I had to put this book down part way through part 2. It had a very interesting concept, but the style and language were terribly executed. There were random pirate history/background dumps thrown in at odd times. And isn’t this set in the 1700s?? Then why is she saying words like “crackpot” and other modern colloquialisms? I found Amare to be rude and annoying. I just could not continue with this one.

Sunken City was fun and sweet, but fell a little flat in the execution. While I loved the concept, I struggled a bit with the world-building. I typically prefer my world-building to be a bit more subtle and shown, rather than told in the format of an info-dump, which is what happened when Amare met her father.

Additionally, there were a few plot holes that really confused me, such as Amare having never left the ship yet being familiar enough with the city of London that she can compare the sunken city to it.

Overall, I did really enjoy the concept and think this book could be great if cleaned up a little more.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

*4.5/5 stars*
[Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc]

Wow. This was a very fun adventure.

At first, around at 30% of the book, I had considered DNFing because it read like a fanfiction (and not in a good way). I was cringing on some moments, on one so hard I had to put the book down LOL. Also, at first I didn't like Amare. It seemed like the author tried to make her seem like a badass, but it didn't work and instead Amare just looked like she was an arrogant spoiled brat, as well as self righteous. Long story short, she was annoying and got on my nerves. Later on into the book tho, around 60% I think, I started liking her more. She wasn't annoying anymore and I actually kinda liked her. Kinda. The point is, I didn't hate her and she didn't get on my nerves anymore.

If I had to use one word to describe Finn, it would be "vanilla". He's boring. I always liked Lukas way more. Lukas and Finn kinda gave off the same brotherly vibes as Damon and Stefan (Lukas being Damon ofc). He and Amare better be endgame. At first, when I heard that a trope in here was "brothers love triangle" (which is the only type of love triangle acceptable imo), I thought that it was obvious that she would end up with Finn, and that it wasn't fair that Lukas wasn't even really an option for Amare. I was wrong. He became more of an option much later in the book, but STARS ABOVE, when he did become an option, he for sure was what I would call a FREAKING GOOD OPTION 🙇‍♀️😍 So you can expect me to throw hands if Amare and Lukas don't end up together in the second book 👊🤬

Even though in the first paragraph of this review I was listing all the things I didn't like, this was STILL somehow so good at the same time?!?!? So easy to read, so FUN. I really enjoyed it, it was the perfect pirate/underwater adventure I never knew I needed. SO IF SOMEONE IS READING THIS, IM TRYNA SAY THAT THERES MORE PROS THAN CONS, AND THAT ITS SO FUN AND THAT U SHOULD READ IT!! I also liked how there wasn't anything too dramatic, and unlike some other fantasy books that are way too complex for their own good, this didn't make my brain hurt 😃👍 (which is a good thing).

And I thinkkk that this is a trilogy? I know that there's a third book on the way, but dunno if there's any more. But basically, what I wanted to say was if you want a good, fun fantasy, but don't want a 7 book series, then this is for you!

Favorite Characters (in order): Maoke, Lukas, Shoa

Final thoughts: Worth it. So happy I read this. READ IT.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

I was firstly extremely thrilled about the idea of pirates in this book, which to my surprise not only managed to meet,but also succeed my expetactions.The way the interactions between the crew (and the MC), are written and their way of speaking, is really well written,to the point where I found myself often forgetting completely that I was reading. The writing also succeeded my expectation after Amare "sunk" aka went underwater.


Further more the relationships between the characters as well as the characters themselves, were so well developed, particularly Amare. I was completely charmed by her personality and constantly rooted for her throught the story. The way she managed to talk about her womanhood and struggles was deeply relatable. I just love how the female characters are written in the book in general,they all are seen to have personality,hobbies and passions as well as insecurities. The friendship between Amarr,Cora and Shoa was so adorable and fun to read about! The love interests were also SO interesting to read about?? The only reason why I took one star was how suddenly Amane fell for Finn (along with some overuse of modern language) but other than that this was an absolutely excellent read and I AM SO EXCITED TO READ THE NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES!

I enjoyed this! Loved the beginning, a little slow in the middle, but the ending was great.

I've never read a book with an underwater setting, so that was fun!

It felt very Atlantis meets Pirates of the Caribbean + some Little Mermaid vibes?

4.5 stars

This was a great start to a series (trilogy?). I'm not sure if it was intentional, but as I was reading the story, I kept thinking Vampire diaries meets Lore and Little Mermaid, lol! I loved the imaginative world of the Sunken City, and okay, so the physics was totally iffy, but it was a fun place to imagine exploring. The ending was a little bit predictable, but the whole story was a lot of fun, so I didn't mind these things. This is both a series that you will HAVE to read in order and one that doesn't really resolve much so you have to continue reading. I suppose you could call this the story of how Amare figures out who she is and how she comes into her powers and it sets it up very well for the next book. Regardless, for a book that I couldn't find in my library (it appears to only be on Amazon), I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it and I definitely want to continue with the series.

I received an advance review copy from the author and NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I adored this book. If you enjoyed Daughter of the Pirate King you will definitely enjoy this. The strong female MC, hidden magic and torn between mother and father. Also the love triangle in this book is one of the only ones I have read where I didn't immediately know who she would choose and to be honest I still don't. I am super excited to read the sequel!

Amare Bellamy is a feisty young pirate with a deep connection to the ocean. Her life has not been easy but she is not one to sit back and whine. She is determined to captain her own ship one day! When she finds an old treasure chest with a magical secret, her life is turned upside down. Quite literally actually. She discovers an strange underwater kingdom and must learn to navigate all the strange new aspects of who she is.

