After I read Ciper, the first book in the series, I went out and bought the trilogy. This book is better than the first.
This world is unique and detailed and fraught with its own perils. In this world there are horrible monsters and wild magic that make the seas a bastion of terror and danger. Raw magic called sylveth floats on the waters and will turn anything and anyone it touches into either horrible monsters or, rarely, magical beings with differing powers. Most persons who touch sylveth turn into ravening monsters not remotely human that have to be killed; however, the magicians of this universe are created by sylveth as are the pilots. Pilots are able to read the waters of the sea and keep the ships plotted onto a safe course through the dangers of sea monsters and storms. The city nation of Crosspoint is kept safe from sylveth and spawn (sylveth created monsters) by a barrier of magic called The Pale. They have a powerful advantage over their contentious neighbors because of the pilots and magical compasses that keep their ships safe on the seas.
The action is nonstop and the characters are detailed and the story engrossing. Each person grows and changes as the book progresses. The only problem seemed to be that the main character - the pilot Thorn - goes through so much punishment that it seems he probably should have died four times over.
Thorn, betrayed by his own guild, decides to nurture a friendship with the very men who have kidnapped him to be their pilot on an illegal ship on a possibly treasonous mission. The captain, Plusby, on the ship has severe issues of his own but the two, after a rocky start, develop a mutual respect that blossoms into a strong friendship. Then there is the romance that blooms and nurtures between Thorn and the female captain of a pirate ship from the very nation that is their sworn blood enemies. This pirate ship is fleeing persecution from their own people and how the two crews end up cooperating and helping each other is a fascinating story line in and of itself. The main characters - Lucy Trenton and Marten from Cipher - are a part of the storyline but in a very subdued manner.
All in all a wonderful read that is definitely on my favorites list.
This world is unique and detailed and fraught with its own perils. In this world there are horrible monsters and wild magic that make the seas a bastion of terror and danger. Raw magic called sylveth floats on the waters and will turn anything and anyone it touches into either horrible monsters or, rarely, magical beings with differing powers. Most persons who touch sylveth turn into ravening monsters not remotely human that have to be killed; however, the magicians of this universe are created by sylveth as are the pilots. Pilots are able to read the waters of the sea and keep the ships plotted onto a safe course through the dangers of sea monsters and storms. The city nation of Crosspoint is kept safe from sylveth and spawn (sylveth created monsters) by a barrier of magic called The Pale. They have a powerful advantage over their contentious neighbors because of the pilots and magical compasses that keep their ships safe on the seas.
The action is nonstop and the characters are detailed and the story engrossing. Each person grows and changes as the book progresses. The only problem seemed to be that the main character - the pilot Thorn - goes through so much punishment that it seems he probably should have died four times over.
Thorn, betrayed by his own guild, decides to nurture a friendship with the very men who have kidnapped him to be their pilot on an illegal ship on a possibly treasonous mission. The captain, Plusby, on the ship has severe issues of his own but the two, after a rocky start, develop a mutual respect that blossoms into a strong friendship. Then there is the romance that blooms and nurtures between Thorn and the female captain of a pirate ship from the very nation that is their sworn blood enemies. This pirate ship is fleeing persecution from their own people and how the two crews end up cooperating and helping each other is a fascinating story line in and of itself. The main characters - Lucy Trenton and Marten from Cipher - are a part of the storyline but in a very subdued manner.
All in all a wonderful read that is definitely on my favorites list.
Gabriela H. (timeenoughatlast) reviewed The Black Ship (Crosspointe, Bk 2) on + 34 more book reviews
The previous review gives an excellent account of the plot and the best aspects of the story.
I would only add that despite the incipient romance between Thorn and the captain of the pirate ship, this is not a romance the way The Cipher was. For one, the pirate ship captain doesn't come into the picture until well into the book; if anything, The Black Ship is more about the Pilot Thorn and his relationship with the crew.
Still a good book, but The Cipher remains my favorite.
I would only add that despite the incipient romance between Thorn and the captain of the pirate ship, this is not a romance the way The Cipher was. For one, the pirate ship captain doesn't come into the picture until well into the book; if anything, The Black Ship is more about the Pilot Thorn and his relationship with the crew.
Still a good book, but The Cipher remains my favorite.
