Today is the 26th. To some of you it’s Boxing Day. To the rest of you it’s just the day after Christmas. But for author Sharon Rose, today is release day for her newest book To Stream an Ocean. This is the third book in her Arts of Substance series. Each book focuses on a different elemental gift. Book one was earth, two was air, now it’s water’s turn.
About the Book:
Quakes spread from the ocean floor. A small matter compared to corruption among the gifted, empty royal coffers, and regicide. Long live the new king.
Ambassador Danivid, the deceased king’s brother, is recalled from Dirklan Province to take on the role he never wanted. The kingdom’s shifting beliefs make it all the harder. Machines have reduced the need for the streaming and forming gifts that people once relied on. A new constitution has redefined the role of the monarchy and the guilds. Yet, amid rising prosperity, something is going terribly wrong. What had the previous king discovered before his sudden death?
As the crown is placed on Danivid’s head, a quake shakes the capital city—as ominous as the realization that his brother was murdered. An attempt on his life follows. Corruption, theft, and murder plague the kingdom. Quakes continue, and volcanic plumes roil the ocean. Danivid is the only streamer who pays attention. What a kingdom to be saddled with!
A neighboring country has gone silent and now provides a steady flow of a supposedly harmless drug, which is anything but. Danivid sends an ambassador to discover what is happening. She is warmly welcomed, and the neighbor’s ambassador, Trellian, is appointed to accompany her home. Yet someone is determined to kill them en route. They survive only because Trellian is no ordinary ambassador.
In Danivid’s palace, Trellian discovers a plot more devious than simple murder of the king. As they close in on suspects, the volcano and ocean rise to fulfill their warnings. No former or streamer is prepared—except King Danivid. But how can one man stream an entire ocean and survive? Especially when some don’t want him to live.
To Stream an Ocean is the third novel in the ARTS OF SUBSTANCE trilogy. These stories merge the excitement of epic fantasy with the camaraderie of cozy fantasy. Each stand-alone novel explores one of the world’s three substance gifts: forming, wind weaving, and streaming. With every ability comes risk. The gifts are neither easy nor safe. Who has the courage and wit to use their gift well? And at what cost?
Join the adventure.
A note about reading order: The books of this trilogy can be enjoyed in any order. There are some minor spoilers in novels 2 and 3, but they won’t ruin your enjoyment of earlier novels if you read out of order.
To Stream an Ocean – Novel 3
To Weave the Wind – Novel 2
To Form a Passage – Novel 1
Other markets (including audiobook)
My Review:
To Stream an Ocean is the third book in the Arts of Substance series. I do recommend reading them in order as there are references to the previous stories. But each novel is separated by many years and feature original characters so they each stand strong on their own.
This novel is about drugs. Nothing gritty, everything in this novel is clean and safe for teen readers. It’s more about the dangers of addiction and the problems inherent in a trade that preys on people’s poor decisions. The crime that crops up around these substances and the lives that fall apart through the use of said substances.
At the same time this novel is also oddly cozy. For all the high stakes and the political maneuverings there is a cozy wholesomeness to the character interactions. The faith of these characters is so strong that at no point is a good outcome ever in question.
Danivid especially is a strong main character. He has doubts, yes, but he doesn’t let those doubts stop him from investigating his brother’s death or fighting to end the drug trade that his brother desired to put a stop to.
The best part is how Rose uses her element based power system to add to and elevate what could have easily been a mundane feeling plot. The world building is where this book really shines. The substance arts are much more than a magic system they shape everything about Welsia; it’s religion, politics and, economy all rely on these abilities. The gifts are an ingrained part of the world and make this book a truly engaging read.
All told To Stream an Ocean is a solid mystery, a fun fantasy with elemental powers and a thoughtful exploration of how using anything but God’s grace to obtain bliss can lead anyone down the wrong path.
Author bio:
Sharon Rose has been weaving stories since her second-grade masterpiece, titled My Life as a Flying Squirrel. No publisher snatched it up, but her classmates loved it.
After creating home and family, Sharon pursued her dream of creating stories for people like you. To date, she has published eleven books, with more in the works. She writes fantasy and science fiction because they offer vast spaces to explore the realities that we all face. Her stories blend cultures and characters into adventures with mystery, romance, and hope.
When not writing or reading, Sharon may be traveling, enjoying gardens, or searching for unique coffee shops with her husband. She lives in Minnesota, USA, famed for its 10,000 lakes and vibrant seasons.
Website: SharonRoseAuthor.com
Other places to follow Sharon Rose:
C. O. Bonham 