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Stream Raiders #1
These Rebel Waves
Adeluna is a soldier. Five years ago, she helped the magic-rich island of Grace Loray overthrow its oppressor, Argrid, a country ruled by religion. But adjusting to postwar life has not been easy. When an Argridian delegate vanishes during peace talks with Grace Loray’s new Council, Argrid demands brutal justice—but Lu suspects something more dangerous is at work.
Devereux is a pirate. As one of the outlaws called stream raiders who run rampant on Grace Loray, he pirates the island’s magic plants and sells them on the black market. But after Argrid accuses raiders of the diplomat’s abduction, Vex becomes a target. An expert navigator, he agrees to help Lu find the Argridian—but the truth they uncover could be deadlier than any war.
Benat is a heretic. The crown prince of Argrid, he harbors a secret obsession with Grace Loray’s forbidden magic. When Ben’s father, the king, gives him the shocking task of reversing Argrid’s fear of magic, Ben has to decide if one prince can change a devout country—or if he’s building his own pyre.
As conspiracies arise, Lu, Vex, and Ben will have to decide who they really are . . . and what they are willing to become for peace.
Devereux is a pirate. As one of the outlaws called stream raiders who run rampant on Grace Loray, he pirates the island’s magic plants and sells them on the black market. But after Argrid accuses raiders of the diplomat’s abduction, Vex becomes a target. An expert navigator, he agrees to help Lu find the Argridian—but the truth they uncover could be deadlier than any war.
Benat is a heretic. The crown prince of Argrid, he harbors a secret obsession with Grace Loray’s forbidden magic. When Ben’s father, the king, gives him the shocking task of reversing Argrid’s fear of magic, Ben has to decide if one prince can change a devout country—or if he’s building his own pyre.
As conspiracies arise, Lu, Vex, and Ben will have to decide who they really are . . . and what they are willing to become for peace.
474 pages, Hardcover
First published August 7, 2018
443 people are currently reading
36274 people want to read
About the author
Sara Raasch
21 books7,049 followersSara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then — her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. Her debut YA fantasy, SNOW LIKE ASHES, the first in a trilogy, came out October 14, 2014 from Balzer + Bray. It does not feature her hand-drawn pictures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,132 reviews
August 22, 2018
I think perhaps Sara Raasch is just not for me. Though her books always sound compelling, I once again find myself distanced from the story by the writing, unattached to the characters, and generally apathetic towards whatever was going on.
Sorry to disappoint, but the rumours of gay pirates in These Rebel Waves are false. I guess this will continue to be where I get my gay pirate fix (CW: homophobia, mention of rape). It's not the author's fault; Raasch only ever promised gay romances - of which there are two, both m/m and f/f. The aforementioned pirate is straight.
The problem is I just found These Rebel Waves rather dry. There are three third-person perspectives and every single one left me cold; perhaps a first-person perspective would have generated some more emotion(?)
Adeluna "Lu" is a soldier on the island of Grace Loray; Benat "Ben" is the crown prince of Argrid, and queer; Devereux "Vex" is a pirate who deals in magic and finds himself assisting Lu in finding a missing diplomat (Also, why is he called "Vex"? Isn't it pronounced "dev-uh-roh"?).
It was really difficult for me to get on board and care about the story and politics. Despite what appearances might suggest, this is not a high seas pirating adventure, but a fairly standard dysto-fantasy novel. Many concepts are brought in and left vague, such as the religion and the Shaking Sickness. This society is heavily-defined by its religion and yet I felt like I never really understood what they believed outside of mutterings about the Pious God.
Similarly, it took me a long time to understand the magic system going on here. It is not explained very well, but it turns out to be a world where magic is botanical, existing only in magical plants and herbs.
But, really, I think it all comes down to the writing style not working for me. It was some combination of the distant third-person narration, the vagueness of the world and magic, and odd sentence choices like this:
None of this made me care enough to want to go on the journey to find Miles, the missing Argridian delegate. I never felt strongly about the story's mission and would probably have put it aside if I wasn't reading an arc.
I was also a little disappointed by how the gay relationships were left bland and boring compared to the tension and flirtations between Lu and Vex. The gay couples got mentions but the only really shippable relationship was the main het romance. Though I did find it interesting that the author chose to have a deeply-religious society in which being queer was no issue at all. Men are betrothed to men, women are married to women, and no one bats an eyelid. I liked the idea of a world where religion and sexual orientation were in no way at odds with one another.
These Rebel Waves is not a terrible book, but there was nothing here that made me interested in reading on.
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Sorry to disappoint, but the rumours of gay pirates in These Rebel Waves are false. I guess this will continue to be where I get my gay pirate fix (CW: homophobia, mention of rape). It's not the author's fault; Raasch only ever promised gay romances - of which there are two, both m/m and f/f. The aforementioned pirate is straight.
The problem is I just found These Rebel Waves rather dry. There are three third-person perspectives and every single one left me cold; perhaps a first-person perspective would have generated some more emotion(?)
Adeluna "Lu" is a soldier on the island of Grace Loray; Benat "Ben" is the crown prince of Argrid, and queer; Devereux "Vex" is a pirate who deals in magic and finds himself assisting Lu in finding a missing diplomat (Also, why is he called "Vex"? Isn't it pronounced "dev-uh-roh"?).
It was really difficult for me to get on board and care about the story and politics. Despite what appearances might suggest, this is not a high seas pirating adventure, but a fairly standard dysto-fantasy novel. Many concepts are brought in and left vague, such as the religion and the Shaking Sickness. This society is heavily-defined by its religion and yet I felt like I never really understood what they believed outside of mutterings about the Pious God.
Similarly, it took me a long time to understand the magic system going on here. It is not explained very well, but it turns out to be a world where magic is botanical, existing only in magical plants and herbs.
But, really, I think it all comes down to the writing style not working for me. It was some combination of the distant third-person narration, the vagueness of the world and magic, and odd sentence choices like this:
The noxious tavern birthed Lu into the midnight streets of New Deza.
None of this made me care enough to want to go on the journey to find Miles, the missing Argridian delegate. I never felt strongly about the story's mission and would probably have put it aside if I wasn't reading an arc.
I was also a little disappointed by how the gay relationships were left bland and boring compared to the tension and flirtations between Lu and Vex. The gay couples got mentions but the only really shippable relationship was the main het romance. Though I did find it interesting that the author chose to have a deeply-religious society in which being queer was no issue at all. Men are betrothed to men, women are married to women, and no one bats an eyelid. I liked the idea of a world where religion and sexual orientation were in no way at odds with one another.
These Rebel Waves is not a terrible book, but there was nothing here that made me interested in reading on.
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August 22, 2019
UPDATE: $1.99 Kindle US 8/22/19
Beautiful Sprayed Edges!
LINK TO THE GOODIES
I'm on the fence so I'm leaving it at 3 stars for now 😕
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Beautiful Sprayed Edges!
LINK TO THE GOODIES
I'm on the fence so I'm leaving it at 3 stars for now 😕
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
August 15, 2018
Actual rating: 1.5 stars
You can find this review and other non-spoilery reviews @The Book Prescription
🌟 Expectations is the keyword here, if you see the top reviews on GR, you will see that they are all readers excited for a “Gay Pirates” story, after seeing all those reviews I was pretty sure that was what we are getting. Obviously, apart from a minor focus on an LGBTQ character, this has nothing to do with the whole “Gay pirates” thing.
