The second book in the Aisling Sea trilogy by Vanessa Rasanen is similar to the first book, From These Dark Depths in that it ends on a cliffhanger and features multiple POVs in the third person limited style. This series has been compared to Black Sails and Throne of Glass. While I haven’t read Black Sails, I can see the Throne of Glass parallel. They are on the hunt for a magical dagger that will aid them in defeating a corrupt ruling body. Not to mention the presence of fae, sirens, and other mythical creatures.
I’ll try to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible, but there will be some spoilers for the first book’s ending if you haven’t read it yet.
Synopsis
Being eaten by a siren queen is at least an interesting way to die.
And Declan has little hope of avoiding it while locked in this brig.
His captor is ruthless. His guilt is relentless.
Everyone he needs is back on his ship, hopefully chasing after him…without tempting death themselves.
But if they don’t make it in time, he’ll have to face the queen.
And his demons.
An heir stole his heart. Now that heart–and the remorse it harbors–may get him killed.
Or worse.
Book Details
- Published: August 16, 2022
- Page Count: 500 pages
- Genre: Fantasy Romance, New Adult
Thoughts on From These Dark Depths
This book takes place shortly after On These Black Sands ends. Declan has been kidnapped by another pirate crew, Aoife is still reeling from the knowledge that Declan murdered Lani, and Tommy has been healed by the fae after being nearly killed. Tommy is forced to take command of the Siren’s Song as they pursue the ship that took Declan. The other crew intends to take Declan to the dagger in order to retrieve it. They will not be successful, however, because they require the fae to get past the sirens. Something only the Siren’s Song ship possesses because they were the ones who rescued the three sisters. Not only that, but Tommy has fallen in love with one of the fae, Maura, at first sight. Something he is battling with since she visits him in his sleep, preventing him from sleeping.
From These Dark Depths alternates between Tommy, Aoife, Declan, Cait, and Maura’s points of view.
If you were expecting for a quick reunion of our protagonists, you’ll be disappointed since, without giving too many spoilers away, Declan and Aoife are not reunited until the end of the book.
Cait’s point of view introduces us to Adler (the pirate Lani fell in love with and planned to flee with before her murder) as he joins forces with the Rogues to bring down the council. However, neither the Rogues nor the pirate crews have it easy. Captain Callum and the Siren Queen subject Declan to emotional torture. While Aoife, Tommy, and Maura, as well as the rest of Siren’s Song, must contend with storms, the Kraken, and sirens.
Every page is packed with action, as well as new information that connects the fae more intimately with the council and the magical dagger that everyone is chasing. Because of this, I literally couldn’t put the book down. So, I’m looking forward to seeing how this trilogy concludes. I have a hunch the fae battle to the south will have an impact on how things play out with the council. Not to mention the fact that Aoife must deal with everything revealed at the end of the book. No spoilers, but I suspected it during the Kraken scene. Things were simply too perfectly aligned for it not to be true.
We also need happy moments for Aoife and Declan, Tommy and Maura, and Cait with either Lucan or Adler. I’m not sure which one she’ll end up with, but it appears that Adler is the way things are going. Still, I hope they all have happily ever afters. Especially after everything they’ve been through and lost.
Overall, I’d give From These Dark Depths a 4.25 out of 5 stars.
Love ya,
Mae Polzine
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