Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group and Imprint for the advance reader copy Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez in exchange for an honest review. Oh did I revel in the fantasy and magic of this world of kingdoms, kings, queens, lords, and ladies. Based on the star-crossed lovers tale of Tristan and Eseult, Branwen is the cousin, friend and hand-maid of Princess Essy and narrator of this first in a series. I can’t wait for the 2nd book in the series but found the characters of Branwen and Essy difficult to take many times. Essy is a spoiled princess but also very honest that she wants to marry for love (which the king and queen can’t possibly allow) during a time when warring countries need a marriage guranteeing peace. Branwen is Essy’s level-headed cousin who is so consumed with what her country wants that she pushes down her own desires, hides her many lies from those she loves, and sees the course of history being changed (due to something she did). Branwen finds Tristan, half-dead in the sea and rescues him and as she falls for him, she realizes he is their enemy from Kernyv ( killed her parents) but an more importantly an accord between Iveriu and Kernyv will bring peace between their countries. The only true, strong, capable character is Tristan, who remains a force, genuine in his love for Branwen and his power to win Essy’s hand for King Marc, his relative. It is once Branwen uses magic to save Tristan that changes her to an ice queen like the Queen (which was disconcerting and alarming). Any happiness Branwen wants is second to what her country needs. Debut author, Perez is a fantastic world builder with beauty, desire, and danger galore. The ending was devastating, but I will be clamoring for the 2nd in the series!

4.5 stars

I can’t even begin to explain what I felt about this book. My emotions were all over the place. I can only remember one book that affected me that way and it ended up being my all-time favorite book. Sweet Black Waves is a close second to that book.

I requested and got this book because it was inspired by the tale of Tristan and Eseult. But, as I got to reading it, I realized that the author used a lot of Celtic influence in the book. I was thrilled. I am a huge Celtic mythology buff and to see those influences used in the book made me like it even more.

Branwen was the star of Sweet Black Water. She had suffered so much loss in her life. I was surprised when she decided to rescue the man in the water. I was even more surprised when it was a man from the kingdom that hers were warring with. She hated them with a passion. What also caught me by surprise was when she started to fall in love with Tristan. While I saw it coming, I wasn’t expecting it.

I liked Tristan. I still feel that he is Branwen’s true love. I do think that he should have been more truthful with her at the beginning when he was in the cave. But in hindsight, would that have changed anything? I don’t think so. I do think that he pushed Branwen too hard to acknowledge their relationship. I do like that he saw the person underneath every shield that she put up. Even when she started coming into her power, he loved her unconditionally.

I didn’t like Eseult. She rubbed me the wrong way right from the get-go. She came across as spoiled and impulsive. She was willing to ruin a peace treaty between the two countries to be with the man that she “loved“. She did everything in her power to make the journey to Kernyvak as uncomfortable as possible. I wanted to slap her into next Tuesday the whole book but the end, I wanted to pummel her. She didn’t deserve Branwen at that point.

I thought that the romance between Branwen and Tristan was sweet. From the get-go, their feelings for each other couldn’t be hidden. Even the Queen noticed when Tristan formally introduced himself to Branwen. I do wish that it wasn’t a secret romance. But, it would have been dangerous for both Branwen and Tristan to be with each other. They would have been killed. Of course, what happened on the ship puts a huge damper on their romance.

While I understood why the Queen and Branwen did what they did, I didn’t understand why Branwen had to wear it around her neck. That was asking for trouble. I would have thought that she would have packed it with her belongings. Makes sense. But it also makes sense for her to wear it around her neck.

The end of the book killed me. While I figured what was going to happen, I wasn’t expecting it to hurt me as much as it hurt the characters. I actually cried from the point Branwen stumbled upon it to the end of the book. My shock took a while to get over too. I loved the choice words she had for those involved. But I also loved the promise that Tristan made to her. Makes me feel that there is hope.

