Compass and Blade

Gr 10 Up–Living on a remote island, Mira is part of a crew that causes shipwrecks and plunders the loot. Her job is to save any survivors, and one day she rescues a mysterious and attractive boy. She inherited her position after her mom died, and like her mom, she thrives in the sea. The day after saving said stranger, the watch arrests her father and the crew’s leader. They are to be executed in nine days for causing the shipwrecks. Mira believes that the answer to saving them will come from learning about her mother and so begins her maritime adventure. Though the book starts off slowly, the worldbuilding makes it worth it. When it picks up speed it becomes a fun read with adventure, betrayal, romance, and mythical creatures. While there are some predictable parts, there are also some refreshing scenes, like Mira’s meet-cute with the male romantic lead whom she saves. If your patrons are searching for a book that flips tropes, this is not it. However, this is perfect for libraries where YA fantasy is popular generally.