Okay so this book took me a little bit to finish. I kept stopping and starting. In some parts I was truly captivated. I did love the characters and I wanted to love this more. Great storyline premises, I just could not stay into the whole time.

This one was ok. I found it entertaining but kept getting pulled out of the story. I have featured it on a few tables at the store though!

Sinner’s Isle by Angela Montoya is one of the best new books of October. Why? Because I can’t resist a pirate romance. Also, from the early reviews this book promises to be as exciting and swoon-worthy a tale as you might expect.

"Sinner's Isle" is a YA romantic fantasy by debut author, Angela Montoya. It follows Rosalinda, a witch trapped on the remote island of Sinner's Isle as she blackmails Mariano, the marooned Prince of Pirates, into helping her escape the island and the Offering.

Pitched as a cross of "Pirates of the Caribbean" meets "Serpents & Dove", "Sinner's Isle" is all about pirates, witches, and magical beings. It also promises an enemies-to-lovers arc which was pretty evident through the wit and banter displayed by both characters and the slow progression of their romance as the book goes on.

Since this was a YA fantasy, I was hoping for more worldbuilding. I felt that the worldbuilding was a bit basic or rushed. It would've been interesting to read more about Sinner's Isle, the Majestics, and the pirates. I think it would've made reading it more exciting.

Overall, I did enjoy "Sinner's Isle" but would've loved to understand more about its world. I'd recommend this to any YA fantasy fans looking for pirates, witches, and romance.

Although the main characters were compelling on their own, their relationship seemed rushed, and they had only a few scenes together, making it hard for me to believe they were truly in love. I wasn’t convinced of their genuine connection, especially since they barely interacted and didn’t even know each other’s names until halfway through the book.

However, the ending brought some excitement with its dramatic and romantic moments, almost as if it belonged to another story entirely. On the brighter side, it was an enjoyable and light read. The YA fantasy elements were well-executed, and I loved the imaginative worldbuilding.

Pirates, witches, and island full of magical beings? Yes, please! This was a delightful book. The world building didn’t require a huge back story and it was action packed. I would have liked to see a little bit more depth to some of the characters but this one was really enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley for a free copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Swashbuckling and sizzling with character chemistry and plenty of adventure, Angela Montoya delivers a world full of magic and the length others will go to control it and anyone who may get in the way. I loved Rosalinda's character as is, but her quick wit and banter with Mariano just made me love them both even more. Add in a young king with an interesting view and secret and Mariano's fun-loving and hilarious friend Santiago, and the whole book was a joy from start to end. I don't know if there is anything in the works, but I'd love any other stories from Montoya set in this vivid, magical world!

To be honest, this one just wasn't really memorable to me. I finished it and just wasn't focused/ invested on what happened in the novel.

Rosalinda is a Majestic, trapped on Sinner's Isle with the rest of the Majestics, witches with unique and powerful abilities. She is desperate to escape before she is married off to the highest bidder, so that they can yield her powers. Mariano is the prince of pirates, who is lead to Rosa after being shipwrecked on Sinner's Isle when a stone given to him by his late father leads him to his hearts desire. Rosa immediately begins blackmailing him to help save her friend, and escape the island that has trapped her.

This has been pitched as Pirates of the Caribbean meets Serpent & Dove, and I can see the comparisons. I really enjoyed this story, and can't believe that it is a debut! I read it on audiobook, and the narrator was incredible. The Majestics were so intriguing, and I wanted to learn more about all of them, and their unique abilities. I thought Rosalinda was such an interesting character, and my heart ached for her and everything she had endured. I loved the dual POV between Rosa and Mariano, it definitely enhanced the story to be able to see into both character's heads. I felt their chemistry from the very beginning, and loved how their romance progressed slowly. I loved the found family aspect of this. Santi was one of my favourite characters, and I need more of him immediately.

I feel like if I read this again, it would end up being a 5 stars, I'll have to do that soon. I hope we get a second book soon!

pitched as Pirates of the Caribbean meets SERPENT & DOVE, in which a powerful witch being held captive on a remote island will do anything to escape it before a week-long fiesta for the wealthy to consort with majestics like her, including blackmailing an infamous, charming pirate who washes up on shore. Very cute, light read. The story is very YA fantasy, but I loved the worldbuilding with the Majestics, the Sinner's Isle, the pirates, and the kingdom politics.

It's a good palate cleanser in between darker, heavier reads.

I'd read more from this author.

