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.

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.

Saying goodbye to this series hurts. And while it hurts to say goodbye, these characters and the Wold and ghisting need time for peace and growth. But take me with you?

This is THE best naval/pirate high fantasy story I have ever read. The stakes are high, the characters are immaculate, the fantasy elements are unique and fresh. Mary and Samuel's relationship stands apart for me. Supportive and caring without being controlling and overbearing. They both let each other stand and think and fight alone and outside of their relationship while keeping the other at the forefront of their mind. I just adore them.

𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒛𝒐𝒏? 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖.

And Benedict? My guy, we've been through a lot in the last 3 novels. Long's ability to make me feel conflicting emotions for this man is next level sorcery. I love Ben, and how complicated his story and journey were throughout the entire Winter Sea trilogy. I give most of the thanks to Charles for this change of heart.

"𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐲?"
"𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭, 𝐧𝐨."

I cannot stress enough how much you need to pick up this series if you like high sea and immaculate fantasy stories. It's cemented as one of my favorites of all time.

𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆, 𝒂𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔.