“This is for all the girls who were told to sit there and look pretty.” - @anacostiamillerauthor

Maeve has been locked up by her father in a tower with no friends, a distant mother, and now is being married off to a horrid man in exchange for an army. But this Rapunzel has moxy and is soooo bad ass!!! She’s a strong female lead, trying to do right in a world that she’s never really gotten the chance to live in.

Maeve stows away on a pirate ship and finds herself trying to prove her worth while battling the crews’ perception of her and Captain Leviathan’s apathy. Levi’s apathy is only matched by his lust and yeeeeesh.

[You all may or may not know- I don’t often choose a spicy read. This was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. This was like a 10 alarm fire on the face of Mars HOT. Soooo spicy I speed read through parts because it was just too hot…]

But this story is so well weaved and the battle of good (Maeve and her new pirate family) against evil (the king, etc.) is so strong that I’ll read the next book in this series and the next even if it means speed reading through steamy hottttttt scenes.

This band of characters is going to be an adventure worth reading… every single page. There are histories to uncover, identities to come to light, and a country to protect. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

@netgalley and @hottreepublishing thank you so much for this #advancedreaderscopy - pub date 6/21/24

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Anacostia Miller's "The Last Leviathan" invites readers to embark on a thrilling journey through a world where destiny is as unpredictable as the tides. At the heart of this swashbuckling tale lies Maeve Cross, a spirited protagonist whose yearning for freedom propels her into the perilous realm of piracy.

From the outset, Maeve defies the constraints of her noble birth, eschewing the comforts of her station for the untamed expanse of the sea. Miller deftly captures Maeve's internal struggle, her desire for autonomy clashing with the expectations imposed upon her by society and family alike. As Maeve's defiance reaches its zenith, she finds herself aboard the vessel of the enigmatic Captain Leviathan, setting the stage for a captivating narrative of adventure and self-discovery.

Central to the novel's allure is the dynamic relationship between Maeve and Captain Leviathan, whose magnetic connection defies the boundaries of convention and expectation. Miller masterfully crafts their interactions, infusing each encounter with tension and intrigue as they navigate the treacherous waters of their shared destiny. Despite their differences, their bond deepens with every trial they face, challenging preconceived notions and illuminating the complexities of love and loyalty.

What sets "The Last Leviathan" apart is its memorable cast of characters, each imbued with depth and nuance. From the stalwart members of Captain Leviathan's crew to the formidable adversaries they encounter, every individual leaves an indelible mark on the narrative. Miller's keen insight into human nature shines through in her portrayal of these characters, lending authenticity and resonance to their struggles and triumphs.

The Last Leviathan - The Guardians of Farlight Isles Book 1 by Anacostia Miller is a fantastic debut, a glorious mix of Fantasy and Pirate fiction.

Maeve is a princess who is sold off to a Pirate Captain by her father in an arranged marriage. Maeve is going from one form of captivity as a Princess, to another and she is fighting it all the way. Maeve is a wonderful character, feisty, firey and brave

Leviathan is the Pirate Captain (fantastic choice of a name!) a perfect cinnamon roll hero for this slow burn. The couple traverse the seas and the perils therein, thair feelings becoming deeper as they face challenge after challenge. Glorious swashbuckling and battles and what is looking to be a brilliant series!

Thank you to Netgalley, Hot Tree Publishing and Anacosta Miller for this outstanding ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This book has its positives and negatives.

Positives:
Quick, easy read.
Some interesting lore and worldbuilding, albeit underdeveloped.
Characters are interesting people.
Tropes are thick and fast, but good.

Negatives
Too much time spent on cringy sex scenes and not enough time on developing the worldbuilding and plot, leading to the book feeling rushed as a result.
If you know anything about boats and piracy, the lack of reality in this will drive you mad. It's definitely a childhood fantasy version of what life on a boat would look like.

Probably more like 2.5 stars.

I absolutely love and enjoy any book with pirates and sea adventure, and this did not disappoint! The the world building was great, the setting was awesome, and the characters were so fun.

I enjoyed this book. It started off a bit rushed and confused, like the author was attempting to help us find who the main character was while she was figuring it out herself. Our main character, Maeve, is a spit-fire who just wants to be loved for once in her life. The found family trope in this novel is so thick and heavy, but man oh man is it worth it.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

This was my first NetGalley ARC, and it did NOT disappoint. I have yet, in all of the books I have read in my life, to read a fantasy with pirates, and I honestly did not know what I was missing out on.

I loved everything about this book, from the world-building to the diverse characters. I loved that the relationships built felt real rather than forced and that the FMC was indeed as strong, if not more robust than the author said to us. This book had me by the throat, and I did not want to let go. This would be it if I were one of the individuals who made something they enjoyed into their whole personality. This would be my new personality.

Anacostia did a brilliant job of utilizing real lore for monsters and sea creatures and intertwining it with her story. Indeed, everything flowed beautifully, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Overall:
Stars: 5/5
Spice: 3/5

Maeve might be a Princess but she's well aware that she's isn't exactly what her parents hoped for in many ways. Forced to marry a man she finds vile in order to bolster her father's army Maeve quickly discovers that her new husband is violent and abusive. Maeve makes a split second decision which sees her not only stowing away on a ship but at the mercy of Pirates ! She has either made a huge mistake or taken a huge step towards adventure, which do you think ? Hehe
This was a rollicking good adventure and I loved all the characters quirks and all. Maeve just doesn't quit and throws herself into a life totally alien and yet one she's strangely suited for. Captain Leviathan, now of course there's a love interest and perhaps these nicknames the Pirates have for each other should get you thinking ? ?
I really liked the surprising elements along the way with creatures straight out of myths and legends. The attraction between the couple is visceral although I did want to bang their heads together at one point. The surprises and shocks just got better towards the end but not everything has been fully revealed and I very much look forward to the journey continuing.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

As a teenager, did you ever imagine yourself as a princess who runs away and meets a handsome pirate lord? And, because not bathing for months and eating salt pork, beer, and hardtack are not sexy, you find yourself editing reality to fit your fantasy? That's this book. (In fact, when I described this book to my military-history-hobbyist husband, I traumatized him so badly that all I have to do is come up behind him and whisper "greenhouse" into his ear to make him start spluttering.)

TLDR: If you aren't at all interested in the actual reality of sailing and have no desire to ever learn, this is a fun romp. However, if you know history and can't put that aside, this will probably make you twitch uncontrollably.

Pirates and Princesses do I really need to say more?? This alone sold my husband, he will be reading it as soon as he can! I could not put it down, finished it in 5 hours.

Maeve Cross is a Princess, Captain Leviathan a pirate with a secret. Maeve runs away from her husband on their wedding day and stows away in cargo being loaded onto a pirate ship. She is found and slowly works her way into being welcomed by the crew, that is until the Captain finds out who she is. They are fated to be enemies but their hearts have other plans.

Things I loved
-pirates, enough said here if you like pirates read it. Captain Leviathan gives me Captain Hook vibes but in the once upon a time or Hooked style. I was immediately captivated by his character.
-the world building. It was sprinkled through the entire book and in such a nice way as it’s not too much, or too little.
-the crews dynamic. I love the banter between all of them. I want to be a part of the crew now to!
-pacing, I didn’t feel like this book lagged in any way shape or form!
-the spice. As the good Captain is floored by Maeve I am floored by the spice. So well done. Bravo!

Things I didn’t love
-cliffhanger ending only because I need book two asap!!!
- Nathaniel, I didn’t love him as a person or character but that speaks volumes to how Anacostia Miller writes! I hate the villain.

There wasn’t a darn thing I didn’t love about this book! It was a phenomenal debut fantasy Romantasy. I will absolutely be recommending this to anyone who loves to read! 5/5 star read!

Thank you NetGalley, Anacostia Miller and Hot Tree Publishing for the arc in exchange for a honest review

This book has everything you need; romance, spice, fantasy, and best of all, pirates!! I loved Maeve and Leviathan, they both were so much more than they seemed. The story was thrilling and literally could not put it down!

Listen, I was that girl that was heavily into Pirates of the Caribbean although I never outwardly quite showed it.

Debating whether this one is 3,5 or 4 stars as the book has all the makings of the story that I would honestly love love love to pieces. However... uh. What is stopping me is the insta-love part because that is something that I don't like, I would have loved a bit of a slow burn at least. (If the author does something in the next book/s, I think I'll then forgive the insta-love).

Although there are some things missing (certain parts seemed rushed a bit?), Maeve was a good female lead and I liked following along during her character growth. Leviathan does have his share of moments that made me swoon, I will give you that.

I am looking forward to reading the next one!

This was a great start to the Guardians of Farlight Isles series, it had a great overall feel to it and enjoyed learning about this world. The characters were everything that I was looking for and glad they felt like they were supposed to. I wanted to continue this series and enjoyed the way Anacostia Miller wrote this entry.

First and foremost thank you NetGalley and Hot Tree Publishing for allowing me to arc read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

5/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️
I was drawn in from the first chapter. This was my first pirate read and I loved it. With a heroin FMC who starts off frail and blossoms into a baddie, and a fierce MMC with a secret, this story held my attention from start to finish. From strangers to lovers with lots of steam and banter throughout. With the secret of the leviathans, elves, the secret of Maeve, and the brink of war along with The cliffhanger at the end has me very eager for the next book!

Well hoist the sails and call me Lassie, I'm officially in my pirate era.

The Last Leviathan is a story that follows Mae, a princess who is betrothed to a cruel man who she desperately wants to escape from. When she spots her chance, she runs from him and becomes a stowaway on a ship.

This faced paced, action packed book had her sailing with a crew of ruthless pirates who aren't sure what to do with a noblewoman on their ship. Here, she meets Levi, the captain of the ship, who isn't too keen on her family (understatement of the year).

The characters in this book were fantastic! Reading about the stories of all of the crew members had me ready to hand in my corporate access card and immediately become a pirate.

The banter between Levi and Mae was *chefs kiss* and Levi can captain my ship any day, if you catch my drift. I loved the side characters and I hope we learn more about them in the second book. I also loved the sapphic representation and am keen to see this explored further in the series as well.

The Last Leviathan is packed full of magical beings such as elves, sea dragons and sirens. While they weren't a major part of the story (the romance was a huge part of book 1), I can see how the background was set up for this to be delved into further.

Overall this was a fantastic start to the series and I will definitely be reading the next book.

🩷 Banter
🩷 Sirens, elves, sea dragons, merrow, fae
🩷 Found family
🩷 Enemies to lovers

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Well, what all can I say about this book? I loved it. I thought the writing was really good, well phrased and good pacing. I thought the world building was really intriguing. The plot is intricate, but not too complicated. The bad guys are absolutely the worst and are easy to hate.

I really loved the found family that usually comes with a good pirate story and this one didn't disappoint. The FMC was not a delicate flower even though she is labeled as a princess. The MMC is appropriately tough when he needs to be but also able to be vulnerable when it counts. He's definitely a smexy shifter. I liked all of the characters evolution. Others mention the banter, I agree it was really good.

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I didn't find it believable that Maeve could do everything she did so well and so quickly, I have to say Mary Sue but it came across that way at times and it took me out of the fantasy a bit.

Overall I think this book has a really bright future, I predict it being super successful and seeing a lot of hype on the Romantasy socials..

Looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free e-arc of this book.

First off, shout out to Anacostia Miller, Hot Tree Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the chance to check out the Last Leviathan! I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited to see where this series goes.

Things I liked about it:
The cast of characters were enjoyable and fresh. Big fan of Mae’s character development, plus I mean, you can’t go wrong with Levi. Overall, story was intriguing and kept me interested and I enjoyed the concept of the book.

Things that fell flat for me:
The flow of the books was a bit stop and go and the beginning seemed a bit rushed. I hope in the next books we get some more back story for our main characters.

Overall my rating for this is a 3.75 out of 5 stars. Great first start and so much potential here!

The Last Leviathan (The Guardians of Farlight Isles Book) by Anacostia Miller is an enemies to lovers, fantasy AND slow burn romance. Ahoy matey. Okay I couldn’t help it, this is a thrilling book about pirates. The characters are very well developed and you feel like you personally know them. You find yourself especially cheering for the FMC. The plot is exciting and full of adventure. I absolutely love the world Anacostia Miller created in this book.

Maeve is escaping her home and the plans laid out for her when she ends up on a pirate ship. The captain is Leviathon. Of course the chemistry between them is hot BUT so are the tempers until secrets are revealed.

This is such a great book full of action, love, fantasy and even spiciness. I am so glad I read it and I can not wait for book 2. Great job and I highly recommend this book!

4.5 ⭐️

⭐️ Enemies to lovers
⭐️ Found family
⭐️ Pirates & magical creatures
⭐️ Banter
⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Oh boy 🫠

This book is so good, so good it might even lead me to entering my pirate fantasy era, as apparently they’re my thing now 🏴‍☠️

The FMC at first, I thought was going to be naive and annoying, however she’s written so brilliantly that even though she’s been sheltered her whole life her apathy for others and drive to just be ‘free’ makes her such a good character.

The found family is and always will be one of my favourite things and this just makes me so happy in this book, I loved them, the banter, the relationships, all of it 🥰

The slow burn enemies to lovers between Maeve and Levi was superb, with their banter and suitably being so so good. Also the spice in this top tier 😍

I can’t wait for the next instalment of this series, I loved every moment of reading this!

*ARC given for my honest review*

i’ve never left a review of a book before so this may be a little rambling and disjointed.

to be honest, i was surprised by how much i enjoyed this book since i’m not usually a fan of pirates.
i read it in about a day because i couldn’t put it down.

the grammar was good and the writing flowed a lot better than i expected from an arc book which is a big thing for me.

there were a few frustrating parts - like i just wanted maeve to be fully honest with levi instead of being so vague.
and i felt like the spicy scenes were almost too short? they were 🌶️🌶️🌶️ don’t get me wrong but i wanted them to last a little longer.

in any case, i would definitely recommend this and can’t wait for the next one!

thank you to the author, hot tree publishing and netgalley for the arc copy!