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Compass Rose #1
Compass Rose
In the year 2513, the only thing higher than the seas is what’s at stake for those who sail them. Rose was born facing due north, with an inherent perception of cardinal points flowing through her veins. Her uncanny sense of direction earns her a coveted place among the Archipelago Fleet elite, but it also attracts the attention of Admiral Comita, who sends her on a secret mission deep into pirate territory. Accompanied by a ragtag crew of mercenaries and under the command of Miranda, a captain as bloodthirsty as she is alluring, Rose discovers the hard way that even the best sense of direction won’t be enough to keep her alive if she can’t learn to navigate something far more dangerous than the turbulent seas. Aboard the mercenary ship, Man o’ War, Rose learns quickly that trusting the wrong person can get you killed—and Miranda’s crew have no intention of making things easy for her—especially Miranda’s trusted first mate, Orca, who is as stubborn as she is brutal.
375 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2018
135 people are currently reading
8104 people want to read
About the author
Anna Burke
8 books1,061 followersAnna Burke enjoys all things nautical and generally prefers animals to people. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found walking in the woods with her dogs or drinking too much tea, which she prefers hot and strong—just like her protagonists.
She lives in Massachusetts with her wife, dogs, and too many houseplants. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College, where she now teaches in their Popular Fiction MFA program. She is also the Director of Education for the Golden Crown Literary Society.
You can follow her on Twitter @annaburkeauthor.
She lives in Massachusetts with her wife, dogs, and too many houseplants. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College, where she now teaches in their Popular Fiction MFA program. She is also the Director of Education for the Golden Crown Literary Society.
You can follow her on Twitter @annaburkeauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
August 8, 2018
I vacillated between five and three stars as I read and ultimately land in the high threes, rounding up to four stars.
The book focuses on a Waterworld like setting five hundred years into the future after global warming wreaks havoc on the Earth and destroys civilization as we know it. I wouldn't call this sci-fi since technology seems almost non-existent but it's certainly dystopian. And it falls into paranormal since our lead is a human compass, literally. She's somehow tapped into the Earth's magnetic field so she always knows direction down to coordinates and can detect currents, storms, and other anomalies in the ocean water.
A reader may like this book depending on what they're looking for. If you want a tale full of pirates and action and adventure in a dystopian society, this has it. The narrative is definitely unique and, for experience, it closely resembles a film script for an action movie. For romance, eh. We do get f/f relationships and fluid sexuality but I found the actual main relationship to be unsatisfying.
The first 40% of the book I was really into it but the further I read I started wondering, "Wait, what's their objective again?" There's so much build up and various adventures that I got lost on the big picture sometimes.
As for characters, the supporting cast was done particularly well. For our lead, she's quite fallible and not the strongest character. Her value comes from her innate ability as a navigator and her learning to come into her own. I liked her pretty well but I didn't care for her as much when it came to the love relationship.
And that brings me to the mercenary captain, Miranda. She's supposed to be hardcore and in some ways she is and other ways not. I think I wanted someone *hard* hard like an evil villain who happens to be doing something good. I can't put my finger on what it was but she came across as more of a two-dimensional character and we spend a lot of time away from her. More of her in just about every way would've been great.
So, let's talk about the romance. There is some chemistry between Rose and Miranda but it feels pretty superficial. They don't get to spend a lot of time together and there's definitely a power imbalance. In fact, Rose has more interactions and just as much chemistry (if not more) with Orca, Miranda's first mate on the ship. And for those that hate the dreaded breakup, we get one. Argh. If you want to sell me on a romance I need the participants to really get into each other, not warble.
For those listening, as a reader of much lesfic, the breakup after just getting together trope is really tired at this point. Why can't we have our leads *want* to be together? In this case, I could just as easily see them wanting to stay together and *that* being the bone of contention when one realizes they have to do separate missions.
And, for those who care, there is no explicit sex and I don't recall any swearing unless you count "Neptune's balls!". Though the book can be exciting it is fairly mild in those respects. Compass Rose, our lead, is also black and the cast is a mix of ethnicities.
I really enjoyed all of the action and the cast of characters of the read not to mention the really unique story premise. This stands out as a book with a really fresh setting and a protagonist with an unheard of ability.
This is a debut novel and Anna Burke is the first recipient of the Sandra Moran writing scholarship so kudos to her.
I think the read is definitely worth checking out. Just know it has some pitfalls in the romance department.
The book focuses on a Waterworld like setting five hundred years into the future after global warming wreaks havoc on the Earth and destroys civilization as we know it. I wouldn't call this sci-fi since technology seems almost non-existent but it's certainly dystopian. And it falls into paranormal since our lead is a human compass, literally. She's somehow tapped into the Earth's magnetic field so she always knows direction down to coordinates and can detect currents, storms, and other anomalies in the ocean water.
A reader may like this book depending on what they're looking for. If you want a tale full of pirates and action and adventure in a dystopian society, this has it. The narrative is definitely unique and, for experience, it closely resembles a film script for an action movie. For romance, eh. We do get f/f relationships and fluid sexuality but I found the actual main relationship to be unsatisfying.
The first 40% of the book I was really into it but the further I read I started wondering, "Wait, what's their objective again?" There's so much build up and various adventures that I got lost on the big picture sometimes.
As for characters, the supporting cast was done particularly well. For our lead, she's quite fallible and not the strongest character. Her value comes from her innate ability as a navigator and her learning to come into her own. I liked her pretty well but I didn't care for her as much when it came to the love relationship.
And that brings me to the mercenary captain, Miranda. She's supposed to be hardcore and in some ways she is and other ways not. I think I wanted someone *hard* hard like an evil villain who happens to be doing something good. I can't put my finger on what it was but she came across as more of a two-dimensional character and we spend a lot of time away from her. More of her in just about every way would've been great.
So, let's talk about the romance. There is some chemistry between Rose and Miranda but it feels pretty superficial. They don't get to spend a lot of time together and there's definitely a power imbalance. In fact, Rose has more interactions and just as much chemistry (if not more) with Orca, Miranda's first mate on the ship. And for those that hate the dreaded breakup, we get one. Argh. If you want to sell me on a romance I need the participants to really get into each other, not warble.
For those listening, as a reader of much lesfic, the breakup after just getting together trope is really tired at this point. Why can't we have our leads *want* to be together? In this case, I could just as easily see them wanting to stay together and *that* being the bone of contention when one realizes they have to do separate missions.
And, for those who care, there is no explicit sex and I don't recall any swearing unless you count "Neptune's balls!". Though the book can be exciting it is fairly mild in those respects. Compass Rose, our lead, is also black and the cast is a mix of ethnicities.
I really enjoyed all of the action and the cast of characters of the read not to mention the really unique story premise. This stands out as a book with a really fresh setting and a protagonist with an unheard of ability.
This is a debut novel and Anna Burke is the first recipient of the Sandra Moran writing scholarship so kudos to her.
I think the read is definitely worth checking out. Just know it has some pitfalls in the romance department.
July 8, 2021
I love reading because stories allow me to feel things I haven’t always been able to let myself feel in real life. When I read, I feel what the characters feel, provided they’re written well. And man, did this book make me feel… Don’t expect warm and comforting from Anna Burke. When she says she loves to torture her characters, she is not kidding. She does it with such beautiful talent that I can’t even be mad at her. Compass Rose is her debut novel, the inaugural recipient of the Sandra Moran Scholarship, and one of the books I missed when they were first released. With the sequel, Sea Wolf, coming out on the 27th of July, time had come for me to finally read it.
Compass Rose was born facing due north, hence her name. Gifted with an unerring sense of direction, she’s an invaluable navigator. When Admiral Comita of the Archipelago Fleet, who is also Rose’s best friend’s mother, sends her on a very secret mission with mercenaries, Rose isn’t prepared for what she’ll discover nor for the people she’ll meet and even less for how strongly she’ll come to feel about them even as everything she holds true comes apart.
I’m sure I would have loved this book just as much if I’d read it when it came out, but right now, over a year in a pandemic, with almost non-stop rain in some parts of Europe and deadly heatwaves around the world, gives climate fiction an even more acutely realistic feel, even with pirates and krakens and legendary queens.
I could write endlessly about the characters but I won’t. They’re complex and I won’t spoil even one layer. One word though: isn’t reluctant chemistry hot? When you know you shouldn’t be attracted to that person but can’t help it? Yes.
I won’t get much more into the world-building. It’s efficient and plausible and manages to be so without too many details that would slow the action down.
