“One may gain enlightenment even from a foe.”
~Aristophanes
“Adjust, Seba. That’s what all good sailors do. Poseidon is not to be toyed with, and anyone who tries is a fool many times over.” ~Kostas Krizomatis
In 1759 on the Greek island of Chios, under the cruel dictates of the Ottoman Empire, Sebastian Krizomatis struggles to find his place amidst the conflict of two competing family legacies. Sebastian is bound to the land through his mother’s heritage (cultivating the fames Tears of Chios from the skinos trees) but he dreams of following his father, descended from the ancient mariners of Greece, to become a shipbuilder for Sultan Mustafa III’s merchant fleet. As Greek Christian slaves, Sebastian and the other villagers of Sessera face daily perils on the only island in the world where the valuable mastic tears weep from the gnarled tree branches and are carried by ships for trade across the globe. Pirates, raiders, and thieves will stop at nothing to get their hands on the magical Tears of Chios, and the villagers live in constant fear of danger from invaders. When the sultan’s ruthless cousin, Ahmed, attacks the Krizomatis family without warning, however, a new danger is introduced - one that could change Sebastian’s future and his family forever. -
I started reading this book when I got on a flight and barely looked up until we landed. It felt like I was in Greece and I became attached to so many of the characters. Very well written! And a captivating story. I can’t wait to see what happens next in book 2!
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The characters are so well written you feel their every thought. The location descriptions make you feel you are right there in the room, in the church or under the tree. You can hear the sea as it rushes past the rocks. Thought I was done travelling but this novel has given me the desire to visit Chios. The story line is compelling. The author make you really want to know what happens with each character. You can feel their fear, their loves, and their worries. It is hard to forget them. As a novice author M’s Bradley has created a well written, well researched and well thought out story line.
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Historical fiction is my favorite genre of reading and this did not disappoint. K Pearson Bradley introduced me to the Tears of Chios, something I had no clue existed. Through her storytelling a young boy, Seba, comes to life along with characters who bring out all the emotions! Can’t wait for the next book!
“Deliberate violence is more to be quenched than a fire.” ~ Doctor Despina Marguerite Robin (“ro-BEEN”), quoting Heraclitus
Sebastian Krizomatis’s adventures continue in the bustling port of Smyrna, Turkey, the greatest center of commerce in the 18th century’s Ottoman empire. In the quest to save his father from Ottoman slavery, Seba solicits the assistance of the most prominent and powerful silk merchant in Smyrna, the ruthless and enigmatic Stavros Alkeidis. Smyrna is brimming with French, Dutch, English, Armenian, Turkish, and Greek citizens, all competing to profit from the Silk Road trade. With the help of taverna owner, Meleia Kokois, and medical doctor, Despina Marguerite Robin, Seba navigates the complexities of maritime merchant commerce, in hopes of finding his father. Before Seba can get his bearings, however, British Dr. Andrew Turnbull turns the city’s merchants upside down, threatening the Ottoman governor’s delicate balance of power. In order to survive, Seba must work with Smyrna’s scions to rescue his father and reclaim his legacy. -
The eagerly-awaited sequel to ‘Tears of Chios,’ and worth every moment…. Every bit as good as the preceding text, the only bad news about this book I could find is that I shall have to wait some time before the appearance of a third text. Five stars and a strong recommendation.
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What didn’t I like? The characters, the background research, the relationships! I loved it all. I always want series I can immerse myself in and this one ticks every box. So. Very. Good.
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Book 2 in the Merchant Tides series continues the adventures of Sebastian (Seba) from Book 1. Set during the Ottoman Empire, the author immerses readers once again in the sights, sounds, and smells of the town of Smyrna. Small details make the time period come to life, the characters are well-drawn, and readers can learn more about history in a riveting style. Highly recommend!
“When human beings band together, they make miracles. I’ll go to my grave believing in hope.”
~ Paolo Partella, Sebastian’s best friend
Sebastian Krizomatis is a seventeen-year-old Greek fugitive from the Ottoman Empire, torn between a longing for freedom, the allure of adventure at sea, and the weight of familial responsibility. Arriving in the British-occupied port of Mahón, Menorca in 1767, Seba believes he and his family are finally safe. When privateers attack the harbor at night, Seba realizes that other enemies, seen and unseen, await him wherever he goes. Forging new alliances to confront demons internal and external, Seba must disperse the mists of Menorca to find where his true loyalties lie.-
I’ve been following Seba's story from the start, and Mists of Menorca is another gripping chapter in his journey. It’s packed with action, drama, and those heart-stopping twists that keep you reading “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s midnight. An absolute page-turner that left me both satisfied and eager for the next book in the series!!!
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This isn’t just another historical novel, it’s an experience. The author takes us deep into the hardship, politics, and sea-faring escapades of the British Empire. The story balances sweeping adventure with intimate, human moments. The cast of characters includes a tyrannical captain, a scrappy gin merchant, and of course the bold and idealistic protagonist, Seba. Every chapter feels meticulously crafted, and by the end, I felt like I’d traveled alongside Seba across the entire Mediterranean.
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I've read all the books in this series, and it continues the engaging story of the trials of 17-year-old Seba, a young man growing up as a fugitive in the Ottoman Empire. The newest addition is filled with adventures on both sea and land.
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Book 4 of the Merchant Tides Series
In 1768, Sebastian Krizomatis arrives in the British colony of East Florida as an indentured worker determined to build a future in the New World. His hopes are tied to Dr. Andrew Turnbull, a medical doctor turned plantation owner, who, through questionable business decisions and other missteps, places the livelihood of his growing family and the settlement’s laborers at risk.
Among those striving to preserve what remains is Maria Gracia, Dr. Turnbull's Greek wife and mother of four children. Recognizing the consequences of her husband's decisions, and witnessing the immense suffering among the settlement’s Mediterranean workers, she quietly works to protect both her family and the plantation workers whose fortunes have become intertwined with her own.
Continuing the journey begun in Tears of Chios, Scions of Smyrna, and Mists of Menorca, this fourth novel carries the series beyond the Mediterranean into a new British colony in North America. Richly grounded in the history of eighteenth-century East Florida, it explores immigration, perseverance, loyalty, community, and the enduring search for a place to call home.