Ship of Shadows (Stolen Crowns #2)by Tee Harlowe
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Synopsis:
He broke my heart once. Now working with him might shatter it for good.
I’m chained to my crown. Queen of a court I don’t want. Ever since my brothers and father disappeared, I’ve been forced to rule, to give up the freedom I crave.
It’s all the pirate lord’s fault. Bastian Lore sailed into my life, charmed me completely—then betrayed me. The scoundrel kidnapped my brothers and delivered them straight to the shadow court where they’re trapped, their shadows now under the court’s control.
Worse, Bastian has returned—and his offer to rescue my brothers and find my missing father is too good to be true. All he wants in return? My help finding a cure for his mysterious illness. I don’t trust him, but if anyone can navigate the shadow court and get my family back, it’s him.
He’s as charming as ever. But I can’t fall for him again. If I’m not careful, it won’t just be my heart that I lose—it’ll be my family, my court… and my life.
Ship of Shadows is book two in Stolen Crowns, a series of steamy standalone but interconnected fairytale retellings. This enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance is perfect for fans of banter, (very) snarky heroines, and slow-burn fantasy romance.
Review:
Ship of Shadows was a beautifully, captivating retelling that was Disney meets romantasy! It was Peter Pan, yet with Hook as the love interest, and wrapped around the tale was also The Little Mermaid. I loved this book! The characters came alive, the story was impossible to put down, and I loved how elements of the original tale played out but also found new light. The twists and turns were fabulous, and the ending had me closing the book smiling!
“Do not speak to me like that,” I said, stepping forward. “I am the princess of Apolis, and you will address me as such, or you’ll lose your tongue.”
Bastian chuckled darkly. “You won’t cut out my tongue, not when you know firsthand all the things I can do with it.”
While this can easily be read as a standalone, I can’t recommend reading Mirror of Malice first. There you meet our main heroine, Princess Gabrielle. Her brothers were taken by the pirate lord, Bastian Lore. And then her father and his men disappeared too. She was to become Queen, yet that wasn’t what her heart wanted. With Bastian back and promising to help get her brothers, in exchange for finding a cure for an illness, Gabrielle’s world was going to get turned upside down. The man had already broken her heart once, how could she trust him? Yet what unfolded was the most fantastical journey that had me glued to the pages!
Our entire relationship was stolen moments. Secret trysts. A lie.
From those first few words out of Bastian’s mouth, I was a goner. He was protective, ruthless, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to protect those he cared for. He was feared, yet underneath that gruff exterior was a heart of gold, or at least I hoped. From the moments he seemed to show he cared, like the fireworks, I fell that much more in love with him. Bastian made me laugh, smile and when he shared little pieces of his past, it made the stars shine brighter!
Second star to the right, he’d said. That’s our star.
Gabrielle tugged at my heart. She was trapped with a future she didn’t want. Her brothers were taken by the man she had fallen in love with. And when she boarded Bastian’s ship, everyone hated her. Her loneliness pierced deep into me. Yet through it all, she was resilient. I loved watching her use her water magic. I loved her finding a way into those hearts around her. And I loved watching her use her cunningness to try and stay one step ahead of others. Yet, Gabrielle also double crossed Bastian. So there were many shades of gray within the pages!
“I’m trying to be so good,” he whispered, “when all I want is to be so very bad.”
I didn’t move, letting his words, his breath, his scent, wash over me.
Bastian and Gabrielle together were explosive. The sexual tension could be seen with every look, touch, and word between them. There was an enemies to lovers vibe there. And the secrets they both kept were numerous. Yet through it all, they both acted like they were trying to protect the other. And while I’m super picky about second chance romance, this one was done fabulously! So when there were moments between them that were more, the steam was perfect too!
There were a million reasons not to do this. Yet with his voice so soft, so vulnerable, I couldn’t make myself care about a single one.
Along for the ride were Bastian’s crew, Driscoll and Leoni. I adored the two women on Bastian’s crew and Driscoll. Driscoll made me laugh numerous times! Yet Leoni and I never clicked. I’m hoping that will change with a future book. Within the story, there were so many moments that had me smiling in joy! I loved how elements from the original tales played out. So many of them twisted in ways that were shocking and unique. I’m not going to say much besides walking the plank part and afterwards, the cabin, and many more were some of my top favorites!
He dipped his head down, a question in his eyes, and I answered, tipping my head up. He brushed his lips against mine.
Ships of Shadows was filled with twists and turns, moments that will make you laugh and fall in love, and the ending was perfect! This second chance, enemies to lovers vibe romance swept me away! With found family and forced proximity laced within the pages, it just made me love this book even more! I’m so excited to see what happens next in this world, and I have a guess about what two fairy tales it will be. I can’t wait!
He placed his hand over mine. “Then who do you need me to be if not your hero?”
A grin spread across my face. “I need you to be what you’re best at. The pirate lord of the Dark Seas.”
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
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