The Sea Change

The Chronicles of Josan #2

by Patricia Bray

Between a mysterious past and a treacherous future lies one lost man—and a magic that has changed the world forever. . . .

After years of exile, shattered dreams, and confusion, Josan has finally discovered he is not the simple monk he appeared to be. Nor is he the victim of a mysterious fever, as he was led to believe. Instead his soul had been magically shifted into the body of the condemned Prince Lucius, leader of a failed rebellion against the rightful monarchs of the kingdom of Ikaria. And though Josan is the dominant personality in that body, the remnants of Lucius’ s mind grow stronger each day.

When the Ikarian royal family is slaughtered in a bloody assassination, Josan/Lucius is not only the prime suspect but the sole remaining legitimate heir to the throne. With Ikaria in chaos, can Josan clear himself from suspicion in time to keep the wolves from the door? And can he ever integrate the two souls that now inhabit a single body?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Patricia Bray is the author of a dozen novels, including Devlin’s Luck, which won the 2003 Compton Crook Award for the best first novel in the field of science fiction or fantasy. A multi-genre author whose career spans both epic fantasy and Regency romance, her books have been translated into Russian, German, Portuguese and Hebrew. Patricia Bray has also spent time on the editorial side of the business, as the co-editor of After Hours: Tales from the Ur-Bar (DAW, March 2011), The Modern Fae’s Guide to Surviving Humanity (DAW, March 2012), and Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs Aliens (ZNB, June 2014).

Patricia lives in a New England college town, where she combines her writing with a full-time career as a Systems Analyst, ensuring that she is never more than a few feet away from a keyboard.

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slower than the first book of the series, and not enough to hold my interest for the last book. While Lucius / Josan are fairly interesting characters, I find that Lady Ysobel simply doesn't arrest my attention. And even the quandry of 2 souls caught in the same body (Lucius / Josan) wears old when one is a dry soul, and the other a pretensious hot-head.

[Mordie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one was better than the first one. Here you can see how choices make a difference. Not to mention the characters live and make changes. They also have to live with the choices.

In many books I've noticed that some life changing choices don't make any difference. With Bray it does. The characters have to live the choices and know what came with them.

A really good sequel.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

So..apparently a glutton for punishment, I decided to give this one a chance. I *did* after all, want to find out what happened. I don't remember if this one was actually better than the first or if I was just actually prepared for it this time. In any case, I know it wasn't worse.

[T J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Josan/Lucius have much to deal with assignation, torture and a mystery. At times it was a very harsh read but the plot line was very intriguing, with a lot of twist and turns. Looking forward to the next book to see what is in store for the prince and the scholar.

[Jon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good book that goes with The First Betrayal.

[Brandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Explicit. Yuk.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this one as much as the first, though it seemed like I waited forever for it to come out--

[Liz Henry · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK read. Got a little tired of Josan's manpain. I liked Ysobel though. I have nothing profound to say here but will probably read the next book in the series.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sequel to First Betrayal. The series keeps unfolding in unexpected ways.