Cutlass

Cutlass #1

by Ashley Nixon

This is an ACE of ASIN:B00JUI2QJ6 Cutlass

Notorious pirate Barren Reed has one thing on his mind: Revenge against the man who killed his father. So kidnapping his enemy's fiancé seems a perfect plan…until he actually does it.

Larkin Lee is more than a pretty face and fiancé to a powerful man. Her fierce personality is enough to make any pirate want to push her overboard.

But when the King of the Orient comes to Barren with a task—to find the Bloodstone, a powerful gem thought only to exist in legend, Barren sees another opportunity to destroy his enemy. Together, Barren, Larkin and a crew of pirates set off to find the stone, only to discover it caused the death of Barren’s own mother and Larkin’s, too. As his strongest allies turn into his greatest enemies, and the life of the girl he kidnapped becomes more important than he ever dreamed, Barren’s quest for revenge becomes a fight to save the Orient.

Genres: Fantasy, Pirates, Young Adult, Elves, High Fantasy, Romance

439 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2014

About the author

I love books, tea, and Sherlock. I also like sword fights and Loki. How to Train Your Dragon and Frozen are two of my favorite movies.

Reviews

[Camly Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Barren only goal in life is to avenge his father that has been killed by his brother.One of the many ways that he came up with was to kidnap his brother's fiancé at their engagement party. At first, he hated her because she accepted to marry a monster but as time flies by, they learnt to understand their motives and the truth about the whole story. But by trying to uncover the truth, a bigger problem appears, they have to find the magical Bloodstone that can make its detainer invincible and destroy it before it falls into the wrong hands.

I didn't really like this book because I found it incredibly cheesy. I mean... "Oh look, since I have nothing to do, let's kidnap someone just for fun. But she's so hot. OMG. Im in looove. " Could you please be any more childish? Like come on dude.
Did anyone else notice that it's this girl's first time on a boat and she happens to never have sea sickness for the whole voyage. She was just so comfortable about it, it didn't seem real to me. I feel like Nixon tried too hard to make us like Larkin by making her appear like a badass. Also," Oh shit, only me and my brother's fiancé can destroy the Bloodstone." doesn't really work for me. Hoho, seems legit.

The numerous coincidences made me feel let down by this book.
If you haven't read lots of books yet then this could be for you. If you're more of an advanced reader, you'll find this incredibly boring.

[Kirsty (Amethyst Bookwyrm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for giving me this book to review.

Pirate Barren Reed has had only one thing on his mind for the last 5 years, to get revenge on his brother, William, who murdered their father. He decided that the way to force a fight with William is to kidnap his fiancé, Larkin Lee, however, Larkin is more trouble for him and his crew than they were expecting. However, Barren discovers that there is more going on than his revenge, and Larkin and him are tasked with finding the powerful gem, the bloodstone before his brother does.

Cutlass is a likeable swashbuckling pirate fantasy story, with action, romance and politics. It has an interesting if predictable story but I was not hooked into the story and did not keep my interest.

Barren is rash and cocky, and is determined and obsessed to get his revenge and not good at listening to advice, but he is very loyal to his crew. Larkin is tenacious and can hold her own but I found it very hard to connect with her. The character I most liked was Leaf, the Elven prince as he seemed to be the voice of reason.

Some people seem to love this book and I can understand why but it did not capture my interest enough. I would recommend Cutlass to fans of YA pirate books.

This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a synopsis and got the chills then got a flip flop feeling in your stomach and you think to yourself…OMG this book is going to be fantastic. I will tell you that when I got the email for this tour and after reading the synopsis, I never wanted to be on a tour as badly as I wanted on this one. I even tweeted Ashley to tell her I signed up not that she knew me but I just had to tell her. When I got a tweet from Ashley saying I made the tour not only was I shocked she remembered me but I don’t think I stopped dancing all day and now that I am done it was totally worth the dance and I could scream out the window to the neighbors, I also want to stop people on the street and tell them to read this book. I honestly think it was that good.

If you read my updates on Goodreads you might have guessed I loved this book and if you don’t follow me on goodreads you missed all my status updates about how much I loved this book.

Barren Reed has only one thing on his mind and that revenge, revenge against his brother William who killed their father. Barren has made his brother’s life miserable and now he’s about to get his revenge by kidnapping Williams finance Larkin Lee and forcing his brother to fight him to the death but Larkin didn’t turn out to be the prisoner he expected and when the king asks him to go on a mission to find the bloodstone before his brother does things take a turn and those he trusted turn into enemies and revenge doesn’t really seem like the answer anymore. With so many twists and turns this is one adventure you will not be able to put down.

I was expecting a book about revenge, pirates and a bit of love, what I got was SOOOO much more. This book was non stop and I can’t even explain how many time I thought I might know what was going to happen only to realize that wasn’t it at all. I had trust issues after a while, I was scared to turn the page but needs to find out what happened next. Sword fights, betrayals (left and right), Magic (yes magic) Elves (yes elves), romance (not over powering it was awesome) and a story that kept me on my toes this book is unbelievably AWESOME and packed with so much it’s hard to believe it was all in just one book.

Did you want strong characters? You get a whole boat full of them. Some of the most amazing characters I ever read and I will be honest that I was a nervous wreck for all of them. Barren Reed was a stubborn, passionate and so very sure of himself, almost thinking he was invincible. His act not and think later cause more trouble then it should have. His need for revenge clouded his judgment but his chemistry with his crew, Larkin and open sea made me just fall in love with him. He is a very believable character, he is fantastically written and one I want to read more about. Larkin was FRUSTRATING at times she had a very closed mind but I understood, since she only had the word of her father and she had no reason not to believe him. She is raised to believe one thing only to have it all fall apart. She is a very strong character and you watch her open her mind to new possibilities. As frustrating as I found her to be at times she was fantastic and I loved reading about her and in her POV. Both Larkin and Barren together was amazing I loved there chemistry and I love how the romance of them wasn’t pushed in my face I really felt the story was more the main focus and budding romance was subtle in the background. You can tell they have a passion for each other but it wasn’t the main story. I was also very fond of Leaf Tavrini, he is an elf and I really have a thing for elves, he is strong, mysterious and has a fantastic sense of humor that it was hard not to love him. The entire crew was written so well I honestly loved them all. I was asked who my favorite character was by Ashley and I really had a very hard time answering her since love them all. It’s like asking me which one of my kids I like better I just can’t pick one. Like I tell my kids I love them both the same for different reasons. So Ashley that’s my answer, I love them all the same for different reasons ;)

Like I said already the story is a character in itself and is so strong that it’s just an amazing feeling reading this book. The details and knowledge of Pirates is noticeable and to throw in Elves and Magic you are in for a read that you are not expecting. The characters go through so much in this book and really keep you reading. I have never read a story quite like this and I am not sure if I ever have. I am not sure I can find the words that will do this book justice because I don’t know if I can say how amazing this book is. Fantasy, Pirates and Magic make for a unique read, I loved the twists and turn and I loved the outcome each time. I loved that things may or may not have worked out and that the good guy didn’t always come out on time. I loved how it ended and it made me just wants more. I want to say I can see where this is going to do but since so many times I have been wrong I just don’t know but I can’t wait :)

I gave Cutlass by Ashley Nixon 5/5 stars. Swashbuckling Pirates, Elves, Magic, Swordfights, revenge, trust issues and just when you think you know you don’t makes for an amazing read. Ashley has done an amazing job on her debut novel and I can’t wait to read more from her. She is a phenomenal storyteller with a unique story. I recommend this as a must read, one that will keep you guessing and wanting more. I look am looking forward to the next book in the series I already miss them all. :)

- See more at: http://www.becausereading.com/cutlass...

[Emmeline (The Book Herald) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Starseed Press via NG in return for an honest review.

Yeeeeaaaa buddy! Now that's what I'm talkin' bout!

4.5 stars!

"I am a pirate, I always follow my heart. It is the only thing I am loyal to."

Barren Reed has one desire above anything else- To kill his brother.
Having seen his formely-beloved older brother murder his father, Barren's blood calls for justice to be dispensed. Nothing will stop him.
When he finds out that his brother is engaged to a Lady Larkin, he knows that kidnapping his brother's lady love will finally get his brother to confront him.
Except the Lady Larkin is not what he expected.
Nor is she a damsel in distress, on the contrary, she wields a sword better than most men.
This Pirate has gotten himself in a lot more trouble than he bargained for.
Suddenly betrayal from every side threatens everything Barren stood for.
His only constant- Saiorse or as he would say...freedom!

GUYS ITS A SHIP OF PIRATES AND NEARLY EVERY CREW MEMBER IS A PRINCE!!!! I MEAN COME ON WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED HERE!! If that doesn't convince you, i don't know what will. I'm kidding, there's loads of awesome stuff to talk about!

This book was such a pleasure to read, in all of its swashbuckling adventures and CLEAN romance!! Ah.

I had a grin on my face from beginning to end. I love Barren...seriously, I just love him.

Everything in this book from the action on the sea, to the romance that made me swoon, to the shocks of betrayal and the fantasy aspects were brilliant.

I mean, come on! They're an Elvish Prince in here for crying out loud! Go read this book!

The characters had depth, the writing was lovely and the story line flowed. Yes it could be a bit cheesy, yes, some parts were cliche. But honestly, with all the court intrigue, the quest to destroy the blood stone and the cute romance, you really don't care about that.

I like this book. It's a great read and is very suitable for kids from 13 years old. (Older people, don't let that deter you, I'm 20 years old and i still loved it!

Stay wonderful!

-The Book Herald

Tweet me @thebookherald

[Priscila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ebook in exchange for a honest review.


You can (almost) never go wrong with pirates!

I mean...

Pirates, revenge, kidnapped Ladies, betrayals, adventure, romance, ships, magical beings, magical artifacts, twists and turns, and did I mention pirates?

What's not to love?

Nixon weaves such an interesting story!
What an amazing book!

One of the things I absolutely loved about this book is even though this is the first in a trilogy, there was no cliffhanger, I mean you still want to find out what happens next, but Cutlass can stand on it's own.

I loved the characters, come on a pirate ship, full of princes!
Yeah...


This is one of those super fun books, you actually feel like it's your adventure, like you're actually there!

Love it!

Thanks to my GR friend Emmeline for recommending this to me!


Happy Reading!

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can quite see why so many people marked this as a DNF because actually there was not a lot to this book and I think the pacing let it down terribly. For that reason I am going to keep this review shorter than usual.

It was a book full of promise and could have been an pirate adventure or a romance but instead it fell short of both. I can honestly say that if not for my motivation to have so few books on my DNF I may not have finished it myself.

I just wish there was more to it than what there actually was and for that I am very disappointed.

2 stars, not for me I don't think

[Vanya D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

NOTE: I received a review copy via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.

Cutlass had a wonderful premise that grabbed my attention right away. No wonder I found myself contacting the author and requesting a review copy. Having a story revolving around pirates and their adventures at sea was what won me over.

It was quite unfortunate that the story wasn't written in the most hooking way. I was largely disappointed with both the writing and the characters.

Writing style:
The story was told from several POV's, all in third person. Sometimes it took a while to figure out whose viewpoint I was reading at the moment, which was confusing and frustrating. The writing style was at times too descriptive and overbearing.

Story line:
In general, I liked the plot of this story and how it progressed. However, there were too many loopholes that Nixon and her editor have failed to stitch. For instance, while in the middle of the sea, how do you communicate with the people on land? Seeing that everyone inland was well informed of everything happening with the pirates, it would have been nice to have this explained. Also, time and space seemed to be warped quite a lot, especially since there was no world map to go by.

Themes:
- Freedom of choice being the main theme here
- Tyranny of rulers
- There are different kinds of pirates
- People aren't always who they appear to be

Characters:
Barren Reed, being the lead male character here, is many things. He is the king's nephew, he's half-elf and he's also a pirate Captain. He's only 18, but he has a ship and a crew loyal to him and his every whim. Or so it appears. Barren has been obsessed with a desire to revenge his father's murder and everything he ever does is toward this sole purpose. His every breath is taken in the hopes that one day he would lure out his treacherous brother William and duel him to avenge Jess Reed's death. Unfortunately, Barren is young and rash, and even though he has wise people on his crew, he never ever listens. Seeing that none of his fellow pirates had anything to gain from his vengeful behavior, I find it quite unbelievable that anyone at all would follow young captain Barren Reed on his quest to kill his brother. Much more when things got more serious.

Larkin Lee is the female protagonist in this novel. She messes up Barren Reed's plans on many occasions. Larkin is also young, and has the same half-human half-elf heritage that Barren has. Yet, this is their only similarity. While Barren is an outlaw, a scruple-less murderer, Larkin is the daughter of a Lord. She's about to marry Barren's brother, when the pirate kidnaps her. That's when the story finally begins. Traveling on Barren's ship, Larkin learns the dark truths behind her father's incredulous behavior, Barren's desire for revenge and the death of her own mother.

Leaf is the elven prince who travels side by side with Barren Reed. He is the wise one in this pair, though his advice is never ever heeded. I enjoyed the elf's jabs, though they never accomplished anything. I was unsure of Leaf's purpose in this story, seeing that the only things he was used for was healing, bickering and fighting.

Cove Rowell, being the Ambassador and a disguised pirate, was a character I had a hard time understanding. If everyone doubted his loyalty to the crown, how did he manage to not get executed on the gallows?

William Reed was a puppet in the King and Lord Christopher Lee's hands. He believed to be respected, to be one step ahead, while the entire time he was being manipulated. His desire to have Larkin as his wife streamed of nothing else but the fact that he'd rather have her dead, than see her in Barren's arms.

Christopher Lee is a man of no honor. He seemed to live in his own world, while trying to somehow play cards he did not have. The way he treated his daughter was cruel and I'm not sure how Larkin didn't figure out his true nature sooner.

Tethurion, the reigning king, turned out to be exactly as expected. People of power always seem to share the same exact traits - blindness, no honor and a well developed skill to lie and deceive.

In conclusion:
The potentially great story that Cutlass was set out to tell, was largely ruined by several factors. Some due merely to editorial slack, others to holes in the plot, and others had to do with the depth of the characters.

[Berls · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review appeared first at Fantasy is More Fun.

**I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

For the second time in our friendship, Michelle practically held me at shotgun insisting I read a book. This time, though, she even connected me with the author so I'd have a review copy. How do you say no to that? Well, I didn't say no, but I did stall. I don't know why exactly, but all of a sudden it was December and I hadn't read it yet. So I made a promise to Michelle that I would read Cutlass in 2014, even if I was up all night December 30th reading it. And I kept that promise for the most part (I finished the last little bit in 2015) and thank goodness, because once again Michelle was right. Cutlass was fantastic. I'm going to let her interject periodically in my review, seeing as she's the one who got me to read Cutlass.

Michelle Says:
Always trust my instinct :) but I was a bit nervous also because I hate disappointment. BTW I actually liked the cover, I do like the new one a lot better but I did like the old one also.

So Michelle started talking to me about this book BEFORE she read it. She was enamored by it so much that she reached out to Ashley Nixon and told her she'd requested to be on the tour. And boy do I remember her excitement when she found out she'd be on it. I was nervous for her, because with that kind of excitement I was worried the book couldn't live up. And I'll admit, I was being a total cover snob at the time. I HATED the cover (which has since been re-done to this one, THANK GOD)! It really turned me off on the book. So, like a good friend, I was excited FOR Michelle, but not really WITH her.

Then she read it and holy crap she loved it. I was happy for her and asked her to describe it to me. Could I get over the cover? From what she told me, it sounded kinda like a UF, though she told me it was more high fantasy. I was interested now, but pirates? Cool, but not necessarily my thing. Not NOT my thing, but they didn't pull to me.

Michelle Says:
Seriously WHO doesn't love Pirates?!?! That was what drew me in from the beginning.

Which is pretty funny because one of the things I loved most about Cutlass was the pirate way of life. The way the pirates feel about the freedom life on the water gives them and the relationship they have with the sea is beautifully written and really connected me to them. I've always felt most at home ON the water. I completely understood the connection the pirates felt. And these pirates live by a very honorable code, which made their life against kings so acceptable for me. Easy "bad guys" to root for.

When I say Cutlass was kinda like a UF, I'm wrong though. The main reason I see any connection is that the main female character, Larkin, is kick-ass. She came out of left field for me, because I was expecting a historical Lady - this feels like a historical, with events unfolding in the Mediterranean in lots of ways - and when we meet her she is prim and proper. But she does not need a man to rescue her! Woot! She's bold, says things she shouldn't, and in general made me love her.

Michelle Says:
Loved Larkin and I loved how it wasn't a full love story right in your face like she was a stand alone and not Barren's love interest. She was able to hold her own and really made me love her characters.

So, besides Lady Larkin and the fantasy element, Cutlass has nothing in common with a UF. It's high fantasy, without being so high that it loses you in prophecy and song. High Fantasy with training wheels, maybe? I think high fantasy is typically overwhelming in a way Cutlass wasn't. It did have a section, about 75% in that dragged and that was all about the elves and dreams and visions - less of the nail biting action and intrigue that carried the rest of the story forward. But even that was interesting, just much slower.

Michelle Says:
I will agree with it being a little slow or wordy at one point but it didn't really bother me that much like you I found the story interesting. I agree with this being not a full High Fantasy but something different like a cross between High Fantasy and Fantasy.

There's surprisingly little magic, considering that you've got elves and half elves running around and that was disappointing for me, but I enjoyed the sword fighting that replaced it. Cutlass kinda defies an exact classification and its definitely a case where you'll be sorry if you judge the book by it's cover. It was a thrilling ride with great characters and I'm only sorry it took me so long and so much pushing to read!

Michelle Says:
See I told you so ;)

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a copy in exchange for my honest review**
The cover of the book is what first drew me in and I decided to read this book because it was a different premise than most young adult books. At least, in my experience, there have not been many young adult pirate books.
This book follows the life of Barren as he searches for revenge against his brother, William. This is because William is guilty of killing their father in cold blood. Barren is the captain of a crew that has forced an embargo on the island of Maris by capturing any boat that leaves the port in an effort to draw his brother out. Therefore, when Barren discovers that his brother is engaged he comes up with a plan to capture his to-be wife and hold her captive until William agrees to a duel. However, Larkin is much more than Barren ever bargained for and her capture sets off a chain of events that leads Barren to question everything he has ever known in his search for the bloodstone.
I really enjoyed the main character, Barren, because he seemed to be very relatable and his mission to enact revenge for his father's death is understandable. This book is very fast-paced with a strong-willed captain of a ship pitted against his fierce captive named Larkin. Larkin is a very strong female character that has been told horrible stories her entire life about the murderer called Barren. However, she is shocked when she learns the truth about her father and that he had lied to her all these years. It was very exciting to see Barren and Larkin interact together since they are both very strong-willed people. The romance may have been highly unsurprising but I did like the fact that there was not really a love triangle. This book was a very new and fresh. I applaud the author in her efforts to write this book, it has paid off. I believe that this novel has an element of being a stand alone but there could be a possibility of a second book. It was a well-written novel.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I'm struggling to review this book because it was well written and plotted, but I just wasn't engaged with it. That is okay because sometimes I just don't connect with books that everyone else likes, but I am having a hard time really pinpointing why I was just sort of impartial to this pirate fantasy adventure. As far as characters go, these were pretty good. I like the pirate with a heart of gold who realizes his drive for revenge has stolen a lot of his happiness. I liked the fiercely independent and yet vulnerable Larken, a character who realizes that she has been nothing but a pawn her whole life. I just didn't really connect with either of them. Their issues were not ones that felt like they transcended the book and had a universal truth that I needed to learn. I even embraced the setting - an ocean who wills your path, a land with Elvish and magical people, a pirate cove where people are like a family. The plot was full of action and had a clear quest with mystical elements and plenty of betrayal and threat. The book moved at a decent pace, and I didn't feel like it really lagged for too long at any point. So why didn't I love it? I don't know. There are enough good things about this book that it is entirely possible that another reader will fall head over heels for it, so it is worth giving it a shot, especially if you like pirate adventures that don't cross the line into bodice ripper. Language and situations are appropriate for readers grades 7+.

[Vippi · Rating 2 out of 5]

~ I received this book from Netgalley, in exchange for a honest review ~

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

This book is a sort of endless Russian doll: at every page the reader discovers another side of the story, another secret, another betrayal.

At first glance it sounds good. However, it turns out to be a house of cards.

IMO the main issue of this book is that all this complexity is not built on firm foundations: the world building is just sketched and hardly gives the pirate-vibe; the characters are not very believable or compelling and they are often moved by poor motives: it all comes down to revenge (sometimes consciously against the wrong, blameless person).

Even though the idea is interesting, it could have been developed better. The overall effect is quite disappointing.

[Lola]

DNF'd this at 32%. Just didn't work for me, the pace felt slow and the story or characters didn't capture my atention. I also kept thinking that they were adults as for some reason it seemed more logical that they were adults, I mean Barren was only 18 and the captain of a ship. Also not a fan of the whole revenge plot line. And how suddenly everyone turned out to be a pirate.
The descriptions where well done and I really felt like I was there on the ship. Just not a book for me, but I would recomend it if you like highish fantasy and pirates.

[Coffee-crafts&books · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was given this to review in return for a honest review
i have never read books about pirates and this is the first time reading one i thought it was a slow start but did enjoy it in the end.iwill read more by ashley nixon as i always liked to read something new

[Missie]

DNF for me. The storyline was intriguing but it went so slow I could not carry on past 50%. There were some good moments but too many slow moments for me.

[Gemma Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kindly gifted Cutlass by Lola's Blog Tours in return for an honest review.

When I first read the synopsis I was definitely curious! OK it’s a little different from what I would normally read, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book based on pirates before. It definitely did not disappoint! I have seen mixed reviews on this one but actually, I did actually really enjoy it. When you think you know what is going to happen but actually doesn’t? That’s definitely what Cutlass does!

Each page left me wanting more, every page I turned, I was more and more addicted. Also the mixture of magic, elves and romance was a great combination! Like I definitely wasn’t expecting that. There’s so much packed inside, this definitely doesn’t spoil it, it’s hard to believe this is all just in one book. If you’ve read my book reviews before, you’ll know I love a good character.

That’s exactly what you get from Cutlass, all the characters are so strong but at the same time, they all have their own differences. With the characters going through so much, it keeps you wanting more, so you just continue reading. This is definitely not like any books I’ve read before! It’s different on a whole other scale. There are also some great twists and turns in this book, the outcome was always great.

To read more about Cutlass, head here: https://anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com/...

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can find my review here: https://thehufflepuffnerdette.wordpre...

[Ryan Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 (Round to 5)

First off, let me just remind everyone how much I adore pirates. I have always, and will always, love me some swashbuckling high seas action. But it is hard to find a good pirate book that has plenty of action AND romance to keep me interested for long. I am happy to report that the book had ample action and enough romance to keep me turning the pages. And as if pirates and romance were not enough to keep me busy, there were also ELVES. Are you freaking kidding me? I LOVE elves. And with elves, comes magic. *dances with glee* A pirate romance with fantasy elements? Freaking yes! And the sword fights.. did I mention the sword fights? :D I love sword fights! (calm down, Ryan.)

The book follows the journey of Barren in his quest for revenge on his brother, William. For five years, he has been waiting for his chance to fight his brother and avenge the death of his beloved father and pirate lord, Jess Reed- who died at his brothers hands. Larkin is a high- born lady and is marrying William to make her father happy. Barron decides his best chance at luring his brother into their long- awaited final duel is to kidnap Larkin from their engagement party and draw William out to sea- where Barren has the upper-hand. Only Larkin turns out to be more trouble than he or his crew bargained for and there may be more important things at stake than his petty revenge. Political Intrigue, spies, and prejudice follow Barren wherever he goes and he is soon on a quest far more important than any he had been on before with Larkin at his side.

Cutlass is the sort of book where you can never tell who all the bad guys are and betrayal, politics, and revealed secrets are constantly shaking the plot and causing problems for our hero and heroine.

The villains were plenty and they were pretty hardcore if we are rating in terms of skill with a sword. *wiggles eyebrows*. Some were more complex and I could empathize with. The others were straightforward and I could understand their motives. One, however, baffles me. I wonder if the second book will expound further on his motives. So the villains were okay.

Larkin was an interesting character. She grew up believing in the system she was raised in by her father. She lived a life of privilege and is stubborn to recognize the hard truths she has to face about the system and people she has known all her life. I liked that she was bad-ass and could hold her own against Barren. I also liked that she had morals and convictions that guided her actions. Some of her actions are foolish- as some heroines often are- but her heart was in the right place and she can admit when she is wrong, so I forgive her. I did not get as deep of a connection to her as I did to Barren, but hopefully I can bridge that small gap in the next book!

Barren. Barren, Barren, Barren. What to say about Barren.. The nineteen year old pirate lord with an entire crew at his every command.. and he has them chasing after his petty whims. He is rash and immature, constantly getting everyone in trouble- everything you would expect in a typical nineteen year old. He is also cocky, hot, bad- ass, and loyal- everything you would expect in a pirate lord. I love that - out of all the characters- you see a growth in him and his mindset throughout the story. I am very impressed that he grew up and shifted as the story progressed. Every character should change for the better throughout a story and Barren's change was both necessary and interesting. He was a very human character and I feel like a lot of people can relate to his rash nineteen year old side. He is- after all- human. And to be human is to make mistakes and be ruled by your emotions. I am glad he changed, because I sort of wanted to smack him for a few of his choices.

Speaking of smacking Barren for his choices- that reminds me- Leaf!

Leaf was a secondary character, but I just felt the need to mention him and praise him for his sexy elfed..ness. (: He was charming and funny. Ah.. Leaf. He was the perfect first mate- trying to get his idiot captain to see reason, while still trying to see the laughter in bad situations. You, my dear Elf, are awesome and the story would have had a sad gap without you to provide your warmth to the story in the light of our two serious main characters. <3

All in all? Cutlass was an entertaining read. It was full of violence, political upheaval, betrayal, romance, mystery, adventure, secrets, pirates, a sexy elf, a pirate lord with a grudge, a lady with a choice to make, and most important of all.. sword fights. :D I loved it.

:D PIRATES! <3

[Adelina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I requested and received a review copy of the book through a review opportunity organized by Lola's Blog Tours in exchange for a honest review.

I didn't finish this book. I stopped at 57% because I really really just couldn't take it anymore.

To be honest, the book's narrative is already average. The world-building is common — the pirates and elves not willing to mingle with humans. There's also a lot of things going on that is quite repetitive like Barren saves Larkin, Larkin saves Barren, Barren saves Larkin again and a lot of people who aren't always who they appear to be, which is so, so tiring to read.

Cutlass also have this shitty romance and a particularly shitty character: Larkin. Everything was overshadowed by my annoyance with her.

"I don't need to gather ideas from anyone. You're a pirate— by default that makes you a terrible man," she replied. (Location 631 of 5079; 12%)

Larkin scoffed. "Surely you know a good man and a pirate cannot be the same thing." (Location 1395 of 5079; 27%)

Larkin is the most annoying character and Barren comes close because of first-time-i-saw-her-omg-shes-so-beautiful-must-control-myself-because-shes-my-brothers-fiance. The former can be described as a daddys-girl-to-the-core, entitled, privileged and ignorant. She generalizes pirates as murderers and spews that's treason!" for not adhering to the government and the King's laws because why fight for freedom when they are actually free? Says the girl who's born into the upper caste system. Heh. She got schooled by someone of her kind who turned into a pirate, but she couldn't answer because she doesn't know how to be a pirate — well, she doesn't have to be a pirate exactly, but unprivileged or a poor person maybe?

She hates pirates based on what her father told her. Even when she has seen firsthand and heard from other people's experiences what her father and fiance had done, she blames pirates. Pirates.

Here's a funny part: ironically, she didn't want to be in the Bloodshed Pub because...

"She didn't want to go in—she would be surrounded by pirates: people who hated her for no reason, people who hated her father. (Location 1369 of 5079; 27%)

What pirates think about her are nothing, but she is hurt and confused of those who didn't like her because...

"She didn't want to feel judged by all of these people, by people who didn't know her." (Location 1369 of 5079; 27%)

My god, such hypocrisy.

Then, she's angry because she was called a mistake, but promises that she wouldn't be easy to get rid of. The head of pirates offered her to return her back to Maris, she said no. Girl, why stay with people you hate?

"I'm surprised—you seem so appalled by us. It would be better for you to be with your kind."
For some reason, those words stung Larkin, and she wanted more than ever to be seen as their equals. Why, here, was she treated as if she didn't belong? As if she were something to step upon? These men were pirates. (Location 1406 of 5079; 28%)

These men were pirates. Again, with the pirate blaming.

I did try to finish this book, you know. Maybe see if something improves, but this was the final straw:

"If she were caught, she didn't believe those who ran Estrellas would harm her—she was Lord Christopher Lee's daughter. Her word overrode any who dwelled within the walls of that island." (Location 2881 of 5079; 57%)

I— I'm so done.

[ysar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pirate captain Barren Reed wants nothing more than to avenge his father's death, but he's no ordinary pirate.  He's the king's nephew and a half-elf, and the man he's hunting is his own brother.  When he gets word that his brother is engaged to be married, he hatches the perfect plan to draw his brother out and get his revenge.  He'll simply kidnap his brother's fiance, a slight that can't be overlooked, and he'll finally get his wish.  If only it was that simple.

A half-elf herself, she's more than a match for the ruthless pirate.  She's smart, quick-witted, and incredibly beautiful, and even as she ruins Barren's plans over and over again, he can't help but be fascinated by her.



The constant POV switch kept losing me, and while I love details that paint a complete picture, the detail saturation in Cutlass found me skimming to get to the worthwhile parts.  Coupled with the somewhat unbelievable 18-year-old pirate that had everyone shaking in their boots and some unexplained and therefore too convenient holes in the plot, and I just couldn't get into it.



After Quintspinner (another YA pirate novel) and Devil's Island (a swashbucking romance), I was really looking forward to another romp with Jolly Roger, but this wasn't it for me.  The synopsis sounded great, but the story was very slow to develop in the beginning and had a few more areas that dragged along the way, and it was difficult to really relate to any one character before the POV shifted to someone else.  I won't say it's terrible -- I suspect this is one of those books that people either love or just can't get into, but unfortunately, I fell into the latter group.



***FicCentral received this book from Xpresso Book Tours for free in exchange for an honest review. Even so, we're far too opinionated to let a freebie influence our thoughts or the contents of the reviews we post here.

[Erin H. (ITIO Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more reviews, check out ITIO Book Reviews.

I first heard of this book from YA Reads Book Tours when I signed up for the book blitz for this book. I don’t sign up for book blitzes unless I’d totally buy the book for myself. After discovering that the book was only $2.99 on Amazon for Kindle, I may or may not have given into my more impulsive book-buying side. Meaning: I spent that $2.99 before you could say the title of this book.Cutlass follows the young pirate Barren Reed. Ever since his brother, William, murdered his father, Barren has been on a quest of revenge against his brother. He’s tried luring his brother out to fight with him using various threats to no avail! Then, he thinks he stumbles upon the perfect plan to lure his brother out of hiding: kidnap William’s fiance, Larkin Lee, and use her as ransom. Everything does not go according to plan, however, as Barren finds himself in even deeper in trouble than he was before.

MORAL RATING:

PG/PG-13: Some cussing, kissing, and leering pirates (the usual)

THE GOOD:

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a good pirate book. Seriously. When I first read the premise of this book, I knew that I’d love it. First of all, I really grew to love the characters. The character arcs of Larkin Lee and Barren Reed (Barren especially) were spectacular and came full-circle! The reader is introduced to a revenge-obsessed, immature eighteen-year-old who is full of bitterness and hatred against his brother. Larkin challenges him, pushes him to be a better man, and makes him ask questions that he’s never asked himself before. Speaking of Larkin, she’s exactly what I like to read in a female heroine. Her sass and spunk made her so much fun to read! Not to mention, she’s portrayed as Barren’s equal. Never does Barren speak down to her or treat her as if she’s inferior. I mean, how could he when she’s nearly as good as him with a sword? I’m not a huge feminist, but I can definitely root for a strong, well-written female protagonist.

The story had me flipping the pages and wondering what was going to happen next. There were a couple of plot twists; I didn’t see them coming!

THE BAD:

Some reviewers have complained that it was hard for them to believe that an eighteen-year-old pirate could have other older pirates quaking in their boots like Barren Reed did. It’s fantasy–you have to embrace it all the way or not at all! Also, there were elves in this story. That surprised me a bit, but I got used to it!

There was a lot of world-building details in this first installment. Sometimes there were way too many details for me to swallow and I got a bit confused. There were a lot of names and places to remember, but I think that Nixon was only setting up everything for her next two novels. She had a lot to incorporate into this novel!

I’d give this one 4.5/5 hearts! I loved the adventure and the romance of this one! I’ll definitely be reading the next two books of this trilogy. I’d encourage anyone that loves books about pirates, adventure, and romance to read Cutlass!

[Diantha Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT DJ'S BOOK CORNER

Pirates. That one word was all I needed to sign up to review this book. Once again, I'm happy I did. Although I kept putting the book down causing me to take forever to read it, it wasn't because it lacked in any way. It didn't. It was as entertaining as I hoped for!

We start off with the notorious pirate Barren terrorizing the seas around Maris in an attempt to lure out his brother William so he can run him through with a sword. Why does Barren want to kill his brother? That's a secret you must read the book to find out. I will say, that I felt Barren's pain. If my brother had done what his did, my brother would be the first name to check off of my hit list too.

At the beginning of the story, Barren's revenge drives everything he does. Until he decides to kidnap Larkin Lee, the daughter of a powerful man and his brother's fiancee. Their first encounter was quite entertaining. Though beautiful and proper, Larkin is trained in swordplay. You can only imagine how much fun it was when Barren found that out. For us, not for him. From there it only gets better. Larkin is set in her beliefs that she knows what pirates are all about, but through their adventures she finds out she's had it all wrong. Among other things...

Both Barren and Larkin find out some shocking secrets along the way to Barren's revenge and finding the Bloodstone for the king. Not everyone is who they say they are and it becomes difficult to know whom they can trust. Both have been lied to most of their lives so the more they find out, the less they trust those that they've put their faith in. I honestly didn't see some of these twists coming though I knew that there would be some sort of resolution at the end.

As much as I liked it, Cutlass was missing something. It wasn't the action-adventure because it had that by the truckloads. I think it may have been the character development. Though I liked the characters, I think they were all kind of...shallow...in a way. There was no true depth to any of them. If anyone had depth it was Leaf, an elven prince, and Barren's BFF and quartermaster. But we didn't get to learn as much about him as I would have liked. Bah! It's kind of hard to explain. I guess I wanted to know more about their purpose in life. Sure, the pirates wanted to uphold the ideal of freedom and choices. But is that all? I just wonder if the only purpose they will have in this trilogy is Saoirse and finding the Bloodstone.

Regardless, I liked this book and I'm happy to add another great fantasy to my "READ" list. I liked the plot and the flow of the story, but I do hope for a little more of the lovey-dovey in future books. Either way, I'll be reading them for sure.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is also available here: https://fangirlsreaditfirst.wordpress...

I would like to thank author Ashley Nixon for allowing me to read and review the first two books in her trilogy: Cutlass and Flintlock for her book tour.

This is a review of Cutlass:

Captain Barren Reed has searched for a way to get revenge on his brother, William, for killing their father by running a sword through his back. Revenge is all he’s wanted for years. He rises in ranks and becomes a teenage pirate captain. Pirating is his family’s way of life despite being in the royal lineage. William has sworn off pirating and has his eye on moving up in station. He has sworn to hunt down and bring pirates to justice. Barren has found the perfect plan for his revenge, kidnap William’s fiancé right under his nose and challenge William to a duel for her return. Only Barren gets more than he bargained for in kidnapping Larkin Lee.

Barren isn’t as bloodthirsty as the rumors say. Everyone says he’ll kill anyone his ship comes across. But really he gives his captives a choice every time: strip themselves of belongings and cargo and go back to town humiliated, or he’ll have his crew kill them. Barren shows mercy when most captains would not. He is a smart and fearless leader of his crew of men, despite being only a teenager himself. He is compassionate and loyal to his men. He even has a softer side he keeps hidden from all. He is obsessed with killing William through quite a bit of the story, but this obsession doesn’t overtake the story. Instead, it adds to his character, since he feels guilty over his father’s death and also wants to avenge him. Barren is every bit the pirate worthy of having his own story.Larkin is surprisingly well versed in matters of fighting and learning for the time period. She knows how to fence and is almost Barren’s equal and proves her level of swordsmanship in their first fight. She is feisty, witty, and brave. She has her own mind, thoughts, and opinions she’s not afraid to voice. She won’t let anyone tell her what to do. But her one vulnerability is pleasing her distant father. He’s promised her hand in marriage to William, and she has agreed, even though she doesn’t care for him. When she’s kidnapped by Barren, it’s wonderful seeing this character coming into her full potential as a woman and a leader.I have had a long love affair with pirates my whole life; from classics like Peter Pan, Treasure Island to The Princess Bride and more recently The Pirates of the Caribbean. This book lives up to its genre and beyond. The action, adventure, and romance was intense and exciting. It was full of secrets and drama and bloodthirsty battles. I was captivated for every single page!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. It is appropriate for young adult and adult readers.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ashley Nixon first began talking about her debut novel, CUTLASS, I knew it’d be right up my alley. Tall ships! Pirates! Swords! Magic! I’d have been excited about any one of those elements—put them all together and that book’s definitely finding a place on my shelf.

CUTLASS didn’t disappoint. It’s a rollicking, adventurous tale, centered around young pirate extraordinaire Barren Reed and his kidnappee (aka daughter of an important lord, aka his brother’s fiancée, aka his eventual love interest-of course!) Larkin Lee. I liked the dynamic between Barren and Larkin a lot. It’s sweet, yet challenging. I always enjoy reading about couples who push each other, who become better together than they are apart. You can see the beginnings of that type of relationship in CUTLASS. Barren and Larkin are both outspoken, which also led to fun snarky exchanges like this one:

Barren: “And how can I trust that you won’t tell the entire population who I am?”

Larkin raised a brow and smirked. “You gave me a sword,” she said.

Gotta love a lady with a sword!

Nixon also builds a colorful and believable cast of secondary characters, including my favorite, Leaf. His background as an Elfin-lord-turned-pirate was interesting in itself, but what I liked most was how he acted as Barren’s conscience and moral compass through much of the book. The two of them have a deep rock-solid friendship, even though they’re very different.

The world of CUTLASS is well-developed and, though I wished we could spend a little more time in each location, Nixon does a nice job describing the various ports. I am a sucker for tall ships (they’re the main setting in my first book), so I really loved passages like this:

Barren stood on the dock, staring at the ship. It was a beautiful creation—intricate in its woodwork with detailed spirals carved along the rail, awash in gold. The cabin and main hold were all lined in ebony wood, which caused the white sails to stand out like stars against the night. In contrast to the black, the hull of the ship was a rich rosewood. It was unbelievably fancy, and Barren almost mourned what would become of it on this journey.

Makes you want to be out on the open deck with the spray in your face, right?!

I found the plot enjoyable too, with a couple key twists to keep readers guessing. It was neat to see how Nixon wove magic into the pirate world, and I really liked the history behind that pivotal part of the story. Overall, there were places I wanted the book to delve a little deeper, but I’m excited to see where this story and this author take us next!

Review from Write Me A World.

[El · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally published on So Bookalicious

All Barren Reed ever wanted was to avenge his father’s death. Even if it meant killing other people along the way to get the attention of the murderer of his father. When terrorizing the sea doesn’t seem to help he forms a new plan to lure him out, kidnap his fiancée. But what Barren could have never expected is that Larkin makes him question everything he’s doing.

When we first met Barren he was harsh, he had only one goal. To kill the murderer of his father. He couldn’t think of anything else. He didn’t allow himself to think of something else. It was what he had to do and he wouldn’t rest before either of them died. That led him of course into crazy situations. But the craziest thing, and probably stupidest thing he did to achieve his goal was kidnapping the murderer’s fiancée. He expected an obedient girl when he tried to take her but he couldn’t have been more wrong. Larkin is far from obedient. She detests everything a pirate stands for and she isn’t afraid of defying Barren. She learns Barren that killing isn’t the way to achieve his goal, she teaches Barren how to live again. And at the same time Barren teaches Larkin that nothing is black and white, that every story has two sides. Most importantly when she’s with him she finally gets to know what it is to be really free.
Barren and Larking were very different from each other but at the same time they completed each other. Barren might look though on the outside but he’s a good guy. He takes care of the people he cares about. He will give up his life if it could save theirs. Larkin does everything to please her father, to get his attention for five minutes even if it means marrying a man she could never love. And she sees the beauty in people where others fail to notice it. She’s stubborn which often lends her into a lot of trouble but she only is stubborn because she wants to protect the people she loves.

I loved how the author portrayed the world the characters lived in. the Orient consisted of different small islands. Each island had its own inhabitants. One was inhibited by mostly pirates, another one was inhibited by elves, another one by merchants,… It was fun to explore all those different islands together with Barren and his crew.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Everything fitted together perfectly the characters, the world building, the plot line everything was just perfect. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who’s looking for a great YA fantasy read. I can’t wait till the next book in this series gets released!

*Note I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Lipsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For reviews and more check out http://lipsyy.wordpress.com

I don't think I've really read many good pirate books, certainly not since I started blogging, so all I really had to compare Cutlass to before I started reading was classics like Treasure Island and Peter Pan, and it turns out Cutlass, is completely different to both of those, but just as fun!

As all good pirate stories should, Cutlass starts with the kidnapping of a beautiful young woman. The infamous-beyond-his-years pirate Barren Reed and his crew gatecrash his brother William's engagement party to kidnap Larkin (the fiancé) in an attempt to exact revenge for their father's death. The only problem is that Larkin doesn't seem too keen to marry William anyway, and is not quite the damsel in distress that Barren expected her to be.

I was hooked from the start of this book, despite it taking me a while to warm to Barren himself. I felt like he really came into his own as he got to know Larkin better. Larkin was such a strong, feisty character I really felt like she carried a lot of the book, which is no bad thing.

The relationship between Barren and Leaf was adorable too. Other than Larkin, Leaf seemed to be the only person who could put Barren in his place, without fearing for his life. He's mischievous and funny, and it was easy to believe that they'd been friends forever.

Ashley Nixon did such a great job at world-building. I felt like the history of The Orient was rich and interesting and I just wanted to jump on board and sail along with them.

I did think it took a bit too long to get to the main body of the story - the hunt for the mysterious bloodstone - but even though the pacing was a bit slow at times, it reminded me of a good old-fashioned yarn so I was OK with that! I mean, everything about it screams epic adventure, from a chapter entitled Old Salt, to Barren yelling “If the sea had wanted you, I wouldn’t have been able to save you.”

I also devoured it in two sittings (OK, so I kind of had to because -DEADLINE- and I left it to the last minute but that's besides the point!), they were two very enjoyable sittings!

I thought the use of elves, magic in a story centered around a pirates was unique and clever, and the myth of the bloodstone was intriguing. And yes I admit it, I was totally in love with Barren by the end of the book. I look forward to reading more of his and Larkin's adventures.

“I am a pirate, I always follow my heart. It is the only thing I am loyal to.”

[Ashley Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love fantasy, and I love books about pirates, so there was no question that I absolutely had to read this book. And let me tell you, I was not let down by Barren, Larkin, and their friends. Cutlass is an epic adventure from beginning to end, and left me wanting so much more from this world!

Between the world building, plot twists, character development, and adventure, quite a bit happens in this book. So I was actually pleasantly surprised when I realized that all of these things are woven together in such a way that the plot still moves along at a pretty fast pace and I didn't feel like I was trudging through details to get to the meat of the story. There are a couple of times when things are told rather than shown, but those moments are surrounded by such beautiful writing that it's easy to stay engrossed in the story and move on.

I also really enjoyed learning about all of the characters. No two are alike - not even the twins - and all of them have their secrets. Even the minor characters had a decent amount of roundness to them and were just as dynamic as Barren and Larkin. Most of the book focuses on Barren's thoughts and actions, but it was also really interesting to see things as they happened to Larkin. Some of the transitions were a little sudden, but it wasn't too difficult to figure out what was going on and get back in to the story. I'm definitely interested in seeing how Barren and Larkin deal with their new lives, as things are very different from the way they were in the beginning. Leaf was probably my favorite character - he's just as sassy and hilarious as I imagine Elves should be, but he's also got a very dark side to him.

I really thought that the whole "I must seek revenge for my father's death!" thing would get very old very quickly, but Nixon included so many twists and turns and new information that led to second thoughts that the plot never felt stale or boring to me. There's so much more to Jess Reed than meets the eye, and the circumstances behind his death run much deeper than I thought they would. So many people were involved without even knowing it, and I think that helped keep things interesting!

If you love pirate books and are looking for a high fantasy YA novel, I would definitely recommend Cutlass! Even if you aren't a fan of high fantasy, Cutlass is very approachable and not at all confusing like high fantasy can sometimes be.Give Cutlass a chance, because the pirates are swoony and the plot exciting! Any fans of pirates will not want to miss this book! 4/5.

