Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

This was such a fun genre mashup: part fantasy novel, part murder mystery, part dark comedy. It was well-executed, kept me guessing, and made me laugh often. I will warn that anyone looking for a fantasy novel with a deeply-detailed magic system and extensive worldbuilding around said magic should probably look elsewhere, as the information given regarding how magic works is limited, to say the least. The world itself is interesting and well-described, and the characters are nuanced and complex in beautiful ways, but the magic and its logic is one aspect of fantasy books that this novel refuses to adhere to.

As far as its numerous murders and the way they are explained: so very well done. I guessed one or two twists, but certainly not all of them, and even the ones I could guess were revealed in such a magnificent way that I was still gasping as I read. A fun, endearing read, with characters you learn to love and hate in equal measure. Dee is a wonderful narrator (albeit kind of unreliable), and Grasshopper stays my favorite lil sweetheart. 4⭐️

*Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

An intriguing storyline that keeps you on your toes. Set on a boat with fantasy creatures, this murder mystery captivates with its twists and turns. The diverse and captivating characters make it hard to stop reading.

Voyage of the Damned is a thrilling and haunting tale that kept me hooked from start to finish. Frances White masterfully weaves suspense, rich characters, and a chilling atmosphere into an unforgettable story. It’s an engaging read that’s definitely worth your time!

In *Voyage of the Damned*, Ganymedes Piscero, the heir to Concordia’s Fish Province, is thrust into a deadly mystery aboard an enchanted ship during a twelve-day voyage meant to celebrate a millennium of peace. Surrounded by powerful heirs, each wielding unique magical blessings, Ganymedes must hide his own lack of magic while being the prime suspect after a string of murders begins with the princess herself. Armed only with sharp wit, reluctant courage, and the help of unexpected allies—including a delightfully irrepressible six-year-old—he must unmask the killer before they reach land, proving that even those without blessings can change the fate of an empire.

Narrated with self-deprecating humor and cutting wit, this locked-room mystery will not only keep you guessing until the very end, but also laughing out loud at Ganymedes' antics. With a touch of unrequited love thrown in, this book will enchant readers until the very last page.

I really enjoyed this. I listened to the audio so I was able to just let myself go along for the ride and it was for sure a ride!

Ganymedes is definitely not your typical protagonist. He's looked down on by practically everyone because of where he was born and he has a lot of resentment and defiance of the others because of that. He is queer, he is fat, he is funny, he has secrets, and he is really loyal to those who are deemed worthy of that loyalty. Because of this he tends to "pick up strays" who also don't really fit in for one reason or another. So much of the sleuthing is done by Ganymedes teamed up with a sometimes terrifying 6-year-old and an invalid who can barely keep up. I found it easy to identify with him and sympathize with him and thought he was a great choice for the POV character.

I don't read a lot of locked-room mysteries, though I enjoy the ones that are done well. This one was very satisfying, especially with the slow reveal of everyone's magical power. I suspected everyone at one time or another and was thrown by almost every twist. The ending, when everything started coming together, was very satisfying.

The cast of characters were really fascinating and everyone was very unique. Many were easy to hate, at least at first, although there were reveals throughout the book that changed my opinion of several of them. They all had motives which made the unspooling of the mystery investigation really satisfying and made it hard to predict who was behind the killings.

The audiobook was really well done and the narrator did a great job with giving everyone different voices. It was a very good listening experience.

*Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA for providing an early copy for review.

Voyage of the Damned is the fantasy murder mystery I didn't know I needed this year!

Frances White weaves a tale of intrigue, corruption, and abundance that calls forth Ganymedes Piscero, the black sheep of a family blessed with magic. He does not have a magic blessing and when a murder is committed on a ship full of his fellow heirs to Concordia, he must figure out who the murderer is before they find another body.

I loved this book! This one was so incredibly fun- just getting familiar with this new fantasy world alone was entertaining, but then you have a locked-room (locked ship?) murder mystery going on, too!

Regarding the fantasy world, it was so unique. You have 12 different provinces, each with their own unique attributes (some with pink hair, some with green, etc.) as well as completely different climates. Each has a ruling house with someone having a “Blessing”- some kind of special power they get from the Goddess. But each power is unique and secret, as well. (And omg you can’t just ask people what their power is! - saying this in a Gretchen Weiners voice, LOL.)

