I absolutely loved this one. From the very first scene, when Elān captures a salmon-stealing raven in his cupboard, I was hooked. What starts as a quirky moment unfolds into an unforgettable adventure steeped in myth, belonging, and transformation.

Elān is a storyteller, not a warrior, and watching him rise to the challenge felt deeply rewarding. The crew he gathers includes a bear-cousin, a massive wolf, and an irreverent raven, and they quickly become more than companions: by the end, they felt like old friends.

The prose captures the mist and salt of storm-torn seas, making every scene vivid and alive. The stakes deepen as alliances shift, giants appear, and shapeshifters haunt the edges of the world. But it's the quieter moments that stay with you: moments where Elān grapples with belonging and identity.

If you're drawn to folklore-rich fantasy with a beating heart, this is a book you won't forget. It's a reminder that stories have the power to save worlds—and ourselves.

** Thank you to Rebellion | Solaris, Netgallery, and Caskey Russel for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. **

Elān is made for the sheets (of paper) and not for the streets!

Or that is how the story begins. Elān is more interested in stories, knowledge, and books than he is in becoming a mighty warrior like his grandfather. He's never fit in and is seemingly trying to find his place among his tribe and in the world. But when he catches a foul-mouthed, cantankerous raven stealing his salmon, he traps him in a cupboard. Raven tells Elān where he can find a powerful weapon lost at sea by the Koosh invaders. When elder Ixt catches wind of this, he sends Elān, mouthy Raven, and a group of misfit warriors to retrieve the weapon and save his people.

Elān and his crewmates face a perilous journey against the sea, cannibalistic giants, and the Koosh invaders. Constantly compared to his warrior grandfather and crippled with self-doubt, Elān must figure out who he wants to be and earn the crew's respect. Along the way he learns that all he ever needed to be was exactly himself.

Overall: How do you critique a story that feels like it has always been? This book is unique in that the story feels like one that has been passed down from generation to generation. It was touching to read that this is a story he developed for his kids, as it felt like one of those stories you are told by your parents after you've been tucked in tight for the night. "Please, one more chapter!"

Recommended: for anyone! Literally, everyone should read this book.

Feels like: an Indigenous version of the Odyssey- only way better!

Gripes: None! Well, I could have used a little more Raven, who is now one of my all-time favorite characters!

Rating: 5/5- Perfection, no notes!

Note to the author: This is my advanced PLEA for the second installment of this story!