Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez - OPTIONAL

Sweet Black Waves (Sweet Black Waves, #1) by Kristina Perez, 430 pages.  Imprint (Macmillan), 2018.  $19.  

Content: Language: PG (4 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: R  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Branwen is the cousin and lady’s maid to Essy, the princess of Iveriu and their long time mortal enemies have been the Kernyvman who pirate their lands and kill their people.  One day while on the beach, Branwen sees an injured man on a piece of shipwreck and helps him to a cave.  Branwen quickly realizes that Tantris is a Kernyvman, but as Branwen is a healer, she feels it is her duty to heal him.  As Tantris and Branwen become friends and possibly more, their kingdoms amp up their fighting.  Branwen also helps Essy as Essy’s parents are trying to arrange an advantageous marriage for their kingdom to prevent further fighting but will Tantris help or hurt their country.  

I couldn’t put this book down and although I know the story of Tristan and Iseult, I enjoyed this version of the story.  The characters were well developed, and the addition of magic enhanced the plot.  The violence is gory and gruesome which takes the book from advisable to optional.  Also, I would put it as high except the ending could disappoint those who don’t know the Tristan and Iseult story and the ending seemed rushed.  There is going to be more to the story, and I can’t wait to read it.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.