Book Blurb:
Sea of Strangers (The Ryogan Chronicles #2)
Publication Date: December 5, 2017
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Know your enemy if you want to survive…
The only way for Khya to get her brother back alive is to kill Varan—the immortal ruler who can’t be killed. But not even Varan knew what he was doing when he perverted magic and humanity to become immortal.
Khya’s leading her group of friends and rebels into the mountains that hold Varan’s secrets, but if risking all their lives is going to be worth it, she has to give up everything else—breaking the spell that holds her brother captive and jeopardizing her deepening relationship with Tessen, the boy who has been by turns her rival and refuge since her brother disappeared. Immortality itself might be her only answer, but if that’s where Khya has to go, she can’t ask Tessen or her friends to follow.
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My Review:
4 Out Of 5 Stars
Genre: Another-World, Mystery, Supernatural, Survival, Suspense--
Khya is disappointed in herself for not saving her beloved brother Yorri, but instead barely escaping her beloved city with just a few of her trusted comrades. Khya now knows that everything she was taught and believed in is a lie, making her question her purpose and abilities. But she must put aside her doubts and failure to prepare for the bigger threat- a war that nobody saw coming.
I found myself enjoying book 2 more than book one, and I think that was due to the fact the world building was already established and the plot of this book was forever moving, no time for the self-reflection and doubt that plagued Khya the first book (sure there was some here, but not nearly as much- she was more reasonable to her limits here). There were still a LOT of words that I had not previously been exposed to before the first book (because they are made up) but I was way more comfortable with the use of them and the glossary was extremely helpful. Also, I liked that there was a small cast of characters here for me to get to know and understand, where as before I was overwhelmed by all the people, details, ect. Book 1 is 100% necessary to read before picking up Sea of Strangers for world and character building, and book 2 picks up just a few days after the events of book 1.
I believe that the word epic is ideal to summarize this leg of the adventure that Khya is on. Seriously, this was an incredible action filled journey, going from the sea to the land, all completely unknown, dangerous, treacherous, magical and mysterious. I loved how much action the small band of misfits encountered, where survival was questionable and death potentially eminent (this was one ring to rule them all level adventuring!). The new inventive uses for magic was fun to discover and very complicated.
This series is listed as YA but I would not call it YA at all, it fits more into fantasy in general. The characters are teens (at least most of the main characters) but they are independent people who care for and make decisions for themselves. The content is pretty adults as well, with sexuality being the norm (not that that is a bad thing per se for older teens to be familiar but I would not suggest for a younger teen) and there is so much death and struggle. Survival may not be an option for the characters I have grown to love, and they too have made peace with their possible future outcome.
Based on the ending, this series is at least a trilogy (maybe more!) because there is so much more to come. I feel like leg of the story was very much so needed to the plot overall, that the books are an extension of each other, one every so gently filling the gaps the other has, like puzzle pieces. I was pleasantly surprised by the direction the story took, something I could never predict, and I am really excited to see how Khya and company handles what appears to be an intense battle (most likely to the death). The author has created such a detailed, lush world with unique magic and cultures I could never have even dreamed up, completely brought to life. If you are looking for a fantastical journey I highly recommend pick up this series.
I received this title for reviewing purposes.
Erica Cameron is the author of books for young adults including the Ryogan Chronicles, the Assassins duology, and The Dream War Saga. She also co-authored the Laguna Tides novels with Lani Woodland. An advocate for asexuality and emotional abuse awareness, Erica has also worked with teens at a residential rehabilitation facility in her hometown of Fort Lauderdale.
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