Angela Montoya is an extremely talented storyteller, this is her debut novel but I wouldn’t have known it without being told, she has clearly done her homework and spent many hours perfecting her skill and it’s a fantastic reward to get to such a wonderful book. Sinner’s Isle is a great read full of fun, mystery, drama, adventure and romance. It’s got some fantastic characters, even the supporting cast of characters are interesting and fleshed out. The humour is fantastic, the witty banter between them is so good, you will laugh out loud quite a lot.

I have to admit I was drawn in as soon as I realised it was witches and pirates, such a unique and interesting mix, I don’t think I’ve read anything like this before and after this I’m so eager to read more. Full of found family, great romance and a strong female lead determined to dismantle the patriarchal system she is stuck in, if that doesn’t make you want to read this I am not sure what will. This is a stunning debut and there’s no cliffhangers involved, but I would love more from this world, I really hope there are future books from this.

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

I did not enjoy this. It's told in dual pov and while I enjoyed Rosa's narration, Mariano's was unnecessary and boring. I could not stand the romance, which happened in the blink of an eye and held no real substance. There was no chemistry and I just didn't see the reason on why I should root for them.

There was a severe lack of piracy in the book, which was also disappointing. The writing, while a bit juvenile (because Mariano!) was fun at times and the humor the side characters provided helped.

Overall, I didn't enjoy this.

Absolutely captivating read! This book swept me away from the very first page and held me spellbound until the very end. The characters were beautifully developed, the plot was intricate yet accessible, and the writing style was simply mesmerizing. A true masterpiece that I couldn't recommend more highly. Five stars without a doubt!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This YA diverse standalone fantasy is perfect for readers who are ready for an adventure that reads a lot like a Disney movie (in the best way possible).

You’ve got pirates and witches (which are called magestics here), a church who seeks control and lots of deceit. I only wish it was longer!

Thank you so much the publisher and Angela for an early copy of this book! Legit I loved this book. This debut from Angela is pure magic. The romance, the angst. The mystery, the twists! This book had it all. I fell in love with these characters and loved the found family aspect at the end of the book. Also, who doesn’t love a sort of morally gray. MC who is slightly unhinged, and may or may not go on rampage at any moment. But seriously, love Rosa she is the best. Angela has a really hit this book out of the park. I really cannot wait for what she writes next

I knew this would be a fun read because Angela Montoya wrote it 😌🫶 and it was, without a doubt, the most fun. I was a little confused about what kind of Latinx rep was in this book since we’re not a monolith and I’m still not totally sure because this story is a fantasy set in a place that isn’t real, but a quick google search told me that Montoya was inspired by Mexican lore and it really validated how I felt about the spanish and delicious food descriptions in the book! I loved Rosa and I loved how her character only developed from an already strong young woman to an even stronger one. I might edit this review later, but I just wanna add that the world building was amazing and for someone who doesn’t actually SEE in my head, I really felt pulled into the story. Obsessed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy of this title.

I really loved this story.

This debut is dazzling, romantic and bewitching.
I won an Earc from the author and I was ecstatic to read this book! I'm so glad that I did.
Mariano and Rosalinda are loyal not only to one another but their friends. This book puts a heavy emphasis on relationships, not just romantic relationships but friendships and relationships with family. I love it!
Not only are the main characters incredible but so are the side characters. There's the hilarious and eccentric Santiago, King Sebastian who wears his heart on his sleeve, the caring Juana, and of course the loyal Isobel and Lola. By the end of the book I felt like I was reading a magical episode of Friends. It was epic!
Okay now for some spoilers! I was so shocked when I learned more about King Sébastian! Initially, I thought I was going to dislike his character but then he confessed his desire to release majestics I was so happy! Plus his friendship with Rosa was just too cute! I hope he and Santi get their happy ending! I think they will. I was in tears when I found out Santi was actually Rosa's brother. What I loved even more is that he found a friend in Mariano. I was so happy for Juana and Lola too! It was great to see them realize that they're hearts songs for each other. Maybe we can have another book set in the Sinners Isle universe that explores all these characters?? I would read it!
Lastly, Mariano and Rosalinda. These two are just great! I loved how throughout the book they didn't have an abundance of chapters together. However, that didn't mean that their love story wasn't building. In fact, they were still thinking of each other, and trying to help each other. I loved that, because we got more insight into their internal and emotional feelings for one another. Eventually they were able to discover that they love each other. And it's too cute!
Another thing I love about this book is the empowerment. Rosalinda like other majestics has been trained to be submissive and to bow down to men. She is tired of this and wants to see change. Not just for her but for the other Majestics around her. I love how the book explores Rosalinda's trial and error to eventually finding her power and confidence.
If you are looking for something filled with magic, bruting and quirky pirates, firece MCs, and a touch of romance this is a book for you! *review as posted on my goodreads account!