Wow. This book was a wild rollercoaster and at no point did I know what would happen next. It was equal parts hilarious, suspenseful, thrilling, magical and adorably romantic. The plot twist was INSANE. Well there are multiple plot twists but one got me so much that I actually had to pause to catch my breath because I was so shocked. I don’t know how this book managed to make my heart pound in suspense one second and then make me laugh out loud the next, over and over. I’ve heard other people say Ganymedes is immature and annoying, but I thought he was incredibly relatable and realistic given his backstory. His journey to self-love really moved me. The queer romance subplot was also adorable. If you are looking for a book that’ll keep you on your toes, I’d highly recommend!!

Imagine a cruise where the passengers aren’t just humans but a host of magical creatures, and in the midst of luxurious dinners and sun-soaked decks, a murder mystery unravels. This book captivates from the first page, blending elements of intrigue, fantasy, and a slow-burn romance into an intense narrative that keeps you hooked.

At the heart of it all is the main character—funny, endearing, and impossibly brave. Their charm is infectious, bringing warmth and humor to even the darkest corners of the mystery. With a sharp wit and a tendency to leap into danger, this protagonist feels like a trusted friend you're cheering for from the very beginning. They face challenges head-on, navigating not only the complexities of a magical murder investigation but also an unexpected romance that simmers in the background, adding layers of tension and heart to the plot.

The murder mystery is brilliantly paced, with clues that keep you guessing and a diverse ensemble of magical beings that add intrigue to every twist. Each character feels rich and contributes to the high-stakes atmosphere on the ship. The romance subplot is especially noteworthy—an electric chemistry between the protagonist and their love interest that blossoms gradually but intensely, leading to moments of both tenderness and longing.

Overall, this book is an irresistible blend of humor, mystery, and magic, set against the backdrop of an enchanting cruise. If you're a fan of stories that make you laugh, keep you on the edge of your seat, and leave you with a full heart, this one is a must-read.

Voyage of the Damned is a wonderful murder mystery a la the classics such as Murder on the Orient Express, but with magic and a both steampunk and fantasy feel to the world.

Trapped on a ship none of them really want to be on, but least of all our lead Ganymedes Piscero, the 12 Blessed are being sent on a magical holy mission to the scared Goddess's Mountain to establish they have all gained their 'blessing'. However when the first of their group is murdered everyone becomes a suspect and any attempted peace is shrugged off as everyone being looking out for themselves. Except again our lovable, caring, lead Ganymedes who just can't stop himself from looking into what happened and trying to protect those around him.

This novel really does read as a magical, steampunk-ish, fantasy, Agatha Christie, with the mystery slowly unfolding and I really did not know what to expect right up until the end. To add to that the setting feels natural for this tale, with the magic system having well establish rules, and the setting building upon itself to make a cohesive world alongside the characters that occupy it.

I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy:
- Murder Mysteries with plenty of twists
- Diverse characters
- Queer Romance
- Extremely Loveable leads, with a touch of self hatred
- Magic systems and fantasy world that walk the line on having enough world building to feel complete
- Murder on the Orient Express, but on a magic boat

I received an advance review copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.

12 provinces (if we exclude the 13th exiled beyond the Bandage). 12 heirs blessed with a secret magical ability (but one of them is lying and unblessed). 12 days on a boat journey to pay tribute to the Goddess (and most of them will not make it to their destination).

✓ a rare 50/50 Fantasy Mystery blend!
✓ positive queer, fat & disabled characters
✓ comfy elements: hilarious mc and lovable scooby gang
✓ multiple dead bodies! Woohoo!
✓ thorough world-building and strong mystery plotting

x disappointing romantic twist/reveal
x some 2-d depictions of important characters with little or no on-page appearances

This was such an impressive romp with so many elements I love in both my mysteries AND my fantasies. The murder mystery was a strong A plot, following an immensely likable and hilarious amateur sleuth and unsung hero, Dee of Fish Province. He was strong while being flawed, and I couldn't help but root for him. I'm also a sucker for boat settings, Scooby gang camaraderie, and a high body count where no one is safe! Meanwhile, on the fantasy side, we had a captivating origin story that reminded me a bit of Sky Woman from indigenous tradition, strong world-building, illustrated maps, and important themes about empire, unity, and acceptance. I loved the details added about the separate provinces, their trade and customs, their alliances, and the individual abilities of every province heir.

