Not you without me, not me without you.
Two proud kingdoms stand on opposite shores, with only a bloody history between them.
As best friend and lady-in-waiting to the princess, Branwen is guided by two principles: devotion to her homeland and hatred for the raiders who killed her parents. When she unknowingly saves the life of her enemy, he awakens her ancient healing magic and opens her heart. Branwen begins to dream of peace, but the princess she serves is not so easily convinced. Fighting for what's right, even as her powers grow beyond her control, will set Branwen against both her best friend and the only man she's ever loved.
Inspired by the star-crossed tale of Tristan and Eseult, this is the story of the legend’s true heroine: Branwen. For fans of Graceling and The Mists of Avalon, this is the first book of a lush fantasy trilogy about warring countries, family secrets, and forbidden romance.
This book. I honestly am having trouble writing a review for it. This is one of the most polarizing books for me. I’ll admit that I was pulled along from page one; completely invested. And I think that’s why I’m having a difficult time. I loved the two main characters. I was rooting for them. But, if you’ve ever read any version of Tristan and Isolde than you’ll know, that there’s bound to be heartbreak.
Only in this story, I wasn’t sure how it was going to happen until about three quarters of the way through. I was hoping and praying for a decent ending, I really was. But, it killed me.
Ms. Perez’s writing is, quite simply, superb. It’s not always easy to write retellings and make them compelling and unique but this book was full of its own charm and prose.
You also don’t need to know the story of Tristan and Isolde. But, knowing it, helped me not to be blindsided into thinking that this book would have a fairy tale happy ending.
The side characters weren’t as intriguing for me. Princess Eseult made me want to throat punch her half the time. Problem is, our heroine, Branwen, truly loves her cousin, the princess. And I’m still not convinced there’s any coming back for this character.
All I can hope is that, since it’s a trilogy, things will come full circle and all will work out.
