"The Captain & the Guppy" Signed Paperback Bundle or Paperback
"The Captain & the Guppy" Signed Paperback Bundle or Paperback
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The Captain and the Guppy: A Lusefell Novella
In the underground city of Pirn, Cedric, the enigmatic second- in-command of the feared pirate ship The Waning Moon, oversees an orphanage that provides refuge to the city's most vulnerable. Captain Hawke, the legendary Warden of the Seas, is known for his strength, cunning, and love for those in his charge. As tensions between them simmer beneath the surface, a deeper bond is tested when Hawke returns home wounded and weary, leaving Cedric to question their place at Hawke’s side.
- Bundle Includes:
- Signed paperback (6x9)
- Bookmark & Sketch Print
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4.5 stars. This was a short and sweet look into the world of Lusefell. Hawke (the captain - an Ifreann, sort of like a tiefling) and Cedric (the guppy - a human) were endearing characters and seeing these little snippets of them has intrigued me enough to read the main series. There was, however, an info dump at the beginning of the novella and also one at the end after a sneak peek into the main series was given. While I found the worldbuilding interesting, it was a lot at once and I have forgotten most of it. Loved the character art of Hawke and Cedric.
This novella is not without its stumbling blocks and may not appeal to everyone. The opening chapter, felt overwhelming due to the sheer volume of information presented. The sporadic use of bold text, intended as a stylistic choice, frequently disrupted my reading experience, save for the proper nouns like names of buildings and ships. Also, the non-linear structure, with its jumps in time, created narrative gaps that some may find frustrating, though I personally didn't mind them.
So despite these flaws, I found myself drawn to this story. The prose possesses a quality reminiscent of an ancient tale, and the author has a talent for creating an immersive world, even when its intricacies become overwhelming. (Perhaps I should have skipped the glossary; as I don't think an understanding of the whole mythology is essential for enjoying the novella.) That being said, I would love to read further installments within this setting. The other aspect I really loved is that the MCs' friendship and affection are rendered with sincerity :). I was pleased to see them achieve their HEA, even if the ending left me wanting for more of their shared moments.