Stormbreak

Seafire #3

by Natalie C. Parker

In this conclusion to the Seafire trilogy, Caledonia Styx will risk everything--her heart, her crew, and even her life--to defeat Lir and take back the Bullet Seas once and for all.

Aric Athair is dead. But the fight for the Bullet Seas is far from over. Caledonia's nemesis, Lir--the one responsible for getting her parents killed and for turning her brother into a Bullet--has seized control of the warlord's army.

Caledonia and her crew have fled to Cloudbreak to prepare for an all-out war. And they are not the only ones. Defecting soldiers begin to show up in droves to join their fight. But just as it seems like the tides might be turning, a surprise attack decimates the growing rebellion.

Desperate, with much of her crew missing or worse, Caledonia is forced to make an unlikely and unsteady alliance with a new enemy. It's a gamble that could cost her everything, but with the fate of the seas in her hands, Caledonia will do whatever it takes. War has come, and it's time to sink or swim.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Pirates, Adventure, Fiction, Dystopia, Science Fiction

421 pages, Hardcover

First published February 9, 2021

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was meant to be the epic conclusion to the Seafire trilogy. It wasn't really epic but at least it was a conclusion. This was a solid enough series for me up until this point and I had honestly expected this to be seriously awesome, but I guess my expectations for it were far too high considering how the series was going. Oh well.

Judging by what I see on Goodreads so far, this is going to be an unpopular opinion but whatever. Spoilers ahead and it's pretty long-winded so I'm just going to tag everything underneath so I don't have to think about it anymore.



Before I complain about much, I'd like to throw out that I generally find this series fun. It's not boring in any way and this book didn't bore me either. Even when I was frustrated with it, I was never bored and thinking I wanted to put it down because I had enough. I do have some favorite characters, including Pisces and Pine, and the naval battles in these series remain a stand-out, even if the first two I didn't find as entertaining as previous installments. The latter ones were definitely better.

The sisterhood preaching in this one felt more real than it did beforehand, as you see it screeched frequently but with nothing to show for it, so it all felt artificial. This book was literally the closest the series has ever been to their sisterhood is survival tagline.

First issue is this cast was unnecessarily bloated. There are several named characters, many who could be replaced by nameless mooks and you couldn't even tell the difference. This was always a problem with this series, where we needed to name a bunch of people and then define them by a singular trait. It takes a moment when first going into it to remember who anyone besides the most important characters actually are. The bloated cast issue also fails its theme of being a girl power fantasy when several of the best written and more important characters are male. I'm not saying that "yeah there's well written guys among the mostly female cast". That's not it. That is, if you had to take the main characters, the better written ones are mostly the male characters. In fact, we benched Amina - one of the better female characters - really early by pretending she's dead and she stays out of the story for what had to be at least 300 pages. It just couldn't maintain the amount of people it wanted to, which was a shame. If some of these characters could get the proper attention due to them, they might have actually felt more advanced than cardboard cutouts.

There was nothing really surprising about the plot twists. I'll be perfectly honest with you: nearly everything that was supposed to surprise me, I saw coming even when the characters didn't and I kept thinking they were honestly incredibly stupid for not thinking about it as much. The first glaring example was the mention that there's an overabundance of deflected Bullets in Cloudbreak making everyone nervous because they don't know if they could trust them. I had laughed about it, thinking they're sneaking in to bomb Cloudbreak. Just what happens to Cloudbreak? Yuuuuup. Even Donnally turning on Lir to save the day at the end was something I suspected was going to happen since he kept insisting he needed to go join Lir. This novel was not boring but it was highly predictable.

My biggest issue - which was a bit of an issue throughout the series but became a whole can of worms in this one - was our good ol' Captain Caledonia Styx herself. I always said she was a bad leader and I don't understand why anyone would trust her to be in charge or be loyal to her. That feeling has intensified tenfold in this novel. She makes the absolute most awful decisions throughout the entire book and the only reason she wins the day is because she has literally the worst case of plot armor I've ever seen. I'm dead serious. Nothing she does should go right but she always manages to get out on top. Even the things that seem to go wrong for her always end with her swinging herself into a better position that there's no real drama to it because you just know Caledonia's going to fix it. You have to suspend all your belief with this girl. And, she continues to be such a shit leader at every turn and yet everyone loves her and worships the ground she walks on. She literally lied to her crew and had the boyfriend she treats poorly build her monster bombs and when she's discovered everyone just seems mildly disappointed in her but they get over it quick. It's not like she was forcing someone to make super death machines that can blow up hundreds of people that they all agreed not to use ever again. But don't worry. She feels guilty about it so she's a victim here. Watching her strut around like a peacock is beyond embarrassing. Thinking anyone should be intimidated by her is even more embarrassing. And yet she still manages to be the most impressive human being to ever be alive.

