The Edge of the Abyss

Emily Skrutskie

Book 2 in the series:The Abyss Surrounds Us

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The Edge of the Abyss is a high-octane sequel in the series 'The Abyss Surrounds Us' by Emily Skrutskie. The book continues the story of Cas Leung as she navigates her complicated relationships with pirates, sea monsters, and the threats to the NeoPacific ecosystem. The plot is fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with sea battles, pirate politics, and intense romance. The writing style is engaging, with a mix of lightness, ridiculousness, and deeper themes of community and interdependence.

Characters:

Characters like Cas and Swift exhibit depth in their struggles and relationships, with Bao providing comic relief and emotional grounding.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is engaging and fast-paced, using first person present tense to immerse readers, although it sometimes lacks depth in emotional moments.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Cas's emotional struggles and the environmental threat posed by Reckoners, while she tries to navigate her complicated relationships and personal loyalties.

Setting:

The setting is an imaginative future populated by pirates and sea monsters, highlighting themes of interconnectedness among cultures.

Pacing:

The pacing generally maintains a fast tempo, but occasional slow moments can detract from the overall engagement.

Notes:

The Edge of the Abyss is a sequel to The Abyss Surrounds Us and must be read in order.

Cassandra, or Cas, decides to stay with the pirates even though it causes her grief.

Cas's emotional struggles primarily involve her relationship with Swift and the death of Durga, a sea monster she grew up with.

The crew of the Minnow discovers new deadly Reckoners, which they call Hellbeasts, that threaten the ocean ecosystem.

The relationship between Cas and Swift is complicated and filled with tension throughout the book.

Many readers felt frustrated with the romantic drama and tension between Cas and Swift.

Cas has to deal with her feelings of betrayal towards her family and her decision to stay with pirates.

Themes of community and interdependence play a significant role as the pirates and shore dwellers must work together against the Reckoner threat.

Santa Elena, the pirate captain, dies during the climax, which some readers felt was a random and unfortunate plot choice.

Bao, a baby sea monster, is a beloved character, representing a sweet and comedic element in the story.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include emotional manipulation, character death, and themes of betrayal.

Has Romance?

Romance is a significant focus in the book, particularly the complicated relationship between Cas and Swift.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

Three weeks have passed since Cassandra Leung pledged her allegiance to ruthless pirate-queen Santa Elena and set free Bao, the sea monster Reckoner she'd been forced to train. The days as a pirate trainee are long and grueling, but it's not the physical pain that Cas dreads most. It's being forced to work with Swift, the pirate girl who broke her heart. But Cas has even bigger problems when she discovers Boa is not the only a monster swimming free. Other Reckoners illegally sold to pirates have escaped their captors and are taking the NeoPacific by storm, attacking ships at random and ruining the ocean ecosystem. As a Reckoner trainer, Cas might be the only one who can stop them. But how can she take up arms against the creatures she used to care for and protect? Will Cas embrace the murky morals that life as a pirate brings or perish in the dark waters of the NeoPacific? The exciting sequel to The Abyss Surrounds Us.

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