Jordan S. Keller’s new YA novel sends a teen sailor on a risky quest

Jordan S. Keller has released A Sea of Ships and Souls, a young adult adventure about a reluctant hero, a Sea Sprite and a pirate threat to the ocean queen. The book mixes fantasy, coming-of-age themes and high-seas action for readers 12 to 18. Why it matters: - A Sea of Ships and Souls uses a fantasy quest to push a familiar teen message: growth often starts when young people step into fear instead of waiting to feel ready. - The novel targets readers ages 12 to 18, putting its themes of courage, honesty and chasing big dreams in front of a teen audience. - The book arrives as a pirate-and-magic adventure for fans of sea shanties, folklore and coming-of-age stories. What happened: - Award-winning author Jordan S. Keller released A Sea of Ships and Souls through The Wild Rose Press on March 9, 2026. - The story follows Jace Kit, a wannabe sailor who has stayed ashore until a Sea Sprite named Sable asks for his help. - Sable wants Jace to stop a dread pirate from killing the ocean queen and plunging the world into dark storms. - Keller said Jace initially wants to turn down the adventure, but the story reflects how people often grow by pushing through fear. The details: - Jace believes in Sable’s magic, while Sable believes in his legendary trinket that marks him as the hero she needs. - Jace knows the trinket is fake, which puts a lie at the center of his journey. - The pair enters a competition to win a ship capable of catching the ruthless pirate. - Jace sails with a handmade boat, while Sable brings magic. - The setting includes the mythical Remos Ocean, described as darker and more dangerous than the hero’s first assumptions. - The book blends high-seas action with folklore, tarot readings and mythical sprites. - Keller said the novel is a love letter to Pirates of the Caribbean, sunsets over the ocean and the feeling of building your own adventure with new friends. - The publisher listed the book’s ISBN-13 as 978-1509264605. - The book is available from Amazon . Between the lines: - The story frames heroism as something messy and imperfect, not something reserved for people who already feel prepared. - Jace’s fake trinket and Sable’s secrets suggest the plot will lean on trust, identity and the cost of keeping up appearances. - Keller’s comments about dream jobs point to a broader message for teens: practical choices can crowd out ambition unless readers keep pursuing what they want. What’s next: - Keller is directing readers to her website and social channels for more information. - The author’s earlier book, Failing Gravity, released in May 2025, already earned awards in cyberpunk, sci-fi dystopian and young adult dystopian categories. - More information is available at Jordan S. Keller’s website . - Readers can also follow Keller on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok under the handle JordanSKellerAuthor. The bottom line: - A Sea of Ships and Souls pairs a teen adventure plot with a straightforward message: courage and growth often begin when the safe choice is to stay still.