Compass and Blade

For fans of “Fable” by Adrienne Young or “To Kill a Kingdom” by Alexandra Christo, this romantasy debut is filled with sirens and mysterious magic, swoony romance and cutthroat betrayal. This world of sea and storm runs deep with bargains and blood. On the remote isle of Rosevear, Mira, like her mother before her, is a wrecker, one of the seven on the rope who swim out to shipwrecks to plunder them. Mira's job is to rescue survivors, if there are any. After all, she never feels the cold of the frigid ocean waters and the waves seem to sing to her soul. But the people of Rosevear never admit the truth: that they set the beacons themselves to lure ships into the rocks. When the Council watch lays a trap to put an end to the wrecking, they arrest Mira's father. Desperate to save him from the noose, Mira strikes a deal with an enigmatic wreck survivor guarding layers of secrets behind his captivating eyes, and sets off to find something her mother has left her, a family secret buried deep in the sea. With just nine days to find what she needs to rescue her father, all Mira knows for certain is this: The sea gives. The sea takes. And it's up to her to do what she must to save the ones she loves.

Bargains made in desperation have steep costs. Mira has been listless on Rosevear, waiting for the moment that she can join Elijah, avenge her father, and put a stop to Seth and Renshaw's schemes. But, before she can take action, the watch strike and leave devastation in their wake. With a crew of loyal friends, Mira makes plans to cut down Renshaw's reach with the use of her mother's map. Though Elijah is worried about the word of Mira's ability spreading, she's determined to stop the people threatening her island. But, as she learns more about Renshaw's plans-her control over the watch, and other allies in high places-she realizes that danger surrounds her on every side. Mira might be in over her head, but after surviving so much betrayal, will she be able to trust Elijah and his crew in order to save herself, her homeland, and the people she loves most?