It's my second book!

I'm not active on Goodreads as a writer. I love using Goodreads as a reader to keep track of what I've read and find new books, but if I'm loitering in the comments of my own book, it's going to be harder on both of us. Me, because reading is a deep rabbit hole. You, because you will be nervous to express your incisive and witty criticism. Or whatever.

The point is, I hope you Thea's story, and if you have any questions, comments, concerns—bug me on Instagram @laurabrookerobson.

Some quick things that you may or may not be wondering:

Is this related to Girls at the Edge of the World?
No. Different worlds, different characters. But if you d one, I think you'll the other.

What's the genre?
Fantasy in the same way GATEOTW is fantasy. No magic powers (though I do love magic powers), but a historical-ish world not quite ours with big climate catastrophes and invented myths.

Highlights?
Whale songs, woven time strands, earnest bi boys, reimagined Greek myths (particularly Athena, Artemis, and Cassandra), a deconstruction of the "strong female heroine" trope, and an enduring love for the ocean (which is quickly becoming my authorial thing, I guess)

Content warnings?
This is a book about everything I said above--whales and myths and heroines--but it's also a book about sexual assault. I say "about" sexual assault and not "featuring" sexual assault because it really isn't just a feature. The assault isn't in the book to raise the stakes or give the characters some motivation. It's the core of the story I wanted to tell, and though I wrote about a dozen different versions of this book, these questions always sat at the center: What does it mean to be a "strong" woman? Are you strong if you shun relationships? Are you powerful if you're well-d by men? What happens when we begin to define ourselves through our relationships with someone else, be they parent, friend, or partner? What happens when those people betray you?
Most of all, I wanted to tell a story about sexual assault that felt true to me. I hope it feels true to you, too.
I say all this as both warning and reassurance. At the risk of divulging too much, I also think it's worth noting here that Thea and I have had similar experiences. I don't love shouting personal information into the ether, but I also know that as a reader, I find comfort in knowing that I'm being guided through a story by someone familiar with all the path's thorns and brambles. I tried to write the book that would make me feel heard, known, and cared for.

I think the book went live on Edelweiss yesterday, so that's my cue to leave this page to the readers. I hope you it.18 s Stay Fetters2,219 155

"The world wants to hurt you. The world doesn’t care about your voice. Doesn’t that make you angry?"

Knowing me and how I am, I’m surprised that more pirate books aren’t a constant in my life. Especially ones with bada** women who take charge and don’t let any man tell them what to do. I love a book with a strong and powerful main character.

This was really good. Thea was a powerful leader and one who made mistakes but she never let that hold her back. Never met a pirate with their heart on their sleeve before and I’m glad that I finally got to experience that. Really unique in its own sailing the high seas kind of way.

I wasn't expecting the heaviness with this book. The then parts broke my heart and I didn't realize that a book about pirates would hit me so hard. Those Then chapters still get to me and we fully understand why Thea is the way she is. I'm not sure if I could ever be as strong as her. Thea powered through and became one of the most powerful female leads that I have ever witnessed. It was heartbreaking and beautiful. Her mission was a solid one and you couldn't help but cheer her on as she went on with her life.

The Sea Knows My Name was a really good read. It was a powerful feminist pirate read that you'll zoom through because it holds your attention really well. You'll instantly connect with Thea as she travels through with a tough exterior but deep down inside she has a really big heart. We could all learn a thing or two from her. I know I certainly have. I'm really excited to read other books by this author after reading this one. 8 s Kelli1,090 13

“I’d always been greedy for possibility, but my want was more exact than that. I wanted to be someone for whom anything was possible. I wanted to be someone who didn’t accept the word ‘no’ and invented herself as she pleased.” (16)

Clementine Fowler is a survivor.

To persist in spite of anyone and everyone is what Clementine knows how to do best. Men taught her to do this well—really, it’s one of the only good things men taught her.

In a man’s world, survival is a woman’s best weapon. Best revenge.

That’s not to say, though, that Clementine didn’t try to live a good life, a noble life. An honest one. Clementine studied, fought to go to school and excelled, married a man she loved. Phin. He loved Clementine. He supported her. He listened to her. Believed her.

It could’ve been enough.

But, it wasn’t.

Clementine was a scientist. her father, even if her father refused to acknowledge it. She studied the land and conducted research. She knew a disaster was nigh. An eruption of Mt. Telamon, Astoria’s most volatile volcano.

Clementine wanted to publish her research. Share her findings. Be believed.

But, no.

No one ever believes a woman until it’s too late.

When Phin dies in a sudden earthquake, that’s the last straw. Clementine will not save people who don’t deserve it.

When she leaves, all Clementine takes with her is Thea. Her daughter, named for the goddess of cleverness of logic. Clementine hoped to imbue Thea with these strengths. They would need them, to survive in this world.

But, Thea is not her mother.

Her mother is strong, yes. Smart and clever, courageous and calculating. She knew Mt. Telamon would erupt and it did, nearly wiping out all of Astoria. Her mother got them a boat and set sail days before the catastrophe.

In three years time, Clementine became a pirate queen. The sea became hers and her the sea’s.

But, Thea knows survival can be cruel and callous— her mother. It can relentless and unforgiving— the sea.

Thea is not sure who she wants to be. Who she can be, in a world this.

When the opportunity to start again arises, Thea can’t think of a reason not to. She knows the world can be harsh but she doesn’t want to have to be harsher for it. Her mother saved her—but survival is not always kind. Thea, the goddess of cleverness, saved herself through great personal sacrifice.

Survival is sometimes the meanest thing you can do.

It can come at great cost.

Will Thea be able to define strength for herself in these tough waters she must tread? When her deepest regrets resurface, will she be able to be brave in her own way?

What does it mean to be brave in a world so indifferent to your struggles?