This book is everything that I love in a fantasy story. Pirates, underwater kingdoms, magic, treasure, friendship, romance, intrigue, surprise plot twists and fantastic worldbuilding! I was completely transported into Amare's world and cannot wait for more. The character diversity is brilliant. I really admire how the author is able to stay so true to two very different societies. The human world is in the 1700s with all the societal norms of that time but the Sunken City has advanced in such a way that I feel right at home in the modern world it represents. Each society has its weaknesses and Emma Noyes brings the differences out so beautifully.

All in all a brilliant book and a must read for fantasy lovers.

This is not a love story, there is a romance in the book. This is not an adventure story, though there is adventure in this book. This is not a mystery, though there is a mystery as well. It is all of these things, and more. It almost feels as though the author is trying to put as much as they can into this story.

Amare is an orphan on a pirate ship, in the 1700s. But when she opens a treasure chest, and discovers a magic conch shell that awakens something in her, she feels herself drawn to the ocean, and eventually dives in and transforms into a Sereia (their name for the merfolk that live under the water. Their word for witch is a Mchawi. Apparently the Mchawi are bad. Which goes a along with what Amare has been taught about witchcraft.

The rest of the book is her adventures under the sea, with the Sereia, where she is apparently a lost princess and her father is the king. On top of that, his right hand man, Finn, was supposed to be in line to be king, but now that Amare has shown up, has to protect her.

The part that didn't work for me was that this girl, from the 1700s, is deposited in this realm under the sea that is apparently set in the 21st century, with night clubs, and the current slang, and all that goes with that. Apparently the Sereia are more advanced than humans. And apparently they invented rock and roll before the humans of the 1700s have. What bothers me about this is that the author feels that these mer folks would just invent Rock and Roll, as though it was something of their culture. That somehow they got to it, taking the credit for something that Black people developed.

I will probably read the next book in the series, if just to find out where all the clues are heading.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

I received this book in exchange for my honest review. I honestly didn’t think I was going to enjoy this book. This is due to the fact that I don’t usually read fantasy books but, I love this book! The story and the characters were so well written. I can not wait for the sequel of this book!

I absolutely LOVED this tale of mermaids, witches, pirates, romance, and adventure! Amare was fabulous! She was the perfect character for this story! The love triangle was set up nicely, and I’m rooting for Lucas. Bad boys are the best!
I can’t wait for the next installment!!!! The fallen witch sounds evil!!!!

Amazing story, for the original setting alone. I was completely transported and captivated. I would definitely check out other works by this author. And perfect choice for the cover art!

This was a fun and magical book that I think all age groups will enjoy. I really enjoyed it.

First time trying and hearing of this author. I would definitely recommend this book to a wide rage on my reading buddies and would definitely try this author again.

A unique concept I must admit, a fantasy ya story filled with magic, pirates and a fantastical world that lives deep under the sea. I honestly wasn't to sure how to take Amare the main character, she had a lot of characteristics and quirks that I found enjoyable but sometimes I found her personality a little grating. Some fantastic examples of tge cutest friendships were present and no suprise a lot of adventure was to be had throughout the story.

This debut novel from Emma Noyes has so much excitement and intrigue packed it., found it hard to put down. The author has crafted a unique fantasy world full of pirates and witches and regular old friendships and lovers. While I was reading, I found myself empathizing with heroes and villains alike, always guessing what move was next and always impressed. I can't wait to see what comes next.

I loved this, I couldn't put it down! It was set in such an exciting world and really takes you on a whirlwind adventure. There's plenty of action, a bit of romance and lots of mystery!
I cannot wait to read book 2!

I love books that transport you to another place. This book is full of magic, pirates, different kingdoms and a fight between good and evil.

You get wrapped in the beginning and can't wait to see what is going to happen to Amare. She thinks she is just a pirate but imagine when she wakes up to learn the she is the Princess of the Sunken City.

Everything she thought she knew is a lie. Now, who will she trust. her husband, a witch, or her father?

First of all. Dear NetGalley, THANK YOU! This book was beyond great, it was perfect under every aspect.
I saw the cover on bookstagram and I knew I had to get a copy. You don't know how much happy I was when I discovered you were giving us a chance to read it for free.
Going back to the review, this book has everything that should be in a story set above and under the sea. Pirates, underwater kingdoms, a lost princess, adventure, mystery and a love triangle that makes sense (I feel like the second book will give me great fangirl vibes).
Writing, characters, world building were just awesome and really fascinating; I can't wait to read more about the next installment.

This book was going so good. I loved the build-up to her next adventure and I loved the introduction to the new world, but then the plot seemed to have been thrown out the window, cause I don't know where the story was going after the 60% mark.

Amare also seemed to have changed into a completely different character. Before she was brash and crude and ready to tumble, but the girl, in the end, was timid and easily buckled under pressure. I still don't understand what the skeleton with a sword was for. Everything is so random and disjointed that I have no interest in reading the second book.

This one surprised me. Great world building, magic, fantasy, pirates, conflict, what more could someone want from a read. The writing, full of interesting characters and vivid imagery, kept me turning the digital pages. Great job by Noyes, and I look forward to reading the next installment of this series. Amera is a main character full of inner turmoil and hope for the future that one would expect from this type of work, yet she feels a bit different that just the typical young heroine. The supporting characters, both above and below the sea, are full of life and are fleshed out nicely.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eGalley of this work in exchange