Prince of the Sea

By: Jon Michaelsen

Narrated by: Philip Church

Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Jonathan Lemke thought spending two weeks alone with his partner in a beachside cottage would help to rekindle the lost passion of their 10-year union. He'd chosen Tybee Island, a quiet seaside community on the Georgia coast, east of Historic Savannah. Jonathan had spent his childhood growing up on the pristine shores of the barrier islet, which continues to hold a special place in his heart.

The romantic surprise backfires when Paul, Jonathan's partner, rushes off to Chicago for the chance to woo a high profile client, leaving Jonathan alone and brokenhearted until a chance meeting with a mysterious and seductive stranger linked to a beloved island legend provides a chance at discovering forever love. But someone with strong familial ties to Tybee Island is desperate to expose its secrets and avenge a grudge decades in the making. An assailant so threatened by the forces of nature that defy explanation, he will stop at nothing to unmask ancient island lore...even if he must kill to prove it.

©2016 Jon Michaelsen (P)2016 Jon Michaelsen

Decent story, events a little unbelievable

Is there anything you would change about this book?

While the prose was good throughout, I found some of the situations (and I'm not even talking about the paranormal elements) to be unbelievable and contradictory. Only Jonathan was fairly developed as a character, and even then he was just too quick to accept what people said or did without question. His 10 year relationship with his lover, Paul, was unbelievable because Paul was a total jackass. I don't know how Jonathan could have stayed with him for 10 years the way Paul treated him. Paul never gave a straight answer to anything, and was quick to deflect and turn everything onto Jonathan and not take responsibility for his own actions. When Jonathan discovers that Paul has been lying to him, and may have been cheating (we are not sure as that is never fully explained), Paul deflects and Jonathan just accepts the situation or something interferes with their conversation and they never get back to discussing it, so we never really found out the truth about Paul. The old woman at first warns Jonathan that if he tries to get involved with his childhood friend, it will end badly for them and pleads with him to stay away. Then she is all for them getting together. Makes no sense!

Would you recommend Prince of the Sea to your friends? Why or why not?

Probably not, unless I warned them to suspend belief. A situation with a local man defending his father's reputation turns into attempted murder without any real explanation of why, the character's and situations are never fully explained and we are just supposed to accept the events without question.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Philip Church?

Yes, but I have to admit that he spoke too fast through much of the book. He finally slowed down for the last couple of chapters.

Could you see Prince of the Sea being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I would not want to see it made into a movie unless there was a major rewrite so that the characters motivations are believable and the characters and situations more fully developed.

Liked it until the end

I really liked this story until the end. It had mystery, romance, heartache, and a little danger...all the makings of a good story. However I was very disappointed in the ending. Maybe it will feel like an HEA or HFN to others, but to me it just seemed sad. In spite of everything he went through Jonathan ended up alone. Paul betrayed and left him, and while Lucius might remain an occasional friend, it seemed that Jonathan would not have the love he wished for.

The narration seemed a little fast and stilted at first, but as the story went on, I warmed up to it, and it became comfortable and seemed to suit the story.

I would recommend this story for the romance and nostalgia throughout, but I would warn others like myself who want a wonderful, certain HEA ending as that didn't seem assured.

Why would you write a book with no ending?

I like this book but it would have been nice to have a real ending

Good listen

I was given a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I have read a book from this author in the past and was happy to listen to his newest story. I knew from the blurb it would be a lot different from the other book, which was a gay mystery with no romance in sight. From the blurb, it sounded like there would still be mystery, but not a private eye story. I also thought it might contain more romance. It is sort of true, but ultimately I would say that this story would still fall under gay fiction.

Jonathan is a successful Hollywood writer and his partner Paul is an agent. Both are so wrapped up in their careers that they barely notice the distance growing between them. So Jonathan suggests a trip to Tybee Island where he grew up. I've never been to Georgia at all, but I think the author really set the scene well, and I would really like to visit this place. When Paul's work keeps him from joining his partner on his trip, Jonathan explores his old stomping grounds and meets up with an old friend, Lucius.

Personally I'm glad Paul didn't show up. From the way he talked to Jonathan and treated him, I was ready for their relationship to end. Jonathan is a pretty easy going guy and takes his lover's tantrums and lets them roll off his back. I know in reality, I'm kind of like that too, anything to avoid confrontations. But as a bystander, I was frustrated. Jonathan could do better with Lucius, though that man has some secrets of his own.

