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"Watch and learn, wretched woman.
See what it means to serve the
​Ship of Spells."


​What critics are saying about
Ship of Spells:


"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
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"Lush and romantic, this epic fantasy will cast you away on a magical voyage!"
-New York Times Bestselling Author Mai Corland

​"High-seas adventure meets rich fantasy world-building and strong character development. Our Verdict? GET IT!"
- Kirkus Reviews

​"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... It’s a promising series launch."
- Publishers Weekly

​"4.5 Stars! Ship of Spells leans heavily on fantasy elements to create an epic tale full of adventure." 
 - Amy Wilson, Novels Alive

"Dickson’s novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats with morally gray characters, action, and wonderful worldbuilding; perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Erin Morgenstern."
  - Leigh Verburg, Library Journal

"Impressively original, deftly crafted characters, an inherently compelling plot structure, "Ship of Spells" by novelist H. Leighton Dickson is a riveting and fun read from start to finish."
- MidWest Book Review
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​A war-scarred mage. A sentient ship. A secret that could drown empires.

When Ensign Bluemage Honor Renn is rescued from the wreckage of her first naval post, she expects death or disgrace. Instead, she wakes aboard the Touchstone, a mythic vessel whispered of in dockside ballads and royal war rooms alike, with a crew of misfits, a mysterious, elven captain and a mission tied to the Dreadwall, the crumbling barrier that has kept the Overland and Nethersea from open war for a hundred years.

But the tragedy that sank her last ship didn’t just take lives―it left something behind.

Now Renn carries a secret everyone wants. A magik that’s chimeric, arcane...and slowly killing her. But the captain’s mission may be her only chance to survive, even if he still doesn’t trust her.

Caught between privateers, princes, and spies, Renn knows each choice could sink her future―or set the sea on fire.

Available November 4, 2025.
Preorders available now, wherever books are sold!
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​Click HERE for Paste Magazine's free excerpt!