Representation: Possible implied minor Black, Asian, Latino/a and multiracial characters
Trigger warnings: Death of people from gun violence and a fire, shipwreck, military violence and war themes, explosions, blood depiction
Score: Seven points out of ten.
This review can also be found on The StoryGraph.

Before I begin, let me tell you something: it's been so long since I read a book from Amie Kaufman, since the last one I read was Aurora Rising, which I enjoyed. That was months ago. When I heard my library got this I put it off for a while, but now I finally read it. When I finished it, I felt it was so different from the preceding book I read from the author (that isn't a bad thing) and I enjoyed reading it. The next book is next year and it might be as good or even better than the first. It starts with one of the main characters, Selly Walker, or Selly for short, living in a town called Kirkpool in a country called Alinor. There's a map before the narrative starts showing where everything is which was a nice touch from the author. The worldbuilding was excellent, it's like what happens when a historical fantasy crosses with an urban fantasy and initially I thought it wouldn't work. However, the author subverted my expectations by creating a world that's so unique and memorable and perfectly blends the 20th century feel with touches of magic. Wow. When I think about it, it's almost as good as the world-building in Aurora Rising since both immerse me into their stories.

Now with that out of the way, Leander, joins Selly's crew as she sets off somewhere but there was a navy battle (trust me, it's action-packed) which cost some minor characters and left them stranded and here is where the book slows its pace (that didn't ruin my enjoyment as that allowed me to explore the characters and their dynamics) but the romance was alright and it was likely that it was added as an afterthought. Or it's me. I didn't feel like they had any chemistry. The second half was slow but I got to see a city which felt like New York but set 100 years ago which was intriguing. Eventually, Selly and the others set off again. The ending quickened the book's pace; a few pages later I saw The Isles of The Gods, hence the title, more action scenes and a cliff-hanger. I can't wait to read the next one, The Heart of the World. It's not clear what it's about. It better be good. ( )

* I got this book for review*
I adored this book so much! I have been following amie podcast and this book so lived up to the hype. this book was prefect and i devored it in a week. I LOVED the characters and may have a found a some new all time favorites. i also loved the world and the how the world was crafted, it def gave me avatar the last airbender vibes, but some much more then that. I also loved the characters dynmaics cause they were forced to go on quest and just a fast pace ride! i am dying for book 2! If you loved he sea adventures in all the tides and fate and or fable def add this book to your tbr!! ( )

* I got this book for review*
I adored this book so much! I have been following amie podcast and this book so lived up to the hype. this book was prefect and i devored it in a week. I LOVED the characters and may have a found a some new all time favorites. i also loved the world and the how the world was crafted, it def gave me avatar the last airbender vibes, but some much more then that. I also loved the characters dynmaics cause they were forced to go on quest and just a fast pace ride! i am dying for book 2! If you loved he sea adventures in all the tides and fate and or fable def add this book to your tbr!! ( )

When Selly's father leaves her high and dry in the port of Kirkpool, she has no intention of riding out the winter on land while he sails to adventure in the north seas. But any plans to follow him are dashed when a handsome stranger with tell-tale magician's marks on his arm boards her ship, presenting her and the crew with a dangerous mission: to cross the Crescent Sea without detection so he can complete a ritual on the sacred Isles of the Gods. What starts as a leisure cruise will lead to acts of treason and sheer terror on the high seas, bringing two countries to the brink of war, two strangers closer than they ever thought possible and stirring two dangerous gods from centuries of slumber...

I almost DNFd but it picked up at around page 170.
There were too many POVs in this. The world building is a bit rough, I still don’t quite understand exactly what’s happening.
The pacing in the beginning was really slow.
The romance is quite skint in this.
Selly just came off as rude and brattish. I won’t be continuing the series. ( )