this book had solid vibes, but i was expecting sooooo much more. the world building is barely existent, and i have no idea how the magic system came to be/how it functions in each province/how they work together to create their nation/etc. there were many plot holes, and the MMC was very unironically annoying. he behaved and talked like a teenager, but was in his 20s. the 6 year old was less annoying than him. this definitely read more like YA than adult.

all that being said, i did enjoy the mystery/murder aspect of the story. this also felt very “coming of age/self acceptance/personal growth & independence” that do very well in YA books. there were some really awkwardly placed sex scenes, that were very closed door after the initial “i felt him harden against me” line, but all the same. the whole plot line with the love interests was very insane, but also on par with the rest of the book

overall, not upset i read this book but probably wouldn’t recommend if you’re looking for an adult high fantasy. thank you to netgalley and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Firstly, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC. My opinion is my own.

Alright, from the jump, I was leery of this book. Any book I’ve read in the last few years that said “Tik-Tok Sensation” or “BookTok Fave” has been absolutely awful. And this was not the exception to that.

Where do I start? I didn’t even get that far in and I just couldn’t deal with it.

The writing is just, poor. It’s basic, the structure is basic. There’s nothing moving about the prose at all. And it was confusing. This is a fantasy that takes place not on Earth. But we get hotdogs on the first few pages. I figured, okay, I can let it slide. And yes, they were called hotdogs, not sausages. Which to me, would have made sense.

Chapter two, “the only thing cooler than not looking when walking away from an explosion” and I lost it. That’s something that popped up thanks to movies. That’s something that is modern as heck and Earth specific. If the world building had been better and given context for that line, then I would have let it go.

But the worldbuilding is weak, almost non-existent. And so is the magic system. There is no system. It’s just there with no real explanation. Like there’s the Blessed and they get their ability from their parent. Except there are only 12 Blessed, one from each province. And when a child gets their Blessing at as young as 6, then the parent loses their power! And the kid then takes over! So a 6 year old is the one in charge? Yeah, thanks but I’m out.

Also the king’s name is super close to Eugenics which just bothered me. Oh and Blessings are hereditary but only one kid can get it. So the king, I guess practiced Eugenics to ensure his only child got his Blessing.

And having bastards is frowned upon and illegal because way back when, a bastard wound up being Blessed and tried to kill the then emperor so, no wild oat sowing in this world. Because oh no, a bastard might attack or just end up the heir.

It’s just weak worldbuilding, full stop.

Characters? The main character is a 22 year old who makes me think of a grumpy 14 year old and I guess the author thinks he’s funny but he’s not. And anyone who goes “they’re wrong, I’m fucking hilarious.” Isn’t funny. That’s the kind of person who gets mad when they make an offensive joke and says that others can’t take jokes anymore.

There are a lot of things that were wrong for me just in the beginning of this book. I didn’t make it far. To be honest, I have no desire to keep reading and see if it gets better because the beginning is almost painful to read.

Maybe some enjoyed this book but I can’t recommend it. This book needs more editing to tighten the worldbuilding and magic system. Just because a kid gets their power at 6 doesn’t mean that they should just be in charge now.

Look, if you liked this book, I’m glad you found enjoyment in it. Please, continue to. But it just isn’t for me.

It’s getting 1 star because GoodReads requires at least 1 star.

In Voyage of the Damned, Frances White delivers a captivating fantasy thriller set against the backdrop of a thousand-year-old peace. The story follows Ganymedes Piscero, an underachieving heir who finds himself in dire straits aboard the emperor’s ceremonial ship en route to the Goddess’s Mountain. With a beloved heir murdered and every one of the twelve heirs—each possessing a unique magical Blessing—under suspicion, Ganymedes’s lack of a Blessing makes him a prime target. As the bodies pile up and trust erodes, Ganymedes must confront his own shortcomings and become an unexpected hero.

White’s skillful world-building and suspenseful narrative create a gripping atmosphere aboard the confined vessel, amplifying the tension of the political and magical intrigue. Ganymedes’s transformation from a class clown to a reluctant hero is portrayed with depth, capturing his internal struggle and growth. The diverse cast of characters and the intricate murder mystery, blending fantasy with whodunit elements, ensure a riveting and unpredictable read. Voyage of the Damned is a testament to White’s talent for crafting immersive fantasy tales with rich character development and engaging plot twists.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing / Mira for the opportunity to read this book in advance of it's US release on August 20th.
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2.5 stars. I can see some people liking this but unfortunately I do not think this was the book for me. To start I was really confused by the writing style. It felt almost like the sort of the books I read growing up where it was like very tongue and cheek, attempting to break the 4th wall and provide a certain comedic element but it felt quite cringe to me. There were multiple lines I felt the need to re-read because I seriously thought I had misread it because it was just unbelievably goofy. Second thing that I personally struggled with was the entire cast of characters. There is just quite a few of them and we get introduced to them all at once and are given very little to differentiate them other than like some basic things. To make matters even more confusing, there are two characters that have similar names so I was left being confused. I only began to really be able to understand who was who about 60% in. I fear this was just severely overwritten in a way where I was left confused and unsatisfied with the big plot points and bombarded with what I found to be childish jokes. I liked the overall message of the book despite the fact I felt a hard time feeling connected to the main character because majority of the time it felt as though they were just some detached comedian detective.

Agatha Christie meets fantasy in this at sea “whodunnit” featuring a most diverse ensemble to escort you on the journey!

The magic system is so unique in divvying out special abilities to the 12 Province heirs making them “Blessed” in their respective lands with a world dynamic/political system reminiscent to Kung Fu Panda. I really enjoyed the narrator’s laugh out loud pov with just enough breaking of the fourth wall for the reader to feel like they’re caught up in the middle of the mystery. As an underdog type of hero, Dee easily slips under the radar and is able to act as spymaster in unraveling the mystery of who is killing off his fellow “Blessed” heirs of the Provinces of Concordia.

The supporting cast are the other passengers aboard and while there are strained relations between the Province representatives, it’s easy to feel endeared to certain characters like Grasshopper (an adorable but slightly violent six year old) and Wyatt (a chronically ill Blessed heir who is fiercely loyal to those he cares for.)

The romance element was a bit confusing for me at first as it does feel a bit “insta-love” which isn’t a personal favorite for me, but as the story develops, there are a lot of really sweet moments within the romance subplot that were very enjoyable!

I liked the representation featured in this book and am excited for other readers to have the opportunity to meet a relatable character like Dee between the pages!

Representations featured:
— plus size & bisexual hero
— nb/asexual side character
— disability
— chronic illness

Read if you like:
— Murder on the Orient Express
— Kung Fu Panda
— Unique animal themed magic system
— Whodunnit mystery

A complicated (in a good way) whodunnit full of twists and turns. Every suspect ends up dead early on. This is definitely a book that requires your full attention. Maybe because of my wandering mind, I felt the characters could have been a bit more developed. There was lots of romantic longing/infatuation but the underlying motives and emotions could have been fleshed out a bit more to truly make this book shine and stick in your memory.
Overall, a very enjoyable and engaging read that merges two genres in a surprising way.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Voyage of the Damned was a fun murder mystery, and I really enjoyed reading it! There was great worldbuilding, a diverse set of characters (some which I liked, and some I didn't), and the plot felt fresh and new. I loved the rep in it, and will certainly be looking forward to Ms. White's next novel! 3.75 stars

I absolutely loved this book, it had me turning pages and on the edge of my seat wondering what hilarious or horrifying thing was going to happen next! It's been so long since I read a mystery story where I didn't figure out the major plot twist and was taken completely by surprise. I would love to see more stories set in this world and how it works 10/10 would and will recommend to everyone

Fantasy books are not my typical go-to but this one had murder and detective work in it so it made things more interesting. At first I was really into the concept of the story and the main character, Dee. I liked the Grasshopper as well and the dynamic between her and Dee. I thought the humor was pretty good in the first 1/4 or so but I grew tired of it. It started to become whiny and childish and I felt like things started to go in circles. As I read on, the chapters started to really drag for me and I found myself skimming through just to get to the end. I did like the way that the author wrapped things up but I felt like the book could have been much shorter. Overall, this book didn't really change my mind on the fantasy genre. Readers that love fantasy and magic while also exploring a murder mystery will probably like this alot.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and lovable. The pacing was perfect and left you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read more by this author!

First: this is a great book but it does have some graphic violence. Second, I wasn’t crazy about the title because I don’t think it reflects the tenor of the book. It’s supernatural crossed with Agatha Christy mystery and the result is a beautiful child (book). I think I accused almost every character in the book before the finish. There’s a nice little romance thrown in for good measure. True that it soon has a murder…..then more murders but I did not feel like the characters were damned, more like in a bad place at a bad time. The characters are well developed and some are more lovable than others but that’s what makes a good book. No obvious villain and plenty of twists. I enjoyed it tremendously and recommend it without reservation.

I appreciate the Advanced Copy to Review from Harlequin and this is my honest opinion.

This review will appear in Goodreads, TheStoryGraph and Amazon.

Here's a revised version of your writing:

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In *Voyage of the Damned* by Frances White, the unlikely hero is a chubby, bisexual young man who masks his insecurities with humor. Ganymedes Piscero, known as Dee to his friends, is the heir of the Blessed in Fish Province, the lowest province in the empire of Concordia. The Blessed of the twelve provinces of Concordia serve as avatars of the Goddess, each wielding a unique magical power to support their province and protect the empire from the outcast Crab people. The provinces are named after mythical animals integral to the empire’s origin story, with the emperor carrying the Primus Blessing and representing the Dragon Province, the pinnacle of Concordia’s hierarchy. The Primus Blessing maintains the magical barrier, known as the Bandage, that keeps the outcast Crabs from invading Concordia.

