Nomads of the Sea by Coby Zucker

The oldest child in his family, Sig, will take over as the head of his diplomatic family. When the Lyssans are asked to assist the Mangaal in rooting out the traitors among them, he feels underappreciated because he is forced to spy on dissenters there.

Idalia’s mother, who serves as the Lyssan queen’s head physician, has dispatched her to the Nisi Archipelago. She is a doctor and a scholar, and when she saves a young boy’s leg, the Mangaal people recognise her value right away.

I was sucked in by the time I got to the prologue’s conclusion. The final line of the prologue had me literally snort; the sarcastic assessment was delivered with such dry humour that I was left wanting more. The fact that Zucker is only 24 years old and that this is his debut album was also difficult for me to accept.

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His writing is so polished, so carefully produced, and so well-articulated that it betrays his young. It is absolutely incredible and nothing less than a fantastic feat that he wrote this 900+ page epic contribution in just four months when the Covid-19 ban was in effect.

Any reader who enjoys an epic fantasy as well as those who enjoy the sea, boats, combat, and perhaps even piracy should read Nomads of the Sea, in my opinion. Even if you’re not a lover of the genre, I still think you should read this outstanding book because Zucker clearly put his heart and soul into it, and it’s beautifully written.

Well done, Mr. Zucker. I’m eager to hear more about the Fishgut Guard.

About The Book

In the Nisi Archipelago, a civil war festers. Zealous insurgents burn villages across the islands in an effort to return the Mangaal people to the sea and free themselves of their Lyssan overlords.

Sig of the Midandaal, the son of a diplomat, must combat the growing threat. As he stamps down the rebellion, he quickly finds his talent for bloodshed surpassing his talent for peace.

Idalia Goss is attached to the Lyssan company that has been sent to aid the loyalists. The daughter of a renowned physician and arcane scholar, her task is to learn more about the Mangaal mages, who far outstrip the mainland sorcerers. Her efforts are hindered by the dark reputation of her predecessors.

Back on Lyssa, Bryn Urien, the Inferno of Mochan Pass, has lost his spark. Once, as the foremost mage of the royal army, he slew indiscriminately in the name of his queen. Now, he finds himself enfeebled and on the run. Witness the beginnings of the storied band of soldiers who came to be known as the Fishgut Guard.