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A Prince Among Pirates
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26A charming nobleman accidentally joins a pirate ship and falls for its debonair captain in this swashbuckling queer debut that’s perfect for fans of F.T. Lukens and Our Flag Means Death.
Kit Davenport is in trouble—not that this would surprise anyone who knows him. Headstrong, reckless, and utterly unsuited for the stodgy House of Lords, Kit has spent years dodging his father’s stern disapproval and delighting in clandestine rendezvous. But time is running out. With an arranged marriage looming and the confines of white wigs and stiff decorum closing in, Kit is desperate to escape a life that feels completely wrong for him.
His solution? A wildly impulsive decision that lands him aboard the Deliverance, a galleon captained by the infuriatingly charismatic Reggie Sharpe. With a devil-may-care attitude and a delicious grin, Captain Sharpe commands the waves with his crew of misfits…who all turn out to be pirates. Before Kit can say “wrong ship,” he’s trading ballroom etiquette for rum-soaked camaraderie, explosive gunfights, and, perhaps most excitingly, heart-stopping kisses under the stars.
But life at sea holds just as many secrets as treasures. And when Kit’s past catches up with him, he’ll have to decide who he truly wants to be: a gentleman or a pirate?
Kit Davenport is in trouble—not that this would surprise anyone who knows him. Headstrong, reckless, and utterly unsuited for the stodgy House of Lords, Kit has spent years dodging his father’s stern disapproval and delighting in clandestine rendezvous. But time is running out. With an arranged marriage looming and the confines of white wigs and stiff decorum closing in, Kit is desperate to escape a life that feels completely wrong for him.
His solution? A wildly impulsive decision that lands him aboard the Deliverance, a galleon captained by the infuriatingly charismatic Reggie Sharpe. With a devil-may-care attitude and a delicious grin, Captain Sharpe commands the waves with his crew of misfits…who all turn out to be pirates. Before Kit can say “wrong ship,” he’s trading ballroom etiquette for rum-soaked camaraderie, explosive gunfights, and, perhaps most excitingly, heart-stopping kisses under the stars.
But life at sea holds just as many secrets as treasures. And when Kit’s past catches up with him, he’ll have to decide who he truly wants to be: a gentleman or a pirate?
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 16, 2026
About the author
Katie Abdou
1 book97 followersKatie Abdou is a Lebanese American born and raised in historic coastal Massachusetts, where she cultivated a love of history, the occult, and piracy. She aims for her books to be a safe place for teens and young adults to find representation and to understand the experiences of trauma, hardship, romance, and adventure through her characters within the safety of fiction. Katie lives in historical Massachusetts with her four fuzzy wee dragons. She is a writer, a costumer, a hiker, a baker, a winemaker, and most importantly: the Best Auntie in the World. A Prince Among Pirates is her debut novel.
www.katieabdou.com
www.kaitlynabdou.com (alternate URL)
www.katieabdou.com
www.kaitlynabdou.com (alternate URL)
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March 21, 2026Edit: After I wrote this review, the author announced that Kit will be 18 and turns 19, instead of 17 turning 18.
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I’m really torn on this one. A Prince Among Pirates was one of my most anticipated reads, and from the moment I started, I fell in love with Kit. He’s mouthy and sassy, sometimes immature, but with a heart of gold. He’s the kind of person you end up loving whether you want to or not. He grows a lot over the course of the story, learning from his mistakes and finding his place on the ship among a diverse group of misfits. I especially loved Tristan, one of the twins. Katie Abdou just mentions that he’s… actually, no, I won’t spoil that.
This story had everything to be an easy five-star read, maybe even a new favorite. But in the end, I have no clue how to rate it.
I had a lot of fun while reading, and like I said, Kit is a main character to root for. But a few things started to bother me. The first is the romance. The story doesn’t focus much on it, but it’s still there, and that part didn’t work for me. Kit is 17 and still young and naive at the start, while Captain Sharpe is older at 23 and in a position of authority. The nickname ‘kitten’ didn’t help either. I love kittens. They’re playful and enthusiastic, but also immature, and that comparison only highlighted the imbalance instead of making the dynamic feel romantic. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if Kit had been around 19, and if it had been marketed as adult or new adult. Or written without the romance.
Also, Captain Sharpe (why do we only learn his first name in the last part of the book?) seems like a great guy, but more like an older brother. For me he sadly lacks depth. He’s the captain of the ship, 23, his skin is a rich brown, he has long locs he wears in a ponytail, and has silver in his beard (which made him feel older). That’s about it. I wanted to know more about his descent. There was one thing about him that I found interesting, but that part didn’t get explored further.
My second point is the writing. I loved it, especially the pacing, except for one thing. I know this is personal and most readers won’t notice, but it stood out to me. The number of adverbs, double adjectives, and filter words like “realize” pulled me out of the story.
And third, I wasn’t a fan of some of the plot twists. I love twists that make me think, “d*mn, I should have known.” Here, they felt a bit too obvious.
So even though the book kept my eyes glued to the pages and my jaw hurt from smiling, I still found myself frowning quite a few times. For that reason, I decided not to rate it. Still, if there were a sequel, I’d pick it up right away.
Thank you, Harper Fire and NetGalley for this ARC.
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I’m really torn on this one. A Prince Among Pirates was one of my most anticipated reads, and from the moment I started, I fell in love with Kit. He’s mouthy and sassy, sometimes immature, but with a heart of gold. He’s the kind of person you end up loving whether you want to or not. He grows a lot over the course of the story, learning from his mistakes and finding his place on the ship among a diverse group of misfits. I especially loved Tristan, one of the twins. Katie Abdou just mentions that he’s… actually, no, I won’t spoil that.
This story had everything to be an easy five-star read, maybe even a new favorite. But in the end, I have no clue how to rate it.
