Ocean of Sin and Starlight by Karina Halle Review
Library of Angels Rating: 5 stars
On Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Publication Date: June 11, 2024
HEA: Yes
Version: Physical ARC Copy
“I am prepared to burn the oceans to get her back, even if that means losing her to the flames in the process.”
- Aragon, Ocean of Sin and Starlight
As a pisces, how could I not love a book involving mermaids? Add to that a witch…turned vampire priest…turned pirate? This is all very much up my alley.
This book can be read as a standalone, however it is apart of an already built world from A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle. I gave ASOBAT a whopping 5 star review because it was a transcending read for me. ASOBAT reignited my love for reading and living in the fantastical minds of talented authors. When I applied for the ARC of OSAS, I was in a book slump. This mirrored exactly the mood that I was in when I had originally picked up A Ship of Bones and Teeth. I was craving that indescribable feeling of falling head over heels for characters that you will never meet a day in your life. It is safe to say that I got exactly what I was looking for in an Ocean of Sin and Starlight.
Karina Halle has singlehandedly gotten me out of my book slumps for two years in a row. Now, that is talent. I will continue to seek the feeling that her books give me around every little nook and cranny of our bookish community. I just know that my heart lies in the hands of Karina Halle - no matter what she writes.
It’s so fullfilling to be able to write about a book with such gusto. The words of adoration just pour out of me with no thought to it. That’s how you know you’ve really found one of your favorite books ever. I was lucky enough to receive the physical ARC of Ocean of Sin and Starlight and I almost cried when I saw that email come through.
This story follows the journey of both Father Aragon and Larimar the siren. These two, while on two very different journeys still have monsters within that they need to tame. The question becomes whether or not they can do it together without losing site of their individuality in the process. This book changed me. I’m sure many of you are wondering how a book about pirates, and vampires, and mermaids could do that, but to that I say - read the book and find out!
Larimar and Father Aragon just do something to me. Aragon is such a tortured soul and has all these internal battles because he has a hard time reconciling all the different versions of himself. I feel like that battle is relatable. Sometimes you change and have no control over the emotions you have but one way or another you’re the one that has to deal with them. It took Aragon years to navigate, but in the end he got his ‘little fish’ back. I got the HEA I wanted and I’m sure it’ll be what you want too!
My favorite Spicy Scene?
Defnitely in Ch. 31. He’s tied up and pirate booty is involved. Pun intended!
Thank me after you read this. It was hawwwt!
Book Tropes:
💙dark fantasy
💙priest turned pirate
💙found family
💙Enemies to lovers to enemies again
💙Blood play
💙Morally grey hero and heroine
Note on the Trigger Warnings:
Karina Halle specifically states that there is on-page rape and that is true. While it is not perpetrated by and/or done to the MC’s it’s still there and did give my stomach a churn. If you are looking to skip that scene or avoid the chapter altogether, it can be found in ch. 28.
Read the content warnings/ trigger warnings of the book before reading this! Definitely prioritize your mental health if this is going to be too much for you.