Scan barcode
ceodi17's review against another edition
It didn't grab my attention. The world was interesting but it just didn't hit
cidneym's review against another edition
5.0
*Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
A captivating debut from author Angela Montoya, Sinner's Isle is the perfect book for those who love pirates, romance, magic, and adventure.
Rosa is a Majestic, a powerful woman blessed with magic by the goddess Xiomara. The church has deemed them wicked, and all Majestics have been banished to Sinner's Isle. Once a Majestic comes of age, she’s participates in the yearly Offering, where the king and noblemen visit the island to ritually bind with a Majestic of their choosing. Everyone knows that Rosa, will most likely bind with King Sebastián, as she controls terrifying phantoms. After a failed escape attempt, her cruel mistress Doña Lucía takes Rosa's friend Juana captive in order to keep her in line. Rosa submits to her fate, but when she meets Mariano, the Prince of Pirates. He has been cast off his ship, and is determined to get off the island, but after he meets Rosa, he can only think of leaving with her at his side.
The Mexican folklore that is infused in this swoon-worthy fantasy is outstanding. Spanish is woven seamlessly into the dialogue, creating a rich and immersive world. The characters are strong and fierce, and the romance is a perfect amount of sweet and passionate for young adult readers. Strongly recommend as a purchase for libraries.
A captivating debut from author Angela Montoya, Sinner's Isle is the perfect book for those who love pirates, romance, magic, and adventure.
Rosa is a Majestic, a powerful woman blessed with magic by the goddess Xiomara. The church has deemed them wicked, and all Majestics have been banished to Sinner's Isle. Once a Majestic comes of age, she’s participates in the yearly Offering, where the king and noblemen visit the island to ritually bind with a Majestic of their choosing. Everyone knows that Rosa, will most likely bind with King Sebastián, as she controls terrifying phantoms. After a failed escape attempt, her cruel mistress Doña Lucía takes Rosa's friend Juana captive in order to keep her in line. Rosa submits to her fate, but when she meets Mariano, the Prince of Pirates. He has been cast off his ship, and is determined to get off the island, but after he meets Rosa, he can only think of leaving with her at his side.
The Mexican folklore that is infused in this swoon-worthy fantasy is outstanding. Spanish is woven seamlessly into the dialogue, creating a rich and immersive world. The characters are strong and fierce, and the romance is a perfect amount of sweet and passionate for young adult readers. Strongly recommend as a purchase for libraries.
ihavetosay's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
The book is slow paced to me and the romance between the two is a slower burn. They had good banter, but they only have a few moments alone together.
There’s a lot of moving parts and a few important characters to remember. Santi is my favorite with his humor and gender bending.
Majestics are sold for their special powers, different in strength and ability for each girl, in the name of the church.
The story lends itself to social and political commentary, showing how woman are groomed, used, and abused. How a scorned person can become pessimistic. How some lean into systems for survival or bc it’s all they know. How some suffer silently, and others scheme a way out. It shows how you can be manipulated into muting your own power. How dictators can manipulate your peers to spy on you for “the greater good.”
The messages are told overtly.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The world building was immersive to me and I enjoyed the themes being shown. It read a little slow, but I like how everything was tied up in the end. I came into this book thinking it was romance heavy and that wasn’t my experience, so I think that’s part of my reaction.
The book is slow paced to me and the romance between the two is a slower burn. They had good banter, but they only have a few moments alone together.
There’s a lot of moving parts and a few important characters to remember. Santi is my favorite with his humor and gender bending.
Majestics are sold for their special powers, different in strength and ability for each girl, in the name of the church.
The story lends itself to social and political commentary, showing how woman are groomed, used, and abused. How a scorned person can become pessimistic. How some lean into systems for survival or bc it’s all they know. How some suffer silently, and others scheme a way out. It shows how you can be manipulated into muting your own power. How dictators can manipulate your peers to spy on you for “the greater good.”
The messages are told overtly.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The world building was immersive to me and I enjoyed the themes being shown. It read a little slow, but I like how everything was tied up in the end. I came into this book thinking it was romance heavy and that wasn’t my experience, so I think that’s part of my reaction.
lavenderluvsbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The beginning of the story was very slow for me. With the introduction to the new world but I love the map and the art visuals I recieved. I wanted more juana and lu wlw time like santi kissed everyone so I wanted the same for the girls. I appreciate the diversity in sexuality and love not being weird or wrong in this world of pirates. I do wish some parts were expounded on and cut out that was not as interesting.
librarylizzie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
agkeesee's review against another edition
This was a huge let down. Loved the worldbuilding but had no connection whatsoever to the characters. There was Insta-love when they didn’t even know each other’s names 70% through the book! No joke!
asleepylady's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
Not what I was expecting from the description but still a solid romantic story. I'd recommend it to people who enjoyed the Caraval series.
That said, there wasn't anything that really stood out to make me love it. I did like it though.
That said, there wasn't anything that really stood out to make me love it. I did like it though.
madkat320's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
letmereadinpeaceornot's review against another edition
1.0
Maybe this is a harsh rating, but this was a very hard read. It made me cringe, the tone was all over the place, and the characters were so flat. I had such a high expectations for this and it was just so bleh.