3.5-Star Review: Tides of Torment by Elle Beaumont & Christis Christie

Tides of Torment, the second installment in the Immortal Realms trilogy, picks up two months after the near-destruction of Midniva. While the first book was a thrilling mix of emotional depth and gripping suspense, this sequel, unfortunately, doesn’t quite reach the same heights. Despite strong character development and an engaging central mystery, the novel’s execution left something to be desired, ultimately making it a somewhat frustrating read.

He’s the king of the sea. She’s a pirate captain. Together they must save the middle realm.

Two months have passed since Travion, ruler of Midniva, nearly met his demise during an attack on his kingdom. Now, he's seeking to restore his realm, but there are rumors of atrocious beasts rising from the ocean. In an attempt to soothe the riled citizens, Travion hosts a celebration to prove to them that Midniva isn’t broken. However, someone unexpected arrives. A face he never thought he would see again.

Lady Sereia Ferox is the captain of a pirate ship, who left behind her life of luxury in search of freedom and adventure long ago. But when she catches wind of the attack on Midniva and the possibility her king has perished, Sereia urges her ship and crew back to her home port. Unsure of what to expect, she prepares for the worst, only to discover Travion is, in fact, alive.

While their reunion is a fiery one, it is short-lived. News from the sea worsens, and knowing the Creaturae is behind the death and mayhem, Travion sets out to hunt the mysterious force wielding the book. With Sereia at his side, they must face both personal demons from their pasts, and those which are newly created.

Tides of Torment is the second book in the seductive and stunning Immortal Realms trilogy. It is filled with sea-faring fae and romance for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Laura Thalassa, and Grace Draven.

Through BookSirens I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Opinion

One of the novel’s strongest aspects is the growth of its main characters, Travion and Sereia. Travion, the King of Midniva, is burdened with duty, attempting to restore order to his country while facing an increasing danger from horrific sea creatures. Sereia, a furious pirate captain, is an intriguing contrast, her free-spirited personality conflicting with Travion‘s duty-bound lifestyle. Their relationship is captivating, especially as their paths meet once more, reigniting both passion and old wounds. Their personal challenges and past traumas lend levels of nuance to their interactions, making them well-rounded and interesting characters.

Furthermore, the mystery underlying the gigantic sea creatures’ attacks and the force driving them is well-constructed, kept me interested. The building tension and looming peril create a sense of suspense that propels the narrative along, promising a thrilling conclusion. However, despite the dramatic buildup, the reward is not as satisfying as it could have been.

One of my biggest criticisms is the novel’s pace. The execution feels needlessly extended, with several scenes dragging rather than moving the plot ahead. While world-building and character analysis are important, there were times when the tale appeared to stall, making it tough to stay totally involved. This problem gets worse by the resolution, which felt overly basic and childish for a book marketed as a (new) adult fantasy tale. After such an emotional buildup, the conclusion lacked the weight and impact it should have had, leaving me unsatisfied.

However, one component that helped me get through was the author duo’s writing style. Their style, like that of the first book, is smooth and interesting, making it simple to read even in slow moments. Their ability to produce vivid visuals and emotional depth continues to impress me, and I enjoy how they bring Midniva‘s world to life.

Conclusion

Overall, Tides of Torment is an enjoyable but flawed sequel. While it succeeds at character development and a compelling underlying mystery, its crawling pace and unsatisfying resolution keep it from reaching full potential. Fans of the first novel and readers who enjoy sea-faring fantasy with a dash of romance may still find something to like, although it may not have the lasting impact they had hoped for.

About Elle Beaumont

Elle Beaumont is a writer who loves creating vivid fantasy and science fiction worlds in the young adult genre as well as new adult. She lives in southeastern Massachusetts with her husband and two children. When not writing or chasing around her children, she can be seen crocheting, candle-making and taking care of her animals. More than once she has proclaimed that coffee is lifeblood, and it is how she refrains from becoming a zombie.

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About Christis Christie

Christis Christie was born and raised in a small town in New Brunswick, Canada where she spent most of her time either reading someone else’s book, or dreaming of writing her own. Her favourite thing to dive into is an epic fantasy, or anything else magical and wondrous that really allows her imagination to take her away.

She now lives on the East Coast in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she works as an event designer, putting her interior decorating degree to wonderful use. Whenever she’s not busy magically transforming venues for her clients, Christis is working on her own writing, or spending with her boyfriend and her cat, Robert.

Her other dreams consist of one day visiting Costa Rica and spending the night at the Toucan Rescue Ranch with the sloths!

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Tides of Torment

While the first book was a thrilling mix of emotional depth and gripping suspense, Tides of Torment, unfortunately, doesn’t quite reach the same heights.

– RoXXie

Characters

Atmosphere (Setting)

Writing

Plot

Intrigue

Logic

Enjoyment

Summary

Overall, Tides of Torment is an enjoyable but flawed sequel.

3.5

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