🌟 So, this has nothing to do with pirates, this has no ships with a captain, no wooden leg, no parrot and no sea adventures! This mostly takes place on land so keep that in mind. And if an author wants to write a book about gay pirates then the opportunity is still there and I think it will be successful with all this hype!
🌟 So what is this about? If I want to describe this vaguely and what it deals with, then:
Botanical magic and religion!!! you see there is a huge difference between expectations and the reality.
🌟 I was always fascinated by “green magic” that has to do with plants and potions… etc so a story with this as the fantasy element must be interesting, unfortunately, I think the execution was not the best, there could have been many amazing ideas for this kind of magic! But in reality, it was so basic and bland!
🌟 But the thing that mostly irked me is the writing style, I can’t stand repetitions and this book was full of repeated words; for example:
– 9 is the number of times the word “Heresy” was used.
– 22 is the number of times the word “Eminence” was used.
– 115 is the number of times the word “Pious” was used.
– 164 is the number of times the word “God” was used.
I can’t ignore these things and every time the word Pious was used, a small part of my soul was dying! -I know it was used for emphasis but a line was crossed in the number of times it was used- I even couldn’t find anything to quote because it just put me in a bad mood 😦 😦
🌟 The story was boring too and I wish I knew how to skim well because I just wanted to be done with it, There was a good and unexpected twists toward the end but other than that I was not intrigued by this! Same goes for the characters!
🌟 In short: I recommend going into this without the whole LGBT expectations, this is more of a story with a religious story line, the story can be good only if you go into it with different mindset! I truly wanted to enjoy this but I simply couldn’t.
Buddy reading this with GR sweetest soul ever!
ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
You can find this review and other non-spoilery reviews @The Book Prescription
🌟 Expectations is the keyword here, if you see the top reviews on GR, you will see that they are all readers excited for a “Gay Pirates” story, after seeing all those reviews I was pretty sure that was what we are getting. Obviously, apart from a minor focus on an LGBTQ character, this has nothing to do with the whole “Gay pirates” thing.
🌟 So, this has nothing to do with pirates, this has no ships with a captain, no wooden leg, no parrot and no sea adventures! This mostly takes place on land so keep that in mind. And if an author wants to write a book about gay pirates then the opportunity is still there and I think it will be successful with all this hype!
🌟 So what is this about? If I want to describe this vaguely and what it deals with, then:
Botanical magic and religion!!! you see there is a huge difference between expectations and the reality.
🌟 I was always fascinated by “green magic” that has to do with plants and potions… etc so a story with this as the fantasy element must be interesting, unfortunately, I think the execution was not the best, there could have been many amazing ideas for this kind of magic! But in reality, it was so basic and bland!
🌟 But the thing that mostly irked me is the writing style, I can’t stand repetitions and this book was full of repeated words; for example:
– 9 is the number of times the word “Heresy” was used.
– 22 is the number of times the word “Eminence” was used.
– 115 is the number of times the word “Pious” was used.
– 164 is the number of times the word “God” was used.
I can’t ignore these things and every time the word Pious was used, a small part of my soul was dying! -I know it was used for emphasis but a line was crossed in the number of times it was used- I even couldn’t find anything to quote because it just put me in a bad mood 😦 😦
🌟 The story was boring too and I wish I knew how to skim well because I just wanted to be done with it, There was a good and unexpected twists toward the end but other than that I was not intrigued by this! Same goes for the characters!
🌟 In short: I recommend going into this without the whole LGBT expectations, this is more of a story with a religious story line, the story can be good only if you go into it with different mindset! I truly wanted to enjoy this but I simply couldn’t.
Buddy reading this with GR sweetest soul ever!
ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Read
July 4, 2018***The final pre-release contest for THESE REBEL WAVES is happening NOW through July 31!!***
September 9, 2021
”You forgive yourself for what you’ve done. You admit mistakes. You learn from them. And you improve”.
Dioses del Olimpo, ¿qué me poseyó el mes pasado para escoger tan mal mis lecturas? Es que, de verdad, yo aquí me esperaba una aventura en altamar, llena de piratas, motines, saqueos y enfrentamientos. Pero lo que encontré fue completamente diferente y, para ser honesta, no me enganchó la manera de escribir de la autora. La sentí tan distante que todos y cada uno de los personajes me terminaron dando igual.
Aquí la historia va de Lu, una chica que hace años fue parte de la milicia que logró liberar a Grace Loray de su opresor: Argrid, un país de fanáticos religiosos. La cosa es que, años después, un delegado de Argrid desaparece en Grace Loray y la amenaza de unas repercusiones terribles aparece. Entonces Lu se alía con Deveraux, un pirata, para encontrar al delegado perdido. Y en medio de todo eso van a descubrir cosas sobre la magia que ha sido prohibida, la verdad sobre una enfermedad que creían mortal y otros asuntos políticos.
Y todo suena bien, pero sencillamente no me enganché y los personajes no me gustaron lo suficiente como para que me importara si vivían o morían. Sobre todo, como les decía arriba, mi mayor decepción fue que el libro no narra una historia de piratas. De hecho, creo que fui víctima del marketing engañoso de la portada y la sinopsis porque, vaya, estos “piratas” son los más mansos de todos los siete mares. ¡A DURAS PENAS SE SUBEN A SUS BARCOS!
En fin… Quizá otra cosa que me confundió y que me separó por completo de la historia fue que el sistema de magia estaba tremendamente mal explicado. Y, al final, todo gira alrededor de hierbas y plantas. Qué poco emocionante.
Conclusión, otra saga más que no seguiré leyendo. Y, sorry, odio ser tan hater y apática en las reseñas, pero llevo una racha complicada. Juro escoger mejores libros en el futuro, jajaja.
Dioses del Olimpo, ¿qué me poseyó el mes pasado para escoger tan mal mis lecturas? Es que, de verdad, yo aquí me esperaba una aventura en altamar, llena de piratas, motines, saqueos y enfrentamientos. Pero lo que encontré fue completamente diferente y, para ser honesta, no me enganchó la manera de escribir de la autora. La sentí tan distante que todos y cada uno de los personajes me terminaron dando igual.
Aquí la historia va de Lu, una chica que hace años fue parte de la milicia que logró liberar a Grace Loray de su opresor: Argrid, un país de fanáticos religiosos. La cosa es que, años después, un delegado de Argrid desaparece en Grace Loray y la amenaza de unas repercusiones terribles aparece. Entonces Lu se alía con Deveraux, un pirata, para encontrar al delegado perdido. Y en medio de todo eso van a descubrir cosas sobre la magia que ha sido prohibida, la verdad sobre una enfermedad que creían mortal y otros asuntos políticos.
Y todo suena bien, pero sencillamente no me enganché y los personajes no me gustaron lo suficiente como para que me importara si vivían o morían. Sobre todo, como les decía arriba, mi mayor decepción fue que el libro no narra una historia de piratas. De hecho, creo que fui víctima del marketing engañoso de la portada y la sinopsis porque, vaya, estos “piratas” son los más mansos de todos los siete mares. ¡A DURAS PENAS SE SUBEN A SUS BARCOS!
En fin… Quizá otra cosa que me confundió y que me separó por completo de la historia fue que el sistema de magia estaba tremendamente mal explicado. Y, al final, todo gira alrededor de hierbas y plantas. Qué poco emocionante.
Conclusión, otra saga más que no seguiré leyendo. Y, sorry, odio ser tan hater y apática en las reseñas, pero llevo una racha complicada. Juro escoger mejores libros en el futuro, jajaja.
December 7, 2019
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Like I mentioned in my updates along the way: I loved this book so much more than I was expecting to.
The person that decided to market this as "a fast pased story about gay pirates" needs to be fired, because not only is that not the focus, but there is plenty else to love in here that is the focus. Political intrigue, a beautifully built caribbean-esque world, botanical magic, and strongwilled and smart characters that stole my heart.
I can't wait for the sequel to come out in August, especially after that ending.
In depth review can be found on my blog:
https://www.thefictionfox.com/post/re...
Like I mentioned in my updates along the way: I loved this book so much more than I was expecting to.
The person that decided to market this as "a fast pased story about gay pirates" needs to be fired, because not only is that not the focus, but there is plenty else to love in here that is the focus. Political intrigue, a beautifully built caribbean-esque world, botanical magic, and strongwilled and smart characters that stole my heart.
I can't wait for the sequel to come out in August, especially after that ending.
In depth review can be found on my blog:
https://www.thefictionfox.com/post/re...
December 20, 2019
“Everyone, remain calm, I’m about to blow some shit up.”
“Nay!” Vex shouted from the pilothouse. “We’ve a kid here now, all right?”
“Sorry. I’m about to chaotically rearrange some shit up.”
“That wasn’t the problem—” Vex started to say.
uhhh. This just didn't work for me at all. And I strongly considered DNF'ing for large parts of it, but skimmed read to the end anyway.
These Rebel Waves is set in a fantasy world where magic has been declared heretic by the powerful Argridian council. Years ago, they invaded their neighbouring countries (importantly Grace Loray) to eliminate magic from the population. In the present day, Argrid and Grace Loray are going through peace talks, but they are thrown into jeopardy when a diplomat goes missing. Thus, the lives of our three main characters begin to intertwine:
🌊 Adeluna / Lu - Grace Lorayan solider who's family were part of the resistance against Argrid. She refuses to allow her country to fall under control of their oppressors again and so takes their fate into her own hands.
🌊 Devereux / Vex - Stream Raider (sort of like a pirate) that trades in illegal magic and finds himself captured at the beginning of the book. He and Lu must team up, and he needs something only Lu can give him.
🌊 Benat / Ben - Prince of Argrid. Obsessed with magic, and considered heretical for it by his country. In a relationship with a member of his guard, Jakes, and is queer (I assume gay? but it's never said out right).
Overall, I mostly liked the characters. I genuinely enjoyed Devereux as a character - sorry but the loveable rogue character really gets me everytime. I found his perspective funny and I liked his interactions with his crew. I also found his motivations the most compelling.
Lu was okay, I enjoyed her character and interactions with Vex, but her motivations were a bit weak and her character was a little bit boring. She didn't have much of a personality and just didn't 'jump off the page' for me.
Ben was my least favourite perspective. Until about 80% through I didn't see what it was contributing to the story. I also found his relationship/queerness a bit ... poorly written. Most of the book he and his boyfriend are lamenting about their relationship and how it's "sinful" and I found the self-loathing queer storyline a bit much. Especially because I don't think it was explored with much (any) nuance. Also, it reminded me too much of my childhood growing up in the catholic church and then I wasn't enjoying it anymore
“As much as I don’t know you, raider, you don’t know me. You have no idea what I am capable of.'
Vex considered. ‘You’re right—I don’t know you. But I know who you want to be, princesa, and that might be more dangerous to you.”
My main issue with this book is that it wasn't compelling and the motivations of the characters weren't convincing. The narrative doesn't really do a good job at developing the countries and Lu's investment in Grace Loray felt superficial, as it wasn't discussed often enough. The lack of development also meant I didn't care, or understand, about the main trigger of the plot (the kidnap of the diplomat) so from the start I was detached and uninterested.
I really like stories with high political concepts but this one just didn't work for me. The history of the two warring countries and their politics weren't developed or explained well enough to be engaging for five hundred pages. The influence and importance of the other groups, like the Stream Raiders and The Syndicates on the politics and treaties between the central countries also wasn't really explained, so I didn't understand how Vex really fit into the wider picture.
“You forgive yourself for what you've done," Edda told her. "You admit mistakes. You learn from them. And you improve.”
The plot was just very dry, and the world building unconvincing here. While I did like the characters sort of, it wasn't enough to save it for me. The only things I really found myself engaged with, were the romance (JUST KISS FOOLS!!), and that one plot twist that happens which I cannot talk about but wow, yeah that one got me. The romance was really slow burn so if you like that you would probably like the romance too.
For me this was a bit dry and forgettable and I don't think I will continue the series. I found it hard to engage with and I wasn't convinced my the majority of the politics and character motivations here.
thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of the e-arc of this book. I was given an arc in exchange for my honest review
June 25, 2018
“'As much as I don’t know you, raider, you don’t know me. You have no idea what I am capable of.'
Vex considered. ‘You’re right—I don’t know you. But I know who you want to be, princesa, and that might be more dangerous to you.’”
Snow Like Ashes left me high and dry, but I had high hopes for this one because one, gay pirates and two, gay pirates. Honestly a more wonderful combination of words could not have been invented other than free pizza.
Sadly, as most of you have figured out by now, the gay pirates thing is a rumor. I don't remember where I read it, whether it was on the unofficial blurb when it was first announced, but I hope whoever decided to lift the collective reading community's hopes like that steps on a Lego on a foggy evening.
There is a gay romance inside, but it's far from ship-worthy. Unlike Jesper and Wylan from Six of Crows (which is now the bar I hold to all romances, hetreo or otherwise), it lacks that gradual development that makes readers invest and root for couples. Their identities aren't a huge spoiler since it's revealed in the first several chapters, but I'll hide it just in case: Their relationship has already been established from the get-go, and there's no will-they, won't they tension to keep the stakes going. There are stakes, related to the main plot, but it doesn't change the fact that there were no sparks between them. They are cold soggy lunch bags cuddling together for warmth.
Plus, it's incredibly obvious that they're just second-tier to the main romance between Lu and Vex:
“He shrugged. ‘I’m not one to confess my secrets to crazed women who use manipulation and favors to ensnare me in their own plots.’”
I foresee many bottles of champagne smashed against the hull of their ship. Lu is a kickass politician's daughter who wants to help her country, Grace Loray. Vex is a wisecracking raider on the opposite side of the law. Put them together like potassium and sodium and you've got yourself a sexual power keg. They're also two out of the three POV characters, the last one being the Crown Prince Ben of Argrid. His country fears and despises Grace Loray's magic and wants to eradicate it. His are the chapters I longed to skip, so there's not much I can add about him.
Back to Lu and Vex, their relationship interested me more than the other one, but I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with it. From a scale of one to Swiftie, I'd say I'm a two—I'd hold open an elevator door for you, but not if I'm in a hurry. Their romance has been done a thousand times in YA and there wasn't enough to set it apart.
That's really how I'd describe my reading experience of These Rebel Waves on whole: it's good, but largely unremarkable. The plot is reminiscent of dystopian novels—fighting against a corrupt system only to discover there's more beneath the surface—except it's in a fantasy setting. I did enjoy the world-building. Magic comes from botanical plants and their usage is adequately explained. Also, the narrative focuses on particular countries, Grace Loray and Argrid, enabling readers to slowly absorb information rather than overwhelming us in a desperate attempt to demonstrate that their world is detailed and creative. Other countries are mentioned with clear room for expansion.
