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Title details for Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland - Available

Running Close to the Wind

by Alexandra Rowland
Casey Jones
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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For fans of Our Flag Means Death, discover low fantasy on the high seas in Alexandra Rowland's Running Close to the Wind.
Avra Helvaçi, former field agent of the Arasti Ministry of Intelligence, has accidentally stolen the single most expensive secret in the world—and the only place to flee with a secret that big is the open sea.
To find a buyer with deep enough pockets, Avra must ask for help from his on again, off-again ex, the pirate captain Teveri az-Haffar. They are far from happy to see him, but together, they hatch a plan: take the information to the isolated pirate republic of the Isles of Lost Souls, fence it, profit. The only things in their way? A calculating new Arasti ambassador to the Isles of Lost Souls who's got his eyes on Avra's every move; Brother Julian, a beautiful, mysterious new member of the crew with secrets of his own and a frankly inconvenient vow of celibacy; the fact that they're sailing straight into sea serpent breeding season and almost certain doom.
But if they can find a way to survive and sell the secret on the black market, they'll all be as wealthy as kings—and, more important, they'll be legends.
"Come for the irrepressible gremlin of a narrator, stay for the plot-relevant cake competitions! A whip-smart, hilarious, and exuberant high seas romp."—Freya Marske, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Marvellous Light

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    June 11, 2024

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9798892730648
      • File size: 426740 KB
      • Duration: 14:49:02

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      April 15, 2024
      This humorous if dense pirate fantasy adventure marks another ambitious outing from Rowland (A Taste of Gold and Iron). Avra Helvaçi, an agent with the nation of Araşt’s Ministry of Intelligence, stumbles upon, then absconds with, coveted classified information he believes explains how Araşti ships avoid the swarms of mating sea serpents that keep rival ships ashore for weeks every year. He brings the information to his best frenemy and sometime lover, Teveri az-Ḥaffār, captain of The Running Sun, and their new crew member Julian, who would be the perfect person to decipher the information Avra stole, except he’s so attractive Avra immediately distrusts him. With serpent season approaching, the unlikely trio must work together to fence the pilfered intel without putting themselves in further danger. The characters and the world they inhabit are developed in striking detail, though extended descriptions, along with the protagonists’ many quirks, occasionally drag the pace down to a crawl in the first act. However, many trivial elements become important later on, meaning readers who stick with this will be richly rewarded. Fans of Our Flag Means Death will want to check it out.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This raucous story's unabashedly lusty queer pirates--particularly the eccentric Avra Helvai--are brought to life in Casey Jones's committed narration. Avra isn't exactly welcomed by Captain Teveri az-Haffar's crew, but he brings stolen government secrets and a string of good luck with him that the crew is glad to take aboard. When they set sail to sell the secrets, they encounter deadly serpents, a mysterious (and seriously good-looking) monk, and an ambassador who is out for their heads. Avra contends with his impulsive desires among a crowd of sexy seafarers. Jones's performance of the sweet but exasperating Avra is especially impressive: Listeners won't know whether to love or be annoyed by Avra--but they'll no doubt want to join the swashbuckling fun. A.A.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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