What I liked about Sweet Black Waves:

A) The Celtic influence throughout the book

B) The phenomenal world building

C) The 3D characters

What I disliked about Sweet Black Waves:

A) Eseult. Couldn’t stand her.

B) The end of the book. It killed me to read

C) What Branwen wore around her neck. It was trouble.

I would give Sweet Black Waves an Older Teen rating. There are sexual situations and violence. But no language. I would recommend no one under the age of 16 read this book.

There are trigger warnings. They would be attempted rape, attempted suicide and assault. If you are triggered by any of those, please do not read the book.

I would recommend Sweet Black Waves to friends and family. I would include a warning about the trigger warnings. This is a book that I will reread.

I would like to thank Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Imprint, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Sweet Black Waves.

All opinions stated in this review of Sweet Black Waves are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

This book feels like a train you really want to get off, but can't. And not because it's horrible. Because it's so good.

It took me a bit to get into it at first, but the pace picks up as you go. It is full of Celtic legend and lore (with some artistic license taken.) It is a tale of love and betrayal, a tragedy of the deepest sort. It is nearly unbearable. I had to put it down several times because I was getting too anxious over Branwen, the fierce main character and Lady of Iveriu. It isn't often that we get a story from the view of a character who would be seen by the others as just a support or a servant. This is one of those rare tales, and it is told well. If you're interested in Celtic legend at all, and you like The Song of Albion, try this one. It will murder you, but it's worth it.

This book is fairly clean.

Okay, I knew this book wasn’t going to have a Disney-esque ending but still...that hurt. Pretty please can we have a sequel?

This book really should’ve been release in January instead of June, because this book is the perfect midwinter read. It has a dark, lush setting that gives life to the brutal magic and fierce characters that flesh out this Celtic retelling.

The characters were absolutely amazing—Branwen is definitely one of my favorite heroines of the year (maybe of all time?). She is at once fierce and gentle, loving and harsh. I also loved Essy and Tristan—they both had wonderful, distinct personalities that supported Branwen without taking over. The characters were definitely the best part of the book, and I absolutely fell in love with them (even though I knew they weren’t likely to have happy endings).

I can’t speak as to how the plot followed the original legend (since I’ve been avoiding it due to spoilers), but I will say that I don’t feel like the story was wrapped up in this book. There is definitely a lot of unanswered questions, and I’m hoping for at least a sequel, if not a series. Also, there was a lot of dark magic in this book, of the druidic/occult variety. A lot of it led to violence, it was fairly graphic.

Overall, I immensely enjoyed this Celtic legend, even if it was rather dark and depressing. This book is best suited for older teens on up (think 17 or so), as there was a lot of content in this book that isn’t well-suited for younger readers. 4 out 5 stars, minus one for violence and sexual situations.

Sex: Desire/lust exhibited by both men and women. Several kisses, semi-detailed. Two characters have sex, but only the aftermath is shown (characters undressed, blood on the sheets). Mentions of the wedding night, and bearing children.

Language: Infrequent cursing, including allusions to ladies’ promiscuity.

Cultural: One main character is described as having brown/bronze skin. The Kernymen are described as mostly being “pale,” like the Ivernic people. Some others are described as having darker skin.

Violence: A lot of wounds, and gruesome violence, both from war and supernatural causes. Very graphic. Not for faint of heart/stomach.

Drug/Alcohol: Characters regularly drink wine, and occasionally get tipsy. Other characters create magical brews to influence each others’ actions and emotions.


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I've been eagerly anticipating the release of Sweet Black Waves, so I was excited to see it on Netgalley . Having now read it, I am happy to report it did not disappoint! I was sucked into the story right from the get go. Branwen the heroine of the story was such a likeable and layered character. The development of the relationship between her Tristan was well executed - I’m a sucker for a good enemy to lovers romance! The world and plot were both interesting as well, there was never a dull moment. Overall, an brilliant read!

