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Sea Serpent's Heir #2
Sea Serpent's Heir Book Two: Black Wave
The high-fantasy, high-seas adventure continues! Aella begins to embrace her dark side as she sets sail with her mother’s old crew to discover the secret of where she comes from...
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 21, 2023
What a vast and welcome improvement on the tepid first volume! In fairness, that compliment applies strictly to the story, as Pablo Tunica's art has been excellent from the very beginning. His illustrations are as consistently kinetic and majestic and grotesque as the sea and its inhabitants, truly leaning in to the weird, hardscrabble nature of this fantasy pirate-oriented setting.
My main beef with Book One was how irritating the main character Aella was, and how her family had done nothing to prepare her for the risks of growing up. You don't protect a child by giving her none of the tools she'll need to survive as an adult, y'all. In Book One, Aella was basically a spoiled, sheltered ninny who was easy prey for the Church Of The First Light when they finally found her. Good thing she has monstrous powers! By the end of the book, she'd managed to escape their clutches, but at a terrible cost.
Book Two: Black Wave opens with Aella grieving the death of the Queen Of Mercy, even as her mother's lieutenants worry about keeping their defenses afloat and Aella herself protected. The demon sea serpent Xir goads Aella into seeking revenge, but Aella refuses... until the issue is forced upon her by an attack of assassins from the Empty Court. In order to avoid death -- both her own and her beloved crew's -- Aella must embrace the demon inside her.
While her lieutenants see the attack as a threat, Aella and Xir see it as an invitation. Swiftly, they forge alliances with the three other major powers of their realm in a united front against the Church. So what if the current ruler of the Empty Court is demanding a price that probably should not be paid?
When a raid against a vital resupply point for the Church uncovers game-changing information, Aella and her trusted advisors must make a desperate foray deep into enemy territory to recover perhaps the greatest prize of all. But Bash, the Church squire who betrayed her, is also on his way to the same place, and is about to undergo a terrifying ordeal which will test his faith even more than coming face-to-face with Aella once again.
This was a rollicking, twist-filled installment of the series that definitely made up for the first volume's whinging. I appreciated Aella's evolution from ridiculous child to somewhat self-aware leader (even if I do think it's silly that a pirate nation would basically enforce a monarchy instead of a meritocracy.) I did wish that more of Aella and Xir's friendship had been shown on the page, as it was a surprise to me when Xir claimed that Aella had been kind to him: I'd seen little evidence of that leading up to that point! But I also get the feeling that these stories are based on a set of assumptions that I'm old enough to not take for granted, if not outright question. And that's fine! Every storyteller's journey is different, and I'm only glad that this series has made significant improvements to provide readers like myself with something far more entertaining to read than infuriating.
Sea Serpent's Heir, Book Two: Black Wave by Mairghread Scott & Pablo Túnica was published September 12 2023 by Image Comics and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
This review first appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
My main beef with Book One was how irritating the main character Aella was, and how her family had done nothing to prepare her for the risks of growing up. You don't protect a child by giving her none of the tools she'll need to survive as an adult, y'all. In Book One, Aella was basically a spoiled, sheltered ninny who was easy prey for the Church Of The First Light when they finally found her. Good thing she has monstrous powers! By the end of the book, she'd managed to escape their clutches, but at a terrible cost.
Book Two: Black Wave opens with Aella grieving the death of the Queen Of Mercy, even as her mother's lieutenants worry about keeping their defenses afloat and Aella herself protected. The demon sea serpent Xir goads Aella into seeking revenge, but Aella refuses... until the issue is forced upon her by an attack of assassins from the Empty Court. In order to avoid death -- both her own and her beloved crew's -- Aella must embrace the demon inside her.
While her lieutenants see the attack as a threat, Aella and Xir see it as an invitation. Swiftly, they forge alliances with the three other major powers of their realm in a united front against the Church. So what if the current ruler of the Empty Court is demanding a price that probably should not be paid?
When a raid against a vital resupply point for the Church uncovers game-changing information, Aella and her trusted advisors must make a desperate foray deep into enemy territory to recover perhaps the greatest prize of all. But Bash, the Church squire who betrayed her, is also on his way to the same place, and is about to undergo a terrifying ordeal which will test his faith even more than coming face-to-face with Aella once again.