During the ritual pilgrimage aboard the emperor’s ship, the twelve Blessed journey to the sacred mountain so the emperor’s heir may ascend to the throne. However, tragedy strikes when the heir is murdered, and her death is only the beginning.

Dee, determined to uncover the murderer and bring justice to the victims, faces numerous obstacles: the prejudice, suspicion, and rivalries of the other Blessed. Despite Concordia’s national origin story, which claims it to be a land of harmony and peace, the empire is rife with jealousy, power struggles, and corruption, with the hatred of the Crab people as its only true unifying force.

Exploring themes of found family, self-actualization, and the value of honesty, kindness, and compassion over rank, power, or wealth, the story weaves a compelling narrative that works both as a murder mystery and a fantasy novel. Its depiction of a diverse range of intersectional identities is both refreshing and welcome.

Fans of T.J. Klune and Leigh Bardugo will find much to enjoy in this cross-genre tale of found family, queer joy, and adventure.

I had very mixed feeling about this book. I was into the world building, setting, and the murder mystery itself, but the author's tongue-in-cheek voice was very grating and sometimes made it hard for me to enjoy those things. All in all, the story was good enough for me to keep turning the page, but I can't say that I loved it. This might also be due to a generational gap though. This definitely felt written for the Gen-Z/Tiktok generation.

Firstly, I'd like to thank the publisher for the eARC Netgalley of this book.

I LOVED THIS!!!

Let's just say that if you mixed an Agatha Christie type murder cruise but made the characters magical, diverse, queer and sassy, you'd get this book! I personally found the voice of the narrator hilarious but also very relatable at times. We get to see inside a character who, to the world, appears to not care about anything, but to his core is hurting pretty deeply inside. I really enjoyed how we got to get an inside look into many of the characters during the investigations.

The magic/fantasy aspect of the book was very unique to me as well. I kept finding myself trying to guess what kind of world this takes place in, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it, however it kept me intrigued throughout. There were a few instances where I thought the timing/setting was a bit iffy (i.e. poutine and "walking away from an explosion" mentions).

Regardless of any of my concerns, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would honestly love more on Ganymedes!

I loved this book! A fantasy mixed with a murder mystery on a boat?! Yes please! This book felt like I was reading Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie with a queer magical fantasy twist that I was here for every moment. Fascinating characters and great world building!

I really wanted to love Voyage of the Damned because a magical murder mystery sounded awesome! Unfortunately I struggled to get into this :(

To be honest, I did not love this when I started it. I think it may have been Dee's voice - he grated on me at the beginning. That being said, I am SO glad that I stuck with it. He definitely grew on me, and I found myself rooting for him at the end. The cast of characters is fun and mysterious. They all have layers, and though some seem to fit a typical archetype, they reveal depths as the plot thickens. This was a fun closed circle mystery, and the two side-kick type characters are so lovable. This was a solid four star read for me. If you like a murder mystery with some magic sprinkled in, then this is definitely a worthwhile read.

This book has such a diverse set of characters - charming, unlikeable, annoying, compassionate, morally correct, and morally corrupt. The author did a beautiful job of really showing what it means to be human, and what it means to have emotions that aren’t necessarily something to be proud of. It was truly a beautiful story.

As a romance reader, it's so nice to sometimes read something new where "romance" is a subplot or just an element. This book was so beautifully written. ✨

I felt truly part of the "Voyage of the Damned" because this journey was filled with mystery and thrills, and you had to put your detective hat on for this one! 🕵️‍♀️ I kept reading just because I needed to know how everything tied together. The world is magical and straightforward, with 12 provinces and each "blessed" aboard the Voyage for 12 days. After the first night... everything changes. 🌙

If you like Clue and the "Murder on the Orient Express" vibe, you will adore this story, especially with the LGBTQ+ representation! 🏳️‍🌈

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing & Netgalley in giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book had it all!
•Fantasy world & magical cruise
•Murder mystery
•Suspense
•A little sprinkle of romance
•Comedic relief

It was such a fun read and I’m so glad I snagged it on NetGalley! There was such an array of characters and their personalities very much embodied their home providence. The MC Dee was hilarious and very relatable. His commentary throughout the book had me laughing.

The murder mystery is very slow burn, but it gives you plenty of time to learn about the potential suspects and their possible motives for the murders. I was not expecting the reveal and was shocked by the reasoning behind it all!

I very much enjoyed the world of Concordia and how each providence embodied a different animal and had a certain role in the running of the whole land. I felt like it was easy to put together and I appreciated the maps to help keep everything together!

Definitely recommend if you are looking for a suspenseful & magical adventure!