Where to start? This novel attempts to blend a contemporary vibe with a fantasy pirate setting, and the result feels more awkward than adventurous. The infusion of fake IDs, rock music, and nightclubs is jarring against the backdrop of a historical era, leaving me longing for a deeper exploration of the main character’s cultural dislocation. Given her unusual circumstances, a moment of panic or confusion would have added depth, yet she breezes through these bizarre encounters.

While the underwater world-building is intriguing and offers a fresh take, I found myself nearly ready to abandon the book after the 70% mark. The pacing lagged, and the character dynamics turned increasingly frustrating. The portrayal of toxic relationships, particularly the love interest who crosses some serious lines—like spitting in food and choking a friend—was troubling. It’s hard to accept that kind of behavior as romantic, and the protagonist’s internalized misogyny remains largely unaddressed, missing a chance for real growth.

Set in the early 1700s, the frequent modern references—like “miniskirt” and “crop top” for a nightclub outfit—create a dissonance that pulls me out of the story. Plus, I wish authors would move beyond clichés from “Pirates of the Caribbean” and delve into more authentic historical pirate lore.

Overall, while there are glimmers of an interesting story, I can’t shake the feeling that this would have resonated more with me during my teenage years, when the blend of fantasy and modernity might have felt more magical.

When I first started reading this, I got a few Pirates, by Celia Rees vibes. I was beyond stoked, that is such a nostalgic read for me, and to get something that brings that to mind was a treat.

Things didn't stay that way though, because when the plot got moving, it moved. To the bottom of the ocean. To a world of 10 underwater cities, and the Soraya. For being set in the 1700s, life beneath the sea is surprisingly modern (with an explanation), which was a plot device I found really entertaining.

As Amare adjusts to her new reality and the world that's been hidden from her, she gets to make friends for the first time. She meets boys - unlike the pirates she was raised with, where danger was always present and flirting was a foreign concept. She chafes as she's assigned a bodyguard, Finn, the King's right-hand man, and the former heir. Because if going from life on a pirate ship to life underwater wasn't complicated enough, she's somehow the princess of this foreign world.

When Finn's brother Lukas returns, Amare is quick to distrust him. She can sense a wrongness about him, something no one else seems to see.

Things happen quickly, and we're left with questions, mixed loyalties, and promises of so much more to come.

While the audiobook version I listened to is just being released, the full trilogy is out, and available on Kindle Unlimited! I fully intend to finish the series soon, and I'm glad I won't have to wait for them. The audiobook was well paced, the different voices were enjoyable and kept things easy to keep track of. I'd definitely listen again, or consider picking up the next books in the series in this option in the future.

This book wasn't bad, but I was looking for so much more. It's a wonderful story full of adventure and fantasy. I was looking for more whimsical, but the story overall is really fun and imaginative.

a predictable story. a predictable character arc. its just meh. not great. not bad. just not for me.

4 out 5 Stars

The Sunken City was a fun read and very good, very enjoyable. Ten out of ten would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Pirates of the Caribbean elements as well as the Disney’s fairytale ones gave me a nostalgic feeling but sadly I’m putting it down for the time being. I realized I was not the target audience for this one and that is okay, I’m sure younger girls will definitely love it more than I did.

“The Sunken City,” by Emma Noyes

Orphan, Amare, has been raised by pirates and pirates hate magic. During a storm she falls into the water to find an underwater kingdom where magic exists. She is now the princess of the Sunken City and has to deal with her new powers and the two brothers who are fighting for her attention.

This was a cute mermaid type YA book. I think this book would be good for a younger YA audience. I listened to the audiobook version and the narration was really good fit for the book. 3 out of 5 stars.

-Mermaids (they use a different name)
-Love Triangle
-Pirates
-Magic

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

This was a fun read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy books, specifically pirates! While this book was unlike any pirate book I’ve read before, it was very interesting and unique. It’s YA and there is a love triangle (I feel like that’s almost a requirement for YA books in general) Despite the relationships being a little juvenile, the world that was built by this author was cool to explore and dive into

I found out about this book from TikTok and was very interested in it! But after reading idk If I'm considered the target audience. Maybe I'm just not super into YA anymore? Def a good book! Just not for me.

