Author: Seven Jane 
Pages: 284
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Publish Date: 10/9/2018
Publisher: Black Spot Books
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Photo Credit: Seven Jane [Author]
Where to buy: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY
*Thank you Black Spot Books and Jean Book Nerd for providing an e-copy of The Isle of Gold for me to review. This review is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by anyone.*
Synopsis
Mystery, Myth & Magic Meet in an Epic Adventure of Two Women Lost at Sea—
and the Secret that Binds Them Together
AN ORPHAN DISGUISED AS A PIRATE SETS SAIL FOR A MYSTICAL ISLAND IN HOPES OF UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF HER PAST
The year is 1716—the Golden Age of Pirates. An orphan who sleeps in the dusty kitchens of a quayside brothel, Merrin Smith is desperate to unravel the secrets of her past and find the truth about the events that brought her to the Caribbean island of Isla Perla as a child. Disguised as a sailor, and with the help of her longtime friend Claudette, Merrin joins the crew of the pirate ship Riptide, helmed by the notorious Captain Erik Winters. Tenacious and rumored a madman, Winters is known as much for his ruthlessness as for his connection to the enigmatic and beautiful proprietress of the Goodnight Mermaid, Evangeline Dahl, who vanished from Isla Perla two summers before.
At sunset the Riptide sails for the mythical island of Bracile, a place hidden between air and sea and that exists only for a moment every two years, and which has never returned any man who has sailed for its shores. The journey will be perilous and long, and it will take Merrin far away from the only home she’s ever known. Because she can read, Merrin will serve as the Captain’s apprentice, deciphering old texts for clues to the island’s whereabouts as the ship sails through haunted, frozen waters and into the very heart of the ocean. As she struggles to navigate the rough, seafaring life aboard a pirate ship, Merrin must keep her identity hidden from the scrupulous gaze of not only Captain Winters, but also Mister Brandon Dunn, the ship’s surly, legend-spouting quartermaster, and Tom Birch, the charming boatswain Merrin can’t help but feel drawn to.
As the Riptide makes its way to Bracile, Merrin begins to suspect that the men she has worked so hard to deceive may in fact be more connected to her than she would have imagined, and that perhaps her own past might have more to do with the Dunn’s legends and myths than she ever could have guessed.
In The Isle of Gold [Black Spot Books, October 9, 2018] Merrin Smith must face perilous waters, cursed sea goddesses, and the embodiments of some of the ocean’s most terrifying legends as she not only struggles to survive her journey, but to find the answers to the mysteries of her past.
A story where history meets fantasy, The Isle of Gold is an epic, emotional adventure of two women—one desperate to save herself, and the other determined to be rescued—and the secret which binds them together.
“For as long as men have sailed the ocean, they have told stories about the sea,” says Jane. “It’s a place of mystery, myth, and magic—and this makes The Isle of Gold a perfect setting for an epic adventure that is not only a tale of historical fiction, but of the very evolution of a woman’s spirit as she seeks to find herself in a world of unpredictability and uncertainty.”
“There is an old saying that ‘the cure for anything is saltwater—tears, sweat, or the sea.’ In The Isle of Gold, Merrin’s journey requires all three.”
Review
I actually enjoyed this book. It was a nautical historical fantasy filled with burly sailors and captivating seas, my escapist mind was living the pirate’s dream. The story overall was very descriptive and captivated the ocean adventure so majestically. I was able to immerse myself into the story and feel the rocking of the boat and the salty sea foam that filled the air, along with the cold satisfying feel. The author also created a backdrop that gave nostalgia to those who fall for a pirate story. There was an overlaying mysteriousness to it that I found quick intriguing and was the main reason I continued to red on.
The supporting characters were captivating in their own developing and really helped to shape Mirren’s [main character] story. I enjoyed Mirren’s character because it was relatable. She was clever, which gave her the ability to use her skills to set sail with Captain Winters in her crew. She was great at keeping secrets when it came to the crew never finding out that she wasn’t a young lad. She continued to use her wit and intelligence to learn more about the quest to find Mistress Dahl and help Captain Winters. Lastly, she had a curiosity spirit about her that welcomed those reading to also pique their curiosity of the pirate code, the island of Bracile and the reason for the journey. Back to the supporting characters – the author was able to find such a great way to fully develop and have stories for the supporting characters that sometimes isn’t always executed. I loved learning more about Captain Winters and their crew and was able to understand their stance in life so much more.
The story was filled with myths, mysteries and magical curiosity. It was a quick, yet enjoyable read. There were times during the plot where pace wasn’t always clear or pace was slower than expected but the author was able to be it back to the larger picture. The story had a Pirates of the Caribbean vibe while still keeping it’s originality at the forefront. The romance was whimsical and quirky and it fit well into the story. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a nautical fantasy but also readers who enjoy a strong world building novel.
About the Author
Seven Jane is an author of dark fantasy and speculative fiction. Her debut novel, The Isle of Gold, was published by Black Spot Books in October 2018.
Seven is a member of The Author’s Guild and Women’s Fiction Writing Association. She writes a weekly column for WFWA‘s Industry News newsletter, and is a regular contributor to The Nerd Daily.
She is represented by Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management and supported by Smith Publicity.
Praise for The Isle of Gold
“Part fairytale, part fantasy, part romance, Jane’s debut is full of colorful characters [and] a plot that will thrill the heart of any lover of magic, legends, and epic adventure.” —Booklist
“Jane weaves a tale of myth and magic . . . This tempting novel will entrance.” —Publishers Weekly
“A delightful, well researched and evocative historical fantasy that succeeds in bringing a fascinating era to life.” —Midwest Book Review
Giveaway
– 1 Winner will receive a Signed Copy of THE ISLE OF GOLD and Swag by Seven Jane.
– 1 Winner will receive an Exclusive Swags for Upcoming Release.
Giveaway Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e849f7751584/
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