Sea and Sand

I’ve been a big fan of the Tides series ever since it first released, and it was a thrill to finally dive into book 3. I always love riding along for Nile’s crazy adventures. She’s a heroine I love to root for, even when I sometimes kind of want to strangle her!<br /><br />I have to say, I was really surprised about where this book began, introducing a brand new character named Kyra. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get attached to someone new when I was already so invested in Nile . . . but within a few pages, I was captivated by Kyra and her struggles. She’s a very different person from Nile, but she’s equally heroic in her own way. As the story progressed, I came to truly love her. And a fresh point of view infused new life into this wonderful series.<br /><br />Nile and Domenic continue to spark with lots of romantic tension. As their world gets more complex, so does their relationship . . . and I really enjoyed the intensity between them. I prefer a romance that isn’t too easy, and these two certainly don’t have it easy! Sometimes I wonder how they can ever possibly make it as a couple. But the wondering is what keeps things interesting! I’m very eager to see how they grow as the series progresses.<br /><br />This book definitely leaves you hungry for more, and I can only HOPE that Alex Lidell means to continue this series soon. It is one of the best in the genre of kickbutt heroine fantasy, with incredible writing, action sequences to leave you breathless, and swoon-worthy romance. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

EXCUSE ME??? IT CAN'T END LIKE THIS, IT JUST CAN'T. WHY ISN'T BOOK FOUR OUT YET? I'M SUFFERING.

To see more reviews, considering taking a peek at my first in series YA book blog <a href="http://firesidecoffeeandbooks.weebly.com" rel="nofollow noopener">here</a><br /><br />4.5 stars<br /><br />I'm so happy I received an ARC of this book. Lidell's Tide series has become one of my most series this year and last. I look forward to every time a new book Tides comes out. It is equally frrustrating and endearing how Nile listens to no one but her own mind. Sometimes her decisions are sound and other times...well, maybe she should have discussed her plans.<br /><br />We not only get Nile's POV in the third book, but a new character named Kyra is introduced.<br />At first I could not understand why on Earth Lidell had inserted this weak nonsensical character. But, I was astray in my thinking. Kyra is not weak,she is just not Nile. Kyra is essential to Nile's journey to secure allies and taste the atmosphere, if you will. <br /><br />Now, you're all probably wondering about Domenic and Nile, yes? I was disappointed by both their friendship and relationship in the third book. Things do get tense and their relationship does change and take on a more urgent tone that comes out of necessity and comfort rather than from a place of love as the plot thickens and things get rough. Neither of them has the ability to stand down and be the other's shadow. No words are held back and you will feel the harsh sting of their fights and hurt as if it were your own. After three books of this going back and fourth and still not learning to compromise, I desperately hope they find a way to do so or submit to different domains because this constant fighting by need for dominance and the resulting anger and silence is getting old now. Book 4 needs some resolve and change in attitude, because neither one of them has grown to mature in their relationship even a little bit. For this, an entire half star is deduced.<br /><br />Overall a solid 3rd book that brings about new challenges where trust between Nile's crew is more important than ever if they are to succeed. Things take a turn for the worst and she has to find a way to salvage the situation, all while war is looming and success depends on her shoulders.

Nile and Tam are married and she is officially part of the Filielle navy. As they test her for command, it seems the Filielle's are just as sexists as some of the other kingdoms when it comes to having a woman in the navy. Then the Tirik's seem to change their tactics in the war by using suicide missions. This confuses everyone and makes Nile's mission to forge a permanent alliance with the Diante more important. On the way, they encounter a new enemy flying the Tirik flag and they experience new atrocious behavior in the war. Nile and her friends are captured by these Bevnians and held as "livestock". They must find a way to escape and warn the kingdom of the new threat. <br /><br />Exciting third book. I especially liked the addition of a new POV - Kyra. Kyra is a fire-caller and an empath. She and Catsper seem to have something brewing and we get to know a little more about him through Kyra's observations. At this point, I'm actually shipping them more than Nile and Dominic. I wish the next book was out already. I hate waiting!

<i>Sea and Sand</i> is the third and final installment of the <i>Tides</i> series. <br /><br />In it, Nile and Tam are married but Nile is also part of the navy too. Things aren't all sunshine and rainbows though because she is constantly tested for her role. It also doesn't help that this kingdom is also filled with a bunch of sexist assholes either.<br /><br />Besides that, alliances need to be made and betrayal is basically lurking around every corner. On top of all that? Well she is captured, along with her friends, and they need to escape or else. I honestly wasn't expecting her to get captured in this one but it definitely kept things a bit more interesting in my eyes. <br /><br />I also liked the new romance that came my way as well. Don't get me wrong, I still like Nile and Dominic but Kyra and Catsper were something special. Now if people could stop being sexist that would be great.<br /><br />In the end, I liked this book and this series was fun to dive into. I'll have to look into another one by Alex soon!

This was by far the BEST book in this series! I did not even realize how much I loved it until I found myself daydreaming at work about how I needed to know what was going to happen! Nile and I have a love/hate relationship. She does a lot of things that make me facepalm. However, I greatly admire her courage and passion and loyalty towards her friends and country. Ughhh Domenic, I really want to like him but honestly I cannot stand him though he was starting to irritate me less towards the end! Catsper was always my favorite and I adore him. He is the strong silent friend that I would definitely want on my team in a war. And finally Kyra, the newcomer who I really like, there are definitely some times where she was incredibly ignorant and I wanted to shake some sense into her but she's adorable and I need to know everything about her. <br /><br />The relationship building was amazing and I need to know how it all goes down not to mention the impending battle that is going to be occurring. I need the next book already!!<br /><br />*ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

4.5

<strong>No book 4 yet? </strong><br /><br />I've really enjoyed this series combining pirates, magic and some great characters. Sad to see that there's no book 4 yet.

All I have to say is: Whyyy is book four not out yet? How long do I have to wait? I need it!<br />Another thrilling installment, introducing a great addition to the cast of characters as well as a new romance (both of which I quickly became a big fan of), which had me glued to the page all the way through. Though I would have loved to spend a little more time with Tam and Aaron, both of whom I adore, I can only assume we'll be seeing them again in future installments (of which I hope there will be several). I do believe this series is one of my favourite discoveries this year. Also, it must be said: As a fellow adherent of "the wine-drinking school of disaster management", this is now my new favourite phrase. <br />

I loved the first book in this series, but I feel conflicted about this one. A lot of the conflict between the characters in this third installment felt manufactured for the sake of dragging out the series rather than because there was a compelling story to tell. I still read through this VERY quickly. The author does a good job of keeping things moving fast. But about 80% of the way through I could tell that things were not going to wrap up this novel and many of the issues from the second novel (Nile’s role in the navy, her fraught relationship with a certain first mate) did not progress at all by the end of the book.