The Black Ship: A Novel of Crosspointe (edit title)

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Liked It Rated 5 stars “Sylbrac is a member of the important Pilots Guild, one of the men necessary to any ship sailing the hazardous, magic-filled waters of the black Inland Sea surrounding the Kingdom-Isles of Crosspointe. But he's a loner, eschewing friends, uncaring about making enemies and flouting Guild customs...” see full review » see other reviews »

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  • Rated 5 stars

  “Sylbrac is a member of the important Pilots Guild, one of the men necessary to any ship sailing the hazardous, magic-filled waters of the black Inland Sea surrounding the Kingdom-Isles of Crosspointe. But he's a loner, eschewing friends, uncaring about making enemies and flouting Guild customs and politics. He finds that he has finally stepped too far and crossed those in the Guild who have the power to keep him from the sea--the only thing he has a passion for in life. Then he finds himself kidnapped, forced to serve as Pilot on a Black Ship, a vessel operating outside the law, captained by a man stripped of his license and thought mad, and crewed by the dregs and the cursed of seafaring society.
  
  Taking the name Thorn, he faces killer storms, ravenous creatures of the deep, a mutinous crew, enemy ships, pirates, death magic, and the horrific spawn-inducing magic of the sylveth that is the source of power and danger in the sea. But he also, surprisingly finds a sense of brotherhood among the outcast crew of the ship.
  
  The story is full of page-turning action and adventure, harrowing danger and narrow escapes. The characters are compelling, with horrific pasts, and they all develop in fascinating ways. The world is equally intriguing, with its magic and gods and various warring societies and political intrigue.
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love historical sea adventure, as well as fantasy, so the mix was a happy one for me. Thorn was a strong and memorable character. The world was well-developed and was full of mystery and dangerous magic. Although the book ends without a cliff-hanger, the voyage is not complete and there are story threads that need to be concluded. I sincerely hope the adventures of Thorn and Captain Plusby and the Black Ship Eidolon continue in a sequel. I did not want to leave this world and these amazing characters.”

  aprillee wrote this review Wednesday, May 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 3 stars

  “Pros: Diana Pharaoh Francis really brings fantasy seafaring to life in this book. The descriptions of sailors' lives as well as the in-depth look at sailing the seas of Crosspointe are amazing. Also, she brings some original ideas to the table here in the form of Pilots and a mystical substance called sylveth.
  
  Cons: One issue bothered me and it really can't be helped as this is the second book of an ongoing series, but none of the conflicts in this book were resolved, not even immediate ones. I felt cheated by the ending. There wasn't the slightest bit of closure on several plot points that could have been wrapped up.
  
  Overall: An entertaining read, especially if you're in the mindframe for a seafaring adventure (which is what I was specifically looking for when I picked up this book.) However, for those that didn't enjoy this book, well--they won't even get the satisfaction of finishing the story. Don't start this unless you're ready to read a series.
  
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  Kris wrote this review Wednesday, December 3 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No