Title: Curse of the Sea
Author: Joni Parker
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4,5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.
A NATO training exercise goes terribly wrong when five warships from different countries are mysteriously transported to Eledon, the Realm of the Elves. The warrior, Lady Alexin, is charged to escort the troops back home to London in the year 2031 with the aid of the Wizard Ecstasy and a magic shrinking potion. Yet, when the authorities question her story, Alex is detained and imprisoned under suspicion of terrorism. Caught in a web of politics, betrayal and bungling bureaucracy, the confusing world of the future will push her magical gifts to their limit, and her own future will hang in the balance, caught between “justice” and the place she calls home.
I don’t want to give out many spoilers, but Curse of the Sea is really unlike anything you might expect. Even if you’ve read Joni Parker’s other books, it stands out. It’s different. It’s urban fantasy, but also has elements of epic fantasy – we have elves, wizards, shrinking potions, magic, a whole new world next to our own. I’ve read several Joni Parker books before (read my reviews of Gossamer, Noble Magic and The Blue Witch) and I’m always amazed by how the author comes up with so many amazing plots and stories.
And then the characters! Lady Alexin is really one of my favorite characters ever and I was glad she played the main part again in this book, I have to admit that. She’s been through so much already, yet new adventures always loom over the horizon, and no matter what life throws at her, she always stands strong.
The switch and overflow between London and Eledon was well done too, and as usually, I really enjoyed the writing. Joni Parker is an author with an incredible imagination, solid writing skills, and the keen ability to craft a memorable, relatable main character who every reader will root for.
Thanks for a great review!