This was a rollicking, twist-filled installment of the series that definitely made up for the first volume's whinging. I appreciated Aella's evolution from ridiculous child to somewhat self-aware leader (even if I do think it's silly that a pirate nation would basically enforce a monarchy instead of a meritocracy.) I did wish that more of Aella and Xir's friendship had been shown on the page, as it was a surprise to me when Xir claimed that Aella had been kind to him: I'd seen little evidence of that leading up to that point! But I also get the feeling that these stories are based on a set of assumptions that I'm old enough to not take for granted, if not outright question. And that's fine! Every storyteller's journey is different, and I'm only glad that this series has made significant improvements to provide readers like myself with something far more entertaining to read than infuriating.
Sea Serpent's Heir, Book Two: Black Wave by Mairghread Scott & Pablo Túnica was published September 12 2023 by Image Comics and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
This review first appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
September 1, 2023
Okay Read
I received an advance reader copy for free from Edelweiss, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you, Mairghread Scott, for the opportunity to read your book. This was an alright read. This is the second volume of the Sea Serpent's Heir, and is about finding who you are (basically). In this volume, Aella sets sail with her mother's old crew to discover more about who she is and where she comes from. I still find the story confusing and really fast-paced. I thought that the characters were better than in the first book, but I wish the story was longer so the characters could be much more relatable and genuine. The illustrations were beautifully drawn. I think the illustrations were still the highlight for me because of how they conveyed the story well. I am looking forward to seeing what book 3 is like. However, the events that occurred in this volume alone could have been told in different volumes as well. Overall, an okay read.
I received an advance reader copy for free from Edelweiss, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you, Mairghread Scott, for the opportunity to read your book. This was an alright read. This is the second volume of the Sea Serpent's Heir, and is about finding who you are (basically). In this volume, Aella sets sail with her mother's old crew to discover more about who she is and where she comes from. I still find the story confusing and really fast-paced. I thought that the characters were better than in the first book, but I wish the story was longer so the characters could be much more relatable and genuine. The illustrations were beautifully drawn. I think the illustrations were still the highlight for me because of how they conveyed the story well. I am looking forward to seeing what book 3 is like. However, the events that occurred in this volume alone could have been told in different volumes as well. Overall, an okay read.
April 23, 2025
i still think this concept is so cool - girl possessing a terrible power, a broken relationship with a demon-hunting knight of the church of first light, a world of sea and pirates and assassins and magic and coastal cities, fantastical creatures and intricate buildings... lots to love. this would make such a cool movie, kind of like 'star wars' meets the world of 'wizard of earthsea.' some pacing and characterization issues carried over from the first book here: there's lots of rapid events and jumping from scene to scene without time for contemplation, which makes character changes seem abrupt instead of gradual. i felt like this book needed more foreshadowing for the bigger events, reveals, and the emergence of a villain at the end, so things didn't feel like they came out of nowhere. but i'm so curious to see what happens in the final volume!!
July 22, 2025
The artwork here is incredible, and I love the worldbuilding. What's not to love about magic pirates? The story did fall a bit flat for me, but it definitely progressed the narrative started in Book One: Aella is taking over as pirate captain and waging a war against the church. Events lead up to a big confrontation at the end of the book, one in which new, mysterious secrets start to be revealed (they don't give much detail). It kept me engaged enough to want to pick up Book Three!
September 2, 2023
Aello goes all in as the reincarnation of the sea serpent that's destined to destroy the world. She begins to pull in her powers as necessary to unite the pirate clans against the religious institution trying to destroy them. Not as much worldbuilding in this one and way more action. I'm looking forward to reading the 3rd book. Pablo Tunica's artwork is great.
July 9, 2024
Glad for the little summary and character guide at the beginning of the book.
This one is full of action, fighting, blood, and surprises. There isn't anyone that's particularly "good." However, Aella doesn't become full-on evil. I appreciate that. I like the murky moral grey waters this graphic novels swims in.
