I was pleasantly surprised with the ending to this trilogy. It’s no small feat to avoid the second book “slump” and also a great final installment. Overall this was a fun book, and I actually thought it got better as it went along which is also rare. I loved Ben’s character development, and also his evolving relationship with Sam. I just think the whole premise of this series is so original.
This book picks up right where Black Tide Son left off and it doesn’t slow down. It’s very fast paced without feeling like plot points are just being thrown in all over the place. I will say at times it was still hard for me to keep track of all the politics and different factions but I think the author did a good job of trying to lay out the pieces on the board. It had been a few months since I read the last book and I was a bit lost but everything made sense in the end.
I thought the plights of the stormsingers and ghisting’s reflected some elements of women’s rights as well as slavery/servitude/indentures etc. An interesting element to have in a fantasy book. That said, I also appreciate that just because most pirates/sailors would’ve been men historically, doesn’t mean we don’t get lots of great swashbuckling female characters!
As for the ending- what a great ending. Nothing worse than really liking a series only to be ruined with a terrible ending (looking at you Divergent). I need a spin off series of Josephine ‘s story when she gets older. Maybe with her cousin in tow.
I really hope a movie executive somewhere reads this series and options it for a movie because all 3 books (but especially this last installment) would make an incredible movie franchise. It’s been over 20 years since the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and we have had enough remakes!

My, oh my- it’s always bittersweet to say goodbye with a trilogy. But what a satisfying ending to truly a rich world-building plot. I say “ending”, but I am sensing a spinoff and I’m 100% here for it. Or I hope Ben gets one. 🤞

Pirating – it’s such a bleak lifestyle. 😅 Throw it in a world where magic & politics are always at play and it’s bound to be a page turner.

I’d be curious what my Robin Hobb friends think of this series - I say that because I’m chest deep in the Liveship Traders trilogy - and I feel like it’s safe to say- I see the influence, though Long very much holds her own unique vibe.

I do think because of the complex level of magic at play, I’d recommend reading the entirety series closely together. I had to do a fair amount of flipping to remember the certain powers that the non-main characters held.

I’d also say the spice felt pretty closed door, but adult topics are touched on. So if your YA reader is itching to try adult- this is a safe jump.

Overall, I do think this series is TBR worthy - its complexity is impressive. It makes me wonder what H. M. Long will dream up next.

Thanks @netgalley & @titanbooks for this ARC.
Due out 8 July 2025.

4/5

Thanks to the lovely folk at Titan Books, I have once again been graced with an early peek at my most anticipated read of the year. This time, with the epic conclusion to a series that has become very dear to my heart. You know the feeling when you’re positively vibrating for the last installment but you’re also not ready to let the story and characters go? Long caused me this in spades with her Winter Sea trilogy! How very dare.

Minor spoilers for books 1 & 2 of the series ahead. Very minor, I promise. Borderline non-existent even.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again verbatim: H. M. Long raises the bar on what epic high-seas fantasy and character work are supposed to be. And she does so spectacularly, by grabbing you by the proverbial lapels and flinging you into edge of your seat action, humor, and so much heart.

This third and final installment only cemented it further by wrapping up this transporting tale in the most satisfying of ways, for many a reason.

Long picks up the story not much time after the events of Black Tide Son and the author takes no issue with plunging you directly into intense and breakneck action right from the get go. The opening 25% truly felt like the Donald Glover meme from Community, with me, the unsuspecting reader, cheerily walking into a room (see, port, iykyk) in flames and it all going progressively more and more downhill from there. Fittingly, I should add, considering who our first pov protag is in this book. Long puts your feelings through the wringer from the very first chapter, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad one, but whatever the context, you are inevitably reeling. But it hurt so good, as they say. In fact, if I had to describe the overall effect this book had on me it would be by saying it was killing me softly for all of its 416 pages.

Long shines in her character work the most, and that is where the heart of this trilogy lies, for her protagonists have grown and developed so much throughout the course of the story that I felt actual pride for them, as if they were my own friends succeeding and maturing. Not to do any disservice to the plot itself of course, as it was twisting and winding, and also optimally paced, in a way that propels you forward without tiring you out, yet you never quite know where it’ll lead next or which otherworldly monster might suddenly appear to ruin a character’s day. If book two was a slow-burn under some aspects, book three has nothing slow about it. It looks back at you once and boisterously tells you to keep up with a roguish smile. And you will, even pushing through the proverbial stitch in your side, because you will simply not want to put this book down.

It is nearly impossible to do all the central themes of this book justice without spoilers and I do not want to risk diluting effect of the previous two books if you haven’t read them yet, dear reader, so I need to be vague. But trust me when I say that if you’re looking for a trilogy with well-rounded and perfectly imperfect characters that you can’t help but root for, even the antiheroic ones you least expected to be siding with, then this is the series for you. From proper villain decay to restitution and responsibility, from questions of agency and freedom to finding one’s path forward even if it’s not what you’d originally wanted or expected.

The world of the Winter Sea is one of mesmerizing magic, high stakes, unforgiving elements, and badass action. Its cadre of characters do not leave you wanting, avoiding clichés and presenting archetypes in a way that is fresh and rich. There truly is something for everyone, be it camaraderie to die for, a romantic plot that will have you clutching your chest from the feels (they are goals, just chef’s kiss goals), political intrigue and conspiracies whose threads you seek to unravel along with the protagonists, wisecracks and humor that hit the spot every time, or moral frustrations that will have you pulling your hair as the characters learn priorities and which way their loyalties lie. Because nothing is ever quite as it seems and even when you think you know the characters and their drives by the third book, they will still surprise you. Not in a rug pull way of “the author needed an ex machina and this was the easiest way, character consistency be damned”, but in a way that still makes perfect sense for each character arc. Said in a better way, I was always pleasantly surprised but never confusedly shocked.

Not only was I immensely satisfied with how Mary and Samuel faced the action and where they eventually ended up but also with the ways they both grew as individuals and as a team overall throughout the trilogy – seriously the development of his attitude toward Mary going from “must protect the helpless damsel because I’m a gentleman” in book one, onto “the damsel is actually a highly capable and lowkey feral and formidable woman” throughout book two, and finally “we’re safer and more effective when working as a team” with book three, was utterly impeccable – but I am truly bowing to Long’s mastery in delivering a true antihero, whose guts I positively hated in book one, and for whom, by the end of this third book, I was feeling my chest tighten in sympathy to his struggle to redeem himself in order to be worthy of something I will not spoil. Hell, even his journey to accepting whether he wanted to in the first place, held me veritably captive.

Like, I am not sure I can fully explain to you dear reader how unforgiving of a person I am over certain things, and the fact that Long never once panders or sweeps anything under the rug to make the character more palatable and to wrap things up in a neat bow, was masterful. She instead works hard to show the nuance and difficulty in the rehabilitation and penance and the work they must still do to make up for their past. That, I could get behind so well. Bluntly put, she doesn’t excuse the asshole but at least you get to understand him and maybe even hope he will make the right choices going forth. Simply the fact that you are rooting for that to happen after the events of the first book alone, is testament to an expertly woven tale by a powerhouse storyteller.

Red Tempest Brother is everything you want in a series conclusion. It reunites you with beloved characters one last time, keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time, while enthralling you with wondrous and epic ambiance you’ve loved and have been transported by throughout the whole series. The Winter Sea trilogy is one I will find myself rereading often in the future and if you haven’t yet started it, dear reader or listener, now is your chance to binge the whole thing in one go. Trust me, you’ll want to.

This final installment comes out July 8th so run to preorder it now; an epic tale of brave and sassy seafarers awaits.

Until next time,
Eleni A.E.

P.S: as always, a major shoutout to mah boy Charles who is truly the mvp in every single one these books because he is Best Boi™ and the ever delightful foil to someone else. No, I will not elaborate.

I love everything hm long writes and will continue to enjoy their work for years to come i still remember when their first book came out and im so proud

Unfortunately not for me as a reader. I could not connect with the story and writing style. This series had such great potential but I think that I lost interest after the amazing first book.