I had a lot of fun while reading, and like I said, Kit is a main character to root for. But a few things started to bother me. The first is the romance. The story doesn’t focus much on it, but it’s still there, and that part didn’t work for me. Kit is 17 and still young and naive at the start, while Captain Sharpe is older at 23 and in a position of authority. The nickname ‘kitten’ didn’t help either. I love kittens. They’re playful and enthusiastic, but also immature, and that comparison only highlighted the imbalance instead of making the dynamic feel romantic. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if Kit had been around 19, and if it had been marketed as adult or new adult. Or written without the romance.
Also, Captain Sharpe (why do we only learn his first name in the last part of the book?) seems like a great guy, but more like an older brother. For me he sadly lacks depth. He’s the captain of the ship, 23, his skin is a rich brown, he has long locs he wears in a ponytail, and has silver in his beard (which made him feel older). That’s about it. I wanted to know more about his descent. There was one thing about him that I found interesting, but that part didn’t get explored further.
My second point is the writing. I loved it, especially the pacing, except for one thing. I know this is personal and most readers won’t notice, but it stood out to me. The number of adverbs, double adjectives, and filter words like “realize” pulled me out of the story.
And third, I wasn’t a fan of some of the plot twists. I love twists that make me think, “d*mn, I should have known.” Here, they felt a bit too obvious.
So even though the book kept my eyes glued to the pages and my jaw hurt from smiling, I still found myself frowning quite a few times. For that reason, I decided not to rate it. Still, if there were a sequel, I’d pick it up right away.
Thank you, Harper Fire and NetGalley for this ARC.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
I'm not very familiar with either of the two media that Katie Abdou's young adult pirate novel is compared to, so maybe that already set me sail on a stormy voyage. For if I were already well-versed with the vibes those deliver, maybe I would not have had more issues with it than expected. 🌩️
As is in YA, at the helm of the narrative is the coming-of-age of charming and irresistible 18yo Kit Davenport, the accidental gentleman pirate, in his pursuit of adventure and determined to be meant for something more , lands him aboard the pirate ship—unbeknownst to him, Deliverance—as one of the crew, led by 23yo Captain Reggie Sharpe. 🏴☠️
Kit was an engaging narrator, eager to embrace buggery and lawlessness, he took to every challenge with a noble heart and determination. 👌🏻 His voice was fresh and honest, with a dash of humor and sass, plus longing sprinkled into his thoughts and emotions. His interactions with the crew were enjoyable— mainly, Tristan and Thomas, bless his tender heart—and it was nice to see him grow more confident and capable with his time spent with them.
“It's something I've never allowed myself to openly want... but it's something I know I've always yearned for.”
Even with the attempted meaningful connections, tender confessions, and mutual attraction (although limited physical intimacy occurred only once Kit was officially 18 — without hesitation, and without regret; the pointedness of stressing upon that fact also threw me off 🙄), I just did not enjoy the romance. It felt forced.
Maybe it was their five-year age gap that bothered me (but, considering I've read far more problematic pairings, it shouldn't have), or Reggie's endearing nickname for Kit, Kitten, that made me cringe. Or maybe I just did not like the captain. 😣
Despite being deemed A Prince Among Pirates by his crew for being honest, down-to-earth, and loved by all, he had no presence. He had a flat personality, convinced that his word was the righteous true one. Nothing of substance made me care about his well-being or believe he truly saw Kit as a paramour. 🫤 Kit sparked more chemistry with the rest of the miscreants, imo. I just failed to feel anything for the flutters and stutters he evoked in Kit. 🙅🏻♀️
“I know what love feels like now. I have felt it into the marrow of my bones, and I won't settle for less ever again.”
The writing was alright; it flowed well enough. Although, at one point, I felt no real compulsion to continue. As a reader, the twists are painstakingly obvious. 🙄 There was also an imbalance in the narrative. Too much time was invested in Kit's journey to uncover the truth about himself and his birthright toward the end, and not enough time was spent on swashbuckling action and danger on the tempestuous seas. ⚓
Personal religious trauma aside, the ending felt rushed and hastily shoved aside to wrap things up, made the final reveal to be rather anticlimactic. 📜 The dark and serious tone diminished the sense of conflict to the life-changing decisions Kit would have to make. However, unsatisfying as it was, I understand what the author was attempting to convey: the irony inherent in both piracy and nobility.
For to unlawfully seize what is not rightfully yours does not solely exist on the high tides but on land, too. How it doesn't only mean in the literal sense of seafaring, but a violation of will. Even if the title relates moreso to the two main characters, the opposite can occur among high-ranking officials in a lesser, yet equally incriminating, fashion. ☠️ A harsh unsettling truth that makes you reflect on a pirate's unconscionable actions. It's an abstract take—purposefully vague, but I saw the connection (unless I'm just reaching 🙍🏻♀️), and it merited a mention. 🥀
“Come hell or high water, I will make something of myself... It's time I drew my own path in the sand.”
I'm not very familiar with either of the two media that Katie Abdou's young adult pirate novel is compared to, so maybe that already set me sail on a stormy voyage. For if I were already well-versed with the vibes those deliver, maybe I would not have had more issues with it than expected. 🌩️
As is in YA, at the helm of the narrative is the coming-of-age of charming and irresistible 18yo Kit Davenport, the accidental gentleman pirate, in his pursuit of adventure and determined to be meant for something more , lands him aboard the pirate ship—unbeknownst to him, Deliverance—as one of the crew, led by 23yo Captain Reggie Sharpe. 🏴☠️
Kit was an engaging narrator, eager to embrace buggery and lawlessness, he took to every challenge with a noble heart and determination. 👌🏻 His voice was fresh and honest, with a dash of humor and sass, plus longing sprinkled into his thoughts and emotions. His interactions with the crew were enjoyable— mainly, Tristan and Thomas, bless his tender heart—and it was nice to see him grow more confident and capable with his time spent with them.
“It's something I've never allowed myself to openly want... but it's something I know I've always yearned for.”
Even with the attempted meaningful connections, tender confessions, and mutual attraction (although limited physical intimacy occurred only once Kit was officially 18 — without hesitation, and without regret; the pointedness of stressing upon that fact also threw me off 🙄), I just did not enjoy the romance. It felt forced.
Maybe it was their five-year age gap that bothered me (but, considering I've read far more problematic pairings, it shouldn't have), or Reggie's endearing nickname for Kit, Kitten, that made me cringe. Or maybe I just did not like the captain. 😣
Despite being deemed A Prince Among Pirates by his crew for being honest, down-to-earth, and loved by all, he had no presence. He had a flat personality, convinced that his word was the righteous true one. Nothing of substance made me care about his well-being or believe he truly saw Kit as a paramour. 🫤 Kit sparked more chemistry with the rest of the miscreants, imo. I just failed to feel anything for the flutters and stutters he evoked in Kit. 🙅🏻♀️
“I know what love feels like now. I have felt it into the marrow of my bones, and I won't settle for less ever again.”
The writing was alright; it flowed well enough. Although, at one point, I felt no real compulsion to continue. As a reader, the twists are painstakingly obvious. 🙄 There was also an imbalance in the narrative. Too much time was invested in Kit's journey to uncover the truth about himself and his birthright toward the end, and not enough time was spent on swashbuckling action and danger on the tempestuous seas. ⚓
Personal religious trauma aside, the ending felt rushed and hastily shoved aside to wrap things up, made the final reveal to be rather anticlimactic. 📜 The dark and serious tone diminished the sense of conflict to the life-changing decisions Kit would have to make. However, unsatisfying as it was, I understand what the author was attempting to convey: the irony inherent in both piracy and nobility.
For to unlawfully seize what is not rightfully yours does not solely exist on the high tides but on land, too. How it doesn't only mean in the literal sense of seafaring, but a violation of will. Even if the title relates moreso to the two main characters, the opposite can occur among high-ranking officials in a lesser, yet equally incriminating, fashion. ☠️ A harsh unsettling truth that makes you reflect on a pirate's unconscionable actions. It's an abstract take—purposefully vague, but I saw the connection (unless I'm just reaching 🙍🏻♀️), and it merited a mention. 🥀
Currently Reading
March 30, 2026🏴☠️⚓ A Prince Among Pirates ⚓🏴☠️
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
🌊 What to Expect
• Queer YA romance
• Pirate ship adventure
• Nobleman x pirate captain
• Arranged marriage escape
• Found family
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 16, 2026
📝 Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
🌊 What to Expect
• Queer YA romance
• Pirate ship adventure
• Nobleman x pirate captain
• Arranged marriage escape
• Found family
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 16, 2026
📝 Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
January 18, 2026
Just such a fun good time read. It’s not heavy, or overly complicated and that just really hit the spot for me. A MM romance at sea? Yes please. The love interest is the captain and he’s actually the biggest teddy bear of a green flag (to him) ? And the chosen/found family with the crew? So good.
At just shy of 18, Kit thinks his life is about to be over. Betrothed and set to follow in his father’s legacy - Kit knows he will be trapped in the life set before him. So what does the spoiled high born rake do? He runs away the day of his wedding, onto the first ship he can find. Having never spent a moment doing labour or working for his living, it’s a rude awakening - but not as rude as when he finds out the ship he boarded is actually a pirate ship. Even more dangerous is the flirtation he develops with its Captain. But as they voyage the seas and different ports, Kit learns more about life at sea and himself, and stumbles across schemes and plots that have been hidden for far too long - it’s time for Kit to do what he’s great at - and cause a scandal or two.
At just shy of 18, Kit thinks his life is about to be over. Betrothed and set to follow in his father’s legacy - Kit knows he will be trapped in the life set before him. So what does the spoiled high born rake do? He runs away the day of his wedding, onto the first ship he can find. Having never spent a moment doing labour or working for his living, it’s a rude awakening - but not as rude as when he finds out the ship he boarded is actually a pirate ship. Even more dangerous is the flirtation he develops with its Captain. But as they voyage the seas and different ports, Kit learns more about life at sea and himself, and stumbles across schemes and plots that have been hidden for far too long - it’s time for Kit to do what he’s great at - and cause a scandal or two.
Want to Read
April 22, 2025“pitched as Our Flag Means Death … with the irreverent voice of MY LADY JANE,”
say no more. take my money.
say no more. take my money.
remind-me-once-out
March 27, 2026😏
June 5, 2025
I had the privilege of reading this novel early for Katie, who is one of my dear writing friends. A PRINCE AMONG PIRATES centers Kit, a viscount who accidentally joins a pirate crew while escaping his arranged marriage. It perfectly blends humor, history, and emotional tension in a way that is perfect for young readers. Katie does not shy away from difficult topics such as biracial struggles, racism and slavery during this era, handling it with the utmost care and consideration. The writing was evocative, emotional, and humorous at times, and most notably made me hungry.
Mark your calendars for 2026, when the Deliverance comes to port! I hope everyone else loves APAP as much as I did! <3
Mark your calendars for 2026, when the Deliverance comes to port! I hope everyone else loves APAP as much as I did! <3
March 31, 2026
Now THIS is how you do a debut!
If you are a fan of Our Flag Means Death, then this is the book for you!
Kit, running from a loveless arranged marriage and his dickhead of a father, boards the first ship he comes across at port, The Deliverance, and this sweet privileged boy takes forever to realize that he has joined the crew of a pirate ship. He discovers a found family aboard The Deliverance, and a tension between him and Captain Reggie Sharpe.
This story is lighthearted and fun, but thoughtfully tackles the real life subjects of colonialism, racism, and the politics surrounding piracy. Kit grows so much throughout this book, realizing what privileges he has been afforded in life based on his station, and seeks to right the wrongs he and his family have perpetrated.
(Low context spoiler ahead)
Me a the start of the book: “wait, he’s the son of a Viscount. Who’s the Prince Among Pirates?”
Me, later: “oh that’s a sweet epithet.”
Me, later later: “OH!!!”
If you are a fan of Our Flag Means Death, then this is the book for you!
Kit, running from a loveless arranged marriage and his dickhead of a father, boards the first ship he comes across at port, The Deliverance, and this sweet privileged boy takes forever to realize that he has joined the crew of a pirate ship. He discovers a found family aboard The Deliverance, and a tension between him and Captain Reggie Sharpe.
This story is lighthearted and fun, but thoughtfully tackles the real life subjects of colonialism, racism, and the politics surrounding piracy. Kit grows so much throughout this book, realizing what privileges he has been afforded in life based on his station, and seeks to right the wrongs he and his family have perpetrated.
(Low context spoiler ahead)
Me a the start of the book: “wait, he’s the son of a Viscount. Who’s the Prince Among Pirates?”
Me, later: “oh that’s a sweet epithet.”
Me, later later: “OH!!!”
Want to Read
February 14, 2026"Kit Davenport is your average 17-year-old. Oh—he's also heir to a ridiculous fortune, the son of a Viscount, and days away from marrying future marchioness, Katherine Stuart God daughter to the King himself. But when Kit boards a ship to escape the tyranny of his overbearing father, he has no idea he's just joined a pirate crew—or that accidentally becoming a pirate himself will take him on a journey of self-discovery and help him learn for the first time what it feels like to be unconditionally loved."
March 29, 2026
Oh this one was so much fun! Honestly anyone who follows my reviews knows I love a pirate book and this one was just fab. It’s a YA/NA mix, so everything is fairly tame in terms of gore and sex (as it should be in YA/NA imho!) but there’s an intriguing political plot, thoughtful discourse about race and status in the gentry and a wonderfully diverse found family of pirates. The whole thing is incredibly OFMD coded and I adored that so much!
I loved the snark, sass and silliness of our main character Kit Mortimer Davenport, a lordling who runs away from an arranged marriage and jumps aboard the first boat that’ll have him… not realising that it’s a pirate ship, whoops! Even so, he’s not going to let a little thing like being surrounded by bloodthirsty criminals ruin his adventure, and he eventually manages to earn his place among the crew. Plus he’s caught the attention of charming and alluring Captain Sharpe…
Amongst several pirate battles and a run-in with the French navy, there are twin threats of a thief having been stealing from the captain and someone hunting Kit after his escape from England. The last quarter of the book was an absolute riot and I was on the edge of my seat reading! I loved Kit, Captain Sharpe and the whole chaotic crew of the Deliverance!
The reason this only got 4 stars (when really is should have been 5!) is that I just didn’t overly buy the romance between Captain Sharpe and Kit; I just wanted to see more interaction between them and I’d have loved to hear more about the Captain’s background. We know he’s from Jamaica, possibly a former slave, but that’s about it. He just didn’t feel fleshed out enough for me as a love interest. Also, the ‘villain’ on the ship was so soooo obvious that when the big ‘betrayal’ happened I just shook my head at Kit’s stupidity at not being able to see it earlier!
Even so, a truly excellent read and one that I will recommend to all fans of pirates, especially of the Our Flag Means Death variety!
Read A Prince Among Pirates for:
✨ Lordling x pirate Captain
✨ Escaping an arranged marriage
✨ Accidentally becoming a pirate
✨ Daddy issues at sea
✨ Snarky, sassy, chaos gremlin MC
✨ Found family
✨ Queer & trans rep
✨ YA/NA crossover
✨ For fans of Our Flag Means Death
Thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC via NetGalley. It’s available on 18th June!
I loved the snark, sass and silliness of our main character Kit Mortimer Davenport, a lordling who runs away from an arranged marriage and jumps aboard the first boat that’ll have him… not realising that it’s a pirate ship, whoops! Even so, he’s not going to let a little thing like being surrounded by bloodthirsty criminals ruin his adventure, and he eventually manages to earn his place among the crew. Plus he’s caught the attention of charming and alluring Captain Sharpe…
Amongst several pirate battles and a run-in with the French navy, there are twin threats of a thief having been stealing from the captain and someone hunting Kit after his escape from England. The last quarter of the book was an absolute riot and I was on the edge of my seat reading! I loved Kit, Captain Sharpe and the whole chaotic crew of the Deliverance!
The reason this only got 4 stars (when really is should have been 5!) is that I just didn’t overly buy the romance between Captain Sharpe and Kit; I just wanted to see more interaction between them and I’d have loved to hear more about the Captain’s background. We know he’s from Jamaica, possibly a former slave, but that’s about it. He just didn’t feel fleshed out enough for me as a love interest. Also, the ‘villain’ on the ship was so soooo obvious that when the big ‘betrayal’ happened I just shook my head at Kit’s stupidity at not being able to see it earlier!
Even so, a truly excellent read and one that I will recommend to all fans of pirates, especially of the Our Flag Means Death variety!
Read A Prince Among Pirates for:
✨ Lordling x pirate Captain
✨ Escaping an arranged marriage
✨ Accidentally becoming a pirate
✨ Daddy issues at sea
✨ Snarky, sassy, chaos gremlin MC
✨ Found family
✨ Queer & trans rep
✨ YA/NA crossover
✨ For fans of Our Flag Means Death
Thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC via NetGalley. It’s available on 18th June!
May 1, 2026
I dont know the last time i gave an ARC 5 stars but i loved every single moment of this. It’s the exact sort of romance i was desperately needing. Fun and adventurous and funny and sweet. AH
Kit leaps off the page and is almost immediately a fully formed person. He is somehow both innocent and rakish. An obliviot of the highest order and so sweetly looking for someone, anyone, to love him as himself.
Captain Sharpe is steady and a little unknowable. His character could have been turned up another notch and i really would have zero complaints.
All the side characters are fun and distinct. I got that nervous feeling when i could tell things were turning sideways and it’s so fun to be able to read a book that pull out my emotions.
Nothing was overdone or out of place, the dialogue was superb, the history was a wonderful mix of fun/silly and accurate.
The only spot i can see some people really hating is the main character being 17 and turning 18. It’s historical fiction so it truly did not bother me as it felt true and accurate. But i know some people don’t like to see it at all.
Overall, i enjoyed this from beginning to end. I wasn’t ready for it to be over and now i’ve gotta go find something else to read that just isn’t going to be as fun.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced reader’s copy!!
Kit leaps off the page and is almost immediately a fully formed person. He is somehow both innocent and rakish. An obliviot of the highest order and so sweetly looking for someone, anyone, to love him as himself.
Captain Sharpe is steady and a little unknowable. His character could have been turned up another notch and i really would have zero complaints.
All the side characters are fun and distinct. I got that nervous feeling when i could tell things were turning sideways and it’s so fun to be able to read a book that pull out my emotions.
Nothing was overdone or out of place, the dialogue was superb, the history was a wonderful mix of fun/silly and accurate.
The only spot i can see some people really hating is the main character being 17 and turning 18. It’s historical fiction so it truly did not bother me as it felt true and accurate. But i know some people don’t like to see it at all.
Overall, i enjoyed this from beginning to end. I wasn’t ready for it to be over and now i’ve gotta go find something else to read that just isn’t going to be as fun.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced reader’s copy!!
May 6, 2026
A Prince Among Pirates was an entertaining, lighthearted read. The prose flowed beautifully and made it easy to fly through each chapter.
Kit was easy to root for as a main character. I just wanted him to find somewhere he belonged and people who truly cared about him. The found family element with the Deliverance crew was easily my favorite part of the story, and seeing him find that sense of home made the journey worth it.
That said, the romance was probably the weakest aspect of the book for me. The age gap (17 turning 18 vs. 23) felt a bit off, and the relationship leaned a little too much into immediate attraction while still feeling underdeveloped. I also wasn’t a fan of the nickname “kitten” being used almost exclusively to refer to Kit instead of his name. Their dynamic moved quickly from flirty banter to love, only to separate for a good chunk of the story, which made it harder to stay invested.
I also would have loved more swashbuckling adventure and less focus on court intrigue surrounding Kit’s birth. Still, the story was fun, fast-paced, and easy to get lost in. So, if you love found family, flawed but lovable characters, and a breezy pirate adventure, this is definitely a book worth picking up.
Kit was easy to root for as a main character. I just wanted him to find somewhere he belonged and people who truly cared about him. The found family element with the Deliverance crew was easily my favorite part of the story, and seeing him find that sense of home made the journey worth it.
That said, the romance was probably the weakest aspect of the book for me. The age gap (17 turning 18 vs. 23) felt a bit off, and the relationship leaned a little too much into immediate attraction while still feeling underdeveloped. I also wasn’t a fan of the nickname “kitten” being used almost exclusively to refer to Kit instead of his name. Their dynamic moved quickly from flirty banter to love, only to separate for a good chunk of the story, which made it harder to stay invested.
I also would have loved more swashbuckling adventure and less focus on court intrigue surrounding Kit’s birth. Still, the story was fun, fast-paced, and easy to get lost in. So, if you love found family, flawed but lovable characters, and a breezy pirate adventure, this is definitely a book worth picking up.
April 4, 2026
Was it a little reckless for Kit to run away from a forced marriage and aboard ship with pirates instead? Yes, of course. But also one of the best decisions he has made.
I had such a good time reading this. The vibes lived up to the hype I had for this book. The characters were well written and had good depth and the plot of this was interesting too.
Also, absolutely adore this cover; it’s so stunning.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Spice Level: 🌶️
Sad Level: 💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Captain Sharpe
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🏴☠️👑📝
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content, Slavery, Classism
I had such a good time reading this. The vibes lived up to the hype I had for this book. The characters were well written and had good depth and the plot of this was interesting too.
Also, absolutely adore this cover; it’s so stunning.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Spice Level: 🌶️
Sad Level: 💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Captain Sharpe
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🏴☠️👑📝
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content, Slavery, Classism
March 8, 2026
Kit you precious little lover boy turned pirate!
This was so fun, I’m shocked it’s a debut to be honest. The pacing was pitch perfect, the world and the historical elements were so fun. The perfect balance of absolutely beyond belief and yet grounded in some reality!
I love pirate books!
This was so fun, I’m shocked it’s a debut to be honest. The pacing was pitch perfect, the world and the historical elements were so fun. The perfect balance of absolutely beyond belief and yet grounded in some reality!
I love pirate books!
April 16, 2026
LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK. Review to come
April 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc!
I wanted to start off by saying that reading this book was an amazing experience and had me enticed from the beginning. Abdou’s writing style is spectacular and I would definitely read more of her books. My only issue with this book was Sharpe’s lack of character depth. I feel like we didn’t have much insight on him and though it’s nice to have a mystery, I just didn’t feel quite connected to him. Though the plot twist was unexpected, I felt like I sort of saw it coming. Overall, a great book but always room to improve!
