The second book in a heart-stopping trilogy that follows the captain of an all-female ship intent on taking down a vicious warlord's powerful fleet.
Caledonia may have lost her crew, but she's not done fighting yet. After nearly dying at the hand of a powerful foe, Caledonia is pulled from the sea and nursed back to health by a crew of former Bullets that call themselves Blades. The Blades escaped Aric Athair's clutches and now live a nomadic existence, ready to disappear at a moment's notice should trouble come their way.
But Caledonia wants to do more than just hide. She wants to find the Mors Navis and her beloved sisters. She wants to continue fighting Aric's fleet and to take back the Bullet seas. She'll need to do everything in her power to convince the Blades that fighting is their only option, that there has to be a life better than the one under Aric Athair's reign, and that finding the women of the Mors Navis is the first step to revolution.
4.5 Stars
"I’m made for more than surviving."
I really enjoyed Seafire, and absolutely loved Steel Tide! More action, deadlier battle scenes with higher stakes, character and world development, and all the ships! I have learned so much about ships and seas and it's honestly just so cool. I could not put this book down.
We pick up right where Seafire left off, and I like that we jumped back into things. Just as in book one, the action starts and doesn't really stop. There's so much happening, and sometimes things feel like they're moving too quickly, but I so enjoyed getting swept up for the ride.
So many characters grow throughout this novel. Caledonia is learning to let others help her, Pisces is learning how to process Caledonia's actions at the end of book one (which puts a terrible strain on the sister's relationship), and Oran! We learn more about his past life and I am about it!! I want all the bad and ugly when it comes to him, the darker the better.
We also have a new and necessary addition to this world: The Blades. They add a lot of depth to the story, and show that not everyone is so under Aric's thumb and influence that they've lost sight of themselves. Caledonia and her crew are not the only ones who want to fight back. Our Capitan has an uphill battle ahead of her to get back to her crew, but the Blades are there to help. Once again, Parker's action scenes are top-notch and had my heart racing! And Lir, oh Lir. This guy steals the spotlight whenever he's on the page. He is just so twisted and messed up, always doing something unexpected, and I freaking love it. The bonds that bind Lir, Donnaley, and Caledonia together are filled with thorns, drawing blood whenever they are near. It's complex and complicated and messed up, and I can't wait for more. *Also, I love the portrayal of the gay/lesbian relationships throughout this story. There is no judgment or discrimination - it's an accepted part of this world, not viewed at all as something 'different', just as it should be in our real world. There should be more representation like this. And just as in book one, Parker is not afraid to kill off characters - no one is safe!! One thing, I do want to know more about the Old World and all it’s technology. What happened to it? Why, and how, was it destroyed? How long is the separation between the Old and New World? Our character's are getting more complex, and I just wish this would apply to the history of this world Parker has created, too. I still think we would all benefit from a drawn out map. Thankfully, there isn't really a cliffhanger at the end of Steel Tide, but I still cannot wait for book 3! (November 10th, I got my eye on you) I am so stoked for the finale of this series. I have a feeling it's going to be even bloodier, deadlier, and it'll have one hell of a climax. I cannot wait.
About the Author
Natalie C. Parker grew up in a Navy family finding home in coastal cities from Virginia to Japan. Now, she lives surprisingly far from any ocean on the Kansas prairie with her wife where she writes and edits books for teens, including the acclaimed Seafire trilogy.