Elements I was less impressed by include (1) fan fiction/YA-esque humor at times. Don't get me wrong, there were SO many times I was laughing along and charmed by the witty and sharp dialogue, but it also felt overdone sometimes. (2) Two characters were mentioned numerous times through anecdotes and brief flashbacks/memories: Lysander and Ravi. These characters remained 2D to me, and I never felt invested in who they were because I never truly saw them on the page, and when I did, it was so brief/insubstantial. (3) My biggest issue with the narrative was how the author handled the romance between Dee and another character. There was a major reveal/twist in the book that, for me, overall cheapened the entire development of the romance itself. I was really disappointed, and I wish the reveal never happened to be honest. And as it did, Dee needed a stronger, averse reaction to the reveal. The love interest got off way too easy. and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

CW: descriptions of drowning, violence and physical injuries (including severed limbs), dead bodies, self-harm and suicidal ideation

Actual Rating: 3.75 stars 
Original Pub Date: 20 August 2024 
Reading Format: print + audio

Thank you NetGalley, MIRA and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!

if you love getting deeply invested in characters before the plot twists hit, *voyage of the damned* is a must-read. this witty murder mystery is full of surprises and makes for a highly recommendable read.

though it’s not primarily a romance, i was living for the romantic elements. the representation is well done, and this as a debut novel is both magical and entertaining. i’m excited to see what comes next from this author!

This was such an amazing book. Francis White gave his all in this tale and I appreciate the dynamic characters and the amazing plotlines. I think that it is an amazing combination of fantasy, murder, and along with some comedic tidbits that I truly appreciated. It gives the reader reassurance that as though there are murders going on. The characters are light hearted and the reader does not have to be tensed while reading this. Love Love Love Love this book.

Twelve heirs from the provinces of Concordia embark on a twelve day voyage to the sacred Goddess’s Mountain. All have been blessed except for Ganymedes aka D of the fish reigon. He has told everyone that he has had his blessing but in reality he hasn't. D is a great disappointment to his proviance and his father. He feels he can do nothing right. Soon after the boat sets sails one by one the twelve blessed are being murdered. In order to figure out who and why they are being killed D takes it upon himself to solve the mystery. D must also find out what the others blessings are before time runs out on him and the remaining passengers. This was a very good whodunit that had you guessing until the very end.

Listen, I love a book where you spend most of the time building a relationship with the characters, only to get the twists and turns that make the story so good that you know you will recommend it to people. This is that book! This book is not perfect, but it is a good read for an adventurous person and maybe a nice thriller book club. I give it a 3.5/5.

"Voyage of the Damned" is a gripping and well-crafted historical novel that immerses readers in a dramatic and turbulent journey. The author’s meticulous research and vivid descriptions bring the setting to life, creating a palpable sense of time and place. The characters are richly developed, each adding depth to the unfolding drama. While the pacing occasionally slows, the narrative remains engaging and emotionally impactful. The book’s exploration of human resilience and moral dilemmas makes for a thought-provoking read. Overall, "Voyage of the Damned" is a powerful and compelling story that will resonate with readers long after they’ve finished.

This book was incredibly satisfying. It's one of the few times I felt like characters had reactions to outrageous circumstances that were actually believable. The world building was great as well. There was enough description to get a clear picture of the world, as well as the general lived experiences of a diverse array of characters and their provinces, without the reader getting lost in the sauce. The characters' development and growth were also exciting to watch. Overall, this was a very well-written, well-balanced book that I would absolutely recommend to anyone who likes a good fantasy, whodunnit, hero's quest, or buck wild sea adventure. I look forward to reading anything else this author writes in the future.

Voyage of the Damned is such a witty and fun to read murder mystery! I enjoyed this debut novel and look forward to other books! An enjoyable, magical read!

While I enjoyed aspects of this, including the premise and main character's personality, overall the tone felt all over the place, like it wasn't sure what to take seriously and what to play as a joke. I couldn't buy into the romance, and the ending left a lot up in the air. I'm glad I read it, because there were parts I really enjoyed, but it didn't stick the landing for me.

••• review •••
✨ Magic, murder, and mystery rolled into one with side of humor.