“Dirt and sand, all across the land; the currents are ours, you see. No god, no soldier, no emperor, no king, can take my current from me. Flow on, my friends, flow on with me; together we flow as one. No god, no soldier, no emperor, no king, can erode what we have done.”
The final reveal of the villain was lackluster. Though I didn’t see it coming, it didn’t knock the breath out of me with surprise. I just went “Oh” and took a sip of apple juice. Part of the reason is the character isn't very complex. He has somewhat good intentions that manifested into terrible actions. Typical villain fare with a world of unexplored depth.
I don't think I'm invested enough to read the sequel, but we'll see.
ARC provided by Edelweiss
Want to read
March 12, 2018Okay but how am I supposed to take the oppressor seriously when everytime I see his name I read "Hagrid" instead of "Argrid"?
June 1, 2019
1.5 stars.
You ever read the synopsis of a book and you think it sounds good? Then you read the book and all of your expectations went down the drain faster than Usain Bolt running a 100-meter dash race. Well, that's what my experience was with These Rebel Waves.
All jokes aside, These Rebel Waves was a chore to get through because of the many, many, many issues I had. It started off promising, I was interested in learning more about the characters, the world, and the magic. But about one-third of the way through, I was starting to lose hope.
First thing I should point out, this is not a gay pirate book. It barely even has anything relating to pirates other than just boats on rivers. And one of the main characters is gay but he's a prince, not a pirate. No idea how this got even coined as a gay pirate book in the first place.
These Rebel Waves is about three characters whose main priority is Grace Loray, an island that has a very hostile relationship with another country who wants Grace Loray for power and to purge its magical plants in the name of their religion. Lu, Vex, and Ben are at the center of the conflict and they have to stop a potential war from breaking out.
So, what went wrong with These Rebel Waves? For starters, the worldbuilding is non-existent. It's there, but you might as well be trying to look at a small speck of dust. The island where the story takes place, Grace Loray, is a swampy/jungle island where it grows magical plants. That's great, but there's hardly any information on them. The way it presented itself was just saying, "here are magical plants" and that's it. What makes them magical? Is Grace Loray a hotspot for magic? Or are they just plants who have weird side effects that make it look like magic? We don't know and that bothers me a lot when an author doesn't go into detail about the world.
I've mentioned in my review of The Everlasting Rose how that world is like a Faberge egg in a glass container. It's beautiful to look at but you can't touch it or even get a proper good look at it. These Rebel Waves is kind of like that because the world sounds and looks beautiful, but the author didn't even try to convey that beauty in her words.
The characters themselves are like the world, bland and lifeless. Lu felt like a random girl with no personality other than being annoying and forgettable. If you were to ask me to find any good quality about her, I can't because nothing about her is remotely interesting.
Vex is like a washed out carbon copy of Jack Sparrow who tries to come off as playful, laid-back, and aloof but tries too hard to where it's not believable.
The one and only interesting character was Ben and granted, he is not perfect and kind of falls in line with being a bit bland, but he still has a lot of more character in him than Lu and Vex.
The pacing and writing style was another issue. I have no problems with stories told in 3rd person perspective, but the way it was written took me out of the story at times and I had to re-read a few parts to remember what happened. It wasn't cohesive, and the pacing kind of got slow around the 2nd half, which didn't help with the pacing at all.
I wanted to give this book a chance. It started off good and promising, but the story and the characters were lost in a plot that wasn't so slow and the world wasn't so bland.
Verdict
I'm really disappointed with These Rebel Waves. I knew what I was getting into with the mixed reviews I've been reading, but I was not expecting it to be worse than I had imagined. I do not plan on reading the next book because I don't think I can get through a 500+ book.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar
You ever read the synopsis of a book and you think it sounds good? Then you read the book and all of your expectations went down the drain faster than Usain Bolt running a 100-meter dash race. Well, that's what my experience was with These Rebel Waves.
All jokes aside, These Rebel Waves was a chore to get through because of the many, many, many issues I had. It started off promising, I was interested in learning more about the characters, the world, and the magic. But about one-third of the way through, I was starting to lose hope.
First thing I should point out, this is not a gay pirate book. It barely even has anything relating to pirates other than just boats on rivers. And one of the main characters is gay but he's a prince, not a pirate. No idea how this got even coined as a gay pirate book in the first place.
These Rebel Waves is about three characters whose main priority is Grace Loray, an island that has a very hostile relationship with another country who wants Grace Loray for power and to purge its magical plants in the name of their religion. Lu, Vex, and Ben are at the center of the conflict and they have to stop a potential war from breaking out.
So, what went wrong with These Rebel Waves? For starters, the worldbuilding is non-existent. It's there, but you might as well be trying to look at a small speck of dust. The island where the story takes place, Grace Loray, is a swampy/jungle island where it grows magical plants. That's great, but there's hardly any information on them. The way it presented itself was just saying, "here are magical plants" and that's it. What makes them magical? Is Grace Loray a hotspot for magic? Or are they just plants who have weird side effects that make it look like magic? We don't know and that bothers me a lot when an author doesn't go into detail about the world.
I've mentioned in my review of The Everlasting Rose how that world is like a Faberge egg in a glass container. It's beautiful to look at but you can't touch it or even get a proper good look at it. These Rebel Waves is kind of like that because the world sounds and looks beautiful, but the author didn't even try to convey that beauty in her words.
The characters themselves are like the world, bland and lifeless. Lu felt like a random girl with no personality other than being annoying and forgettable. If you were to ask me to find any good quality about her, I can't because nothing about her is remotely interesting.
Vex is like a washed out carbon copy of Jack Sparrow who tries to come off as playful, laid-back, and aloof but tries too hard to where it's not believable.
The one and only interesting character was Ben and granted, he is not perfect and kind of falls in line with being a bit bland, but he still has a lot of more character in him than Lu and Vex.
The pacing and writing style was another issue. I have no problems with stories told in 3rd person perspective, but the way it was written took me out of the story at times and I had to re-read a few parts to remember what happened. It wasn't cohesive, and the pacing kind of got slow around the 2nd half, which didn't help with the pacing at all.
I wanted to give this book a chance. It started off good and promising, but the story and the characters were lost in a plot that wasn't so slow and the world wasn't so bland.
Verdict
I'm really disappointed with These Rebel Waves. I knew what I was getting into with the mixed reviews I've been reading, but I was not expecting it to be worse than I had imagined. I do not plan on reading the next book because I don't think I can get through a 500+ book.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar
July 8, 2018
Some thoughts in response to what other people are saying, particularly as a critique.
1) Bland gay characters. Honestly? I hadn’t heard much about this book and didn’t realize it was pitched as an LGBT book. Was it? I don’t know. I can see why people who expected this would be disappointed but for someone who definitely enjoys good LGBT representation, this was not a factor that bothered me. Because that isn’t an expectation I had. Because this was not the POINT of the book. So honestly. If you’re expecting something that the book doesn’t promise, I’m not too sure why the upset. (My assumption that it isn’t promised because it’s not even tagged on Goodreads) I’m not sure why people were expecting gay pirates 🤷🏻♀️
Ben is our main gay character and I thought he was such an interesting and well rounded character. Of all 3 main characters he grew the most.
2) Unexplained magical system. I don’t quite understand this problem either. It felt very well explained to me: different herbs have different magical properties. You can mix different concoctions like you would any other magical potion. How much of an explanation do you need about herbs? How is this not obvious and make immediate sense? What further explanation am I missing here?
In fact, there is something really fascinating about the magic essentially being herbs. Essentially people are at war for several reasons. The first major waring factor is that Agridians are fanatically religious and pray to a Pious God. They are on a crusade against people who perform magic because to them it’s “evil.” It’s interesting that the magical system that they are trying to cleanse is not occult, “devil’s” magic but something that literally grows on earth. It’s natural. This is not supernatural Harry Potter magic. This is not “dark” versus “light” magic.
This is a religion that’s against HERBS that produce magical properties.
That to me is an incredibly important detail.
I loved the political and social prejudice commentaries prevalent throughout this book. They were definitely “this is important to think about in real life” without hitting you over the head with it. It was integrated in such a way that felt authentic to the plot line but also wildly relatable to the real world. It didn’t feel like an unnatural soapbox moral tale.
Personally, I loved the characters.
Adeluna aka Lu is wonderful. I loved her wit and her resourcefulness. I love that she can step outside of her own beliefs and ignorance to re-evaluate her stance in the light of new evidence. She knows when to hold her ground but she isn’t so stubborn as to let it blind her actions. There are moments when she realizes just how truly ignorant she has been and apologizes on behalf of an entire Council. She battles between being a lady who no longer takes away life and the person she once was: an assassin and spy.
Overall I really loved the author’s writing style. It was full of charm.
I thought the plot twists were well done.
1) Bland gay characters. Honestly? I hadn’t heard much about this book and didn’t realize it was pitched as an LGBT book. Was it? I don’t know. I can see why people who expected this would be disappointed but for someone who definitely enjoys good LGBT representation, this was not a factor that bothered me. Because that isn’t an expectation I had. Because this was not the POINT of the book. So honestly. If you’re expecting something that the book doesn’t promise, I’m not too sure why the upset. (My assumption that it isn’t promised because it’s not even tagged on Goodreads) I’m not sure why people were expecting gay pirates 🤷🏻♀️
Ben is our main gay character and I thought he was such an interesting and well rounded character. Of all 3 main characters he grew the most.
2) Unexplained magical system. I don’t quite understand this problem either. It felt very well explained to me: different herbs have different magical properties. You can mix different concoctions like you would any other magical potion. How much of an explanation do you need about herbs? How is this not obvious and make immediate sense? What further explanation am I missing here?
In fact, there is something really fascinating about the magic essentially being herbs. Essentially people are at war for several reasons. The first major waring factor is that Agridians are fanatically religious and pray to a Pious God. They are on a crusade against people who perform magic because to them it’s “evil.” It’s interesting that the magical system that they are trying to cleanse is not occult, “devil’s” magic but something that literally grows on earth. It’s natural. This is not supernatural Harry Potter magic. This is not “dark” versus “light” magic.
This is a religion that’s against HERBS that produce magical properties.
That to me is an incredibly important detail.
I loved the political and social prejudice commentaries prevalent throughout this book. They were definitely “this is important to think about in real life” without hitting you over the head with it. It was integrated in such a way that felt authentic to the plot line but also wildly relatable to the real world. It didn’t feel like an unnatural soapbox moral tale.
Personally, I loved the characters.
Adeluna aka Lu is wonderful. I loved her wit and her resourcefulness. I love that she can step outside of her own beliefs and ignorance to re-evaluate her stance in the light of new evidence. She knows when to hold her ground but she isn’t so stubborn as to let it blind her actions. There are moments when she realizes just how truly ignorant she has been and apologizes on behalf of an entire Council. She battles between being a lady who no longer takes away life and the person she once was: an assassin and spy.
Overall I really loved the author’s writing style. It was full of charm.
I thought the plot twists were well done.
September 10, 2021
rep: gay mc, bi li, wlw side characters, poc cast
tw: torture, child abuse, death & murder
i came here expecting gay pirates but what i got was a bunch of traumatised kids with ptsd trying to win a war and whom i must protect at all costs. also a gay prince.
main point: all those prejudices, all those reasons for hatred & division in this made-up land and yet not a single mention of homophobia?? *chef kisses*
anyway, admit that vex is bi and we have ourselves a perfect book!
tw: torture, child abuse, death & murder
i came here expecting gay pirates but what i got was a bunch of traumatised kids with ptsd trying to win a war and whom i must protect at all costs. also a gay prince.
main point: all those prejudices, all those reasons for hatred & division in this made-up land and yet not a single mention of homophobia?? *chef kisses*
anyway, admit that vex is bi and we have ourselves a perfect book!
April 8, 2019
Review can also be found at Dana and the Books
I should have loved These Rebel Waves. It has pirates, magic, politics, jail breaks; it ticks all the Dana boxes. Sadly, this one was possibly the most disappointing book of 2018 for me.
The Good:
○ It's in Third Person POV. First person POV seems to be the standard for many YA novels so it's always refreshing when that's not the case
○Every time Argrid was mentioned, my brain decided to pronounce it like Madame Maxime saying 'Agrid' in a French accent from Goblet of Fire. Made it slightly more entertaining
The Not so Good:
○ The first 200 pages were hard to connect with. I almost stopped reading multiple times
○ The last 250 pages were just as hard to get through. I ended up speed reading the last 150 pages just so I could get it over with
○ I thought Grace Loray was a person not a place for a while there
○ Everybody went by two or more names. All of which were used often and did nothing except confuse the hell outta me
○ I couldn't care about the characters and their struggles. They were just there.. existing on the page but never jumping off it
○ There was a lot of talk pre-release about gay pirates (yay!). However, that's really not true. So don't go into this book expecting gay pirates
○ Too much forced banter. It was almost as though the author thought that since there's a ragtag group of characters it is law that they must bicker and have clever banter at every possible moment. Save some of that banter for Nando's
○ The worst part is that it wasn't badly written, it wasn't a bad plot, it was just.. dull. Dry. Boring.
I definitely won't be continuing the series. But if this sounds like your type of book, give it a shot. You may end up loving it!
Thanks Harper360 for sending over a copy of These Rebel Waves! Sorry it didn't work for me.
Book Links: Book Depository | Amazon US | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK
I should have loved These Rebel Waves. It has pirates, magic, politics, jail breaks; it ticks all the Dana boxes. Sadly, this one was possibly the most disappointing book of 2018 for me.
The Good:
○ It's in Third Person POV. First person POV seems to be the standard for many YA novels so it's always refreshing when that's not the case
○Every time Argrid was mentioned, my brain decided to pronounce it like Madame Maxime saying 'Agrid' in a French accent from Goblet of Fire. Made it slightly more entertaining
The Not so Good:
○ The first 200 pages were hard to connect with. I almost stopped reading multiple times
○ The last 250 pages were just as hard to get through. I ended up speed reading the last 150 pages just so I could get it over with
○ I thought Grace Loray was a person not a place for a while there
○ Everybody went by two or more names. All of which were used often and did nothing except confuse the hell outta me
○ I couldn't care about the characters and their struggles. They were just there.. existing on the page but never jumping off it
○ There was a lot of talk pre-release about gay pirates (yay!). However, that's really not true. So don't go into this book expecting gay pirates
○ Too much forced banter. It was almost as though the author thought that since there's a ragtag group of characters it is law that they must bicker and have clever banter at every possible moment. Save some of that banter for Nando's
○ The worst part is that it wasn't badly written, it wasn't a bad plot, it was just.. dull. Dry. Boring.
