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Dawning of the Sun
Prepare for harrowing waters...
When Sol Vesper—a renegade sailor with a bad attitude and a penchant for fighting—boards her estranged uncle’s pirate ship, she struggles for respect in a world where women are considered a curse on the seas. But the allure of a fabled treasure guarded by the monstrous gatekeeper of the underworld has this discordant crew pulling anchor.
As the wrath of the gods is invoked, Sol unearths lies and long-hidden secrets about her past that could change everything. While treading these predatory waters, her choices and her life will become intertwined with the salty scoundrels aboard. Will Sol be able to rely on the very men she has been contending with or will the price of their alliance come at a far greater cost than the gold they seek?
When Sol Vesper—a renegade sailor with a bad attitude and a penchant for fighting—boards her estranged uncle’s pirate ship, she struggles for respect in a world where women are considered a curse on the seas. But the allure of a fabled treasure guarded by the monstrous gatekeeper of the underworld has this discordant crew pulling anchor.
As the wrath of the gods is invoked, Sol unearths lies and long-hidden secrets about her past that could change everything. While treading these predatory waters, her choices and her life will become intertwined with the salty scoundrels aboard. Will Sol be able to rely on the very men she has been contending with or will the price of their alliance come at a far greater cost than the gold they seek?
342 pages, Hardcover
Published August 9, 2024
2 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 17, 2024
I'm biased. I wrote it. But it's great I promise.
August 22, 2024
This book has such a vibrant world and characters. I enjoyed reading it so much and was sad when it was over, I cannot wait for book 2.
August 23, 2024
4.5 rounded up to 5!
If you were OBSESSED with Pirates of the Caribbean as a teen like I was, this one is definitely for you.
This is, I would say, a much more realistic take on what it would be like as a woman in a world full of nefarious pirates. Don't get me wrong, Sol is tough as nails and can handle herself but she finds herself in many dangerous situations simply because she's a woman. I felt so deeply engrossed in this story because it just felt real.
Aside from that I really loved the plot. A classic treasure hunt pirate book with lots of twists and turns.
There's a dash of romance in there as well, which I thoroughly enjoyed (lots of banter and even a "fuck it" moment (c))
I really enjoyed this book and whipped through it because I was always on the edge of my seat ready to find out what happens next.
Definitely recommend if you love Pirates of the Caribbean, a badass FMC, and a splash of romance.
If you were OBSESSED with Pirates of the Caribbean as a teen like I was, this one is definitely for you.
This is, I would say, a much more realistic take on what it would be like as a woman in a world full of nefarious pirates. Don't get me wrong, Sol is tough as nails and can handle herself but she finds herself in many dangerous situations simply because she's a woman. I felt so deeply engrossed in this story because it just felt real.
Aside from that I really loved the plot. A classic treasure hunt pirate book with lots of twists and turns.
There's a dash of romance in there as well, which I thoroughly enjoyed (lots of banter and even a "fuck it" moment (c))
I really enjoyed this book and whipped through it because I was always on the edge of my seat ready to find out what happens next.
Definitely recommend if you love Pirates of the Caribbean, a badass FMC, and a splash of romance.
August 26, 2024
A fantastic debut novel! A pirate adventure following a “slightly” stabby FMC, a mythical treasure hunt, found family, a minor romance subplot, fantastical creatures and gods, and some fun banter between characters. The book is intended for adults as there are some mature themes including violence and human trafficking so pay attention to the trigger warnings at the front of the book.
The world building was great and immersive and the world map is beautiful. Looking forward to book 2!
The world building was great and immersive and the world map is beautiful. Looking forward to book 2!
November 16, 2024
An intricately described pirate adventure, complete with gods, magic, heists, swashbuckling sword fights and so much more. Sol’s tenacity and drive to get back up no matter what life throws at her is inspiring.
Loved every minute my imagination spent in this colorful story. An excellent start to an engaging fantastical pirate series.
Loved every minute my imagination spent in this colorful story. An excellent start to an engaging fantastical pirate series.
August 22, 2024
This book has such a vibrant world and characters. I enjoyed reading it so much and was sad when it was over, I cannot wait for book 2.
September 2, 2024
I love seafaring books. I love a badass fmc. And pirates! And fantasy! And this book has it all and then some. Sol is an absolutely wonderful character. She is fierce, strong and does not back down. The story is wonderful, full of twists and turns and badass adventure. The descriptions and writing are beautiful. There is also an amazing and loveable cast of side characters. And also this cover is on point! I cannot wait for book two!!
April 1, 2025
I really wanted to like this book. I mean it sounded like it had all the promises of a wonderful story! However, there was just too many things I could not overlook that unfortunately took too much away from the overall book.
The amount of contradicting events that would happen within a single page happened an astonishing amount of times. For example, it would be explained that someone’s wounds were almost fully healed and were not feeling any pain, only for the next paragraph to go into great detail the pain they were still suffering due to the extent of their injures. How Sol was the best fighter at age 8, yet lost every fight till half way into the book.
Research was not conducted to the extent of how difficult some things really are yet extensive on other parts. Treading water and tying a knot so tight only a sword could undue it, then to climb up from the water after the event that took place, please go try swimming with your clothes on and see how hard the knot is and yes, I understand she has been at sea most her life. Even grown individuals who can do it on the daily would find it difficult. I am aware that there were more powers at play than just her own skills but this is where that important explanation needs to take place, the subtle hints. Yet great detail of how the bath water looked when getting herself cleaned in the palace, such beautiful detail. The feeling, the way the tub look after her first soak. When the details were good, they were great.
Details explaining the wrong interesting things! The amount of times details were skipped over on what would have been interesting and more focused on things we had already been told about was very frustrating! Yes, please bring up important information, no we do not need to hear again about how she looked into the face of her father, only to remember it was her uncle! Tell me more about who he was, what difference they as brother actually had! I also found that though there was an attempt to be sneaky on the foreshadowing, we often were being hit in the face with it to heavily, giving away the great surprise. Less obvious clues would be so nice, instead you know chapters ahead what is coming and not a shock when it actually plays out.
On that, most of the characters we did not get to really know! And what we did know was surface information on them, something people who were observing from a far would notice, not a crew working together, should they like or dislike each other. As well, the amount of times I found there were two people introduced at the same time and descriptions were not clear and later trying to figure out who was who was frustrating. I also found that she had better chemistry with the sparring partner than the first mate. Their relationship felt forced and uncomfortable at times.
Finally Sol, Oh how I so badly wanted to root for her! But the whole book I felt there was two different ideas of who she should be and we were being flip-flop back and forth over these ideas of this main character. I would have much more preferred she started as one idea and grew into the other. However, I found that even with all the transitions and events she stayed the same person the whole book.
Overall, I love the idea of this book and really hope the best for the next books to come. However, I doubt I will seek out the rest due to the style of the writing.
The amount of contradicting events that would happen within a single page happened an astonishing amount of times. For example, it would be explained that someone’s wounds were almost fully healed and were not feeling any pain, only for the next paragraph to go into great detail the pain they were still suffering due to the extent of their injures. How Sol was the best fighter at age 8, yet lost every fight till half way into the book.
Research was not conducted to the extent of how difficult some things really are yet extensive on other parts. Treading water and tying a knot so tight only a sword could undue it, then to climb up from the water after the event that took place, please go try swimming with your clothes on and see how hard the knot is and yes, I understand she has been at sea most her life. Even grown individuals who can do it on the daily would find it difficult. I am aware that there were more powers at play than just her own skills but this is where that important explanation needs to take place, the subtle hints. Yet great detail of how the bath water looked when getting herself cleaned in the palace, such beautiful detail. The feeling, the way the tub look after her first soak. When the details were good, they were great.
Details explaining the wrong interesting things! The amount of times details were skipped over on what would have been interesting and more focused on things we had already been told about was very frustrating! Yes, please bring up important information, no we do not need to hear again about how she looked into the face of her father, only to remember it was her uncle! Tell me more about who he was, what difference they as brother actually had! I also found that though there was an attempt to be sneaky on the foreshadowing, we often were being hit in the face with it to heavily, giving away the great surprise. Less obvious clues would be so nice, instead you know chapters ahead what is coming and not a shock when it actually plays out.
On that, most of the characters we did not get to really know! And what we did know was surface information on them, something people who were observing from a far would notice, not a crew working together, should they like or dislike each other. As well, the amount of times I found there were two people introduced at the same time and descriptions were not clear and later trying to figure out who was who was frustrating. I also found that she had better chemistry with the sparring partner than the first mate. Their relationship felt forced and uncomfortable at times.
Finally Sol, Oh how I so badly wanted to root for her! But the whole book I felt there was two different ideas of who she should be and we were being flip-flop back and forth over these ideas of this main character. I would have much more preferred she started as one idea and grew into the other. However, I found that even with all the transitions and events she stayed the same person the whole book.
Overall, I love the idea of this book and really hope the best for the next books to come. However, I doubt I will seek out the rest due to the style of the writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
Dawning of the Sun is an adventurous and atmospheric tale that swept me straight into dangerous seas and stormy skies. I really enjoyed following Sol Vesper a fierce, flawed, and determined protagonist, on her journey aboard her uncle’s pirate ship. The mix of high-seas action, pirate politics, and the tension of a world where women are underestimated made the story feel both thrilling and fresh.
The pacing kept me hooked, especially as the crew inched closer to the fabled treasure, and the writing painted vivid scenes that made me feel like I was right there on deck. There were moments where I wished a few side characters had been explored more deeply, but overall the story balanced character development and adventure really well.
If you love fantasy blended with pirates, peril, and a dash of myth, this book is absolutely worth the voyage. Can’t wait to see where the series goes next!
The pacing kept me hooked, especially as the crew inched closer to the fabled treasure, and the writing painted vivid scenes that made me feel like I was right there on deck. There were moments where I wished a few side characters had been explored more deeply, but overall the story balanced character development and adventure really well.
If you love fantasy blended with pirates, peril, and a dash of myth, this book is absolutely worth the voyage. Can’t wait to see where the series goes next!
April 29, 2025
Sol’s fight to carve space in a man’s world, aboard a ship that barely tolerates her, is empowering and heartbreaking. The crew’s slow transformation felt earned, and the growing tension between loyalty, gold, and fate kept me flipping pages. The supernatural twist elevated this above a standard sea adventure, this is pirate fantasy with purpose and teeth.
April 10, 2025
I was swept up in Dawning of the Sun. From the very first chapter, I felt connected to Sol and her journey, including her strength, her uncertainty, and the quiet power she doesn’t fully realize she holds. I’m also just a huge fan of Pirates of the Caribbean and this carried me back into the pirate’s life! If you’re into fantasy with depth, heart, and a strong female lead, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I’m looking forward to book two because I have sooo many questions!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews