Ahoy there me mateys! I loved the author’s debut and was excited to finally read the second book of the duology. While I try to post no spoilers if ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .
I absolutely loved life on the river in song of the current. The second book returns to follow Caroline Oresteia and her new life on the sea. Many months have passed since the events of the previous book. All of Caro’s old wishes and dreams for the future are sunk. Caro feels adrift in her new role and has no real sense of purpose or direction. She has pledged her support Markos to win back his throne. Can she support him and figure out what she wants at the same time?
Well not easily that be for sure! Issues involve bounty hunters, pirates, a vengeful sea goddess, assassination attempts, hidden treasures, magic, shipwrecks, and making deals with old enemies. Plus there be relationship drama, self-doubt, and mistakes made. This book certainly increased the stakes for Caroline. There were plot twists galore, fun banter, and lots of conniving. The relationship between Caro and her enemy was one of the highlights for me. The world building continued to float me boat. I wouldn’t mind heading for many of these ports.
The only small issue I had was that Caro’s family does not play big roles in this installment. I kinda missed her dad and Fee. Ye did get to see some of her fierce cousin at least. The duology concluded satisfactorily but I wouldn’t mind another story set in this world. About Daria perhaps? Arrrrr!
Check out me crew member’s review of this one:
Raven @ dreamyaddiction’s review – “Overall, I loved this book! It’s a total entertaining read filled with adventure, magic, romance, pirates, ships, and treasure hunting. The story wrapped up perfectly with a satisfying ending. I’m really gonna miss this world and the characters. If there’s ever a spin off of this series in the future, I would definitely read it. I can’t wait to know what the author has in store for us next.”
Goodreads has this to say about the novel:
Caro has settled into a routine: Wake, eat breakfast, try to figure out who is going attempt to assassinate Markos today. The currents aren’t exactly calm. Markos is in constant danger, and his claim to the Akhaian throne is largely unsupported. Without military strength he doesn’t have a chance. Relief appears on the horizon when a powerful Archon wants to side with Markos in his fight for the throne. But in exchange for an army, Markos must marry the Archon’s daughter. They must decide which is more important: their love for each other or the fate of Akhaia. And Caro will have to decide if her destiny is to sail with the tide, or chart her own course.
With shipwrecks, lost treasure, old and new enemies, dark magic, and devastating romance, Sarah Tolcser weaves another epic story about chasing fate.
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Previous Log Entries for this Author
song of the current – book 1 (Captain’s Log – YA Fantasy)
Captain's Quarters 
When you say it was a bit too YA for you- what did you feel like was too YA? Sometimes YA agrees with me and sometimes it doesn’t and I’m still trying to figure out what it is. Still- the plot and worldbuilding sound amazing. Definitely will have to add book one.
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I also have problems with trying to get YA to agree with me and have trouble putting it into words. Ye ask the best clarification questions that make me think harder about things. I think the reason I adored the first book is that the romance was basically non-existent and the world building was stunning (for me anyway). I really wanted to sail on that river and meet those characters. The second book had some slightly silly politics and romance plot points that I normally am annoyed by. I am glad I read it though because it didn’t end up going in most of the annoying directions of silliness that many YA books do. There was miscommunication but not too crazy. I think ultimately a lot of YA books make super unrealistic choices for the sake of drama and tension. I know fantasy and sci-fi are not real worlds but I want some internal logic to the story and characters. I don’t mind some angst but I get annoyed when riled up emotions drive all the decision making. If any of that makes sense 🙂
x The Captain
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Yes it does! I think that’s a great way to put it actually and perfectly describes the issues I had with Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series (which I gave up after book two). The point where I got mad (caution spoilers) was where the sisters are turned Fae or something and made immortal and everyone treats it like it’s *the worst thing ever*.
Oh, you met the love of your life, you turned immortal, you get to live forever with your sisters in a beautiful faery realm…. and we are all upset by this… why?
If you want to make your characters immortal faery goddesses that’s fine but let’s not all act like the world is ending when it so clearly isn’t. One of the most annoying moments for me in YA ever, and is a common issue for me in YA also. Heightened drama where it’s painfully unnecessary.
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Maas and I have never gotten along. I tried the throne of glass book and that was the end of that. I put those books in the twilight category – glad people are reading and enjoying but I hate those books. And aye, drama for the sake of drama. I don’t mind it a bit on the stage but don’t like it in me books.
x The Captain
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This sounds wonderful – the first book is going on my TBR pile, Cap:)). Thank you for sharing!
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Oh good! It needs more love.
x The Captain
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Pirates and a sea goddess and magic — sounds like a ton of fun!
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It was a bit too YA for me (even though the series is supposed to be YA) so I don’t think I would reread it but seriously the world building of the first book was excellent.
x The Captain
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