I wanted to start off by saying that reading this book was an amazing experience and had me enticed from the beginning. Abdou’s writing style is spectacular and I would definitely read more of her books. My only issue with this book was Sharpe’s lack of character depth. I feel like we didn’t have much insight on him and though it’s nice to have a mystery, I just didn’t feel quite connected to him. Though the plot twist was unexpected, I felt like I sort of saw it coming. Overall, a great book but always room to improve!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When a book is likened to OFMD then I just have to check it out, it's law. And this one started out well enough, with a likeable, slightly chaotic and charismatic protagonist fleeing from an emotionally abusive father and the wedding that's been arranged for him. So far so understandable. At first I was a little taken aback by Kit, said protagonist, being just 17 years old because this is an adult novel and because the love interest is a pirate captain that is definitely too young to be that either but older by a few years than Kit. Thankfully I've read that this will be changed in the release version of this book which will make Kit a year older, and I appreciate that and just pretended he's already 18 with a few weeks to his 19th birthday throughout the book.
And Kit is a good protagonist, he's sweet and funny and flawed (though admittedly his flaws are of the 'can we really call them flaws' variety) and is allowed good character development. He's kind of stupid, but hey, who isn't a little bit dumb sometimes right? His narrative voice is fun to follow and there are some reveals for him that might be a tad on the predictable side but still engaging.
It's just that, for me personally, everything that surrounds him is very lightweight. His love interest, Captain Sharpe, is little more than a name on a page. He does have an interesting backstory but we don't delve too far into that. He doesn't have the presence of a pirate captain, he barely has a personality other than being flawless, kind and apparently into Kit, though I definitely didn't feel that. It's written down, so it must be true. The relationship between them feels almost unnecessary because there's no real emotional requited development that can be felt. Kit has the hots for him basically the moment they meet and Sharpe, eh, guess so too. Also him nicknaming Kit Kitten before he even gets to know him beyond a first hello didn't help. Made him feel a little creepy, to be honest. So yeah, Sharpe is definitely a weak point of the story despite being absolutely gorgeous based on the cover and the descriptions of him. I love me a sexy love interest but I do need them to come with a bit of substance, too. For him, that substance is all tell no show.
I did like some of the side characters, the twins especially. The rest remains rather blurry and I couldn't tell you much about their personalities if at all, but there are some very fun and endearing scenes between Kit and them. Obviously they are all but one way too nice for a bunch of pirates, and while Abdou does let them plunder and pillage and kill they mostly seem to avoid that and we barely see any of it at all. Just a nice pirate crew there to become a nice found family for the nice runaway aristocrat. It's cozy, and while some more complex themes are approached with some of them (slavery, for example), they're never explored deeply enough to take away from the cozy feel of it all. And that's okay, it's not what this book is supposed to be.
The story is alright, there are some interesting narrative moments but also some pacing issues. The ending especially, everything that comes after the big (predictable) reveal, feels incredibly rushed and not always thought entirely through. The writing style is nice and easily digestible, it flows nicely and fits Kit's voice. All in all, it's an okay book. It's not memorable, it doesn't really do anything new, it's definitely not OFMD, but for a nice rainy weekend at home it's definitely fun and sweet. 2,5 stars, rounding up because pirates are just always nice.
Many thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the arc!
And Kit is a good protagonist, he's sweet and funny and flawed (though admittedly his flaws are of the 'can we really call them flaws' variety) and is allowed good character development. He's kind of stupid, but hey, who isn't a little bit dumb sometimes right? His narrative voice is fun to follow and there are some reveals for him that might be a tad on the predictable side but still engaging.
It's just that, for me personally, everything that surrounds him is very lightweight. His love interest, Captain Sharpe, is little more than a name on a page. He does have an interesting backstory but we don't delve too far into that. He doesn't have the presence of a pirate captain, he barely has a personality other than being flawless, kind and apparently into Kit, though I definitely didn't feel that. It's written down, so it must be true. The relationship between them feels almost unnecessary because there's no real emotional requited development that can be felt. Kit has the hots for him basically the moment they meet and Sharpe, eh, guess so too. Also him nicknaming Kit Kitten before he even gets to know him beyond a first hello didn't help. Made him feel a little creepy, to be honest. So yeah, Sharpe is definitely a weak point of the story despite being absolutely gorgeous based on the cover and the descriptions of him. I love me a sexy love interest but I do need them to come with a bit of substance, too. For him, that substance is all tell no show.
I did like some of the side characters, the twins especially. The rest remains rather blurry and I couldn't tell you much about their personalities if at all, but there are some very fun and endearing scenes between Kit and them. Obviously they are all but one way too nice for a bunch of pirates, and while Abdou does let them plunder and pillage and kill they mostly seem to avoid that and we barely see any of it at all. Just a nice pirate crew there to become a nice found family for the nice runaway aristocrat. It's cozy, and while some more complex themes are approached with some of them (slavery, for example), they're never explored deeply enough to take away from the cozy feel of it all. And that's okay, it's not what this book is supposed to be.
The story is alright, there are some interesting narrative moments but also some pacing issues. The ending especially, everything that comes after the big (predictable) reveal, feels incredibly rushed and not always thought entirely through. The writing style is nice and easily digestible, it flows nicely and fits Kit's voice. All in all, it's an okay book. It's not memorable, it doesn't really do anything new, it's definitely not OFMD, but for a nice rainy weekend at home it's definitely fun and sweet. 2,5 stars, rounding up because pirates are just always nice.
Many thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars but rounding up to 5!
At 18, Kit Davenport, set to marry and follow in his father's footsteps as Viscount of Falmouth, believes his life to be over before it has ever truly begun. In a fit of recklessness, he runs away from home and onto the first ship he can find. Life at sea is a reality check for the Viscount-to-be, and after learning that the ship he boarded is actually a Pirate ship? Well, this has Kit reevaluating his decisions. As time goes on, and he spends more time with the crew, and the handsome Captain Sharpe, Kit begins to find a kinship with life at sea and with the brothers he has made along the way.
