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The Edge of the Abyss (The Abyss Surrounds Us #2) by Emily Skrutskie

Three weeks have passed since Cassandra Leung pledged her allegiance to the 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 that Bao is not the only 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 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?

Disclaimer: I received a copy free from the publishers via Netgalley is exchange for an honest review

The Edge of the Abyss by Emily Skrutskie follows the events in the previous books. Cassandra Leung has pledged her allegiance to the ruthless pirate queen Santa Elena, rather than return to the safety of her home. The Reckoner she was training, Bao, has been released free into the vast ocean. Cas is now training, she’s in the running to take over Santa Elena in being the captain of the ship. However, that is the least of her problems. The Neo-pacific and the whole eco-system is in danger. Bao isn’t the only Reckoner roaming free, there are many other illegal Reckoners sold to pirates that have escaped their captors and are wrecking havoc in the ocean. It’s up to Cas and her fellow crew members to stop it.

There are so many things I love about this duology. It is a futuristic science fiction book, a fantastic one at that. It has pirates! Sea monsters! A f/f romance! And just a lot of badass ladies.

The world building is fabulous as usual. I really liked the introduction of the pirate alliance and expansion of the pirate world, that was a really interesting aspect. This series is very action packed, which I also really enjoyed. Skrutskie has a really good writing style which makes this a very easy and quick, fun read.

I was a massive fan of Swift and Cassandra’s relationship in The Abyss Surrounds Us and I loved the further development in this instalment. They are truly a great power couple. In The Edge of the Abyss, there was a lot of conflict in their relationship between them following the revelation in the previous book, but also due to Santa Elena showing a lot more interest in Cas and her role in potentially taking over the ship. This led to some really surprising development with Swift. We find out what really motivates her. We explore her internal conflicts, her wants and wishes, and I really loved that.

Santa Elena is also another favourite of mine. She’s intelligent, brave, fearsome, manipulative, and ruthless – she’s a true pirate queen. I’m a little disappointed in how it all ends for her. The rest of the supporting cast were also great, which came as no surprise.

Overall, though, this is a great ending to a fantastic duology. A duology that I’ll forever be recommending.

I’ll definitely be reading more from Emily Skrutskie because I love her writing – I’m especially excited her next novel Hullmetal Girls, pitched as a YA Battlestar Galactica ‘in which two girls risk everything they have for new lives as mechanically enhanced soldiers; after a rebellion against the governing body forces dark secrets to the surface, the fate of the entire fleet is left in their hands.’ HOW AWESOME DOES THAT SOUND?!?

RATING: ★★★★☆