I may read book 3 when it comes out.
This one is full of action, fighting, blood, and surprises. There isn't anyone that's particularly "good." However, Aella doesn't become full-on evil. I appreciate that. I like the murky moral grey waters this graphic novels swims in.
I may read book 3 when it comes out.
January 1, 2025
I like that we don't waste time in this volume. We're immediately off sinking ships and gathering allies. Didn't much like the re-alliance with (I thought it was handled just as clumsily as that stuff was in the first volume), but I did like the introduction of the and all that it implies.
January 4, 2024
I was glad this had a summary of the first book and who the main characters are. This blood-soaked sequel moved fast and had a couple of really good surprises. I'll be excited to read the next when it comes out this fall.
Want to read
April 15, 2023Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
January 23, 2024
A fun follow up to vol. 1 can't wait for vol. 3. The artwork is AMAZING!
April 10, 2024
Ok this one had twists and turns.
June 27, 2024
Horror covers the land but there is some hope. A quest for a sword and shield. Some secrets are revealed. What is broken must be made whole.
November 3, 2025
This story just got infinitely better. The art carries a lot of the storytelling voice, and I couldn't put this one down.
January 5, 2026
I'm fascinated by the world building and very curious about the characters. I don't know if I love this fully, but it's got me intrigued to say the least. I really am reminded of the kinds of conversations had in Monstress, but in a new context. I wonder if the author took any inspiration from that series.
Sea Serpent’s Heir Review
4/5 stars
This will be a spoiler free review. Onto the review!
This is a short, three volume series about a girl who has a sea serpent living inside of her, similar to the premise of the graphic novel series Monstress. The girl’s mother is a pirate, and so she often leaves her daughter behind at this inn run by two of her best friends. I’m telling you, this was like a mini, YA version of Monstress.
There’s an evil government run by these religious people, which forms most of the conflict of these three volumes. They want to kill the girl because they don’t want the sea serpent going around being evil. But in reality, they’re the ones oppressing people and starting wars. The pirates and the sea serpent want freedom for regular citizens that won’t come with a high level of government/religious monitoring.
Overall, this was a neat little story with a good amount of depth to it. I was really hoping for a longer series, that way there would be time to really develop these ideas and expand the world, but it’s just three volumes. Short and sweet. It’s always hard to get connected to shorter things like graphic novels and manga, because you spend so little time with the characters.
Have a nice day/night everyone!
Sea Serpent’s Heir Review
4/5 stars
This will be a spoiler free review. Onto the review!
This is a short, three volume series about a girl who has a sea serpent living inside of her, similar to the premise of the graphic novel series Monstress. The girl’s mother is a pirate, and so she often leaves her daughter behind at this inn run by two of her best friends. I’m telling you, this was like a mini, YA version of Monstress.
There’s an evil government run by these religious people, which forms most of the conflict of these three volumes. They want to kill the girl because they don’t want the sea serpent going around being evil. But in reality, they’re the ones oppressing people and starting wars. The pirates and the sea serpent want freedom for regular citizens that won’t come with a high level of government/religious monitoring.
Overall, this was a neat little story with a good amount of depth to it. I was really hoping for a longer series, that way there would be time to really develop these ideas and expand the world, but it’s just three volumes. Short and sweet. It’s always hard to get connected to shorter things like graphic novels and manga, because you spend so little time with the characters.
Have a nice day/night everyone!
December 16, 2025
This second installment improves on the first plot wise. It still has the issue of too much changing sides and morals from one moment to the next and back again, but not quite as much as the first. Besides that my biggest criticism is that the only fat character in the entire series is made into a villain and that it was basically a fat suit. Really tired of that bs. Still, I’ll give the third one a chance if I can get a hold of it. I’m hoping it continues the upward trend.
October 4, 2025
“Sea Serpent’s Heir Book Two: Black Wave” and “Sea Serpent’s Heir Book Three: Queen of Mercy”, Mairghread Scott, finish off the story I’d started the week before. The art comes together a little better in these issues. I liked how the story, twists, and turns played out, even if some of it was a little unsurprising.
Read
November 16, 20243 1/2 stars.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews