BREAK WIDE THE SEA

A cursed young woman must decide who she can trust and how to save herself and her siblings.

Annie Fairfax watched her parents die when the fae known as the finfolk sank their whaling ship in revenge for their hunting of the magical Livyatan whales. Annie and two other children—Silas and August—survived but returned cursed, like many who encounter the finfolk. Now 18, Annie leads the Fairfax Whaling Company of Kirkrell while hiding the heartbreak curse that takes a toll on her body and mind. She’s engaged to August, who may covet her business more than her heart. Silas, now the feared captain of the Cursed Crew, is rumored to be part finfolk. When the trio embark on a dangerous expedition to the far north to establish a new whaling outpost, Annie begins to question August’s intentions. On the voyage, Silas is Annie’s confidant, offering the hope of meeting the finfolk and lifting her curse. Holland blends fantasy with themes of legacy, identity, and moral awakening as Annie fights for survival and reckons with everything she’s been taught. Despite a slightly bumpy ending, the writing is rich and immersive, the pacing sharp, and the characters are deeply compelling. Their flaws and deep, often unexpressed, feelings contribute to their well-rounded characterization. This duology opener explores what it means to do the right thing, even when it means turning against your past. Most characters are cued white.

An extraordinary work teeming with magic, intrigue, and strong emotion.