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Branded Ann
No pirate on the high seas is more bloodthirsty than the notorious Branded Ann, a woman with eyes like ice and a face marred by a mysterious cross-shaped scar. When she raids a merchant vessel bound for Jamaica, her only objective is to obtain the map that will lead her to a legendary treasure. But she hadn't bargained on taking Violet, the merchant's young widow, on board her ship as a prisoner. In spite of her childlike appearance, Violet has a dark side of her own that Ann finds both infuriating and endearing.
As Branded Ann sails in search of treasure, her task is made more difficult by a stowaway child, an increasingly rebellious crew, and the treacherous seas of the Devil's Triangle; to make matters worse, she finds herself falling for her not-so-innocent but altogether charming captive. But will Violet be able to overcome the demons of her past and accept Ann's love? And will they survive the treasure hunt that has already claimed the lives of so many before them?
As Branded Ann sails in search of treasure, her task is made more difficult by a stowaway child, an increasingly rebellious crew, and the treacherous seas of the Devil's Triangle; to make matters worse, she finds herself falling for her not-so-innocent but altogether charming captive. But will Violet be able to overcome the demons of her past and accept Ann's love? And will they survive the treasure hunt that has already claimed the lives of so many before them?
290 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
15 people are currently reading
820 people want to read
About the author
Merry Shannon
4 books134 followersMerry Shannon was born in California and grew up a military brat. Raised in a conservative family, she was not allowed to watch cartoons and moved around so much that she made few friends; and so she turned to books for companionship and entertainment. She fell in love with reading at a very young age, and soon began to write her own stories.
Her love of fantasy and adventure began very early, and at the age of thirteen Merry completed her first novel-length story. She continued to write throughout high school, and graduated college in 2001 with a B.A. in English. Romance is her favorite genre, so most of her work features a blossoming relationship in a fantasy/adventure setting. Her first book, Sword of the Guardian, recieved two Golden Crown Literary Awards in 2007.
Currently Merry lives with her partner and their many assorted animals in sunny Denver. She’s a full time social worker who writes in her spare time. When she’s not writing she enjoys home improvement projects, reading, watching movies, traveling, sewing and crafts, and spending time with friends.
Her love of fantasy and adventure began very early, and at the age of thirteen Merry completed her first novel-length story. She continued to write throughout high school, and graduated college in 2001 with a B.A. in English. Romance is her favorite genre, so most of her work features a blossoming relationship in a fantasy/adventure setting. Her first book, Sword of the Guardian, recieved two Golden Crown Literary Awards in 2007.
Currently Merry lives with her partner and their many assorted animals in sunny Denver. She’s a full time social worker who writes in her spare time. When she’s not writing she enjoys home improvement projects, reading, watching movies, traveling, sewing and crafts, and spending time with friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 6, 2016
When the fearless pirate Branded Ann attacks and murders Violet's husband and unexpectedly keeps her as a slave, Violet must survive the abuse as Branded Ann engages in a masturbatory one-woman battle of will and attempts to break her into submission, until Violet becomes suicidal. When Branded Ann's ship finally comes into port, she decides to free Violet, but when freedom for Violet comes with gratuitous rape by strangers and being forced into prostitution for survival, she realizes that at least (as the book keeps repeating), the abusive Branded Ann didn't rape her.
Aaaand that's how this book glamorizes abuse and disgusting power dynamics. I stopped after that point, because I knew this book would descend into Stockholm syndrom romance or perhaps Violet, with her pure heart, would somehow teach Branded Ann not to be an abusive fuck. But the disgusting rapeyness of this book makes it pretty much irredeemable, and I'm not in the mood for books whose writers don't truly understand what rape, abuse and power dynamics are. (Or maybe is was branded as non-con/reluctance and I didn't see it?)
Aaaand that's how this book glamorizes abuse and disgusting power dynamics. I stopped after that point, because I knew this book would descend into Stockholm syndrom romance or perhaps Violet, with her pure heart, would somehow teach Branded Ann not to be an abusive fuck. But the disgusting rapeyness of this book makes it pretty much irredeemable, and I'm not in the mood for books whose writers don't truly understand what rape, abuse and power dynamics are. (Or maybe is was branded as non-con/reluctance and I didn't see it?)
