I loved the first book in this series so was really happy when I was given the opportunity to read the sequel early! Where we left off in the first book I wanted the 2nd straight away. The authors writing is so addictive and beautiful. The world is dark and intriguing and I always wanted to know more. I love Niya, she's such a fun main character who isn't afraid of anything and I love reading about her.

A book that is well written but unfortunately not for me. Just couldn’t get into it but it seems that many other people enjoy the story. I would still recommend everyone check it out if they are curious as it seems like a pretty decent book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publishers and the Author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Although this was the second book in the series, this could easily be read as a standalone (which is how I read it). I'm not a big reader of fantasy romance, but I loved this swashbuckling adventure! It was great to learn about the main characters' history together throughout the novel, and to see how their attitudes towards each other changed over time.

There was great world-building from the author, with explanations of the various locations that the cast of characters went to as part of their adventure. It was a fast-paced book, and the perfect enemies to lovers romance for my personal preferences.

I will definitely be reading other books by the author, and especially the other books in this series!

This review is from an ARC I was so grateful to netgalley to get! Absolutely adored this book and I related to Niya so much in this! The writing is beautiful, the story is gripping and definitely builds and the tension and slow burn romance is just the cherry on top for me 🥰

What can I say? I love a good fantasy romance. If it is enemies to lovers and has a gorgeous cover I am powerless to resist.
This is the second installment in the Mousai series but, as it is often the case with fantasy romance, both books can be read as stand alone although reading them in order will provide you with more information about the world and backgrounds of the characters.
It is more focused on the romance side of the things than on the fantasy aspect but I am not mad about it. Want to know why? Because I adored the characters and their dynamic. The witty banter between them were absolutely my favorite things.
The writing style flows very well and between the interesting plot and the perfect rhythm is a very quick read. I will definitely read the other books in this series.

Ok, Dance of a Burning Sea was an absolute delight. I have previously read Song of the Forever Rains, really loved the pros and heroine, but found the pacing toward the end to be slightly anti-climactic. That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I could tell when reading Song of the Forever Rains that Larkyra's sister Niya (who Dance of a Burning Sea is about) was heroine whose book I couldn't wait to get my hands on. I was not wrong, as I far and away loved this book even more than the first. E.J. Mellow's prose are really beautiful, she tells a really descriptive story without being overly wordy. I was pleasantly surprised that a spitfire like Niya got a man to play opposite her who was equally as interesting. I loved their chemistry, I loved his secrets, and I absolutely LOVED the ending (....but you'll have to read it yourself to see what happens)! Dance of a Burning Sea had a great cast of characters, really unique world building, and a plot that had me turning page after page to see what would happen.

Final thoughts would be that overall it is an incredibly well done book, and I'm super excited to see where the third one takes us.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I Really enjoyed this book. Enemies to lovers isn't a trope I gravitate to often but this one was really well written and the enemies part (which I sometimes find to be lacking) was understandable and imaginative. Niya is a hot tempered but witty and lovable character and she was a joy to read about. Alōs Ezra was charming and had hidden depths that i love in love interests. The setting of a pirate ship isn't something I've read about before so I didn't know what to expect with that but the descriptions of the sea and the other pirates was fun to read. I didn't like how quite to anger Niya was at times which is why my rating is a 4 star and not a 5 star, but overall I loved the book.

I loved Larkya's story but the sequel is everything I need! After all, it has pirates, a strong enemies-to-lovers plot, found family and then some unpredictable adventures, not to mention my love for the world-building. In short, this book is perfectly imperfect, because sure, it has some weak points but at the end of the day, it works and leaves you more than satisfied.

I loved Niya's fire from the first book and I couldn't wait to see how her relationship with Alōs will unfold as they set off on a really rocky path where they're their own biggest enemies.

I'd say, Niya is a little annoying at the first half, compared to how we saw her in the first book but by the end, her growth made sense. She was hurt and unbalanced at the beginning and we see her learning to listen, to center herself and grow comfortably into her skin as a woman rather than being a heartbroken teenager.

