Title: Song of the Current
Author: Sarah Tolcser
Publication date: June 6, 2017
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
About the Book:
Caroline Oresteia is destined for the river. For generations, her family has been called by the river god, who has guided their wherries on countless voyages throughout the Riverlands. At seventeen, Caro has spent years listening to the water, ready to meet her fate. But the river god hasn’t spoken her name yet—and if he hasn’t by now, there’s a chance he never will.
Caro decides to take her future into her own hands when her father is arrested for refusing to transport a mysterious crate. By agreeing to deliver it in exchange for his release, Caro finds herself caught in a web of politics and lies, with dangerous pirates after the cargo—an arrogant courier with a secret—and without the river god to help her. With so much at stake, Caro must choose between the life she always wanted and the one she never could have imagined for herself.
From debut author Sarah Tolcser comes an immersive and romantic fantasy set along the waterways of a magical world with a headstrong heroine determined to make her mark.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Song of the Current did not work for me as a book. During one weekend, I binge read three pirate-y themed books, and this was my least favorite of them. I think the story has a hopeful premise, but in the end, the book fell flat for me. I will keep this review short, and just highlight both the rants and the raves that I had for the book.
Rants: I really had a hard time connecting and liking any of the characters; I found their personalities passive and dull. There is little to no change in character development by the end of the book. I also found the story to be very flat and predictable. I hate to admit it, but I felt bored during my read. At one time, I almost stopped reading the book, but kept pushing myself and convincing myself that it will get better (especially since I enjoyed the banter).
Raves: I liked the romance that brews in Song of the Current. It’s not one-sided and there is not instant-love. I really liked that the characters are very verbal in stating what they want and don’t want in a “relationship.” The banter is definitely worth finishing the book. Communication was one of the most favorable aspects of this novel. And when that communication is snarky and witty, I just had to keep reading.
NOTE: I was not provided a copy of this book by the author or the publisher in an exchange for a review. I received this book in my subscription to UppercaseBox, which I bought with my own funds and reviewed it at my own discretion. All statements and opinions in this review are mine.
rants and raves of a bibliophile 