Ultimately, A Prince Among Pirates is a story about character growth. Kit starts off as a little bit pompous and self-important, but he's also very charming and witty at the same time. In his rush to leave England, and more importantly, his father, he doesn't realise that the ship he's walked on to is a Pirate ship. Throughout the book, we get to watch him earn his place on the ship and form genuine connections with his crewmates, and eventually go through a journey of self-discovery.
I really love Kit as a main character! He was so funny and his inner monologue had me laughing out loud at multiple points throughout the book! I always love endearingly snarky characters and this book did that so well. His character growth was so rewarding to witness, and made me feel so connected to him as a character!!
Another key component of this book is the friendships that Kit makes on the crew, which I appreciated immensely as a found family connoisseur. I also loved some of the focus that was put onto some of the specific members of the crew that Kit interacted with the most, especially the twins. The only member of the crew that we see frequently that I think was a tad underdeveloped was Captain Sharpe, as we don't really get a whole lot of insight into him as his own person, so I would've liked for him to be delved into a tad more.
I did really enjoy the romance despite that though as it's very slow and sweet. There are no truly big moments revolving around the romance, which I personally appreciated as it allowed for the focus to remain on the character growth and found family elements. The relationship that develops between Kit and the love interest starts off as mere flirtation but develops naturally into something steady!
The plot of the novel was a little slow for me to get into but once it got going, it got going!! There are multiple points in the story that had me stressed out for these characters, and ultimately left me hooked and eager to continue!
The writing and the pacing of the book also felt very steady. I enjoyed how the story was told from start to finish, and the narration style feels a tad juvenile but works well for the YA/NA nature of the novel. The historical terms used (despite my lack of history knowledge) felt very authentic and drew the story together in a satisfying way!
Overall, I had a fantastic time with this novel!! This debut is fun, sarcastic, witty and sweet, with characters that you grow to love and appreciate and a familial bond for the ages!! I'd highly recommend picking this up if you love a silly story that still makes you care and feel deeply for the characters and experience deeper moments regarding wealth, class and race.
Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review
At 18, Kit Davenport, set to marry and follow in his father's footsteps as Viscount of Falmouth, believes his life to be over before it has ever truly begun. In a fit of recklessness, he runs away from home and onto the first ship he can find. Life at sea is a reality check for the Viscount-to-be, and after learning that the ship he boarded is actually a Pirate ship? Well, this has Kit reevaluating his decisions. As time goes on, and he spends more time with the crew, and the handsome Captain Sharpe, Kit begins to find a kinship with life at sea and with the brothers he has made along the way.
Ultimately, A Prince Among Pirates is a story about character growth. Kit starts off as a little bit pompous and self-important, but he's also very charming and witty at the same time. In his rush to leave England, and more importantly, his father, he doesn't realise that the ship he's walked on to is a Pirate ship. Throughout the book, we get to watch him earn his place on the ship and form genuine connections with his crewmates, and eventually go through a journey of self-discovery.
I really love Kit as a main character! He was so funny and his inner monologue had me laughing out loud at multiple points throughout the book! I always love endearingly snarky characters and this book did that so well. His character growth was so rewarding to witness, and made me feel so connected to him as a character!!
Another key component of this book is the friendships that Kit makes on the crew, which I appreciated immensely as a found family connoisseur. I also loved some of the focus that was put onto some of the specific members of the crew that Kit interacted with the most, especially the twins. The only member of the crew that we see frequently that I think was a tad underdeveloped was Captain Sharpe, as we don't really get a whole lot of insight into him as his own person, so I would've liked for him to be delved into a tad more.
I did really enjoy the romance despite that though as it's very slow and sweet. There are no truly big moments revolving around the romance, which I personally appreciated as it allowed for the focus to remain on the character growth and found family elements. The relationship that develops between Kit and the love interest starts off as mere flirtation but develops naturally into something steady!
The plot of the novel was a little slow for me to get into but once it got going, it got going!! There are multiple points in the story that had me stressed out for these characters, and ultimately left me hooked and eager to continue!
The writing and the pacing of the book also felt very steady. I enjoyed how the story was told from start to finish, and the narration style feels a tad juvenile but works well for the YA/NA nature of the novel. The historical terms used (despite my lack of history knowledge) felt very authentic and drew the story together in a satisfying way!
Overall, I had a fantastic time with this novel!! This debut is fun, sarcastic, witty and sweet, with characters that you grow to love and appreciate and a familial bond for the ages!! I'd highly recommend picking this up if you love a silly story that still makes you care and feel deeply for the characters and experience deeper moments regarding wealth, class and race.
Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✎✧˚ Thank you to the author, Katie Abdou, and Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Katie Abdou’s A Prince Among Pirates sets sail with a wonderfully fun premise: an impulsive young nobleman fleeing an arranged marriage accidentally boards a pirate ship and finds both adventure and romance on the high seas. Blending queer coming-of-age themes, found family dynamics, and swashbuckling chaos, the novel clearly aims for the same charming energy as Our Flag Means Death. While there is plenty to enjoy, especially Kit himself, the execution ultimately left me feeling more lukewarm than fully swept away.
The strongest aspect of the novel is undoubtedly Kit Davenport. As an 18-year-old aristocrat desperate to escape the suffocating expectations of nobility, Kit is reckless, dramatic, and often hilariously out of his depth. His narration carries the story with wit and sincerity, and it was genuinely enjoyable watching him adapt from spoiled lordling to capable member of the Deliverance’s pirate crew. Kit’s growth feels authentic; his increasing confidence and willingness to challenge both societal expectations and his own assumptions make him easy to cheer on. His interactions with the crew, particularly the camaraderie and found-family atmosphere, were some of the book’s highlights.
The pirate setting is also undeniably entertaining. Abdou captures the chaotic charm of shipboard life well, balancing humor, danger, and emotional beats in a way that keeps the story moving. There are flashes of exciting naval conflict, political intrigue, and commentary about class and power that hint at a richer story beneath the surface. The novel also deserves credit for its inclusivity and thoughtful attempts to examine how systems of privilege and exploitation operate both on land and at sea. The idea that nobility and piracy are not as morally distinct as society pretends is one of the more compelling themes woven throughout the book.
