This young adult romantasy absolutely blew me away! I loved absolutely everything about this book! A witch and a pirate fall in love, what could be better?

I was immediately drawn in by the gorgeous cover and was quickly captivated by the story. There was so much to love about this book, and the world the author created and the magic throughout the story are high on that list. I found the characters to be perfect in every possible way, you definitely remember them after the book comes to an end.

This is a must read for fans of ya fantasy, romance, and adventure.

Thank you to the publisher (Random House Children's, Joy Revolution) and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review (sorry the review is a little late; I *did* read it before it came out, however).

I really wanted to like this book. The theoretical framework was all there--diverse characters, interesting setting, pirates and magic, romance, strong family bonds, close friends, and fated mates.

The problem is, the execution was very lackluster. I have to wonder if some of this is the length--was the book too short to properly develop the characters and the plot? Did this need to be a duology?

Anyway, the characters are 2D and don't really give readers a reason to care about them or their relationships. I'm told the mains ~love~ each other (also after a very short time period!!), but it feels very superficial and only because of the heartmate bond and a few shared experiences--not because of time, effort, and romance. (their attraction feels very superficial, too.) I'm told the two sets of best friends love each other and are very close, but don't actually see why they care about each other besides (again) that they're stuck in the same circumstances.

The comic relief best friend of the MMC's also fell short and I didn't really laugh at any of his (lame) jokes.

The villains also felt somewhat superficial and 2D, but I guess if you're going to go Disney black and white villain on us, they feel appropriate.

I got sucked in by a pretty cover and the actual book didn't have the substance I was looking for.

I'm glad others enjoyed this book, but I certainly didn't. Wouldn't recommend.

I remember being so excited about a non-yt romantasy coming out that I actually cheered. And then when I met the author, I was even more excited to read it because she was so nice and actually hilarious. And then the cover was released and I knew even more so that I NEEDED this book. But then it showed up on my PRH app and I excitedly downloaded it, and the rest is history!

I really don’t have anything to complain about. This was honestly so much fun! I will say that the writing style was flowery and a little over the top, but it didn’t bother me at all. I DID have to slow down the audio because I was losing my train of thought in some places, but once I went to 1.85x’s I was fine. It was mostly like details about like the characters and stuff. I would have preferred if it was about the world surrounding them.

Even with all the extra details, I still didn’t see (hear) anything about the world building. I really wanted more. I read so that i can throw myself into the whole world, and I just didn’t get that. The island seemed like it was a dark, scary place, and I would have loved to have read about it more. I also thought it could have dealt with a bit more info on the magic system. I know they had these gifts and they were given to them from a goddess and the church wants control, but I guess I wanted an explanation of why? And like of all things, why the eff would you have someone that can control arachnids? Because Lordt knows I almost DNFed this book. I am terrified to of them and I ended up changing her power in my head because I couldn’t. Ew.

Action wise tho, I was hooked. Montoya literally had me rewinding constantly to make sure I had all the details because there was just so much going on. I’m also hella glad that this was a stand alone because everything and all questions were answered at the time. Because ain’t no way my nerves could have handled not knowing where her friend was, or any of the other things that happen. (I don’t wanna say it for spoilers, but it really was a crazy ending lol)

I really think you’re going to love this or hate it depending on what you go into it looking for. As someone who’s a light fantasy reader, I loved it and I really enjoyed the caste system and the magic. But someone who’s more heavily into fantasy and goes looking for that might feel different. The good thing is, nothing about this book is terrible and everyone will enjoy it. It’s just the difference in ratings.

Fun romp full of lore and characters you can’t help but root for. I loved the world especially, and its Latin influence. The romance was swooney too!

I wasn't a big fan of the writing style for this one. The insta-love trope also made it hard for me to really care for the romance in the story. The love interests also only have a few scenes together which made this "high stakes" love story a bit underwhelming.
I did however enjoy the world that Montoya created as well as the Hispanic representation.
I rated this book 2/5

I absolutely LOVED this one. What a tale and so well written! Romance, fated mates, pirates, magic, a brewing rebellion with plot twists that make you gasp but you probably should have seen coming... It was so good. I loved the Hispanic representation and language use (though listening to it via Spoken Content aka Siri hurt my soul at the pronunciations) and really helped me settle into the story, feeling represented myself. I wished for the best for our main couple and even the King, but I really wanted to take Doña Lucia down a few pegs; what a witch— pun intended. Also how disgusting a lot of the suitors- just an accurate reflection of what that kind of wealth does for greed. I highly recommend picking this one up!

