The Voyant and the Mark of Malice: The Aeglecian Seas, Book 2

The Aeglecian Seas #2

by Sadie Hewitt

He may be clever, but she's already a step ahead...

Kalia Salam is a Voyant, or a person with the ability to create mind-altering visions and project them into others. But when the punishment for having that ability is death, every decision becomes a strategic calculation to avoid execution. Unfortunately, that includes tethering herself to the continent's most wealthy brothel owner and only using her magic to pad the madam's pockets. That is, at least, until she needs it to protect those around her. But when Kalia uses her magic on the wrong client and is mistaken for a powerful djinn, one that the pirates have been meticulously hunting, she becomes ensnared in her most complex game of deception yet. Because, one way or another, she refuses to fall to the hands of a cursed captain.

Captain Rahmi Abada revels in collecting dying souls from the sea, particularly those burdened by guilt. But whispers of a tale have begun to swirl...a tale about a mysterious gemstone with innumerable abilities, including the power to shatter any magical bond. Consumed with the idea of sailing for eternity without his binding curse to Liddros, God of Sea, Rahmi enlists the help of the fiery djinn he forced aboard his ship. The only problem? The djinn harbors her own secrets, ones that threaten to unravel Rahmi's carefully laid plans.

Drawing inspiration from The Legend of the Flying Dutchman and the enchanting world of Aladdin, The Voyant and the Mark of Malice weaves a captivating story of hidden dangers, action-packed adventures, and the unexpected, yet sizzling romance of two sworn enemies who are determined to outwit one another.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Audiobook, Pirates, Smut, Enemies To Lovers

Audible Audio

Published January 6, 2025

Reviews

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an epic and emotional journey! It's a gripping enemy to lover pirate Romantasy, that's an enchanting mash up of pirates of the Caribbean/ The Flying Dutchman, and Aladdin.
It's the book you didn't know you needed.
There's found family, banter, forced proximity, curses, slow burn romance and steamy scenes... Not to mention a stabby and feisty FMC that can do unique magic, and the broody cursed pirate captain who falls first.
Beautifully written, great action scenes, fantastic twists, and loved the vibes of this so much. I was hooked start to finish.

Tropes/themes/subjects:
⚓ Cursed pirate ships
⚓ Morally gray captains
⚓ Trickster female main characters
⚓ Possessive alphahole who falls first
⚓ Enemies to lovers
⚓ Djinn, Nasnas, and Ghouls
⚓ Forced proximity

[KMart Vet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pretty obsessed with stories about pirates and this is no exception. If you enjoyed The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, Pirates of the Caribbean, or The Ever Seas duology - you will LOVE this series just as much.

Kalia, a former street urchin, is able to influence the minds of others. She finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of deception when she is mistaken for a djinn and forcibly taken by cursed pirates. Along with the good samaritan who tried to stop them. Captain Rahmi Abada, seeking a gemstone that can rid him of the curse, enlists Kalia's help, unaware of the secrets she harbors.

This is the second in a series of interconnected standalone romantasy novels that are set on the high seas. This blend of The Legend of The Flying Dutchman and Arabian Nights is action-packed, filled with diversity, and has a cat-and-mouse romance between two complex, fascinating characters. I adored ALL of the characters and the romance was very heated - even when they actively dislike one another, the passion is smoldering.

I freaking LOVE Kalia and her trickster self; I laughed aloud at the pranks that she plays and the fact that she hides a protective heart beneath her tough-as-nails outer shell. Love, love, love the banter between her and Rahmi. I also love the relationships between them and the other characters. Especially Reshef. He needs his own book. Exceptional, all around.

This is a world that is both mesmerizing and thrilling. This masterfully blends the allure of pirates with the enchantment of Middle Eastern folklore. Each character is given time to shine and I was incredibly invested in their fates. Even when they were actively working against one another. This is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Sadie Hewitt has once again delivered a masterful book, solidifying her place as one of my very favorite authors.

Thanks to the author for the ARC! This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to author Sadie Hewitt for the e-ARC, I am so grateful!*

I’m officially a pirate romantasy girl. Rahmi and Kalia have my heart, I love them both SO. MUCH. Their banter is phenomenal, Kalia is such a badass, Rahmi is a new book boyfriend, and I loved their story. If you’re looking for a STEAMY, fun, magic-filled, easy to digest, did I mention steamy???, romantasy and love the vibes of Aladdin and Pirates of the Caribbean, this one is for you!

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one follows Kalia and Captain Rahmi.

There is a particular magical gemstone called the Luminaria that Captain Rahmi is trying to get. However, he needs a djinn to activate it. Well, it’s difficult to find a djinn. And yet, his crew happens to find one in a very popular bordello and kidnap her.
Enter Kalia, our Voyant with a secret. She plays along hoping she can find a way to escape before it’s too late, and yet she’s drawn to this captain who she absolutely hates, and yet, does she?

This book is Aladdin meets Pirates of the Caribbean and I mean, need I say more? It’s exactly what you’re expecting and yet more!

I loved the characters! There are more than just the two main, and some who have secrets which adds to the twists in here!

So, this is an enemies to lovers romance. And I mean ENEMIES. I mean, hate to love romance. It’s, like, intense 🤣 Kalia made me laugh out loud sometimes when she’d get a punch in. It was so unexpected, and I loved it. I loved her tenacity and despite not trusting ANYONE, she’s willing to do anything to defend women like her. It was admirable, and I really liked her character.

Rahmi, is mean, merciless, and yet can be tender when it comes to Kalia…sometimes 😆 If he didn’t need her so bad, she would have been LONG gone! 🤣 It’s impressive the “patience” he had with her.

Let’s just say this was a thoroughly entertaining story. The way their relationship develops is insane and a wild ride. Not to mention just the journey they’re on that goes from here to there to here and back there. We were sailing all over the place. And I loved it!

