ARC Review: ON THESE BLACK SANDS (Aisling Sea #1) by Vanessa Rasanen

ON THESE BLACK SANDS (Aisling Sea #1)
Release Date: August 10, 2021; Crab Apple Books

From Goodreads:
AN HEIR ON THE RUN 

In one month, Aoife Cascade will turn twenty and take her seat on the Council of Cregah, an honor she’s been preparing for her whole life. But when she lets a secret slip to her mother with devastating consequences, all her plans for the future crumble. Believing her people to be better off without her, she flees Cregah, stowing away aboard a pirate ship bound for dangerous waters. 

A PIRATE CAPTAIN WHO NEEDS HER HELP

Captain Declan McCallagh is young compared to the pirate lords, but after twelve years on the grueling sea, he has earned a well-respected ship and the attention of the lords, who’d like nothing better than to see his ruin. All he wants is to leave the Aisling Sea—and his past—behind him. But when his sister demands he find the enchanted dagger her rebel faction needs to overthrow the ruling Council, he’ll have to decide whether to cast off all family ties or take the perilous voyage to waters guarded by sirens, only passable with the help of the last remaining fae, currently imprisoned by the Council. 

With murder and betrayal at every turn, can Aoife and Declan learn to rely on one another? Or will the secrets they carry destroy their people—and each other?




Rating: 3 of 5 stars

There's something about pirates and fantasy adventures at sea that always has me intrigued. I'm so happy to have had the chance to read On These Black Sands in advance. 

Aoife was the kind of heroine you would root for from the start. She's sweet, a bit naive (considering her childhood), but she has heart. She always tries to do things with the best of intentions, and I really liked that about her. Declan, the dashing and notorious pirate captain, is one book bf material. He had a rough life but he never let that stop him from trying to do the right thing. He's far from perfect but who isn't? I love how he was with Aoife (after the rocky start, of course). He's gentle (for a pirate), loyal and charming. I live for the adorable moments between him and Aoife. 

Tommy is for sure my favorite! I need some more of that bromance with Declan, lol. Cait was an intriguing character. I wish she got more chapters. 

This was definitely longer than I expected. A tad too much internal monologue (some were repetitive) and not enough action. Nevertheless, I quite enjoyed it.

All those revelations at the end are not good for my blood pressure. Hopefully, the sequel won't be so hard on Aoife, Declan and gang. Looking forward to it! 

I received an ARC to read and review.





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