March 25, 2018
I tried to like it, I really did.
September 28, 2012
Lesbian pirates...... Enough said!
If you push me, well then I would have to say that I loved the characters, the setting and indeed the ambience of story. Is there any thing more?
From the beginning, it was apparent that there were secrets and hidden truths to both of the heroines. The author gave the time and space for both characters to develop and grow together to an obvious conclusion.
I really liked this book, a very entertaining and quick bedtime romance with dashing pirate captains, evil (slightly 2D) villains and buried treasure!
June 16, 2019
DNF @ 37%.
I was kind of unsure about this book after the first few chapters, but it was supposedly short and I really do have a soft spot for lesbian pirates so I thought it would be okay. Well, it turned out to be much longer than I expected [I don't know how this is supposedly under 200 pages for a print version, the text must be minuscule] and I was just not seeing the romance angle either. After a few days of dreading the thought of continuing it, I just decided to drop it.
I'm sure the treasure hunting plot line would have been interesting once it got started, but I did not like either of the main characters and they did not seem to like each other very much either. I mean I'm kind of against anyone having a romantic relationship with someone who murdered her husband anyway, but I could have looked past it if Anne was actually nice to Violet herself. Unfortunately Anne is just awful to Violet and keeps insisting that it is 'for her own good'. I get that she wants to keep Violet safe from the crew, but she could like tell her that in private and then be 'mean' to her in public and it could be like a game they were both in on or something. It would have made more sense than just being abusive at every turn.
Although I didn't really like Violet any better. I feel like her character swung wildly between like innocent and vulgar depending on what the author needed to accomplish at that moment. I get that her past and present circumstances had her taking on very different personalities, but even her internal monologue seemed like two different people and she would often be ridiculously naive about things that I feel she really should have been prepared for.
I almost gave this two stars, but really if a book is bad enough for me to stop in the middle of it then it probably deserves only one. It wasn't the worst book I've ever tried to read by any means, but I wish more lesbian pirate books would just focus on the romance instead of like 'let's make this as 'historically accurate' and awful to women as we possibly can'. I'm not reading something like this for a historically correct atmosphere, I'm reading it because lesbian pirates ;)
I was kind of unsure about this book after the first few chapters, but it was supposedly short and I really do have a soft spot for lesbian pirates so I thought it would be okay. Well, it turned out to be much longer than I expected [I don't know how this is supposedly under 200 pages for a print version, the text must be minuscule] and I was just not seeing the romance angle either. After a few days of dreading the thought of continuing it, I just decided to drop it.
I'm sure the treasure hunting plot line would have been interesting once it got started, but I did not like either of the main characters and they did not seem to like each other very much either. I mean I'm kind of against anyone having a romantic relationship with someone who murdered her husband anyway, but I could have looked past it if Anne was actually nice to Violet herself. Unfortunately Anne is just awful to Violet and keeps insisting that it is 'for her own good'. I get that she wants to keep Violet safe from the crew, but she could like tell her that in private and then be 'mean' to her in public and it could be like a game they were both in on or something. It would have made more sense than just being abusive at every turn.
Although I didn't really like Violet any better. I feel like her character swung wildly between like innocent and vulgar depending on what the author needed to accomplish at that moment. I get that her past and present circumstances had her taking on very different personalities, but even her internal monologue seemed like two different people and she would often be ridiculously naive about things that I feel she really should have been prepared for.
I almost gave this two stars, but really if a book is bad enough for me to stop in the middle of it then it probably deserves only one. It wasn't the worst book I've ever tried to read by any means, but I wish more lesbian pirate books would just focus on the romance instead of like 'let's make this as 'historically accurate' and awful to women as we possibly can'. I'm not reading something like this for a historically correct atmosphere, I'm reading it because lesbian pirates ;)
July 15, 2025
This was adventure with a capital A. Stunning imagery, characters, MCs chemistry, twists and turns. I wish this was either longer, or had a part two. Straight to the faves pile this one goes!
