Rating: 2.5 stars

I’ve been dying to read this book ever since I saw it announced. The cover is gorgeous and the blurb was very intriguing for me. I did like certain aspects of this book, but others left me feeling underwhelmed. It’s really unfortunate since I wanted to love it.

The book is told from multiple point-of-views. I don’t know if I would say all of them were necessary and I definitely had favorites. A couple felt the same and if it wasn’t for the header at the beginning of the chapter I wouldn’t have been able to tell them apart.

Selly was an intriguing character. She started off making choices based on seeing her father and I can understand that. Family is very important. She has had a different life than the other characters, although that could be said for all of the characters. I think that is why she butts heads with the prince. He has come from privilege and hasn’t wanted for anything. His life isn’t always what it seems though because his family and goddess is asking for quite a lot from him.

The three other characters haven’t had as much impact in the story, but I feel like their stories will only grow in the sequel.

There is a bit of romance and frankly I’m not sure if there is a love triangle brewing or not. I hope not because I don’t think it will work but who knows. The romance that there was felt very underdeveloped and takes a lot to believe there is any feelings between them. I just didn’t feel it.

The most interesting thing for me, but also the smallest plotline, was the interactions and talks about the gods. I always find it fascinating what authors come up with when they create their own mythology. The book ended with cliffhangers that involve them so I am hoping it will be expounded upon.

A couple other things that I had issues with was the pacing and the climatic moments. The pacing was very slow and then would speed up only for it to die down again. It felt like it was all over the place with more slow moments than anything. It’s one reason it took so long for me to get through the book. I just had a hard time wanting to pick it up. The climatic moments/plot twists were fine but because I didn’t get to know the characters they felt very lackluster. I didn’t feel anything and that’s a real bummer because I should have.

Overall, this was okay. I feel like the sequel has potential to be better since this book ended on a big cliffhanger. There should be more with the romance and gods and hopefully the pacing is a bit better. Will I pick up the sequel? I don’t know. It could go either way lol. If you have like this author’s previous work then I would still give it a go. It may work out better for you than me!

The cover and the map are beautiful. The text is solidly young adult, complete with over-explanations and pointing out the obvious. I stopped at 8% in, but I can see this going over well for middle grades and lower high school age.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC.

ARC provided by NetGalley & Knopf (thank you!)

This!!! Book!!! Is!!! So!!! Good!!!!

From 25% to the end, this book is a 5/5. The only reason this book isn’t 5 stars is because the pacing is a bit off for me for the first 25%.

The characters are complex and lovable and their friendships and relationships are so well written. The romance in this story has a lovely progression from enemies to friends to lovers that feels plausible and natural, despite happening quickly. The way that the crew of the Lizabetta feels like a family, despite Selly’s initial resentment toward Rensa, makes everything that much more emotional.

I adore them all but I think Keegan may be my favorite character in this book. He is so loyal and pure. His commitment to not only keeping the prince alive for the greater good, but because Leander and Selly are truly his friends, is so endearing.

Historically, I’m not one that tends to enjoy stories set primarily on ships. But in this book, you can FEEL the author’s love for the ocean and a true passion for sailing. This story is emotional and captivating and incredibly original. The premise is completely unique, the story feels personal, and the writing itself is beautiful. I can’t wait for this series to continue.

I adored this book so much! I have been following amie podcast and this book so lived up to the hype. this book was prefect and i devored it in a week. I LOVED the characters and may have a found a some new all time favorites. i also loved the world and the how the world was crafted, it def gave me avatar the last airbender vibes, but some much more then that. I also loved the characters dynmaics cause they were forced to go on quest and just a fast pace ride! i am dying for book 2! If you loved he sea adventures in all the tides and fate and or fable def add this book to your tbr!!

I adored this book so much! I have been following amie podcast and this book so lived up to the hype. this book was prefect and i devored it in a week. I LOVED the characters and may have a found a some new all time favorites. i also loved the world and the how the world was crafted, it def gave me avatar the last airbender vibes, but some much more then that. I also loved the characters dynmaics cause they were forced to go on quest and just a fast pace ride! i am dying for book 2! If you loved he sea adventures in all the tides and fate and or fable def add this book to your tbr!!

This book BLEW me away. I adored every second.

