Starred Review The sea takes, and the sea gives. This is the credo that Mira has grown up with, and for her people, on the island of Rosevear, it is a way of life: to survive the harsh winters, they lure ships to their rocky coasts, wrecking them along their shores and plundering their holds. As one of the seven who swims out to the ships, Mira is responsible for saving what lives she can, and it's a responsibility she takes seriously; she lost her own mother, a wrecker before her, to the sea. When the city watch decides to no longer turn a blind eye to Rosevear and sentences Mira's father to hang, Mira enlists the services of a boy she once saved from drowning and hires herself a crew that could be her salvation or her doom. Armed with only a set of coordinates left to her by her mother, she heads for an open sea filled with pirates and monsters, praying for something that will help her on her quest. The high stakes and ticking clock make this propulsively readable, but it's the dreamy, confident writing that elevates this debut to the next level. A swashbuckler that metes out romance and vengeance in equal measure and with equal weight, this series starter is poised to make a significant splash.

Gr 10 Up —Living on a remote island, Mira is part of a crew that causes shipwrecks and plunders the loot. Her job is to save any survivors, and one day she rescues a mysterious and attractive boy. She inherited her position after her mom died, and like her mom, she thrives in the sea. The day after saving said stranger, the watch arrests her father and the crew's leader. They are to be executed in nine days for causing the shipwrecks. Mira believes that the answer to saving them will come from learning about her mother and so begins her maritime adventure. Though the book starts off slowly, the worldbuilding makes it worth it. When it picks up speed it becomes a fun read with adventure, betrayal, romance, and mythical creatures. While there are some predictable parts, there are also some refreshing scenes, like Mira's meet-cute with the male romantic lead whom she saves. If your patrons are searching for a book that flips tropes, this is not it. However, this is perfect for libraries where YA fantasy is popular generally. VERDICT A solid romantasy purchase for any collection and ideal for fans of Lauren Roberts and BookTok trending books.—Wilsinia Ocasio