[Kendall {Book Crazy} · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I was really excited when I found out about this book! I've never read a pirate book before and I really wanted to find one that sounded interesting and was going to be a good first pirate book! Cutlass just sounded amazing and the cover was amazing too, so I knew I wanted to make it my first pirate book! The plot of this book just drew me right into it! There was a lot in it, so I felt like I had to read every word in case I missed something important, but you never knew what was going to happen next and there was so much action in it too! I freaking loved it! I will admit that I did think that the plot started a bit slow! It took me a good few chapters to get into it, but it was definitely worth the wait because I really enjoyed it when the plot started its climax and the action came into it! The characters were amazing! Barren was the main male character and he was so hot and had such a fierce quality about him! Barren came across as a guy with no regrets about the lives he had taken, but when his love interest came along, I could see the regret that Barren did carry! He hid it really well, but his love interest was kind of his undoing and she made him feel things that he didn't want to! Barren proved his loyalty though and he proved just how much his love interest meant to him! Larkin was the main female character and she was kick-ass! I thought she was going to be quite shy and reserved, but she knew how to fight and I loved that she stuck up for the people she cared for! I did feel really sorry for Larkin when I found out that she had been lied to her entire life! She based everything on what her father had told her and it was the compete wrong information! Larkin soon learned the truth though and she learned who the bad guys really were and she was prepared to fight them! I thought that this book was going to be written from both Barren and Larkin's point of views after I read the synopsis, and it was! I loved that it was written from both of their point of views because it made the story more interesting and it was amazing to see their feelings for each other develop through both of their eyes! I'll definitely be reading the next book in this series! I hope it's as good as this book was, but regardless, I'll definitely be reading it! The cover for this book is amazing! It suits the book perfectly and it definitely has the whole pirate thing going on! Big thank you to Ashley for sending me a paperback of Cutlass and to Xpresso Book Tours for having me on the Blog Tour!

[Gabs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cutlass was a book that I think would have been absolutely perfect for me if it weren't for a few things plotwise that bugged me. Still, I did enjoy it.

Honestly, it would probably take some really huge problems in the book for me to NOT like it, because, well, pirates. Pirates are a wonderful reading treat for me, because I just can't find very many, and they really do make a fascinating story. Maybe there are a ton of pirate books out there just hiding from me, I don't know. The fact is, it's something that I haven't read a lot of even though I would like to. That was a pretty big reason I liked this book.

I really liked Barren. He was daring and fierce at times, sensitive and vulnerable the next. He's the kind of character, basically, that I have a tendency to really, really like. There was one thing, however, that I was not buying about him. He's the most feared pirate of them all, apparently, but yet he's a mere eighteen years old. I can suspend my disbelief for that age, but apparently he's been terrorizing the seas for the past five years or so...which would mean that he started at thirteen. I cannot imagine someone that young being such a feared pirate. The other main character, Larkin was not my favorite, but I did like her. I think that her interactions with Barren were what made her so fun to read about, especially when they had just met.

The plot was good. However, I did feel it was slow, which kind of surprised me. I wouldn't expect a pirate story to be as slow as Cutlass was. Still, I thought that as a whole, the plot was well thought out and interesting. Maybe it's simply my inexperience with pirate stories, but I thought it was cool that it was a fantasy.

I still am not sure how I feel about the romance. Yes, Barren and Larkin are good together. But it was a bit too....Stockholm Syndrome-y (That is totally a word, you and the dictionary just haven't heard of it) for me. I mean, yes, Barren's nice. But he kidnapped Larkin. Usually people don't fall in love with their captors. I don't care what reason he kidnapped Larkin. I don't care if his brother's a jerk. He still kidnapped her, and it felt a bit weird to me.

Cutlass was a book that I have mixed feelings about, if you couldn't tell, but my reading experience with it was still positive, so I think that it has earned three stars.

[Kayla West · Rating 5 out of 5]

PIRATES!! ELVES!! KINGS!! OH MY!!

Okay, so if you haven't noticed by my very exclaimed sentence above there, I am freaking out over this book. It has been quite some time since I have read a novel with pirates in it. And to have this book contain some fantasy elements to it...well, I am definitely not opposed to that.

I really cannot explain what it is that interests me about pirate stories. Maybe it is the freedom of the open seas, or the smell of the salt air, but there is something there that just makes me want to pick up a pirate story and read it. Has been since I was very young. I just love the adventure. And this story was not short of that.

We are initially introduced to a young man named Barren, who has held a grudge against his brother William for the death of their father five years before. He wants revenge. So when opportunity seems to arise in the form of an engagement letter, Barren gets an idea. A final showdown between the two brothers...all over William's bride-to-be.

But that would actually depend on whether or not William is willing to risk life and limb for this girl. And according to her, that is not going to happen.

Larkin is a girl who has been raised to despise pirates and all they stand for, so it is not surprising to her when a bunch of pirates decides to capture her, something her father has tried to prevent, or so he says, since she was very young.

These two characters will clash in the beginning, but time will pass and people's true intentions will arise, causing them to band together to stop a great and terrible force from taking over and raising its ugly head once again after all these years.

This book was maybe not perfect, but close. It was phenomenal and just a wonderful story. The characters, especially the main ones, were indescribably well-written. They felt so alive...so there. I am actually quite happy I have no clue what is going to happen next in this trilogy, because I want to be surprised. I want to be awed by what this author can think up next for Barren and his crew.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cutlass is a fun adventure with pirates, elves, and pirate elves! Barren may only be eighteen, but he's a feared pirate with a loyal crew. He stalks the shores of Marianna, attacking any ship that comes his way, hoping that one day it'll be his brother so he can exact his revenge! Barren is sick of waiting though, so he kidnaps his brother's fiancee to lure him out to sea! Unfortunately, that doesn't really work, and Larkin isn't some helpless damsel, and is likely more trouble than she's worth.

In addition to the revenge plot, Cutlass also has a lost magic plot. Barren is asked to track down this bloodstone which is very powerful dark magic that makes the holder invincible. This sounded totally fun and exciting, but I was a bit annoyed with it at times. Barren agrees to bring this evil object back way too easily. When a person (especially one in a position of power already) asks you to bring them hidden dark magic, be suspicious! This cannot end well! Barren doesn't even bat an eye, although I suppose if he was more difficult about it, there wouldn't have been any twists and betrayals on that front. I was still annoyed though, because I was highly suspicious! It's so obvious!

Cutlass was still a fun and engaging read though. I loved that pirates weren't the bad guys. Sure, they kill people occasionally, but they live by a code. This code is honored and is honorable. And Barren is fighting for the greater good and doesn't relish killing those who get in his way. I also loved that once he got to know Larkin, he didn't treat her like some girl who needed his protection. He was aware of her ass-kicking abilities, and didn't talk down to her. Of course, there was this sense of protectiveness, because he likes her, but that's okay! Kissing! He treated her like an equal, but she'd probably kick his ass if he didn't.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.