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The Second of the Mousai series, this time featuring Niya.
In E J Mellow’s Mousai series, you are greeted with a trio of sisters who are as close, if not closer, than any siblings can be. The Bassette sisters adore each other, nag each other, annoy each other and build each other up. They’re always there to support each other, to jump right to a sisters’ aid if they need it. They’re also gifted by the Lost Gods; talented magic wielders which can often get them out of a pickle or two. Their magic is individual to each sister, but it also complements the siblings. Arabassa, the oldest Bassette sister holds a gift of music; she can not only play any instrument masterfully, but when she weaves any melody she plays with her gifts, she can bespell anyone. Niya, the middle sister has a the gift of movement; when she dances, anyone who sees it is immediately entranced. Larkarya, the youngest, has the most deadly gift – for her very voice is leaden with magic; she needs only open her mouth without thinking and she could easily kill. When all three sisters are together, performing, their power is unmatched and inescapable. And for that reason, they’re part of the Thief Kingdom’s justice; The Mousai. Wearing golden masks and their identities a closely guarded secret, they dole out gruesomely beautiful endings to any who dare cross the Thief King; who just happens to be their father.
When the pirate, Alõs Ezra kidnaps Niya and takes her to his ship The Crying Queen under the duress of threatening to out her as the dancer of The Mousai, she knows her only way of escaping is by fulfilling a bet she lost against him. But she’s not particularly happy about it. She loathes the pirate lord, after he broke her heart four years before. But, as she reluctantly takes her place in the ship’s crew, she begins to realise that Alõs isn’t necessarily as heartless as he first seemed. In fact, she begins to realise that his past deeds have been to ensure his brother stays alive – and now his home is under threat, unless he can right a wrong he did in order to save his brother’s life…
From the off, Dance of a Burning Sea is captivating, fun and filled with characters who are fully rounded. Niya, especially, is endearing; not only with her love of food, but her temperament and razor sharp wit. We don’t get to see much of Larkarya or Arrabassa in this novel (with Larkarya’s being the first in The Mousai – Song of the Forever Rains and Arrabassa’s tale due in February 2023), but the bits we do see show how Niya fits in her family dynamic. She’s the middle daughter; the robust one who likes her food, likes her luxuries and likes to gamble. She’s frivolous, but not as mischievous as Larkarya and nowhere near as serious as Arabassa. She’s fun, in short. With a fiery temper that matches the heat of her magic.
Niya’s arc is interesting; throughout the book she’s stubbornly determined to hate the pirate lord. She’s as unforgiving as her Thief King father, as steadfast in her hatred as the fire in her veins. But towards the end, she begins to soften as the layers behind Alõs’ motives are peeled back. As we get a peek behind his ice-cold mask, Niya’s heart begins to melt – almost as though his cool magic is tempering her hot magic. It’s obvious to the reader that they’re two sides of the same coin, but it’s actually fun to read Niya’s own slow, realisation. It’s a fine line for an author to toe – that edge between frustrating the reader and amusing them when the characters are blind to the blatant obvious – but it’s one that Mellow has managed to balance artfully.
All I can say now is, I look very forward to Arrabassa’s story, when it comes out next. month.
S. A.
You can read Dance of the Burning Sea by clicking the below link. It’s also available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited.
I reviewed this book after reading it myself on Kindle Unlimited.
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