Bitmo Sunday book review

Sunday Book Review – The Ferryman and The Sea Witch by Diana Wallace Peach

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Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. As many of you know, I’ve been on a whirlwind of reading books that are helping me to get through my personal journey of grief. In between these books, I have stuck in a few ‘pleasure’ reads that had me lost in story, which I’m finding is the perfect antidote to engage me as a perfect diversion from the dark abyss I often find myself in since I’ve moved and settled into my solo home. Diana’s book was great medicine for me in that department. The Ferryman and the Sea Witch was a spectacular world build that took me right into the story of Callum – the Ferryman who sailed the deep sea, for a debt he owed to the Sea Witch, which begins the story of good versus evil. A vast array of intricate characters including two warring kingdoms where Callum’s ship crossed waters between both. Only, with every journey came a new threat and Callum’s job to play middle-man between the feuding royals.

 

 

Blurb:

 

The merrow rule the sea. Slender creatures, fair of face, with silver scales and the graceful tails of angelfish. Caught in a Brid Clarion net, the daughter of the sea witch perishes in the sunlit air. Her fingers dangle above the swells.

The queen of the sea bares her sharp teeth and, in a fury of wind and waves, cleanses the brine of ships and men. But she spares a boy for his single act of kindness. Callum becomes the Ferryman, and until Brid Clarion pays its debt with royal blood, only his sails may cross the Deep.

Two warring nations, separated by the merrow’s trench, trade infant hostages in a commitment to peace. Now, the time has come for the heirs to return home. The Ferryman alone can undertake the exchange.

Yet, animosities are far from assuaged. While Brid Clarion’s islands bask in prosperity, Haf Killick, a floating city of derelict ships, rots and rusts and sinks into the reefs. Its ruler has other designs.

And the sea witch crafts dark bargains with all sides.

Callum is caught in the breach, with a long-held bargain of his own which, once discovered, will shatter this life.

 

My 5 Star Review:

 

A twisted tale of an evil sea witch who commands the sea at her whim. A fantastic voyage of love, hate, obedience, power struggle, blackmail, revenge, secrets and death. The merrow (half mermaid, half siren) control the waters of the deep for the Sea Witch. In the beginning, the fishermen caught a merrow in their net, and when Callum tried to cut the merrow loose, he was ordered to leave her for dead. But despite his efforts, he couldn’t save her, and that merrow just happened to be the daughter of the vengeful Sea Witch. And that’s where the story begins.

 

The Sea Witch demanded that the Ferryman (Callum) would have to pay penance by killing a royal and throwing them to the sea as punishment for the death of her daughter. She sank all other ships that crossed the ocean and would allow Callum’s ship to cross between the two kingdoms, but could never again step on land until such time as a royal is killed. Callum would have to dump one prisoner a day into the sea until such time as a royal is drowned to remain able to sail through the deep. The politics of the sea between the two kingdom rulers – the evil Queen Caspia of Haf Killick and King Thayne of Brid Clarion, and the Sea Witch, Panmar, set the story for deceit and foolery.

 

The action is plentiful, as there are a sea of characters to keep us encapsulated while Callum must deal with the daily antics of Caspia who becomes a threat to his own family. Callum is inundated with requests from both Caspia and Panmar, on a daily basis. Both their edict requests will keep us flipping the pages while the action on the sea keep us gripped as we continue to read and wonder who will win out, the good or the evils?

 

Stunning world-building – especially the underworld of the sea, well developed characters, deliciously descript, and the tension that will keep you glued in waiting as to who will survive and who will die in this ultimate sea adventure about the battle for power and survival. If you love fantasy with rich world-building, you will want to read this book.

 

©DGKaye2021

 

65 thoughts on “Sunday Book Review – The Ferryman and The Sea Witch by Diana Wallace Peach”

    1. Great Sal! I know what you mean. Everytime we read a new review for another book we just want to push it right up and devour LOL. You will love this book! It’s not even my genre, but I felt drawn to it. ❤

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    2. I always feel so honored, Stevie, when a non-fantasy reader gives the book a try. It’s a wonderfully kind thing to do and I’m delighted that Debby enjoyed the book. Thanks for the comment!

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    2. Thanks for the visit over here at Debby’s, Robbie. Aren’t you supposed to be on a break? I hope you enjoy the book when you get to it. Happy Reading and enjoy the rest of your week.

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  11. Thanks so much for reading, Debby, and for the awesome review. I saw it yesterday on Amazon and couldn’t wait to hop over here this morning with fingers crossed. I’m delighted to see it here and thanks so much for sharing it. Your reviews are thoroughly captivating and I couldn’t be happier. And I’m glad it provided a bit of a diversion. Great big hugs, my friend.

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    1. My absolute pleasure to read Diana, even more to review. A riveting story that would capture anyone’s attention once you start reading. I’m sorry it took so long to finish reading and reviewing, but that had nothing to do with not being eager. Congrats my friend on this wonderful book – that could so easily be a movie!!! Hugs xxx

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      1. You can ignore my comment about not being able to get to your site, Debby. Whatever it was fixed itself. Phew. I wasn’t concerned about the book taking time to finish. Lord knows you have stuff going on and the last thing anyone needs is reading pressure. I’m just tickled that you enjoyed it. Now, off to reply to more comments! Hugs

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  12. It’s fascinating to have come across this review today, Debby, because just yesterday someone recommended the book to me. The universe is trying to tell me something, I think…I’m off to buy the book! Great review!

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    1. Lol Amy, before you said it, I was going to tell you it was a message from the universe. 🙂 Good for you. Diana will be thrilled. You will not be disappointed. Hugs xx

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  14. Deb, I’m so pleased you’ve been able to lose yourself for a time in selected fiction, you so need something to help your mind and soul take a brief break <3, and this was a great choice.
    For me, this was one of those rare books where the characters, particularly Callum, made such an impact on me that I was still thinking about him for days after I finished reading. In fact, I was shocked and disappointed each time he surfaced in my mind to realise I didn't have any more of the book to read! Now that's what I call great writing.

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    2. What a lovely comment, Deborah. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I’m glad Callum stuck with you. He’s flawed, but I think he has a lot of redeemable qualities. Sort of like Rustum, huh? I like those kinds of characters. Thanks for making my day with your comment. Happy Writing.

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  15. Great review, Debby. This is not my usual genre either, but with so many positive comments and reviews, it might be worth checking out this engaging read!

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    2. Thanks for the kind comment, Liebet! I can’t think of a better compliment than when someone steps outside their reading habits to try something different, and then enjoys the story. Debby was a sweetheart to read and review. I hope that if you decide to give the book a try, you enjoy the adventure. Happy Reading.

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    2. Thanks so much for the wonderful comment, Jennie. You started my day with a cheer and a smile. I hope you enjoy the story! You must be back at school. I hope you have a great start with your new batch of kids. 🙂

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  17. Fabulous review! Diana’s book is so immersive that it must have taken you into a new world, beautifully built with imaginative poise, dark at times, and I am sure it helped your state of mind too Deb.

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    2. Thanks so much for checking out Debby’s review, Balroop. I’m delighted when a non-fantasy reader takes a chance and ends up enjoying the read. Thanks again for your review too. Have a lovely day, my friend. ❤

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  20. It sounds fascinating, Debby, and I keep seeing great comments about all of the author’s books. Good luck to her, and it’s good to see you getting back your reading appetite for all kinds of genres. Big hugs!

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    2. It is good to see Debby reading and blogging and sharing her wonderful self with us again, Olga. I was delighted with her review and so appreciative. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a beautiful day. ❤

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    2. Thanks so much for stopping by Debby’s and leaving such a kind comment, Jacquie. I’m so glad that everyone is enjoying the characters and the adventure. Have a wonderful Friday and weekend, my friend. ❤ Hugs.

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  22. Pingback: Sunday Book Review – The Necromancer’s Daughter by Diana Peach #Fantasy – DGKayewriter.com

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