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Tell us about books you've enjoyed that take place at least partly on the open seas. Was the ocean/sea a major part of the story?

All genres welcome here!

Well…not on the sea, but under one in A Darkling Sea by James L. Cambias; a very unique and creative first contact story. I was recently reminded of it when I was reading Shroud, but I liked A Darkling Sea much more than that one (which I ultimately ended up DNFing).

The Tide Child trilogy by R.J. Barker (The Bone Ships, Call of the Bone Ships, The Bone Ship's Wake), a fantasy series that has a pirate feel to it. The sea, its inhabitants, and the way the sea (and therefore the world) is sort of cut in two by Skearith's Spine, are all key aspects of the series.

I've been wanting to read The Bone Ships!

I was a weird kid so I read Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad for extra credit in my high school English class and just loved it. I really need to reread as it's been ages but I remember it being incredibly dramatic and how Conrad really, really liked writing about the sea.

A book I read last year and absolutely loved is the YA fantasy/historical fiction novel, The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novia that tells the story of a young transmasc protagonist who has to come to terms with their gift of magia that resulted in a personal tragedy. It's set in the Caribbean around the end of the pirate "golden era" and the author really did his research and brings a very insightful Latine perspective to that setting.

All the Seas of the World by Guy Gavriel Kay is the first one that came to mind - as gorgeously written as all of his books.

My favorite of all the Narnia books is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is a fun one, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series when more books are published.

On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers was the book that was co-opted by the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise!

The Terror by Dan Simmons is super creepy, as is Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant (aka Seanan McGuire).

Historical fiction:
The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett is a beautifully written book loosely based on real history. She has others, too, but that's my favorite of hers.

For utter silliness, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists is a delight.

Nonfiction:
Thunderstruck by Erik Larson is narrative history that takes place partly on a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic. Another of his that is ocean-adjacent is Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History about the Galveston hurricane.

In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick is wonderful and sad. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage is in a similar vein.

I majored in marine science. I like ocean books. :)

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle is worthy of being called a classic, and it's a Newbery book, too. Avi knows how to engage young people and the young at heart. And, as I recall, the setting was important, not just the ship but the sea itself.

The Complete Liveship Traders Trilogy: Ship of Magic, The Mad Ship, Ship of Destiny
Robin Hobbs series is very good. I read these years ago, and the memory is weak but I rememeber liking them a lot

Also, The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant
The One Tree and some of White Gold Wielder take place on the ocean in their quest to find the one tree to rebuild the staff of law

I keep thinking there should be a few, but I've been struggling to think of anything.

Red Seas Under Red Skies had a significant portion on the sea, but I'm struggling to remember anything more than vague details.

I had quite a long period of reading naval historical fiction, someday I hope to finish Master and Commander series by Patrick O'Brian, I've still only read the first 4. All really good.

Also Under Enemy Colours by Sean Thomas Russell, first book is great, didn't like the rest of the series as much.

The Whale Road by Robert Low for a viking adventure.

Richard Bolitho � Midshipman by Alexander Kent & Armada by John Stack

Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber, though I'm not sure how much is really on the water, and it could be more in the rest of the series.

Ken wrote: "The Complete Liveship Traders Trilogy: Ship of Magic, The Mad Ship, Ship of Destiny
Robin Hobbs series is very good. I read these years ago, and the memory is weak but I rememeber l..."

It took a while for me to get into the Liveship books. They are, IMO, such an important part of the overall Realm of the Elderlings series. I did end up appreciating them and enjoying the contrast between them and the other books in the series.

I plan (at some future time) to reread the First & Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and then tackle the 4 books in the Last Chronicles, which I have not read.

Kathi wrote: "I plan (at some future time) to reread the First & Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and then tackle the 4 books in the Last Chronicles, which I have not read."
I reread them and started the Third Chronicles. They are a tough read. Slow, but good. I am halfway through book three and had to take a break.

I enjoyed the Empire of Storms Trilogy by Kelly Skovron. They call it a kung-fu, pirate, gangster fantasy adventure. I agree and recommend it. One of the main characters is a pirate captain and the scenes on the sea are important and well written. The first novel in the trilogy is Hope and Red by Kelley Skovron.