Kramer’s exciting debut, the first in the high seas fantasy Heroes of Time series, introduces the Warvonia Guild’s best captain, Zale “the Gale” Murdoch, and the crew of the Queenie as they search for their most elusive bounty yet. With little time left to meet the guild’s (newly increased) “mastery bar” for the year and earn “grandmaster” status, Murdoch and his first mate, Dippy, search for fast, easy jobs to meet their quota. They’re approached by a strange man offering a payout bigger than they can imagine—but they’d be committing to a long and dangerous journey to hunt something out of myth. The new physicker for the ship tells Murdoch that only his bloodline can acquire their quarry, known as the Grimstone, and in the wrong hands it could plunge their world into permanent darkness.Kramer takes readers on a heart-pounding adventure across the sea featuring fearsome enemies and treacherous lands. While Murdoch and his crew prepare to contend with his biggest rival and archenemy, Seadread, Kramer adds another layer of intrigue with Seadread’s hiring of creepy, non-human, feathered mercenaries. Kramer shows great attention to detail, particularly in the intense battles throughout the story, and readers will be on the edge of their seats as they’re immersed into the furious fight scenes with powerful foes and unpredictable outcomes.
The crew of the Queenie will be immediately endearing to readers of heroic maritime fantasy. Each exhibits a healthy respect for —and a dash of fear of—their captain. It’s clear the crew has also become family while spending most of their lives on the ship, and even new arrivals are instantly welcomed and initiated with a nickname. Kramer’s character development is strong enough that readers will distinguish the main players easily, just from the way they speak or think, and Murdoch’s clear love for family and crew will have readers pulling for them throughout their memorable journey, especially in the emotional ending.
Takeaway: A thrilling sea-faring fantasy packed with swords, magic, inhuman foes, and endearing heroes.
Great for fans of: Rick Riordan’s The Heroes of Olympus series, Hafsah Faizal’s We Hunt the Flame.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
