The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie

Set in a future where the seas are ruled by ruthless pirates and monstrous sea creatures known as Reckoners, the story follows Cassandra Leung, a young trainer tasked with raising these beasts to protect ships from pirate attacks. When a mission goes awry, she is captured by a notorious pirate queen who forces her to train a Reckoner for their own use. As Cassandra navigates the treacherous world of piracy, she grapples with her loyalties and the moral complexities of her task, ultimately questioning her place in a world where survival often means compromising one's values.

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