Book Review: “Child of a Hidden Sea” (Hidden Sea Tales #1) by A.M. Dellmonica

“Child of a Hidden Sea” (Hidden Sea Tales #1) by A.M. Dellmonica (2014)

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Fiction

Page Length: 336 pages (hardcover edition)

Synopsis:

One minute, twenty-four-year-old Sophie Hansa is in a San Francisco alley trying to save the life of the aunt she has never known. The next, she finds herself flung into the warm and salty waters of an unfamiliar world. Glowing moths fall to the waves around her, and the sleek bodies of unseen fish glide against her submerged ankles.

The world is Stormwrack, a series of island nations with a variety of cultures and economies—and a language different from any Sophie has heard.

Sophie doesn’t know it yet, but she has just stepped into the middle of a political firestorm, and a conspiracy that could destroy a world she has just discovered… her world, where everyone seems to know who she is, and where she is forbidden to stay.

But Sophie is stubborn, and smart, and refuses to be cast adrift by people who don’t know her and yet wish her gone. With the help of a sister she has never known, and a ship captain who would rather she had never arrived, she must navigate the shoals of the highly charged politics of Stormwrack, and win the right to decide for herself whether she stays in this wondrous world . . . or is doomed to exile. (Description from Goodreads)

Review:

Child of a Hidden Sea follows the story of Sophie who is transported to the world of Stormwrack, which is nothing like our world. There she is introduced to new languages, people, costumes, all while learning about her true heritage. The new journey is exciting, but is full of danger around every corner due to enemies, unknown danger on the horizon, and deadly mystical creatures.

Sophie is a spunky girl with a adventurous spirit. Though afraid of the unknown, she charges headfirst into situations (sometimes a little too recklessly). Stormwrack is a world of wonder and she is determined to learn more about her heritage to fill that missing piece in her life. Along for the journey is her (adopted) genius brother Bram, Verena her fiesty half-sister, and the alluring Captain Parrish.

The first quarter of the book was very confusing because a lot of information is thrown at the reader when the story starts. I felt there should have been a intro rather jumping headfirst into the plot where Sophie starts her journey in Stormwrack (needs some background). After that the world building slows down a bit and it becomes easier for the reader to immerse themselves in the book universe.

Sophie’s journey is one of self-discovery about who she is and her heritage as she wants to reconnect with her birth family. Though things get off to a very rocky start she is able to somewhat build a connection with them. She not only learn more about herself, but grows as person during her journey.

As for the writing, book’s world building aspects were a little confusing at times. A lot of concepts were tossed at the reader making some parts of the story overloaded with information. I loved the strong adventure aspect of this novel! It was big thrill ride from magical aspects, danger at sea, and solving the mystery. I also enjoyed a lot of the characters and though the story was in Sophie’s pov, I would have loved to have multiple povs/more from the secondary characters.

I liked the overall theme of what the definite of home and family are. The high seas aspect is fun, but I’m on the fence if I’ll continue with this series. Some parts of the novel were bogged down or took away from the story.

Final Verdict: