Before I start, this is a review of the second and final book in the Stream Raiders duology, so please read the first book before you continue. It’s an amazing read, and lucky you, you won’t have long to wait to read the end if you start it now!
So, with that said, let’s get into this review! The riveting conclusion to These Rebel Waves is here, and man is it going to leave a mark when you’re finished with it. There’s a lot of pressure building into this explosive conflict, and I was definitely here for it. It’s a clash of magic and religion, and at the center of it are Ben, Lu, and Vex. There were teeth gnashing moments where anything can happen, and I think readers will devour it just as I did. I would also warn that if you are triggered by torture, this might not be the book for you.
We begin where These Rebel Waves left off, and that is with the capture of Ben and Lu, who are now Elazar’s prisoners, being forced to make a weapon to harness Grace Loray’s magic. Escape is inevitable, unless Lu becomes the person she never wanted to be again. Vex on the other hand, is free, but his shaking sickness is getting worse. However he throws himself into plotting the rebellion against Argrid, through the aid of the stream raider syndicates. Finally, Ben is determined to end his father’s rampage, but unfortunately, it seems he’s going to have to play the game his father’s way in order to win.
From the beginning of this second book, I felt like things were dire. Our beloved characters are in dire straits and it seems things are only going to get worse before they get better. Lu especially is facing some incredibly terrible things, and my heart went out to her. Despite all the trauma though, there is still a softness that I feel that Ms. Raasch managed to capture within her. She was forced to become something she was never meant to be from a young age, but when faced with the burden of having to don the role again, decides that she must embody the change that needs to happen in the world. Now, whether it’s for good or bad, I can’t say because of spoilers, but all I will say is that my heart went out to Lu.
Ben’s journey is also one that is rendered with hardship, and the conflict with his father is coming to a head. It’s from Ben’s perspective that I think readers get to see more of the internal religious struggle of a young man who’s lost his faith, but also understands how completely dismantling the system could have traumatic consequences. Of all the characters, he embodied the most caring spirit, in my opinion. I also felt like he had the softest of love interests, despite his rough exterior.
Vex certainly struggled with a lot of things, and because I would spoil the story if I talked about it more, I’ll stop here. However, I will say that I loved how his relationship with Edda and Nayeli was explored in depth. Edda’s especially felt heartwarming. I felt like his crew came off as rough raider’s ready to blow everything out of the water in the first book, but seeing this new side to them really helped round them out. I felt that Nayeli grew the most, and her relationship with Cansu definitely blossomed into a complicated romance.
With all the intense conflicts happening in this story, it’s hard to imagine the romance being anything else. And yet, the romances in this story provided this soft respite that I think readers need before they continue on this story of war. Each relationship is cultivated on equal terms (in my opinion), and they help each other grow and understand the world in a new perspective. I honestly wish there were some fan art out there because I am all for these relationships!
I felt that the pacing was good, although some readers might disagree with me. There’s a lot of density within the book that needs to be processed, and while I’m a reader that tends to process the whole of a book once I’ve finished it, some might need to set the book down to think about what they’ve read before they continue on. One thing that I did have trouble with, and sometimes had to go back and read again, was the perspective shifting. It’s not as clear as other books would be with a separate chapter, but it’s also like this in These Rebel Waves, so I wasn’t completely taken by surprise.
This book is a 9/10 for me. It’s an exceptional story, and a great end to this duology. I loved the characters and their journeys, although they could be a little hard to read at times. Like I said, if you’re easily triggered by torture, this might not be the book for you. However, if this doesn’t deter you, I encourage you to pick up this book. It’s such a great addition to any shelf, and I can’t wait for it to come out!
These Divided Shores is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
The thrilling sequel to These Rebel Waves—full of deadly magic, double crosses, and a revolution—from Sara Raasch, the bestselling author of the Snow Like Ashes series.
As a child, she committed unforgivable acts to free Grace Loray from King Elazar of Argrid. Now Elazar’s plan to retake the island has surpassed Lu’s darkest fears: he’s holding her and his son, Ben, captive in an endlessly shifting prison, forcing them to make a weapon that will guarantee Elazar’s success. Escape is impossible—unless Lu becomes the ruthless soldier she hoped never to be again.
Vex failed to save Lu and Ben—and that torments him as much as his Shaking Sickness. With the disease worsening, Vex throws himself into the rebellion against Argrid. The remaining free armies are allied with the stream raider syndicates—and getting them to cooperate will take a strength Vex thought burned on a pyre six years ago.
Imprisoned, betrayed, and heartbroken, Ben is determined to end his father’s rampage. Watching Elazar sway the minds of Grace Loray as he did those of Argrid, Ben knows he has to play his father’s game of devotion to win this war. But how can a heretic prince defeat the Pious God?
As armies clash and magic rises, Lu, Vex, and Ben will confront their pasts . . . or lose their futures forever.