I will say the relationship that developed was a bit fast for me. It’s a crazy and wild ride, but they go from hating each other to basically loving each other in once scene, and I wasn’t really feeling the “love” if you will between the characters. To be honest, I think it would have been more hilarious if they remained enemies 😂 Despite that, I really enjoyed this book!

I highly recommend this, especially if you love enemy to lovers romances, and pirates! And I’m eager for the next book because I want to learn about the next captain, and more about the God they work for 😏

I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout the book we are introduced to an ensemble of characters, but essentially this is a tale of how Kalia meets Rahmi, and the adventures and hardship they encounter before we reach their Happy Ever After.

The key characters are searching for the Luminaria, which is a powerful gem with the ability to break curses and is being sought after by various parties including the king.

Among the key characters, we have:
Kalia - she works at a bordello, using her power to send visions to the “customers”. She is a Voyant, a person who can project visions into other people’s minds or steal those visions from their mind entirely
Rahmi - he is captain of a boat who captures a ship and discovers Karim, who is holding on to the map to Luminaria. Upon learning about the Luminaria, Rahmi is intrigued and wishes to find it to break his curse. During his quest, his crew ends up kidnapping Kalia, whom they wrongly mistake as being a djinn.
Reshef - he tries to rescue Kalia when she was being kidnapped back to The Mark of Malice pirate ship. He is chatty and becomes Kalia’s friend during the voyage.

On board The Mark of Malice, Kalia forged friendships with Reshef, Shirin and Elodie. Due to her past, she has always been alone and deprived of friendship. As the story progresses, their friendship deepens and she learns to trust them.

Similarly, as she and Rahmi embark on their adventures, they work together to save each other multiple times and learn to trust each other. However, there is one final hurdle to cross before they can finally be together.

Overall, the entire plot was paced well and I enjoyed the suspense and kept looking forward to reading the next chapter.

[Sara Paps · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐒:
❥ enemies to lovers
❥ age gap
❥ found family
❥ touch him/her and die
❥ let the world burn


𝐋𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐳𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢 𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢 𝐡𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚: 🥰 😍 😆 😳 🥵 😮 😟

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨:
In un mondo di pirati, Dei, maledizioni e leggende, le strade che si incrociano non sono mai dettate dal caso. Perché altrimenti si dia il caso che Kalia abbia bisogno di lasciare la città al più presto. Si dia il caso che Rahmi cerchi una persona precisa e Kalia venga confusa con questa per via dei suoi poteri. Si dia il caso che il giovanotto che tenta di salvarla e viene rapito con lei sia proprio la persona che Rahmi sta cercando. E si dia il caso che vada tutto secondo i piani dell'ambiguo Dio dei Mari.


𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞:
Ora, QUESTO era quello che volevo leggere nel precedente standalone. O meglio, quello che mi ero aspettata di avere e sono felice di averlo finalmente ricevuto. ✧*｡٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و✧*｡
Kalia è una protagonista con i controcazzi. E' coerente in base alla vita vissuta e la sua personalità da trickster me la fa amare sin da subito. Rahmi è perfetto per lei e un finto delulu eccezionale ("𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘩𝘪" fin dall'inizio? Sei pazzo, ti amo).

Il modo in cui litigano all'inizio è privo di tensione sessuale, pura e sanguinosa sopravvivenza, cosa che ho adorato perché ha creato la base per qualcosa di più intimo e profondo che ho visto nascere, crescere e sbocciare. Niente scuse, niente illusioni, solo la ricerca del calore dell'altro e il senso di appartenenza tra due anime affini.

Persino la menzogna che li ha tenuti distanti di un millimetro fino all'ultimo non mi è pesata e la conclusione è stata soddisfacente. ⸜( ˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

[Kata · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️

“Are you ready to join a ship crewed by the guilty and captained by the cursed”
“I haven’t been avoiding you, I’ve just been aware of where you are at all times and have made an effort to be elsewhere.”
“Who did this to you?”

Voyant and the Mark of Malice is the second book in the Aeglecian Seas series but can be read as a standalone.

I liked Kalia as the FMC; she was feisty and resilient. I enjoyed the banter and tension between Kalia and the MMC, Rahmi. Their interactions were really funny at times. I also really enjoyed their enemies-to-lovers dynamic.

There were some really interesting side characters, like Reshef, who helped move the plot forward and also aided in the FMC's character development.

I really enjoyed both the enemies-to-lovers and found-family aspects. The plot reminded me a bit of Pirates of the Caribbean.



I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

[Lydia Schriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story!!! Kalia and Ramhi are truly made for each other 🥹

Kalia is a tough but kind. She can’t stand injustice since she got bought to the bordello she took it upon herself to help the woman who worked there. Which ended up with her being punished by the madam.

It all changed when she got kidnapped by pirates who mistook her for a djinn. And that is when she met Captain Ramhi Abada. She made sure for as long as he kept her on his ship he would be miserable! And ohhh how she made him pay 🤣 she tried to stab him so many times and each interaction let to moments full with tension 🔥

The moment he made her hers by gifting her a wood carved horse he made himself that reminded him of his youth 🥹

I did not see that plot twist coming!!! Since I can’t say more all I will say is I’m glad for that happy ending and we got that epilogue 💜

Tropes:
Enemies To Lovers
Forced Proximity
Outlawed Magic
Cursed Pirate Ships
Sassy FMC
Grumpy MMC

[Carrie Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You're just another mistake in the long line of the ones I've already made.”

I want to start off by thanking Sadie Hewitt and her team for allowing me an ARC to read.

This book was exceptional. A mix of Aladdin and the Legend of the Flying Dutchman. The first one in the series was a top read for me last year and this held up to it well. The characters were amazing. I loved the dynamic between our pirate MMC and strong FMC. I also fell in love with pretty much every side character. These can be read as standalones but I highly recommend reading both. You won't regret it!

