Song of the Current

by Sarah Tolcser

Caroline Oresteia is destined for the river. Her father is a wherryman, as was her grandmother. All Caro needs is for the river god to whisper her name, and her fate is sealed. But at seventeen, Caro may be too late.

So when pirates burn ships and her father is arrested, Caro volunteers to transport mysterious cargo in exchange for his release. Secretly, Caro hopes that by piloting her own wherry, the river god will finally speak her name.

But when the cargo becomes more than Caro expected, she finds herself caught in a web of politics and lies. With much more than her father's life at stake, Caro must choose between the future she knows, and the one she could have never imagined.

• ISBN10: 1408889005
• ISBN13: 9781408889008
• Publish Date: 8 June 2017 (first published 6 June 2017)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
• Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens Books
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[lizarodz]

Quite the Novel Idea https://quitethenovelidea.com https://quitethenovelidea.com/liza-reviews-song-current-sarah-tolcser/I knew little about Song of the Current going in, other than it's beautiful cover.  What I found was a story full of magic, shenanigans, water, gods, and pirates.  Sounds awesome, right?  Read on...

I will no repeat the blurb again as it's on point.  Caroline Oresteia has know all her life that her destiny is to live in the Riverlands in her father's boat.  She knows all about sailing and the rivers, but she's still waiting to hear the river god and it's very disappointed that she hasn't.  Her knowledge is tested when her first 'solo run' turns from a mission to save her father to a web of politics, fast paced adventure, and mysteries aplenty.  I really loved the imperfect, honest, reckless, feisty, resourceful, beautiful, loyal pirate Caro. 

“Magic doesn't make a man evil,' he said. 'It's just a skill. It isn't inherently good or bad. It's what's in his heart that makes him evil, the same as anyone else.” 

I loved Markos!  Without spoiling it for you, Markos has a lot of secrets, a lot of misguided notions, many secrets, and just as many enemies.  He finds an indifferent ally in Caro and later a partner in crime (so to speak). Their romance is the love-to-hate kind and I can appreciate it.  I think both Caro and Markos grew a lot during their adventure and that made them closer.   The romance was no-nonsense, intense, and intimate while still remaining YA.  They are also very realistic about their word and the role they play on it.  Oh, and the banter between these two is hilarious :)

"This isn't a very good disguise." Tarquin's voice came from the depths of the flowered evil. "How many old women more than six feet tall are we likely to see wandering around the riverlands?" 

"I reckon just as many as eighteen-year-old boys with Akhaian looks"  He bristled and shot me a rude look. I had to admit he made an uncannily funny old woman, with his skirt swishing around his boots. "

All other secondary characters are well developed and well loved.  Caro's parents, who are so different but love her unconditionally; Caro's cousin Kent é with her secrets, the frogman Fee and her one word sentences that say so much, and mysterious Nereus who seems to know a lot, but won't share what's on his mind.

The world building is awesome! So clear, so well though and executed.  The river, the boats, the water in general are a big part of the story with a live of their own.  The writing is priceless.  Clear, easy to understand, insightful, enthralling.

Overall? 
For my fantasy lovers out there, Song of a Current is a must read.  It's a story of love, of destiny, of finding your own way and taking chances and grasping what you're given with both hands.  Loved it!This review was originally posted on Quite the Novel Idea

[Kelly]

The River God speaks in the language of small things, whispers throughout the everglades to protect those who navigate her waters, favoured by the river and her guidance. Seventeen year old Caroline Oresteia is a privateer on board the Cormorant, her father a humbled Wherryman, now incarcerated. His livelihood threatened by unlawful, concealed merchandise. In order to exonerate her father, Caroline must navigate the treacherous Black Dog territory, evading apprehension.

Caroline Oresteia is a fascinating and tenacious young woman, biracial and an impassioned privateer upon the hallowed Cormorant. Upon returning to Hespera's Watch, marauders have pillaged and ravaged the Wherry harbour and the Kynthessa authorities have apprehended her father. Capable and resolute, Caroline agrees to deliver the consignment on her first adventure commanding the Cormorant with Fee, a Frogman and adept privateer.

Shenanigans are afoot my friends.

I enjoyed the reluctant companionship between Caroline and Tarquin, the courier for the Akhaian Consul. Tarquin is a genteel aristocrat contrast to Caroline who appears to be prudent although sincere. An important aspect of the conversation discusses consent, Caroline adamant consent should be obtained, echoed throughout the narration. A wonderful precedent for teen readers.

Atmospheric and lyrically captivating, Sarah Tolcser has created a wonderfully ambient world.
When the reeds along the banks whisper that a squall is rushing across the marshland, we listen. When the tide flows up from the sea, flooding the river with muddy brown water, we know enough to watch.

The god in the river speaks to us in the language of small things.
The decisive and enterprising women of Song Of The Current are celebrated. Captain Brixton, a gay privateer and commander challenging gender equality. Fee, Caroline's second in command, perceptive and ardent. Caroline's mother, a ruthless merchant and cousin Kenté who is a tremendous support to Caroline, moralistic and principled. Prosperous and flourishing women celebrated for their achievements.

Spectacularly lyrical, Song of The Current is a celebration of women, their strength and fortitude. Debut author Sarah Tolcser is remarkable. Avast ye swashbucklers and hornswagglers! Song Of The Current is an enchantin' and beautifully lyrical narration o' wonder.

[Kait ✨]

💖💖💖

I loved this wholeheartedly — it's the pirate-esque fantasy I've always wanted, with interesting characters, relationships with depth, diversity, and a page-turning plot. I guessed one of the plot twists but was overjoyed that I was right. I am on pins and needles waiting for the sequel and can't wait to see what Tolcser comes up with next!

[shannonmiz]

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

3.5*

Really, I mostly liked this book. It was unique, with what amounts to a road trip on the river, of sorts. It was full of adventure, family ties, and yes, romance.

Things I Liked:

• Loved Caro and Markos, both as individual characters and together. They both have strengths and weaknesses, and when they come together... banter, friends. It's fabulous. The side characters are great too. I loved Fee, wanted and needed more Fee. I love that there is a lot of family dynamics in play during the book too.


• The atmosphere was on point. No question, this book had the feel of a bad situation on water. There was magic involved, and the whole world had such an ominous feel toward it.


• It was engaging, I was never bored. I definitely wanted to know more about the world as the story went on, but the part of the book that was the biggest hit for me was the character development.

Things I Didn't:

• While I liked the book, some of it felt a little too easy- even though the stakes were high, I never got that sense of urgency, it seemed like a given that everything was going to work out somehow.


•  I didn't really understand all the world-building and the different kingdoms either. Thank goodness for the map or I'd have been totally lost. I went back and forth quite a bit to try to figure out where Caro and company were headed.

Bottom Line: Definitely enjoyed this book set on the water! The characters were fabulous, and I look forward to reading the sequel!

*Copy provided by publisher for review

[tweetybugshouse]

I received a copy via Around The World arc tours website This is the first book for this author and she busted out of the gate with a roaring adventure that is sure to delight fantasy fans and those that are in the mood for a river adventure with a touch of romance. I love Caro and when she sets off on this adventure their a great lesson not only for to her learn but those that go along with her. It repeated throughout the book -"Sometimes we have to let the past go before we can see the future sitting there in front of us" Once our main character get this lesson it all comes into place in a wonderfully told story. I am intrigued and would like more of this story.