I definitely won't be continuing the series. But if this sounds like your type of book, give it a shot. You may end up loving it!
Thanks Harper360 for sending over a copy of These Rebel Waves! Sorry it didn't work for me.
Book Links: Book Depository | Amazon US | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK
August 30, 2018
At first I didn't flow with These Rebel Waves. The first 10 chapters was kinda weird.
It took a while before I understood the political situation; It was a mess but later the novel got interesting and fun.
When I started the novel I was so sure of my self that I was never ever ever going to read book 2 but things are different now.
Book 1 started making sense half way.
Four stars to These Rebel Waves
It took a while before I understood the political situation; It was a mess but later the novel got interesting and fun.
When I started the novel I was so sure of my self that I was never ever ever going to read book 2 but things are different now.
Book 1 started making sense half way.
Four stars to These Rebel Waves
March 20, 2019
entre 4,5🌟 y 4,75🌟
Reseña completa -> https://thewordsofbooks.blogspot.com/...
«Somos más fuertes de lo que ellos jamás soñaron. Tú eres más fuerte.»
He terminado Las aguas rebeldes, y si ya me gustó la autora con su otra trilogía en este libro se ha superado. Me ha encantado TODO, absolutamente todo de principio a fin. La trama, la ambientación, hay mucha acción, aventuras pero sin duda los tres protagonistas son de lo mejor.
Pd: Vex es mi nueva obsesión y adoro las historias de piratas 😍😍😍
Reseña completa -> https://thewordsofbooks.blogspot.com/...
«Somos más fuertes de lo que ellos jamás soñaron. Tú eres más fuerte.»
He terminado Las aguas rebeldes, y si ya me gustó la autora con su otra trilogía en este libro se ha superado. Me ha encantado TODO, absolutamente todo de principio a fin. La trama, la ambientación, hay mucha acción, aventuras pero sin duda los tres protagonistas son de lo mejor.
Pd: Vex es mi nueva obsesión y adoro las historias de piratas 😍😍😍
July 29, 2018
Holy crap. That was so good.
Vex is a babe and officially on my book boyfriend list.
The world was complex but well explained and thought out. I enjoyed both the political side and the magic system. There was just enough balance to make it interesting.
Vex is a babe and officially on my book boyfriend list.
The world was complex but well explained and thought out. I enjoyed both the political side and the magic system. There was just enough balance to make it interesting.
August 7, 2018
3.5*
*I received this ARC in exchange for honest review*
The story follows our 3 MCs as their lives intertwine in a Spanish Inquisition inspired post-War setting.
>Adeluna: Former rebel spy, magic expert,badass lady
>Devereux: Pirate/ Stream Raider, mischievous bugger, secretly a cinnamon roll
>Benat: Gay Prince of Argrid, science nerd, heretic
I really loved all of the MCs. That being said, I had a very difficult time connecting with them. This isn’t your typical action packed pirate book, it focuses more on character development and politics. It is also quite religion heavy (not my fave.) The intense world building made the first half of the book a bit slow but the second half of the book was action packed and full of twist and turns.
Overall I enjoyed it and I’m interested to see where the sequel will take this story
Full review video: https://youtu.be/jSKfVJAWIEc
*I received this ARC in exchange for honest review*
The story follows our 3 MCs as their lives intertwine in a Spanish Inquisition inspired post-War setting.
>Adeluna: Former rebel spy, magic expert,badass lady
>Devereux: Pirate/ Stream Raider, mischievous bugger, secretly a cinnamon roll
>Benat: Gay Prince of Argrid, science nerd, heretic
I really loved all of the MCs. That being said, I had a very difficult time connecting with them. This isn’t your typical action packed pirate book, it focuses more on character development and politics. It is also quite religion heavy (not my fave.) The intense world building made the first half of the book a bit slow but the second half of the book was action packed and full of twist and turns.
Overall I enjoyed it and I’m interested to see where the sequel will take this story
Full review video: https://youtu.be/jSKfVJAWIEc
September 7, 2018
To my dismay, I thought that this book fell very flat. I had such high hopes for it, and loved so many of the individual elements within in. Unfortunately, all these bits and pieces mesh together in odd ways, and aren't descriptive or unique enough to stand out. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and the romances felt forced. I also would've liked to have seen more privateering. Considering the title of this novel, I was expecting more swashbuckling and plundering, but it wasn't very evident at all. I did think that the plot twist towards the end of the book was fantastic. I hadn't predicted it at all, and thought it created an intriguing premise for the sequel.
A huge thanks to the publisher and Fantastic Flying Bookclub for providing me with an ARC!
April 9, 2019
4,25/5⭐️
Me ha gustado mucho y estoy deseando leer su segunda parte porque puff menudo final 😱 prontito tendréis mi reseña en mi blog y por mi instagram ❤️
Me ha gustado mucho y estoy deseando leer su segunda parte porque puff menudo final 😱 prontito tendréis mi reseña en mi blog y por mi instagram ❤️
June 25, 2021
“You forgive yourself for what you've done," Edda told her. "You admit mistakes. You learn from them. And you improve.”
This was a basic YA Fantasy in every sense of the word. The plot was predictable, the characters were mediocre, and the world/magic system was nothing new. That alone didn't make this a bad book, just one that didn't stand out. My problems with this novel instead came from things that could have been addressed or handled in a better way.
“Everyone, remain calm,” she announced. “I’m about to blow some sh*t up.”
“Nay!” Vex shouted from the pilothouse. “We’ve a kid here now, all right?”
“Sorry. I’m about to chaotically rearrange some sh*t up.”
My first major issue with this novel was that one character was turned into a child soldier by her parents and the evil of that wasn't recognized until the very end of the story. Though her past was eventually addressed, the burden of her actions was never given to her parents who forced her to do those things. It was painted as if the choices she didn't really get to make were her fault. The weight of the burden was still hers to carry, which it never should have been in the first place. War is horrible. But ten-year-old girls are not responsible for what they were forced to do by someone who should have loved them.
“You could tell a person's character by what they considered their weaknesses, rather than their strengths.”
My second problem was that religion was villainized and turned into something that no logical person could possibly have. I recognize that this is a fantasy novel, but when the author made the evil villains believers of the "Pious God" she inadvertently generalized an entire very real religion. I know that her antagonists were probably inspired by the Spanish Inquisition and it is one thing to have the major villain follow a twisted faith. It is quite another to paint every person who believes at all in that faith as barbaric zealots.
"Benat Gallego was thirteen when he watched his uncle and cousin burn to death."
Despite the less than ideal content, These Rebel Waves had decent writing and dialogue, and I did appreciate the character growth that happened over the course of the story. This book certainly had some redeeming passages, but was overall predictable. I did like how normalized LGBTQIA+ individuals were, which also saved this book from a lower rating. Overall, I wish this novel had been better than it was.
Pre Review:
Average YA Fantasy. 2.5 stars, rounding down. RTC
This was a basic YA Fantasy in every sense of the word. The plot was predictable, the characters were mediocre, and the world/magic system was nothing new. That alone didn't make this a bad book, just one that didn't stand out. My problems with this novel instead came from things that could have been addressed or handled in a better way.
“Everyone, remain calm,” she announced. “I’m about to blow some sh*t up.”
“Nay!” Vex shouted from the pilothouse. “We’ve a kid here now, all right?”
“Sorry. I’m about to chaotically rearrange some sh*t up.”
My first major issue with this novel was that one character was turned into a child soldier by her parents and the evil of that wasn't recognized until the very end of the story. Though her past was eventually addressed, the burden of her actions was never given to her parents who forced her to do those things. It was painted as if the choices she didn't really get to make were her fault. The weight of the burden was still hers to carry, which it never should have been in the first place. War is horrible. But ten-year-old girls are not responsible for what they were forced to do by someone who should have loved them.
“You could tell a person's character by what they considered their weaknesses, rather than their strengths.”
My second problem was that religion was villainized and turned into something that no logical person could possibly have. I recognize that this is a fantasy novel, but when the author made the evil villains believers of the "Pious God" she inadvertently generalized an entire very real religion. I know that her antagonists were probably inspired by the Spanish Inquisition and it is one thing to have the major villain follow a twisted faith. It is quite another to paint every person who believes at all in that faith as barbaric zealots.
"Benat Gallego was thirteen when he watched his uncle and cousin burn to death."
Despite the less than ideal content, These Rebel Waves had decent writing and dialogue, and I did appreciate the character growth that happened over the course of the story. This book certainly had some redeeming passages, but was overall predictable. I did like how normalized LGBTQIA+ individuals were, which also saved this book from a lower rating. Overall, I wish this novel had been better than it was.
Pre Review:
Average YA Fantasy. 2.5 stars, rounding down. RTC
Want to read
December 27, 2017I've been hearing wonderful things about this one, especially these two words:
gay pirates
. Sara Raasch, BRING IT ON.
April 16, 2020
OMG! I am so happy that I have this book!
These Rebel Waves was so freaking good. I really enjoyed getting to know Adeluna (aka Lu), Vex, and Ben! Well, not really Ben but his chapters got a bit more interesting towards the end of the book. That being said, I am in love with Lu and Vex.
Lu is such a little bad ass ninja but she has a lot to learn still. Yes, she is a wizard with these plants but she is surrounded by death, a horrible past, and betrayal. Then there's Vex, who oh lord.. has some secrets and a horrible past as well. I mean, the guy lost a god damn eye!
Yet, I loved them and shipped them endlessly. I enjoyed the book so much that I'm already onto the second one. I just have so many questions that need answers and I also want to know if my crew will be reunited once again!
Seriously, so much betrayal it was hard to keep track of. I can't wait for everything to come out!
These Rebel Waves was so freaking good. I really enjoyed getting to know Adeluna (aka Lu), Vex, and Ben! Well, not really Ben but his chapters got a bit more interesting towards the end of the book. That being said, I am in love with Lu and Vex.
Lu is such a little bad ass ninja but she has a lot to learn still. Yes, she is a wizard with these plants but she is surrounded by death, a horrible past, and betrayal. Then there's Vex, who oh lord.. has some secrets and a horrible past as well. I mean, the guy lost a god damn eye!
Yet, I loved them and shipped them endlessly. I enjoyed the book so much that I'm already onto the second one. I just have so many questions that need answers and I also want to know if my crew will be reunited once again!
Seriously, so much betrayal it was hard to keep track of. I can't wait for everything to come out!
June 8, 2018
ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
This isn’t a bad book. As in, it’s not badly written or lazy or offensive. It doesn’t deserve to be relegated to a low rating with books that are all of those things. It just really didn’t do it for me. Part of the problem is that I allowed myself to be swayed by hype. I should have compared the hype to the blurb because I was not in the target audience for this book at all. This book is not about gay pirates.
Imma repeat that:
This book is NOT about gay pirates.
This book is about a theocratic state attempting to impose its laws and values on another country. Not that the other country is all that free or egalitarian as you find out through the story. Yes there are queer characters. Most of them are fringe characters. Only one gay relationship is on screen and there is a strongly toxic component to it. One main character is gay however he is 1) not a pirate and 2) the MC of the sub plot and so gets far less screen time. You may well enjoy this book anyway but don’t go in thinking that this is a great read for Pride month or that it’s an adventure fantasy romp with pirates and queer characters. It is emphatically not and you will be disappointed.
The book itself isn’t bad, as I said. I’m not sure how much me disliking it is to do with having my expectations mishandled and how much is just genuinely not being interested in the story. The narrative is dry and rather uninspiring. If you like plain unadorned prose for an entire book then this might not bother you. For me it was highlighted just how dry it was by flashes of extremely visual language used in three scenes when my attention perked up. The rest of the time I was quite bored. These Rebel Waves is a political intrigue without a whole lot of intrigue and unleavened by much action. Fans of quieter, less explosive fantasy that explores themes such as immigration, cultural erasure, smuggling/ black market, personal and religious freedom and cultural identity – all without really delving into any of these issues too deeply or challengingly – will probably enjoy this. For me it compared unwittingly and unfavourably with a previous ARC – the brilliant ‘Mirage’ by Somaiya Doud – which covered all the same themes but did so with empathy, wisdom and emotional attachment.
Paradoxically, I really like the three MCs who were pretty well developed, I just wish I’d met them in another story. It felt to me that either they were the wrong characters for the story or that the author forced them to follow the story she thought she should be telling rather than letting them shift and change the narrative organically. The result was a bit wooden. I found the secondary and tertiary characters less well developed.
Three points that did annoy me: the ebook version of this ARC ends at 95% on the most abrupt and hyped cliff hanger imaginable. I dislike cliff hangers unless the book has earned them – which this didn’t – and I feel you should still be able to read a book as a complete story even if it’s part of a series, which is not the case here.
The story does not get going until about 65% of the way through. And then it’s very stop-start action. By that point it was too late to save the story.
The one really interesting thread – that of Lu having been a child soildier – is never fully explored. That could have been a fascinating engaging story in its own right but instead, as with the other themes, the book pulls its punches.
Ultimately there wasn’t anything wrong with this book but for me there wasn’t anything to get excited about either. I can’t even say I was disappointed because that would imply that my initial expectations were correct about the sort of book it was instead of being a radically different story, and that the author had not met them. Bottom line – I would not have picked up this book to read if I’d known it was a story about a monotheistic church oppressing magic users – by which we can infer herbalists since all magic comes from plants – mixed with political wrangling without a great sense of jeopardy. Not an enjoyable reading experience for me but I am clearly not the target audience so bear that in mind when I don’t recommend this book.
Buddy read with the inimitable Melanie
This isn’t a bad book. As in, it’s not badly written or lazy or offensive. It doesn’t deserve to be relegated to a low rating with books that are all of those things. It just really didn’t do it for me. Part of the problem is that I allowed myself to be swayed by hype. I should have compared the hype to the blurb because I was not in the target audience for this book at all. This book is not about gay pirates.
Imma repeat that:
This book is NOT about gay pirates.
This book is about a theocratic state attempting to impose its laws and values on another country. Not that the other country is all that free or egalitarian as you find out through the story. Yes there are queer characters. Most of them are fringe characters. Only one gay relationship is on screen and there is a strongly toxic component to it. One main character is gay however he is 1) not a pirate and 2) the MC of the sub plot and so gets far less screen time. You may well enjoy this book anyway but don’t go in thinking that this is a great read for Pride month or that it’s an adventure fantasy romp with pirates and queer characters. It is emphatically not and you will be disappointed.
The book itself isn’t bad, as I said. I’m not sure how much me disliking it is to do with having my expectations mishandled and how much is just genuinely not being interested in the story. The narrative is dry and rather uninspiring. If you like plain unadorned prose for an entire book then this might not bother you. For me it was highlighted just how dry it was by flashes of extremely visual language used in three scenes when my attention perked up. The rest of the time I was quite bored. These Rebel Waves is a political intrigue without a whole lot of intrigue and unleavened by much action. Fans of quieter, less explosive fantasy that explores themes such as immigration, cultural erasure, smuggling/ black market, personal and religious freedom and cultural identity – all without really delving into any of these issues too deeply or challengingly – will probably enjoy this. For me it compared unwittingly and unfavourably with a previous ARC – the brilliant ‘Mirage’ by Somaiya Doud – which covered all the same themes but did so with empathy, wisdom and emotional attachment.
Paradoxically, I really like the three MCs who were pretty well developed, I just wish I’d met them in another story. It felt to me that either they were the wrong characters for the story or that the author forced them to follow the story she thought she should be telling rather than letting them shift and change the narrative organically. The result was a bit wooden. I found the secondary and tertiary characters less well developed.
Three points that did annoy me: the ebook version of this ARC ends at 95% on the most abrupt and hyped cliff hanger imaginable. I dislike cliff hangers unless the book has earned them – which this didn’t – and I feel you should still be able to read a book as a complete story even if it’s part of a series, which is not the case here.
The story does not get going until about 65% of the way through. And then it’s very stop-start action. By that point it was too late to save the story.
The one really interesting thread – that of Lu having been a child soildier – is never fully explored. That could have been a fascinating engaging story in its own right but instead, as with the other themes, the book pulls its punches.
Ultimately there wasn’t anything wrong with this book but for me there wasn’t anything to get excited about either. I can’t even say I was disappointed because that would imply that my initial expectations were correct about the sort of book it was instead of being a radically different story, and that the author had not met them. Bottom line – I would not have picked up this book to read if I’d known it was a story about a monotheistic church oppressing magic users – by which we can infer herbalists since all magic comes from plants – mixed with political wrangling without a great sense of jeopardy. Not an enjoyable reading experience for me but I am clearly not the target audience so bear that in mind when I don’t recommend this book.
Buddy read with the inimitable Melanie
September 25, 2019
El inicio me costó mucho, era muy lento, tedioso y con palabras desconocidas; un mundo totalmente nuevo. Pero a pesar de eso, había algo que me mantenía pegada a las páginas y fueron sus personajes.
Una revolucionara. Un pirata y un príncipe. Estos tres personajes me encantaron. Tienen sus grandes momentos y fui muy fan de ellos. Les voy a confesar que no soy una fanática de las historias sobre piratas pero la sinopsis me dio curiosidad y creo que hasta el momento ha sido el mejor libro de piratas que he leído.
EL FINAL. Vaya final, es un final muy shock, jajaja. Espero no tarden tanto en publicarlo porque fue un final de infarto y los giros... demonios, no me esperaba ninguno de esos giros Y LOS AMÉ.
Léanlo.
Una revolucionara. Un pirata y un príncipe. Estos tres personajes me encantaron. Tienen sus grandes momentos y fui muy fan de ellos. Les voy a confesar que no soy una fanática de las historias sobre piratas pero la sinopsis me dio curiosidad y creo que hasta el momento ha sido el mejor libro de piratas que he leído.
EL FINAL. Vaya final, es un final muy shock, jajaja. Espero no tarden tanto en publicarlo porque fue un final de infarto y los giros... demonios, no me esperaba ninguno de esos giros Y LOS AMÉ.
Léanlo.
June 14, 2019
3,5 ⭐️
Me ha gustado mucho la idea de la historia, con ese toque mágico. Pero me ha costado muchísimo engancharme a la historia, pues hay muchísima información, muchos personajes, mucho conflicto político que hace que te cueste adentrarte y quedarte con todos los entresijos que conforman la historia. Pero me ha gustado la lucha por la libertad, vista de diferentes puntos, de diferentes grupos, y esa ansia De poder que ha caracterizado a cierto personaje. Me ha hecho ver la oscuridad y La Luz con sus personajes. Cerca del final me ha dejado muy impactada!!! Así que estoy deseando leer la segunda parte.
Me ha gustado mucho la idea de la historia, con ese toque mágico. Pero me ha costado muchísimo engancharme a la historia, pues hay muchísima información, muchos personajes, mucho conflicto político que hace que te cueste adentrarte y quedarte con todos los entresijos que conforman la historia. Pero me ha gustado la lucha por la libertad, vista de diferentes puntos, de diferentes grupos, y esa ansia De poder que ha caracterizado a cierto personaje. Me ha hecho ver la oscuridad y La Luz con sus personajes. Cerca del final me ha dejado muy impactada!!! Así que estoy deseando leer la segunda parte.
dnf
August 17, 2018DNF at a 12% 😭 I was so excited about this, y’all don’t even know. But god, the beginning is so slow and so info-dumpy. Normally at this point I should already be intrigued by something but I'm not.
And thanks to other people's reviews, I know that there’s not a lot of piracy going on, nor are the gay pirates, so I can’t be bothered to give this a bigger chance ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And thanks to other people's reviews, I know that there’s not a lot of piracy going on, nor are the gay pirates, so I can’t be bothered to give this a bigger chance ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
April 8, 2019
1,5/5
“Reza todo lo que quieras. Tu Dios nunca aceptará mi alma.”
Las Aguas Rebeldes es un inicio de trilogía que me ha decepcionado y aburrido. Esperaba encontrar una cosa y al final ha sido otra totalmente diferente. La idea de la historia es buena pero para mi no está bien llevada. Aun con esto, os lo recomiendo si os gusta como escribe la autora y si os han gustado sus otros libros.
-Wordpress: https://suenosentreletras.wordpress.c...
-Blogger: https://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.c...
“Reza todo lo que quieras. Tu Dios nunca aceptará mi alma.”
Las Aguas Rebeldes es un inicio de trilogía que me ha decepcionado y aburrido. Esperaba encontrar una cosa y al final ha sido otra totalmente diferente. La idea de la historia es buena pero para mi no está bien llevada. Aun con esto, os lo recomiendo si os gusta como escribe la autora y si os han gustado sus otros libros.
-Wordpress: https://suenosentreletras.wordpress.c...
-Blogger: https://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.c...
December 31, 2018
So. Good. HIGHLY SUGGEST READING THIS!!!!!!
There is so much going on and it makes everything a lot more deepthful and meaningful and perfect. The book is circled around all the politics which allows for more action and magic (especially the plants!). And I can't get enough of Vex and Lu and Ben and Jakes, and I need the next book now!!!!!!
There is so much going on and it makes everything a lot more deepthful and meaningful and perfect. The book is circled around all the politics which allows for more action and magic (especially the plants!). And I can't get enough of Vex and Lu and Ben and Jakes, and I need the next book now!!!!!!
March 9, 2020
Without a doubt on of my top reads for 2018. Holy plot twists Batman! I loved the characters in this book so much. Omg I need Book 2 right now because I am not ok!
September 21, 2018
3 stars
meh
RTC
meh
RTC
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