"Profoundly poetic and infused with fascinating magic and myth, this book spoke to me deeply of the struggle between hereditary duty and the yearning for adventure. Hungry monsters and rogue waves lurk with ill intent below family secrets kept too long. I could taste the salt water in every line -- a triumph of nautical storytelling, as fascinatingly and carefully crafted as a swift ship." -Premee Mohamed, Nebula-award winning author of And What Can We Offer You Tonight

"A compelling maritime fantasy with mythopoeic resonance. Jennifer R Donohue's hypnotic prose mesmerises and grabs the reader by the throat. Easily one of the best books I have read this year."

-Nin Harris

"Death is only a beginning. A beautiful journey between two worlds bound by ink, blood, and hearts."

-E. Catherine Tobler, author of The Necessity of Stars

"Jennifer R. Donohue creates a lush and darkly detailed fantasy world full of myth and monsters."

-Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki Nebula award winner, multiple Hugo finalist, CanCon & ICFA guest of honour

"A dark and richly textured fantasy novella that plunges you headfirst into a captivating and uniquely imagined world full of strange magic and implacable tradition, and where a family's expectations clash with a young woman's soul. Donohue grabs you from the first line and never lets go with a rollicking, beautifully crafted tale where everything, from the tattoos to the ships to the sea itself, are imbued with magic, and where gargantuan monsters lurk beneath the waves..."

--Maria Haskins, writer and reviewer