And compared to other books, this story really did have two protagonists because Alōs growth and story was just as important (if not more). Seeing them push eachother to be better and having that last chapter was the most satisfying thing I've read this year!

This series is one of the biggest surprises of this year's releases and I'm incredibly thankful to netgalley, the publisher and the author herself (because the world and the characters she created for this series is beyond anything) for having the opportunity to read the ARC.

Soooo E.J. Mellow had teased us with Niya and Lord Ezra in book 1 (Song of the Forever Rains). Niya's personality and Ezra's description has intrigued me ever since and I never clicked so fast when the author announced ARC is available on Netgalley.

And I'm not disappointed! It is as amazing as I hoped for!
Niya's short temper might irritate readers at first, but also Ezra's cold demeanor. Its lovely to see how their characters grow throughout the book. I also love the quests, the Thief Kingdom characters, the pirate crews, and so many more.

Will probably edit this later to add more detail and avoid spoiler, but I love this book A LOT. Highly recommend!

(ARC acquired via Netgalley. Review is 100% honest)

The Thief Kingdom and destinations around Aadilor are magical, whimsical, and full of mischief. The adventure (and romance) keeps you on the edge of your seat. The setting and storyline are unlike the many other fantasy books I've read.

Niya find herself paying off a bet by serving on a pirate ship with her long enemy Alōs Ezra. As they search for a high stakes treasure together Niya realizes that there is always more than meets the eye and she's not so different than the pirates she works alongside. At it's core this is a story about redemption and family.

I would rate the book PG-13 (because would PG mischief in a Thief Kingdom be any fun?) with a couple R rated moments.

I have to admit that I read more than a quarter of the first book in the Mousai series, however I couldn't completely get into it (I will eventually go back and finish it) and decided to read Dance of a Burning Sea because the blurb just sounded really good. Because I read part of the first book I had some background information about the characters. However, this book in my opinion can be read as a standalone. This is a enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance. The banter between pirate lord Alos Ezra and the fire dancer Niya was amazing. I just couldn't get enough and they were a really great match.

“...her burning fire had worked its way into his heart, keeping it from ever truly being able to freeze over again.”

I especially loved the setting and the different places we traveled in this book. The side characters were awesome and added an extra layer to the story. This was a long book (around 500 pages) but it definitely wasn't dull. I was connected to the characters and was invested in the story. I looked forward to seeing what would happen next and how the characters would grow. The love/hate relationship they had was hot and you could really feel the tension between them. Dance of a Burning Sea is a great fantasy romance, and I love E.J. Mellow's writing style. It was very easy to read and had a great flow. I can't wait for the next book to release, which will be about the oldest sister Arabessa.

YES.YES.YES.

I knew as soon as the title popped up we would be having the tale of the two characters I’ve been dying to read about.

In book one ‘Song of the Forever Rains, ‘ we were Introduced to a fiery, short, redhead and a pirate captain that has a face quoted to look like sin!

“Sin. He had a face moulded from sin, every inch painting pictures of depravity in Larkrya's mind, of heated bedchambers and hidden corners. His brown skin, tanned a deeper shade from his life at sea onyx hair reaching below his shoulders, and angular cheekbones tempted all. But his lilting grin, Larkrya knew, also held a promise of pain. And the combination was utterly terrifying. For a pirate lord said to be the worst sort of beast on the Obasi waters, the spectacle of walking unmasked and baring his devastating beauty clearly worked to his advantage. Know me, it whispered. Remember who carved out your screams.”

I was already hooked.

This story took off at running speed and paced itself much the same for the entirety of the book, the already picturesque world was extended further ( to my utter delight) Rich in details, just as dark, if not more so in atmosphere and far more alluring.

The chemistry exceeded my expectations! There was far more angst, emotions and history between these two than I had expected, and I revelled in it! looking back now, there were quite a few hints in their first encounter.

The banter came in hot and sharp, not only between the two strong MCs, Niya and Alōs but also between the sisters. It was contagious, witty and very entertaining.