Thank you TBR and Beyond Tours for my gifted copy, this one is definitely going on my Favorites shelf.

I’m giving this 3 stars because I know it’s a book that will find its audience.

I’m honestly just not a fan of the writing style.

If you’re planning on picking this up, I recommend you read a sample of it first. You can tell pretty quickly if you’ll enjoy the writing style or not. If you like it, you’ll like the book.

Montoya has done an excellent job of unfolding this engaging plot, carefully. Sinner's Isle has high stakes that fall into each other like dominoes. Every new revelation pushes the dominoes harder, the pressure mounts, and the pace becomes almost break-neck. This book will make you dream of magic, and mayhem, and wild romance.

By the time you make it to the end of the novel, you'll fall in love with a snarky band of unforgettable characters, a rich world beautifully painted, and a wonderful story of resilience and strength. Sinner's Isle is about friendship, hope, courage, and standing up for what you think is right. If this book teaches you anything, it's to stay true to yourself the way the characters in its pages do

Sinner's Isle is a young adult, romantic fantasy, for fans of Serpent & Dove, Seafire, and All the Stars and Teeth. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Pirates of the Caribbean as much as I do.

I absolutely loved this debut from Angela Montoya!

Found Family ✔️
Fated Mates ✔️
LGBTQ+ Characters ✔️
Magic ✔️
Overthrowing Government ✔️
Badass Women ✔️

"For generations, the wealthy and powerful had lorded over the Kingdom of Coronado like the unrelenting sun, beating down on anyone daring enough to say, No more. They kept them separated by class, by abilities, by keeping them uneducated. And yet, those beneath them still fought against tyranny. They still resisted."

Was everything perfect with this book? No. I wish the character's relationships were a little more developed. A relationship in the book didn't specify if they were "heartsongs" (i.e. fated mates), so it felt like instalove. Which... Meh. But I still squealed when they kissed. 🥰

"The connection between a Majestic and her heartsong was like the roots of two white oaks, breaking through granite and earth just to get to each other. And when they did, their souls wove around one another, creating an eternal, unbreakable bond."

So many amazing quotes in this book... I had a hard time choosing my favorite. 😭🙌🏼💕

"Sometimes we must cause an uproar in order to be heard. To change the world."

"What would happen if all those who'd suffered, who'd lost, who had nothing, came together and fought against the sovereigns who'd taxed them to starvation?"

DNF @40%

I think the premise of this story is promising, and it's possible that I will finish this at a later date, but for right now, the writing and the narrative is not holding my interest.

The main point of criticism is that the commentary on the power dynamics between the Majestics and everyone else feels very heavy-handed. The way the Majestics are treated and talked about is purposefully very sexist and demeaning, and the obviousness of this was just not enjoyable to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3/5 stars (late review, pub 10/31)

I love the cover and the concept and the fact that there's pirates, but....there's not a whole lot that happens? The plot revolves around Rosa and Mariano who kind of end up having an insta-love situation and Rosa has shadow powers and he's the prince of pirates, and this whole book is supposedly their forbidden romance...but they only have like....5 scenes together? The action in the book also didn't pick up until the last 15% or so...

Like, it wasn't bad. I enjoyed the court politics and the crafting of the system with the Majestics and the world building that happened in this standalone, but it also just didn't keep me hooked the way I thought it would from the synopsis.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sinner's Isle by Angela Montoya is an enchanting and action-packed adventure that had me hooked from the very first page. This fun and lighthearted read is a breath of fresh air in the world of YA fantasy, and it deserves every one of these five stars!

The story revolves around the spirited and powerful witch, Rosalinda, trapped on the remote and mysterious Sinner's Isle. Under the watchful eye of the power-hungry Doña Lucia, Rosa is preparing to be the centerpiece of this year's Offering, where the wealthy will choose a Majestic to serve them for life. The captivating blend of found family, friendship, and love weaves throughout the plot, making it a heartwarming and emotionally resonant tale.

The fated love elements in the story may be a bit heavy-handed, but strangely, they make you root for the pirate and the witch even more. Mariano, the charming and swashbuckling pirate, is a character that's impossible not to love, and Rosa's strength and determination are admirable.

What sets Sinner's Isle apart are the unexpected twists and turns that left me cheering and shedding happy tears. The whirlwind of the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the diverse cast of characters, both likable and despicable, adds depth and complexity to the story.

This book reads like a Disney movie brought to life in the best way possible. The action is thrilling, the romance is swoon-worthy, and the plot twists are both surprising and satisfying. Angela Montoya's writing feels fresh and original, and this standalone fantasy novel marks a promising start to what I hope will be a new series. I can't wait to dive into this captivating world again and see where the author takes us next.

In summary, Sinner's Isle is a delightful gem of a book that delivers adventure, romance, and unexpected twists. If you're ready for an exhilarating journey filled with magic, intrigue, and unforgettable characters, this is the perfect choice. Angela Montoya has crafted a story worth celebrating and falling in love with. Don't miss out on this fantastic read!

Rosalina is trapped on Sinner’s Isle, an island that holds captive all the Majestics (witches) who will be sold to the highest bidder at the Offering. Once sold, the Majestics bind with the wealthy owners. Rosa is the most prized Majestic at this season’s Offering because of the vicious shadows she controls. She must escape the island before a wealthy owner forces her to destroy whatever she touches. Mariano, AKA Prince of Pirates, is stranded on Sinner’s Isle after the king’s fleet destroys his father’s ship. Mariano and Rosa work together (although skeptical of the other’s motivations) to escape Sinner’s Isle before the Offering.

Full of adventure, Sinner’s Isle is an impressive debut! I love the world-building: history, politics, and magic. It’s very easy to follow for non or newer fantasy readers. The love story feels a little like insta love, but Montoya fully weaves a soul mate (heartsong) thread throughout the story that I ached for Rosalina and Mariano to recognize their heartsong. I appreciate how Montoya didn’t create all evil men. A few of my favorite characters respect, acknowledge, and praise women as individuals with their own interests and desires.

My Three Favorites:
🧡Character: Santi - he provides an abundance of humor! Maybe Santi’s story could be book 2? Just a thought.
🧡Scene: the twist towards the end - perfect! I actually gasped at the twist!
🧡Quote: Our pirate, Mariano says, “Forgive me for saying this, but most men don’t take women seriously. They see a lovely face and can think of nothing past that. But women are cunning - they are smarter than most men - and they aren’t as easily distracted. In fact, my kind often loses all focus when a lady is nearby.” Truth bomb! Love it!!

I love standalone fantasies, and Sinner's Isle by Angela Montoya is a great one!!! It's like the book version of a fun summer Blockbuster. There are pirates, witches, a glittering festival, and so much hilarious banter! I especially loved how Rosa's shadow magic changed throughout the book in accordance with her character arc. Oh, and there's one twist at the end that I didn't see coming, and it's so good!

In a world where witches known as Majestics are held captives on an island and forced to be bonded to people and have their powers used without their consent, a powerful young witch yearns to escape and the only person she can get help from is the mysterious roguish pirate that landed on her island that she can't stay away from. Rosalina is trapped on Sinner's Isle, an island filled with young women, witches, who were forced here because society views their magic as dangerous and where these women would be forced to be bonded to powerful men. Rosalina has been plotting her escape, she doesn't want to be forced to be bonded to a man, to have her powers used against her will, she wants freedom from it all. She is the prized commodity at this year's Offering, a fiesta for the wealthy to come and pick a Majestic to take. Rosalina fears her powers, her abilities to control shadows, because she barely has any control and she knows in the wrong hands she'd destroy everything and everyone. Then there is the handsome Prince of Pirates, Mariano, who has been sailing the seas and going on adventures. Yet when the king's fleet attacks his father's ship, he becomes marooned on Sinner's Isle with only an enchanted necklace his father gave him telling him it would lead to his heart's desire... and instead he finds himself being lead straight to Rosa. When Rosa's escape attempt ends with her best friend being held captive and Rosa being blackmailed and threatened into behaving for the Offering, she needs a new plan to escape, and when she runs into a handsome pirate, she knows he is the key to her escape and rescuing her friend. The more Rosa and Mariano spend time together the stronger this strange feeling between them begins to grow. Can they both find a way to escape Sinner's Isle and all the enemies on the island that want to destroy them or will they be forced to never have the chance at a peaceful life... possibly together....This was an overall really interesting novel and I enjoyed how everything wrapped up in the end. I thought the magic system was interesting and I liked how the relationship between the two main characters grew. It's a fun read and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a nice fantasy romance with some magic and some pirates!