I will, however, praise the writing. I’m French. We’re very proud of our beautiful language, which we believe, arrogant that we are, is richer and more complex than, say, English. The reason I review in English stems from this idea that it’s easier, that mistakes (grammar, spelling, punctuation…) aren’t as heavy, that they don’t have the same consequences. Maybe it’s only a feeling, maybe it’s true. Many books I read use pretty basic vocabulary, which makes them all the more accessible. Once in a while, however, a book will remind me that there are many more words in English, and that it’s possible to write a story that is easy to read and beautifully written at the same time. E. J. Noyes’ Ask, Tell is one of these. Caren J. Werlinger’s books. Elna Holst’s. I’m adding Compass Rose to the list. I’m not saying all the other books I have reviewed so far aren’t good or well-written, there are many ways to tell a story. I’m pretty sure that if I ever write a book, it will fall in that category, the less literary one. Some books, however, bring another layer to the pleasure of reading. This is one of them.
This book has everything: action, romance, politics, angst and lust and longing, pirates and villains, danger, betrayal, and, most of all, kickass characters who will keep you on your toes.
Compass Rose was born facing due north, hence her name. Gifted with an unerring sense of direction, she’s an invaluable navigator. When Admiral Comita of the Archipelago Fleet, who is also Rose’s best friend’s mother, sends her on a very secret mission with mercenaries, Rose isn’t prepared for what she’ll discover nor for the people she’ll meet and even less for how strongly she’ll come to feel about them even as everything she holds true comes apart.
I’m sure I would have loved this book just as much if I’d read it when it came out, but right now, over a year in a pandemic, with almost non-stop rain in some parts of Europe and deadly heatwaves around the world, gives climate fiction an even more acutely realistic feel, even with pirates and krakens and legendary queens.
I could write endlessly about the characters but I won’t. They’re complex and I won’t spoil even one layer. One word though: isn’t reluctant chemistry hot? When you know you shouldn’t be attracted to that person but can’t help it? Yes.
I won’t get much more into the world-building. It’s efficient and plausible and manages to be so without too many details that would slow the action down.
I will, however, praise the writing. I’m French. We’re very proud of our beautiful language, which we believe, arrogant that we are, is richer and more complex than, say, English. The reason I review in English stems from this idea that it’s easier, that mistakes (grammar, spelling, punctuation…) aren’t as heavy, that they don’t have the same consequences. Maybe it’s only a feeling, maybe it’s true. Many books I read use pretty basic vocabulary, which makes them all the more accessible. Once in a while, however, a book will remind me that there are many more words in English, and that it’s possible to write a story that is easy to read and beautifully written at the same time. E. J. Noyes’ Ask, Tell is one of these. Caren J. Werlinger’s books. Elna Holst’s. I’m adding Compass Rose to the list. I’m not saying all the other books I have reviewed so far aren’t good or well-written, there are many ways to tell a story. I’m pretty sure that if I ever write a book, it will fall in that category, the less literary one. Some books, however, bring another layer to the pleasure of reading. This is one of them.
This book has everything: action, romance, politics, angst and lust and longing, pirates and villains, danger, betrayal, and, most of all, kickass characters who will keep you on your toes.
December 2, 2018
Loved, loved, loved this! Dystopian. Adventure. Pirates!!!
5 stars. Even more if there had been more Miranda.😍
My initial enthusiastic endorsement should be tempered with a caveat--while this book does indeed have all the elements of a good swashbuckling pirate yarn--it is also set in an incredibly bleak dystopian future. (Sadly, a future that feels disturbingly like what we're headed for) . This isn't the usual romanticized pirate tale that we've previously seen depicted in lesfic. Its version of life under the high seas is way darker, grittier and much more realistic.
The earth that our heroines live in, around 500 years from now, doesn't even feel like earth anymore. Most of the land is gone. Mankind has created artificial 'archipelagos' where pockets of humanity survive and thrive. But only if you're the lucky ones allowed on them. For everyone else not on the Archipelagos or not under their protection, it's a level of subsistence that can only be described as being slightly better than stone-age hunter-gatherers.
It's into one of these ragtag drifter colonies that our main protagonist, Compass Rose, was born, lived and would have probably died a harsh premature death if she wasn't plucked out because of what she can do. She was born with a singularly unique talent--the ability to navigate by sense--an internal built-in GPS, if you will. That doesn't sound too impressive in our world, but in hers, where almost all earth is covered in murky water and the air is barely breathable, it's like being the only one who can see when everyone else is blind, or being an empath in a world of sonsales. As a result of our tender loving care over the centuries, earth's most precious resource, it's waters, is now choked by toxic gas, poison algae and the all-indestructible, non-biodegradable, uber-ubiquitous plastic. Noxious fumes permeate the ocean surface so all of the seafaring actually happens underwater, in murky jellyfish-infested waters via submarines. Being able to navigate that world, sight unseen, is a secret weapon unto itself.
Compass Rose serves as navigator on the Archipelago Fleet, basically their submarine based navy. But trouble in the underwater mines and rampaging pirates force Admiral Comita, the fleet commander to lend her precious navigator to a mysterious mercenary gang for a spying mission. Mercenaries are just one step up from the out-and-out pirates. Though up close, as Rose will soon discover, there really isnt much difference. And if she thought life as an outcast was hard on the fleet ship, it's going to be hell on the rusty tin can she'd been dumped into. Even worse. The reason they want her on it is because they're literally going into hell...or a close approximation of it. And Rose is the only one who can take them in undetected. The bigger question is, can she lead them out? With the fate of the world resting on the mission, Rose needs all her concentration to work her particular brand of magic. But the mysterious and dangerous pirate captain is also very, very distracting.
The book is written from Compass' first person pov. So it is also quite a personal journey for her--from a shy, introverted, and rather wimpy outsider to serving alongside and surviving some of the most fearsome pirates in the world. That's a huge leap so the author takes care to develop her character properly. The supporting cast are equally well drawn.
Just so I won't miss anything, here's the laundry list of everything I love about the book. And to avoid sounding repetitive or think of synonyms, I'd preface everything on the list with 'Amazingly' .
- Memorable characters (and a new heroine to crush on). Swashbuckling Miranda, fearsome Orca, the quaint Crow's Feet, loyal Hannah, and even the stern Admiral Comita will stay with you long after the read.
- Great atmosphere. From the claustrophobic confines of the subs, to the inky, icky, oppressive depths of the sea, the world-building is deeply immersive and believable.
- Edge of your seat action. Not as much as I'd like, but the biggest one was a doozy.
- Earth-shaking and unpredictable plot. - I'm a huge fan of plots where the fate of the characters' world hangs in the balance. Even better if I can't figure things out easily. Seamlessly weave into that a mystery subplot, intrigue, betrayals, power plays, a badass villain, and I'm in book heaven.
- Miranda 😍
Much as I want the book to be perfect, it isn't. Much of it has to do with the first person pov. It works fine in most situations but it limits what the reader experiences when the pov character is not in the thick of the action. Especially That's pretty much it though.
I didn't mention the romance. I wasn't really expecting it so it didn't matter too much matter how it went (heh, who am I kidding, I'm always expecting it, why would I read lesfic otherwise, lol). There's sparks, attraction, and the sexual tension smolders and blows frustratingly hot and cold. But i think the tone of it was just right for the book. Inasmuch as I'd prefer things were sexier, more romantic and the leads were less honorable than they were (sigh), it doesn't seem appropriate for the tone and seriousness of the book. Mainly because it's highly inappropriate as they're in a super secret mission and they can't afford to make too much noise in the tiny sub. I mean, they shouldn't be distracted from the mission. 😉
5 stars
5 stars. Even more if there had been more Miranda.😍
My initial enthusiastic endorsement should be tempered with a caveat--while this book does indeed have all the elements of a good swashbuckling pirate yarn--it is also set in an incredibly bleak dystopian future. (Sadly, a future that feels disturbingly like what we're headed for) . This isn't the usual romanticized pirate tale that we've previously seen depicted in lesfic. Its version of life under the high seas is way darker, grittier and much more realistic.
The earth that our heroines live in, around 500 years from now, doesn't even feel like earth anymore. Most of the land is gone. Mankind has created artificial 'archipelagos' where pockets of humanity survive and thrive. But only if you're the lucky ones allowed on them. For everyone else not on the Archipelagos or not under their protection, it's a level of subsistence that can only be described as being slightly better than stone-age hunter-gatherers.
It's into one of these ragtag drifter colonies that our main protagonist, Compass Rose, was born, lived and would have probably died a harsh premature death if she wasn't plucked out because of what she can do. She was born with a singularly unique talent--the ability to navigate by sense--an internal built-in GPS, if you will. That doesn't sound too impressive in our world, but in hers, where almost all earth is covered in murky water and the air is barely breathable, it's like being the only one who can see when everyone else is blind, or being an empath in a world of sonsales. As a result of our tender loving care over the centuries, earth's most precious resource, it's waters, is now choked by toxic gas, poison algae and the all-indestructible, non-biodegradable, uber-ubiquitous plastic. Noxious fumes permeate the ocean surface so all of the seafaring actually happens underwater, in murky jellyfish-infested waters via submarines. Being able to navigate that world, sight unseen, is a secret weapon unto itself.
Compass Rose serves as navigator on the Archipelago Fleet, basically their submarine based navy. But trouble in the underwater mines and rampaging pirates force Admiral Comita, the fleet commander to lend her precious navigator to a mysterious mercenary gang for a spying mission. Mercenaries are just one step up from the out-and-out pirates. Though up close, as Rose will soon discover, there really isnt much difference. And if she thought life as an outcast was hard on the fleet ship, it's going to be hell on the rusty tin can she'd been dumped into. Even worse. The reason they want her on it is because they're literally going into hell...or a close approximation of it. And Rose is the only one who can take them in undetected. The bigger question is, can she lead them out? With the fate of the world resting on the mission, Rose needs all her concentration to work her particular brand of magic. But the mysterious and dangerous pirate captain is also very, very distracting.
The book is written from Compass' first person pov. So it is also quite a personal journey for her--from a shy, introverted, and rather wimpy outsider to serving alongside and surviving some of the most fearsome pirates in the world. That's a huge leap so the author takes care to develop her character properly. The supporting cast are equally well drawn.
Just so I won't miss anything, here's the laundry list of everything I love about the book. And to avoid sounding repetitive or think of synonyms, I'd preface everything on the list with 'Amazingly' .
- Memorable characters (and a new heroine to crush on). Swashbuckling Miranda, fearsome Orca, the quaint Crow's Feet, loyal Hannah, and even the stern Admiral Comita will stay with you long after the read.
- Great atmosphere. From the claustrophobic confines of the subs, to the inky, icky, oppressive depths of the sea, the world-building is deeply immersive and believable.
- Edge of your seat action. Not as much as I'd like, but the biggest one was a doozy.
- Earth-shaking and unpredictable plot. - I'm a huge fan of plots where the fate of the characters' world hangs in the balance. Even better if I can't figure things out easily. Seamlessly weave into that a mystery subplot, intrigue, betrayals, power plays, a badass villain, and I'm in book heaven.
- Miranda 😍
Much as I want the book to be perfect, it isn't. Much of it has to do with the first person pov. It works fine in most situations but it limits what the reader experiences when the pov character is not in the thick of the action. Especially That's pretty much it though.
I didn't mention the romance. I wasn't really expecting it so it didn't matter too much matter how it went (heh, who am I kidding, I'm always expecting it, why would I read lesfic otherwise, lol). There's sparks, attraction, and the sexual tension smolders and blows frustratingly hot and cold. But i think the tone of it was just right for the book. Inasmuch as I'd prefer things were sexier, more romantic and the leads were less honorable than they were (sigh), it doesn't seem appropriate for the tone and seriousness of the book. Mainly because it's highly inappropriate as they're in a super secret mission and they can't afford to make too much noise in the tiny sub. I mean, they shouldn't be distracted from the mission. 😉
5 stars
September 26, 2018
Solid 5.0 stars – I am literally left speechless with how much I loved this book.
Okay, let me start by saying I love a good sci-fi adventure, and a well written dystopian novel will make my blood sing. When I finished reading Compass Rose by Anna Burke, my blood fairly screamed and I knew coming down would guarantee me a book hangover. While first person tales aren’t my preferred viewpoint, this book was the absolute exception. Compass Rose isn’t a love story, though there is love. It’s not a pirate’s tale, though we for sure see pirates. It’s not even a coming of age even though Rose grows beyond most characters I read. This novel is a complete package and an experience. It’s an expansive tale that I rarely get to read and I will treasure it among my favorites of all time.
Compass Rose, so named by her mother because she was born facing due north, is a Navigator for the Archipelago Fleet. In the 26th century humans no longer live above ground. The Oceans have risen, the air above is a toxic soup, and storms ravage the seven continents. All life, trade, and war takes place below the waves. Rose’s uncanny ability allows her to see more than just direction and heading. She can also feel the currents, jellyfish blooms, and even building storms. She serves under Admiral Comita and because of her innate talent, the Admiral tosses her into a sea of circumstance beyond Rose’s imagination. Even the hardened sailors of the Fleet would be considered coddled when it came to pirates and mercenaries, and Rose is not at all hardened. Her half-drifter parentage guarantee that she will never be less than bullied, even among her own crew. With only one friend, the Admiral’s daughter, Rose accepts a dangerous mission aboard the Man o’ War, to help save the Archipelago. She leaves with a lot of trepidation and quickly realizes that life on the new sub is just as unpleasant and significantly more dangerous.
The Captain of the mercenary ship, Man o’ War, draws Rose’s attraction like no other, and at times the feeling seems mutual. But Captain Miranda is also a brutal mercenary and has more secrets than one person should hold. It leaves Rose wondering whose side the captain is on. More importantly, it leaves Rose wondering about her own compass direction. When nothing turns out the way it seems, Compass Rose flounders for her “true north.”
I loved Rose for all her skill and tenacity. I even grew to understand her softness and dedication to the right direction, even if it wasn’t the one she wanted. The characters in this tale were hard, diverse, and complex. Every single one was a real person with flaws, both beautiful and ugly. And for the best of Burke’s characters, loyalty was both a passion and a curse. Every new bit of information I learned about Miranda made me hate her a little, and love her a lot more. Each new act of aggression from Orca meant I rooted for her to come into the light, or to acknowledge that light potential I could see lurking below the tattoos and the pain.
Burke is an excellent storyteller with the way she brings us into the life of Rose and carries us along with the legendary navigator. She touches on all the classic thing that any good adventure should have. But there is something beyond the traditional structure that lures you in. It’s a humanity in showing the reader that the world is not shaded in black and white or good and evil. Anna Burke promises us that honor is just as important as truth, and that every new danger forges new alliances. Even among enemies.
This ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, let me start by saying I love a good sci-fi adventure, and a well written dystopian novel will make my blood sing. When I finished reading Compass Rose by Anna Burke, my blood fairly screamed and I knew coming down would guarantee me a book hangover. While first person tales aren’t my preferred viewpoint, this book was the absolute exception. Compass Rose isn’t a love story, though there is love. It’s not a pirate’s tale, though we for sure see pirates. It’s not even a coming of age even though Rose grows beyond most characters I read. This novel is a complete package and an experience. It’s an expansive tale that I rarely get to read and I will treasure it among my favorites of all time.
Compass Rose, so named by her mother because she was born facing due north, is a Navigator for the Archipelago Fleet. In the 26th century humans no longer live above ground. The Oceans have risen, the air above is a toxic soup, and storms ravage the seven continents. All life, trade, and war takes place below the waves. Rose’s uncanny ability allows her to see more than just direction and heading. She can also feel the currents, jellyfish blooms, and even building storms. She serves under Admiral Comita and because of her innate talent, the Admiral tosses her into a sea of circumstance beyond Rose’s imagination. Even the hardened sailors of the Fleet would be considered coddled when it came to pirates and mercenaries, and Rose is not at all hardened. Her half-drifter parentage guarantee that she will never be less than bullied, even among her own crew. With only one friend, the Admiral’s daughter, Rose accepts a dangerous mission aboard the Man o’ War, to help save the Archipelago. She leaves with a lot of trepidation and quickly realizes that life on the new sub is just as unpleasant and significantly more dangerous.
The Captain of the mercenary ship, Man o’ War, draws Rose’s attraction like no other, and at times the feeling seems mutual. But Captain Miranda is also a brutal mercenary and has more secrets than one person should hold. It leaves Rose wondering whose side the captain is on. More importantly, it leaves Rose wondering about her own compass direction. When nothing turns out the way it seems, Compass Rose flounders for her “true north.”
I loved Rose for all her skill and tenacity. I even grew to understand her softness and dedication to the right direction, even if it wasn’t the one she wanted. The characters in this tale were hard, diverse, and complex. Every single one was a real person with flaws, both beautiful and ugly. And for the best of Burke’s characters, loyalty was both a passion and a curse. Every new bit of information I learned about Miranda made me hate her a little, and love her a lot more. Each new act of aggression from Orca meant I rooted for her to come into the light, or to acknowledge that light potential I could see lurking below the tattoos and the pain.
Burke is an excellent storyteller with the way she brings us into the life of Rose and carries us along with the legendary navigator. She touches on all the classic thing that any good adventure should have. But there is something beyond the traditional structure that lures you in. It’s a humanity in showing the reader that the world is not shaded in black and white or good and evil. Anna Burke promises us that honor is just as important as truth, and that every new danger forges new alliances. Even among enemies.
This ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2023
OK, I have been caught sleeping on this series. It has been in my TBR forever but the blurb (pirates) just wasn't tempting me enough to actually read it. @MZ and a few others told me I had to so I caved to the peer pressure and am glad I did. I loved Compass Rose and this story was such a fun adventure. I was really wanting something a bit different, out of my comfort zone and this fit the bill. Though they are technically pirates the world they live in is much different than our own and I am here for this dystopian society that lives on sea-based outposts. They aren't terribly long but there are a lot of details and this world and the wonderful characters make this book a must read.
July 23, 2021
Second read: July 2021
Still just the most amazing book! Even though I knew what was coming, I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading Sea Wolf.
Original review: June 2020
What a fantastic read! This is a solid 5 stars for me, I loved it. It’s dystopian, has pirates, adventure, hot pursuits and romance, what more do you want? I was immediately sucked into this story and could not put it down and I will have a serious book hangover.
The story is written in the first person from the POV of Compass Rose, a navigator in the Archipelago fleet. She accepts a secret mission which brings her on board of a mercenary ship under command of the ruthless captain Miranda. I will not go into detail to avoid spoilers, but there are a lot of plot twists, complots, and betrayals that will keep you constantly alert. Rose has not had the easiest life on the Archipelago fleet, not being well accepted due to her heritage, but she is still young and naïve and has lived a rather protected life (even if she doesn't realise it). She has to fend and fight for her place on the mercenary ship and you see her personality grow and become a tough cookie.
Then there is the romance between Rose and Miranda, which is an important part of the book, but I did not feel that the entire book revolved around this romance, and I liked that. The romance, as almost all other things in this book, is not sweet or easy, but raw and undeniable. I sometimes wondered what was going through Miranda’s head, but that’s the mystery of one POV.
If you want to break free from the normal world for a while, looking for adventure, I can definitely recommend reading this book.
Still just the most amazing book! Even though I knew what was coming, I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading Sea Wolf.
Original review: June 2020
What a fantastic read! This is a solid 5 stars for me, I loved it. It’s dystopian, has pirates, adventure, hot pursuits and romance, what more do you want? I was immediately sucked into this story and could not put it down and I will have a serious book hangover.
The story is written in the first person from the POV of Compass Rose, a navigator in the Archipelago fleet. She accepts a secret mission which brings her on board of a mercenary ship under command of the ruthless captain Miranda. I will not go into detail to avoid spoilers, but there are a lot of plot twists, complots, and betrayals that will keep you constantly alert. Rose has not had the easiest life on the Archipelago fleet, not being well accepted due to her heritage, but she is still young and naïve and has lived a rather protected life (even if she doesn't realise it). She has to fend and fight for her place on the mercenary ship and you see her personality grow and become a tough cookie.
Then there is the romance between Rose and Miranda, which is an important part of the book, but I did not feel that the entire book revolved around this romance, and I liked that. The romance, as almost all other things in this book, is not sweet or easy, but raw and undeniable. I sometimes wondered what was going through Miranda’s head, but that’s the mystery of one POV.
If you want to break free from the normal world for a while, looking for adventure, I can definitely recommend reading this book.
January 3, 2022
Compass Rose has definitely lived up to all the accolades from reviewers. It is action packed while at the heart of the novel is a slow burn romance. Pirates, mercenaries and stodgy command fleets all vie for power in this epic story. As well, it is a cautionary tale about our world if we allow climate change to progress to its most disastrous end.
Anna Burke’s debut novel is an enticing read from front to back. Rose and Miranda are robust main characters while Kraken and Orca display Burke’s ability to produce complex secondary characters.
The storyline in lesser hands could have ended up a muddled mess however Burke keeps it coherent and logical in its progression while giving the readers a wild ride to remember.
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️ because of the excitement this novel delivers.
Anna Burke’s debut novel is an enticing read from front to back. Rose and Miranda are robust main characters while Kraken and Orca display Burke’s ability to produce complex secondary characters.
The storyline in lesser hands could have ended up a muddled mess however Burke keeps it coherent and logical in its progression while giving the readers a wild ride to remember.
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️ because of the excitement this novel delivers.
March 9, 2020
Compass Rose by Anna Burke is now the third book I’ve read by this author, though this is actually her debut novel. I can also tell you that with each book, I have been blown away at the enormous talent of Ms. Burke.
We see this story through the eyes of a young woman named Compass Rose who has the unique ability to know where the cardinal points are naturally without instruments to help her. This ability makes her very valuable as a navigator since most of mankind now lives in and around the oceans. Most of the Earth’s land is unlivable or extremely dangerous. Rose’s commanding officer sends her to work with a mercenary named Miranda to find a way to stop the area’s pirates from taking over the underwater mines. This begins an adventure that thrusts Rose into a world she never expected nor wanted to live in.
Ms. Burke has again amazed me with the strength of her characters, her story, and her settings. Her characters are so real that you almost expect them to step out of the pages and start talking to you, which could be a bit frightening since quite a few of them are mercenaries and pirates. The story is complex and intriguing, and she tells it so well that I became totally invested in the tale and the characters. The author’s setting is a dying Earth, and terrifying in its similarity to our current environmental race to extinction. Her thoughts on where we are headed as a world, if we don’t pay attention, are chilling. This tale should give us all reason to pause and consider what we’re doing to our planet in real life.
Though this is mostly an action/adventure/dystopian tale, there is also a lovely thread of romance that runs through the story. Not only does that soften some of the more volatile characters, but it adds a lot of tension in the story as well.
I have already mentioned in another review that Ms. Burke has joined my list of favorite authors. With this novel, she has solidified her place in that list permanently. This novel has also joined my list of favorite books, and I think it will be one of yours as well.
Thanks to Bywater Books for gifting me this novel in exchange for an honest review.
We see this story through the eyes of a young woman named Compass Rose who has the unique ability to know where the cardinal points are naturally without instruments to help her. This ability makes her very valuable as a navigator since most of mankind now lives in and around the oceans. Most of the Earth’s land is unlivable or extremely dangerous. Rose’s commanding officer sends her to work with a mercenary named Miranda to find a way to stop the area’s pirates from taking over the underwater mines. This begins an adventure that thrusts Rose into a world she never expected nor wanted to live in.
Ms. Burke has again amazed me with the strength of her characters, her story, and her settings. Her characters are so real that you almost expect them to step out of the pages and start talking to you, which could be a bit frightening since quite a few of them are mercenaries and pirates. The story is complex and intriguing, and she tells it so well that I became totally invested in the tale and the characters. The author’s setting is a dying Earth, and terrifying in its similarity to our current environmental race to extinction. Her thoughts on where we are headed as a world, if we don’t pay attention, are chilling. This tale should give us all reason to pause and consider what we’re doing to our planet in real life.
Though this is mostly an action/adventure/dystopian tale, there is also a lovely thread of romance that runs through the story. Not only does that soften some of the more volatile characters, but it adds a lot of tension in the story as well.
I have already mentioned in another review that Ms. Burke has joined my list of favorite authors. With this novel, she has solidified her place in that list permanently. This novel has also joined my list of favorite books, and I think it will be one of yours as well.
Thanks to Bywater Books for gifting me this novel in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2019
An exciting pirate story set in the future.
What was not to like about this? If you are looking for robust storytelling and world building, then this is the book for you. Extra points for lots of strong women characters.
This story is about a woman named Compass Rose, who was born with the gift of direction. The book starts off with her going about her days on the North Star until her Admiral assigns her to leave on a secret mission to navigate for a mercenary captain named Miranda.
I loved the setting of a future world where the affects of global warming have forced people to the oceans to survive. Cities are underwater. There are dead zones of hot soupy water. Boats have to sub deep in order to avoid massive storms that plague the earth.
Not only was the setting fantastic, but all of the characters were carefully crafted with unique characteristics, appearances, and personalities. A lot of times author throw characters in just to help further plot. Not here. Everyone had a backstory, was deeply entangled with our two main characters, and had you caring for them. Even when they were behaving badly.
The entire thing was one adventure after another. Battling the seas, fighting the opposition, facing hunger, trying to gain acceptance, underwater fishing mishaps, infiltrating occupied zones, caging giant squids, staying alive, etc. I was completely into this story and did not want to stop reading.
Thankfully, this book was pretty hefty in length to keep the enjoyment lingering. I'm used to quick pure romance reads. If those books are long, I find myself getting bored at parts. This one kept me flipping pages with pure excitement for what was coming next.
There is a bit of a love story in this. Rose becomes a enamored with her new mercenary captain, Miranda. It is a forbidden attraction that is formed by anger, frustration, and physique. Rose fights against her feelings because there is no way she could get involved with someone who has killed, stolen and generally has been a bad human being in the past. Not to mention that hooking up with your boss must be against the rules. I loved the tension between the two of the that never dwindles throughout the entirety of the book.
Throughout the book you learn more and more about these characters and what makes them who they are today. I enjoyed the slow discovery and how it impacts the decisions that have to be made in later chapters providing the small dose of angst that I love reading.
Eventually, we come to understand why Rose was sent on the mission. Who Miranda is and why she chose to work with the Archepelago fleet. It was a lot of fun getting there.
I'm sorry that I did not read this sooner and I recommend it to anyone who likes to read love stories, pirates, global warming, oceans, sparring, tension, algae blooms, and Neptune's balls.
What was not to like about this? If you are looking for robust storytelling and world building, then this is the book for you. Extra points for lots of strong women characters.
This story is about a woman named Compass Rose, who was born with the gift of direction. The book starts off with her going about her days on the North Star until her Admiral assigns her to leave on a secret mission to navigate for a mercenary captain named Miranda.
I loved the setting of a future world where the affects of global warming have forced people to the oceans to survive. Cities are underwater. There are dead zones of hot soupy water. Boats have to sub deep in order to avoid massive storms that plague the earth.
Not only was the setting fantastic, but all of the characters were carefully crafted with unique characteristics, appearances, and personalities. A lot of times author throw characters in just to help further plot. Not here. Everyone had a backstory, was deeply entangled with our two main characters, and had you caring for them. Even when they were behaving badly.
The entire thing was one adventure after another. Battling the seas, fighting the opposition, facing hunger, trying to gain acceptance, underwater fishing mishaps, infiltrating occupied zones, caging giant squids, staying alive, etc. I was completely into this story and did not want to stop reading.
Thankfully, this book was pretty hefty in length to keep the enjoyment lingering. I'm used to quick pure romance reads. If those books are long, I find myself getting bored at parts. This one kept me flipping pages with pure excitement for what was coming next.
There is a bit of a love story in this. Rose becomes a enamored with her new mercenary captain, Miranda. It is a forbidden attraction that is formed by anger, frustration, and physique. Rose fights against her feelings because there is no way she could get involved with someone who has killed, stolen and generally has been a bad human being in the past. Not to mention that hooking up with your boss must be against the rules. I loved the tension between the two of the that never dwindles throughout the entirety of the book.
Throughout the book you learn more and more about these characters and what makes them who they are today. I enjoyed the slow discovery and how it impacts the decisions that have to be made in later chapters providing the small dose of angst that I love reading.
Eventually, we come to understand why Rose was sent on the mission. Who Miranda is and why she chose to work with the Archepelago fleet. It was a lot of fun getting there.
I'm sorry that I did not read this sooner and I recommend it to anyone who likes to read love stories, pirates, global warming, oceans, sparring, tension, algae blooms, and Neptune's balls.
August 16, 2021
5 Stars - awesome scifi future earth post climate apocalypse wlw action adventure
I really enjoyed this book. The story and writing captured me right away. Compass Rose is a great character to see this world through. She is not perfect but she tries really hard and most of the time gets it right. She has an interesting "power" that lets her sense ocean currents and changes and allows her to always know where she is: up, down, north, east, south, west. When you whole life is spent on the water, this is a very handy ability to have. I really liked that no character was all good or bad. The nuance is where all the interesting bits are and we learn along with Rose not to judge a person by what you have heard or even what you think you know. The action was exciting, all the side characters were interesting especially Orca and Kraken. I will 100% be reading book two, but I might wait until book 3 is out, cuz it's that kinda book. :)
I really enjoyed this book. The story and writing captured me right away. Compass Rose is a great character to see this world through. She is not perfect but she tries really hard and most of the time gets it right. She has an interesting "power" that lets her sense ocean currents and changes and allows her to always know where she is: up, down, north, east, south, west. When you whole life is spent on the water, this is a very handy ability to have. I really liked that no character was all good or bad. The nuance is where all the interesting bits are and we learn along with Rose not to judge a person by what you have heard or even what you think you know. The action was exciting, all the side characters were interesting especially Orca and Kraken. I will 100% be reading book two, but I might wait until book 3 is out, cuz it's that kinda book. :)
December 28, 2021
Wow! I’m honestly speechless. I mean, I read the reviews and they were all great and so I had high expectations and all, but wow! This book surpassed all my expectations, I’m super shook right now. Just wow. This was so so so good! The whole plot, just wow! Can this be turned into a movie, please and thank you. This right here deserves all the awards there are in the world for literature. So so good. I’m so gonna pull an all-nighter and start book 2 right now 🤩
March 28, 2019
Compass Rose born with an ability to navigate the waters thru sheer internal vision is sent on a one way mission that only she and her Admiral are privy to. Handed over to unsavory mercenaries and given the task of spying on the Pirate Queen, Ching Shih, Rose is on a path to change everything including her own world and that of the notorious Captain Stillwater.
Please be young at heart and spirit when reading this book. Not that it’s juvenile but it’s so much fun and the characters are such over the top, unrepentant scofflaws, the way mercenaries and pirates should be, that reality has no place here. The post eco disaster world building is detailed enough to be believable but not burdensome.
Some reviewers pointed out that there are the occasional lulls and head scratching moments when you try to remember the point of their mission but there’s goo gobs of treats everywhere so who cares. The author eventually centers us when it counts. High seas bloodthirsty action, power struggles, one of the most likable and unique mains I have read in a while, non graphic romantic heat, love triangle angst, treacherous villains. Lots of cursing, fighting, and rum drinking. Most importantly, the writing is top notch and skilled in every aspect. She can a turn a phrase on a dime and spin some distinct imagery. Complete ending but plenty of room for more tales because the author definitely layered and stacked plenty of story canon to build on. In spirit, Compass Rose reminded me of one of my favorite reads in the last couple of years, Becky Chambers’ The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. Loved them both.
Please be young at heart and spirit when reading this book. Not that it’s juvenile but it’s so much fun and the characters are such over the top, unrepentant scofflaws, the way mercenaries and pirates should be, that reality has no place here. The post eco disaster world building is detailed enough to be believable but not burdensome.
Some reviewers pointed out that there are the occasional lulls and head scratching moments when you try to remember the point of their mission but there’s goo gobs of treats everywhere so who cares. The author eventually centers us when it counts. High seas bloodthirsty action, power struggles, one of the most likable and unique mains I have read in a while, non graphic romantic heat, love triangle angst, treacherous villains. Lots of cursing, fighting, and rum drinking. Most importantly, the writing is top notch and skilled in every aspect. She can a turn a phrase on a dime and spin some distinct imagery. Complete ending but plenty of room for more tales because the author definitely layered and stacked plenty of story canon to build on. In spirit, Compass Rose reminded me of one of my favorite reads in the last couple of years, Becky Chambers’ The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. Loved them both.
November 12, 2018
Anna Burke has created a real gem with Compass Rose, one that fans of sci fi, and specifically climate fiction, should not miss. That this is Burke’s first book is also kind of incredible, because her talent is evident on every page. This is one author to watch, since she’s sure to delight us with more weird and wonderful stories for years to come.
Full review: https://www.lambdaliterary.org/review...
Full review: https://www.lambdaliterary.org/review...
October 13, 2022
This was frustrating. The concept was great, a drowned earth where the land is mostly poisoned, the water surface is frequently poisoned and everyone needs to live in ship/submersibles and floating stations. The floating masses of sargasso robbing the ocean of oxygen actually came up in one of my news feeds while reading the book, the prevalance of squid is also a prediction of degrading oceans.
The problem/frustration is that the delivery of the concept was terrible (read writing). Nothing was explained well enough, the whole zipping into cargo bays while under water? on the surface? conversations had on landing bays while under water? I was never very clear on that and neither was the author. The story was poorly thought out, something, something about hard to get in and out of the Gulf of Mexico by a band of lesbian misfits.
Then there was the romance. I don't read romance novels but surely they have to be better quality than this. It was some sort of teenage, angsty, non-romantic romance plot line and they were all supposed to be adults.
You may be thinking, typical old, white, male can't handle the lesbian story line and I will allow for a tiny possibility of that except for the fact that I loved Gideon the Ninth which is somewhat similar and way, way better.
2 stars only because of the concept
The problem/frustration is that the delivery of the concept was terrible (read writing). Nothing was explained well enough, the whole zipping into cargo bays while under water? on the surface? conversations had on landing bays while under water? I was never very clear on that and neither was the author. The story was poorly thought out, something, something about hard to get in and out of the Gulf of Mexico by a band of lesbian misfits.
Then there was the romance. I don't read romance novels but surely they have to be better quality than this. It was some sort of teenage, angsty, non-romantic romance plot line and they were all supposed to be adults.
You may be thinking, typical old, white, male can't handle the lesbian story line and I will allow for a tiny possibility of that except for the fact that I loved Gideon the Ninth which is somewhat similar and way, way better.
2 stars only because of the concept
March 18, 2023
Neptune’s balls. I never knew I needed a dystopian story with pirates.
This isn’t a romance, although there is one, the main story is about the pirates, mercenaries and the dystopian world.
Loved it.
This isn’t a romance, although there is one, the main story is about the pirates, mercenaries and the dystopian world.
Loved it.
June 18, 2021
So I'm admittedly about three years late to the party reading this. Especially considering how much I've LOVED everything else I've read by Burke, from her contemporary romances Spindrift and Night Tide, and her fairytale reimaginings Nottingham: The True Story of Robyn Hood and Thorn. All were 4.5 or 5 star reads to me. I hesitated with this book because Sci-Fi isn't always my favorite genre. I do love alternate worlds and scenarios, but if too much information or too many characters come at me at once I can get a little lost.
And I was so wrong in waiting to read this. I was sucked right in. I did admittedly have to work to keep up with the narrative at the beginning, then again when Rose joins her new crew- but I was so in to the book I didn't mind reading those parts over again to get a grasp on things. This book is great, and this future naval world on the 26th century is super interesting. (also I like the subtle climate change messaging to how the world got that way- I see what you did there)
This book follows Compass Rose, who acts as a Navigator on a station of the Archipelago Fleet, which is the central government of sorts to what used to be parts of North America and Europe. Rose has an unnatural ability to know where she is directionally on the globe at all times, as well as can sense motion and currents in the oceans. This ability is invaluable to any navy. Her commanding officer sends her on a secret mission to join a mercenary ship to gain information on and potentially stop a pirate attack on valuable mines, and while she is part of that crew, everything she thinks she knows is put to the test.
I was soo into this. I love Rose as a character. She was a wonderful combination of naïve and extremely competent. We definitely can experience and learn about this new world through her eyes, but she isn't a pushover either- and isn't at all afraid to stand up for herself. She was truly a wonderful character with a lot of depth to her.
This world is really immersive as well. I mentioned earlier that being intimidated by scifi worlds is often a barrier for me, and this was a new experience and had a lot to take in, but also very well written in a way that really isn't that hard to pick up on what was happening in the world. The language used to describe events and things in the books is very easy to pick up- and that's a testament to good writing. This world is immersive and new, but not a huge challenge to learn as well.
The romance in this book is more a sideplot than a main storyline, but it isn't nonexistant either- and I really liked how it was handled. There isn't ambiguity to anyone's feelings- but also this book is way more than a romantic novel- it tells a larger story.
The rest of the cast outside of Rose is so great too! Miranda is such a wonderful and detailed character with so much depth to her. Morally grey characters can be some of my favorite of all time, and Miranda is a wonderful example. Also Miranda's crew like Orca and Kraken are really interesting in their own rights and add a lot to the narrative. I also adore Rose's best friend Harper., And finally Admiral Comida is a really nuanced character too.
I was so in to this book and the world Burke built, and I know there is a sequel coming out and I honestly can't wait to revisit all these characters again. Easy 5/5
And I was so wrong in waiting to read this. I was sucked right in. I did admittedly have to work to keep up with the narrative at the beginning, then again when Rose joins her new crew- but I was so in to the book I didn't mind reading those parts over again to get a grasp on things. This book is great, and this future naval world on the 26th century is super interesting. (also I like the subtle climate change messaging to how the world got that way- I see what you did there)
This book follows Compass Rose, who acts as a Navigator on a station of the Archipelago Fleet, which is the central government of sorts to what used to be parts of North America and Europe. Rose has an unnatural ability to know where she is directionally on the globe at all times, as well as can sense motion and currents in the oceans. This ability is invaluable to any navy. Her commanding officer sends her on a secret mission to join a mercenary ship to gain information on and potentially stop a pirate attack on valuable mines, and while she is part of that crew, everything she thinks she knows is put to the test.
I was soo into this. I love Rose as a character. She was a wonderful combination of naïve and extremely competent. We definitely can experience and learn about this new world through her eyes, but she isn't a pushover either- and isn't at all afraid to stand up for herself. She was truly a wonderful character with a lot of depth to her.
This world is really immersive as well. I mentioned earlier that being intimidated by scifi worlds is often a barrier for me, and this was a new experience and had a lot to take in, but also very well written in a way that really isn't that hard to pick up on what was happening in the world. The language used to describe events and things in the books is very easy to pick up- and that's a testament to good writing. This world is immersive and new, but not a huge challenge to learn as well.
The romance in this book is more a sideplot than a main storyline, but it isn't nonexistant either- and I really liked how it was handled. There isn't ambiguity to anyone's feelings- but also this book is way more than a romantic novel- it tells a larger story.
The rest of the cast outside of Rose is so great too! Miranda is such a wonderful and detailed character with so much depth to her. Morally grey characters can be some of my favorite of all time, and Miranda is a wonderful example. Also Miranda's crew like Orca and Kraken are really interesting in their own rights and add a lot to the narrative. I also adore Rose's best friend Harper., And finally Admiral Comida is a really nuanced character too.
I was so in to this book and the world Burke built, and I know there is a sequel coming out and I honestly can't wait to revisit all these characters again. Easy 5/5
June 13, 2022
So, let me level set. I have been absolutely addicted to "Our Flag Means Death" and when I found a book that was like "queer ship romance plus clifi plus magical directional sense" I was sold. Unfortunately, all of that is basically window dressing for the least romantic erotica ever written.
CONTENT WARNING:
Things that weren't the worst:
-The world. I liked this a lot!
Everything else:
-The plot. Clunky, convenient, and dull.
-The characters. Ditto.
-The writing. Pedestrian and dry.
A real shame. This could have been, if nothing else, a good romp. But somehow it took a ton of super cool ideas and fed us only the limp husks. An extra star for trying.
CONTENT WARNING:
Things that weren't the worst:
-The world. I liked this a lot!
Everything else:
-The plot. Clunky, convenient, and dull.
-The characters. Ditto.
-The writing. Pedestrian and dry.
A real shame. This could have been, if nothing else, a good romp. But somehow it took a ton of super cool ideas and fed us only the limp husks. An extra star for trying.
July 29, 2021
[2021] ; It's still as brilliant as the first time I read it.
[2019] ; I don’t know why it took me so long to read this book ‘cause I couldn’t put it down. I love the dystopian/speculative genre and this book does not disappoint... in fact, my expectations were exceeded. The the story itself flowed so nicely and the characters were so well written I felt like I’d met a crew of people I’d cut up my palm to show my loyalty to without any hesitation.
[2019] ; I don’t know why it took me so long to read this book ‘cause I couldn’t put it down. I love the dystopian/speculative genre and this book does not disappoint... in fact, my expectations were exceeded. The the story itself flowed so nicely and the characters were so well written I felt like I’d met a crew of people I’d cut up my palm to show my loyalty to without any hesitation.
January 20, 2019
I rarely read sci-fi and even less pirates' stories but this year I decided to read a few books that throw me out of my comfort zone. I'm glad I've chosen this one. Anna Burke is a new promising author and 'Compass Rose' is her debut book. For this novel she received the Golden Crown Literary Society's Sandra Moran scholarship, created to mentor young writers like Ms. Burke.
'Compass Rose' is set in a dystopian world in 2513 in which the sea levels on Earth have risen and land is either flooded or too polluted to live on. Humans live on sea stations mainly located in the North Atlantic Archipielago. Compass Rose is a navigator born with an extraordinary ability: she can always tell her exact location and get the best nautical routes to a destination. When her Admiral orders her to work alongside mercenary Captain Miranda Stillwater to defeat the pirates that threaten to rule the Atlantic, her world turns upside down. But even her exceptional navigational skills won't prepare her for Miranda's captivating persona and for her threatening crew.
This novel is written in first person from the point of view of Compass Rose except for a brief Captain's log at the beginning of each section (East, South, West, North, Center).The world the author built is very imaginative in its unpleasant and threatening nature. The dangers come in the form of gigantic squids, murdering pirates or greedy politicians. The beauty of this book is that even in this imaginary world we can see humanity at its best and worst. Ms. Burke's use of nautical metaphors is beautiful and poetic.
Compass Rose makes a well rounded main character with all her extraordinary abilities and her shortcomings. Ms. Burke isn't afraid to depict her as an unwilling heroine stressing on her fears and her anxiety coping mechanisms (her mantra 'North, south, east, west' is an amusing example). The cast of secondary characters is presented with no rush so each one can be recognised for their own physical appearance and personalities. The author doesn't sugarcoat their cruelty or ferocity which makes the story very credible.
The romance is too much on the side for my liking but I understand the logic around it. This is not a romance but a fast-paced adventure novel. Despite that they are not together much, the chemistry between Rose and Miranda is sizzling and believable.
Overall, a very good pirates' adventure novel for fans of dystopian sci-fi. Great debut novel by a promising author. 4.5 stars.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
'Compass Rose' is set in a dystopian world in 2513 in which the sea levels on Earth have risen and land is either flooded or too polluted to live on. Humans live on sea stations mainly located in the North Atlantic Archipielago. Compass Rose is a navigator born with an extraordinary ability: she can always tell her exact location and get the best nautical routes to a destination. When her Admiral orders her to work alongside mercenary Captain Miranda Stillwater to defeat the pirates that threaten to rule the Atlantic, her world turns upside down. But even her exceptional navigational skills won't prepare her for Miranda's captivating persona and for her threatening crew.
This novel is written in first person from the point of view of Compass Rose except for a brief Captain's log at the beginning of each section (East, South, West, North, Center).The world the author built is very imaginative in its unpleasant and threatening nature. The dangers come in the form of gigantic squids, murdering pirates or greedy politicians. The beauty of this book is that even in this imaginary world we can see humanity at its best and worst. Ms. Burke's use of nautical metaphors is beautiful and poetic.
Compass Rose makes a well rounded main character with all her extraordinary abilities and her shortcomings. Ms. Burke isn't afraid to depict her as an unwilling heroine stressing on her fears and her anxiety coping mechanisms (her mantra 'North, south, east, west' is an amusing example). The cast of secondary characters is presented with no rush so each one can be recognised for their own physical appearance and personalities. The author doesn't sugarcoat their cruelty or ferocity which makes the story very credible.
The romance is too much on the side for my liking but I understand the logic around it. This is not a romance but a fast-paced adventure novel. Despite that they are not together much, the chemistry between Rose and Miranda is sizzling and believable.
Overall, a very good pirates' adventure novel for fans of dystopian sci-fi. Great debut novel by a promising author. 4.5 stars.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
February 9, 2021
Compass Rose is one of my all time favorite books, so I'm thrilled to be rereading it in audiobook form to prepare for the upcoming sequel, Sea Wolf!
Update: This was just as excellent the second time! I very rarely reread books - I could probably count the number of books I’ve read more than once on one hand - but Compass Rose is such an all time favorite that I can see myself reading it a third time at some point. If you haven’t read it yet, I cannot recommend it enough!
ALC Note: Thank you to Bywater Books and Anna Burke for the audio review copy!
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Update: This was just as excellent the second time! I very rarely reread books - I could probably count the number of books I’ve read more than once on one hand - but Compass Rose is such an all time favorite that I can see myself reading it a third time at some point. If you haven’t read it yet, I cannot recommend it enough!
ALC Note: Thank you to Bywater Books and Anna Burke for the audio review copy!
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May 28, 2020
I loved it. I was absolutely smitten with this book! It was so refreshingly new and unique. I cannot possibly do a review justice after reading the other amazing ones, so I will keep it short. This author can write so well. She creates worlds that are simply mind-blowing, and her characters in this one, both the mains and the secondaries, are all so very intriguing. I'm clapping right now, well, one-handed, as the other is holding a glass of rose (get it? Compass Rose....rose wine....yeah.)
I did have some trouble with visualization though...I know nothing about the seas and boats and submarines and trawlers, and was madly googling different boats to try and get my imagination spinning. To no avail however, as there was almost "too" much information and I had no idea how to set up some scenes in my mind. That would be my only complaint though. I'd highly recommend anyone read this dystopian book, I can't wait to read more by this author.
I did have some trouble with visualization though...I know nothing about the seas and boats and submarines and trawlers, and was madly googling different boats to try and get my imagination spinning. To no avail however, as there was almost "too" much information and I had no idea how to set up some scenes in my mind. That would be my only complaint though. I'd highly recommend anyone read this dystopian book, I can't wait to read more by this author.
January 11, 2019
This book needs to be turned into a movie! I love the spark between Rose and Miranda. Wish to have seen more of it!
January 10, 2019
Rep: lesbian mcs
i have never been more ROBBED of a potential hate to love than in this book rip my orca/rose dreams :(
i have never been more ROBBED of a potential hate to love than in this book rip my orca/rose dreams :(
May 8, 2022
I totally plowed through this in almost a single setting. Pirates!!! Sapphic pirates!! Sci-fi abt climate change!! Political intrigue!! Complex mother:daughter shit!! Crew/team bonding!! I need to read the sequel now.
This made me feel almost like the vibe of the abyss surrounds us and I’m thrilled abt it. Very excited to see more of Rose and Miranda’s relationship develop further in the next one.
This made me feel almost like the vibe of the abyss surrounds us and I’m thrilled abt it. Very excited to see more of Rose and Miranda’s relationship develop further in the next one.
April 20, 2025
it's hard not to fall in love with this quirky, fantastical world. I am in complete awe that this is this author's debut work. I can't believe I waited this long to pick this up, and now that I have, I can't put it down. Weekend plans include only curling up on the couch and devouring the second installment, Sea Wolf.
May 30, 2022
Two words: lesbian pirates. Don't get too excited though. The main characters are dull, the romance is pointless, and the politics are lacking.
🧭The characters
Compass Rose
Has a magical ability to sense currents and magnetic fields. No one else has this ability or any other form of magic. Her personality doesn't extend much past her unique ability
Miranda
The captain and main love interest. She's pretty, has nice hair, and uhh has a dark past I guess. She doesn't get much screentime in the book
Harper
Rose's ride or die bff. She's a boss and calls Rose out on her bs
Orca
The best character. She has some anger issues, and her own jealousy/inner demons, but she actually grows as a character (unlike the static Miranda)
🔱 just a thought: If Harper or Orca became the main squeeze, things could have become much more interesting
🧭 The romance
What's with the reviews calling this a slow burn? There's nothing slow or gradual in the romance. It's instant attraction which they both do nothing about for half of the book. sounds like standard sapphic fare to me 😂
Also WHY NOT Orca?? The relationship between Rose and Orca is so much more complex and interesting. Miranda has a dark past I guess, but everything about present-day Miranda is boring. She's pretty, has a long braid, and uhh...??? Is there some unaddressed mommy/authority thing with Comita and that's why Miranda is appealing?
🧭 The theming
If the prose wasn't so obnoxious I wouldn't have thought twice about the writing style. It reads like I have to write a 10 page paper with a thesis statement about symbols and their possible meanings. Get ready to read these phrases and their variants ad nauseam:
- "I was born facing due north"
- "I spun like a compass needle, seeking north and finding nothing"
- "I named the cardinal directions to myself, north, south, east, west"
- and an infinite number of ocean/sailing metaphors
I really wanted to give this book a chance. I almost gave up until the wrestling scene halfway through. I thought the romance and plot might take an interesting journey instead of just going through the motions. I was excited for things to finally start cooking, so I pushed through to the end. But it turned out to ring false, like a spinning compass needle, seeking north and finding nothing
🧭The characters
Compass Rose
Has a magical ability to sense currents and magnetic fields. No one else has this ability or any other form of magic. Her personality doesn't extend much past her unique ability
Miranda
The captain and main love interest. She's pretty, has nice hair, and uhh has a dark past I guess. She doesn't get much screentime in the book
Harper
Rose's ride or die bff. She's a boss and calls Rose out on her bs
Orca
The best character. She has some anger issues, and her own jealousy/inner demons, but she actually grows as a character (unlike the static Miranda)
🔱 just a thought: If Harper or Orca became the main squeeze, things could have become much more interesting
🧭 The romance
What's with the reviews calling this a slow burn? There's nothing slow or gradual in the romance. It's instant attraction which they both do nothing about for half of the book. sounds like standard sapphic fare to me 😂
Also WHY NOT Orca?? The relationship between Rose and Orca is so much more complex and interesting. Miranda has a dark past I guess, but everything about present-day Miranda is boring. She's pretty, has a long braid, and uhh...??? Is there some unaddressed mommy/authority thing with Comita and that's why Miranda is appealing?
🧭 The theming
If the prose wasn't so obnoxious I wouldn't have thought twice about the writing style. It reads like I have to write a 10 page paper with a thesis statement about symbols and their possible meanings. Get ready to read these phrases and their variants ad nauseam:
- "I was born facing due north"
- "I spun like a compass needle, seeking north and finding nothing"
- "I named the cardinal directions to myself, north, south, east, west"
- and an infinite number of ocean/sailing metaphors
I really wanted to give this book a chance. I almost gave up until the wrestling scene halfway through. I thought the romance and plot might take an interesting journey instead of just going through the motions. I was excited for things to finally start cooking, so I pushed through to the end. But it turned out to ring false, like a spinning compass needle, seeking north and finding nothing
August 29, 2018
The first novel by Anna Burke, and what a great start. Set in 2513 this dystopian fantasy, in the lesbian pirate sub-genre, was hard to put down. Imagine a world where the ice has melted, all that’s left are Archipelagos of land, food is scarce, medicines more so, fuel is made from sludge, the seas are polluted and in some places the air is worse.