The concluding book in the Winter Sea trilogy was one of my most anticipated reads of the Summer and it didn’t disappoint.
As the title indicates, this was Benjamin’s story (although Sam and Mary still had plenty of page time) and we now have POV chapters from him as well as Sam and Mary. Mary’s side of the story in particular felt very dark as no matter what she did, she was constantly in the power of other people and began to feel that this would never change. Her powers as a Stormsinger increasingly seemed to mean that she would never be free. Her relationship with Tane was also strained at times as there were occasions when their priorities were not in complete agreement.
However, the counterpoint to this despair was the relationship between Sam and Mary which continued to develop into them being a strong couple who knew that each of them was an equal. The strength of their feelings for each other was a bright light in what was often a dark story.
I really loved Ben’s story ARC. The previous book saw him healed of his corruption, but the opening of Red Tempest Brother shows him at his absolute worst. I enjoyed the gradual development of his character through this book as he became more aware of his actions and the fact that they were not how other people acted. The conversation with --------- where he asked if his lack of feeling was an automatic part of being a magus showed a real turning point for him although it was by no means a magic wand.
The world building was great as we ventured into new seas and I loved the new information about the magic too. There is a very dark edge to the magic here and we definitely saw that towards the end of the book especially in the action packed finale. There were a huge amount of new magical creatures too and at one point it felt a bit overwhelming as we were meeting a different creature in every chapter. It almost seemed as though the author was creating them just to create another obstacle for Sam and Mary to cross.
My major niggle after finishing the book was that the ending felt a little unsatisfactory and a bit rushed. Some of the resolutions took place off stage and so didn’t have the impact that I felt their story needed. Having said that, Red Tempest Brother was a completely engrossing read and the three books have been some of my favourite fantasy reads of the past couple of years.
Huge thanks as always to NetGalley and the publishers, Titan, for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

There’s a strange type of grief that accompanies the ending of an era, a really good holiday, or brilliant series. Not matter how happy the ending that leaves you your heart full there’s the sadness that now it’s over. You can never experience that first thrill of the adventure again and the knowledge that you’ll miss the people that made the adventure, real or fictional.

I am full of that feeling having just finished this. I absolutely loved Mary, Samuel, and Ben’s journey through these three books and this final instalment is is a roller coaster ride that barely pauses for breath before throwing its protagonists into the next mad, chaotic, double crossing, piratical set of circumstances.

Benedict is still trying to figure out emotions, feelings, and consequences in the aftermath of his healing from corruption at the black tide and starts by burning an entire port down, whilst Mary and Sam start the book literally shipwrecked. All three are pursuing the same stolen papers they lost at the end of the last book but very different ways for very different reasons as they all grapple with loyalty, duty. And doing the right thing by those who depend on them.

Also I ship Charles’s friendship with Ben, even when Ben doesn’t really want it,is precious and perfect and also no one can tell me Charles isn’t crushing hard on Ben.

Long masterfully brings the story through battles with sea monsters, other world creatures, kidnapping, extortion, a trial, sea battles and mad cap chases, twining it with pitch perfect softer romantic or introspective moments to a brilliant heart warm conclusion that left me sad to turn final page knowing there was no more to come.

It was such a joy to pick up this book! Not only has this author never led me astray, but it’s always a relief to be able to close the last page of a trilogy and feel like the entire story came together just as it should. Such is the case here!

This book picks up right after the events of the second book, and of course Mary and Sam land themselves smack dab into trouble once again. The stakes of this book were just as high as ever, perhaps even higher as now our characters are not only grappling with their own futures, but the futures of Stormsingers and the Ghist as well.

Throughout the series to this point, there has been a strong focus on freedom (a perennial topic for pirate stories, it seems), and we’ve seen the ways that groups of people and beings have been harnessed and their powers used for others’ purposes. And from the start of this one, we see how fragile Mary’s own situation is, even with Sam and their crew behind her. I really enjoyed the way this book continued these stories, particularly the expansion of how the magical beings of this world are understood. Looking back at the trilogy as a whole, it feels like layers were carefully peeled back from one book to the next to finally land us on this conclusion where we finally get a more complete understanding and see how everything weaves together.

I also continued to love Mary and Sam’s story. As much of the journey of their romance had been completed in the first two books, this one was more focused on them working together to make a future for themselves where they can thrive. I loved the balance between the subplot of their continued love story (blessedly free of unnecessary drama or angst!) and the larger focus on the action-packed plot, with each of them getting strong arcs both separately and together.

This book also introduced chapters from Benedict’s perspective. I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about these at the start. Hong is an excellent character writer, and Benedict is an interesting character, but I also have a strong memory of his actions from the first two books, many of which were pretty close to unforgivable. But I think his arc was explored in a fantastic way, these things considered. He doesn’t do an about-face; instead, his story is given plenty of time to fully explore the slow evolution if his feelings and his realization of the choices and future that lies before him, depending on what he does now. He is the embodiment of a true morally grey leading character. You’ll definitely hate him at times, and even by the end, he is very much still a work-in-progress type of person.

I also really enjoyed the expansions we see in the world-building. The story takes us south, introducing new factions and locations, all vying for different things and often violently clashing with one another. Further, we get a host of new magical beings, most of which are horrifying to varying degrees, per the usual of this world, it seems. Again, the word that comes to mind is “balance.” This book manages to equally divide its attention and time between large-scale political/national conflicts, swashbuckling adventuring, and new fantasy creatures and elements. All while firmly holding true to the main trio of characters at the heart of the story.

This was a fantastic conclusion to a fantastic trilogy. It’s also criminally under the radar as far as I can tell, and all epic fantasy readers should immediately check it out!

Rating 9: A perfect landing on a fantastic trilogy; this is a must-read for all epic fantasy fans!

Link will go live on The Library Ladies on July 12

A fine, satisfying end to a thrilling series. I love this world that H.M. Long built, though at times I found it complicated, I was completely drawn into it, it's magic system, it's drama, suspense and adventures. I loved watching these characters evolve and come into their own as individuals, as family, as a crew . The ending, though a little rushed, felt deserved and right for the story H.M. Long told across these three books.

This book absolutely lived up to my expectations. I loved the character arcs so much, it was the perfect completion to the trilogy!

hm long never ceases to impress me. i really thought when i first read dark water daughter i wouldn't like benedict at all. but he's managed to become a compelling character in his own right. impressive

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for this ARC.

4.5 Stars

Wow, having just finished this I find I have so few words to say about Red Tempest Brother, other than a sadness that the journey of Mary and Samuel have come to a satisfying end. Having read other works by H.M. Long, I knew the final installment would not disappoint, other than what I have already established.

Red Tempest Brother continued the tense action that was previously established in Black Tide Son, with only a minor furthering of the world building. However, Long did a fantabulous job setting us up for the finale a la Pirates of the Caribbean style. Mary and Sam were subjected again to the whims of the world, being dragged along in the wake of the destruction that Benedict left behind in his determined search for the papers that would change the lives of those with magic forever.

In the prior book, Sam began to see his brother as an unyielding force that did not care who he harmed in his path, and thankfully this book continued to open his eyes. Unfortunately, it was surmised that the healing ceremony led to more bleed over between Sam and Benedict in what felt like a natural way. Leading Sam to more emotional outbursts and Benedict to finally find some humanity of a sort. Benedict's change in nature did not happen overnight, but throughout the novel in what I felt was a satisfying way. Although it was interesting to note the question of how much of his nature was due to his power, though the answer could still be further explored.

Benedict continued to drag Mary and Sam along, both consciously and subconsciously in Red Tempest Brother. To me, it felt like the force of his power led him to tangle others up in his deeds, and caused them to slowly resent him over time. All characters involved with Benedict had complicated feelings regarding him as he never really let them explore their feelings but instead forced them to his will. Obviously, this could lead to some resentment and in my opinion, it led to some really cool betrayal scenes. Really, this man caused his own problems and it was for the best that he learned that he needs to actually sit down and solve them instead of brute forcing to get what he wants.

Despite my positive praise, I still would have liked to see more steps taken to obtaining rights for the Stormsingers. The readers only got to witness the beginning in the form of a colony negotiating for certain rights. This leads me to believe that Long is not exactly done with this world, and may come back to it. However, I will still be satisfied if this world's chapter is closed and Long moves on to new stories to unfold with just as much intricate worldbuilding and magic systems.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Red Tempest Brother and did not want to put it down.

A trilogy for Pirates of the Caribbean fans.

This trilogy started off so strong with an immersive, magical book one. Book two felt filler and everything too convenient, but I held out hope book three…
This honestly could have all been a standalone with better pacing and editing.

The books are easy to read - fast-paced, lots of dialogue and actions, addicting. However, this does mean that we don’t get to spend many quiet moments with the characters for them to develop and for readers to get attached.
This is definitely plot driven rather than character driven.

<b>But, perhaps, that weight was ballast, rather than burden. And that hollow ache was not the loss of my own desires, but a hollow where something newer, and harder, and better, could grow.
</b>
What made me drop my rating to a disappointed two stars was the overall arc as I commented on earlier. The ending was extremely rushed and unsatisfying. So many loose threads and incomplete character arcs. The big problems were resolved off page and I didn’t feel the pay-off.

The more I reflect on it, the more frustrated I am as book one held so much potential with great atmosphere, a unique world, different cultures and power plays, siblings, magical creatures and powers…

Arc gifted by Titan.

4 stars- probably more of a 3.75 rounded up if I’m being honest.
I’m a little iffy on how I feel about Red Tempest Brother. Going into this book I was so excited to follow Benedict’s story a bit more closely, as he was one of my favorite characters from book 2. However, I felt like Benedict’s character still took a backseat to Sam and Mary; which, don’t get me wrong I enjoy their characters, but I was looking forward to Benedict’s snarky charm and sarcastic quips. I didn’t feel like that’s what I was given. Ben was a little, dare I say “bland” in this book for me, and it was disappointing to say the least.
Mary was taken prisoner far too many times for my liking. Ben didn’t feel like the star of the show. And Charles wasn’t utilized near enough. Sam, as always, was a stand up man and I have no complaints other than he was in the spotlight for too long. I still enjoyed this book, don’t get me wrong- HM Long writes beautifully. RTB just wasn’t what I was expecting.
And lastly, although this was supposed to be a trilogy, it definitely ended in a way that lead me to believe there is more to come from Benedict. I also think we’ll be seeing more of Sam and Mary if the ending was any indication of what’s to come.

*Review will be posted on Goodreads closer to publication date.

I’m just submitting this to edit it after I read as the date for archiving nears and I’m currently reading this and I know almost every read of HM Longs has been a 4⭐️ and above I want to make sure I don’t miss the archive. Will edit once I’m done

This was the conclusion to the series and was it an action packed plot again! I loved that with book 1 and 2 and I am happy that book 3 delivered on that end as well. The characters were as good as previously experienced in the other books and I felt with them during their adventures.
Mary again retained her status as one of the most interesting characters in this series and also as one of my favourites. She continues to be not conforming to the usual fantasy-book-heroine that is helpless and tries to navigate the adventure, but she is fun and brave. I liked her a lot! Samuel is a very kind and fair character. He cares deeply for Mary and I love that he is now a main character and driver for the story after maturing to that status from book 1, to 2 to now 3! Ben is such a multifaceted and interesting character. I don’t want to say villain, because he doesn’t feel like the classical ‘bad guy’. I love that. He gives the story quite a few additional facets that add to the action.
One thing that I feel was a slight bit less great in this one was that I felt the plot was jumping from time to time. I often went back to see if I had missed any information or plot points. Very often I did not overlook something but the plot simply jumped a bit. Which is fine, I don’t mind that too much, but it would have been nice to see a tiny bit more of a red thread going through the book.
All in all, this will be one of my most recommended series that does not receive enough buzz! Action packed plots, great characters, magic, pirates, thrill, this series has it all.

A superb sequel which carries the intrigue, action and adventure of its predecessor to new heights. An immersive, full throttle tale that will have you on the edge of your seat.

3.5 ⭐️

I didn't reread the first two books before picking up the conclusion to this trilogy, and that no doubt impacted my reading experience. Much of the plot centers around the documents stolen at the end of book 2, and it took me a while to recall any details about them. Because of this, the stakes felt a bit abstract to me at times.

My biggest disappointment with this book is Benedict. In a lot of ways, he's the most compelling character of this series, and I was looking forward to seeing his development in this book. Unfortunately, that development just sort of stalls for the vast majority of the book. We see him feel conflicted, we see his guilty conscience for his behavior, but his actions don't actually change in any meaningful way until after the climax of the story, when the stakes are gone and it doesn't actually cost him anything. We eventually see a shift in his behavior, and in a lot of ways it's deeply satisfying, but I would have liked to see that at the 50% mark, rather than the 95% mark. What's more frustrating is that when we finally see some evolution from Benedict, it's relatively satisfying—but I wanted that evolved Benedict to be a part of the story, not just the epilogue. For most of the story, he feels stagnant and I genuinely did not understand why he was behaving the way he was.

Mary and Sam are delight as always, and I really enjoyed seeing them settled into their relationship. They're just tired and want to be able to rest (real), but they keep getting pulled into new messes. I don't know that the plot of this book really felt like the culmination of 3 books of build-up, but it was the fun mystical pirate romp I expect out of this series. There was one enemy introduced very near the end that felt a bit out of place. It presents an interesting expansion of the lore, and I would have loved to see them introduced earlier on in the book or at the end of book 2 to give us more time with them.

Ultimately, I'm satisfied with where this book left the characters and I generally enjoyed the reading experience. I'm just annoyed with Benedict for taking so long to get his sh*t together.

I was excited for this ARC, but I ended up struggling with it! So I’m DNFing?? Weird. Made it to 25%.

Part of it is the fact that it has been long enough since I read book 2 that I don’t remember some key bits. Benedict is after Enisca Alamay because of some papers she has… what were they? What was the significance? Why does Benedict want them so bad? I’m drawing a complete blank which is making it harder to feel invested in his urgency. Unfortunately it’s difficult to figure it out when I don’t own book 2, and the series isn’t popular enough to have a bunch of fan summaries online.

I kind of wish we didn’t have Mary’s POV at this point. She and Samuel feel like an established unit, and like in the previous book, she doesn’t really have a growth journey anymore. With the addition of Benedict’s POV (appreciated), hers feels like more than we need.

The strength of the book is Benedict’s POV and getting his arc. If the book was *only* him I think I’d keep going - hoping I’d learn what these papers mean as I kept reading. 😂 Samuel’s POV is also still interesting in that he seems to be exploring an angrier side of himself. But the story is still episodic, and I don’t enjoy that.

Absolutely worth the read if you’ve enjoyed the other books, especially if you reread book 2 before diving into this one. And I’ll still read more from Long as I liked the writing and world-building in general. I need to learn how much she depends on episodic plotting to decide if she’s not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me a final romp with this series.

I don't think this is the end for certain characters (more about that in a moment), but for Sam and Mary, this is their end. Fighting for the future of those with spirits within them and spirits not within them. Mary and Sam also have to reign in Ben, or get him to settle down which we know is a hard ask since he is dealing with his awakened sooth gift.

I love that, again, we have to mature characters who love one another and know the risks and and dangers, and one point Samuel says "I'm safer when we're together" instead of sending Mary off while he handled an issue. That is true couple goals. That he doesn't see his Mary as a simple damsel but his equal.

Now, Ben? Ben has a lot of anger, angst, and things he needs to settle. New powers, a hatred for those who tortured him, the government, and what he did while pretending to be his brother. I love that at the end of the acknowledgement H.M. Long thanked us but knew that "even Ben" had fans. He will always have fans, he is my antihero babe and I will stan him and his devil may care attitude. I don't think we've seen the last of him since he parted ways with a woman who he had his eye on and, he has a daughter who he is absolutely wanting to love and cherish. I hope that H.M. Long gives him a good future series where he is with his daughter and he crosses paths again with he woman he had his eyes on.

All in all, this was a solid series. I had fun with it and while some stories closed some seem to remain open and hope for more adventure on the seas with other characters.