Part of the reason, I'd really like to see Tybee Island is to see if the mythology in this book exists there. Do the locals gossip and talk of legends of mer-people? I like this twist in the story. It isn't just a story of a couple falling apart and trying to see if they can make it together or if someone else is better for them. The water dwellers exist in this book, and one man wants to see them hurt out of some strange sense of family revenge or pride.

The end of this book is left sort of open. I don't know if the author plans on continuing the story of if we are left to imagine for ourselves whether Jonathan and Julius will meet again. I personally would like another book in the series.

The narration in this book is decent. The author has a pleasant voice and does use different tones to differentiate between characters. He spoke a bit quicker than other narrators, which isn't a bad thing since speed can be slowed or quickened. I had to go back to normal settings because I usually speed other narrators up. There were really long pauses though between chapters and I kept checking my phone to see if I accidentally paused the book. A little bit of buzzing was in the background also. I would listen to the narrator again, but hopefully those little things would be fixed up.

Fantasy realized

What a gentle yet rugged story. Conflict is constantly surging against a couple that are meant to be. Will they actually realize their love? That’s their challenge! Will they Even be alive after their tragedies? That’s their story. A sad ending? A happy ending? You decide in their final chapter. The love dory is still an amazing one.

A really good first book in a series

I liked this one a lot. It does an excellent job depicting the setting, and I particularly enjoyed the use of language as a way to set Lucius apart.

The story deals with a couple, Jonathan (our protagonist) and Paul, who, after ten years of living together are having a rough time. In an attempt to overcome this situation, Jonathan plans an escapade to his childhood town, Tybee Island in Georgia. Not surprisingly, though, Paul fails to be there on time, dishing excuse after excuse, giving his work as the reason that keeps him away.

After a scary event in which Jonathan almost drown, his old friend Lucien shows-up, and he finds himself struggling with a growing attraction, trying to hold to his long-standing relationship with Paul in spite of it. And yes, I can see why could be really hard to ditch a relationship that lasted so long, although I also must be honest and say that Paul doesn't seem to deserve that loyalty :(

I liked the sense of myth, the old stories and legends of the place. But there are also old hurts that are clamouring for revenge and people ready to bring it over Lucien's head. This, obviously, brings a lot of suspense to the story.

The end of this book is left open, which, IMHO, is a good thing; there are allusions to Jonathan’s having some mythical role, too, which I think will be expanded in the next books in the series. I'm perfectly okay with that, I like arcs that go beyond a single book when I'm reading a series :D

Philip Church does a good job with the narration, although it took me a couple of chapters to get used to his style and how quickly the man talks *laughs*

Listening is believing

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it's thoroughly engaging, and offers the satisfaction of a romance coupled with the unexpected element of the paranormal.

What other book might you compare Prince of the Sea to and why?

None, to be honest. I haven't read another book that combines the elements of romance and the paranormal.

What does Philip Church bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent enunciation and very good characterization. My only critique is that he reads it very quickly, as if he's in a hurry.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Does Love Have a Ghost of a Chance?

Any additional comments?

I'd read the book and was excited to hear it - listening and reading are distinctly different pleasures. Michaelsen and narrator Church bring the island to life. I can hear the sea and the cadences of the characters' voices. The love gone bad (spoiler?) is made up for by the magical, mystical romance promised by the mystery man from the sea. And I'll confess: I love a happy ending, or at least a hopeful one.

Eeeehhhh

The story was alright, I would have liked a bit more fleshed out or a better ending. Not to spoil it but Paul sucks. Like, Paul is the absolute worst! He’s every manipulative, self centred, sick, yellow-bellied jerk you’ve ever had to deal with.

It was okay, well written and and interesting idea - but that ending just sucked as much as Paul.

Waste of time & Money

I seriously think this must have been written by a 15 year old. ALL of the characters are shallow and boring. The main character is a pushover who overdramatizes every thing. His boyfriend is a petty 12 year old with zero character development. The "king of the sea" speaks and acts like an absolute moron, despite supposedly being risen among humans and being a century old. There is absolutely no chemistry at ALL. The assholes gossiping in the bar early on are the best developed characters in the entire book. Nobody else even speaks like a human, much less having any sensible or rational motivations.

The narrator overacts the entire book, making it feel like the story is written for 5 year olds. but, in his defense, the writing isn't much to work with.

Felt incomplete

I don't know how to describe this book. The performance was okay, but not great. The ending was so ambiguous. I was left with more questions than answers. Did Billy Wayne really just give up like that? Was about all the angst with Paul? Is that ending really a happy one? I don't know. This whole book was just so lacking in something. I didn't really feel anything between Lucius and Jon. Boring to a point and frustrating with how vague events were presented. Would not recommend.