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Joy Revolution for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was an absolutely fun read. Rosalinda is a Majestic (a witch with a specific power), and she reluctantly teams up with Mariano, the Pirate Prince, in order to escape her gilded prison. I loved that Rosalinda and Mariano were each given time to go through their own journeys of discoveries, betrayals, and violence. Each were fleshed out in a real way and you could see the relationships they have with others. However, this does mean they get little time together, so it is a case of insta-love explained away by "heartsongs." I am able to overlook that in favor of the amazing worldbuilding through the scope of one island. This is an amazing story with Latin characters and queer representation in prominent side characters.

Excellent and vibrant debut
This book captivated me from the beginning. The magical world building was both intricate and easy to understand. I love the Spanish language woven throughout the book as well, and the main characters were so relatable and easy to love. The adventure is epic. I love seafaring books that have just enough romance to keep me engaged and this is exactly it.

Rosalinda has lived on Sinner’s Isle, where Majestics dwell, since she was young due to inheriting magic and being a Majestic herself. The newest King is coming to select a Majestic who will be with him until he dies due to the recent king dying. Rosalinda is sure it will be her due to the dangerous and powerful magic she possesses. However, her and her friend Juana have a plan to escape instead of going through with the Offering. Meanwhile, Mariano, son of the notorious pirate El Draque, is trying to save his father from death when their ship is attacked and his father gives him a pendant that can take him to his heart’s true desire and tells him to flee. Mariano finally does determined to use this pendant to find all the treasures and vessels in the world and make a name for himself. He takes his friend Santi to follow this pendant, which instead leads him to Sinner’s Isle, the island of the Majestics where the Offering is currently occurring.

This is such a fantastic debut! It’s a fast read that is just go go go from the start and I couldn’t put it down! I needed to keep reading to see what would happen next, and “just one more chapter” turned into multiple chapters 😆 I just couldn’t stop reading!

The world is fascinating and interesting! The way the Majestics are treated really frustrated me and made me angry and so reading about sympathizers and these girls who are trying to escape, you’re just rooting for them the whole time! I loved the magic system, such interesting and unique abilities the girls had. There’s pirates, which I admit, I wish there was more about their world, but you get enough of a glimpse that you can’t help but love the pirates in here!

The characters are fantastic characters too! Rosalinda was such a strong character. At times, she may have come off as a bit weak, but she had strong convictions and morals, and I appreciated that she wasn’t immediately using her shadows to just murder everyone and instead tried to find a non violent way to escape. She’s smart, witty and loyal to those she loves. She was also inspiring because it seemed her situation was so hopeless to the point she seemed to be giving up and her odds seemed bleak, and then there would be a light thanks to her friends or family. I just loved her, especially when she was around Mariano!

Mariano was a fun character, but then how can you say no to a pirate!? Whenever him and Rosalina interacted, I laughed! They were so sassy around each other, and yet, you could feel the tension between them, and it was delicious and I just wanted more of them!

There’s a few surprising side characters I really liked such as Sebastian, Juana, Lola and other Majestics. But I have to say, Santi was my favorite! I adored him from the moment he entered into the story and he became my favorite 🥰 he is the comedic relief, and yet, he has a tragic story that I guessed and was hoping I was right, and I’m so glad I was right because it made the story even better and even more emotional!

There’s a couple twists that are enjoyable and loved in this book and I just honestly want more from this world! I highly recommend this one!

I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Honestly, a round of applause for author Angela Montoya on such an amazing debut!
This romantic Fantasy follows Rosalinda, aka Rosa, our fierce FMC who is quite the force to be reckoned with, she is a very powerful witch, or Majestic, a term used to identify the people who can weild magic. And like every other Majestic, she is subjected living on Sinner's Isle, never to leave, unless chosen during the Offering. But she refuses to be anyone's puppet, so she begins to scheme a plan of escape, with her best friend Juana at her side.
Enter Mariano, our handsome and witty MMC, is a pirate that lands on Sinner's Isle after his father's ship was attacked by the King's fleet. Here he crosses paths with Rosalinda and this sparks an idea in her head. She needs a way off this island, and the very attractive pirate before her was the ticket. So she blackmails him and our adventure begins.
A book with an abundance magic, adventure, found family, swoon-worthy romance, and high stakes. I found myself up until 4am reading, it was that good. It has been a while since I picked up a YA book and honestly, this book reminded me why I love it so much.
No cliffhangers here, which was so good to see. However, I don't know if this means that it will be a standalone or we can expect another book. I guess we shall see.

Pirates and witches, you say? Sign me up, says I! This is a fun book! Lots of found family, swashbuckling, and fated mates (a little too instalove for me, tbh). There is lost of diversity and representation. I'm really excited to read more from this author.