Whisper of the Tide

Check out my review for Song of the Current
Whisper of the Tide
Song of the Current Book Two
Written by Sarah Tolcser
Fantasy, Adventure, Romance
416 Pages
Published July 2018
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
Caro Oresteia spent her life waiting to be called by the river god, as those in her family had been for generations. But when she’s swept away on an adventure to save the Akhaian royal prince, Markos, her destiny is sealed by the sea god instead.

For now, Caro is landlocked, helping Markos reclaim his throne after nearly his entire family was assassinated in a political coup. Without any financial or military support, Markos is desperate for allies, and Caro has fought off more than one attempt on his life. When a powerful Archon offers his army in exchange for Markos’s marriage to his daughter, Caro must choose.

Her love for Markos, or the fate of Akhaia? And more importantly: How much is she willing to risk to defy the sea god’s wishes and chart her own course?

With shipwrecks, lost treasure, old and new enemies, dark magic, and breathtaking romance, Sarah Tolcser weaves another epic story about chasing your fate.
Seventeen year old Caroline Oresteia was a privateer on board the Cormorant, alongside her father, a humbled Wherryman, now evading capture for her thievery upon the everglades of Kynthessa. Caroline is a tenacious young woman, her fortitude is inspiring. Altruistically, she is now assisting Markos as he attempts to converge military and political allies. Markos Andela is the legitimate Emparch of Akhaia, his family slain by Konto Theucinian and displaced from his kingdom.

Mitigation emerges from Lord Pherenekian, Archon of Eryth. A proposal of a fifteen thousand person artillery in exchange for the political union of Markos and his daughter Agnes Pherenekian, an unconventional young woman interested in academics and potential Emparchess. Quite the conundrum for Caroline, conflicted between her fondness for the Prince and a Kingdom in disarray.

Whisper of the Tide is a maritime adventure of resilience and endurance. Generations of Oresteria Wherrymen have been guided by the River God, speaking the language of the Everglades. Except for Caroline, claimed by the Sea Goddess and destined for adventure. The relationship between Caroline and Markos is convoluted and apprehensive, Caroline placing her aspirations aside to preserve the revolution and subjugate Konto Theucinian, while desperately yearning for the wild blue yonder.

A ship was not meant to sit at anchor in the harbor, and neither was I.

The secondary characters are meticulously created, including a former adversary. Cousin and apprentice Shadowman Kenté. Merchant manager Docia Argyrus. Opportunist Sophronia Hypatos. Dido Brilliante the Pirate Queen and capitalist merchant Tamaré Bollard. Distinctly tenacious women who have challenged gender equality and celebrated the female achievement.

Sarah Tolcser has created an enchanting and captivating narrative, an entertaining adventure for the marauder at heart. Avast ye scalawags and buccaneers, all hands ahoy!

24 comments

  1. I loved the first book in the series. It was so much fun for me, so I really need to pick this one up because it sounds like it's even better. Caro and the secondary characters all sound wonderful. I'm glad this was a hit for you, Kelly!

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    1. It's adventures on the high seas! I love young adult where female characters are in their element in what is considered a male dominated domain. I'm really hoping there may be a spin off series featuring Kenté because she has an incredible story to tell.

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  2. I loved this one because like you said, it has the thrill of maritime adventure! How much do you love Markos? And I would PAY GOOD MONEY for Kente's story!

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    1. He's such a wonderful character, he just seemed to lack so much confidence and I loved how Caroline would gently guide him. I love Kenté and really hope the series continues on with her character. Oh the stories she could tell!

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  3. There is a lot going on in that cover! Did you think it was an accurate representation of the story? This one is new-to-me, but you've easily convinced me to add it to my TBR. ;)

    I love, love, LOVE it when the secondary characters are able to stand on their own and add another layer to the overall story. I feel like well-written secondary characters help the main character thrive. <3

    𑁋 Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. That's exactly what Whisper of the Tide creates so well, space for secondary characters to thrive and fingers crossed, creating a secondary series as well. Such a wonderful duology, would love to see what you think of it!

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    2. Sometimes I love a spinoff series as much as the original, and other times they fall flat. The character development has to be there, and they need a story that's unique to them. That's why I like books with the same setting but told from different perspectives.

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  4. A second in series coming in strong by the sound of it :-)
    “A ship was not meant to sit at anchor in the harbor, and neither was I.” I’m feeling this quote and I haven’t even read the book yet. Awesome review Kelly <3
    I can see Song of the current sitting on my shelf. It’s calling to me “Read me, Sarah. Reeeeeeead me”.

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    1. It really is a must read Sarah, you'll absolutely love it!

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  5. How have I not read Song of the Current yet? And how is there a next book out already? It sounds like the second book is a really good read I am now regretting my life choices and will go and remedy this by reading the first book because, seriously, how have I not read it?

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    1. It's absolutely brilliant! Caroline is one of my favourite young adult characters, quietly fierce and determined to thrive within a male dominated environment. You'll love this series, guaranteed!

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  6. I feel like the first book sounds familiar, but I've never read it. Thanks for sharing your review for this one though! I'm so glad to hear you loved it, since you just never know about sequels. You always hope though. :) Yay for great secondary characters - I'm always a big fan of well-developed secondary characters. :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Me too Lauren! It's a duology but one of the strongest sequels I've read for a young adult book. Such a pleasure to read!

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  7. What a captivating combination of piracy (sort of), sci-fi and politicial intrigue this is!

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    1. It's brilliantly entertaining Verushka, a must read series that'll appeal to a wide range of readers beyond young adult.

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  8. I've been really into pirate-y books recently! I don't travel as much as other people do, so I really love adventurous books. And it sounds awesome that the secondary characters have depth as well! ♥

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    1. And there's a bevy of strong female characters as well from diverse backgrounds. It's a wonderful duology and I'd love to see what you think of it!

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  9. Wow this definitely sounds like an in-depth fantasy read set on the high seas! I haven't read the first one yet but I'm looking forward to it..

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    1. I think you'll really enjoy the series Jeann, Caroline is an incredible character and I love that she's paving her way through such a male dominated world. It's strength is definitely it's female characters.

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  10. Sometimes secondary characters are the best (and they're sometimes not appreciated enough). <3

    The cover looks familiar though.. so I might have heard of it? 🤔 I'm glad you enjoyed the sequel - here's to hoping the third is just as good or even better!

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    1. It's a duology actually but the ending, there might be more adventures to come. Fingers crossed.

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  11. Um YES PLEASE! Pirates and fantasy-at-sea novels are exactly my vibe at the moment. I am most definitely adding this series to my tbr (for research purposes for my own novel of course).

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    1. You'll love the series Lara, such a wonderful group of strong female characters. Shiphands, exporters and even a pirate queen. I'd love to see by you think of it.

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  12. I remember quite a lot of people talking about the first book in this series but I feel like I haven't seen much talk about the sequel! I wonder why... I kind of skimmed your review because I have yet to pick up my copy of the first book and didn't want to spoil myself for anything! But I'm glad the secondary characters are fleshed out. I hate it when they seem like cardboard cut outs only here to have a conversation with the MC when they need one.

    So glad you liked this one, Kell! If there's a next book I hope you like it as much :)

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