This post may contain affiliate links for books we recommend. Read the full disclosure here.
Book: “Stormheart” by Julia Makin
Publishing Info: Books Fluent, October 2026
Where Did I Get this Book: copy from the publisher!
Where Can You Get this Book: WorldCat.org | Amazon | IndieBound
Book Description: Once an enslaved princess, now a fugitive, Tan is hunted across the Empire after a fatal mistake brands her its most wanted criminal. Desperate to survive, she strikes a perilous bargain with Kier—a cold, calculating pirate from the rebel stronghold of Stormheart. His promise: freedom on the open sea aboard the Revenge, a ship ruled by the sadistic Captain Blackthorn.
The price: her soul, bound to Blackthorn in an eternal blood-oath.
Unless she can win it back. To break the bond, Tan must defeat one of Blackthorn’s criminals in a deadly game, relying on Kier’s brutal training—and navigating the dangerous pull between them. But when passion awakens an ancient power even the Empire fears, Tan becomes the spark that could ignite a war.
As dark tides rise and loyalties fracture, she must choose: surrender to the darkness rising within her, or carve her own destiny before it’s too late.
Review: This book had a lot of potential, and there were definitely some high points. However, I struggled with inconsistent characterization and some of the world-building that made up the foundations of this society and the conflicts therein. But, like always, let’s start with the positives!
The book definitely starts on a strong note, and I was immediately pulled in by the greater concept: a princess who has been shunned and locked away as an outsider for her entire life must escape and find her own freedom. Of course, pirates are also always a pro, and I found myself enjoying any bits that focused more strongly on her experiences on the high seas.
However, while it started out with an interesting concept, it did quickly fall into some familiar fantasy tropes. I really could go for quite some time without a fantasy novel feeling the need to include some sort of deadly competition into the mix. And this one already had a lot of moving parts what with the caste system it had set up, the various political maneuverings between foreign bodies and the rebels, and then, of course, Tan’s own journey of self-empowerment and her budding romance with Kier.
I also struggled with Tan’s characterization at times. In the very first chapter, I began to have trouble reconciling Tan’s motivations or general motivations with her actions and her goals. For example, in this first chapter, an ally presents her with a risky but viable plan for them both to escape the palace once and for all. Not only is Tan incredibly hesitant (understandably), but by the time she does decide to move forward with this plan, she warns this other character to behave carefully, to not draw attention to himself or do anything that might throw this plan into disarray. From this, Tan seems to be a cautious but methodical character. Perhaps slow to act, but careful and thoughtful once she decides to move forward.
But then, only a few pages later, Tan, the very character who just lectured another about not creating waves, suddenly transforms into the ubiquitous “strong female character” who can’t keep her mouth shut and immediately must prove herself through snark and rebellion. She walks down a hallway from the room where she gave this lecture and immediately creates a massive scene with one of the most dangerous people in the palace and promptly blows up the entire plan before it even gets a chance to start. It was an incredibly frustrating bout of confused characterization, and it was a problem that persisted throughout the book. Characters would say one thing, or express a motivation to behave in one way, and then for no reason whatsoever, do the very opposite thing.
All of this said, there were still strong flourishes to the writing, and I’m definitely curious to read more from this author. Perhaps a stronger hand on the editorial wheel could help iron out some of the character wrinkles, and from there, you are left with a lot of potential. That said, if you enjoy feisty heroines and are able to roll with some punches, this is still a fun fantasy novel that is worth checking out!
Rating 7: A bit bumpy with its characterization (our main lead can’t decide whether she’s a cautious planner or a rebellious firebrand), but still a fun time, especially if you enjoy pirates and magical competitions!
Reader’s Advisory:
“Stormheart” can be found on these Goodreads lists: Swashbucklers and Pirates!
