Kristina Perez
Published By: Imprint
Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Date Read: July 15, 2018
Genre: YA - Fantasy
Source: Bought
Format: Hardback
Pages: 448
From Goodreads:
Not you without me, not me without you.
Two proud kingdoms stand on opposite shores, with only a bloody history between them.
As best friend and lady-in-waiting to the princess, Branwen is guided by two principles: devotion to her homeland and hatred for the raiders who killed her parents. When she unknowingly saves the life of her enemy, he awakens her ancient healing magic and opens her heart. Branwen begins to dream of peace, but the princess she serves is not so easily convinced. Fighting for what's right, even as her powers grow beyond her control, will set Branwen against both her best friend and the only man she's ever loved.
Inspired by the star-crossed tale of Tristan and Eseult, this is the story of the legend’s true heroine: Branwen. For fans of Graceling and The Mists of Avalon, this is the first book of a lush fantasy trilogy about warring countries, family secrets, and forbidden romance.
"Love doesn't care about a noble birth, only a noble heart. Which is why you'll never have mine."
Sweet Black Waves was one of my most anticipated releases of 2018. I absolutely adore YA Fantasy so when I heard about this new one that also a retelling of the Tristan and Eseult tale I knew I would absolutely love it. I was not disappointed with this one. It was incredibly difficult to put down. I absolutely loved it.
Branwen is cousin to the Princess of Iveriu. She is still broken from the death of her beloved parents at the hands of their enemies, the Kernyvmen. When Branwen comes across a wounded Kernyvman although she wants to leave him, her healing nature has to help him. But as she nurses him back to health she starts to fall in love despite the fact that they are supposed enemies. As Branwen starts to dream of peace between the two countries Branwen realises that she will stop at nothing to help the two countries put the war behind them, but will she survive with the love of both Tristan and her beloved cousin?
I loved... and I mean absolutely LOVED Sweet Black Waves. I thought it was a little bit slow at the start but after I got through those first 50 or so pages, I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved every single second and I couldn't stop reading. Sweet Black Waves is an incredible fantasy story but with a romance right at the heart of the story. I loved that the love story took such a big role as I find in a lot of YA fantasy novels the romance is very much in the background. I found it refreshing and lovely to have the romance right there front and centre of the story.
Kristina Perez is such a fantastic author. I absolutely loved her writing style. It was beautiful and so easy to find yourself emerged in the storyline. I really can't commend her enough. Her writing, worldbuilding and characterisation was completely perfect. I loved that this story was inspired by the classic tale of Tristan and Eseult. It followed the story perfectly but with a few differences. I remember reading the story of Tristan and Eseult years ago and loving it but I loved this adaptation even more. Although I did guess some things that would happen due to my knowledge of the classic tale and I started getting worried about how it's going to play out.
I adored the characters in this book. Both Branwen and Tristan were incredible and you find yourself completely rooting for them. They were just so sweet and perfect and romantic. They completely made my heart melt multiple times througout this book. The one character I didn't really like was Essie, i.e. Princess Eseult. She was just so selfish and childish. She irritated me greatly. Surely it's not a surprise that she may have to marry for something other than love... I mean she is a princess and may need to do things to put her land and her people before herself. The more I read the more I disliked her and by the end... well I can't stand her. The ending totally broke my heart and it was all Essie's fault *sobs*.
Sweet Black Waves is such a perfect novel. I loved it so much and it is one of my favourite reads of the year. If you love fantasy stories and are a hopeless romantic then this is the series for you. I am now waiting very impatiently for book 2. I need it like right now. What a fantastic masterpiece this book is. It's not to be missed.
"True love was more powerful than death or dishonour."
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