Son of a Sailor

Son of a Sailor #1

by Marshall J. Moore

A pirate tale about home and the family you make for yourself.

Captain Redbeard is the most wanted pirate ever to sail the Eight Seas. But to the folk of his sleepy island hometown, Captain Redbeard is no more than a distant legend. To them, he’s just Quint Thatch - the tavernkeepers’ son.

When tragic news calls him home, Quint hides his pirate identity (and loses his beard) to reconnect with his formidable Ma and childhood friends. As he processes his grief, Quint learns that the bonds of home are as strong as those tying him to his crewmates.

But when Quint’s pirate crew and a ghost from his past sail into town, both halves of his life are thrown into jeopardy. Will he have to choose between his home and his crew, or can Quint find a way to reconcile the two sides of his identity and save them both?

"Pirates, long lost loves, mermaids, found family and refound family -- this novel has it all!" - Rebecca Thorne, author of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea

"The big heart, the found family, the pirate-packed adventure, and the gentle healing journey -- it's the kind of book that sticks with you and connects in ways you never expected." - Meg Hood of Meg's Tea Room Cozy Fantasy Reviews

Genres: Fantasy, Pirates, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy, Mermaids, Historical, Slice Of Life

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2023

About the author

Marshall J. Moore is a writer, filmmaker, and martial artist who was born and raised on Kwajalein, a tiny Pacific island. He has trained a professional mercenary in unarmed combat, once sold a thousand dollars' worth of teapots to Jackie Chan, and on one occasion was tracked down by a bounty hunter for owing $300 in overdue fees to the Los Angeles Public Library.

He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife Megan and their two cats.

Reviews

[H.M. Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Son of a Sailor by Marshal Moore
🏴‍☠️🦜⚜️🏝️🐠
Synopsis:
Quentin Thatch is known by many names, but the name he gave himself has never been spoken on his island home of Ember Bay. The Notorious Captain Redbeard is nothing more than a Tavern Keepers son back on those shores. He left home years ago, chasing a dream that he didn’t fully understand, and never had the heart to tell his family what he had chosen to become. But when news of his fathers passing is carried over the waves, he knows he was gone too long. He sets course for the home he fled so many years ago, and finds that the the boy he had been, and the man he became, are not so different after all.
A heartfelt and touching tale of piracy, adventure, and finding the way home when you hadn’t yet realized that you’d been lost.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review: Without a doubt, the most heartwarming pirate story I’ve ever read. Quentin Thatch is a new favorite character of mine. He is a born leader, with a heart for adventure and a deep sense of duty, but he is also a small town prodigal son. The story of his return home to mourn is so beautiful, and the family he found on the waves is just as loving as the family he returns to, as if he never left.
Loss and grief are the threads of this story, but Moore wove humor, joy and love into it to create a sail so strong that it could carry the Bloody Angel all across the Archipelago. Overall, I think I laughed more than I cried, and I loved every page.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so beautiful and cozy and warm and funny and precious and I am in love with this story. reading this felt like sitting on the beach at sunset after a full day in the sun. it is comforting and emotional and I loved every moment of it! this will be joining my list of comfort reads 1000%

[Ben Huffstetler · Rating 4 out of 5]

"They had assumed they would have more time; time in which to tell one another the things they'd left unsaid across a lifetime. As if anyone under the heavens were promised any time beyond the present moment."

Son of a Sailor tells a story of family, grief, and legacy. Moore's storytelling manages to interweave the interactions one has between biological family, found family, and community in a way that highlights the importance of all three. The world that the story is set in feels familiar from the beginning and allows the characters to take center stage. It is a fun story that will make you laugh and feel hopeful while also dealing with major themes such as coping with the loss of a loved one. Moore handles these more mature themes without allowing it to bring the tone of the story down. The only major complaint I have is that it took a bit of time for me to get into it. The story drew me in initially and then lost me a bit after the first few chapters, but the final third was so strong that I could not put it down after getting to that point.

Overall, I highly recommend this book if you are interested in the cozy fantasy genre. It delivers a strong character driven story that feels real in the way that the characters interact. While it is not a perfect book, it is a great time and one that I am glad I read. If this were part of a series, I would be reading the sequel right now.

Thank you to the author for the ARC copy.

[Tara Kat (MagnoliaPigeonBookBlurbs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy adventure perfection!

I was absolutely swept away and into the world Marshall J. Moore has created! Quint Thatch’s story is filled with a hidden identity, family secrets, loss, love, found family, grief, adventure, refound family, quirky pirates, friendship and a hilariously sassy mermaid all rolled up into a cozy fantasy that will make you want to sail the Eight Seas!

This book was such a joy! From the sea to the shore and all the chaos in between Son of a Sailor was a fantastic journey.

Thank you Marshall J. Moore for the gifted copy!

[Karin Aiello · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute joy of a book, Son of a Sailor was so much fun to read and become enveloped in the cozy little atmosphere it provides. Found family, real family, chill island vibes, with just enough piratical adventures to give the story some action... Moore tells a wonderful story of what it means to chase your dreams, figure out who you are and where you came from, and bring together all the people who love you, especially at a time when you need it most.

Thank you to the author for the eARC of this book. So excited for the world to find it come pub day!

[Ivy Marikova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive an ARC of Son of a Sailor. This was promised to be a cozy pirate tale and maaaan it delivered. 😍 It was beautiful story about grief and love and family and I enjoyed it very much. AND THERE IS A MERMAID!! And a sapphic pirate!!!

In all honesty, I would enjoy a whole book about Lurk and Mani being chaotic, these two made me holler with laughter. 😁

If you’re looking for cozy pirate fantasy book, this one is absolutely for you.

[Hannah van Haaften · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for review.

This book is funny and comforting and cheesy (but only in the best ways) and the low stakes makes it an easy stress free read.

I enjoyed all the characters and have a special place in my heart for Lurk the mermaid.

Overall, I think it’s perfect for an upcoming summer read and would be the BEST atmospheric novel for a day at the beach. Would recommend.

Well done Marshall.

[Tyler West · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC reader - 3.5 rounding up. I recently learned I’m a fan of the cozy fantasy genre. And when I find out there’s one about a red headed pirate? I’m in. I received an ARC for Son of a Sailor and wasn’t disappointed. Overall I enjoyed the story and sort of found-family themes within it. It did take a while for things to start really happening though. I know it’s a cozy fantasy, which are prone to be more laid back, but it took a good 45% of the novel before I was fully engrossed. Even with its slow start, I still thoroughly enjoyed the ending and hope to see a second one appear. Overall this was a good debut full-length novel for Moore.

[Nathan Fantasy Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review originally posted at The Fantasy Review

Disclaimer: I recieved a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Son of a Sailor is a cozy fantasy novel about a pirate captain who returns home upon the death of his father. There he encounters old friends, a quirky mermaid, a doting mother, and the navy who is trying to capture him. In many ways this book has it all – it is sunny and breezy, making you feel like you are on an island in the Carribean. There are some fun characters and nothing bad ever happens. On the surface, Son of a Sailor seems like a perfect entry into the cozy fantasy genre.

Now, I usually don’t like to leave negative reviews on books. And I want to make clear that Son of a Sailor is not inherently a bad book, but I also think that it engages in many, many of the issues with cozy fantasy as a subgenre. This book felt more like it was engineered to capture the zeitgeist – to latch onto cozy fantasy as one of the “it” trends in SFF publishing – rather than feeling like it emerged from a truly meaningful and passionate source. This might not be the case at all, but I read cozy fantasy for the feelings. Whether it is the serene calm of Legends and Lattes, the warm hug to get us through the hard times of Gam Gam, the empowering Light from Uncommon Stars, or the melancholic musings of Bard City Blues, cozy fantasy is about the emotions it swells up deep within you. Son of a Sailor didn’t do that; I never felt emotionally connected to any of the characters.

