Review: The Bright and Breaking Sea

The Bright and Breaking Sea by Chloe Neill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Author Chloe Neill ("Chicagoland Vampires") has shifted gears into a historical fantasy and adventure novel with Regency-era underpinnings. Set in the Saxon Isles, the novel largely takes place three years after Gerard Rousseau, Emperor of Gallia (a character that is clearly to be Napoleon Bonaparte) has been exiled on Montgraf. Captain Kit Brightling, a foundling raised in a school for talented girls, operates outside the Beau Monde (the not so beautiful aristocratic society) but has risen to her rank helming her fast ship, the Diana. Deftly using water magic (a gift termed 'alignment'), Kit and her small ship can maneuver and outrun larger ships in the fleet. She is, secretly, a special agent for Queen Charlotte, and is rather dismayed when her Queen sends her on a rescue mission with Colonel Rian Grant, one of Lord Sutherland's (Wellington's) officers and also Viscount Queenscliffe. The honorable Viscount doesn't think much of those who are aligned or of sailing off with a woman captain to rescue a former colleague. With both vying to be in charge, they are forced to reevaluate their prejudices in order to sally forth. As they sail to rescue Marcus Dunwood, Kit is dismayed to find that not only does she like Grant more than she would wish, the magic that flows in the ocean has been disturbed and is even absent in some areas, portending great danger.

This was a really enjoyable read and as someone who had read one or two of Neill's "Chicagoland" books and found them rather forgettable, is a really admirable (as opposed to admiral) departure. The novel flies along and for anyone looking for a Regency-era fantasy, I have to say it's one of the better ones I've read in recent years. I'm looking forward to the next Kit Brightling novel. I'm also looking forward to finding out more about Louisa, Kit's own foundling child.

The audiobook was divertingly narrated by Danielle Cohen.

I received a digital audio review copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

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