Quick Summary:
Kalia is a Voyant, with the strong power of being able to project visions into other people's minds. However, in her world, anyone discovered with this power is automatically put to death. Working for an evil Madam in a brothel puts her in the direct line of pirates that wrongly mistake her for a powerful djinn that their captain has been hunting. After being kidnapped and forced onto the Mark of Malice, she quickly develops a mutual disdain for Captain Rahmi. Captain Rahmi has his sights set on a powerful stone to break his curse. However, as the stakes get higher, so do the feelings between Captain Rahmi and Kalia.

Trope List:
-Forced Proximity
-Pirate MMC
-Feisty and Magical FMC
-Enemies to Lovers
-Captor/Captive
-Morally grey captain
-Found family
-Outlawed Magic

I highly recommend this series!!!!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐
2.5🌶

I received an e-ARC for this book, thank you Sadie!

This is my first pirate story, and it did not disappoint. I love the found family aspect and the build up of the relationships between the characters. Kalia is so endearing and really is a big softie underneath her hard shell exterior. The banter and tension between her and Rahmi was so good! I just kept yelling at them in my head to just get jiggy with it already !!! How can someone not love the enemies to lovers trope, its my fave by far! I have been finding myself falling in love with side characters more and more lately. Reshef is just so funny, I want to be friends with him. I loved the mix of mind magic as well as the Pirates of the Carribean x Aladdin aspects. They were blended so beautifully. The story was action packed and steamy on all levels and I am so glad I stumbled across this book.

[Blinky's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Sadie for the gifted audiobook!!

I loved the story so much, Sadie Hewitt's writing style is one of my favorites!

I loved Rahmi and Kalia's story so much! This was a true enemies to lovers, which I honestly rarely actually seen. Let's just say Kalia tries to kïll Rahmi several times.

The twist actually got me! I truly didn't see that coming!! And I really want to know more about the god(s)

However, I didn't like the narrator for this audiobook at all. I don't normally have an issue with accents, but I felt like the narrator's took away from the story.

Looking forward to everything else by Sadie Hewitt!!

[Kate Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had it all: fierce female energy, pirates, spice, found family, morally grey character, and a weaving tapestry of adventure. Loved it!

[Bevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW: violence, spice, mention of DV, some others.

Thank you so much to the author for allowing me to a part of the ARC team! “The Voyant and the Mark of Malice” releases April 29, 2024!

It’s the love child of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Aladdin,” but make it a little spicy. How can you not love that?

When Captain Rahmi Abada hears of a way to break his curse, to live immortality on the seas without having to sacrifice souls to Liddros, he leaps at the opportunity. There’s just one catch—he’ll need a djinn, and Liddros has warned that they’re both rare and dangerous. Kalia Salam has a secret—she’s a Voyant, a magic user who can invade the minds of others and leave visions in her wake. Stuck in perpetual servitude in a brothel, Kalia keeps her secret closely guarded. After an unfortunate encounter leads Rahmi’s men to abduct Kalia, thinking her to be the djinn they so desperately need, Kalia knows she’ll need to think fast and keep her secret even closer if she wants to survive Rahmi’s quest.

I love Sadie Hewitt’s books. This is the second in the “Aeglecian Sea” series that I’ve been able to ARC read, and the fourth overall, and they never fail to make me go completely feral. Naturally, this one was no exception. So you could save yourself some time by not reading this review and instead immediately launching into the nearest book by this author that you can find. If a general “oh my god, it’s amazing” isn’t enough of an argument, though, read on so I can convince you.

I’m going to start off with what I would consider to be the ‘weakest’ of the plot-characters-world trifecta that I look at when rating stories. And by ‘weakest,’ I mean that it would have earned a 4.9 on a 5-point scale: The world building. My one request from book 1, “The Audient and the Phantom Night,” was that I wanted more information about this universe. I wanted to know about its people, about why magic was outlawed, everything. I wanted to know because the rest of the story was so good that I didn’t want it to be over. “Voyant” has both somehow fixed this issue and made it so much worse. Fixed, because we get an amazing amount of information, and made worse because *I still wasn’t ready to be done*. The details and descriptions we get throughout this story brought it to life in an incredibly visceral way, to the point where I could almost smell the salt as I was reading. “Audient” did a great job with a story that was almost exclusively on a ship, but “Voyant” takes us off the ship multiple times and to different locations, and all of them feel even more lifelike than the last. We got to see more of the workings of the kingdom in Kalia’s homeland and we got more of the inner workings behind the pirate captains and their curse. We even got to see a little more of the magic ban and the effects it’s had on the kingdom. I loved all of it.

The middle ground of my trifecta is the plot. I simply could not put this book down, which meant I read the whole thing in 2 sittings and could have easily finished it in one except for, you know, real life being needy. We know early on in the story what the basic plot is going to be— locate and acquire a djinn, locate and acquire the way to break the curse, the end. Except, nothing is ever that easy, and the journey from ‘djinn’ to ‘the end’ was nothing at all like you might have expected. There were so many fun steps along the way, and I was constantly ready to see what was going to happen next. It’s a fast-paced book, but it never felt rushed and it never bogged down. There’s a good balance between the action and the character development, so it was easy to stay engaged. It’s a fun ride, and one that I could easily see myself re-reading in the future.

Everything about this book was amazing, but the heart and soul of the story, and really the strongest part of all of this author’s works, is the characters. I could rave for hours about how much I love them and I’m still not sure I’d get it all in one try. We have two MCs, Rahmi and Kalia, and the story is told with both of them being the focus (it’s dual-POV, but in the third person, which is my favorite). The side characters are all amazing supports that help make the story even more incredible, but Rahmi and Kalia far and away steal the show. Our MMC is fierce and intuitive and almost arrogant in his confidence. Our FMC is arguably even more ferocious, unwilling to trust anyone, and a total powerhouse in her own right. As individuals they’re so much fun to read about, and I constantly found myself laughing at something one of them said or did, but when paired together they’re a little bit terrifying with some epic levels of ‘make me’ subtext. I could read about them traumatizing their enemies forever.

At the end of the day, you have to choose for yourself whether you want to read this book or not, but there’s only one right answer, in my humble opinion. So if you like a heroine who can and will make you run screaming from your own mind (and who will do so in defense of others way more often than she’s willing to admit), or a pirate captain who will let nothing stand between him and his goal, or if you just really enjoy pirate stories with magic in them, then this is the book for you. The “Aeglecian Seas” books are interconnected standalones, so you can read them in any order, but I would suggest starting with book 1 so you can avoid minor spoilers in book 2.

[Mica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treasure trove of fantasy romances that had me absolutely enchanted from start to finish!

🔮 Kalia Salam, the Mind-Bending Voyant! 🔮
Kalia is not your ordinary street urchin turned formidable voyant; she's a whirlwind of tricks, tenacity, and hidden tenderness. With every mind she bends and vision she casts, I found myself more and more wrapped up in her spell. Pun intended! Her ability to keep one step ahead of death itself, all while navigating the treacherous waters of her fate, is nothing short of captivating.

🏴‍☠️ Captain Rahmi Abada, the Cursed Pirate with a Plan! 🏴‍☠️
Enter Rahmi, the dark and daring pirate captain, haunted by a curse and driven by a relentless quest for freedom. His interactions with Kalia crackle with tension and wit so sharp you could cut the tension with a knife—or a cutlass, in this case. Their banter? It’s like watching a sword fight with words, and I am here for every parry and thrust!

🌊 A World Where Magic Meets the High Seas! 🌊
Sadie Hewitt doesn’t just build a world; she launches you into the midst of a tempest of breathtaking locales, from shadowy caves to bustling port cities. The blend of Middle Eastern folklore with the lore of the high seas is a stroke of genius that fills every chapter with an air of mystery and wonder.

🔥 Enemies to Lovers: A Slow Burn on the Open Ocean! 🔥
If there's anything hotter than the tropics, it's the slow-burning romance that simmers between Kalia and Rahmi. From fiery clashes to reluctant alliances, their relationship evolves in a dance as intricate as any pirate's shanty. Each interaction is a delightful clash of wills, peppered with a spice that’s just right!

🌟 Final Thoughts: An Adventure Worth Sailing! 🌟
The Voyant and The Mark of Malice is more than a story—it's an escapade that captures the essence of adventure and the heart of romance. Every page sparked an excitement in me like cannon fire, keeping me riveted through every twist and turn. Sadie Hewitt has indeed secured her place as a captain of fantasy romance with this standout tale.

So, if you crave a story with heart-pounding action, spellbinding magic, and characters that feel like comrades in arms, then set sail with The Voyant and The Mark of Malice. Just be warned, this book is the literary equivalent of a pirate's call to the sea—once you dive in, there's no turning back, and you'll be left eagerly awaiting the next voyage with these unforgettable characters. Five stars, and may every reader be as bewitched and bedazzled as I was!

Thank you for the ARC!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 ✨
📖: The Voyant and The Mark of Malice (The Aeglecian Seas Book 2)
🏴‍☠️: Now available and fre€ in Kindle Unlimited!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

The Voyant and The Mark of Malice is the second interconnected standalone in The Aeglecian Seas series.

Kalia is a Voyant, possessing the power to manipulate visions, a dangerous and banned form of magic. Forced to remain hidden, she is bound to the madame of a brothel, biding her time to gain her freedom.

Captain Rahmi travels the seas, cursed to pillage souls for the God of the Sea. He unexpectedly learns of an ancient and forgotten treasure that could end his curse.

After being mistaken for a mysterious djinn, Kalia is captured by The Mark of the Malice crew and forced to embark on the perilous journey in search of this dangerous treasure. A battle of wits and survival ensues. Will they both emerge unscathed?

Tropes/themes:
🪔 Pirates x Aladdin
👀 Dual POV
🩶 Morally grey MCs
🎙️ Banter
🫂 Forced proximity
🏴‍ ☠️Epic quest
‼️ “Who did this to you?”
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Found family
💫Mind magic & magic bonds
🌶️: moderate

"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥."

"𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘩𝘪”

Kalia is haunted by loss and betrayal, refusing to trust and resigning to being alone. Rahmi, brutal and cursed, is infuriated by Kalia, who is cunning, passionate, and secretive. Both are broken and hiding parts of themselves from the world. Can the fragile thread of trust and mutual attraction between them turn into something more?

I loved Kalia’s fighting spirit (literally and figuratively) and her brilliant ability to wield her mind and body as a weapon. Welcome, Kalia, to the st@bby FMC club 🤝.

Rahmi is a deliciously dark and morally grey MMC who has finally met his match. Their banter was top tier and their chemistry was 🔥. The found family in this story is absolutely precious!

The Voyant and The Mark of Malice is a spectacular melding of all the elements I loved about Pirates of the Caribbean and Aladdin (but make it dark with some 🌶️). Sadie paints a vivid tale bristling with phenomenal characters, a consuming romance, and swashbuckling adventure!

Thank you to the author and Bound By Mischief for the ARC opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

" 'You speak under the assumption,' he said slowly, 'that I haven't counted every one of my sins. I keep them locked away, but I remember them every night.' His hand reached upward, clamping around her arm. 'I'll be sure to remember this one, too.' "

When Kalia Salam, a Voyant with the power to project images into people's minds, is mistaken for a Djinn, she is taken aboard the ship of cursed pirate captain Rahmi Abada who has been tasked by the god of the sea to collect souls. He needs her to retrieve a treasure that could break his curse, while she only needs to survive with all her secrets intact.

This book was so fun!! It's described as The Flying Dutchman meets Aladdin, which is definitely true, but it reminded me the most of a grown up Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas which was perfect.

I loved both main characters. Kalia is a spunky, resourceful woman who stands up for others while claiming she doesn't care about them. Rahmi is a perfect morally gray character who has an internal moral compass but isn't afraid to kill anyone who stands in his way. The side characters are also fun, and a little found family eventually forms.

There are so many adventures and high-stakes action scenes that left me unable to put the book down, with twists and turns I didn't see coming. The enemies-to-lovers romance was done so well, with both of them hating each other after her kidnapping, but then slowly falling for each other and ending with some eventual spice.

For most of the book I wasn't totally sure where the Aladdin influence was in the book, but it came out in full force towards the end of the book, in a way that got to be a little too ridiculous for the rest of the book which was darker and spookier. I liked some of the Aladdin scenes ("Do you trust me?" should be in every book tbh), but the number of references thrown in at the end was too much and cheapened the ending for me, bringing me down to 4 stars.

Overall this book was such a fun ride, and I'm now planning to go back and read the first one as well. Excited for any more stories in this world!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Voyant and The Mark of Malice” is a super gripping story that takes place in the fantastical world of The Aeglecian Seas. It follows Kalia Salam, a Voyant with a cool power to create trippy visions. Things get crazy as Kalia, trying to keep her powers on the down low to avoid getting offed, teams up with Captain Rahmi Abada. This person is all about breaking a curse that’s holding him back. Their adventure is jam-packed with danger and excitement, channeling vibes from “The Legend of The Flying Dutchman” and “Aladdin”.

Kalia is a total badass with quick thinking and a strong will to survive. Rahmi, the cursed captain, is just as complicated, battling his own demons and desires. Their growth is at the heart of the story, adding layers and making their journey from foes to unexpected allies super engaging.

Sadie Hewitt’s writing is super descriptive and full of action, creating a vivid world that’s hard to stop reading about. The book is all about freedom, identity, and power, with some deep stuff thrown in there. The characters and their surroundings really make you think about fate and making your own choices.

“The Voyant and The Mark of Malice” is a great read. The author keeps things moving at a good pace and the plot isn’t too complicated. Hewitt’s writing is straightforward and easy to follow. The story has enough detail to keep things interesting without being overwhelming. It’s a fun mix of adventure, romance, and magic that both new and experienced readers will enjoy. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of fantasy with some love and action thrown in. It’s a book that’s sure to keep you entertained and wanting more.

In conclusion, Sadie Hewitt’s “The Voyant and The Mark of Malice” is a compelling read that successfully combines action, romance, and fantasy. Its well-crafted plot and memorable characters make it a book that’s not only enjoyable but also resonates with deeper themes and messages. Whether you’re a fan of fantasy or just looking for an engaging story, this book is sure to delight.

[Fedythereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author and Bound by Mischief for sharing an ARC of this book with me!!!

“Predator and prey, cat and mouse—that's what they were to one another. Dancing around the inevitable, both of them leaning into this merciless game that, one way or another, would more than likely end in bloodshed.”

“You're just another mistake in the long line of the ones I've already made.”

I love it. I love it. I love it!!! No doubts considering how much I loved book one !! this series of interconnected standalones keep on sucking me in !!!! I love every second of every page I read and I’m so so happy that I got a chance to read this one too!!! Starting from the fact that it is a pirate fantasy romance, that characters from book one where present (Devil is still my man) the combination of amazing story, plot line that was wonderful, characters that made me have the time of my life, and that I loved getting to meet … the two main characters … they were perfect !!! Their relationship was made of enemies to lovers, constant tension and angst but it was SUCH A SLOW BURN !!!! It’s been a while since I read a slow burn that hooked me this much!!!! And don’t let me start on some other tropes that I loved, like forced proximity, she is his prisoner, daggers to the throat and … Who did this to you !!! I almost totally completely melted when that conversation happened !!!! And while I loved the FMC because of her past, her suffering, her present and her feelings … the MMC … that man was wicked and amazing and sweet in ways I was not expecting him to be!!! Especially since he literally is the captain of a cursed ship that trades soul !!!! This book was perfect and the plot made the whole experience only better !!! I need more !! I sooo need more !!!

“I'm going to hold myself back so I can ruin you. Again and again and again.”

“I want you ruined. And that's where I'll have you.”

“His ruehi. Her captain.”

[Betwixt the Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5 Penguins (rounded down)
Quick Reasons: snarky, sassy, witty Aladdin retelling; entertaining, headstrong characters; enemies to lovers deliciousness; unexpected twist ending; enjoyable read

HUGE thanks to Sadie Hewitt for the title! My review is voluntarily written and in no way altered or impacted by this gesture.

"Were those the two souls that called us to this ship?" he asked, pointing his cutlass toward the bo'sun at Rahmi's feet. "Because you could have said something before I killed him."

"Don't be ridiculous, Alaric. Did he look like he was dying before you stuck your blade into him?"

I am duty and honor bound to tell y'all that this was one of my most anticipated releases for 2024, and I am SO glad to have been given the chance to read this one! It's a tale filled with adventure, misfortune, drama and intrigue. I am a sucker for pirate tales, and the fact that this one is ALSO a retelling of Aladdin only sweetened the pot for this Penguin reader.

The characters are believable and entertaining. As with the first book, Sadie Hewitt laced her prose with vivid descriptions and snarky retorts. The enemies to lovers trope was well used, filling the story with tension. I had a slightly harder time connecting with these characters than I did with Devlin and Fenna.... but still found myself wanting to knock some sense into Rahmi multiple times during this read.

Kalia shook her head. "I don't have friends. People are only there to betray you in the end."

Reshef didn't miss a beat. "Mmm, deep. But, alas, you aren't an island. You don't need to be alone."

I definitely recommend this to lovers of cursed pirate ships, the Aladdin tales, and fiery characters just as likely to kiss you as they are stab you. The waves of change are set in motion, Penguins, and I cannot wait to see where the next installment in this series will lead us. Are you ready?

[theromantasybookcorner._ · Rating 5 out of 5]

༻♡︎🌿🥀🌿♡︎༺
📖ⒷⓄⓄⓀ•ⓇⒺⓋⒾⒺⓌ📖
───── • ♡︎🥀🕯️🥀♡ • ─────
📚📝✨🩶𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞•𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦🩶✨📝📚
🌿𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚅𝙾𝚈𝙰𝙽𝚃 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙼𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝙾𝙵 𝙼𝙰𝙻𝙸𝙲𝙴 𝙱𝚈 𝚂𝙰𝙳𝙸𝙴 𝙷𝙴𝚆𝙸𝚃𝚃
🌿 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟸 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙰𝙴𝙶𝙻𝙴𝙲𝙸𝙰𝙽 𝚂𝙴𝙰𝚂 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂 - 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙲𝙾𝙽𝙽𝙴𝙲𝚃𝙴𝙳 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙰𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙴𝚂
🌿𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
🌿𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙰𝙿𝚁𝙸𝙻 𝟸𝟿𝚃𝙷 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
╰┈➤𝙰𝚅𝙰𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝙺𝚄!✨
🌿𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟺𝟹𝟶 𝙿𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂
🌿𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
🌿𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ || 𝟻
🌿🚨𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦

───── • ♡︎🥀🕯️🥀♡ • ─────

✨✨𝘔𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴✨✨
Thank you so much to Sadie Hewitt and R&R Book Tours for my Advanced Reader Copy of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.

Sadie does it again! This book might just throw me back into my pirate romance era because it was everything! This book is the second in a series of standalones so it can be read on its own!

Kalia and Rahmi are absolutely amazing. Kalia is an awesome FMC, and so incredibly easy to connect too. She’s very feisty and scrappy and is also loving, hilarious, and super resilient. Her backstory made me so emotional but I love how she’s so strong. The banter and tension between her and Rahmi, our MMC, was perfection and their slow burn romance was so worth! Rahmi was so swoon worthy, he was equal parts wicked and sweet and he and Kalia had the best chemistry!

The plot was perfect and I loved that it was a mix of The Flying Dutchman, Pirates of the Caribbean and Aladdin! The pacing was really great and Sadie’s storytelling prose continues to blow me away with every book she writes!

Overall, I definitely recommend this one! It was an amazing read!

📚📝✨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘✨📝📚
🏴‍☠️Cursed Pirate Ships
🧞‍♂️Morally Gray Captains
🏴‍☠️Trickster FMC
🧞‍♂️Possessive Alphahole Who Falls First
🏴‍☠️Enemies to Lovers
🧞‍♂️Djinn, Nasnas, & Ghouls
🏴‍☠️Forced Proximity

[Kodi B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing sequel that didn't disappoint!!
This pirate fantasy romance will have you gripping the pages from start to finish. A nice mix of The Flying Dutchman meets Aladdin with a twist, and yes, she nods to Iago, the flying carpet, the tiger, even the cave of wonders. I was obsessed with Captain Rahmi immediately and loved the flirty banter and tension between the main characters. Rahmi whose a morally grey cursed Captain, who collects souls for Liddros, the God of the Sea. Although hes brutal hes fair. So much happens along the journey with Kalia, who is a spitfire that can manipulate minds, who wants to buy her freedom, and doesn't trust anyone. Love that shes the Aladdin twist! She finds her way thrown upon The Mark of Malice as a prisoner, but is she what they think she is? Forced to help them on their way to break the curse, you meet many characters including Reshef, who becomes bffs with Kalia and wins your heart over instantly. My fav 🫶! He's that best friend that swings for the other side, every girl should have. In search for the Luminaria, a gemstone that is said to have unlimited power, things Heat up between Kalia and Rahmi, definitely slow burn vibes but worth every word to get there for. With danger crashing around every wave, a promise, a rescue mission, hunt for treasure, an unexpected twist, and some spice, this book has it all.With an emotional ending that may or may not be a cliffhanger. A definite reread that I will purchase asap. Sadie Hewitt is a favorite I will always recommend!!
What to expect....
Pirates, cursed ships, djinn, lgbtq friendly, found family, magic, hidden identity, battles, death, morally grey mmc, strong fmc, enemies to lovers, violence, kidnapping, treasure hunt, multiple pov, spice, breath play, bondage, blackmail, slow burn, banter, cat/mouse, funny, good girl, cliffhanger, and more.

[Lindsey Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 Book Review: "The Voyant and the Mark of Malice" by Sadie Hewitt ☠️

The second installment in an interconnected standalone series, "The Voyant and the Mark of Malice" sails readers (get ready for all the puns) into a thrilling pirate adventure brimming with magic, deception, and sizzling romance.

Kalia Salam, a Voyant with the dangerous ability to create mind-altering visions, navigates a perilous world where her gift could mean certain death. Tethered to a wealthy brothel owner for survival, she finds herself entangled in a complex game of deception when mistaken for a powerful djinn by pirates on the hunt. (full synopsis & TW in comments)

The dynamic between Kalia and Captain Rahmi Abada sizzles with tension and chemistry, their slow-burn attraction adding depth to the narrative. I loved their banter and the way they challenged each other at every turn. I especially loved how Kalia tried multiple times to kill Rahmi with no success. The touch of humor in this book made me cackle more than a few times.

What I loved:
1. Kalia and Rahmi 🔥
2. Kalia's Power 🌟
3. The Side Characters (especially Reshef 😂)

While the plot moves swiftly, there are moments where transitions feel abrupt, similar to jumping between episodes of a thrilling TV series. However, this kept up the pace of the story, which kept me eagerly anticipating the next twist and turn.I will say that the ending felt slightly rushed, leaving me wanting more resolution and maybe a few questions answered. Nevertheless, I found myself satisfied with the journey and eager for the next installment.

If you're craving a pirate adventure filled with magic, intrigue, and plenty of sass, "The Voyant and the Mark of Malice" is the perfect voyage to embark on (I can't stop the puns).

[Jess Palacios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: The Voyant and The Mark of Malice
⭐️: 5 of 5
🌶️: 3 of 5
📚: 430 pages

Read it if you like:
✔️ Pirates
✔️ Hidden dangers
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Treasure hunting
✔️ Plot twists

Blurb: ''Kalia Salam is a Voyant, or a person with the ability to create mind-altering visions and project them into others. But when the punishment for having that ability is death, every decision becomes a strategic calculation to avoid execution. Captain Rahmi Abada revels in collecting dying souls from the sea, particularly those burdened by guilt. But whispers of a tale have begun to swirl...a tale about a mysterious gemstone with innumerable abilities, including the power to shatter any magical bond. Consumed with the idea of sailing for eternity without his binding curse to Liddros, God of Sea, Rahmi enlists the help of the fiery djinn he forced aboard his ship. The only problem? The djinn harbors her own secrets, ones that threaten to unravel Rahmi's carefully laid plans.''

SPOILERS AFTER THIS POINT

✨: This was a full plate of AMAZINGNESS to me! Is this a word? I don't even know or care but that's how I feel. As a self declared half pirate, I LOVED every minute of it. It was fast paced but with a perfect pace that didn't feel rushed, the world building was smooth and easy to understand. The quests/action packed scenes were SO well described, and it might be the pirate in me but I just loved the scenarios the story itself. The romance was the most delicious slow burn that I girl needs! Both main characters are bada$$es and the spice was SPICY!

I LOVED the story and felt like I was inside a spicy Pirates of the Caribbean movie and that's saying a lot because I really love the saga lol One of my favorite reads this year!

[յׁׅꫀׁׅܻ꯱ׁׅ֒꯱ׁׅ֒ꪱׁׅᝯׁɑׁׅ֮]

Ahoy, matey! A magical voyage awaits in The Voyant and The Mark of Malice. When I first set sail with this tale, I knew I was in for an extraordinary adventure. This thrilling reimagining of Aladdin meets Pirates of the Caribbean, penned by the talented Sadie Hewitt, swept me away to a world brimming with magic, danger, and heart-stopping action.

Having read the previous novel in this interconnected series, I was already familiar with and captivated by the unique magic system. It is a fresh take on an easily understood concept. The pirate and sea bound setting creates a world ripe for exploration. This is where Sadie's talent truly shines, crafting a believable and engaging system that captivated my imagination.

The world-building is equally impressive. From the dank and dark caves, bustling port city, to the treacherous high seas, every location felt vividly realized. I could practically smell the salty air and hear the creak of the ship as I journeyed alongside the characters.

But the true heart of this story lies in the characters. They are richly drawn, each with their own motivations and struggles. I felt interested in their journeys, cheering for their victories and disappointed by their pain. The dynamic between them, especially between the "Voyant" and the pirate captain, is sassy, full of wit, humor, and a growing sense of camaraderie.

This story is more than just a thrilling pirate adventure. It is a story about friendship, courage, and defying destiny. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy, pirates, and a touch of magic.

Thank you, Sadie Hewitt, for allowing me to be an advance reader of this book. Your talent for storytelling and world-building is truly remarkable, and I eagerly anticipate your future works!

[Gabrielle (belle.bookcorner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Friendship is the guiding light in a storm, leading you to a safe harbor wen you need it the most.
All we ever wanted from you… was you.”

The Voyant and the Mark of Malice feature another cursed captain with his love interest but still in the same series as The Audient and the Phantom Night!

The bantering between our main characters – Kalia and Captain Rahmi is delightful to read, I can’t stop smiling every time they taunted each other especially the little nickname Rahim gave her!
I also like Kalia’s character growth throughout the story from opening up herself more which in return she gain friends she can trusts like Reshef, Shirin and also adorable Elodie!

Then, there’s Captain Rahmi Abada, well I say he can be more ruthless than Captain Cato from the previous book. (I’m sooo excited when Cato and Fenna made an appearance over hereee!!)
But he finally met his match with Kalia, and I know that cold heart will melt over time.

Overall, this is a great addition to the series and I really like how we get to explore more about Liddros and his relationship with the king. I wonder if he’s not as bad as the captains thought he was….
It ended beautifully and I love the epilogue which gives the reader a glimpse of what the next book is gonna be, the last captain - Jace!

Thank you to RR Book Tours and the author for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Gore/Violence, Murder/Death, Explicit Sexual Content, Coercion, Betrayal, Hand to Hand Combat, Anxiety-Inducing Situations

[Alyson Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kalia, raised in a brothel from a young child and used by the madam for her mind magic, is taken by priates who have their own agenda. Thinking she is the jinn they need to break their curse, Captain Rehmi makes a deal with her, get the Luminaria and you'll be returned. What Rehmi doesn't know is Kalia isn't a jinn and doesn't have the power to save herself from the madam let alone break a curse made by the gods. How can Kalia tell him without putting herself in more danger all while slowly falling for the Captain himself?

