Review: Across the Sea (Islands in the Mist, Book 2) by J.M. Hofer
"Across the sea, old oaths deepen and new destinies rise."
Tour dates: January 19 - February 20, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the iRead Book Tours page here:
iRead Book Tours - Islands in the Mist Tour Schedule.
Disclosure: I received a copy of Across the Sea (Islands in the Mist, Book 2) as part of an iRead Book Tours event. All thoughts are my own.
Welcome to my stop on the iRead Book Tours review tour for Across the Sea (Islands in the Mist, Book 2) by J.M. Hofer.
About Across the Sea
Across the Sea By J.M. Hofer
Series: Islands in the Mist #2
Published by CreateSpace on 11/17/2015
Genres: Fantasy, Myths & Legends
Formats: Audiobook, eBook, Paperback
Pages: 464
Nine moons have passed since the devastating battle against the cauldron-born.
In exile along the sea, Cerridwen gives birth to her supernatural child. Upon beholding his sublime radiance, she is unable to kill him, as she’d vowed to do. Instead, she casts him adrift, leaving his fate in the hands of the Great Mother.
Bran convinces the survivors of the battle to gather their families and live under his leadership as one clan. They settle near the Sacred Grove and take the Oak as their new sigil.
Lucia has returned to the isle to train among the Sisterhood, but Bran has not forgotten her. Once the new settlement is well-established, he asks her to return and be his queen, leaving her with a difficult choice to make – will she abandon her training, or ignore her heart?
All of their destinies intertwine, leading them on challenging paths that border otherworldly realms.
Review at a Glance
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Setting | Iron Age Britain inspired by Welsh and Arthurian legend |
| Length | 394 pages |
| Content Rating | PG-13 +M (mild profanity, occasional non-explicit sex scenes, battle violence not gory or explicit; series note: Book 4 contains a rape scene) |
| My Rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5 out of 5) |
| Quick Take | A compelling continuation that deepens character development, strengthens the mythological arc, and reinforces the series' rich historical grounding. |
My Thoughts
Across the Sea is a strong continuation of Islands in the Mist, deepening both the characters and the world while maintaining the immersive, historically grounded tone established in the first book. The story remains highly engaging, with a confident narrative flow that made it easy to stay invested from beginning to end.
If you missed my thoughts on the first book, you can also read my review of
Islands in the Mist (Book 1).
One of the most impressive aspects of this installment is the continued character development. Bran moves more firmly into the foreground as the leader of the newly formed clan, The Oak, and his growing responsibilities add emotional and narrative weight to the story. Lucia and Ula remain prominent as well, providing continuity and balance as the series expands its focus.
This book also marks an important turning point in the broader mythological arc, with Taliesin-known to many readers as Merlin-coming into his power during this period. His presence strengthens the mythic elements of the story without overpowering the historical grounding that makes the series so compelling.
As with the first book, it's clear that extensive research went into recreating this era, particularly impressive given how few reliable written accounts exist from this time. The result is a setting that feels authentic and thoughtfully constructed without ever feeling dense or academic.
While Across the Sea could work as a standalone read, experiencing the series in the author's intended order offers a richer and more rewarding experience. By the final pages, the story leaves you fully engaged and more than ready to continue on to the next book.
Series note: This review is part of a five-book iRead tour run for J.M. Hofer's Islands in the Mist series.
Closing Notes
Across the Sea builds confidently on the foundation laid in the first book, offering deeper character arcs, expanding mythological threads, and a continued sense of historical authenticity. With its engaging pace and thoughtful evolution of both story and cast, it serves as a satisfying middle step that strengthens the series as a whole and makes the pull toward the next installment irresistible.
About the Author
About J.M. Hofer
From J.M. Hofer:
As a child, whenever anyone would ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I would answer, “I want to write books!” That enthusiasm has never wavered. Fifty years later, I still feel most fulfilled when I'm writing.
As a reader, I regularly devour books on mythology, folklore and fairy tales. I believe the stories we choose to tell generation after generation are doorways into the heart of humanity. These are the stories that assure us we're not the first to doubt ourselves or face what seems an impossible challenge; the stories that help us realize we're not alone in our struggles. Most importantly, they inspire us to summon the courage to leave behind the familiar and find out what we're made of--to face the dragon, resist the trickster, and heed the advice the village elder gives us.
My aim as a storyteller is to transport you to a world that feels ancient yet somehow familiar, where the veil between realms is thin and magic is very, very much alive.
Where to Buy
View Across the Sea on Goodreads
Audible | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million
Book Trailer
Prefer video? You can watch the official book trailer here:
Watch the trailer for Islands in the Mist series
Giveaway
Enter to win signed copies of the Islands in the Mist book series (all 5 books) (one winner) (USA only). Ends February 27, 2026.
ISLANDS IN THE MIST by J.M. Hofer Book Tour Giveaway
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Giveaway link
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Author: @jmhoferauthor | iRead: @iReadBookTours
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