Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pub Date: November 11, 2025
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Book Links: Goodreads Bookshop Amazon
A young woman cursed with a fatal heartbreak-induced sickness must race
against time to find a cure and protect her family legacy from the ancient
finfolk that would destroy it, the fiancé that would kill her for it, and the
boy who would love her if she forsook it.
The seafaring humans of Kirkrell have always been plagued by
finfolk—bloodthirsty fae who haunt the seas, sinking ships and cursing
bloodlines. Yet it’s only by hunting magical whales that Kirkrell can prosper.
Nineteen-year-old Annie is heir to the Fairfax Whaling Company, but their
family's success came at a cost: a curse by which heartbreak turns Fairfaxes
slowly into monsters. And six years ago, the shipwreck that killed Annie’s
parents left her with scales spreading up her arms, claws sprouting from her
fingertips.
The love of her fiancé, August, salved her heart for a while—but when she
learns August is maneuvering to take over the company, the curse worsens.
Fearing her time is running out, she strikes a bargain with a disreputable
young captain, half-finfolk and half-human Silas Price: on a voyage to hunt
whales in the far north, Silas will take Annie to the finfolk queen, who can
lift the curse in return for a promise to end whaling forever.
As Annie, August and Silas sail north, she is determined to uphold her family’s
legacy, but the threat of the finfolk tests her resolve. Lies corrupt her
relationship with August; meanwhile a dangerous connection with Silas
blooms—but he’s keeping secrets too, and his might be the most dangerous of
all.
As heiress, it’s Annie’s responsibility to deliver whale magic to her city. But
as heartbreak looms, she must choose between saving herself and her family’s
legacy—and hope it doesn’t cost her everyone she loves.
My Review: Excitement isn't a strong enough word for this book. I have loved everything by Sara and when I got the chance to read this book I couldn't wait to dive it.
Let me tell you, I was hooked right from the first page. It jumps right into the story but in such a perfect way.
Annie lost her parents in a shipwreck and now its just her and her siblings left to carry on the family company. Since Annie is the oldest that makes her the heir and must now figure out how to keep everything running smoothly and deal with the family curse.
Annie and her sister learned long ago that their family has been cursed. That when any of them experience heartbreak, the curse will take. So they must guard their heart and not let anything break it. Well, when her parents died, Annie's curse came for her.
So run a company, figure out this new venture she has to go on and hope it's worth the investment and figure out how to no turn into a monster. Oh yeah and deal with two guys. Sounds like a blast right? What 19 year old wouldn't want this over non scaled arms and claws right?
As you get further into the book, it's impossible to put down. I truly think this is Sara's best work yet. Which is a big deal because her Everless series is still one of my favorites to this day.
This is not a book to ignore and a series I certainly can't wait to devour.