Branwen is lady in waiting to her cousin, Princess Eseult. Her parents were killed by raiders when she was six, leaving her to be raised by the king and queen of Iveriu who are her uncle and aunt. The queen teaches Branwen healing techniques that go along with magic from The Land and The Old Ones, and it isn't until Branwen finds an unconscious boys drifting among the waves that she puts her healing abilities to use. Her decision to save this boy, a boy from the enemy country of Kernyv who was responsible for her parents' demise starts a trend of activities that results in tension between family, blossoming love, and the world of magic.

I didn't have a problem with any of the characters except for Eseult. She is a privileged brat who regularly got drunk and did what she could to defy her status, parents, and cousin. She is too immature and selfish to focus on other needs besides herself. Branwen was Eseult's brain since she was always pulling Eseult away from bad decisions and the aftermath that resulted. The princess took offense to everything and always started fights with Branwen, but by the next day she would cry and beg forgiveness because her life was just too awful without someone to complain to. Once she discovers Branwen kissing Tristan (the nephew of the king of Kernyv) she shuns both of them and stabs herself with a pair of scissors in hopes to die since no one loves her. Not kidding, those were her exact words. This girl is so self-absorbed that everyone must devote their time and attention to her and worship the ground she walks on in order to make her happy. She is too narcissistic to see just how much her cousin adores her and looks out for her. They are practically sisters and yet their strong bond isn't enough for Eseult.

Branwen transformed into a powerful and exuberant young lady by the end of the story. Her experience with magic connecting her to The Land and the Old Ones flourished. Her relationship with Tristan didn't end on a happy note since of course this follows the original tale of Tristan and Eseult, but I look forward to see what direction the next book takes. My favorite part was when Branwen told Tristan that she loved him but she loved The Land more, and that was how it would always be.

I received an ARC of Sweet Black Waves from NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital arc of "Sweet Black Waves" by Kristina Perez. This book is "The Mists of Avalon" and "Tristan and Isolde" wrapped up in YA fantasy from a fresh point of view and I loved it! The two aforementioned stories are two of my favorites so this book was perfect for me. There is romance, atmosphere, beautiful world building in a place I already feel at home, and well developed characters. I really like the character list. That way if I forget how a character plays into the story I can just look at the front. This is much more helpful than a family tree. This story is lovely! Please read it and share it!

Before starting this book, make sure you have tissues, ice cream, and no neighbors nearby to hear when you scream in outrage.

Though based on a well-known tale, Sweet Black Waves caught me off guard many times. This book veers off of the typical Y/A story paths in ways that gives the characters and the overall story greater depth. This depth results in so many emotions for the reader. Branwen, our main character, and her cousin, the Princess Eseult, are both refreshing action-minded individuals. Through healthy and unhealthy choices they both move the plot along through their decisions. The author's writing makes it so that whether or not you love the actions of the characters, you understand them completely.

I loved/hated this book. It took me on such a whirlwind of emotions. It's a very good thing the second book is not coming as the same time as the first since it will take me some time to decide whether or not I am willing to put myself back into the deep emotions of these characters and this world.

LOVED this book - great writing, great characters and excellent plot.

It's rare for me to compare a book to Juliet Marillier's works (my favorite celtic fantasy author) but Sweet Black Waves reminded me of a young adult version of Ms. Marillier's works. I was completely drawn in by the imperfect characters (a queen with the weight of the world on her shoulders, a princess who'd do anything for love, a handmaiden with healing powers) and what they do and don't do for love. It could be love for each other, and/or the love of their land that motivates them. The end was slightly predictable, but by the time I finished it, I was blown away by my need to pick up the sequel. Immediately.

I love stories about star-crossed lovers and Sweet Black Waves broke my heart in all the right ways. Kristina Perez does a wonderful job retelling Tristan & Eseult in a new and unexpected way. I was kept on edge not knowing what way this story would go, and was satisfied with the ending. I'm looking forward to Branwen's story continuing.