Here’s what I loved about this book:
• the world building
• multiple POVs
• unique magic
• the romance was fantastic
• addictive and unputdownable

If you loved the world/feel of Fable, the POVs and characters of Six of Crows, and add in magic, gods, and so many unique twists and turns, then you have this story.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: none

Out May 2
TW: violence, murder

4.5 stars. This was my first Amie Kaufman book and it did not disappoint! It was action packed, had a unique cast of characters, and was full of magic, gods, adventure, and unlikely friendships. It revolves around two nations on the brink of war who worship different gods - Selly, Leander, and Keegan are on one side, and Jude and Laskia are on the other, and they each have their own POV and contribution to the story.

I thought the magic system was really cool with the different elements and charming the spirits, and I also loved that a lot of it takes place at sea. Selly and Leander were my faves and I adored their banter and playful relationship. All of the characters were really complex in their own ways, I don’t always love keeping up with several POVs but I can see why they were all important to the story. The ending was wild and I’m really looking forward to continuing the series.

Thank you to Random House Children’s and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Incredible! The Isles of the Gods is written through five different character perspectives and tells the story of how each of these characters come to have the fate of the world on their shoulders. I loved how the different perspectives showed you all sides of what was happening in the story. I couldn’t put this book down and it will be so hard to wait for the next book.

Very enjoyable seafaring adventure. I loved the unique twist on an elemental magic system and the early industrial vibe that you don't often see in fantasy. Kautman has assembled a great cast of diverse characters. Each is perfectly flawed and is facing their won internal struggles. There is a sweet enemies to lovers romance and plenty of intrigue to carry on into the next book.

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. I did not expect it to be that good, it was such a pleasant surprise. I knew Amie Kaufman is a great author and I’m glad that I got the chance to read this book earlier. Love, love it!

Review will be published two weeks before the release date.

Thanks to Random House publishers for an advanced copy of The Isle of the Gods! This is a lush, engrossing adventure with well developed characters, and beautifully described backgrounds. Told from multi-perspectives, readers will ride a roller coaster of romance and mythology. I found it a very easy, relaxing read with excellent character development. If a book doesn’t have good character development, I usually am bored by 40%. This book started off strong and stayed that way. Each chapter ended with a cliffhanger (LOVE THAT). I highly recommend The Isle of the Gods and dare you not to devour it in one sitting! I voluntarily devoured this book and am happy to provide my honest review. #netgalley #theisleofthegods

Oh WOW! I devoured this book so quickly, and I’m starving for the sequel. Everything about this story is pure magic—from the five(!) incredible POVs, the cool magic system, the lore, and the world-building. This is a story that takes you on and adventure and tugs on your heartstrings, and I absolutely cannot wait to be submerged in this world again. Hoping and praying to the Mother that there will be a special edition of this in a book box :)

Five hundred and ONE years ago…

As soon as I read the opening sentence of this book, I immediately knew it was going to be a wild ride. Given my admiration for her Starbound series and the remarkable works that she co-authored with Jay Kristoff, namely The Illuminae Files and The Aurora Cycle, I expected nothing less and man oh man did Amie Kaufman deliver!

The Isles of The Gods, is set in an exquisitely crafted queer normative fantasy realm which is at the dawn of industrialization, blending the traditional and modern elements beautifully. The narrative is told from several different perspectives, which enhances the depth of the storyline. The writing is eloquent, the plot intricately constructed and fast paced. The interplay among the characters is skillfully depicted, and Amie Kaufman’s trademark humor adds levity throughout the book. Right from the beginning, the story grips your attention with its thrilling and mysterious elements, rendering the book utterly unputdownable. Also being someone who had been sailing since childhood, I appreciated how she discussed the minute intricacies of ships and their mechanics in detail.

“The world’s bigger than you, Selly Walker. Bigger than me. That’s what I’ve been trying to teach you all this time.”

“I’ve been trying to teach you to be a captain, girl, which means taking care of your people before yourself, seeing things through their eyes. It’s why I’ve had you doing every job on the boat, and the worst ones most of all. To learn what you’re asking others to do.”

What caught my attention the most was the author’s portrayal of the enduring correlation between religion and the conflicts fought in its name as well as the ways in which religious organizations and individuals seek to benefit from it despite their varying motives. Furthermore, despite not being a significant element in this young adult novel, I found myself fascinated whenever the characters delved into the realm of politics and its analyzing tactics and strategies. Also the author’s ability to depict the character development through their conversations left a strong impression on me.

The events of the tale unfold after five hundred and ONE years after Macean, the God of Risk, the Gambler, launched an attack to claim his siblings’ territories. His attempt was thwarted, and his sister Barrica, the Warrior, later known as Barrica the Sentinel, defeated him, putting him into a perpetual sleep, which she has vigilantly guarded ever since, with the help of the Royal family of her kingdom, Alinor.

Everyone tells the same story different ways. And the only version we’re the hero of is our own.

Even though the magic systems isn’t exactly novel or unique, it was well thought out. Some children are born with a magical symbol (a green line) on their wrist that will determine their ability to control one or more of the elements – earth, water, air, and fire – as they mature. Typically occurring between the ages of eight and fifteen, the mark will transform into a complex tattoo, showcasing the individual’s aptitude for a specific element or elements. I found it very impressive that the author delved into the intricate details of the magic system, and demonstrated its intricate links to the world, politics, religions, and customs of every kingdom.

Selly is the daughter of a prosperous merchant ship fleet proprietor. Initially, she appears to be impulsive, impatient, and somewhat entitled. Despite her frustration with her father for abandoning her under the care of a ship captain who treats her like a mere deckhand on her own vessel, her discontent is further compounded by her lack of magical ability although born with the magical mark. Nonetheless, following a significant traumatic and heart-wrenching occurrence that takes place at the outset of the narrative, she sheds her immature behavior and come to grips with the seriousness of the circumstances she and her companions are in. Her personal development is portrayed in a magnificent manner.

I reach into the nest of flowers around us, plucking a delicate blossom in Alinor’s royal sapphire blue. He watches me cautiously.

“There.” I lean across to tuck it behind his ear. “Everything useless around here is beautifully decorated. I wouldn’t want you to feel left out.”

Leander is the younger brother of Alinor’s reigning monarch and holds the royal title of prince. At first, he is presented as an irresponsible and carefree individual, preoccupied with his own vanity and sense of self-importance. Although there is significant self growth as the story progress at times there is character regression as he’s prone to self sabotage.

“You asked. And that’s the answer. I flirt with them.”

“I don’t even know why I’m surprised,” she mutters.

“At least it works on someone around here,”

Laskia is the younger sibling of a well-known notorious club owner Ruby in Mallecea, with a history of rags to riches. She is a morally grey queer character who is cunning, and is eager to demonstrate her abilities to others by carving out her own identity, independent of her elder sister’s reputation and she is determined to go to any lengths to accomplish her objectives. She’s the pivotal character in the plot.

Jude, another queer character is an illegitimate child of a late Alinorish aristocrat, a former schoolmate of Prince Leander but now lives with his mother in Mallecea, where she sought a new beginning following his father’s passing. Despite acknowledging that his status as an illegitimate child limits his prospects for social advancement, Jude still feels let down by Prince Leander, whom he had hoped would come to his aid after his father’s death. To support his ailing mother, he works for Ruby, performing odd jobs.

Keegan, a queer scholar born into Alinorish aristocracy, another former schoolmate of prince Leander is a character who simply was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s empathetic, quick on his feet, logical and manages to navigate the characters through tricky situations with minimum risk. Despite feeling that his character did not have a significant impact on the plot or advancement of the story, I developed a strong fondness for him and am eager to see him play a more substantial role in the upcoming installments of the book.

Lord Wollesley,” I chide him. “If you keep your head buried in a book all your life, you’ll miss all the fun.”

“At least I’ve read a book,” he shoots back.

The way in which the romance between Selly and Leander was developed was exquisite. Despite both being stubborn individuals with unwavering beliefs, they were able to catalyze each other’s personal growth and bring out their best selves as the narrative unfolded.

The addition of the plot twist towards the end of the story was an excellent element. While the author had been dropping subtle hints throughout the book, the unexpected reveal managed to catch the reader off-guard and add an extra layer of intrigue to the overall narrative.

All in all, The Isle of The Gods is a remarkable commencement to an outstanding Young Adult fantasy series, featuring a captivating plot, a suspenseful atmosphere, an air of mystery, and an abundance of exhilarating moments. The characters are endearing and relatable, with their humorous antics providing comic relief, and the plot twists leaving the reader on edge, rooting for both the protagonist and the antagonist alike. Saying I am extremely excited for the sequel in this book which hasn’t even been released yet it an understatement. lol!

My sincere thanks to Netgally and Random House Publishing for providing me with this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Selly has been a reluctant deckhand on a merchant ship since her father left her behind a year ago. Her scheme to escape and reunite with him is foiled by the arrival of an unexpected passenger on board: Prince Leander of Alinor, who is spoiled, handsome, and an exceptionally powerful magician. With war brewing between countries of Alinor and Mellacea, Prince Leander must travel to the Isle of the Gods and complete a ritual to prevent the sleeping gods from waking and maintain peace. But a Mellacian plot to assassinate the prince and jumpstart the war could spell disaster for everyone.

This is the seafaring adventure story I didn't know I needed! If there's anything I love it's a story about a spoiled handsome prince and a scrappy teen girl who can't stand him. While this book isn't entirely from Selly and Leander's perspective, the other characters are equally well developed and I appreciated seeing the story unfold from both the Alinorish and Mellacian sides of the conflict. This novel is fast paced, the world building is immersive, and the elemental magic system is so cool. I devoured this in a single day and I cannot wait for the next book!! I definitely recommend this, book, especially for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the digital galley in exchange for an honest review.

Functionally indistinguishable from any YA fantasy of the last ten years. No better or worse. The world building is coherent if not original, the characters are cookie cutter, and the aesthetics are made for a pinterest board.

This is my first solo Kaufman novel, and I really enjoyed it! I wasn't expecting so many POV characters, which definitely threw me off because all of the Kaufman/Spooner novels I've read have been dual POV. I obviously hated Laskia and disliked Jude. I liked Selly and Keegan, and Leander really grew on me. I thought the worldbuilding was really interesting; with a title like The Isles of the Gods I was expecting a vaguely medieval type of fantasy, but instead, there were more modern touches that made me feel like I was in an early 1900s kind of world. I typically like my fantasy very firmly separated from modern technology of any kind, but I think the worldbuilding was done very well in this case.

Wow. Typically I’m not a fan of stories that have multiple POVs but Amie Kaufman was able to weave them all together seamlessly. The character development and plot moved at a quick pace with lots of action, twists, and turns that had me anxious, and heartbroken at times. The magic system is quite unique and kept me wondering how everything fits together. I can’t wait for the next book to come out to get more answers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Childrens for a chance to read and review an advanced copy of this book!

I’ve loved everything Amy Kaufman has written collaboratively, so it only fits that I loved her solo YA debut. The magic system is so interesting, and she managed to make a boat-centric story so enjoyable despite me being a historic pirate-book hater. Not that these are pirates, but still an achievement for her anyway.

I don’t know how I’m gonna handle waiting SO LONG for the next one after that ending. I just want my boy Leander to be okay!!!

Thank you RHC for the ARC!

An epic start to a new high-stakes fantasy series! The world building in this book was top notch. So subtle with the perfect amount of details to bring the Isles of the Gods to life. I’ve been reading so much fantasy lately that many of the stories just seem like parodies of each other, but this story pulled me in from the start and I’m highly invested in its outcome. I need to know what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/Knopf Books for Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Knopf Books for Young Readers for an arc of this book. Below is my honest review.

501 years ago …

To end a war, Anselm, a king and a magician, sacrificed himself on the Isle of Gods. His sacrifice gave the goddess Barrica the strength to bind her twin brother Macean, the god of risk, to sleep.

Now … Alinor and Mellacea are on the brink of war.

Selly wants nothing more than to be a sailor and see her father again. Leander, a spoiled prince, wants to put off the first of his sacrifices to Barrica to keep Macean bound. Keegan just wants to live his own life and study at the Bibliotek. Jude wants to help his mother. Laskia wants to prove herself to her older sister Ruby.

Kaufman truly shines writing books with multiple POVs and this one is no exception. Each character is well developed and has distinct personalities and quirks Characters that are meant to be likable actually are! The morally gray characters and villains each had clear motivations and readers knew why they made their choices.

The magic system is this book is pretty neat. It took a little while to learn the rules, but I actually like that. There wasn’t a big info dump, instead the world building and magic rules were mostly sprinkled throughout the first third of the book. I found myself excited and ready to learn more as I was reading.

I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Go out and read this as soon as you are able!