What Am I Reading Wednesday (06/02/2021)

One of my favorite things about the online writing community, is all of the new writers I get to know and whose work I might not have heard of before. 

Today's What Am I Reading Wednesday pick is a Middle Grade book by an author I was introduced to when a mutual connection shared one of her posts. Isn't it crazy how that works?

Title: Sea of Kings

Author: Melissa Hope

First Reading: Yes!

Initial Impression: Swashbuckling kids trying to outrun a one-eyed pirate? Fantastical creatures? Nautical-inspired idioms? Hidden depths at every turn? Sign me up!

Final Thoughts: I kid you not, I sat down in my backyard one Sunday to start Sea of Kings, and I ended up reading the entire thing! This is the best MG book I've read in years. 

*****

Bookshop.org Synopsis:

Thirteen-year-old Prince Noa has hated the ocean since the day it caused his mother's death. But staying away from the sea isn't easy on his tropical island home, where he's stuck trying to keep up with his dim-witted and overconfident younger brother Dagan--the brawn to Noa's brains.

When a vengeful pirate lays siege to their home, Noa and Dagan narrowly escape with their lives. Armed with a stolen ship, a haphazardly assembled crew, and a magical map that makes as much sense as slugs in a salt bath, the brothers set sail for the realm's other kingdoms in search of help. But navigating the sea proves deadlier than Noa's worst fears. To free his home, Noa must solve the map's confusing charts and confront the legendary one-eyed pirate before an evil force spreads across the realm and destroys the very people Noa means to protect.

(BUY LINK)

*****

Author Bio:

Melissa is passionate about helping writers develop their talents and connect with the writing community. She is mamma to one fearless ginger and one brown-eyed girl and is unapologetically obsessed with the ocean.

(Bio & photo source: https://www.authormelissahope.com/)