The Mousai have perfectly balanced dynamics.

Something that stood out to me within this novel was the way Mellow took us back into the past through memories, which were heavily laden with emotions, then threw us back into the highly addictive chaos of the present.

For me the exploration of vices, emotions, control and the grey areas of what makes a villain had me hooked.

A fabulous second instalment! I cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy of this novel.

Welcome to my Auto-buy Author list, E.J Mellow!

( I feel that this will probably remain my favourite of the three, shall I call it now?)

I will preface this by saying that I have not yet read the first installment, but the author made sure that there was no need to in order to understand how the world works. I will be picking up the first installment tonight though, because this book was simply beautiful. Definitely one of my new favourite books! The setting and its lore were amazing, the magic system was intriguing, and the adventure was filled with pirates, gambling, quests for treasure, and beautifully fleshed out characters with flaws and with such realistic portrayals that it felt as though they were real somehow. It just all worked together so well and made this book so wonderful to read. I should probably mention that the main romance was enemies-to-lovers and centred around one of them having betrayed another four years ago. In short, I just can't wait for the third and final installment of the Mousai series because this one desperately left me wanting more! This book is 100% worth five stars.

This is the second book of the Mousai series, and I loved being back in the world of the Bassette sisters. The book follows Niya’s story. She is the second born Bassette, and part of the feared and revered Mousai, a deadly trio of magic wielders bound to use their powers to keep the Thief Kingdom in check and protected. In this story Alos Ezra, a notorious pirate in the Thief Kingdom, is hunted down by the Thief King for breaking one of its rules. However, he holds a secret that just may be his and his crew’s salvation, a secret that Niya is desperate to keep hidden. Alos captures Niya in hopes that he can blackmail a pardon from the Thief King. Niya, who tends to be quick to temper and rash in her decisions, tries to remedy her situation by making a deal, but lands herself bound to the pirate and his ship, The Crying Queen, instead.

I love the world E.J. Mellow has created, especially the Thief Kingdom, a place where sinners can curb their vices and carnality, and it certainly is that. It is a place to get lost in and to let go of inhibitions. The relationship and the dynamic between the sisters is wickedly entertaining. And the tension between Niya and Alos is frustrating in the best way.
So if you’re into enemies to lovers books set in an alluring world of magic and mischief with an epic adventure that sweeps you in, then this is a book for you.

Thank you to E.J. Mellow for providing the NetGalley ARC!

A fun fantasy-romance with clever world-building, a nimble plot, tons of character development and a romance I actually enjoyed -- which can be hard in this genre! It was a rough start for me, and I was considering putting it down, but I'm glad I powered through. There are some smaller elements I struggled with, like the character's magic internally speaking to them, which only ever felt like Gollum from LOTR to me, and the stodgy pace of the solid first quarter, if not more, of the book. But overall, this is a very enjoyable read, and I think this is a good example of how and when to reveal backstories to best suit the plot.

3.5 stars

Lustrous and sublime! Dance of a Burning Sea is enchanting, rich, and seductive—much like our focal character, Niya. From barroom brawls to opulent balls, with pirate quests and debauchery thrown into the mix, this novel delights throughout. A bold and appreciably diverse cast of characters fill the artfully wrought landscape of this novel and bring the adventure to life.

I cannot express how thrilled I was to find Dance of a Burning Sea on NetGalley! I just had my mind blown by Song of the Forever Rains, so I was stoked at the opportunity to read its sequel early. (Admittedly, I did prefer the first novel and Larkyra’s story to Niya’s, but that’s a mere personal preference.) Can I say that I cannot wait for a third book and Arabessa’s story? And, oh, what a box set this series will make! What an adornment to my shelves!

Picture a Venn diagram split into narration, action, and dialogue. Perfectly nestled in the center is Dance of a Burning Sea. E.J. Mellow knows her stuff!

