“Carpenter supplies all the required elements—witty banter, swashbuckling action, dramatic speeches, wild weather—and throws in a dash of magic to spice up the briny brew…Carpenter’s off to a promising start.”
— Publishers Weekly
“There’s plenty to savor in this first book in the ‘Tides of Magic’ trilogy for fans of Patrick O’Brian’s ‘Aubrey/Maturin’ novels, readers seeking a new fantasy to fill the void left by the end of Naomi Novik’s ‘Temeraire’ series, lovers of Our Flag Means Death, those looking for a less-cozy take on Rebecca Thorne’s Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, and anyone who’d like to rehash the Napoleonic Wars with a compelling narrative, great characters, swashbuckling derring-do, and epic, heartbreaking betrayals.”
—Library Journal (Starred Review)
“Carpenter threads an excellent needle in making the characters and ideas feel modern without breaking the suspension of disbelief. Both women and men serve aboard the frigate Alarum . . . in a variety of roles, with power and without, and the acceptance of relationships is not limited to what the prevailing norms of the actual time period would have been, but nothing feels shoehorned in or clumsy.”
—LightSpeed Science Fiction & Fantasy
THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION
When bloody revolution drives Enid d'Tancreville from her beloved homeland of Ardainne, she resolves to immigrate to Albion. That kingdom, powerful beyond its size and long Ardainne’s rival for world domination, has declared its intent to see the revolutionary Theocratic Republic cast down and traditional noble rule restored – by war if necessary. A skilled sorceress, Enid is confident her abilities will win her a brevet in one of Albion's distinguished cavalry regiments.
Enid's plans change radically when the merchant ship bearing her and other noble refugees to the Spice Isles is captured by the Albion frigate Alarum. The frigate's ship sorcerer was lost earlier in battle and her captain, Rue Nath, is delighted to find a potential replacement aboard his prize. Driven by great need, he offers Enid a temporary commission as his ship's sorcerer – and the opportunity to take immediate and decisive action against the Theocratic Republic at sea.
Thrust into the midst of a small, insulated community and confined within a cramped country defined by the ship's wooden walls, Enid discovers the threat of revolution is not confined to shore. The crew’s loyalty is split between captain Nath, who has provided a steady stream of prizes and prize money, and Master Harde, who takes every opportunity to cast doubt on the young captain’s capabilities and decisions – and his decision to welcome an Ardain viper into the wardroom definitely sits ill with some of the foremast jacks.
Fortunately for Enid, Captain Nath is not her only ally aboard Alarum. She soon finds that she has another, less tangible mentor and friend, and comes to the uneasy understanding that the sea does not always keep its dead.
THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION, Book 1 of the Tides of Magic, is available in bookstores NOW.
You can also purchase THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION online in print, digital, and audio formats.
THE SILVER HAND, Book 2 of the Tides of Magic, will be available early in 2026.
Keep a weather eye on this website for updates, contests, and short fiction that offers glimpses into various characters’ lives prior to the events of THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION.
About Shawn Carpenter
Shawn Carpenter has been telling stories in one form or another for more decades than he is comfortable sharing. Fascinated by fantasy literature, history, the great Age of Sail, all interests that collide in his nautical fantasy series, The Tides of Magic. Shawn is also the designer of critically acclaimed wargames and role-playing game supplements. In recent years he has taken up digital drawing and painting, examples of which can be found in his novel, THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION, published by Saga Press.
Shawn currently lives at the bottom of the Sunshine Sea with his wife, daughter, son, three dogs, and Nadja, Queen of the Night. He is represented by Caitlin Blasdell of Liza Dawson Association.