Anyway, I loved the fantasy world so much but when the MMC “Dee” tries to start solving the murders on the ship, it just gets even more fun. And on top of all of this, there is an incredibly sweet message of believing in yourself and loving yourself. Even the author’s dedication (“For anyone who has ever entered a room and felt they did not belong”) was just so powerful. I’d definitely recommend this one to any fantasy lovers out there!

I really unique fantasy read. I loved the incorporation of the closed door mystery element. It felt like something I hadn't read before. The characters were also engaging and I had a great time with this book.

Sometimes the world-building in fantasy fiction can feel dense and tedious, a whole new context and culture to take in for the story to unfold. Not this one, though. The premise was straightforward (a society made of tenuously peaceful, distinct districts, a la The Hunger Games), the setting was easy to understand (a magical ship) and the characters so colorful and compelling that the world just easily unfolded as the mystery of the story deepened. The main character is kind and funny, snarky and sensual. The pages turned themselves once I was halfway done and finished the second half in one sitting!

Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend for a fun and different read.

I reaaaally wanted to love this one. I'd seen it all over the book internet and was so excited when it came to the US. I wasn't in love with the cheeky narrator/main character and humor in fantasy just doesn't work for me. I can see how a lot of people absolutely love this one, though! Just not my taste.

A BookTok sensation that didn’t disappoint? Bravoooooooo!!! Such a fun romp, with a locked-ship murder mystery that kept getting more and more intriguing and the bodies piled up. I loved the magic that accompanied the story, and the main character was so funny and endearing that I’d love to spend several more books with him. It was a perfect choice for an all-day readathon, and held my attention from start to finish!

A colorful cover, a vibrant world, and loads of adventure. I always love an Agatha Christie style novel and this one was a fun one.

I devoured this in two days and I’m not sure what came over me but I’m not mad about it

This is an adult fantasy with a murder mystery at its core. However, I do think this feels more YA in tone and behavior.

I had a fantastic time with the setting (isolation on a ship) and the murder mystery (there’s only 12 people to choose from so the suspect pool is limited). The fantasy elements were fascinating - each character is the Blessed, aka the heir to their province, and therefore has a magical power.

Grasshopper 💛

This book was rather long, but the resolution still felt a little rushed in the end. But overall this was a great read for the mystery and fantasy lovers.

Its a big, gay, mystery cruise and I honestly don't know how else to convince someone to read this lol what an immersive and incredible DEBUT novel! This being a debut is crazy, everything clicked together so well and the banter between characters had me INVESTED.

OMG!!!!! This was the one of the best book I read this year. The story, the characters, I loved every bit. The book’s pacing is impeccable. Each chapter heightens the tension, with new twists, alliances, and betrayals keeping the reader hooked. The diverse cast of heirs is fascinating, their complex dynamics adding depth to the story. Moreover, the vivid descriptions of the ship and its surroundings immerse readers in a world brimming with color and magic.

While the story shines as a thrilling mystery, it also explores deeper themes of power, identity, and resilience. The stakes feel real—not just for the characters but for the fragile empire they represent.

Voyage of the Damned is a must-read for fans of fantasy, mysteries, or character-driven narratives. Its unique premise and engaging execution make it unforgettable.

I wasn’t able to review this book before it’s publish date but now that I have read it I am giving it 4 stars.

I love a good fantasy. Sadly this one just didn’t do it for me.
It was good but not what I was hoping for. I wanted more action. But got more of a love story.
With the title called Voyage of the Damned. I was expecting sea creatures, pirates something that would make it more of a fantasy and exciting.

Talk about fumbling the ball at the one yard line! For the first 2/3 of this book I thought it would be a five star read. The closing, however, was both overly complicated (there’s no way a magic system this fragile could survive a millennium) and infuriating. I can’t say more without a really big spoiler, but suffice it to say, I did *not* enjoy the romance plot.

Sigh. I truly hoped to enjoy this book. The title and description seemed appealing, yet it fell very short for me. It was rather boring. I truly hoped to enjoy this book. The title and description seemed appealing, yet it fell very short for me.