Review: The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas

The Perilous Sea

Author: Sherry Thomas
Series: The Elemental Trilogy #2
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: ebook
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Source: egalley received from publisher via Edelweiss
Rating: 4 Stars
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***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***

Synopsis from Goodreads:

After spending the summer away from each other, Titus and Iolanthe (still disguised as Archer Fairfax) are eager to return to Eton College to resume their training to fight the Bane. Although no longer bound to Titus by a blood oath, Iolanthe is more committed than ever to fulfilling her destiny—especially with the agents of Atlantis quickly closing in.

Soon after arriving at school, though, Titus makes a shocking discovery, one that makes him question everything he previously believed about their mission. Faced with this devastating realization, Iolanthe is forced to come to terms with her new role, while Titus must choose between following his mother's prophecies—and forging a divergent path to an unknowable future.

My Review:

I loved The Burning Sky so I was super excited when this one popped up on Edelweiss. The only problem is that I didn’t remember too much about the first one, you know, because of book amnesia. (It’s a thing…) But I didn’t have time to reread and it wasn’t on Recaptains so I decided to just go for it and hope for the best. While some stuff did come back to me, I really wish there had been more clues. Because there were times when I was struggling. But I had the basic premise and I did get sucked into the story.

Iolanthe and Titus are back together after a long summer apart. They are back at Eton, their nonmage school, with their friends. I freaking love these two. I love that we got to see them together in this book. That we got to see more kissing. We waited so long in the first book for them to get together and then got like one kiss. But don’t worry! There are lots of kisses and small touches and just everything that will make you squeal in this book.

Both Titus and Iolanthe are such awesome characters. Iolanthe is determined to follow her destiny. To take out the Bane no matter what it takes. She has grown so much both as a mage and as a person. In the first book she was scared and wanted to run away from everything, but in this book she faces things head on and doesn’t let anything or anyone get in her way.

Titus is still the ever swoon-worthy prince. I’m in love, guys. He cares so much about Iolanthe. Even when something happens that may or may not change everything, it doesn’t stop him from wanting to protect Iolanthe at all costs to himself. Titus is so courageous and I think that others around him feed off of that. He just has this aura of confidence around him that screams “I will get whatever I want even if I have to pry it from your cold dead hands.” He does have a softer side too though and even though he oozes confidence, he’s still scared and he’s not afraid to admit it. I just love this guy.

So here’s my problem. The world-building is fantastic. So many details. So many different magical creatures, wands, potions, spells, books. And Sherry Thomas does a great job of describing and explaining everything. But at times it felt like info-dump to me. The world-building would get in the way of the plot and the pacing could be too slow during these periods. That being said, I think I would rather have really good world-building, even if it slows down the plot, then none at all. But I think the details could have been woven in a bit better.

All in all, a fantastic book. I love both of these characters so much and this world is so incredible. The elemental magic is by far my favorite, but Titus’s use of spells and potions also makes my inner nerd do a happy dance. I loved the way that this book alternated between the present time and a few weeks into the future. It really upped the intensity and anticipation of the story. I can’t wait to see how this is all going to end because guys, cliffhanger!! Noooo… I can’t wait to see Iolanthe kick the Bane’s ass. Happy reading all! 

Have you read this one yet? What did you think? Did you feel like there was info-dump at times? Did you swoon over Titus as much as I did?