The Navigator's Touch is the sequel to The Seafarer's Kiss, following a pirate with the element of Norse mythology. I read The Seafarer's Kiss last year and I liked it enough, though it wasn't my favourite.

So, pirate books and me tend to not get along. I don't know what it is about them but I have trouble enjoying them, and I didn't know this was a pirate book going in. 

I would say that this book was only okay for me. The plot was interesting but I wasn't on the edge of my seat. 

I kind of don't get why this book exists. It feels like a companion because it's from someone else's point of view, but it also feels like a sequel. But it doesn't really work as either. The previous book ended in a way that there could be more story to tell but it doesn't feel like the story you would've expected. The story of this almost felt out of place. 

I did like Ragna as a character and it was cool to see more of her and her backstory. But I didn't really love this, and nothing happened for the most part. It was only okay.

Absolutely great. This was a fantastic read and I didn't expect anything less of amazing. The story had me gripped from the very beginning and it was hard to put down. I enjoyed this read and look forward to future works from this author.

Absolute perfect read for pride month!!

Seeing this book posted to NetGalley made me the happiest person ever. I’ve been anxiously waiting for this sequel/companion novel since Julia Ember announced it. I loved The Seafarer’s Kiss...it was absolutely magical with mermaids, Norse gods and a whole range of diverse characters. I’ve stated over and over again that Ember’s writing just gets better and better with each book she releases and this novel was no exception. She’s really outdone herself with The Navigator’s Touch. I simply loved this book and know that I will re-read it again in the near future.

Before I actually start this review, I want to point out that The Navigator’s Touch can be read either as a sequel to The Seafarer’s Kiss or a companion novel. You don’t have to read the first book to understand and enjoy the second one. Like, it’s nice to already know the world and the characters, but Ember does an excellent job catching readers up without it feeling like a review or rehash of what has already been read. That said, you really, really should read The Seafarer’s Kiss because it’s a fantastic book that deserves all of the love in the world.

The story in this book is told from Ragna’s perspective, which means it has a completely different feel and tone. The focus here is on revenge and violence. Ragna is a totally badass Viking shield maiden who has magical shape shifting tattoos that act as a guide or compass (hence the title of the book). The plot primarily revolves around her wanting to punish the men that attacked her village and killed her family. However, this need for vengeance often causes her problems and isolates her from the people who support and love her. She’s an extremely flawed character and I love her all the more for it. Throughout her journey she really learns a lot about herself and I love stories like this. I think from time to time we can all see a little bit of ourselves in Ragna and that’s what makes her such an interesting character. What also stood out for me was her background story. We learn a little bit more about the tricker god Loki and Ragna’s family, especially her mother. Connecting the dots between characters, places and stories further added it the book’s worldbuilding. I love the mixture of the Viking world, Norse gods and mythology involving mermaids and monsters.

One thing I missed from the first book was Ersel, a shape shifting mermaid who rescued Ragna and fell in love with her in The Seafarer’s Kiss. She was very much a secondary character and often forgotten about. I would have liked more mermaid scenes but I totally understand that this wasn’t her “time”. She had her own book that told her story. However, I’m pretty sure we will see a lot more of her next time because of the way the book ended. I really hope we will be getting a third book in the series. THAT ENDING FLOORED ME! I need more from these characters and their world!!!!

A nice added touch were the content warnings for each chapter listed at the end of the book and online. There are scenes that could be very difficult for readers to read, especially since so much of Ragna’s story involves violence. There’s a particular chapter near the end of The Navigator’s Touch that was extremely violent. I think more books should have a resource like this as it improves the reading experience for everyone. Well done to the author and the publisher!

I cannot recommend this book enough. Like, I don’t even have the words to write a review that can do it justice. You really need to read it (and its predecessor) as soon as possible! So, if you enjoy books inspired by the Viking world, female/female romances, Norse gods, badass/battle axe-wielding women and lots of action, go pre-order it now!

I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately it’s another miss.

“The Navigator’s Touch” switches point of view from the first novel to Ragna, the warrior captain who hungers for revenge against the people who slaughtered her family before taking her from her home to be used as a weapon, but when she runs short on help and Ersel falls ill, she finds herself with a bargain of her own with the infamous trickster god and no clear idea as to where this new path will lead.

Now I don’t know if this was supposed to be a retelling in the same way book one was or rather that of a origin type story but if you didn’t tell me the inspiration for this character I would have no idea. I will say it was interesting seeing her background and the events that led to her initial appearance on the ice in the previous book but everything outside of that was sort of dull. We are told this this is the best fighter who has trained all their life for this but when it comes time for the battle it gets wrapped up rather quickly leaving much to be desired.

Speaking of desire, the love story here was already flimsy due to the lack of scenes with them together and this book doubles down on that and adds in more fighting so they really don’t do much other than share the same space for a couple of pages before things wrap up.

I really don’t know what to make of this series there was so much potential in the gender bending and Norse mythology but never really followed through.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review!**