Review: The Tempest Sea by Robin D. Mahle

I received this book via YA Book Central. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

The Tempest Sea by Robin D. Mahle
Series: World Apart #2
Published by Self Publish on 2019-06-26
Length: 360 pages
Reviewing eARC from YA Book Central
Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2020 Finishing the Series Reading Challenge

A rescue mission turns into a fight against a force more powerful than they could have imagined.

With the amulet still stuck around her neck, Addie must outwit her powerful captors who will do anything to get to the power held within the ancient artifact. If they find out she doesn’t know how to use it, she’s dead.

Meanwhile, Clark and a ragtag team of Addie’s friends dive into a strange and dangerous world as they pursue those who took her. High-tech pirates, ruthless societies, and terrible secrets bombard them on their journey.

As they discover more about their world and about each other, friendships are tested and trust is strained. Can they do what must be done without breaking the bonds that held them together for so long?

The Tempest Sea continues the journey of The World Apart Series with everything that made The Fractured Empire so engaging: action and adventure, an ever expanding world to explore, and a story pulls at your heartstrings while keeping you on the edge of your seat.

This review first appeared on YA Books Central.

Oh my heart! The Tempest Sea by Robin D. Mahle is the second book in her series World Apart and picks up where the first left off. Addie has been taken, Clark and Gunther are hunting for clues about her disappearance and what their brother has to do with it. Packed full of action and even more world-building, The Tempest Sea is a must read for fantasy fans. 

Addie’s “heiress” facade was starting to fall at the end of The Fractured Empire, but it is back in full swing here. She faces trauma at the hand of her abductors. Everything she worked so hard to move past is back in full force. Her anxiety is ruling her. While she wonders if anyone will come for her, she doesn’t dare hope for it. And if they do come, she doesn’t know what will be left of her for them to find. She’s breaking and y’all it is heart-breaking to read. I ached for her. 

Clark isn’t faring much better. He is driven by his fear for her. He knows, or thinks he does, who has her. What he doesn’t know or understand is Xavier’s role. He’s understandably angry, and he lets that anger keep him going to find Addie. He isn’t ready to admit his feelings for her, especially if there’s a chance they may not find her. I felt for him. He’s so conflicted. He’s just learned that his father may be alive, and that changes everything he’s fought against since the “silent explosion.” While I ached for Addie, I did for Clark too. 

Told from alternating POV, the reader gets a glimpse into both Addie and Clark’s mind which plays a pivotal role in this plot. As the reader, we get a chance to see what each character is thinking and how that drives their actions. Like the last book, each chapter begins with a snippet from the past. In this one, we get glimpses of both Xavier and Nell. My heart broke reading Xavier’s past. I wanted to hate him for his actions, but reading those I couldn’t. Instead I fell in love with him just a little bit. Nell’s past serves to build the world a little more, but also reveals an important role that she will play in the future books. 

Overall I loved The Tempest Sea. I couldn’t read it fast enough. I was on pins and needles wondering what would happen to the characters I’ve become so invested in. If you enjoy YA fantasy, I highly recommend you grab a copy. 

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