Queen Coralys, ruler of the Crocus Isles, kneels to no one. But when her kingdom is besieged by a terrible hurricane, killing her husband and destroying half her nation, she is forced to make a deal with the gods for salvation.

But the gods have a wicked sense of justice, and they demand payment for their help. Coralys must give up her titles and marry the first man to set foot on her pier: a poor, wounded fisherman with broad shoulders and dark power in his eyes.

Coralys keeps her promise and sets out with him in his dinghy, with only the hope of revenge against the gods to keep her from despair. But her new husband hides his own secrets: a link to the gods that may make him her enemy or her ally, and a mysterious list of impossible feats waiting to be crossed off. However, learning to trust each other will be their greatest challenge, because only together can they stop the enemies gathering at her kingdom's shores.

The Trident and the Pearl by Sarah K.L.Wilson is a gorgeous slow burn romance with an imaginative twist on how gods come into being. From the very dramatic beginning as Coralys tries to prevent the ruin of her islands and save her people, the gods grant her little justice. In Oke, she finds warmth but also pain, as she believes he is responsible for her people's suffering. The story ramps slowly until you see the escalation of the mystery and drama, the true nature of the gods and terrible choices left to Cora at the conclusion.

The story manages to be visceral and emotional, especially as Cora slowly learns the truth of Oke's nature and the gods. Her suffering in part is due to her lack of ability to change her people's path and their pain. And heartbreaking at the end of the book as both deal with loss and suffering, a powerful beginning to the narrative.

If you like powerful stories with a slow burn romance and complex characters, emotional narratives and terrible choices, this one is worth exploring, especially if you like Romantasy. The fantasy elements are well-written and so is the drama, with characters that will break your heart. I really can't wait for the next in the series.

Rating: 5 out of 5 tridents. ~~ Andrea Rittschof