The story is serviceable, but I think the pacing is all over the place, especially with key developments happening off-page. The build up to Jayce and Cain getting together feels too sluggish and then it immediately switches to them pouncing on each other with barely a transition. The pacing of the sex goes by so quickly it’s like the author wants it done as fast as possible, but then it’s the same rapid pacing for the fight scenes, with barely any descriptions to keep me gripped. 

The connection between Jayce and Cain feels artificial at best. Hard to care about them, which is a damn shame because this is finally a book that gives proper credit to adoptive parents. They’re not a huge part of the story, but Jayce never dismisses them as less meaningful to him just because they’re not related by blood. 

However, the lack of chemistry extends to the secondary characters. I don’t care about any of them. There’s no personality to anyone, nor is there actual on-page relationship building. 

Jayce’s defining characteristic is asking a million questions, but he wouldn’t have to if the rest of the cast wasn’t verbally constipated about everything. It’s the only way to get exposition, which is like a one trick pony. 

As for a plot inconsistency,

Cain has a curse that he feels pain whenever he drinks blood, and yet when he drinks Jayce’s blood for their little bonding ceremony, there’s no mention of Cain realizing he’s not in pain.

And a plot hole,

in the final battle, there’s zero precautions taken for any of the merfolk being able to use their voices as weapons, except, at the same time, none of them ever do. Sable, whose voice is never taken from her, gets killed like it’s no big deal.

Extremely disappointing end to a disappointing book that I practically skimmed just to push through to the final page.