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The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye
This epic, dazzling tale based on true events illuminates a woman of color’s rise to power as one of the few purported female pirate captains to sail the Caribbean, and the forbidden love story that will shape the course of history.In the tumultuous town of Yáquimo, Santo Domingo, Jacquotte Delahaye is an unknown but up-and-coming shipwright. Her dreams are bold but her ambitions are bound by the confines of her life with her self-seeking French father. When her way of life and the delicate balance of power in the town are threatened, she is forced to flee her home and become a woman on the run along with a motley crew of refugees, including a mysterious young woman named Teresa. Jacquotte and her band become indentured servants to the infamous Blackhand, a ruthless pirate captain who rules his ship with an iron fist. As they struggle to survive his brutality, Jacquotte finds herself unable to resist Teresa despite their differences. When Blackhand hatches a dangerous scheme to steal a Portuguese shipment of jewels, Jacquotte must rely on her wits, resourcefulness, and friends to survive. But she discovers there is a grander, darker scheme of treachery at play, and she ultimately must decide what price she is willing to pay to secure a better future for them all. An unforgettable tale told in three parts, The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is a thrilling, buccaneering escapade filled with siege and battle, and is also a tender exploration of friendship, love, and the search for freedom and home.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2024
179 people are currently reading
17352 people want to read
About the author
Briony Cameron
1 book100 followersBriony Cameron is a disabled biracial writer based in Cardiff. She was recently shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2021, and in 2020 she was longlisted for both the Crime Writers’ Association’s Short Story Competition and the Penguin WriteNow Competition. She studied English and Creative Writing at university.
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February 16, 2024
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye explores the life of a legendary mulatto, queer female pirate who rose from adversity to achieve freedom from the oppressive hands of men.
1655, Santo Domingo: at the age of eleven, Jacquotte begins her apprenticeship on numerous ships as a shipwright. Following the death of her mentor, she takes over the running of the business.
She lives with her father and brother, having lost her mother. An unspoken agreement exists between her and her father: he has no money for her dowry, which suites her perfectly as she has no desire to be subservient to a husband. A portion of her earnings is given to her father for “upkeep” as he terms it, and this arrangement allows her to carve out a semblance of freedom for herself.
Her life takes a turn when she stumbles upon a letter concerning her father’s past, prompting her to question what secrets he might be hiding. Around the same time, she is summoned by the Governor, who asks her to translate a letter, recognizing the handwriting as her father’s. She feigns inability to translate it.
Caught in a web of treason at Governor’s house, she escapes to the sea, where she finds herself working under the command of the notorious Captain Blackhand. Her resilience shines through as she quickly adapts and her leadership skills emerge during a naval battle, making her stand-out as a natural leader.
The adventurous narrative begins on land, introducing Jacquotte and her initial ventures that propel her into the treacherous waters where her journey of exploration continues. The story includes dark scenes not suitable for the faint-hearted and intense moments that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
While it is debatable whether Jacquotte Delahaye is a historical figure or a legend born from folktales, what remains undeniable is her fascinating legacy as a pirate captain who rose from adversity. She not only made a name for herself but also created a space for women seeking autonomy over their lives.
This plot-driven story is treasure trove for those who relish action and adventure narratives set against a historical background, populated with a crew of captivating vagabonds.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
1655, Santo Domingo: at the age of eleven, Jacquotte begins her apprenticeship on numerous ships as a shipwright. Following the death of her mentor, she takes over the running of the business.
She lives with her father and brother, having lost her mother. An unspoken agreement exists between her and her father: he has no money for her dowry, which suites her perfectly as she has no desire to be subservient to a husband. A portion of her earnings is given to her father for “upkeep” as he terms it, and this arrangement allows her to carve out a semblance of freedom for herself.
Her life takes a turn when she stumbles upon a letter concerning her father’s past, prompting her to question what secrets he might be hiding. Around the same time, she is summoned by the Governor, who asks her to translate a letter, recognizing the handwriting as her father’s. She feigns inability to translate it.
Caught in a web of treason at Governor’s house, she escapes to the sea, where she finds herself working under the command of the notorious Captain Blackhand. Her resilience shines through as she quickly adapts and her leadership skills emerge during a naval battle, making her stand-out as a natural leader.
The adventurous narrative begins on land, introducing Jacquotte and her initial ventures that propel her into the treacherous waters where her journey of exploration continues. The story includes dark scenes not suitable for the faint-hearted and intense moments that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
While it is debatable whether Jacquotte Delahaye is a historical figure or a legend born from folktales, what remains undeniable is her fascinating legacy as a pirate captain who rose from adversity. She not only made a name for herself but also created a space for women seeking autonomy over their lives.
This plot-driven story is treasure trove for those who relish action and adventure narratives set against a historical background, populated with a crew of captivating vagabonds.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2024
First and foremost,The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is a crash-bang, swashbuckler of a story. Ships battling on the high seas of the Caribbean, pirates mercilessly cutting down mercenaries, and treasure gotten by all bloody means. Jacquotte is the daughter of an exiled French nobleman and a free black woman who died during childbirth. She’s educated, smart, and fierce but as an adult, she’s seen as a threat to the local leaders which is why she runs for her life and joins a crew of cutthroat pirates. The author states that the book is based on oral tales of a red-headed, black female pirate, who may or may not have truly existed. I feel like she probably was a real person and that’s how I read the book.
The story is a heck of a ride but I appreciate that the author tells Jacquotte’s story from the beginning so we witness her pain and sorrow which is the driver to her push to power. Violence and brutality are front and center which is fitting. The 17th century is a time of slavery, colonialism, and women as possessions. But Jacquotte Delahaye’s aim is to burn down the evildoers. Now, a part of me had to downplay that they are still pirates doing bad stuff like robbing and killing. But watching how she struggles with some wrongs and not others also kept me invested to the end. I still rooted for her. Lastly, I loved the romance between Jacquotte and Teresa, who matches the pirate perfectly in intelligence and strength. Read the book if you like non-stop action, female pirates, and sapphic romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The story is a heck of a ride but I appreciate that the author tells Jacquotte’s story from the beginning so we witness her pain and sorrow which is the driver to her push to power. Violence and brutality are front and center which is fitting. The 17th century is a time of slavery, colonialism, and women as possessions. But Jacquotte Delahaye’s aim is to burn down the evildoers. Now, a part of me had to downplay that they are still pirates doing bad stuff like robbing and killing. But watching how she struggles with some wrongs and not others also kept me invested to the end. I still rooted for her. Lastly, I loved the romance between Jacquotte and Teresa, who matches the pirate perfectly in intelligence and strength. Read the book if you like non-stop action, female pirates, and sapphic romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2024
This did not work for me at all. I could not bring myself to care about these characters or their stories.