My only critiques are these: the romance is a touch predictable, and the format of the plot is identical to Song of the Forever Rains. The latter can be excused and is perhaps even a good thing considering how it helps bind the two novels as a series. The former? Well, I’m not one for romance in the first place, so my opinion is neither here nor there.

Overall I relished my time spent reading this novel and look forward to reading even more from E.J. Mellow!

Many thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my! I was looking for an escape from the real world when I picked up this book, and escape I did!

The world building was absolutely magical, from giants all the way to an underwater kingdom. I loved the 3 sisters and how the seamlessly weaved in and out of the story. Also the diverse represntation amongst the characters was so refreshing and well done. The plot pacing was excellent, there was a lot of travelling which would normally get n bit boring in some bits but the authored managed to keep my attention the entire time. The main characters were also so much fun to read about and there character development was done very well!

This is a stand alone novel but part of an overall series - I will definitely be back to read the rest!

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars

Wow! Was this book a ride! One that I very much enjoyed and will be jumping on again! Also to preface I did not read the first book in the series but the author recapped well. I did not have any questions or feel like I missed anything by not reading the first book. I do have plans to go back and read the first book though!

Before I dive into the main characters I just want to touch how beautiful the world building was. The magic behind each location was fun to learn. I also really enjoyed the character descriptions.

Niya and Alōs’s journey was a roller coaster! I wasn’t sure what to think with the prologue and first couple of chapters. It took me about 10 chapters to get really hooked and then I couldn’t put it down.

Niya is all fire (literally) and she burns very hot in the beginning. Which led her to make a lot of stupid decisions. I struggled relating to her at first due to how impulsive she was. As the book went on she really matured and it was great watching her grown. She went from a character I was okay with to one I really enjoyed.

Alōs is a cunning pirate! I loved that we learned about him as Niya did. I was constantly trying to piece him together and understand his motives. I enjoyed the witty banner between him and Niya! And the slow burn angst was torture! I think the author did a great job making him flirty but also mysterious. At the end I was ready for them to be together and was rooting for them!

Overall I loved this book. The world was beautiful. I loved the romance story and that it wasn’t the main point of the book. The romance complemented the adventure (which is hard to find in books). The characters were diverse and intriguing. It was fun to explore the world and I am looking forward to reading book 1 and the third installment!

Thank you Net Galley for this e-Arc!
This was my first read from E.J. Mellow (yes, I will be grabbing the first book to correct my mistake) and I was not disappointed. The description of the book reels you in for a spin that is worth it.

The Dance of the Burning Sea follows the middle sister, Niya. As the fire dancer Mousai, no one knows her true identity behind her mask and only she can remove it. When she stays with her family away from the Kingdom, she lives as just another Bassett girl with no one being the wiser... until Niya gets cornered one day while bartering with children. Kidnapped she is taken to a ship where she meets and is reminded of the one person who knows her secret: Alos Ezra. Already infuriated with him for how she was treated, she has no plans to be used as leverage against the Thief King and decides to offer her own bargain with the treacherous, banished pirate lord. Her sisters always claim she is too hotheaded and rash -- and this just may be the riskiest deal she's ever made. If she wins, she gets her freedom. But, if she loses, Niya will voyage as a crew member to the Crying Queen.

Did I mention that this was a lovers-to-enemies-to ? ... I won't spoil it but the world building and the adventure in this book was amazing! This fantasy was filled with pirates, giants, quests for treasure, a rowdy crew, and romance. It had me on the edge of my seat and reading way past midnight to finish. The only thing I wish for is more to their story. But, I'm excited for the eldest sister's story after the hints made in this one. Highly recommend checking this book out and preordering!

First:

I would like to thank Netgalley, Mellow and those behind this book for granting me an ARC of this book.

This story surpasses the first book, in every way.
It is fire burning in my heart, I don't think I will ever forget the feelings of this book and I really am so excited to finish reading it.
There are twists and turns that you never expect and that gives a plus to the story, as well as touching on "sensitive" topics such as the characters belonging to the LGBT+ community.
This was such an enjoyable read, I'm sure I'll keep reading more from the author.