A Tide of Treason

A Tide of Treason was a really enjoyable fantasy read and a nice change of pace from the paranormal romances I usually gravitate toward. While I love a good romance with plenty of spice, I also appreciate a story that can keep me invested through its adventure, characters, and world-building alone. This book managed to do just that.

One of the things I enjoyed most was the world A.B. Daniels-Annachi created. Between the pirates, merfolk, ancient magic, and political conflicts, there was plenty to explore. I especially appreciated how the different cultures, their histories, and the struggles between them added depth to the story. The world felt imaginative and thoughtfully developed, and I liked that I couldn’t always predict where things were heading. There were enough unexpected developments to keep me curious about what would happen next.

I also enjoyed getting to experience the story through the perspectives of Zara, Veshak, and Dorian. Each character had their own struggles, motivations, and responsibilities, which helped me understand the conflicts from different sides. Veshak was probably my favorite, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows how much I enjoy morally gray characters. I like characters who aren’t necessarily good or bad, whose choices aren’t always easy to defend, and who make me question their intentions. Zara was another character I enjoyed because of her determination and compassion. Even when faced with difficult circumstances, she continued trying to do what she believed was right. Dorian brought another interesting perspective, particularly when it came to the responsibilities and expectations placed on him.

Something worth mentioning is that this is definitely a fantasy-first story rather than a romance-heavy romantasy. There are romantic elements, but they aren’t the main focus, and the spice is fairly minimal. Personally, I didn’t mind that. The adventure, political intrigue, and character journeys gave me plenty to enjoy without needing romance to drive the story forward.

What kept this from being a five-star read for me was the emotional connection with the characters. Although I liked all three perspectives and enjoyed following their journeys, I wanted a little more time to get to know them beyond the conflicts they were facing. Some of the bigger moments would have had a stronger impact on me if there had been more opportunities to see their relationships develop and understand what they were feeling. I also felt the pacing slowed in a few places when the world-building took priority over the character interactions. I appreciate detailed world-building, especially in fantasy, but I prefer a little more balance between exploring the world and connecting with the people living in it.

Overall, I really enjoyed A Tide of Treason. A.B. Daniels-Annachi created an imaginative world with interesting characters, complicated conflicts, and an adventure that kept me wanting to know what happened next. While I would have liked a stronger emotional connection and slightly more consistent pacing, neither issue took away from how much I enjoyed the story.

Would I recommend A Tide of Treason? Absolutely. If you enjoy fantasy adventures featuring pirates, merfolk, ancient magic, political intrigue, morally gray characters, and detailed world-building, I think this one is worth adding to your TBR. Just don’t go into it expecting a romance-heavy story with lots of spice, because that’s not what this book is about. For me, it was a refreshing change from my usual reads, and although it didn’t quite earn five stars, I’m glad I gave it a chance.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 | Spice Rating: 🌶️ 1/5