A big part of this is because this book simultaneously had way too much going on and not enough going on. The closest comparison regarding plot structure I can make is Tom Sawyer. The chapters in this book are relatively episodic while also sometimes returning to the storyline established in an earlier chapter. Obviously with the success of Tom Sawyer (and many other slice of life books) this can be a successful way of telling a story, but I’m not sure Moore pulls it off here. There isn’t enough conflict (even the low-stakes conflict often found in cozy fantasy) to engage the reader. The individual chapters are much too mundane, and anything resembling a conflict (like the approaching Navy coming for our protagonist pirate captain) are resolved too quickly and conveniently for there to be any emotional stakes.

There are several wonderful side characters populating Son of a Sailor. The mermaid in particular is an absolute hoot, and I would read a spinoff tale about her immediately. There is also a young boy who latches himself onto our main hero, Redbeard, who is cute and fun. I just wish that Redbeard himself had the same level of humor or depth. Redbeard is not an interesting enough character to justify spend 300 pages with. His only real character trait is his complicated relationship with his dad, but Moore doesn’t dive deep into that relationship enough. Redbeard kind of just accepts everything that happens to him without careful reflection, and so he lacks the character heft needed to really carry the story.


Back when I first read Legends and Lattes I really enjoyed it, but I was a bit confused about how everyone was pushing forward the idea that the book was somehow “Hugo Award worthy”. I thought it was nice and all, but was it really worth that much hype? Now that I have read more cozy fantasy like Son of a Sailor, I think I see how strong Legends and Lattes really was. It is hard to write a novel with minimal conflict, low stakes, and little plot and keep it interesting. Baldree was able to make that balance while Moore stumbles here. Again, I’m not sure if Moore just pushed this story out the door too quickly or if this was just a bit of a miss at a first attempt at a cozy fantasy.

I’ll just bring up on more thing before I conclude this review. I think that cozy fantasies need to take a step back and really examine what larger social issues they are trying to make “feel good”. This conversation has been had related to Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea and his use of the Sixties Scoop to create a cozy tale, but I still see problematic things in over cozy fantasies. Moore does this as well in Son of a Sailor. He brings up colonialism and empire (and essentially eradicating the local indigenous peoples of the island, although that is never explicitly stated) and also some of the heinous things the pirates have done in their past (one off hand comments remarks of people who were severely injured due to the ineptitude of two of the pirate characters). Moore seems to hand-wave off the stuff about indigenous rights and colonialism (Redbeard literally states that there is nothing he can do about it, so why bother) and the latter is handled as a joke. There are ways to write cozy fantasies that don’t trivialize or minimize larger social ills, but Moore doesn’t seem to do that here. These also felt like unforced errors because neither of them needed to be included in the first place. Authors looking to writing cozy fantasies need to make sure they are being reflective on their own works, and what they are trying to make warm and fuzzy.

I know this was a pretty negative review, and I’ll reiterate that the book wasn’t horrible. I just think cozy fantasy is finally at the point where it is mature enough to have confronted some of the issues Moore runs into here. If you are a cozy fantasy die-hard and have read everything else, pick up Son of a Sailor and make an opinion for yourself. Otherwise, there are much stronger cozy fantasies out there that are worth your time more.

Concluding Thoughts: A cozy fantasy that is more meandering than feel-good, Son of a Sailor lacks the emotional depth to really work as a “slice-of-life” book. It is more boring than endearing, with a bland main character, no plot tension, and some problematic concepts hidden just beneath the surface. Some of the side characters are really fun, including the awesome mermaid character, but overall this is not a cozy fantasy that you should be running out the door for.

[illyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy pirate fantasy is just what I was looking for! I love the atmosphere (think Firefly + The Hobbit + Assassin’s Creed Black Flag) and I want to be part of the crew. This book will take you through hijinks, heart, adventure, and have you longing for more (so glad this is now part of a series!!).

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never would have thought there could be a “cozy pirate tale.” (Because…ya know…PIRATES!) But this one absolutely nailed it. Everything about Cap’n Redbeard, his ‘fearsome’ crew, and the town of Ember Bay will charm any reader who dreamed of nautical adventure. Full marks, Mr. Moore!

