The Sea Spinner by Julie Johnson
Reign of Remnants #2
Fantasy Romance
April 28, 2026- Ace

Review by Angela

I was a little on the fence about continuing this series. The first book was just so-so for me, as I really, REALLY did not care for the male main character and his attitude toward the heroine. If he was the love interest, I wasn’t sure I could believe in any kind of HEA. You can read my review for The Wind Weaver here. I even mentioned that there was another character who I would rather see end up with Rhya. Well, I’m here to tell you I am SO glad I decided to give The Sea Spinner a try, because this book is fantastic. This is the second series I’ve read in the last two years where the sophomore release was better than the first book in the series, which always surprises me in the best ways.

The Sea Spinner picks up soon after the events where The Wind Weaver left off- Caeldera lies broken, in ruins after the battle of Fyremas. Rhya is deep in mourning and Penn is grieving and angry and keeps himself apart from Rhya. I mean he hasn’t ever been the communicative partner that Rhya needed, but now he’s almost completely standoffish, running all over his kingdom trying to keep it safe, but never letting her know his whereabouts or thoughts. Rhya is doing her best, helping the healers and trying to be strong for her friends. But eventually her relationship with Penn comes to a head when he finally gives her some insight about his feelings toward her and her role in the battle of Fyremas.

So, in a moment of despair, hoping to escape, she runs into a portal gate, and ends up in the Water Court, where Soren is King.

Oh, yes. I like this turn of events. I like it very, very much.

I mean I guess I should have put two and two together with the title of the book that Soren would play a major part in this second installment. Rhya’s character grows by leaps and bounds while under Soren’s tutorship and attention. He communicates, he helps her grow in her magic, he believes in her and her air power. He may keep his feelings under wraps while around her, but as a reader you KNOW he has them and they are intense. This is the kind of slow burn romantic relationship that I love and that Rhya deserves. The differences between Penn and Soren are like night and day, and I was cheering Rhya on as she slowly came to the realization that her affections had shifted.

While there are some action and fight scenes in the middle part of the book, it’s mostly Rhya and Soren training and Rhya learning to control her air magic, while making friends in her temporary home and getting healthy. The last 25% or so is one gut punch after another, and I was absolutely riveted to the page. When I tell you, I was not ready for the cliffhanger and was in absolute despair that I would have to wait another year or so to see what happens next.

There are so many romantasy offerings out there for readers nowadays, and if you love a spicy romance, you may be disappointed, but this series has creative worldbuilding, a unique magic system, a full cast of fleshed out secondary characters, and a strong female main character. If the plot arc is going where I think it is going, I’m beyond excited for book three and it will definitely be on my most anticipated list for next year.

Final grade- A