The Pirate of Fathoms Deep (Tales of the High Court) Paperback – November 16, 2019

4.75 stars. The element missing, for me, is the sense made of the misconception, before the resolution. It was resolved because it was time to be resolved, and I was given too little reason to trust it would stick this time. Luckily, I enjoyed everything else.

!! HAS MINOR SPOILER AT END OF REVIEW !!I love The High King’s Golden Tongue (and The Heart of the Lost Star!), so naturally you would think I’d love this one.Unfortunately, no.I feel like the plot, in theory, is really good! It’s intriguing, has mystery and set up, and has a really good idea for a climax to the story.Along with that, the draft for the characters is interesting. Lesto, of course, is someone who has a lot of intrigue in Golden Tongue. You don’t get to see inside his mind and see what goes on within him.And Shemal is a pirate who is not afraid to do what his instinct tell him (like punching people he shouldn’t), but also is a bit more shy around many people and generally seems more introverted.Both good characters that can be well flushed out and given lots of story to!If only.I feel like this book is extremely rushed. I felt like we went from one plot point to another without getting to feel the characters and watch them just- go through stuff slowly instead of quickly.I felt like everything just moved so quickly like wow they already made up and holy shit they are having sex and suddenly the climax is happening and what the hell the book is ended?And looking at the other High Court books it shows that yes, it’s rushed and doesn’t have enough added to it other than bare plot. The other books have twice the amount, 400+ if I’m not mistaken, while this one is between 200 - 300 pages.And the characters unfortunately didn’t click with me. I love Lesto in every other book, but in this he just seems loud and yelling all the time and sometimes he becomes the guy from the first book but here I just can’t recognize him.And Shemal is interesting but isn’t given enough time to look at his character. He feels to shy and withheld to do the things he does in the book, if that makes sense.Allen is perfect I can’t deny that, I liked seeing him and everything felt in place!And his lovely husband is... interesting. I feel like the actions he did within the book are all in character, but it’s just something about the way it was written. It just feels off.Overall, I really feel like I would have loved this book if it was longer and had more time to grow and expand, not condensed into small moments.( MINOR SPOILER) But I feel like I should add something I did love about this book, and it is the inclusion of erasing stereotypes of “people with more dominant and in control personalities have to be the top.” Realizing that Lesto is the bottom made me blink and rub my eyes for a second, but I really liked it. My man is a bottom and he’s lovin it.2 / 5 Stars, will reread small parts that I like but probably won’t read at it as a whole for a while.

I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was about reading this book. Book one: The High King’s Golden Tongue was one of the best books I’ve ever read so when book two, The Pirate of Fathoms Deep, came out I had to read it immediately.We finally get to read High Commander Lesto Arseni’s story with his pirate lover Shemal! We saw them in the first book and we were left wanting to know what was to come of their hot, but fleeting, affair! Well, we do. Time has gone by and their face to face after all this time isn’t perfect. Lesto is dropped on Shemal’s doorstep by halfwit kidnappers thinking he’ll help them. Shemal is on the straight and narrow and has been pining for Lesto. He immediately chooses to help him.This was a very rich man poor man trope which is a top favorite for me. I LOVED how Lesto wanted to shower Shemal with all the things. Shemal having a hard time understand why Lesto would want someone like him was utterly heartbreaking. It made Lesto have to work harder.Megan Derr is an exceptional writer, one of the best in this genre without a doubt. I’ve yet to read a book of hers that hasn’t blown me away. Her creativity is vast and her writing is breathtaking. Red this book… read book one first but then read this! All the WOWS!

I really LOVE THIS SERIES.... I can never say this enough. You really need to start with book one and read the hole series from start to current and I cant wait for book 4. In this one Lesto get his pirate. And Shemal is o e of my absolute favorite characters.. your just going to fall in love with these too and wish the book would never end. This is DEFINITELY A MUST READ. Out of the hole series this is my favorite book so far. And I love how true Lesto is the the family moto " the only way to stop an Arseni is to bury them fathoms deep." I just Love that.Also I just Love how Shemal and all the Islanders talk really. "My mother insists I've wasted most of it. But the ocean has patterns that no one Els can see, and everything washes ashore precisely where she intends."This book really is a MUST READ....

After reading "The High King's Golden Tongue' of course I had to read its sequel, while this one's story progression doesn't play out quite as smoothly as its predecessor it honestly works because the characters are so strange and uneven themselves that the tale probably wouldn't have worked out any other way!I hope that someday Megan Derr sees fit to give us the story of the twins and Sarrica's kids wreaking havoc upon the empire since considering their parents its surely their destiny, although I wonder if Bellan and Nyla won't wind up with another sibling or two in the future given that Allen apparently seems to get along wonderfully with children... who knows what could happen but I will say that I for one am in a state of pure anguish waiting for the next book to see how Jadar's story will play out and continue to add to this enthralling world!

How can you not love pirates? Shemal is the sweetest pirate I have ever read about, and he doesn’t even want to be a pirate anymore. While I usually prefer a slow burn, I actually liked the way Lesto and Shemal met and, uh, got together. Their banter was amusing, and I enjoyed seeing how their relationship blossomed. Lesto is a hard-assed soldier, but he has a big heart (much like Sarrica). I found the story engaging, and I love Megan Derr, so her name alone drew me to this series. If you read the High King’s Golden Tongue, definitely read Pirate of Fathoms Deep. You will not be disappointed.

I would have enjoyed the book more if had been a bit longer with more plot twists, but maybe I'm just greedy.

Absolutely loved this one and is a worthy instalment in the series. It was great to see so much of Lesto in book one and he just got better and better through book 2. We also see more of his and Sarrica's interactions, which I loved.The relationship development, whilst long in time (given the gap after the end of book one) was relatively quick in feeling, but this was written brilliantly, and instead of feeling any sort of insta-love, it felt real and honest and just... right.I really loved the epilogue, which had me grinning in glee, and can't wait now for book three :) although this one (like book one) holds a worthy place on my favourite shelf.

I really love Megan Derr's books and this one is no exception. The story is about the High Kings second in command Lesto and his pirate Shemal. Lesto is kidnapped and lands on ex pirate Shemal's doorstep, they both escape before the kidnappers return and find themselves in all sorts of trouble. The two men want to be with each other but Shemal feels he is to lowly for Lesto as he is an islander and an ex criminal. Can Lesto show Shemal that he is worthy and will Shemal believe him. It's a great story although not as good as The High Kings Golden Tongue which has to be read first so the reader understands the many characters from book 1. Recommended

Firstly I love Ms Derr's work, I've reread High King's Golden Tongue many times. I was looking forward to this one. Honestly? I liked it but didn't love it. I'm not 100% sure I can put my finger on why it wasn't as good as the first, but there is something lacking in it. I loved Lesto in book 1 and love him here, the storyline worked, Shemal was good but it wasn't as good as book one. Still looking forward to book 3 though :)

I Love megan Derr's books. Love them but this and book 1 ( golden toungue) have to be my favourites over all. Such a good story line, totally get into the world and love the characters. I so hope there will be more in this series, I see a book 3 for next year but cant wait!!!!!!

a brilliant read. fast paced and gripping. it's a stand alone story but references the first book in the series. i enjoyed it. extremely well written.