Nineteen-year-old Marina, reeling from the loss of her parents, is swept from Earth into the war-torn, magic-laden realm of Elsudra, where she must confront her grief and unravel her connection to a powerful force called the Omnia. Blending high fantasy with sci-fi elements, the story explores themes of agency, found family, and healing, subverting the "chosen one" trope while centering aroace and neurodivergent representation in a richly layered, emotionally resonant narrative.

Reader Review Summary

This omnibus edition collects both books of the 'Of the Sun and Sea' series, presenting a complete narrative that blends high fantasy, epic fantasy, and elements of science fiction. The story follows nineteen-year-old Marina Oliver, who, after losing her parents in an accident, is drawn into the war-torn realm of Elsudra through a supernatural event linked to the ocean. In Elsudra, she becomes entangled with the Omnia, a source of magic that has chosen her, or as the plot later reveals, that she has chosen herself. The narrative explores themes of grief, mental health, agency, and the tension between destiny and free will, with a focus on Marina’s internal struggles and gradual transformation. The worldbuilding is extensive, featuring a detailed magic system based on the metaphors of soul and nature, a complex political landscape, and a cast of characters including both allies and antagonists, such as Aeric, Pierce, Ryder, Safira, and Kieron. The duology is structured as two books within one volume, with illustrations interspersed throughout, and is characterized by deliberate pacing, intricate plotting, and a focus on character development and thematic depth.

Readers consistently praised the book’s character work, especially Marina’s arc from a grief-stricken, reluctant protagonist to someone who reclaims agency and self-worth. The supporting cast was noted for being complex and memorable, with particular mention of Aeric, Pierce, Ryder, and the antagonist Kieron. The magic system, which ties personal essence to elements and explores the ethical boundaries of power, was highlighted as both nuanced and integral to the story’s themes. Many appreciated the subversion of the chosen one trope, especially the twist that reframes Marina’s role as an act of agency rather than fate. The book’s handling of mental health, grief, and neurodivergence was frequently cited as realistic and resonant. The inclusion of LGBTQIA+ representation, particularly an aroace protagonist and queer side characters, was also positively received. Readers valued the emphasis on found family and platonic relationships over romance, the careful foreshadowing, and the emotional impact of key scenes, including several plot twists and the bittersweet ending. The illustrations and the dual-book structure were seen as enhancing the reading experience.

Some readers found the book’s complexity and density to be challenging, particularly due to the extensive worldbuilding, intricate lore, and the blending of high fantasy with science fiction elements. The pacing was described as slow or deliberate, especially in the early chapters, with a significant amount of exposition, information to retain, and detailed explanations of rituals, magic, and history. A few readers felt that the narrative could be overwhelming or intimidating, requiring deep involvement and attention to detail. There were comments about the story being heavy on introspection and internal monologue, which some felt slowed the plot. One review noted that the side characters felt surface-level compared to Marina, and that the exposition and info-dumping detracted from immersion. The lack of romance for the main character was mentioned as a potential drawback for readers who prefer romantic subplots. Some readers who preferred urban or low fantasy found the high fantasy and sci-fi blend less accessible.

The book is positioned as new adult fantasy with literary elements, and includes mature themes such as war, trauma, and political commentary. The narrative structure allows for a seamless transition between the two books, with the second part building on and resolving threads from the first. The story incorporates elements of portal fantasy, dystopia, and even horror, particularly in the depiction of the ruemin, otherworldly antagonists. The book’s approach to magic, time, and space involves philosophical and metaphysical questions, and the plot is noted for its careful foreshadowing and full-circle resolutions. The physical edition features illustrations by the same artist as the author’s previous works. The average reader rating is 4.52 out of 5, with 50 ratings and 39 full reviews, and the book has received recognition such as the IndieReader Discovery Award for New Adult fiction.