Oran also deserved better than her. He's so in love with her and does her dirty work for her and willingly lets himself be abused for her and when he tells her how he feels so she essentially decides she doesn't have time for this and bounces. Up until she needs someone to calm her down so she doesn't fall to the dark side so he needs to do that for her. Normally young adult novels have a shitty love interest but this time around the novel's true plot twist is she's the shitty love interest.

I hate using this term. I wish there was something I can say other than Caledonia is just a shit main character because I liked her before this book. But, she fell into Mary Sue territory. There, I said it and it's true.

The ending was mostly alright for me. I liked that we ended with an Amina and Hime wedding, even if they started as the ~token lesbians~ because the series realized that it called itself an lgbt series when all they did at most was stand near each other. I also liked that Caledonia realized finally that she can't be the leader and decided to maroon herself. If they had seriously left her in charge of everything, the world might as well set itself on fire before she accidentally blew everything up. Again. I did not like we left Lir alive because "if we kill him, then we're just like him". That's a cop-out preachy ending when you're dealing with a criminal and a killer who'd cause mass death if he ever got out, especially when you're relying on no one ever trying to break him out. You'd think they'd be smarter than that after Cloudbreak but Caledonia's allowed one smart decision per book, and she used it in the epilogue marooning herself.

Again, I did not hate this novel entirely, but boy, did it fall flat on the expectations I had for it.

[sophia࿐ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My babies, my loves, my everything
I loved them so much but it has come to this moment when I have to say goodbye. I have to leave them behind, read new books even though I‘ll always look for them. This was a long journey, so many fights lost, so many friends buried. I will miss this world so much.
Lace, Red, Tripple, Sledge, Hesperus and so many more. The stories behind them are so painful.

Writing a good villian is really hard. But Natalie? She nailed it. Lir was a perfect villian, tricking me into liking him at first glance, just to turn out to be the most evil out there.
I‘m so glad I found those books, for purchasing them. They were worth it.

So yes this is not a goodbye, just a simple see you later. Let the waters guide you.

“And you can’t change this world without making decisions that will haunt you forever.”

“Hesperus didn’t recognize the perfection of his gift. He could not know that she had always imagined her girls as stones.”

[Adah Udechukwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stormbreak was really interesting and it was worth my time.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

3/2/2020: HOW DID I NOT KNOW THE TITLE AND COVER HAD BEEN RELEASED?!?!!
OMG. I've missed my girls so much. I need this book NOW!!!! I love that Natalie is a local author and I get to support her and her amazing books!

[Sara (A Gingerly Review) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won't be okay for a while.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Young Adult/Fantasy/Dystopia and it is the final book in the Seafire trilogy. I liked books 1 & 2 more. I appreciated the conclusion. It felt satisfying and that is always appreciated. But this one wobbled a bit for me, plus it felt a little hurried. There were a few giant holes that needed patching, especially when it came to dealing with the herd mentality.

A few of the characters abandoned all that they were supposed to be in order to dip into some other role that didn't seem plausible...Caledonia being the biggest offender there. I like the strength of the MC and even how her boldness always came up roses seemed to fit, but the whole damsel in distress thing didn't quite work. Oran, Pi, and the brother can be tossed in too.

I still liked this one, but book #2 was my favorite. So 3 stars for this one.

[Rachel Kathryn Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
This is the conclusion to the Seafire trilogy and I really liked how it ended. I really liked coming back to this world and seeing the characters and how there journey was going to end. Especially with what was going to happen with Caledonia’s brother. I enjoyed the characters mostly but I did find it annoying at times how much Caledonia was being questioned by everyone. I think it would have been better if we saw the side characters more than in those instances. But the romance, I really enjoyed the bits we got and what we see at the end with it. The storytelling I felt was really good but there were a few moments that kind of lulled, mainly in the beginning. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I felt that it wrapped up this trilogy really well.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars


AHHHHH such a great ending to a GREAT series! High stakes high seas adventures... gah always a sucker for a good one, and this novel was beyond excellent! I have no wordddsssss.


100% recommend!

[Kerri Seaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good ending to the series! It might’ve been five stars for me if it hadn’t been so long since I read the first two and I didn’t have to spend the first 50 or so pages trying to remember who everyone was and what the heck was going on. But I love a good pirates tale, especially one with badass lady pirates

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an amazing conclusion to this trilogy I love! Caledonia and her crew are so badass while also being so full of heart! I want to be a part of this crew so much!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stormbreak was the conclusion to the Seafire trilogy we needed.

I'd like to blame the fact that the release date got pushed for why I had such a hard time starting this book, but it was probably me. I couldn't remember who Ares was, which was an issue, and definitely a me problem because he was a huge part of the last book. In fact, I could only remember bits and pieces of Steel Tide, which was an issue because we were building on the momentum we got in Steel Tide. If you're like me and have zero memory once you put down a book, maybe go check out a short summary of Steel Tide before you begin Stormbreak.

Parker continues to do what she does best in this trilogy, take this beautiful crew of people who want to change the world and remind them that they are human. Stormbreak focuses really heavily on Caledonia and her battle and struggles to fix the world while not becoming the people who caused the mess in the first place. There's tactics, plans, and fights. High stakes and losses. But where Stormbreak really shines is in Caledonia's personal battle of trying to live with herself while she must make horrific choices every day.

Caledonia reminded me a little of the heroines of 2010 dystopias, Tris specifically. Caledonia carries a self-awareness that the other girls didn't though. Caledonia is aware of her trauma, that it is occurring, and that it's not okay. She really struggles with her mental health through this book and the approach and response which Parker takes is absolutely breathtaking. We need to see less girls giving up because of their mental health after the world has been saved.

I got caught a little off-guard at the beginning of the book when the "unexpected attack" mentioned in the plot summary takes place. I fell in love so quickly with the dynamics and the plot set-up before the plot changes directions. I had a little bit of a hard time letting go of the planning, battle, group, and stakes that I saw coming down. But the Seafire series has never been about the plot to overthrow the villain, but the team that was doing their best to do so.

I have questionable feelings about how half of the main f/f relationship (and only Black rep) disappears for 3/4s of the book under the suspicion of treason? (A plot thread which is never resolved.) But I'm not in a place to comment on that.

This review has been a journey, but I really did enjoy Cala and crew's journey through the trilogy.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*

[Patty (IheartYA311) · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging trilogy. The author made it easy for the reader to become attached to the characters. Well written but this book felt especially long-winded. I love the covers.

[Dolphin Delilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Now when I look up to the stars… I will form shapes with each one; a reminder what can be done and what will be done is my choice. All that matters is if I pursue it, like how Caledonia Styx did. ⚔️⚓️🏴‍☠️🌊🗡️❤️‍🩹

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series is phenomenal, and STORMBREAK, the final book, gives us the ending the story deserves, all while subverting typical YA epic expectations. My only regret is that it took me so long to finish the series. When will this trilogy be made into a streaming series I can obsess over?!

Spoilers for the first two books follow (but hopefully you've already read them).

Okay, so in this final book the challenge is both bigger and hyper-focused: it's finally down to Caledonia versus Lir, and yet the whole lifestyle of the "Bullet Seas" is at stake as well - since by now, Caledonia is not just pursuing personal revenge, but leading a rebellion against a militarized and drug (Silt)-dependent way of life. She's amassed her supporters at Cloudbreak and even has a secret weapon - but will Lir continue to be two steps ahead of her? Can Caledonia actually defeat him without becoming like him, and other Bullets?

Oh the weight of this story! Heavy the head that wears the crown and all that; we definitely feel the burdens of Caledonia's leadership position in this book. Caledonia has to deal with some absolutely heartbreaking losses in this book, and make even more morally questionable choices. And yet just when it was all starting to wear me down, Parker gives us moments of lightness toward the end and shows us that despite challenges, Caledonia has her sisters and her allies around her.

Which is good because OH MAN. I respect the hell out of the climax Parker wrote here. Caledonia THREE TIMES has to choose the high road over revenge. And dang, it's all the right moves but usually in a YA epic the author will play up the twisted fascination between the good guy and the bad guy - in this case, Caledonia and Lir - and/or find a somehow excusable way to make sure the bad guy gets punished (re: suffers) somehow. But Parker does not give us the treats! She gives us a true reflection of character change in Caledonia. I felt it, I knew it, I saw it, and all I can do is slow clap.

Special shoutout to Pine, who continues to be one of my favorite characters since his introduction in the second book. Special shoutout to queer love and relationships, which continue to be at the forefront. Special shoutout to sisterhood, which continues to be the steel thread woven throughout this whole trilogy. And special shoutout to sea battles, of which there are many in this book!

Oh and - it's worth it to say that I normally would NOT like a book series that had a drug portrayal as one-sided as this one. But I think since in the world of the story, Silt was developed and used only in the context of establishing control and military power, it didn't bother me it was described as having no redeeming qualities. Drugs are never so narrowly confined in real life, but I was able to roll with it (sail with it?) in this imaginary setting. Caledonia's emphasis on having choice was vital in the world Parker created, but it's actually something that's highly relevant in this one as well.

I finished this book with a feeling of deep satisfaction, like when you've eaten a healthy and yet delicious, filling meal. I am so happy with what I consumed, but I also kinda want more. That's a good feeling at the end of a trilogy. Hats off to Natalie C. Parker.

[Morgan Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed this book the most out of the trilogy. I think everything was wrapped up quite nicely, and I enjoyed the different character arcs throughout the story. The moral/theme of the story was quite beautiful, and I loved seeing Caledonia struggle with this concept over and over.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book fucking ruined me. The end.

[Ronja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ate this series like sweets. All in one sitting only to have a terrible sugar rush and nausea afterward xD Like damn. The story is over #timeforabookhangover

This series was really good. Very happy to read a non-fantasy pirate book/series. Cause let’s be honest, most have a fantasy element in them, the usual being sirens. This was different and that was really nice!

I might have made it a duology instead. Felt a little dragged out at some points. Not that it was boring by any means, it just might have been better as a duology. Or maybe I just liked the second book the best and wanted to feel that hype all the time.

Once again, the romance, ahh it has yet to convince me. But I’m picky about that so it's okay. I might have left it out of the story altogether, but I know YA books have to have that romance, especially the enemies to lover part. Buuut, well yeah. Would have been fine without it.

Will give the series a 4/5 in all. Very good pirate series. Read it!

[Amelia Popa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good! I really liked all of the emotions and how the way their characters dealt with the trauma was kind of realistic and it wasn’t just ignored. I loveddddd all of the gay couples lol the LGBTQIA+ representation in this series is great! SLEDGE. HOW COULD SHE KILL OFF SLEDGE?!?! He was one of my favorite characters and the way he died was so noble😭He sacrificed himself so Caledonia could get to the rig and right before his ship exploded, he radioed Pine😭😭💔Now I have trauma I’m literally never gonna get over him. Her relationship with Oran developed a lot and I like how she took it slow and didn’t just completely rush in head over heels. Trust takes time. Overall it was a great series, even if a little slow or confusing at times. Lol I still don’t know which side is starboard and which is port.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book one was great, and then next two got progressively worse. Decent story, but won’t be a reread.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed returning to the world of the Bullet Seas, but I think my rating of this one might be a little shy of 4 stars. It's not that it wasn't on par with the other books--I think my timing may have been off on reading it, or something. For some reason, though, I just didn't feel as connected to the characters, like I couldn't quite get them off of the page. I don't know what it was. It was still well written, and there are some absolutely beautiful passages.

Some of the most heart-wrenching scenes were between Caledonia and Donnelly, which is understandable. I just wanted to knock Donnelly over the head sometimes because he couldn't get past the whole "Lir's my brother" to the truth that Lir is the reason his family was dead. I still wish the author had given Oran less of a back-seat ride to the story. He plays a definite part, don't get me wrong. But I feel like he's just so . . . quiet and timid . . . compared to how I feel like he should be. He's almost relegated to being Caledonia's puppy dog at times. At others, his love, good nature, and understanding really shine through.

The plot itself was good, and the story ended in a way that completely makes sense. The aftermath, as well. So do I recommend reading the series? Sure. Will I go back and listen to the audiobooks? Yes.

How it ends: Lir's ships attack Cloudbreak as Caledonia is planning to attack the Holster. They are separated and lose a lot of people.

After discovering that Lir has killed two of the Fivesons, Caledonia & co. decide to seek an alliance with Tassos, who controls the Net. He also has Donnelly, who still insists that Lir is his brother and doesn't want to go with Caledonia. Tassos eventually agrees to an alliance when Caledonia promises him he can get whatever Silt and bale flowers are at the Holster (Tassos controls the rig where the blossoms are processed into Silt), and she gets the Holster. Tassos has a remote that will blow the rig if he enters a code. Nettle sneaks into his chambers and finds the code.

She puts out a radio call to anyone who wants to come help them, knowing Lir will also hear it and be watching the waters. The plan is to have a crew travel overland to take the gun towers so the rest of them can enter the harbor via ship without being blown up. They take two of the towers and have to blow the other three. Lir escapes on a ship, but they take the Holster. When Tassos discovers there's no Silt, he starts to turn on Caledonia. She challenges him, kills him in a fight, and takes control of the Bullets who followed him. All of them are put in cells while they go through withdrawals. Donnelly has already gone through it, so she puts him in the barracks. She gives him the option of choosing to stay with her or going back to Lir, hoping he'll stay. But he leaves because he has to see Lir again in order to really choose.

They find out that Lir has taken control of the Net, so they decide to battle him there. The Hands of the River come to fight with them. Caledonia tries to blow the rig via remote, but Lir had discovered the bombs and placed them in the water where her ships were. New plan: Cala will take mag bombs through the tunnels in the Net, plant them on the rig, and blow it up. She gets there, but Lir is waiting and attacks her. Donnelly is also there. Lir orders him to take the bombs and drop them over the side. He give Caledonia the chance to choose him, but she doesn't. Donnelly blows the rig up. All three of them survive.

Lir is kept in a cell while they decide if he should be executed or not (no decision is ever made in the book). Donnelly and Caledonia are beginning to repair their relationship, though it's awkward and he will always consider Lir to be his brother. Hime and Amina get married. Pine leaves to find another adventure because he can't bear being there without Sledge (who died while ramming his ship into another in order to save Caledonia so she could get to the tunnels). Pisces and Cepheus (Tassos's former second) are apparently a thing. Caledonia finally tells Oran she loves him; he promises to be true to her. Their relationship is described as not having any promises that they'd stay together, which I think it stupid. I'm going to assume that they do.

In the epilogue, Pisces and Caledonia are dropping off various supplies to the Gem, an island in the Bone Mouth. Apparently, Caledonia will be living there (I mean, that's what it seems like) while she heals from everything. She needs to be away because people view her as either some sort of savior or some sort of awful person because of the things she had to do in order to defeat Lir. Oran will be bringing the rest of the supplies later, so I'm guessing he might be staying with her on the island. But it doesn't say. Again, I will assume that he will. Pisces helps Caledonia throw Lir's knife out into the ocean so she can start letting go.

Notes: Maybe some mild language--I can't remember. Off-page sex (completely off the page). A lot of LGBTQ characters.

[Jess Schagberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good way to wrap everything together, keep a main villain in focus, allow a few reasonable surprises and still keep the pirate spirit alive.

[Yuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* but I'll round up.
Satisfying if also somewhat predictable end for this trilogy (but that's also what makes it satisfying?). Lot of action throughout, and it's compulsively readable but more in a "I'm enjoying the read" kind of way for me rather than "I must find out what happens next."

Disappointed in the way Donnally-Lir's relationship plays out in this book because I never got a sense that I understood what exactly made Donnally so special to Lir.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think multiple POV's would've greatly improved this story, there's just too many characters with too little screentime. Conclusion was good, but could've been more complex. I think that's my main theme for this series: good but simple.

[Laura (crofteereader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I have loved each book in this series for what they bring. More than anything, Stormbreak is Caledonia's story: hard, impossible decisions she wants to spare her friends from; embracing darkness (and feeling it mightily) to stand in the way of something worse; being battered by devastating losses and turning around to fight back; but also holding out the hand of trust and mercy and being a beacon of hope.

This book set a relentless pace, even though we spend less time on the water and more time planning and nursing wounds. Even as Caledonia is surrounded by more people (allies and enemies alike) we see her even more alone and while this frustrated me (we have met so many fascinating and complex characters over the course of this trilogy, and I really wanted them to shine), part of Caledonia's story in this book is turning her back on them and trusting them all to act without her.

This is one of those books where I sat down to read a chapter and looked up 60 pages later. It was so easy to just... Devour. But I love the way it ended: with change and hope.

Also, hello queernormative world!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this trilogy, and despite me knowing it has several flaws, I will hear absolutely no slander against it. A new all time favorite for sure.

I said it with the first book, but if middle school Lauren had come across this series, she would have been absolutely insufferable. Mad Max inspired, girl power, pirates... literally what more could I ask for? The plot was fairly predictable, but some of the decisions made along the way were still surprisingly refreshing. Friendship can solve a lot of problems, but sometimes violence has to be the answer, and boy did that feel good.

I was so close to unhauling these books. I bought the first one on a whim because it was on sale and the cover was pretty. I bought the other two because they were cheap and I'm a completionist. When I put them on my to-read list, I did so with the understanding I'd be getting rid of them soon after. Now they'll continue to sit in a proud position on my shelves, I have learned zero lessons about impulse buying books, and I'll hang on to the hope we'll get a spin off series to explore more of this fantastic world.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great end to this trilogy. The action was nonstop in this and the entire book had me on the edge of my seat. I didn't expect to love this trilogy as much as I did. I loved the family relationships in this and how it shows how family doesn't always have to be someone you're blood related to. I love the characters and how strong they are. I loved how they didn't give up in that final battle and kept fighting for what they believed in.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kick butt girl pirates fighting for what's right for all, even though grappling with what means to an end help keep you from becoming what you're fighting against, while supporting sisterhood above all - what's not to love?! I am a HUGE fan of this series & was so happy to know how Caledonia's story ended, even while being sad that it's over. I reread Seafire & Steel Tide before starting Stormbreak and am glad I did so I could get lost in this dystopic future world one more time.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic ending to Caledonia Styx and her crew. Just as action-packed as the rest of the series. I was fighting dueling desires to complete the story and not wanting it to end. Great character relationships. Masterful character growth. Satisfying ending. I fell in love with these characters and I'm sad to see them go. This is a series that will stick with me until I inevitably revisit it.

[sophie (sophieissapphic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“‘Why?’ ‘Because mercy is what is left when glory fails us.’”

Thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes included in this review are from an unfinished copy of the book.

This review contains spoilers for the first two books in the trilogy!
Stormbreak was an amazing, fast-paced conclusion to this series! “The dark night was powerless against the constant burning of that hair, and he thought touching it must feel like caressing the sun.” The prologue from Lir’s point of view is something I didn’t know I needed until now - his perspective offers further insight to his character and ambitions.

“‘We fight together.’ ‘Or not at all.’” Caledonia’s character development is what I enjoyed most about Stormbreak. In this book, we see her struggle with the morality of her decisions. Caledonia is forced to take innocent lives, as well as put her crew in harm’s way. Throughout the series, Caledonia’s character slowly progresses from cautious captain to bold fighter. The thing that remains consistent is Caledonia’s close bonds with her crew. (“Our first family shall not be our last.” “The thing about family is sometimes you don’t have to ask us to do stupid things, and sometimes you don’t get to tell us we can’t.” -Seafire.) Now, Caledonia wonders how she can protect her crew and struggles with the idea that taking innocent lives makes her no better than Lir. “They looked at her with turns of trust and frustrations and the kind of love so strong it split her heart in two.”

“It was so much more than the urgent song of war that vibrated in the air on the dawn of the battle, this was the steady pulse of ocean current, the constant coiling and uncoiling of the wind; this was the cut of a blade, the sting of sweat, the grinding pain of a throat screamed raw. It was a song of survival.” I’m going to miss these characters and writing style, but this book wrapped up the series very nicely.

Content Warnings: Drug Usage/Abuse, Drug Withdrawal, Violence, Death