This book is such an incredible hidden gem! A beautifully atmospheric read that completely swept me away with its lush, almost poetic prose. The way Croall describes the setting is so vivid that you can practically feel the winter chill and the sharp prickle of the thorns right alongside the characters.

I was deeply moved by the protagonist’s journey of resilience; watching that "snowdrop" of hope push through such a harsh and frosty environment was heart-wrenching and inspiring all at once. The emotional stakes are high, and the thematic depth regarding beauty found in difficult places really stayed with me long after I finished the final chapter.

The only reason I’m giving it a very strong four stars instead of five is that the pacing felt a bit slow during the middle chapters, but the emotional payoff in the end is absolutely worth the wait. This is a quiet, haunting, and ultimately triumphant story that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves lyrical historical drama. It is a must-read for your TBR list!

Thank you very much for the ARC!

Beautiful, richly detailed world-building brings to life a unique setting where people live beneath vast roots, populated by a cast of intriguing characters. The main female character feels out of place in her confined world, sensing she’s meant for something greater. When she’s captured by pirates led by Corwin, her journey truly begins, driven by dreams, destiny, and a longing for more.
I’m giving this book 3.5⭐️. While the story itself is imaginative and immersive, the writing style didn’t quite suit my taste, as I tend to prefer a first-person point of view. That said, if you enjoy strong world-building and magical adventures full of fate and desire, it’s definitely worth picking up.

3/5⭐️ This had a lot of immersive world building! I really liked the initial set up of the fae world juxtaposed with the pirate life. The love story was compelling as well, but at times the pacing of it felt distracting. Some scenes would take us through weeks at sea, and others would feel rushed. I mainly wish there were bigger plot lines and goals for our main characters. Overall, I liked at lot of the setup and character building, but this story did not connect with me as much as I’d hoped.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Troubador for the arc!

I loved the beginning of this book so much, the vibe reminded me so much of kind of the books I loved as a child and I really loved the nostalgic feeling it brought. I really enjoyed the scenes when Eirlys and Corwin first met and were exploring however unfortunately for me after that point I had a few issues with the book. For me the pacing felt off as some things seemed to pass by really quickly, for example weeks at sea would pass which I would’ve really liked to see especially as a huge fan of pirate based novels and then some things seemed to drag on too long which made me loose interest and focus on the plot until I wasn’t sure what the plot actually was. The characters were all likeable however I’d have loved to see more interactions between them as for me the book had too little dialogue between them vs written text which seemed to overpower the characters and plot and I felt sometimes we would be told things as a fact rather than seeing it occur naturally. It stopped me really getting to know the characters and at times would leave me confused as to who was who as some of the side characters personalities were not distinguishable enough for me. The ending was cute but I found I was left with a few unanswered questions, I’m not sure if it’s because there’s going to be a sequel so if so I can understand not finding out but I think a few things could’ve been answered during book 1. I did love the combination of fairies and pirates and the world building was really well thought out. Unfortunately overall it just wasn’t really for my personal taste but there were definitely parts I did enjoy!

This is the kind of fantasy that sweeps you away slowly, then all at once. From the hidden beauty of Tir Caelin beneath the roots of Elaren to the wild, salt-stung freedom of the open sea, the story builds a world that feels both intimate and expansive—like stepping into a myth that’s been waiting to be told.

Eirlys is a standout heroine. Her longing for more than the safety of her hidden city gives the story its emotional heartbeat. She isn’t reckless, but she is brave in that quiet, determined way that makes her choices feel meaningful. Watching her move from sheltered beginnings into the unpredictable, often dangerous world beyond is deeply satisfying.

Then there’s Corwin—reserved, controlled, and carrying more than his share of unspoken history. He could have easily fallen into the brooding captain archetype, but instead, there’s a nuance to him that unfolds gradually. His dynamic with Eirlys is built on tension, mutual curiosity, and a slow-growing trust that feels earned with every shared moment at sea.

The setting does a lot of heavy lifting here—in the best way. The enchanted ports, the ever-present hum of magic, and especially the looming threat of the merrow create a sense of constant movement and danger. The ship itself feels like a character, and the crew adds texture that keeps the story grounded even as the stakes grow more mythic.

What really lingers, though, is the tone. There’s a lyrical quality to the storytelling, a sense that everything—roots, waves, wind—carries meaning. The romance doesn’t overshadow the adventure, nor does the adventure drown out the emotional core. Instead, they move together, braided into something that feels cohesive and immersive.

It’s a story about longing, transformation, and the courage to follow a call you don’t fully understand. And by the time the final choices come into view, you’re just as invested as the characters in what those choices will cost—and what they might save.

The writing of this book was beautiful. Seriously one of the most enchanting writing styles I’ve read. However, the plot to me was lacking. I deeply desired more of a story line so I could rate this higher but I felt more work was spent on the flowery language rather than the actual plot itself. The idea of the book is genius and the characters had such potential but I, again, felt like these fell flat!

Enchanting, whimsical, magical are words best to describe this book. It carries you along at a steady pace, the writing capturing you into the world written so descriptively by the author.
I did really like this book, it drew you in and kept you wanting to know more and more, but at the same time kept you awaiting the plot that never seemed to take off.
That is the only reason for the drop in stars for me, it had much more potential than it gave us at the end, but this is still something I would recommend for the enchanting read that had me smiling throughout.
Thank you for the arc!