I was excited about the queer pirate romance when I got this book but this said romance which was a secondary plot was a disappointment. Those two had zero chemistry.
For a pirate story with lots of actions, I found myself bored and my mind drifting even during action packed scenes.
In fact the only thing I liked about this book was that beautiful cover 😍
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
I was excited about the queer pirate romance when I got this book but this said romance which was a secondary plot was a disappointment. Those two had zero chemistry.
For a pirate story with lots of actions, I found myself bored and my mind drifting even during action packed scenes.
In fact the only thing I liked about this book was that beautiful cover 😍
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
December 5, 2023
Jacquotte Delahaye may or may not have existed. That has never stopped anyone from spinning a good yarn. Or in this case an average yarn but loaded with enough pirate pizazz to make you overlook its shortcomings. Almost.
I am being too critical? I don’t want to be. I LOVE pirate stories. And female pirates are a delightful rarity I’d read about any day.
But then as an author and a reader, I am rather fond of well written books, and it is impossible not to notice that this one could have used some more …well, at least editing. It stands to mention here that I read a Netgalley ARC, so it may not be the final version, but then again Simon and Schuster usually provides perfectly print-ready ARCs.
I mean, this book has been edited in a sense that there are no typos and grammar snafus. But there are a lot of repetitions, sentences like so-and-so felt they could not find the words that felt right or clunkers like father’s mother’s tongue. Or usage of the word Lothario in 1655, just ever so slightly nearly 50 years before it originated (based upon a character in The Fair Penitent, a 1703 tragedy by Nicholas Rowe, if you care, since the author, editor, and publisher do not).
This book had obviously taken a lot of work and research. It just needed more.
Also, it’s no ballad. Not poetic, no musical accompaniment. It’s a saga or a folk tale or a legend, but it isn’t a ballad. But then, this isn’t the one for details or definitions.
The thing is, it’s such a fun story. It has everything you want it a fun pirate book, all kinds of adventures. But the writing is so notably basic. Short simple sentences, nothing to dazzle you.
It reads like a book sold on a premise rather than style. And of course, it would sell: this book and its author check every minority representational box there is. I mean, it probably sold just based on “gay pirates.” For those who did not get enough with “Our Flag Means Death”, this is a real treat.
Except, OFMD is cleverer, funnier, and has Taika Waititi. This novel has a very young, very tough (almost unbelievably so) protagonist who gets a LOT done in a very (almost unbelievably so) short time.
Also, just so we’re clear: I’m all about representation in fiction. I love it. I think there should be more of it. Definitely more gay pirates of all races. I am absolutely all for it. I’m just saying one shouldn’t be so dazzled by it as to overlook mediocre writing.
Mind you, it is still fun. Oodles of fun. While dramatic scenes are a mixed bag, the action ones are great. It’s all wham, bam, kill it, ma’am.
So overall, the book is very entertaining. Someone should probably go make a movie out of it right now. It’ll probably make the story even less realistic and who knows what that writing will be like, but hey … pirates!
We may never know if Jacquotte Delahaye existed. But you kind of wish she did, don’t you? And now that there’s an entire book imagining her into existence … well, that’s sort of like a life, isn’t it? Books are magical like that.
Don’t go in expecting fine literature, just have fun with it. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
I am being too critical? I don’t want to be. I LOVE pirate stories. And female pirates are a delightful rarity I’d read about any day.
But then as an author and a reader, I am rather fond of well written books, and it is impossible not to notice that this one could have used some more …well, at least editing. It stands to mention here that I read a Netgalley ARC, so it may not be the final version, but then again Simon and Schuster usually provides perfectly print-ready ARCs.
I mean, this book has been edited in a sense that there are no typos and grammar snafus. But there are a lot of repetitions, sentences like so-and-so felt they could not find the words that felt right or clunkers like father’s mother’s tongue. Or usage of the word Lothario in 1655, just ever so slightly nearly 50 years before it originated (based upon a character in The Fair Penitent, a 1703 tragedy by Nicholas Rowe, if you care, since the author, editor, and publisher do not).
This book had obviously taken a lot of work and research. It just needed more.
Also, it’s no ballad. Not poetic, no musical accompaniment. It’s a saga or a folk tale or a legend, but it isn’t a ballad. But then, this isn’t the one for details or definitions.
The thing is, it’s such a fun story. It has everything you want it a fun pirate book, all kinds of adventures. But the writing is so notably basic. Short simple sentences, nothing to dazzle you.
It reads like a book sold on a premise rather than style. And of course, it would sell: this book and its author check every minority representational box there is. I mean, it probably sold just based on “gay pirates.” For those who did not get enough with “Our Flag Means Death”, this is a real treat.
Except, OFMD is cleverer, funnier, and has Taika Waititi. This novel has a very young, very tough (almost unbelievably so) protagonist who gets a LOT done in a very (almost unbelievably so) short time.
Also, just so we’re clear: I’m all about representation in fiction. I love it. I think there should be more of it. Definitely more gay pirates of all races. I am absolutely all for it. I’m just saying one shouldn’t be so dazzled by it as to overlook mediocre writing.
Mind you, it is still fun. Oodles of fun. While dramatic scenes are a mixed bag, the action ones are great. It’s all wham, bam, kill it, ma’am.
So overall, the book is very entertaining. Someone should probably go make a movie out of it right now. It’ll probably make the story even less realistic and who knows what that writing will be like, but hey … pirates!
We may never know if Jacquotte Delahaye existed. But you kind of wish she did, don’t you? And now that there’s an entire book imagining her into existence … well, that’s sort of like a life, isn’t it? Books are magical like that.
Don’t go in expecting fine literature, just have fun with it. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
March 4, 2024
2.5⭐️s. The first half of the book I thought was good, maybe even 4 stars good. It had a well written story with good character development so you understood how Jacquotte came to be, and where her story began. The adventure and action had me interested and invested in the story and I enjoyed it up to that point.
Then the second half happened. It was completely far fetched, unbelievable and frustratingly inconsistent with the characters, time period, and setting.
Pirates in general but maybe especially during the “Golden Age of Piracy”, were brutal, violent, commanding and fearsome. Instead, Jacquotte’s character was naive, foolish, and soft. She would not have survived as a pirate but especially a female one where she would have had to prove herself even more so.
There was so much modern gender, racial, emotional awareness, equality, etc, that was not a part of that time period. It felt untrue and really out of place for some of the dialogue and points of view. Most of that never would have even been considered - the disparity and inequality was just commonplace. Add to it women/wives with no experience making up the majority of the crew, running the ship like a democracy….and the constant brutal injuries that didn’t seem to impede anyone at all. It just made it feel like we stepped into a fairy tale.
Again, could have been a great story if the time period and setting had been more realistic and accurate no matter how unfair or unfortunate or brutal it was. If it was divorced from the whole Piracy thing it would have been a fantastic story. But the two concepts opposed each other in reality.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
Then the second half happened. It was completely far fetched, unbelievable and frustratingly inconsistent with the characters, time period, and setting.
Pirates in general but maybe especially during the “Golden Age of Piracy”, were brutal, violent, commanding and fearsome. Instead, Jacquotte’s character was naive, foolish, and soft. She would not have survived as a pirate but especially a female one where she would have had to prove herself even more so.
There was so much modern gender, racial, emotional awareness, equality, etc, that was not a part of that time period. It felt untrue and really out of place for some of the dialogue and points of view. Most of that never would have even been considered - the disparity and inequality was just commonplace. Add to it women/wives with no experience making up the majority of the crew, running the ship like a democracy….and the constant brutal injuries that didn’t seem to impede anyone at all. It just made it feel like we stepped into a fairy tale.
Again, could have been a great story if the time period and setting had been more realistic and accurate no matter how unfair or unfortunate or brutal it was. If it was divorced from the whole Piracy thing it would have been a fantastic story. But the two concepts opposed each other in reality.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
2024
October 6, 2025Pride Month TBR
📖 Thank you to Goodreads and Atria Books
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books
📖 Thank you to Goodreads and Atria Books
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books
Want to read
April 3, 2024men will see "queer black pirates" and say HELL YEAH
September 17, 2024
Holy moly, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is Briony Cameron's debut, and I couldn't put this action-packed thrill ride down. Cameron focuses on a woman who may be fictitious or made up from many forgotten women in the past with Jacquotte, and brings her idea of what her story could have been to life in this swashbuckling pirate tale. This was unlike any other historical fiction novel I have ever read, and I was completely wrapped up in both the storyline and worrying about how things would end for our fearless FMC.
I listened to the audiobook and have to say Angel Pean did an incredible job narrating. It felt like she was destined to be the voice of Jacquotte, and I thoroughly loved every bit of her narration. There is a lot of violence which can be expected when we are talking about pirates, and I could totally see this being made into an amazing movie. There is also a queer romance at its heart that I couldn't get enough of and Jacquotte is just the type of badass female lead that I love. She was unbreakable even at the hardest times, and this work of fiction will be something I remember long into the future.
I listened to the audiobook and have to say Angel Pean did an incredible job narrating. It felt like she was destined to be the voice of Jacquotte, and I thoroughly loved every bit of her narration. There is a lot of violence which can be expected when we are talking about pirates, and I could totally see this being made into an amazing movie. There is also a queer romance at its heart that I couldn't get enough of and Jacquotte is just the type of badass female lead that I love. She was unbreakable even at the hardest times, and this work of fiction will be something I remember long into the future.
June 13, 2024
This book was an unexpected win. It was action-packed, fast-paced, and gruesome.
Jacquotte Delahaye may be folklore because of the limited evidence, but Briony Cameron knows how to add on to the little details one has about a person for sure. From the beginning, we see Jacquotte did not live an easy life. Piracy was all she knew and all she wanted, and she was one of the best to do it in this book.
I lived for betrayal, love, and triumph. Her journey from the child of a white man and a black woman to a woman who ruled the seas surrounding San Domingo. I was completely captivated by the scene of Jac lying about knowing how to translate the letters from the governor's house and her constant fight for women's autonomy in a time where there was little or none at all.
I'd highly recommend this one.
Jacquotte Delahaye may be folklore because of the limited evidence, but Briony Cameron knows how to add on to the little details one has about a person for sure. From the beginning, we see Jacquotte did not live an easy life. Piracy was all she knew and all she wanted, and she was one of the best to do it in this book.
I lived for betrayal, love, and triumph. Her journey from the child of a white man and a black woman to a woman who ruled the seas surrounding San Domingo. I was completely captivated by the scene of Jac lying about knowing how to translate the letters from the governor's house and her constant fight for women's autonomy in a time where there was little or none at all.
I'd highly recommend this one.
May 6, 2025
Compelling adventure of a story. Once I started, it was hard to stop.
Pirates, betrayal, sword fights and love. The story was compelling. Each chapter and section brought new shocks. I don't read many pirate stories and I always find them brutal, bloody but oh so fun to read. Jacquotte seemed to have this knack for staying alive. I loved the way the crew worked together, the schemes they worked through, and the ways they were strong in the midst of such brutal rule.
The audiobook was so good, I highly recommend it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Pirates, betrayal, sword fights and love. The story was compelling. Each chapter and section brought new shocks. I don't read many pirate stories and I always find them brutal, bloody but oh so fun to read. Jacquotte seemed to have this knack for staying alive. I loved the way the crew worked together, the schemes they worked through, and the ways they were strong in the midst of such brutal rule.
The audiobook was so good, I highly recommend it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
May 15, 2024
Pirates of the Caribbean ain’t got nothing on Jacquotte Delahaye. With the strength of a man, brilliance of a woman, and the heart of a lion Jacquotte was absolutely unstoppable. Going toe to toe with male merchants, soldiers, pirates, and the Governor she proved time and time again why they should put some respect on her name‼️Battered, bruised, and beaten but never defeated.
Based on true events the novel follows Jacquotte Delahaye an upcoming shipwright forced to flee her home because of a conniving acquaintances act of rebellion and betrayal against the Governor. Once Florian takes the Governor’s spot he will stop at nothing to have Jacquotte at his side dead or alive. Now on the run with a crew of refugees and a mysterious woman aka her new found lover they band together and become servants to a ruthless pirate captain Blackhand. When things go haywire under his command Jacquotte must decide what price she is willing to pay to secure a better future for them all.
This was a great read I was a little skeptical going into this one because it involved pirates. But I’m so happy I read this book it was such a thrilling experience. Not gone lie Jacquotte stood on business. Her character really grew on me and by the end of the book she was a fav. The character development was chef’s kiss PERIODT I mean all of them‼️ The premise, vivid details, and dialogue left no questions unanswered for me. I honestly feel this book was perfectly crafted like can we get a movie adaptation?
Overall, y’all know I loved this I mean a female pirate need I say more? Tackling so many themes from oppression, racial/gender inequality, the struggle for power and dominance, male ego, self-discovery, and finding home. The author took the facts and twisted them into her own narrative. If none of this really happened she definitely made me a believer. Looking for a medium-paced, action packed, adventurous read you found it. Special thanks to the author & @atriabooks for my advanced copy‼️
Based on true events the novel follows Jacquotte Delahaye an upcoming shipwright forced to flee her home because of a conniving acquaintances act of rebellion and betrayal against the Governor. Once Florian takes the Governor’s spot he will stop at nothing to have Jacquotte at his side dead or alive. Now on the run with a crew of refugees and a mysterious woman aka her new found lover they band together and become servants to a ruthless pirate captain Blackhand. When things go haywire under his command Jacquotte must decide what price she is willing to pay to secure a better future for them all.
This was a great read I was a little skeptical going into this one because it involved pirates. But I’m so happy I read this book it was such a thrilling experience. Not gone lie Jacquotte stood on business. Her character really grew on me and by the end of the book she was a fav. The character development was chef’s kiss PERIODT I mean all of them‼️ The premise, vivid details, and dialogue left no questions unanswered for me. I honestly feel this book was perfectly crafted like can we get a movie adaptation?
Overall, y’all know I loved this I mean a female pirate need I say more? Tackling so many themes from oppression, racial/gender inequality, the struggle for power and dominance, male ego, self-discovery, and finding home. The author took the facts and twisted them into her own narrative. If none of this really happened she definitely made me a believer. Looking for a medium-paced, action packed, adventurous read you found it. Special thanks to the author & @atriabooks for my advanced copy‼️
February 12, 2024
The first page of this epic ballad will grab you by the throat! Jacquotte Delahaye is a strong young woman and it is her utter strength that powers her through a series of horrendous obstacles and dangers that all women face - but much more dangerous for a woman of color and a woman who may in fact love other women. Join Jacquotte as she makes her way through the world, working herself up from a mere shipbuilding helper to a feared pirate captain of many ships. This is the kind of tale that we all could have used growing up and I hope you love it as much as I do!
Where's the Disney option? Or at least a TV show? #atriabooks #theballadofjacuuottedelahaye #brionycameron
Where's the Disney option? Or at least a TV show? #atriabooks #theballadofjacuuottedelahaye #brionycameron
December 24, 2024
I picked up The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye on a complete whim. Apart from knowing it involved pirates, I had no idea what was in story for me.
I read this via audibook over the span of a couple of days. The premise was intriguing, the story was addicting with characters you couldn't help but root for.
In the Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye we follow Jacquote, a queer black woman on a journey to free herself and loved ones from the cruelties of enslavement in Santo Domingo 1655. There is action, found family, battles, and revenge story line that will have you at the edge of your seat.
I read this via audibook over the span of a couple of days. The premise was intriguing, the story was addicting with characters you couldn't help but root for.
In the Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye we follow Jacquote, a queer black woman on a journey to free herself and loved ones from the cruelties of enslavement in Santo Domingo 1655. There is action, found family, battles, and revenge story line that will have you at the edge of your seat.
June 4, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for allowing me to read this ARC!
Content Warning: racism, murder, death, sexual assault, racial slurs.
In Yáquimo, Santo Domingo, Jacquotte Delahaye works as a shipwright. Although she's not well-known yet, she dreams of bigger things, recognition and perhaps the chance to take to the seas herself, but finds herself constricted by her race, gender, and her selfish, drunkard French father. But when Jacquotte's childhood friendship with the Governor of Yáquimo's nephew forces her to choose between her future and her father, Jacquotte's world quickly descends into chaos, and her chance at freedom is stolen from her by the notorious Captain Blackhand -- a pirate who takes Jacquotte onto his ship as an indentured servant. As Blackhand hatches a dangerous, risky plan to steal Portuguese riches, Jacquotte must rely on her wits and her iron-will to survive, especially as she begins to realize that there may be room for her dream of a captaincy -- and that it will change her life forever.
The setting of this story was what captured me first. Haiti is rich in culture and history, and it was exciting to see a book set there, particularly one that starred a biracial pirate as its heroine. Jacquotte Delahaye is a Haitian legend, and while there is no tangible proof that she actually existed, she has lived on in the imagination of a people who have been through much suffering and tempestuous change. The idea of a book that tells her story from her perspective, and elaborates on her life as a woman of color, is refreshing and exciting. However, I can't say that this was the most enjoyable read for me, nor did I find myself ever truly captivated by what was happening in its pages.
The main issue I struggled with was Cameron's writing style. While I'm not terribly picky over writing, and I can read most anything as long as it's grammatically correct and well edited, this was too dry for me. All of the sentences seem to follow the same rhythm, and they're all short, without much emotion or depth to them. For example, in scenes where something frightening or traumatic is happening, it feels as if we're reading a screenplay rather than a novel -- and we never quite seem to get a real hold on what is going on inside of Jacquotte's mind. She remains strangely elusive throughout, and has no real discernible personality of her own, aside from caring about justice and being hellbent on revenge. Her relationship with Teresa, her romantic interest, is similarly dull, though there are some moments that shine through, like their interactions on Port Royal.
