Book Review - Sea of Secrets: The Nymph Challenge

Sea of Secrets: The Nymph Challenge

by Brittany Wang

Episode 3 of On Wings of Ash & Dust

published August 31, 2021

YA Fantasy

Blurb:

Quinn is back at sea—but this time, it’s dripping with secrets.

After barely surviving the first trial in the Ethodine, Quinn wrestles with new mysteries as she enters the underwater world of the Nymphs—Aeron’s domain. As she prepares for the next perilous trial, Quinn struggles to keep her distance from Aeron and his gorgeous bride-to-be while also desperate to solve countless questions: How is the ancient tome Hickory stole connected with her nightmares? Did Vale really have a romantic past with Aeron? And what is hiding behind Alys’ cold demeanor?

It’s only at the Nymph’s underwater masquerade that dark secrets finally begin to unravel. But without a talent to impress the Trial of Beauty’s vicious judge, solving other mysteries might be the least of Quinn’s worries.

Ah, the mixed emotions of returning to sea. Only now, Quinn returns as a contestant for the faerie crown, rather than as a captain of a pirate vessel. We're off to Aeron's home of Isinglass. I've been looking forward to this one, especially because since taking Brittany's faerie clan quiz, I found that I'm a Nymph. And what a beautiful world it is! I love what Brittany did to ensure that the competitors could visit the undersea realm and still be able to breathe. I think I can say that Isinglass is a place I would love to visit.

This episode was an absolute page-turner! I fell more in love with the world and the characters with every chapter and gained more respect for the heirs as they prepared for the trial. And then sat amazed by the trial itself! Gosh—if I were participating in this trial and my life depended on my talent, what would I do? Would I tell a story like Quinn did? Would I knit or crochet, or spin wool into yarn? I certainly couldn't sing or dance (not by myself, anyway) or paint. I'm certainly not brave enough to do what Alys did, though I absolutely sympathized with her, like Quinn did.

And then the tension and the mystery that has been following them from the beginning just increases in the last couple of chapters! No time to rest now! On to the next!

This is an ARC review. All opinions are my own. You can find Sea of Secrets here. (note: that is an affiliate link, which just means that if you make a purchase by following that link, then I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.)