I'm going to be honest here, it took me about 100 pgs to get into this book. It was slow starting and the third person pov made it hard for me to stay in the story though once the action started, I couldn't stop reading. Kalia's magic as a Voyant was so intricate and the scenes involving her jumping into someone's mind was amazingly detailed. Most definitely my favorite parts were the jumps she made into someone's mind.

Aside from the two MC, Kalia and Rehmi, the supporting side characters were beloved and humorous. My most favorite was Resef for his charm, nonchalant humor, and the insistence one being Kalia's friend.

Other details I enjoyed were the nods to Aladdin with the Cave of Wonders, the magic carpets, monkey in a vest, and more. I loved the slow burn and witty banter plus the little heartache we got. This does end in a happy ending so if you're looking for a pirate fantasy with sand, jewels, magic, and romance, look no further.This is the second book of the series though I had no problem reading it without reading the first one. It does have characters from the first, but I didn't need to know them to know what was going on.

[Jenn Winning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie has done it again!!! I loved every minute of this book and the characters within. Book 2 in The Aeglecian Seas series is out now and you don’t want to miss it!

Voyant is set in the same world we’ve come to know and love in Phantom, this time centering around Captain Rahmi Abada and Kalia, a Clair with many secrets and an act first, defy the consequences later mentality.

While it is not necessary to read Phantom first, I highly recommend that you do! The world building and magic system will make so much more sense, as will the actions of a certain God who’s controlling the captains of these cursed ships.

The first meeting between Rahmi and Kalia was everything I hoped it would be. She is certainly a force to be reckoned with and neither one is willing to back down! As their story unfolds, the mounting tension and banter between them intensifies. The saying that there is a fine line between love and hate rings true with these two. And the spice was everything you hoped it would be when these two finally gave in to their heightened emotions. I mean nothing says, “I love you” like multiple attempts on your life, right?!?

And the found family aspect I loved in Phantom is back in full force with Voyant. We’ve got fierce friendships that proved to be very beneficial to all involved, especially in the later half of the book. I literally gasped out loud when certain secrets were finally revealed! Could not have asked for a better ending and I cannot wait to see what happens next as we board The Hangman’s Revenge and meet our next cursed Captain.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Voyant and The Mark of Malice

I was so excited for this one to come out and I wasn’t disappointed! It was thrilling! Full of mystery, suspense, action, cutthroat moments, romance and so much more it’s not to be missed!

I loved the story! The world was interesting and I enjoyed all the various creatures and magicks found throughout!

The characters were wonderful! Not only the main characters but the side characters as well were easy to love and root for.
Kalia, the main character was feisty! Oh was she a bundle of entertainment. She had a good heart and was full of spirit.
Rahmi was arrogant and ruthless. He was also the very definition of a morally black sexy pirate captain! I enjoyed his overall growth in the story the most!

The two of them together… well let’s just say it was entertaining and sizzling. The way these two butted heads was next level for sure!

I also enjoy the side relationships between the characters; I won’t giveaway any names but I loved those two as well! Maybe one day they’ll be an off story about them ;)

The ending teased at the next book and hinted at an overall larger picture that I can’t wait to see more of!

More reasons to love? Check out these tropes below:

hate to love
Enemies to lovers
Morally black characters
He falls first
Cursed pirates
Aladdin and Pirates of the Caribbean vibes
Clever stabby FMC
Possessive, arrogant, morally black pirate MMC
A whole host of magical beings and creatures
Treasure hunt
Hidden identities
Forced proximity
Tension
Adventure
Shut up kiss

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you so much Sadie for selecting me for an ARC.

I was incredibly excited for this book, I had read the first one in this series and was obsessed with it. I still think the first was my favorite but I did enjoy this one too!

This one took a little longer for me to get into and overall I enjoyed it and couldn’t stop after it hooked me. Rahmi is a certified hottie and I loved him. I loved the friendship in this book and Reshef being amazingly sassy. I also enjoyed how we got to learn more about the world in this book. We got more answers but also more questions I’m expecting to get answered later in the series (looking at you, King)

I took off a star on my rating because certain aspects did feel a little rushed. I felt like we could’ve had more time developing romantic/sexual tension between Kalia and Rahmi. It seemed like they despised each other and then they were suddenly in love. Additionally, Reshef briefly mentions his draw to Kalia at the end of the book, but doesn’t really explain how that was enough for someone like himself to allow the crew to kidnap him.

I also know this is a fantasy book and inspired by Aladdin. But a lot of the book felt very serious and then during one of the most suspenseful moments near the end it got a bit too silly for me/lightened the mood a bit too much.

However, even with those critiques I did like the book and look forward to the next one! I can’t wait to see what game Liddros is playing.

[✨Gretch✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Kalia is a Voyant, so she can see and plant images into people’s minds. That makes her super dangerous, and the King will kill anyone with powers like hers if found. She has been hiding all her life, and most recently working in a bordello under a strict madame “helping” patrons choose a girl that didn’t have a client at the time. Her powers went unnoticed until one day a group of pirates came in and their leader caught on. The pirates had been on shore looking for a djin to help break a curse, and they mistook Kalia as one. The came back during the night and caused a ruckus, capturing her and bringing her back to the ship and Captain Rahmi Abada. Kalia let them all assume that she was a djin, and never corrected them, and from there the adventure takes off to find a specific relic and break a curse.

I enjoyed the slower burn between Rahmi and Kalia. They are both very temperamental and I loved the batter between the two. I also loved the relationship that she built with the side characters like Elodie, Shirin, and Reshef. She had always kept everyone at arms length to help protect her secret, but they wore her down bit by bit and trust and friendship was formed.

The ending was perfect, and I didn’t see the twist with a certain character coming, but I love how it all played out. I loved the glimpse of a happily ever after between Rahmi and Kalia, and loved the hints that we might get a book with the third captain, Jace.