Rating: 4.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Life is changing in the small island village where Robin Shipp and his fiancé, Edwin Farriner, live and many of those changes are beyond their control. Despite surviving the battle on BlackRabbit Island, Robin finds his hand hasn’t healed as it should. Now, he’s struggling to manage his work as a fisherman. He can’t imagine doing anything else, even though a recent job opportunity has presented itself. On top of that, his brother Vince has arrived, half dead, and claims their father, long thought dead, is actually alive.
Leaving Vince under the care of Edwin and their trusted friend, Duncan Hunger, Robin sets off in his beloved Bucca’s Call to find his father, who has become a pirate. The journey is a dangerous one and it leaves Edwin desperately worrying after the man he loves. The closely knit world of Merryapple finds itself confronted by birth, death, love, and loss. At the center of it all are Robin and Edwin, struggling to stay afloat amidst a chaotic sea.
We Cry The Sea is the third in the Moth and Moon series and really these need to be read in order to appreciate them fully. I accidentally skipped the second book and while I was already familiar the characters from the original novel, I spent a few chapters of We Cry The Sea playing catch up. So save yourself some confusion and enjoy the series from the start with The Moth and Moon.
When I initially read The Moth and Moon, I was captivated by the author’s rich voice and a set of characters who were rendered beautifully and with genuine humanity. We Cry the Sea left me somewhat … disappointed. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s still a well-written book, with a strong plot and vibrant characters. But it also reads as somewhat ordinary. The profound aspects that made the first book so powerful don’t really come through with We Cry the Sea. Instead, this book is like visiting with old friends; it’s comfortable and enjoyable, if slightly predictable. But there are still moments in We Cry the Sea that took my breath away, with turns of phrase or descriptions that were truly wonderful.
Robin and Edwin’s relationship has slowly evolved and, while they’re technically affianced, it seems clear they’re already married in mind and body, if not by law. Yet we don’t get to spend much time with them as a couple because events keep them apart for most of the novel. Robin’s decision to pursue his father was in character, but the resolution of the situation read as a bit flat and pretty predictable. We find Duncan involved in with two men and one of his suitors, Nick Babbage, didn’t feel well developed and it stood out, especially in a series known for its memorable characters. I never really understood why Duncan was intrigued by Nick or why they would work as a couple.
Despite the fact that We Cry the Sea slightly underwhelmed when compared to the initial book in the series, I found it a soothing and engaging read. The author has really created a world with The Moth and Moon that you can step into and feel a part of. So if you’re already a fan, then you’ll likely enjoy We Cry the Sea and I certainly recommend the entire series.
