The Library of Amorlin: Deluxe Limited Edition (The Age of Beasts)
Kalyn Josephson
by Frances White
The empire of Concordia celebrates a millennium of peace with a grand twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess’s Mountain, carrying the twelve heirs of the provinces. Each heir bears a secret, powerful Blessing—except for Ganymedes Piscero. Labeled the empire’s greatest disappointment and a perpetual slacker, Ganymedes is the only one aboard without a magical gift to defend himself.
His low expectations for the journey vanish when a high-ranking heir is brutally murdered, transforming the luxury cruise into a claustrophobic, high-stakes trap. With the killer lurking among the elite and the body count rising, Ganymedes finds himself in the crosshairs. Forced to navigate a web of deadly intrigue and ancient secrets, he must trade his reputation as a fool for the role of an investigator.
As he scrambles to unmask the culprit, he is drawn into an unexpected, shifting dynamic with a fellow heir—a connection that complicates his survival even as it offers a glimmer of hope amidst the bloodshed. Trapped on the open sea, Ganymedes must master his own agency to prevent the collapse of his world. In this locked-room mystery, the line between ally and enemy blurs, and the most dangerous weapon on board may be a truth long kept hidden.
Keyanna DavisSo Much Fun!
"Imagine a cruise where the passengers aren’t just humans but a host of magical creatures, and in the midst of luxurious dinners and sun-soaked decks, a murder mystery unravels. This book captivates from the first page, blending elements of intrigue, fantasy, and a slow-burn romance into an intense narrative that keeps you hooked. At the heart of it all is the main character—funny, endearing, and impossibly brave. Their charm is infectious, bringing warmth and humor to even the darkest corners of the mystery. With a sharp wit and a tendency to leap into danger, this protagonist feels like a trusted friend you're cheering for from the very beginning. They face challenges head-on, navigating not only the complexities of a magical murder investigation but also an unexpected romance that simmers in the background, adding layers of tension and heart to the plot. The murder mystery is brilliantly paced, with clues that keep you guessing and a diverse ensemble of magical beings that add intrigue to every twist. Each character feels rich and contributes to the high-stakes atmosphere on the ship. The romance subplot is especially noteworthy—an electric chemistry between the protagonist and their love interest that blossoms gradually but intensely, leading to moments of both tenderness and longing. Overall, this book is an irresistible blend of humor, mystery, and magic, set against the backdrop of an enchanting cruise. If you're a fan of stories that make you laugh, keep you on the edge of your seat, and leave you with a full heart, this one is a must-read. ["
September 18, 2024 Verified Purchase
Nikki GreenGreat poolside reading
"Laugh out loud funny. The main character is hilarious and an unexpected hero throughout this sea-faring murder mystery. So many plot lines, I don’t know how the author kept them all straight. Then add in magic and romance? This book has a little something for everyone to enjoy. My favorite read of summer. ["
September 16, 2025 Verified Purchase
Kindle CustomerSomehow, the ingredients just don't gel
"I really, REALLY wanted to like this book, but somehow all its wonderful building blocks just didn't come together for me. - Bad Pacing: First 70% of the book was a real slog - Deus Ex Machina: All the big reveals felt like they came out of left field, with little to no clues for the reader. It didn't come across as sophisticated; it came across as badly planned and plotted, and a series of hail marys thrown by the author - Anachronisms: Every so often, the book has a joke that relies on the reader's understanding of current Internet culture. It works in Deadpool; it does not work here because it jerks the reader out of the constructed fantasy world and back into our own Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see more works from this author because they show a LOT of promise, but this book just doesn't *work* as a cohesive, enjoyable book. ["
March 19, 2025 Verified Purchase
Blue EyesA good book from a new author
"12 different provinces in a country represented by 12 different animals. Each area has a “Blessed” - must be legitimate and the Blessing is passed down from parent to child and usually manifested when the child is in single digits. All except the Imperial heir, the leader, where the Blessing is passed down upon the death of the Blessed who is responsible for fueling and keeping in tact the “Bandage” - a belt of land that keeps out the Crabs. The Crabs allowed a bastard be Blessed and it all went badly. Now they are shunned and outlawed. Now the 11 newly Blessed and the heir are on The Dragon’s Dawn, the Imperial’s ship taking them to the Goddess’s mountain to give thanks for her bestowing of Blessings. Except Ganymedes of the Fish Province, commonly known as Dee, has been lying about his Blessing - he doesn’t have one - his father has numerous bastards and he doesn’t want to become another Crab Provincetown and outlawed so he convinced Dee of lie. Now on a ship with 11 other people and Imperial servants someone, another Blessed, is killing the Blesseds one by one and Dee has made it his mission to find out who before they find out his secret. ["
September 8, 2024 Verified Purchase