Whisper of the Tide

Gr 9 Up—The conclusion of the "Song of the Current" duology begins with Caro Oresteia supporting her paramour Markos's efforts to take back the throne of Akhaia after the brutal murder of his family. Caro is also struggling with what it means to be chosen by the sea god; she feels her loyalties are torn between the sea and Markos. After Markos escapes yet another assassination attempt, the pair is unsure of what to do next. When a proposal of support for the throne in exchange for marriage comes up, Caro wonders if it's an offer they can afford to refuse and takes matters into her own hands. As Caro travels over the open sea, she comes across pirate and enemy Diric Melanos who claims to need her help because she has the sea god's favor. The character of Diric is more deeply explored, making him more than a simple villain despite the misdeeds of his past. For much of the novel, Caro is without her ship, Vix, and feels disconnected from herself and her purpose in life. While this book is slower paced, there are still adventures to be had with stolen treasure and a deeper foray into shadow magic courtesy of Caro's cousin Kenté who has been at school improving her skills. Featuring a diverse cast, this is a tale of figuring out what it means to have a destiny and what it means to follow your heart.