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