By: Kristina Perez
Sweet Black Waves # 1 | 488 Pages | Pub. 2018
Sweet Black Waves at a Glance
- Overall Rating: DNF @ 51%
- Heroine: I want a fox in my life
- Dude: He can recite poetry to me anytime
- Steaminess: PG
- Immaturity: 7th grade dance
Summary
Not you without me, not me without you.
Two proud kingdoms stand on opposite shores, with only a bloody history between them.
As best friend and lady-in-waiting to the princess, Branwen is guided by two principles: devotion to her homeland and hatred for the raiders who killed her parents. When she unknowingly saves the life of her enemy, he awakens her ancient healing magic and opens her heart. Branwen begins to dream of peace, but the princess she serves is not so easily convinced. Fighting for what’s right, even as her powers grow beyond her control, will set Branwen against both her best friend and the only man she’s ever loved.
Inspired by the star-crossed tale of Tristan and Eseult, this is the story of the legend’s true heroine: Branwen. For fans of Graceling and The Mists of Avalon, this is the first book of a lush fantasy trilogy about warring countries, family secrets, and forbidden romance.
Our Review
DNF @ 51%
Overall Thoughts
I love the tale of Tristan & Isolde and probably watched the 2006 film more than anyone really should. But Sweet Black Waves was too childish, immature, and weirdly ridiculous for my tastes. The dialogue was hard to swallow and I felt like I was reading about five year old best friends, not young women in their teens.
The Characters
When a book purports to be like Graceling I expect a badass heroine but Branwen doesn’t even remotely exist in the same plane as Katsa. The other characters were either immature or underdeveloped.
The Romance
I went into this book expecting a swoon-worthy tale of starcrossed lovers but the relationship between Branwen and Tristan wasn’t slightly enjoyable or even tolerable.
The Magic?
I was promised magic but the magical elements of this book were strange and underdeveloped. They felt like a random add-on and like an acid trip.
Have you read Sweet Black Waves? Let us know what you thought in the comments!
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Ouch. I hate when I can’t finish a book. But sometimes there is no helping it. My last DNF was about a surfing vampire and I couldn’t even make it to 50%
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OMG Surfing vampire. That is all I needed to know.
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I have never DNF a book but lately I’m seething my time is valuable and limited. Thank you for an honest review! Sorry the book didn’t work out.
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Thanks! We hate to do that, but sometimes it’s just not worth pushing through.
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I’m starting to see that
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Nice review, sad that you didn’t like the book, but well one book off my TBR will help me as well…
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haha thanks!
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I enjoyed this book and then spent the next hour after finishing researching the mythology behind it haha. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it! It was tough to get through the first half.
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I’ve heard the last half and ending were good!!! And I love the mythology behind the tale too!!
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How did marketing even compare this to Graceling??? Outrageous! 😉
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