I've complained about this perhaps a hundred times now, but the romance has the same problem I encounter time and time again within books featuring lesbian or bisexual women -- there's no real connection or buildup; they simply fall in love immediately, and even if they have issues to work through (and Teresa and Jacquotte have plenty), it never comes off as having quite the emotional depth or impact it should. I don't know why this is so common, and I know it happens often with heterosexual relationships in media too (instalove is a trope for a reason), but it's as if most writers somehow feel that because these two women have found one another, and they're both interested in other women, they'll instantly connect and fall in love and live happily ever after. It's frustrating, because any complexity that might arise (and again, there is ample opportunity for it here) gets quickly and conveniently swept under the rug.
The rest of the characters all have the same issue. Francisco, Miguel, Blackhand, Mbala -- all of them are written as archetypes, with little else going on beneath the surface. There's attempts at adding depth to them, but it never quite works. On the other hand, everything comes off as just slightly corny and a little too perfect. It's never quite believable that Jacquotte's ragtag crew comes together so easily and is almost immediately fantastic at everything they do, and it's just a little boring, especially because it seems like everyone who likes each other just gets along so well all of the time.
I guess it'd be easiest to say I liked the concept of this book more than its execution. I wanted so badly to love it, but it just wasn't something I found myself able to really dive into. There are positive aspects, like Jacquotte's burgeoning relationship to her own queerness and blackness, and her discovery of herself, but most of it is overshadowed by the writing that tells us everything rather than showing it.
I will be intrigued to see what Cameron writes next, and perhaps most of these issues are merely a debut's tribulations, but The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye was a disappointment for me.
Content Warning: racism, murder, death, sexual assault, racial slurs.
In Yáquimo, Santo Domingo, Jacquotte Delahaye works as a shipwright. Although she's not well-known yet, she dreams of bigger things, recognition and perhaps the chance to take to the seas herself, but finds herself constricted by her race, gender, and her selfish, drunkard French father. But when Jacquotte's childhood friendship with the Governor of Yáquimo's nephew forces her to choose between her future and her father, Jacquotte's world quickly descends into chaos, and her chance at freedom is stolen from her by the notorious Captain Blackhand -- a pirate who takes Jacquotte onto his ship as an indentured servant. As Blackhand hatches a dangerous, risky plan to steal Portuguese riches, Jacquotte must rely on her wits and her iron-will to survive, especially as she begins to realize that there may be room for her dream of a captaincy -- and that it will change her life forever.
The setting of this story was what captured me first. Haiti is rich in culture and history, and it was exciting to see a book set there, particularly one that starred a biracial pirate as its heroine. Jacquotte Delahaye is a Haitian legend, and while there is no tangible proof that she actually existed, she has lived on in the imagination of a people who have been through much suffering and tempestuous change. The idea of a book that tells her story from her perspective, and elaborates on her life as a woman of color, is refreshing and exciting. However, I can't say that this was the most enjoyable read for me, nor did I find myself ever truly captivated by what was happening in its pages.
The main issue I struggled with was Cameron's writing style. While I'm not terribly picky over writing, and I can read most anything as long as it's grammatically correct and well edited, this was too dry for me. All of the sentences seem to follow the same rhythm, and they're all short, without much emotion or depth to them. For example, in scenes where something frightening or traumatic is happening, it feels as if we're reading a screenplay rather than a novel -- and we never quite seem to get a real hold on what is going on inside of Jacquotte's mind. She remains strangely elusive throughout, and has no real discernible personality of her own, aside from caring about justice and being hellbent on revenge. Her relationship with Teresa, her romantic interest, is similarly dull, though there are some moments that shine through, like their interactions on Port Royal.
I've complained about this perhaps a hundred times now, but the romance has the same problem I encounter time and time again within books featuring lesbian or bisexual women -- there's no real connection or buildup; they simply fall in love immediately, and even if they have issues to work through (and Teresa and Jacquotte have plenty), it never comes off as having quite the emotional depth or impact it should. I don't know why this is so common, and I know it happens often with heterosexual relationships in media too (instalove is a trope for a reason), but it's as if most writers somehow feel that because these two women have found one another, and they're both interested in other women, they'll instantly connect and fall in love and live happily ever after. It's frustrating, because any complexity that might arise (and again, there is ample opportunity for it here) gets quickly and conveniently swept under the rug.
The rest of the characters all have the same issue. Francisco, Miguel, Blackhand, Mbala -- all of them are written as archetypes, with little else going on beneath the surface. There's attempts at adding depth to them, but it never quite works. On the other hand, everything comes off as just slightly corny and a little too perfect. It's never quite believable that Jacquotte's ragtag crew comes together so easily and is almost immediately fantastic at everything they do, and it's just a little boring, especially because it seems like everyone who likes each other just gets along so well all of the time.
I guess it'd be easiest to say I liked the concept of this book more than its execution. I wanted so badly to love it, but it just wasn't something I found myself able to really dive into. There are positive aspects, like Jacquotte's burgeoning relationship to her own queerness and blackness, and her discovery of herself, but most of it is overshadowed by the writing that tells us everything rather than showing it.
I will be intrigued to see what Cameron writes next, and perhaps most of these issues are merely a debut's tribulations, but The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye was a disappointment for me.
June 7, 2024
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is an unusual novel because it’s based on the ‘true story’ of someone who may or may not have actually existed! One of a very small number of 17th century female pirates, Jacquotte Delahaye is not mentioned in any contemporary sources and appears in writing, possibly for the first time, in the 1940s in stories by Léon Treich, a French fiction writer. However, she has become part of pirate folklore and although her existence hasn’t been proved, it hasn’t been disproved either. In this new novel, Briony Cameron has taken the few ‘facts’ about Jacquotte that have found their way into the legends – such as her place of birth and the colour of her hair (red, leading to the nickname Back from the Dead Red) – and imagined a story around them.
At the beginning of the book, twenty-year-old Jacquotte is living in the town of Yáquimo, Santo Domingo, in 1655. As the daughter of a Frenchman exiled to the Caribbean for treason, all Jacquotte knows about her mother is that she was a free black woman who died after giving birth to her younger brother. When her father is implicated in another treasonous plot, Jacquotte’s world falls apart and she is forced to flee the island. Her life of piracy begins when she is captured by the brutal Captain Blackhand and finds herself an indentured servant aboard his ship, but eventually Jacquotte will become a pirate captain in her own right, with her own ship and crew to command.
