★★★★★

Design of Darkness by RD Pires pulls you right off the docks and into deep, treacherous waters from the opening scene. The narrative sets a relentless pace with devastating attacks by King Fogosombre’s forces, political maneuvering in the far-off lands of the Nokari Empire, and clashes with pirates on the open seas. A distinctly dark tone paired with the author’s direct, grounded prose keeps the survival stakes anchored, making every desperate choice feel immediate and real.

The expansive worldbuilding draws beautifully from East and Southeast Asian cultures, engineering a wholly original landscape that balances a sweeping, cinematic scale filled with magic and mystery with the organic, granular details that make a setting feel truly lived-in. Beneath the surface-level action, the book excels at grand political intrigue, weaving complex, cutthroat machinations that pull the characters into a much larger, darker current.

The crew navigating this world is wonderfully expansive, featuring a broad cast competing to be your favorite. Mariana? Arsenio? Kaori? I’m still undecided who I like best. Pires weaves queer representation into the narrative organically, even tackling the realities of homophobia and systemic oppression in this fantasy setting.

Charting an ambitious course, the author packs a staggering amount of scope into the story. The sheer volume of character perspectives offers a panoramic view of the unfolding rebellion and the encroaching darkness. The sudden ending leaves you standing right on the edge of the deck, eager to see where the tide will carry this sprawling cast next.

This first installment of The Tides That Reign series is a thrilling, impressive expedition. The rich worldbuilding, ruthless political intrigue, and high-stakes action make Design of Darkness a voyage absolutely worth taking.