January 12, 2023
the title of this book tells you all you need to know, it’s about a woman named ann and she’s branded.
on a serious note this book was better than i expected. i went into it a bit worried because whilst it’s rated nearly 4 stars here, on storygraph it only had 2.7 stars and i try to read book which are only rated 3.5 or over. however this book pleasantly surprised me. from the blurb of the book i was worried that violet was actually going to be younger than she is and that the age gap was going to put me off but it wasn’t that bad. the tension and angst between ann and violet is immaculate. just when you think they’re going to start getting along, they fall apart again, but it’s not for stupid reasons either.
the characterisation of ann is very good and her inner monologue about her feeling like a monster was so devastatingly beautiful that you couldn’t help but feel bad for her despite the fact that she can be incredibly ruthless.
similarly, violet is truly a wonderful protagonist and the way she holds her own this book despite the fact that her husband dies, she gets kidnapped, and is then tortured to end countless times is truly commendable. she is a stronger woman than me because i’d have thrown myself from that boat faster than i could’ve said the words “aye, captain”
this book is peak piracy at its best and a truly enjoyable read.
on a serious note this book was better than i expected. i went into it a bit worried because whilst it’s rated nearly 4 stars here, on storygraph it only had 2.7 stars and i try to read book which are only rated 3.5 or over. however this book pleasantly surprised me. from the blurb of the book i was worried that violet was actually going to be younger than she is and that the age gap was going to put me off but it wasn’t that bad. the tension and angst between ann and violet is immaculate. just when you think they’re going to start getting along, they fall apart again, but it’s not for stupid reasons either.
the characterisation of ann is very good and her inner monologue about her feeling like a monster was so devastatingly beautiful that you couldn’t help but feel bad for her despite the fact that she can be incredibly ruthless.
similarly, violet is truly a wonderful protagonist and the way she holds her own this book despite the fact that her husband dies, she gets kidnapped, and is then tortured to end countless times is truly commendable. she is a stronger woman than me because i’d have thrown myself from that boat faster than i could’ve said the words “aye, captain”
this book is peak piracy at its best and a truly enjoyable read.
March 3, 2024
I’m so disappointed in this book.
This was supposedly the best sapphic pirate book on the market. As it’s still quite niche it was expensive for me to obtain. Big waste of fucking money right here.
How is this supposed to be romantic? I am so uncomfortable about this 19 year old being abducted and enslaved by a woman twice her age. They don’t fall in love, it’s Stockholm syndrome. I hate pulling this card, but imagine if Ann had been a man. Everybody would be really uncomfortable with this scenario.
Ann also supposedly is a good person because she doesn’t want to r*pe Violet. Big fucking hooray for doing the bare minimum. Ann still sexually harasses Violet though, so such a good fucking person she is.
This book would be so much better if the plot was that Violet slowly ‘seduced’ Ann and then killed her, becoming pirate captain herself. That’s a book I would read.
Also, there’s so much sexism in this book. The ‘I’m not like other girls’ attitude both the women have is disgusting.
One star for the pirate stuff. It was still a bit simple but oh well.
I'm still waiting for a book about two rival female pirate captains falling in love. Instead of this predatory shit.
This was supposedly the best sapphic pirate book on the market. As it’s still quite niche it was expensive for me to obtain. Big waste of fucking money right here.
How is this supposed to be romantic? I am so uncomfortable about this 19 year old being abducted and enslaved by a woman twice her age. They don’t fall in love, it’s Stockholm syndrome. I hate pulling this card, but imagine if Ann had been a man. Everybody would be really uncomfortable with this scenario.
Ann also supposedly is a good person because she doesn’t want to r*pe Violet. Big fucking hooray for doing the bare minimum. Ann still sexually harasses Violet though, so such a good fucking person she is.
This book would be so much better if the plot was that Violet slowly ‘seduced’ Ann and then killed her, becoming pirate captain herself. That’s a book I would read.
Also, there’s so much sexism in this book. The ‘I’m not like other girls’ attitude both the women have is disgusting.
One star for the pirate stuff. It was still a bit simple but oh well.
I'm still waiting for a book about two rival female pirate captains falling in love. Instead of this predatory shit.
October 14, 2011
This book has what I love best in lezfic romance. It doesn't take itself so seriously. It's agenda-free. And it isn't about a dead lover and dealing with grief. This is just a fun, amusing ride with sexy, memorable characters... and excellent writing to boot! And pirates!! How can you *not* love a book with lesbian pirates?? :)
December 23, 2011
It's embarrassing to admit that I enjoyed this, but I did. It's a lesbian pirate romance novel, okay???
January 15, 2025
I NEED MORE LESBIAN PIRATE BOOKS 10/10 such an easy read finished this book so fast
September 7, 2024
4/5
Spectacular
Spectacular
October 13, 2017
I didn't finish this because I really wasn't into it. I didn't like either of the main characters and it became a struggle to continue. I was hoping for a swashbuckling, exciting queer pirate story filled with dashing characters and adventures on the high seas, but by a quarter of the way in, there was no sign of any of that and I found Ann to be pretty icky. Oh well.
September 7, 2024
so fantastic so wonderful so amazing
December 13, 2018
This was a pretty fun historical fiction romp that, at times, takes itself a little too seriously. For me, it felt a little bit like lesbian Beauty and the Beast with pirates. Branded Ann is a ruthless pirate with a past and is out for the last part of a treasure map that leads to the largest hoard of treasure in the Spanish Main. She is quite Beastly in her appearance (she earned her nickname because of a cross that was cruelly branded into her face) and in her attitude. Violet, our Beauty, is plucky, smart, and intuitive. She has a past, as well, and it helps her in handling her capture aboard Ann's ship.
I loved the dynamic between Violet and Ann, as it is obvious that Violet doesn't want to cooperate with Ann, but doesn't have a problem forming good relationships with some of the male pirates on the ship. The only issue that I have is some of the characters who seemed to have no problems with Violet earlier in the book, some to the point of protecting her from Ann's temper, turn on her later on. It didn't make sense, other than the plot needing them to do it. I thought that Violet was the more interesting character, simply because of her background and her ability to get under people's skin whether through her beauty or her uncanny intuition.
There some light moments in the book, despite it being rather violent and serious. Most comes from the introduction to Charlie (who is a bit of a parallel to Chip) a stowaway on the Ice Queen. She gave the latter stages of the plot some much needed levity where it gets pretty grim for our leads. I also enjoyed that she ended up being a bit of a moment killer from time to time, mostly because the author set those scenes up so well that I'd laugh at poor Ann almost every time.
Overall, if you're looking for a swashbuckler that doesn't take itself too seriously, I'd go for The Sublime and Spirited Voyage of the Original Sin by Colette Moody. But if you like a Beauty and the Beast style of story with a whole bunch of angst thrown in, this one's for you.
I loved the dynamic between Violet and Ann, as it is obvious that Violet doesn't want to cooperate with Ann, but doesn't have a problem forming good relationships with some of the male pirates on the ship. The only issue that I have is some of the characters who seemed to have no problems with Violet earlier in the book, some to the point of protecting her from Ann's temper, turn on her later on. It didn't make sense, other than the plot needing them to do it. I thought that Violet was the more interesting character, simply because of her background and her ability to get under people's skin whether through her beauty or her uncanny intuition.
There some light moments in the book, despite it being rather violent and serious. Most comes from the introduction to Charlie (who is a bit of a parallel to Chip) a stowaway on the Ice Queen. She gave the latter stages of the plot some much needed levity where it gets pretty grim for our leads. I also enjoyed that she ended up being a bit of a moment killer from time to time, mostly because the author set those scenes up so well that I'd laugh at poor Ann almost every time.
Overall, if you're looking for a swashbuckler that doesn't take itself too seriously, I'd go for The Sublime and Spirited Voyage of the Original Sin by Colette Moody. But if you like a Beauty and the Beast style of story with a whole bunch of angst thrown in, this one's for you.
May 18, 2017
Another one of those badly written own-owned things.
Ann killed lots of people, and no matter how she pretended she was sorry for it, it did not change a thing. How her half-assedness took her that far? We'll never know. She also stayed a "tragic" villain "forced" to do bad stuff at the end. No purnishment for you know, leading men to take ships and kill ppl. She was also (big surprise) not likable, and kind of pathetic when you recognized all her reputation is just the magic of being the heroine.
Violet is kind of dumb. I never know why she tried to provoke a pack of pirates to take her. No this is not victim blaming, she challenged those lunatics to rape her. What she was trying to prove to the pirate is a mystery to me, but I'm sure it's stupid anyway. But I have to questioned the decision of letting everyone talking down or be shitty to her most of the time. Why would I want to read a book whose 2/3 is shitty people treating the heroine shittily? And no, she didn't have developments, she just kinda didn't care much and got somehow infatuated with Ann.
The plot is not worth mentioning, who would want to see Ann be successful anyway? The story happens mostly on deck, which is boring. And the times when it was on land, it was a bunch of nonesenses just to push the characters to do what Shannon wants.
I don't care about anything at all in the book, everyone is annoying even the little kid. Do not recommend.
Ann killed lots of people, and no matter how she pretended she was sorry for it, it did not change a thing. How her half-assedness took her that far? We'll never know. She also stayed a "tragic" villain "forced" to do bad stuff at the end. No purnishment for you know, leading men to take ships and kill ppl. She was also (big surprise) not likable, and kind of pathetic when you recognized all her reputation is just the magic of being the heroine.
Violet is kind of dumb. I never know why she tried to provoke a pack of pirates to take her. No this is not victim blaming, she challenged those lunatics to rape her. What she was trying to prove to the pirate is a mystery to me, but I'm sure it's stupid anyway. But I have to questioned the decision of letting everyone talking down or be shitty to her most of the time. Why would I want to read a book whose 2/3 is shitty people treating the heroine shittily? And no, she didn't have developments, she just kinda didn't care much and got somehow infatuated with Ann.
The plot is not worth mentioning, who would want to see Ann be successful anyway? The story happens mostly on deck, which is boring. And the times when it was on land, it was a bunch of nonesenses just to push the characters to do what Shannon wants.
I don't care about anything at all in the book, everyone is annoying even the little kid. Do not recommend.
February 15, 2024
Leon
In general writing terms this was a good well written book that had interesting plot twists.
If you want pure romance or came here for a lot of yearning and sexual tension this book may not be for you.
There is a lot of tension throughout the whole book but for 70% of it it’s not sexual and just hatred especially on violets side, which is obviously understandable cant blame her.
Even though it wasn’t very long compared to other romances I read it did feel like it dragged on a bit and you may find yourself getting a bit bored. As much as I ended up adoring them I’m not sure if the read itself was worth it if I had wanted a lot of yearning (I did)
Though the relationship wasn’t as good as I would have hoped, the characters where extremely well written individually my heart hurts for both of the poor darls.
In general writing terms this was a good well written book that had interesting plot twists.
If you want pure romance or came here for a lot of yearning and sexual tension this book may not be for you.
There is a lot of tension throughout the whole book but for 70% of it it’s not sexual and just hatred especially on violets side, which is obviously understandable cant blame her.
Even though it wasn’t very long compared to other romances I read it did feel like it dragged on a bit and you may find yourself getting a bit bored. As much as I ended up adoring them I’m not sure if the read itself was worth it if I had wanted a lot of yearning (I did)
Though the relationship wasn’t as good as I would have hoped, the characters where extremely well written individually my heart hurts for both of the poor darls.
February 10, 2018
Pirate lesbians!! Overall an enjoyable read, but there was too much sexual menacing, implied rape, background sexual violence, etc for me to give this a full 5 stars. The captain is fierce lady who doesn't tolerate the mistreatment of women, but of course there are bad dudes on the ship in the towns who must be stopped from abusing her girlfriend the ex-prostitute. :/
Towards the end, there was also a bit of my personal pet peeve, the trope of "both characters are in love, but thinks the other one can't possibly love them back," I know this thing works for some people.
Despite these flaws, it was a fun high seas adventure with mutinies, secret plots, treasure maps, buried treasure, secret islands, vengeance and redemption. Would recommend to fans of the high seas and ff romance.
Towards the end, there was also a bit of my personal pet peeve, the trope of "both characters are in love, but thinks the other one can't possibly love them back," I know this thing works for some people.
Despite these flaws, it was a fun high seas adventure with mutinies, secret plots, treasure maps, buried treasure, secret islands, vengeance and redemption. Would recommend to fans of the high seas and ff romance.
February 27, 2025
as i was reading this, i thought, 'that is a 3 star book at best'. I was kinda confused with Anns actions at the beginning, one minute she tortured and hated Violet and the next she loved her, but then i started to understand her situation, the pressure she was in with the crew and i actually think this was a much more realistic aproach to women on pirate ships than all of those other happy books that try this.
At first i hadnt had any high hopes for this book, but its short so i figured might as well finish this and im so glad i did, because i ended up loving it, actually, its not perfect, but i think its different than other books that fit this category. All in all its a good story and i loved it.
At first i hadnt had any high hopes for this book, but its short so i figured might as well finish this and im so glad i did, because i ended up loving it, actually, its not perfect, but i think its different than other books that fit this category. All in all its a good story and i loved it.
April 11, 2022
A story of a pirate captain who is smitten by her captive prisoner who has a deep dark secret. A woman who appears to be as unbreakable as she is beautiful. Superstitious scalawags, high seas, hidden treasure and lust or perhaps love. I enjoyed this book, very entertaining and very pirate-y. I needed a palate cleanser and this was exactly what I was looking for. Branded Ann may be ruthless as all get out but a female captain cannot be compassionate or caring in any shape way or form. Branded Ann has always done what she needed to in order to keep her ship smooth sailing. Sometimes you just have to toss a stowaway overboard, they don’t call ‘em rations for nothing.
May 9, 2022
This was such a well written story, with an incredibly articulate plotline and we'll developed characters.
Honestly, I went into this book just because pirates and lesbians in a book really fascinate me, but this story literally held up! I don't usually find books that I can read and finish in one sitting, but I couldn't put this book down at all.
Amazing work by the author. Definitely a recommended read for anyone interested in a nice slow burn wlw storyline with pirates involved.
Honestly, I went into this book just because pirates and lesbians in a book really fascinate me, but this story literally held up! I don't usually find books that I can read and finish in one sitting, but I couldn't put this book down at all.
Amazing work by the author. Definitely a recommended read for anyone interested in a nice slow burn wlw storyline with pirates involved.
October 7, 2020
this book was absolutely ridiculous, but my gf and I read it aloud together and it was perfectly entertaining, original, and dare I say...hot?
definitely could have done with less suggestions and character threats of sexual assault, but it unfortunately fits with the theme of disgusting pirates of some unknown vintage time period
definitely could have done with less suggestions and character threats of sexual assault, but it unfortunately fits with the theme of disgusting pirates of some unknown vintage time period
August 14, 2021
A re-read of one of my favs! This riveting, tightly plotted sapphic pirate tale has so much packed in - resilient protagonists with rich backgrounds, a romance arc that develops organically, and yes, there's also lost treasure, a pirate's curse and sea battles! I'm happy that the novel has aged well.
July 24, 2022
Maybe the best lesbian pirate novel that I've read, and I'm a bit of a connoisseur. It has all the good things: swordfights, swashbuckling, treasure maps, islands, betrayal, revenge, love, passion, beautiful women with complicated pasts. Straightforwardly excellent.
October 14, 2022
I know it's just wishful thinking but I'd love a movie transposition of this book. It has everything I like to read in a story: adventure, romance and strong willed women who know how to fight for themselves.
July 5, 2017
I think I'm in love with Violet, it was my favorite character, all that stuff about her past and all her praying made her more interesting and lovable, at least to me
August 22, 2019
5/5 for fun pirate adventures, 1/5 for trying to pass such a toxic, controlling, Stockholm syndromey, kinda rapey love story off as "romance"
December 21, 2019
Fun pirate adventure that holds the attention both plot and romance-wise.
May 11, 2021
Loved it!
A little bit of everything. Shwasbuckling good time. BE WARNED not all warm and fuzzy. Some hard things to read.
A little bit of everything. Shwasbuckling good time. BE WARNED not all warm and fuzzy. Some hard things to read.
November 19, 2021
Ridiculous. Slightly cliche. Very cheesy. Easy read. Best of all. Pirates!
May 5, 2022
Religious lesbian falls for pirate lesbian. Idk I didn’t like the men in the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews