Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Seafire (Seafire, #1) by Natalie C. Parker

Narrated by Rebecca Soler
Synopsis (via Goodreads): After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, who have lost their families and homes because of Aric and his men. The crew has one mission: stay alive, and take down Aric's armed and armored fleet.

But when Caledonia's best friend and second-in-command barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all . . . or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for.

“Remember when they call you girl, they're trying to tell you something. They're trying to tell you that they're more than you, that the body you're in makes you less. But you know, and I know, that you're exactly what you need to be.”
I'm really glad I listened to the audiobook for this one, because it's narrated by Rebecca Soler! She's one of my favorite narrators (The Lunar Chronicles, Caraval), and she always delivers an amazing story. It helped that Seafire was a wonderful read all on its own!

Girl power! I really enjoyed reading about an all-female crew! They're not pirates per se, but they did act like them every once in a while. There were some pretty epic battles that included cannons, sword fights, and hand-to-hand combat. The girls are young, but they've already learned how to fight for their lives. The world they live in is cruel and unforgiving, and Cala is determined to keep her girls free while also taking out as many enemy ships as possible. They're smart, calculating, and work well together as a team. It was so much fun to read about!

Cala and crew found themselves in more than one precarious situation, because more often than not, there were no good options available. They had to make do with what they had. I wish I could remember what Redtooth and Cala would say to each other when things were at their worst, but it's been awhile since I listened to the audiobook, and I didn't write it down. I plan on buying a physical copy in the future, so I guess it's a good excuse for a re-read with a pen!

I didn't love or hate the romance, but I wish there had been more or less of it. I think the story would have thrived without it, since it seems to focus on what woman are able to accomplish on their own. Now Caledonia's decisions are being impacted by the Bullet on her ship, and her feelings toward him start to shift over the course of the book. “When I want a kiss, I will be the one to take it.” If his circumstances had been different, I think trusting him would have been easier, and then there would have been a greater potential for romance. As it is, I feel very take-it-or-leave-it about the whole thing.

Pisces, Caledonia's second and sister in every way that matters, felt like a shadow of the person she could be. I understand her relationship with Cala was forged from circumstance and tragedy, but they have known each other for a very long time. However, Pi seemed to be constantly surprised by Cala's decisions, and I was a little annoyed with how protective she was of a Bullet. Yes, she owed him her life, but that's all she knew about him. Cala was being cautious, because she had an entire crew to think about. Pi's blatant disregard for Cala's wishes, and the rules of the ship, made me dislike her a little. She's also a very prominent member of the crew, but she prefers solitude and fighting beneath the waves. I feel like we missed opportunities to get to know her better.

There was another romance between two of the female crew members, or at least I think there was, and I wish that had been explored. Maybe they will have a larger role in the next book, but we were left with our own assumptions for this one. Also, Redtooth was probably my favorite character. I loved her personality, her snark, and her fierce fighting. She cared about the other members of the crew, and she's willing to risk everything to keep them safe.

I really liked the setting for this book, and the story Parker created. All of the characters have distinct voices and personalities, and I enjoyed learning about each of them. Everyone has a role to play, and I cannot wait to see what happens next! “Hoist your eyes!"

18 comments:

  1. When I read a book with a romance I like the romance to be the center point for the story. The romance should be big. At least that's how I feel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seafire is more action and adventure than romance, so I would have to disagree. This book was about empowering women and giving them a place in the world. They've survived for years on their own, and they've also done what they can to cripple their enemies. A Bullet shows up on their ship (for reasons I'll leave unsaid), and that causes a ripple in their routine. Normally, they would kill a Bullet, but there are extenuating circumstances regarding this one. It's a slow-burn romance (if it can even be called that), but mostly it was two people experiencing feelings they didn't know what to do with.

      Neither person was in a position to be ruled by their feelings, and Cala had an entire crew of girls to protect and lead. She didn't have time to figure out her emotions and what they meant for a possible romantic relationship. Seafire was a book about girls/women working together to survive, so I'm glad the romance wasn't the focal point for the story. I think it would have undermined what the author was trying to accomplish. Cala didn't need love to feel fulfilled, and a big romance would have overshadowed her and her accomplishments. If a book has a romantic element, I don't think it needs to be what the story is centered around. There is so much more the character's have to offer!

      Now, if it's a romance book, that's a little different. :)

      Delete
  2. I've seen some mixed reviews for this, a lot like your's actually and I'm still unsure on whether or not I would like this. I might have to try it though just because I really am super curious about it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's really good! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters, but there were a few things that bothered me. I would suggest trying it for yourself, that way you know for sure! <3

      Delete
  3. I'm glad to hear this was such a good read for you. It's one of the backlist books I'm planning to tackle this year so maybe I'll try it on audio too since it has a great narrator. Wonderful review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would definitely recommend the audio! Rebecca Soler is amazing. Also, I tend to listen to more audiobooks these days, so it helps me read more books! I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. :)

      Delete
  4. Yes! So glad to hear this was good. I've been eyeing it for a while because female pirates and seas and stuff lol. I'll definitely be getting to this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You really should, Greg! It's fabulous! Nonstop action and adventure, life on a ship, all-female crew, and so much more. I really liked it! <3

      Delete
  5. This is one that I really do want to read. I had planned to read the book but I might try to grab the audio instead now. I just love the idea of an all female ship.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the author did an amazing job creating an all-female crew! They didn't blur together, but had distinct personalities and appearances. It was great! Also, the audio was fabulous.

      Delete
  6. First time I hear of this one. Interesting :) Girl power!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you decide to read it, let me know what you think! :)

      Delete
  7. Hooray for great narrators! A good one can truly make the listening experience go form good to amazing. Love all the girl power that seems to be happening in this one. Definitely sounds like an excellent start to the series.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you listened to anything narrated by Rebecca Soler? If you haven't, you're going to love her! She's right up there with Andi Arndt for me. <3 It really was a great start to the series, and the ending was amazing. It left me wanting more, while also wrapping up the story (for the most part).

      Delete
    2. I looked up Soler on Audible but it doesn't look like I've listened to anything by her. It's so awesome to find a favorite, though!

      Delete
    3. You must! I want to know what you think. :)

      Delete
  8. I really enjoyed this book but I get what you mean about the romance. That certainly wasn't my favorite thing either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't like how Pi acted around him (her sudden desire to defend him at all costs seemed weird), and then Calla's change of heart didn't feel right either. They've been so self-sufficient, so anti-bullet, that their attraction felt off. Maybe it will fix itself in the book!

      Delete

Click the "Notify me" box if you want to be notified when someone responds!

“Stuff and nonsense. Nonsense and stuff and much of a muchness and nonsense all over again. We are all mad here, don't you know?”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless