H. Leighton Dickson lives on the north shore of Lake Superior where the winters are long, and the forest is at her back door. A self-confessed naturalist, world traveler and science geek, she writes full time and is the author of over ten novels. When she is not chasing dogs, cats, foxes or grandchildren, Heather also works with several not-for-profit orgs to showcase the arts and culture of Northwestern Ontario. hleightondickson.com

"High-seas adventure meets rich fantasy worldbuilding and strong character development." - Kirkus Reviews

"A siren song of tempestuous, storm-tossed adventure drenched in magic and lore so rich you can feel it in your soul!" - #1 New York Times bestselling author, Abigail Owen

"Lush and romantic, this epic fantasy will cast you away on a magical journey." - #1 New York Times bestselling author, Mai Corland

"In this jam-packed nautical romantasy, Dickson conjures up an intricate world of seaborne wonders and terrors, populated by colorful characters and maritime monsters. The slow-burn romance between Honor and Gavriel simmers for much of the story, allowing the political intrigue, magical chaos, and ship-to-ship combat to take center stage...readers will enjoy Honor's ambitious, indefatigable nature as she takes charge of her destiny. It's a promising series launch." - Publishers Weekly

"🗺️ If you crave pirates, danger, and that "I-shouldn't-want-you-but-I-do" tension, Ship of Spells delivers in waves. The world-building is lush, the banter is sharp, and the slow burn? 🔥 Absolutely worth the wait."

"Here are a few of my favorite things...
- the banterrr
- Slooow burn but it's so worth it
- The end drove me crazy but in a way where I need MORE
- 'What have I done to you"

"I would recommend if you're ready for world building and feeling like a pirate!"

"This is a high seas, high stakes, slow burn for the ages!! H. Leighton Dickson drops us into an entirely new world and it doesn't stop until the very last page."

"All hands on deck! This book is a rollicking, high-seas fantasy that proves the best friendships are forged in shipwrecks, with a sentient boat for a bestie and an infuriatingly hot captain to annoy. [...] H. Leighton Dickson has created a thrilling, watery adventure that will make you want to swap your land legs for a magical sea voyage."

"God, I ate this up, the YEARNING!!!!! If you are looking for high key yearning, this is the book for you!!!"

"This was a magical action-packed book! From the beginning until the end, [there] was action!"

"This is such a fun book! [...] This book has a good mix of action, adventure, humor and romance. The world building is unique and the story is very intriguing. I really enjoyed all of the banter too. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. I definitely recommend this book!"

"I would call this a cozy fantasy and I fell in love with the crew of the ship. I would like to continue the series and see where they journey to next."

"This is an action packed, slow burn romantasy and be ready since it does end in a cliffhanger. [...] If you enjoy a magical adventure similar to Shadow and Bone give this action fantasy a try."

"I overall enjoyed my time with Honor Renn, our Captain, the Touchstone, and our misfit crew.
[...] I will miss my time in this world and with these characters."

"I love [...] the 'rough around the edges' characters and banter and chaos of a good crew. The Ship of Spells (Touchstone) was magical and different and I really loved the idea of it. The world was rich in a unique magic system that had me hooked. I loved the constant action and slow-burn romance. [...] Overall, I enjoyed the story and will continue the series."

"The worldbuilding is vivid, the characters are layered, and the slow-burning tension kept me hooked."

Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books

Pub date: 2025-11-04

Length: 512 pages