[M-Bot · Rating 2 out of 5]

"They had assumed they would have more time; time in which to tell one another the things they'd left unsaid across a lifetime. As if anyone under the heavens were promised any time beyond the present moment."

Quentin is a leader, adventurer, and loyal son and friend, who returns home to mourn his father.

There’s emphasis on his biological family, found family, and community. When he returns home, he has an appreciation for the life he once had, as well as a love for the life he’s forged. He also has a mermaid that has got to learn to stop drowning people.

It’s extremely wholesome with slice of life and action, and a whole lot of appreciation for the relationships one has in life and their importance in the hard times and the good, and the times you need them most.

Found family, real family, chill island vibes, with just enough piratical adventures to give the story some action... Moore tells a wonderful story of what it means to chase your dreams, figure out who you are and where you came from, and bring together all the people who love you, especially at a time when you need it most.

Cozy fantasy is rarely my thing, so I knew there was a chance I wouldn’t connect with this, but it’s pirates and my friends loved it so I wanted to try (sorry friends). It’s not my thing. But outside it just not being my personal taste, I had two cons for this book
The small one: Pacing. I found this book pretty boring for the first like 65%. It did get better in the end, and it’s a very short book, but it was a struggle for me to push through the first half because I just didn’t feel like we were going anywhere
The big one: the writing. At the beginning, when Quinton first returns home and is reflecting on his grief, there are long passages of introspection about taking for granted the things that made home special, grief being like the tide, it ebbed and flowed, etc. They were long and lyrical enough that it came off as cheesy to me - maybe because I barely knew the character at this point. But even more so what bothered me about the writing was the pros. It came off very clunky to me. An example of why it read this way is the over physicalization. Every time a character spoke (and this is a dialogue heavy book) there HAD to be some physical movement accompanying it. Every. Single. Time. I’ll give an example:

She cocked her head. “The what?”
“Inside,” Quint said, nodding at the boat. “Did you see anything unusual in there?”
“All landfolk things are unusual,” Lurk said flatly, then furrowed her brow in concentration. “But…there was a strange object in there. Shaped sort of like this—” She pressed her elbows together, making a sharp angle of her arms. “But when I touch it, it moves like this, or like this.” Keeping her elbows pressed against each other, she widened and then closed the angle between them. “It’s hard, and very shiny. Is it…important?” Quint nodded. “It’s a sextant.”
“Cap’n!” Mani’s face paled.
“My folks say you shouldn’t talk about—” Quint clapped a hand over Mani’s mouth.
“Belay that talk, sailor,” he told him, then returned his attention to Lurk. “That sextant is very important, Lurk. We can’t sail the Wisherman without it.”
“Really?” The mermaid’s mellifluous voice was dubious. “It’s not even attached to the boat.”

I know this sounds nitpicky, and trust me, I know this wouldn’t bother everyone, maybe not even most people, but it bogs down every convo and you can pick literally any page in this book and find this kind of dialogue tags. It’s like someone told this author the writing advice “said is dead” and they took it as law. Once I noticed it (which happened early on) it drove me nuts. I know I’m being annoying so I’ll shut up now

Not for me, but I’m happy for those that loved it

[Li Lacombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Grief, he'd learned, was like the tide. It ebbed and flowed, sometimes deep enough to drown in, others low enough that he scarcely noticed it. He wondered whether it would ever fully leave him, or if he simply needed to learn how to live with this new rhythm."

Grief. This book is about grief. But it's also about home, and community, and fun, and loyalty, and love!

Quint Thatch, the infamous Captain Redbeard, receives news about the death of his father, and has his beard shaved, and returns home to Ember Bay to be with his mother in this dire time. He makes new connections and friends (there is a mermaid, too!), and he realizes how much he loves his home, and how much he misses his pop. Things get upended when his pirate crew arrives on the island. What is he to do?

But trust me, if you love a great island setting, pirates, mermaids, parrots that love to say inappropriate things, precocious children, and great descriptions of seafood (I actually wish I liked fish now because of this book. Maybe I'll try some again), then this book is for you! I actually have never had much interest in pirate books despite living close to the ocean, but I fell in love with this book immediately. It's cozy fantasy with conflict and a happy ending.

This book was such a wonderful read, and as the quote at the beginning suggests it does deal deeply with grief, and it does it in such a careful and loving way. It understands grief, and it lets you feel your own, but in a safe place, in Ember Bay with Quint. This book shows that you're not alone with your pain.

"For in stories, the dead live again."

That's what this book is about! It's not just about the death of Quint's father, but about the stories he told, and how he lived, the love that Quint's home island has for him and had for his father, and he loves it back. This book is fun. It is fun in such a comforting and fulfilling way! I read it in one weekend, and wow, it definitely made my weekend better. Quint is quite a character, I love his parrot Jimmy, Lurk the mermaid is fascinating and maybe I'd let her drown me just to make her happy, and I love the islanders. There are a lot of fun twists in this book, and it's beyond easy to keep turning (or in my case, sliding since I read it on my kindle) the page. I highly recommend it for anyone. Well, guess I've finished blabbing now, so if you'll excuse me I have to go become a pirate and try some fish and chips with a glass of lemonade.

[Chase Trautwein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read of the cozy genre and I feel like I just discovered a new comfort food or a new favorite half-hour show. Yes, there is danger and conflict in Son of a Sailor, but you just feel good reading it!

I had to get that introduction to the cozy genre out of the way. Now, as to Son of a Sailor itself: this is a story that will relate to anyone who has returned to their home and seen it with new eyes. Our main character, Quint Thatch/Captain Redbeard, must lie low after he and his crew have made off with their most successful treasure raid yet. Quint's primary reason for returning to his childhood home of Ember Bay, however, is more personal and tragic--I won't say what it is, because I don't like to give away spoilers. That being said, Quint starts to appreciate the ordinary, normal, mundane things about Ember Bay he took for granted after being away for so long. I found this major theme profoundly relevant, of valuing the sounds, smells, people, and memories that can make an ordinary place extraordinary.

As Quint reconnects to the people and places of Ember Bay, we are introduced to his Ma, numerous friends and townsfolk, and a new face who is enigmatic, charming, and has the smile of a shark--again, no spoilers, just read the book! Quint has individual histories with Ember Bay's citizens whom he grew up with, as well as a rich past with the crew of his ship, the Bloody Angel. As Captain Redbeard, he leads a gallery of unique rogues who I'd love to spend some time with (for the most part).

The pacing of the story moves along comfortably until Quint's crew unexpectedly shows up in Ember Bay and he must somehow reconcile his 2 lives: Quint Thatch, son of the local tavernkeeper, and Captain Redbeard, who is wanted by the Imperial Navy. It is here that things speed up and... I won't give anything else away. I enjoyed this book and it would have been ideal to have read this with my toes in the sand and ocean wind in my face, but I felt like I was there anyway, and that's what good stories do: take you away to another place.

[Emily-Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hear pirates, my ears prick up. I hear a pirate cozy fantasy, and I am officially sold!
I was lucky enough to receive an ebook arc of ‘Son of a Sailor,’ and needless to say I am now in the mood to rewatch the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise; savvy🏴‍☠️
Son of a Sailor, follows our swashbuckling Naval Officer turned fearsome Pirate Quint (Captain Redbeard), as he returns to his reclusive home island after the tragic loss of his father. Their he must come to terms with his two drastically parallel worlds colliding. Facing the reality of the people he left behind, places he sorely missed, including his parents beloved tavern and family boat, as well as the grief to which he sadly cannot escape.
Moore’s charming, yet witty writing style paired with easy-to-love characters, such as a Mani (think Short Round from Indiana Jones), serpent-like mermaid with shark teeth Lurk (think sirens from Harry Potter), and no nonsense Ma Thatch, makes for a fun read that will have you craving a community fish fry up and the smell of the sea salt air.
As a fan of all things pirates, I enjoyed the elements of the classic pirate tale woven throughout the book. I would have loved to have seen more of the Bloody Angel crew, and delved deeper into Vanessa’s backstory with Quint (as I felt it was a bit rushed in the end), however, this book is not about the swashbuckling adventures but rather, the reconnecting to a place we once called home and the ones who make it so.
Thank you again Marshall Moore for the ARC and I highly recommend this read if you are a fan of the cozy fantasy genre that includes a dash of piracy!
4 stars 🌟

Also recommend you listen to the song ‘Letters from the Atlantic’ by The Arcadian Wind, as it fits the books vibe perfectly.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

I wanted a cozy pirate story and this delivered on all fronts!! We start aboard a pirate ship with captain red beard and his crew playing a drinking game called ‘on me life I never’. We learn that the crew are intentionally getting the captain drunk because he has just heard about the passing of his father. The captain then goes home to see his mother and mourn his father. So there is a theme of grief running through it but it’s handled well and does not bring the tone of the book down. It is cozy in all the best ways with the captain reconnecting with family and old friends, being supported by his community and remembering the importance of home. It also has found family vibes with his crew and honestly made me laugh multiple times. On the pirate side of things we had buried treasure, a talking parrot with an interesting bunch of phrases and lots of piratisms to bring a smile to your face. My only gripe is that his ma is sometimes referred to as Ma and sometimes Lola, I don’t mean in the dialogue as that would be understandable, just in the body of the text which led to confusion as I wasn’t sure who Lola was, I think it would be better if she was just called Ma across the board. Other than that I loved every minute, I wasn’t surprised by the ‘twists’ but that added to the coziness and even though I knew what was happening it still got me right in the feels. Recommend this to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy and I hope the author writes more cozy stories!

Thank you to Marshall J Moore for kindly providing an arc of this book with no expectations

[Morgan NotAForceUser Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Son of a Sailor is exactly what it says on the tin: a cozy pirate tale. Quint Thatch returns to his island home after ten years away upon learning of the death of his father. Why has he been away so long? Because he is the legendary Captain Redbeard, scourge of the Eight Seas.
In this beautifully written tale, we get to watch as the two parts of Quint's life collide in a multitude of ways while simultaneously following his journey through the grief of his father's passing. This story is introspective and heartwarming and tender, while still maintaining the piracy that we all want in a summer read.
The characters are all incredibly endearing, though Lurk the mermaid and Mani, the aspiring ship's clerk truly stole the show and my heart. Marshall Moore's descriptive writing is incredibly sensory and atmospheric, truly placing you into the world of the story (and leaving you wishing that you could take up a seat and a delicious meal in the Queen's Arms with Quint and his Ma.)
As far as the plot is concerned, Moore does quite a bit of foreshadowing, so none of the twists and turns (though there are a few) feel too surprising or unearned. This is not necessarily a negative, especially in a cozy story where you want to feel safe and cared for in your reading experience. And care is incredibly evident in this book, especially in how it handles grief, which is executed with so much intentionality and heart.
Am I about to enter my pirate era after reading this book?

[AshleyReadsThings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quint Thatch? Yeah, we like that guy. The book starts off as most great pirate books do, on a ship. Quint had received news of his fathers passing and his crew gets him very inebriated while telling truths and sharing stories. Eventually Quint travels to his island hometown to spend some time with his mom and familiar faces. Of course, he can't very well let anyone there know he is Captain Redbeard, the most wanted pirate, so he arrives clean shaven (mostly) and every time he visits he carries a lie of his employment and how he is still doing the SAME job after all the years from the very first time he told the tale.

This book has family, refound family, LOTS of pirates, a mermaid, an adorable parrot, a cat that likes to hide things, and so much more. This book has the theme of grief in it so it's a lot of healing and reconnecting and treasuring, one might say, the time you have and the people you know.

This book is a very slow burn and very low stakes until about halfway when worlds begin to collide. Very much hits the genre of a cosy fantasy, with a tiny bit of stakes and lots of interesting characters.

Thank you Marshall for a lovely story and an arc copy. Well done.

[Thatguyjae · Rating 4 out of 5]

-ARC reader-

Son of a Sailor is a delightful slice of life and cozy pirate adventure that left me craving more. As my first encounter with Marshall J. Moore's work, this book has certainly piqued my interest, and I eagerly anticipate exploring his other creations.

One aspect that struck a chord with me personally was the relatability of the story, particularly as someone hailing from a small island with a modest population. However, Son of a Sailor offers a myriad of relatable elements that can resonate with readers from all walks of life. Seamlessly weaving through themes of grief and reconnecting with old friends, Moore's writing effortlessly draws you in, making for an enjoyable and accessible read.

I found immense pleasure in witnessing the main character's journey as he navigated the complexities of his pirate captain lifestyle while grappling with the memories of his humble upbringing in a close-knit community. The supporting characters, ranging in age and even species, provided a delightful touch to the narrative, adding depth and enjoyment to the story.

For those in search of a lighthearted summer escapade or simply a cozy adventure with mostly low stakes, Son of a Sailor is an absolute treat. Moore's novel promises an engaging experience that will leave readers entertained and satisfied.

[Chelsea Reining · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was spectacular! The perfect mix of cozy and pirates, heartfelt and hilarious. Marshall J. Moore will make you fall in love with Cap’n Redbeard, Quint Thatch, and his whole rag-tag crew - both pirates and the people of Ember Bay.

This book just felt like a warm hug - it was heartwarming and cozy, funny and engaging, and it leaves you feeling contented and satisfied. Don’t get me wrong, I’m dying for more adventures, but the ending was still fantastic. And the characters were just so darn lovable! I just want to go find Ember Bay, grab a pint at the Queens Arms, and settle in for stories from the locals and Thatch’s crew - I could happily live in a scene like that.

The plot was simple but well thought out. It does what cozy fantasy is supposed to do - maybe a bit predictable, but it’s relaxing and calming, fun and mischievous, and really just an amazing ride. It gives you high seas without high stakes and makes you tear up from emotion, laughter, and salt water.

I can’t recommend this book enough - it’s a balm for the soul and could make any reader smile. And honestly, who doesn’t need that?

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were aspects I liked about this book, such as Lurk and Jimmy and Quint's relationship with Mani, and the island setting and its community, but it wasn't engaging enough for me personally, and the pacing was too slow (which is a strange thing to say about a cozy book). I think what might have improved both those aspects is if we had had more time with Quint's pirate crew at the beginning, perhaps the first 25% being the heist to steal the jewels while we get to know the crew, before Quint finds out about his dad's death and has the idea to bring the treasure to Ember Bay. This might have enabled me to feel Quint's conflict between home/family and his pirate life more strongly, and ramped up the tension a bit when the crew arrived. It seemed to take a long time for them to turn up, and as this is mentioned in the blurb, I had expected it to happen earlier. Them turning up over halfway through would have been fine if we'd had more of them at the beginning. It did end fairly satisfyingly, although perhaps a little too neatly.

[Megan M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Son of a Sailor so much that I fully expect to re-read it a few times. If you've got a summer beach trip planned (or you wish you did), this pirate book will give you all the cozy, tropical vibes you could ask for.

The story follows a pirate captain named Quint who goes home to his island hometown of Ember Bay for the first time in a decade. He's kept his pirate identify a secret from his family and friends - and fully intends to keep it that way. I loved meeting all of the interesting and fully realized characters: Quint's tough as nails Ma, Jimmy the parrot (who always says the wrong thing), precocious Mani and his trusty hammer, a mermaid who loves to drown - I could go on!

The first half of the book does a fantastic job setting the stage for the arrival of Quint's pirate crew. As you can imagine, their arrival complicates Quint's efforts to keep his pirate identify a secret from the town. The second half of the book had me gasping and cheering all the way to the end.

This book is truly so funny and heartwarming - it's not often a book has me laughing out loud in one chapter and tearing up in the next (and then back to laughing before you know it!) If given the option, I would move to Ember Bay in a heartbeat. You'd find me in the Queen's Arms sipping a rum cocktail with Hawkins and Miss Rosa.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was a more medium paced book that was the perfect length to read through on a rainy day when there is nothing else you want to do. It had some action that was a little intense, but it flowed smoothly and was resolve relatively quickly so that you aren’t on the edge of your seat for a hundred pages. It had quite a bit of mundane activities, but it was written so well and not dwelled upon unnecessarily. And everything written pertained to the story and moved it along in many different ways. There was also LGBTQ+ representation which is always nice to read! 10/10 would recommend for anyone looking for a good cozy book that’s Pirates of the Caribbean meets Friends!

[Beca Royale | BookSiren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book literally starts out with pirates playing 'Never have I ever' as a drinking game.... what more could you ask for?!

But seriously. Quentin Thatch has to return home when he finds out his father has passed. One problem, he left home to join the navy but has been living the life of a pirate and his small hometown has no idea. Coming home after 10 years since his last visit, he's faced with lots of familiar faces and even more memories.

This book was great! Found family, sassy mermaid 🧜‍♀️, pirate banter, and a whole lot of fun. I was drawn into the character and his inner struggle dealing with the grief and loss of his father but also what he left behind.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very kindly provided an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Goodness GRACIOUS did I love Son of a Sailor! I think "A Cozy Pirate Tale" is a perfect description - it's a lovely, wholesome, heartwarming story about coming home.

Now, cozy doesn't mean low stakes the entire time. We do get a little bit of action here and there, and there's some great tense scenes peppered in. But the general vibe and the voice are all at once comforting, sad, and hopeful. I'd been reading some heavier things lately, and this was exactly what I needed. If you're in need of a sweet, thoughtful, and at times laugh-out-loud funny read, this might just be the one for you.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very lucky to get a digital ARC of Son Of a Sailor.

This was pretty much what it said on the tin a cozy fanatsy tale with a pirate spin.

Captain Redbeard returns home after receiving a letter that his father has passed away, and this story is really about dealing with grief. However it does handle with the serious topic in a fun way and there were equal moments where I laughed and cried.

If you're a cozy fantasy fan, enjoy a pirate found family and violent mermaids this book is for you!

[Kelly Scriven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The writing, the pacing, the cozy vibes, the humor, the mermaid - she's easily my favorite - everything in this book just works. I found myself laughing out loud at parts, and loved watching Quint fall back in love with the hometown he wanted to escape when he was younger... Even though I'll never be a pirate, I felt like it was something so many people can relate to. Cozy books can sometimes drag, but this one had the perfect balance of things going on to keep it on course and keep you reading to see what's next.

[Susan K. Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you need a little palate cleanser between all those serious books you’re reading, here is a good one. Quint is known as Captain Redbeard on his pirate ship, but back home on the island he keeps his current job as a pirate a secret from family and friends. When his father dies and he has to go home (via another ship) he struggles to keep that secret along with a chest of jewels that he brought with him. That is until one night when his pirate ship pulls into the harbor witg all of his crew. Son of a Sailor by Marshall J. Moore is like a little entertaining fairy tale. 3.5 stars

[Brad Sells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so lovely and so spectacular. Marshall J. Moore’s Son of a Sailor feels like a big hug with its wonderful prose, swashbuckling adventure, and big-hearted characters that are so easy to love. I immediately felt like I was on Ember Bay with this crew, and I loved getting to explore every inch of it. Son of a Sailor has just the right amount of hilarious moments to balance out the tear-jerker scenes, and I cannot wait to add Moore’s backlist on to my TBR. Move this to the top of your list!

[Julius Strack · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you're the most wanted pirate on all the oceans, you don't need a ship to go on adventures. Sometimes it helps to just visit your hometown after a decade, and having to pretend to be a boring ships cleric, because your folks don't know. And if you come along bringing the crown jewels, nothing can go wrong, right? This is a very lovely, cozy tale of a pirate captain reconnecting with his family and old friend. A relaxed and lovely read if you like pirate adventures or cozy stories. Some very brief action scenes, but they are quickly resolved and mixed with loads of good humor.