Tides Series by Alex Lidell

Master and Commander meets Sarah J. Maas in a seafaring adventure of duty, love, magic, and a princess’ quest to protect her kingdom on her own terms. Born to privilege, called to service, trained for command, 17-year-old Lieutenant Nile Greysik finally gets the chance to prove herself a leader... moreMaster and Commander meets Sarah J. Maas in a seafaring adventure of duty, love, magic, and a princess’ quest to protect her kingdom on her own terms. Born to privilege, called to service, trained for command, 17-year-old Lieutenant Nile Greysik finally gets the chance to prove herself a leader. As she takes charge of a captured enemy ship, her orders will take her through hostile waters and stormy seas with a hold full of prisoners, a skeptical crew, and a handsome first mate whose every move undermines her confidence. To navigate to safe harbor, Nile must earn the crew’s trust. .. but first, she must dare to trust herself. First Command is a prequel novella in Alex Lidell’s TIDES series. Recommended for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Tamora Pierce, and Naomi Novik. less

Born to privilege. Trained for command. Destined for danger. After a lifetime of training, seventeen-year-old Princess Nile Greysik, a lieutenant on the prestigious Ashing navy flagship, sails into battle with one vital mission--and fails. Barred from the sea and facing a political marriage, Nile masquerades as a common sailor on the first ship she can find... moreBorn to privilege. Trained for command. Destined for danger. After a lifetime of training, seventeen-year-old Princess Nile Greysik, a lieutenant on the prestigious Ashing navy flagship, sails into battle with one vital mission--and fails. Barred from the sea and facing a political marriage, Nile masquerades as a common sailor on the first ship she can find. With a cowardly captain, incompetent crew, and a cruel, too-handsome first officer intent on making her life a living hell, Nile must hide her identity while trying to turn the sorry frigate battle worthy. Worse, a terrifying and forbidden magic now tingles in Nile's blood. If anyone catches wind of who Nile is or what she can do, her life is over. But when disaster threatens the ship, Nile may have no choice but to unleash the truth that will curse her future. less

A cowardly captain. An incompetent crew. A mission she can't fail. Nile and her small band of loyal midshipmen saved the ship, and Captain Rima might just kill them for it . . . one young officer at a time. No one and nothing on the Aurora is safe anymore, least of all Nile’s explosive secrets or her connection with Domenic, which vibrates between them like a cutlass speared into the deck... moreA cowardly captain. An incompetent crew. A mission she can't fail. Nile and her small band of loyal midshipmen saved the ship, and Captain Rima might just kill them for it . . . one young officer at a time. No one and nothing on the Aurora is safe anymore, least of all Nile’s explosive secrets or her connection with Domenic, which vibrates between them like a cutlass speared into the deck. When the shifting tide of war suddenly turns Aurora’s backwater outpost into a vital battleground, Nile faces an impossible choice between duty and freedom. In a cascade of violence, gunpowder, and lies, Nile will soon discover who has her back and who wants to stab a dagger in it. To save the ones she loves, Nile may have to sacrifice everything. less

An impossible mission. Dangerously growing magic. A distrustful crew. Can Nile beat back the rising tide of war before it's too late? Six months have passed since Princess Nile Greysik changed the course of the Tirik war and earned her place in the Felielle navy . . . or thought she did. With the war taking a violent new turn, Nile--joined by a cryptic empath named Kyra--sails out to beg support from the isolationist Diante Empire... moreAn impossible mission. Dangerously growing magic. A distrustful crew. Can Nile beat back the rising tide of war before it's too late? Six months have passed since Princess Nile Greysik changed the course of the Tirik war and earned her place in the Felielle navy . . . or thought she did. With the war taking a violent new turn, Nile--joined by a cryptic empath named Kyra--sails out to beg support from the isolationist Diante Empire. But with a chauvinistic crew waiting for Nile to fail and even Domenic questioning her authority, one wrong step could strip Nile of her command mid-voyage. When a terrifying new evil strikes their ship, Nile begins to understand the awful truth about the enemy they're facing--and this time, not even her wind calling may be enough to save them. less