A very happy release day to Isle of Echoes by Alycia E. Anderson! This is the third installment in The Enchanted Isles series. I’ve been following closely since the first book was getting ready for publication. I’m now lucky enough to get to beta read before some of this author’s books are finished with editing! (If you look in the Acknowledgements at the end, you’ll see my name there.)

This series just keeps getting better and I can’t wait to see where it goes next. Isle of Echoes is officially published as of today, April 2. You can find hardcover copies through Bookshop.org or get signed paperbacks from the author’s website.

Summary:

It’s difficult to share too much of this book’s plot without spoiling the one before. If you haven’t yet, you should definitely read The Enchanted Isles and Isle of Ember before starting Isle of Echoes. Vivienne and the rest of the crew are still on their mission. They must sail to each of the Enchanted Isles and discover a tribute from each. This is the only way to break the curse their country is languishing from.

Thankfully, she has her mother’s notebook, which is riddled with clues. She was originally chosen for the mission because her parents were the foremost experts. However, their fate and the danger it may still pose, remain unknown. It’s yet another mystery for Vivienne to solve.

My Thoughts:

I’ll have to avoid giving many examples to keep from spoiling developments from books one and two. I can definitely tell you that this author is improving with every book she writes. At this point, I can depend on her work for strong found family themes, excellent banter, and gripping emotional journeys. There are not many authors who can make me both laugh out loud and also shed tears. Alycia E. Anderson is one of them.

Each island the crew sails to is its own fascinating world, and this one is no exception. We’re getting to see new facets of the magic system and explore its known pieces more deeply. We also get a much deeper look at our characters. We gain more clarity into their backstories and their motivations. In these new lights, we better understand the complexity of their relationships and desires.

Their emotions stand at the epitome of complexity. Anderson manages to intensify the already palpable yearning between characters even during forced proximity. But between the building romance and the comedic relief, the author also paints astounding portrayals of loss. This book becomes a profound look at grief, its dangers, and its beauty alike. If you’ve personally dealt with loss, this installment of the series will rip out your heart, but then lovingly and meticulously stitch it back together.

This was a phenomenal read that I will likely be returning to yet again. I cannot wait to see where this adventure goes next.

Content Warnings: Grief, Child Loss, Infidelity, Graphic Depictions of Violence & Injury, Death of Parent, Memory Loss, References to Sex Work, Religious Fanaticism, Manipulation, Toxic Relationships, Heavy Drinking, Abandonment

After I Finished Isle of Echoes

Once I’d finished Isle of Echoes, I was still in the mood for more adventure and fantasy. I’d recently come across a title on Netgalley that sounded like it would fit the bill. It’s got vampires, romance, intrigue, and special powers. What more could a girl ask for? I couldn’t resist applying for it and was very happy to be approved.

My next review will be for Dhampira by Amy Pennza.