A captivating nautical fantasy opens with an ancient human sacrifice to the gods, serving as warning that in this imaginary kingdom, the gods must be remembered. Fast forward 501 years: A key ritual has been overlooked, leaving dashing Prince Leander of Alinor (brown-skinned) fumbling to make up for his forgotten royal duty. Selly (white), a whip-smart sailor who has no time for the entitled class, is determined to prove her sea captain abilities. When Prince Leander commandeers her boat for secret passage to complete his sacrificial task, Selly is not having it. But before she can resist his arrogant maneuver, a deadly explosion rocks the harbor and they barely escape with their lives. The brisk pace of this richly written fantasy is fueled by treason plans and political power grabs. Multidimensional secondary characters, each with their own secrets, add to the drama of the seafaring quest. Magic and romance are also at play, adding to the suspense of this race-against-time novel, the first in a series. (Age 12 and older)