Just finished listening to this audiobook and mind I say what a story. And the end is a massive cliffhanger 😝. Anyway the book was good. Amazing magic system, secrets, mysteries, adventures, love triangle (well sort of), a great plot and that effing cliffhanger 😂😅. I will do a detailed review on my blog soon

If you’re in the mood for a swashbuckling adventure with a magical twist, “The Sunken City” by Emma Noyes is a must-listen. Narrated by Renee Dorian, this audiobook transports you to a world where pirates and underwater kingdoms collide. Amare Bellamy, a fierce pirate with a hidden royal past, is thrust into a mystical realm after a storm, uncovering her identity as a long-lost princess.

Renee Dorian's narration is spot-on, giving life to each character with unique voices and emotions. The love triangle adds an intriguing layer to the story without overshadowing the main plot. While the pacing dips slightly in the middle, the imaginative storyline and well-crafted characters make up for it. Overall, “The Sunken City” is a captivating and fun-filled journey perfect for fans of fantasy and adventure. Can't wait for the sequel!

This was a fun story but I was surprised the character was so juvenile; I didn't get that from the synopsis. But the narrator really shows you how young she is. The book is filled with under water worlds and magic. The best part is the main character's coming-of-age story. I'm interested to see what happens next.

2⭐️- The Sunken City has so much promise, and the cover is GORGEOUS, but the audiobook just is not for me. The story was predictable. However, I do think a younger audience may love it!!

I'm not gonna lie, I didn't get the obsession with the book...until we met Lucas, now I get it
the world building was interesting and different and the characters grew on me enough that I'll definitely be reading the next book
the audiobook was a really fun listen

First off. Thank you to Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for this audio copy!

I think this was a very fun, undersea adventure with some pirate antics and interesting magic. The main character is fun, and the world she discovers throughout the story is unique and interesting. I think I just ultimately found, though, that this felt TOO YA For me… even for a YA novel. It almost reads closer to middle grade at times, but with the occasional mention of topics that probably also aren’t appropriate for middle grade here and there (romance, certain mental health mentions, etc). It’s more that the character and voice of the MC, the two love interests, and the side characters all just *feel* incredibly young and honestly a bit one dimensional.

I think this is probably very fun for some, and I did really enjoy the audiobook narrator! Ultimately I don’t think I will be continuing the series, though.

This is a YA story about a girl who feels trapped in her own world and dreams of adventure. This story has found family, coming of age, and a lot of adventure and coming into yourself. So if you like stories that have adventure and wired world mechanics, this is an interesting read.

Received the audio version of the Sunken City and it was okay I think in print form I would have enjoyed it more. The narrator made the story seem cheesy and so I didn’t love it…

I don't think I was the intended audience for this book. It read very young YA. I probably would have loved this book when I was 13, and it would be a great intro fantasy for young audiences as the story was clean and approachable. I probably won't be continuing this series, personally.

I was engaged with the beginning and the end of the book as I enjoyed the pirate parts. But the strange modern day inclusions when they were in the Sunken City (night clubs, fake ids, rock n roll, mini skirts) really took me out of the story.

The audio grew on me. Some of the side character voices weren't my favorite, but overall the audio was well done.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the audio eArc.

This is a fun easy fantasy listen which was obviously written for young adults. There is lots of amazing adventure and the plot does not linger on one spot for long. The romance aspect is light and fun while also dealing with some heavy topics. It is not all fun and light with the death associated with being a pirate addressed on a number of occasions. While the ending left a lot of unanswered questions, it was not a cliffhanger.

Big thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape media and Emma Noyes for an early release copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

already read this book but really wanted to see how it was on audio. still loved the book, but not so much for the narration.