Tempest

LoveReading Says

I expected a breathtaking pirate-based romance, yet found so much more as I entered an intricately built fantasy world of islands, colonies, and a fierce fight for survival on the Lyrian Sea. This is the first in a duology and author Victoria Aveyard’s adult debut. Tempest sets up a long and slow burn of a tale, building tension, following two strong timeframes ten years apart.

Alternating ‘before’ and ‘after’ chapters highlight the difference between the main character Lady Catrine Rose at the age of 20, and ten years later as Widow Rose, forced to betray the pirate republic and Valerian Kane in order to save herself. The romance element is one lengthy tease, in the ‘before’ there is intrigue and fascination, and in the ‘after’ anger and regret, in both Cat sits centre stage with two men in orbit and we learn far more about Cat than we do Valerian Kane and Jasper Fell.

No matter the provocation though, survival is always paramount and therefore these characters are not perfect and feel authentic. The land and sea, towns and ships are brought to vivid vibrant colourful life. There are a number of questions that lie in wait, one in particular burns throughout and the suspense builds as the questions bide their time and you wait for answers.

At this stage it feels as though this duology was one novel that has been split into two, with the first setting up what promises to be a scorching conclusion. Chosen as a Liz Pick of the Month, Tempest is an entirely captivating novel of pirates, survival, and a slow to reveal itself burning romance. 

Reviewed by Liz Robinson
Liz has been an Editorial Expert writing reviews for LoveReading since 2014.
More reviews by Liz Robinson

About Tempest

'Triumphant' REBECCA YARROS'Essential reading' JOHN GWYNNE'Masterful' ADALYN GRACE'Deeply romantic' MARIE LU'Outrageously fun' ROSHANI CHOKSHI'Beautifully crafted' ELISE KOVA'Swashbuckling' LAURA STEVEN'Cinematic' DANIELLE L. JENSEN'Her best yet' SARAH REES BRENNAN 'Magic' JACQUELINE CAREYMAY THE SEA ALWAYS SING FOR YOU Cat Rose knows what it is to live in two worlds, in two times. Before - as Lady Catrine Rose of the Meridian Empire, chained to a loathsome lord with a dwindling fortune. And after - as the Widow Rose, queen of a pirate tavern on the Lyrian Sea, determined to be the master of her own fate.But tides turn and winds change. The Meridian Empire looms on the horizon, the full weight of her navy falling on the Lyrian, bent on reclaiming the wealthy colonies and crushing the pirate republic once and for all. Ship after ship is captured, save for one, captained by a pirate who continually evades both noose and blade: the legendary Valerian Kane.With his fearsome ship and uncanny connection to the song of the sea, Valerian is the only man who might rally the pirates who remain. The only man who threatens the Empire. And the only man Cat has ever loved, blazing in and out of her life like a star.Desperate for victory, the Empire offers Cat a devastating choice: bring them Valerian or hang. In truth, no choice at all. But Cat Rose is nothing if not a survivor. A storm is rising on the Lyrian Sea - the question is, what will it leave in its wake?From Sunday Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard comes an epic adventure of love and betrayal amid a brutal war for the high seas.

Read the full description

Find This Book In