There’s also a romantic element to the novel, with Jacquotte falling in love with Teresa, wife of the Governor of Yáquimo, but this was one of my least favourite aspects of the book. They seemed to rush into things very quickly, with no time for the reader to see their feelings for each other developing and I felt that the relationship lacked emotional depth. In fact, apart from Jacquotte herself, I thought all of the characters in the book lacked depth – the good characters were very good and the bad ones were very bad, with little in between. I would describe this as much more of a plot-driven book. Although it takes a while to get started, once Jacquotte is at sea there’s lots of action, with sea battles, fight scenes and all the swashbuckling adventure you would expect from a pirate novel.
Sadly, despite the fascinating protagonist, I wasn’t very impressed with this book. I did enjoy the first section, which describes Jacquotte’s life in Yáquimo and the events that lead to her becoming a pirate, but as I read on I felt I was reading the author’s fantasy of how she would have liked 17th century society to have been, rather than how it actually was. I don’t think many people in the 1650s had such progressive ideas on race, gender and sexuality, however nice it is to imagine that they did! If you’re not too bothered about historical accuracy and just want to read an entertaining story, then you’ll probably enjoy The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye, but it wasn’t really for me. On a more positive note, I liked the descriptions of the various ports Jacquotte and her crew visit as they sail around Hispaniola, Jamaica and Tortuga, which is the closest I’ll get to visiting the Caribbean this summer!
At the beginning of the book, twenty-year-old Jacquotte is living in the town of Yáquimo, Santo Domingo, in 1655. As the daughter of a Frenchman exiled to the Caribbean for treason, all Jacquotte knows about her mother is that she was a free black woman who died after giving birth to her younger brother. When her father is implicated in another treasonous plot, Jacquotte’s world falls apart and she is forced to flee the island. Her life of piracy begins when she is captured by the brutal Captain Blackhand and finds herself an indentured servant aboard his ship, but eventually Jacquotte will become a pirate captain in her own right, with her own ship and crew to command.
There’s also a romantic element to the novel, with Jacquotte falling in love with Teresa, wife of the Governor of Yáquimo, but this was one of my least favourite aspects of the book. They seemed to rush into things very quickly, with no time for the reader to see their feelings for each other developing and I felt that the relationship lacked emotional depth. In fact, apart from Jacquotte herself, I thought all of the characters in the book lacked depth – the good characters were very good and the bad ones were very bad, with little in between. I would describe this as much more of a plot-driven book. Although it takes a while to get started, once Jacquotte is at sea there’s lots of action, with sea battles, fight scenes and all the swashbuckling adventure you would expect from a pirate novel.
Sadly, despite the fascinating protagonist, I wasn’t very impressed with this book. I did enjoy the first section, which describes Jacquotte’s life in Yáquimo and the events that lead to her becoming a pirate, but as I read on I felt I was reading the author’s fantasy of how she would have liked 17th century society to have been, rather than how it actually was. I don’t think many people in the 1650s had such progressive ideas on race, gender and sexuality, however nice it is to imagine that they did! If you’re not too bothered about historical accuracy and just want to read an entertaining story, then you’ll probably enjoy The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye, but it wasn’t really for me. On a more positive note, I liked the descriptions of the various ports Jacquotte and her crew visit as they sail around Hispaniola, Jamaica and Tortuga, which is the closest I’ll get to visiting the Caribbean this summer!
January 18, 2024
Full review to come, but this book was beautiful, action-packed, and full of heart! If you're a sucker for pirates, found family, and tales of self-discovery like I am, put this one on your list for sure.
July 6, 2025
I really wanted to like this. A story about a female pirate? Yes please! Unfortunately, it fell short. I actually didn't finish this.
My main issue was the writing style. There wasn't a whole lot of emotion, if that makes sense. It was very much this happened then this happened then this happened. Jacquotte felt tired, Jacquotte felt powerful, Jacquotte felt angry. There was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. Several sentences were clunky and lacked rhythm, too.
My other issues are more personal to me. One is that besides Jacquotte, the MC, and Teresa, the LI, pretty much every other character was a man. I don't care all that much about men and prefer reading woman-centric/heavy books.
Leading on from that, and I'm aware of the historical context, the threat of rape was really palpable. I *hate* reading stuff like that, so my enjoyment was automatically lowered.
If none of those things bother you, then definitely check this book out!
My main issue was the writing style. There wasn't a whole lot of emotion, if that makes sense. It was very much this happened then this happened then this happened. Jacquotte felt tired, Jacquotte felt powerful, Jacquotte felt angry. There was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. Several sentences were clunky and lacked rhythm, too.
My other issues are more personal to me. One is that besides Jacquotte, the MC, and Teresa, the LI, pretty much every other character was a man. I don't care all that much about men and prefer reading woman-centric/heavy books.
Leading on from that, and I'm aware of the historical context, the threat of rape was really palpable. I *hate* reading stuff like that, so my enjoyment was automatically lowered.
If none of those things bother you, then definitely check this book out!
May 26, 2024
Swashbuckling pirate tale, anyone? This debut is set in the Caribbean during the 1600’s. Our fierce heroine (who’s full of grit and determination) is non other than Jacquotte Delahaye; -a young, queer, red-headed biracial who after fleeing her hometown.. seizes the opportunity to commandeer a male-ran ship by staging a mutiny.. freeing the women aboard. It’s action packed with themes of race/gender inequality, self-discovery, romance and friendship.. to name a few. BALLAD is a great summer read for those searching for an unusual high seas adventure featuring female pirates! 3.5 stars rated up — Pub. 6/4/24
⚠️ this may not be for everyone as it depicts violence, death, racial slurs, sex, etc.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
⚠️ this may not be for everyone as it depicts violence, death, racial slurs, sex, etc.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 15, 2024
This is one of the best books I’ve read so far this year! The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is amazing! Action packed and at times emotional, this story of a black, female pirate during the 1600s will keep you engaged until the very end.
June 11, 2024
3.75 thank you to Atria for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Loved the queer rep, the adventure, found family, and feminist power.
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/@kurryreads/vi...
Loved the queer rep, the adventure, found family, and feminist power.
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/@kurryreads/vi...
December 27, 2025
A queer pirate romance of a biracial conscripted ship builder forced into piracy (and essentially slavery as well) should not have been a slog to get through, but it was. Every single point was started, but not seen through. Except the romance, which felt forced and stilted. If I was Miss Delahaye, I would ask for a rewrite.
August 7, 2024
My thoughts on The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye 💭
Ok sooo why am I not seeing people read this book?! I finished this book a few weeks ago, and it’s still heavy on my mind. This is an action-packed feminist, queer pirate novel that needs to be made into a movie. Like right now! 👏🏾
I was hooked from the beginning. The MC, Jacquotte, is a biracial woman with fiery red hair and a passionate, independent, and strong spirit. She is very intelligent and can speak many languages, yet she is also very stubborn, which gets her into some troubling situations.
I loved reading about Jacquotte’s background and story, from how she grew up knowing and learning about ships to finding out how her white father hid secrets about her Black mother and upbringing, and how that shaped who she would become, to how she became a pirate. 🏴☠️ Loved how her friends were so loyal to her and supported her. I also really loved how the author made this book seem like a real story.
After reading it, I saw that it is based on the story of a pirate named Jacquotte Delahaye. However, there is no evidence she actually existed; there are only stories. Which made me loved the book even more because of how the author wrote the characters and the story. She really did her research.
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye was a fast-paced book; every time I put it down, I couldn’t wait to pick it up again. It kind of gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, but better, in my opinion.
This is a perfect book for summer. It’s probably going to be one of my favorite reads of the year.
Thank you, @atriabooks for sending me a copy 🩵
Ok sooo why am I not seeing people read this book?! I finished this book a few weeks ago, and it’s still heavy on my mind. This is an action-packed feminist, queer pirate novel that needs to be made into a movie. Like right now! 👏🏾
I was hooked from the beginning. The MC, Jacquotte, is a biracial woman with fiery red hair and a passionate, independent, and strong spirit. She is very intelligent and can speak many languages, yet she is also very stubborn, which gets her into some troubling situations.
I loved reading about Jacquotte’s background and story, from how she grew up knowing and learning about ships to finding out how her white father hid secrets about her Black mother and upbringing, and how that shaped who she would become, to how she became a pirate. 🏴☠️ Loved how her friends were so loyal to her and supported her. I also really loved how the author made this book seem like a real story.
After reading it, I saw that it is based on the story of a pirate named Jacquotte Delahaye. However, there is no evidence she actually existed; there are only stories. Which made me loved the book even more because of how the author wrote the characters and the story. She really did her research.
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye was a fast-paced book; every time I put it down, I couldn’t wait to pick it up again. It kind of gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, but better, in my opinion.
This is a perfect book for summer. It’s probably going to be one of my favorite reads of the year.
Thank you, @atriabooks for sending me a copy 🩵
June 21, 2025
It took me a minute, and a bit of rereading, to pinpoint exactly why I didn't like this as much as I expected to. The first half was compelling and interesting, I was hooked from the prologue, however as the story went on it became a tad difficult to get through. The author opted for short, rhythmic sentences and while it was unnoticeable for a bit, it became frustrating when the narrative was trying to build tension and it wasn't allowing for it to. The short sentences also made the high tension scenes like the fights and battles read like stage directions to a movie as opposed to a book.
Another issue I had was the characters and characterization. Jacquotte herself,even with was considerably compelling. Her thirst for revenge, need to provide and protect for the people she loved and her constant hunger for more, to be more, made her quite interesting to read about. The problem was the other characters, they were underdeveloped archetypes. A major contributing factor to this was the fact that the author refused to properly explore conflict between jacquotte and these characters. It was increasingly obvious between Jacquotte and Teresa, the love interest. I could not tell you one thing throughout the entire book that made their relationship plausible to me. Not only was it insta lovey with Jacq having dreams of her after one meeting, but their everlasting list of problems and personality clashes was not addressed or even acknowledged. Teresa was overwhelmingly devoted to Jacq and so was the rest of the crew, it was unbelievable.
What I did like though was the descriptions and details of the Caribbean Islands that Jacquotte and her crew visited, they were quite vivid. For a debut, this was a pretty solid read. I'd recommend it.
Another issue I had was the characters and characterization. Jacquotte herself,even with was considerably compelling. Her thirst for revenge, need to provide and protect for the people she loved and her constant hunger for more, to be more, made her quite interesting to read about. The problem was the other characters, they were underdeveloped archetypes. A major contributing factor to this was the fact that the author refused to properly explore conflict between jacquotte and these characters. It was increasingly obvious between Jacquotte and Teresa, the love interest. I could not tell you one thing throughout the entire book that made their relationship plausible to me. Not only was it insta lovey with Jacq having dreams of her after one meeting, but their everlasting list of problems and personality clashes was not addressed or even acknowledged. Teresa was overwhelmingly devoted to Jacq and so was the rest of the crew, it was unbelievable.
What I did like though was the descriptions and details of the Caribbean Islands that Jacquotte and her crew visited, they were quite vivid. For a debut, this was a pretty solid read. I'd recommend it.
June 13, 2024
3.75. The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye tells the story of a Black female pirate in the 1600s with tons of queer rep, strong female rep, and tons of action!
Jacquotte is being raised to be tough by her father and has been working towards her shipright. After finding damning documents involving her father, she is called by the governor to translate a letter and after faking ignorance, she’s on the run and working under Captain Blackhand. She proves herself to be deserving of the captain role after a series of events. There is also a relationship with another woman happening and so many amazing side characters with whom she’s found family in. There was never a dull moment in this book! It is still up for debate whether Jacquotte was a historical figure or a character from folklore, but either way this story was so fun to read and was interesting from the very beginning.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Briony Cameron, and Atria Books for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review! This published on June 4th.
Jacquotte is being raised to be tough by her father and has been working towards her shipright. After finding damning documents involving her father, she is called by the governor to translate a letter and after faking ignorance, she’s on the run and working under Captain Blackhand. She proves herself to be deserving of the captain role after a series of events. There is also a relationship with another woman happening and so many amazing side characters with whom she’s found family in. There was never a dull moment in this book! It is still up for debate whether Jacquotte was a historical figure or a character from folklore, but either way this story was so fun to read and was interesting from the very beginning.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Briony Cameron, and Atria Books for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review! This published on June 4th.
June 10, 2024
4.5/5 Gifted by the publisher
Inspired by a purported female pirate in the 15th century, TBOJD is a fast-paced queer pirate adventure story that kept me on the edge of my seat. I love everything about this book—the short chapters create a sense of urgency, the queer characters don't feel the need to explain themselves, the light romance doesn't take the tension away from the story, and the political scheming and action scenes in the sea. Reading TBOJD is like watching a movie play out. What a fun read!
---
notes
Who knew a historical fiction about a queer pirate can be read as a self-help book about management and career development 😆
This book demonstrates that a bad manager is self serving and uses fear to rule, while a good leader invests in you, supports your career advancement, and acknowledges when they are wrong 🥹
Jokes aside, I love this fast-paced story full of adventures and actions. Really fast-paced and unputdownable! The short chapters made this such a great beach read. My nitpicky complaint is the villain seems a bit one dimensional, but it’s not a big deal.
I loved seeing Jacquotte grow into her role as a pirate & captain. The found family is another theme that I had a lot of fun reading about! I like that the romance isn’t a huge part of the plot, but those expecting a historical “romance” might be disappointed in this 😅
Inspired by a purported female pirate in the 15th century, TBOJD is a fast-paced queer pirate adventure story that kept me on the edge of my seat. I love everything about this book—the short chapters create a sense of urgency, the queer characters don't feel the need to explain themselves, the light romance doesn't take the tension away from the story, and the political scheming and action scenes in the sea. Reading TBOJD is like watching a movie play out. What a fun read!
---
notes
Who knew a historical fiction about a queer pirate can be read as a self-help book about management and career development 😆
This book demonstrates that a bad manager is self serving and uses fear to rule, while a good leader invests in you, supports your career advancement, and acknowledges when they are wrong 🥹
Jokes aside, I love this fast-paced story full of adventures and actions. Really fast-paced and unputdownable! The short chapters made this such a great beach read. My nitpicky complaint is the villain seems a bit one dimensional, but it’s not a big deal.
I loved seeing Jacquotte grow into her role as a pirate & captain. The found family is another theme that I had a lot of fun reading about! I like that the romance isn’t a huge part of the plot, but those expecting a historical “romance” might be disappointed in this 😅
June 27, 2024
So cinematic! Violent yes, but they're pirates. I really enjoyed reading this.
January 31, 2025
3.5 stars
July 14, 2024
I HAVE A THING FOR PIRATES
I’m not ashamed of it! lol! 😅 This story is supposedly based on a real person: a Biracial, queer woman who became a pirate! Obviously I scooped it right up from the library. Jacquotte works on the docks fixing ships. Her daddy is in exile from France for treason and she gets pulled into some political blah blah blah and is now on the run and gets indentured to one of the most ruthless pirates around. But our ragtag buncha misfits ain’t gonna take no guff! OBVIOUSLY.
Anyway, this story is fun in spots. The adventure parts are great. There’s 💪🏾🔫🤺🗡️ and ships ramming into each other. Lots of 🩸and broken bones and rolling heads! A swashbuckling good time!
There’s a lot of race stuff and gender stuff. No one in the book cares about gay stuff, which there is some of, so that’s good. The writing is confusing in spots. Like, you know when writers sometimes forget to specify which “he” they’re talking about in a room full of “he’s?” Or they say things on page 4 as if they didn’t say a potentially contradicting thing on page 2. Stuff like that. The content is adult but the writing is middle grade… does that make sense? I assume it’s a debut.
The intimate scenes are like “lips, and tongues, and exploration in the dark” so I’ll give it 1 🌶️.
Three and a half stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Would read another by the same author.
https://linktr.ee/reviewsmayvary
I’m not ashamed of it! lol! 😅 This story is supposedly based on a real person: a Biracial, queer woman who became a pirate! Obviously I scooped it right up from the library. Jacquotte works on the docks fixing ships. Her daddy is in exile from France for treason and she gets pulled into some political blah blah blah and is now on the run and gets indentured to one of the most ruthless pirates around. But our ragtag buncha misfits ain’t gonna take no guff! OBVIOUSLY.
Anyway, this story is fun in spots. The adventure parts are great. There’s 💪🏾🔫🤺🗡️ and ships ramming into each other. Lots of 🩸and broken bones and rolling heads! A swashbuckling good time!
There’s a lot of race stuff and gender stuff. No one in the book cares about gay stuff, which there is some of, so that’s good. The writing is confusing in spots. Like, you know when writers sometimes forget to specify which “he” they’re talking about in a room full of “he’s?” Or they say things on page 4 as if they didn’t say a potentially contradicting thing on page 2. Stuff like that. The content is adult but the writing is middle grade… does that make sense? I assume it’s a debut.
The intimate scenes are like “lips, and tongues, and exploration in the dark” so I’ll give it 1 🌶️.
Three and a half stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Would read another by the same author.
https://linktr.ee/reviewsmayvary
June 23, 2024
4.5 stars
What’s not to love about a swashbuckling sapphic pirates of the Caribbean story?! The author did a great job writing an authentic tale to match the historical vibe. It captured so many of the cross-sectional issues of the times. We also get an awesome female captain and her band of merry pirates. It was at times very serious and other times lots of fun to read. I don’t want to rehash the blurb and spoil any of the adventures. Just read it!
*Thanks to Atria books and NetGalley for the ebook copy
What’s not to love about a swashbuckling sapphic pirates of the Caribbean story?! The author did a great job writing an authentic tale to match the historical vibe. It captured so many of the cross-sectional issues of the times. We also get an awesome female captain and her band of merry pirates. It was at times very serious and other times lots of fun to read. I don’t want to rehash the blurb and spoil any of the adventures. Just read it!
*Thanks to Atria books and NetGalley for the ebook copy
February 17, 2024
Thank you to Atria books for the ARC of this novel!
I was very entertained by this and really what isn’t to love about black, queer, feminist pirates? I love that Captain Delahaye is getting her dues.
Personally, though, I found the descriptions a bit repetitive and tedious. Also near the end the dialogue became a little too YA for me.
Overall, solid 4 stars and I encourage anyone into pirates and historical fiction to read this!
I was very entertained by this and really what isn’t to love about black, queer, feminist pirates? I love that Captain Delahaye is getting her dues.
Personally, though, I found the descriptions a bit repetitive and tedious. Also near the end the dialogue became a little too YA for me.
Overall, solid 4 stars and I encourage anyone into pirates and historical fiction to read this!
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