On These Black Sands

Yay! Today Lutheran author Vanessa Rasanen releases her first book in her pirate series: On These Black Sands from her new Aisling Sea series. I’ve already read it and loved it.

First, the Amazon blurb, then my review:

AN HEIR ON THE RUN

In one month, Aoife Cascade will turn twenty and take her seat on the Council of Cregah, an honor she’s been preparing for her whole life. But when she lets a secret slip to her mother with devastating consequences, all her plans for the future crumble. Believing her people to be better off without her, she flees Cregah, stowing away aboard a pirate ship bound for dangerous waters.

A PIRATE CAPTAIN WHO NEEDS HER HELP

Captain Declan McCallagh is young compared to the pirate lords, but after twelve years on the grueling sea, he has earned a well-respected ship and the attention of the lords, who’d like nothing better than to see his ruin. All he wants is to leave the Aisling Sea-and his past-behind him. But when his sister demands he find the enchanted dagger her rebel faction needs to overthrow the ruling Council, he’ll have to decide whether to cast off all family ties or take the perilous voyage to waters guarded by sirens, only passable with the help of the last remaining fae, currently imprisoned by the Council.

With murder and betrayal at every turn, can Aoife and Declan learn to rely on one another?

Or will the secrets they carry destroy their people-and each other?

On These Black Sands Review

Sometimes a nice swashbuckling novel really hits the spot! This is a very readable, enjoyable way to escape and, if you can follow my way of thinking, let my brain “re-zone.” I read it in two concentrated chunks of time over two days, and I’m more re-centered after having done so.

There was good world building, enjoyable writing, and some really good quotes. Plus, in a neat twist, I think I liked the relationships between the characters even more than liking characters, if you can imagine what I mean. Especially between the young pirate captain and his first mate.

It is the first of a series, however, so, Vanessa, I hope you’re already writing the next one! More needs to happen in the world of the Aisling Sea!

Other Book Related Stuff

You can actually order the August Fae Crate for this book! It has a hardcover special edition plus other goodies. NEAT!

Or go to Crab Apple Books to order a signed copy and see what other neat stuff Vanessa has come up with. 🙂