✨ Wow! This was such a fun read. It took a bit for me to get into it since it has a completely new concept (at least to me), but after about 1/4 through, I was hooked.

✨ The main character, Dee, was hilarious and relatable. Many of the characters were relatable in different aspects. I laughed so many times and my heart ached for Dee. Grasshopper reminded me of my own children, for better or worse!

✨ I loved the magic concept. You learn more about it as you read on and once it was all clear, I really thought there was so much beauty in how the Blessing (magic) appeared.

✨ I also loved how there were deep topics, specifically self-worth and depression, woven throughout the story. It really made the characters more relatable and well rounded.

✨ My only dislikes were the ending…seemed very sudden, and the redemption of a specific character (just felt really off to me).

✨ There were so many twists that I did not expect, keeping me engaged through the end. The character development was also amazing. This was a great read if you like mystery in a fantasy world!

••• quotes •••
💬 My father always says: 'You can't run from your responsibilities,' but he lacks imagination. Besides, I'm not running. I'm sidestepping. Crossing the road so me and my responsibilities don't make eye contact and aren't forced into awkward small talk both of us know isn't going anywhere.

💬 “You see the world in a way nobody else does. You’re better than all of them. Because you don’t need a Blessing to be a miracle.”

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ½
✏️✏️✏️✏️
🌶️🌶️

Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really, really wanted to like this book, but the main character's tone just grated on my nerves :(

I liked this one, it was a fun read, nothing too serious. I agree that this doesn't really read as Adult, but I liked the diverseness of characters and representation.

The narration was an interesting vibe for me, sometimes I enjoyed it, sometimes I didn't - I'll let you make up your own judgement on this.

Enthralling blend of fantasy and mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Set in the magical world of Concordia, the story follows Ganymedes Piscero, an unlikely hero who finds himself in the midst of a murder mystery aboard a ship filled with powerful heirs, each possessing unique magical abilities known as Blessings.

White’s writing is captivating, with a richly imagined setting and a plot full of twists and turns. Ganymedes, or Dee, is a wonderfully flawed and relatable protagonist whose journey from class clown to unexpected hero is both humorous and heartwarming. The ensemble cast of characters is vibrant and complex, each adding depth to the story and keeping you guessing until the very end.

This is a book with a big cast that you have to keep track of. It's a locked room on top of a locked room. Only 12 people on a boat in space. It's like an old murder mystery show that happens on a cruise episode. I think the world building was okay. It's not too in depth but it gives you enough to understand what is going on. It has definite fantasy setting with magic, but it is squarely a murder mystery. This is an adult book with a tiny bit of spice towards the very end, but it does read a little closer to Young Adult than Adult to me. If you want Agatha Christie meets (not quite high) fantasy, this is the book for you!

✅ the 12 heirs of each of the Provinces of Corcordia embark on 12 day voyage (on a ship)
✅ each heir has a secret magical ability, except for Ganymedes who is generally known as a slacker
✅ when an heir is found dead, and then another, this becomes Agatha Christie x fantasy
🌈 LGBTQ rep!
🌶️: at the very end but this is not really a romantasy.

I like the idea of this book but it was a bit flat. I think it mostly needed better direction..it read much like a YA novel and probably would have been better if it stayed in that space.

I had such a good/fun time with this book. This is exactly what is described a locked room murder mystery set on a boat with each suspect having magically abilities. I really enjoyed the murder mystery aspect of this book. I've heard/seen some complaints that the magic isn't explained and to some extent that's true as it's not a hard magic system with rules and limitations. However, how each blessed get's their ability is explained and why they have them. The world building is lacking which is why I don't have this rated higher as I was intrigued by the world but had and continue to have questions about eh world. I enjoyed our MC, he has a distinct tone and voice which may not work for some readers. The book is 1st person so we only really get to know Dee, and I would have liked to know more about all the other characters. There are a couple different 'romances' in the book with various LGBTQIA+ representation throughout. I had a lot of fun with this book mostly because of the mystery as I was invested in what was happening. But if you are wanting more fantasy and a plot that isn't just a murder mystery than you will be disappointed with this book. This is predominantly a mystery with fantastical elements, not really a fantasy novel.

Would recommend to people who enjoy murder mysteries, want to dip into fantasy without a ton of worldbuilding, lots of queer representation, and a standalone.