This book tore me to pieces—in a good way. I feel split open down the middle, all my insides torn out and placed under the glaring light of day. a whale, washed ashore.

I feel gutted.

This is such a powerful and profound exploration of not only survivorship and strength but also womanhood and persistence in spite—of everything. This book demonstrates the particular, accumulating and steady hurts of being a woman in the world so deftly and articulately that I had to set the book down several times and just breathe.

Thea is such a raw and real, relevant character who’s struggles are so familiar and terrible. This is fantasy story, yes. But, the indignities and abuse and the self-imposed silence pain inflicts—all of it is all too real. Clementine is a pirate, yes. But, she’s also the embodiment of all women’s rage and hurt and pain made vengeful and efficient, murderous and free.

And, Thea is her daughter.

Hurt by the same world. Hurt my Clementine, too, who couldn’t see her own daughter beyond her pain, her desire for revenge. But, Thea doesn’t blame her. Isn’t even sure she fully understands.

Love is supposed to be enough. But, what happens when it’s not? When you must love yourself in spite?

Thea knows survival can be mean. Has seen it. Has felt it. But, she hopes it can be more too. She wants to be more than a reaction—to her mother, to her circumstances, to pain.

This book is such a good ache. I could go on and on about how much I appreciate the nuance and dexterity with which this author crafts this story. I could. But, I’d rather recommend you read it for yourself.

This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Highly recommend~fantasy fantasy-recommendations favorite-ya ...more4 s Sheila MyersAuthor 6 books131

Again, a book I wouldn’t normally pick up to read. It is YA, I was in the library and curious. Well written story with a mythological twist. That’s always fun! 2 s Rapunzel Reads31 6

This book is, in a word, phenomenal. Full of powerful, lyrical prose and realism so unshakable that it electrifies every sentence, this is one of the most stunning books I have ever read!

I utterly fell in love with this book. Robson creates a world and a set of characters so vividly real it almost feels wrong to call this book fantasy. After all, this story is nothing classic fantasy novels or even a typical pirate tale, full of swashbuckling triumphs, twinkling fairies, and the unmovable hand of destiny. Instead, it is nuanced, as quiet and emotional as its protagonist, and as thoughtful and powerful as Robson’s debut. Unconventional in the best possible way, this is a tale about family and stories, about the devastating expectations of a patriarchal world and the different kinds of strength it takes to live in it. Instead of falling into traditional patterns of storytelling and expectations concerning how women are treated and portrayed, The Sea Knows My Name actively stands up against them.

Thea defies and stands up to the expectations of her society without openly defying them, reminding the reader undeniably that there is more than one way to be a woman, and that being quiet or having feelings does not mean you accept or embody the expectations of a patriarchal society. Conversely, Clementine is in so many ways the classic YA fantasy heroine from the early 2010s—ruthless, determined, and feminist because she wants to set herself apart (the infamous ‘not other girls’ trope). Thea openly defies this, contradicting the idea that one must be masculine and unemotional to be feminist, but in her own way, Clementine does not fall into the stereotype, either. They are, neither of them, wrong or stereotypical; instead, they are both strong in different ways, and Robson’s subtle yet determined way of weaving this thread and the contrast between them is utterly extraordinary.

With every plot twist and image, every line of dialogue, Robson builds a world and a story so spectacular that feeling ambivalent about this book is utterly out of the question. With vibrancy, realism, and a sometimes painful determination to tell the truth, she weaves something fulfilling out of Thea’s pain and conflict and all the patriarchy and control in the world, something that leaves the reader both empowered and deeply touched by the singular power Robson wields with this deceptively simple, lyrical novel. Raising questions about silence, freedom, love, power, strength, expectation, feminism, judgement, survival, and so much more, perhaps the starkest beauty of all in The Sea Knows My Name is its ability to weave so much together into a narrative that does not content itself with being simply ‘convincing,’ but is utterly real. We need more books with characters Thea, and more writers as thoughtful and powerful as Robson.
Devastating, beautiful, and full of deft realism, I highly recommend this book!lgbtq1 Pratyu311 3

This book is beautifully written and extremely frustrating in the most relatable way; but I also really appreciate that it wasn't so angsty that I had to put it down. It's all about the aggravation and emotional toll of existing as a woman. Luckily things are better now, but there are still a lot of themes in this book that are applicable to our world as we know it. The subplot involving Leo Bauer was done with great care and Thea's inner turmoil, which must have been difficult to write, was complex but coherent. I that she ended up embracing her own brand of strength and that her agency was greatly influenced by Clementine and her own trauma. Wes was a good foil to Thea, and it was refreshing to see that they are both, in their hearts, gentle people - but Thea opposes her nature while Wes embraces it. Also presents an interesting question of is the ability to retain your kindness a privilege? Thea was kind and gentle, as she is expected to be, and the world screws her, as is expected. Wes is kind and gentle and he gets the short end of the stick, but I think it's fair to say that he's not nearly as traumatized as Thea. I don't know, but something to contemplate. Overall, a very good book.1 Miranda26 3

“When men get angry at each other, they fight. But when women get angry at men, we can fight back, can we? We have corsets and pretty shoes and malnourished figures to worry about, all these tricks to keep us from fighting physically, and when we fight verbally, even the most eloquent rebuke can be dismissed with that singularly wretched word “irrational”. So women must turn their anger on each other because there's no one else to hold accountable. No one else who might LISTEN No one else who might hear a woman's roar and think it powerful. And when a woman—out of charity, exhaustion, or some hard won insight— realizes the futility of tearing down the women around her, she has only one place to funnel the seething smoking acrid pool of rage that has been building since she was a child: back on herself”


I love this book so much! Amazing mix of pirate fantasy, coming of age, and feminism. We Stan Thea
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