Introduce the young fleet navigator, Compass Ross, born facing north and always aware of her direction, she has an uncanny, almost psychic ability to tell where she is, predict currents and speed, and has quickly become a most prized tool for the Archipelago’s fleet Admiral. Sent on an undercover mission to work with the renegade pirate Miranda, Compass Rose’s task I to help the pirate Captain find the megalomaniac Ramada who is determined to take over the Archipelago’s resources for her own gain.
Combine fast paced action with swashbuckling adventure, a “will they- wont they” romance, great dystopian world building and a wide eyed and innocent main character coming to terms with a cut-throat world and Anna Burke has created a real page turner.
Compass Rose is adorable, naive, trusting and completely unaware of her value. She is used, threatened, supported and occasionally befriended by a wide range of characters which make this a huge ensemble piece. From the wily Admiral and her honest daughter to the bullies, murderers and haters of both the fleet and pirate ships, Compass must learn fast. Add in the seemingly hard-nosed but entrancing Captain Miranda, and the even nastier baddie Ramada and we have every shade of character on the spectrum.
I found the writing intriguing, the tone and energy were different to the standard lesfic novel, and I don’t remember reading anything quite like this in the sci-fi fantasy genre, definitely a new voice and a unique style. The world building was excellent with huge attention to detail, the characters are well drawn and varied, the descriptions vivid and colourful and the action was extremely fast paced and multi-faceted, it felt like reading an action sci-fi movie.. and what a wonderful movie it would make.
Can’t wait for the next one from this exciting new author, a sequel would be wonderful, but whatever Ms Burke puts out I will be reading it.
Introduce the young fleet navigator, Compass Ross, born facing north and always aware of her direction, she has an uncanny, almost psychic ability to tell where she is, predict currents and speed, and has quickly become a most prized tool for the Archipelago’s fleet Admiral. Sent on an undercover mission to work with the renegade pirate Miranda, Compass Rose’s task I to help the pirate Captain find the megalomaniac Ramada who is determined to take over the Archipelago’s resources for her own gain.
Combine fast paced action with swashbuckling adventure, a “will they- wont they” romance, great dystopian world building and a wide eyed and innocent main character coming to terms with a cut-throat world and Anna Burke has created a real page turner.
Compass Rose is adorable, naive, trusting and completely unaware of her value. She is used, threatened, supported and occasionally befriended by a wide range of characters which make this a huge ensemble piece. From the wily Admiral and her honest daughter to the bullies, murderers and haters of both the fleet and pirate ships, Compass must learn fast. Add in the seemingly hard-nosed but entrancing Captain Miranda, and the even nastier baddie Ramada and we have every shade of character on the spectrum.
I found the writing intriguing, the tone and energy were different to the standard lesfic novel, and I don’t remember reading anything quite like this in the sci-fi fantasy genre, definitely a new voice and a unique style. The world building was excellent with huge attention to detail, the characters are well drawn and varied, the descriptions vivid and colourful and the action was extremely fast paced and multi-faceted, it felt like reading an action sci-fi movie.. and what a wonderful movie it would make.
Can’t wait for the next one from this exciting new author, a sequel would be wonderful, but whatever Ms Burke puts out I will be reading it.
June 16, 2022
DNFed at 60%. The characters just do not hold up my interest anymore though I really enjoyed the setting, any underwater or naval SFF action scenes are appreciated.
April 4, 2020
This was very, very good! I thought that there were some hiccups with some of the smaller character elements, but I loved the world building. If you are here for a sci-fi adventure on the water, then you've come to the right book. It has some dystopian elements to it - especially with how society treats the drifters- groups of people who do not live on the large submersible colonies beneath the ocean waves. But beyond that, it feels more like a futuristic darker swashbuckler than anything else.
The lead character is named Compass Rose, and she is preternaturally gifted as a navigator. She's a living compass, and helps her fleet navigate the dangerous waters in what was once the Atlantic Ocean. Because of that, her captain makes a bargain with a dangerous pirate, where she is to become part of the crew of the ship. The captain named Miranda, needs Rose for a dangerous mission that has her ship navigating through a pirate Queen's territory. Unfortunately for Rose, she is inexplicably drawn to the dangerously attractive Miranda, and gets tangled up in events that are beyond her control.
I love both Rose and Miranda . Rose is whip smart, but slightly naive, and is tougher than she looks. Miranda is not suave, but she is charismatic, and has a surprisingly sad back story. She is very pivotal to the politics of both the government and the underground, and I really do wish that we got to see more of her. I think when Rose and Miranda share the same space, the chemistry lights up the pages, but because they are not often in scenes together, it can fizzle out. Instead it is replaced with Orca, Miranda's first mate, and a character that should have gotten a little more depth to her. That said, Orca and the rest of the core crew are great, and are interesting people to read about. I also love that Rose gets to connect with a fellow preternatural person - the guy who can feel the ocean - he's slightly different than her, but they get a couple of nice moment to bond over their abilities.
There is a romance that dances around the edges, but there doesn't always seems to be a reason for it. Like we know why Rose is attracted to Miranda, but it isn't very clear on Miranda's part. She obviously thinks Rose is attractive, based on how often Miranda is caught watching Rose, but I didn't see a reason for why Miranda just starts turning on the seduction beams other than she was maybe lonely. Either way, the characters don't interact often enough to get a handle on them. It does come out in Rose's confusion though: she knows she's crushing hard on the hot captain, but she doesn't know what the heck Miranda is thinking, either.
I enjoyed this debut. It has a ton of great world building and some fun characters. Rose is a solid enough character to drive the narration on her own, and I love that she gets to have a full fledged set of emotions. Her powers and her background make her a pariah in the fleet, but are grudgingly accepted on the pirate's vessel. I do wish we saw more of Miranda, but I also liked that her mystery gets revealed slowly, and there's reasons for the government to fear her beyond her pirating ways. Good stuff all around.
The lead character is named Compass Rose, and she is preternaturally gifted as a navigator. She's a living compass, and helps her fleet navigate the dangerous waters in what was once the Atlantic Ocean. Because of that, her captain makes a bargain with a dangerous pirate, where she is to become part of the crew of the ship. The captain named Miranda, needs Rose for a dangerous mission that has her ship navigating through a pirate Queen's territory. Unfortunately for Rose, she is inexplicably drawn to the dangerously attractive Miranda, and gets tangled up in events that are beyond her control.
I love both Rose and Miranda . Rose is whip smart, but slightly naive, and is tougher than she looks. Miranda is not suave, but she is charismatic, and has a surprisingly sad back story. She is very pivotal to the politics of both the government and the underground, and I really do wish that we got to see more of her. I think when Rose and Miranda share the same space, the chemistry lights up the pages, but because they are not often in scenes together, it can fizzle out. Instead it is replaced with Orca, Miranda's first mate, and a character that should have gotten a little more depth to her. That said, Orca and the rest of the core crew are great, and are interesting people to read about. I also love that Rose gets to connect with a fellow preternatural person - the guy who can feel the ocean - he's slightly different than her, but they get a couple of nice moment to bond over their abilities.
There is a romance that dances around the edges, but there doesn't always seems to be a reason for it. Like we know why Rose is attracted to Miranda, but it isn't very clear on Miranda's part. She obviously thinks Rose is attractive, based on how often Miranda is caught watching Rose, but I didn't see a reason for why Miranda just starts turning on the seduction beams other than she was maybe lonely. Either way, the characters don't interact often enough to get a handle on them. It does come out in Rose's confusion though: she knows she's crushing hard on the hot captain, but she doesn't know what the heck Miranda is thinking, either.
I enjoyed this debut. It has a ton of great world building and some fun characters. Rose is a solid enough character to drive the narration on her own, and I love that she gets to have a full fledged set of emotions. Her powers and her background make her a pariah in the fleet, but are grudgingly accepted on the pirate's vessel. I do wish we saw more of Miranda, but I also liked that her mystery gets revealed slowly, and there's reasons for the government to fear her beyond her pirating ways. Good stuff all around.
January 2, 2019
This is a complex and interesting story with unique and fascinating characters. There was a lot going on, and I'm going to be rereading it.
I am not usually a fan of dystopian stories, but this one was more a political intrigue, action and adventure. Also, while there are pirates, that's not really where the focus is. It's more of a military and political campaign.
I am not usually a fan of dystopian stories, but this one was more a political intrigue, action and adventure. Also, while there are pirates, that's not really where the focus is. It's more of a military and political campaign.
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