Unfortunately, the romance between Kit and Captain Sharpe never fully worked for me. While the setup has all the ingredients for a swoony slow burn, the chemistry felt strangely underdeveloped. Sharpe is repeatedly described as magnetic and beloved, but I never felt like I truly knew him beyond the role he was meant to fill in the story. Compared to Kit’s vibrant personality, Sharpe came across as flat, and because of that, their relationship often felt more told than shown.
The pacing also becomes uneven in the latter half of the novel. Early on, the book thrives on adventure and character banter, but later chapters shift heavily toward revelations about Kit’s identity, family, and political conspiracies. While these plotlines are interesting in theory, the darker tonal shift near the ending feels abrupt compared to the lighter, more whimsical atmosphere established earlier. The conclusion wraps up quickly, leaving some emotional and thematic threads underexplored. Still, despite its flaws, A Prince Among Pirates remains an enjoyable read with a lovable protagonist, strong found-family dynamics, and enough pirate charm to keep things entertaining.
"I know what love feels like now. I have felt it in the marrow of my bones, and I won’t settle for less ever again."
Katie Abdou’s A Prince Among Pirates sets sail with a wonderfully fun premise: an impulsive young nobleman fleeing an arranged marriage accidentally boards a pirate ship and finds both adventure and romance on the high seas. Blending queer coming-of-age themes, found family dynamics, and swashbuckling chaos, the novel clearly aims for the same charming energy as Our Flag Means Death. While there is plenty to enjoy, especially Kit himself, the execution ultimately left me feeling more lukewarm than fully swept away.
The strongest aspect of the novel is undoubtedly Kit Davenport. As an 18-year-old aristocrat desperate to escape the suffocating expectations of nobility, Kit is reckless, dramatic, and often hilariously out of his depth. His narration carries the story with wit and sincerity, and it was genuinely enjoyable watching him adapt from spoiled lordling to capable member of the Deliverance’s pirate crew. Kit’s growth feels authentic; his increasing confidence and willingness to challenge both societal expectations and his own assumptions make him easy to cheer on. His interactions with the crew, particularly the camaraderie and found-family atmosphere, were some of the book’s highlights.
The pirate setting is also undeniably entertaining. Abdou captures the chaotic charm of shipboard life well, balancing humor, danger, and emotional beats in a way that keeps the story moving. There are flashes of exciting naval conflict, political intrigue, and commentary about class and power that hint at a richer story beneath the surface. The novel also deserves credit for its inclusivity and thoughtful attempts to examine how systems of privilege and exploitation operate both on land and at sea. The idea that nobility and piracy are not as morally distinct as society pretends is one of the more compelling themes woven throughout the book.
Unfortunately, the romance between Kit and Captain Sharpe never fully worked for me. While the setup has all the ingredients for a swoony slow burn, the chemistry felt strangely underdeveloped. Sharpe is repeatedly described as magnetic and beloved, but I never felt like I truly knew him beyond the role he was meant to fill in the story. Compared to Kit’s vibrant personality, Sharpe came across as flat, and because of that, their relationship often felt more told than shown.
The pacing also becomes uneven in the latter half of the novel. Early on, the book thrives on adventure and character banter, but later chapters shift heavily toward revelations about Kit’s identity, family, and political conspiracies. While these plotlines are interesting in theory, the darker tonal shift near the ending feels abrupt compared to the lighter, more whimsical atmosphere established earlier. The conclusion wraps up quickly, leaving some emotional and thematic threads underexplored. Still, despite its flaws, A Prince Among Pirates remains an enjoyable read with a lovable protagonist, strong found-family dynamics, and enough pirate charm to keep things entertaining.
"I know what love feels like now. I have felt it in the marrow of my bones, and I won’t settle for less ever again."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
GAYS AND PIRATES!!! My favourites.
This was such a fun read. Kit and I should be friends.
Kit is the son of a viscount, so he's destined to marry a nice girl and start a family, but instead he runs away (fair). He accidentally boards a pirate ship (really funny) and starts a pirate's life (sorta, we don't actually get a lot of info on what kind of pirates they are by the end). Kit's unserious personality and soft hands land him a lot of flack from the crew, but he eventually settles in and catches the eye of a certain man.
Strangely, this doesn't really have a plot beyond Kit starting his pirate's life by accident. I guess it's a bit about Kit discovering himself and what life is like beyond being the son of a viscount. And travelling. This is kind of like if a recently graduated high schooler took a gap year and travelled the world instead. The plot builds on what Kit discovers. Not my favourite setting for a plot, but Kit was so fun to read so I had no choice but to continue.
Kit's personality was the real driving force behind finishing this book. If Kit were even a tad more boring, I wouldn't have been compelled to finish it as quickly as I did. I wish more main characters were like Kit. Although, yes, he is a spoiled kid, he grows somewhat through his journey; if there was more growth alongside the themes, that would've been perfect.
I love a found family trope, because we usually get to explore more characters and their backstories. I understand why there wasn't much room for that here, but I think it would've been nice, especially for the captain. We get the barest bit about him and then it's never spoken of again. But I am glad the author did continue to bring characters in that first spurned Kit or was only mentioned a tad at first.
The romance part of this could've been better, especially because it's the main driving force of why anyone picks up this book (the cover? the blurb?). Captain Sharpe and Kit have a 4 year age gap (Kit has been aged up to 18/19 per author's note on social media) and that's not that crazy, especially given the time we're presented, but that's also on the note of if Sharpe's birthday has already passed, otherwise it's a 5 year gap, which is not my favourite, especially given Kit's age and how naive Kit is. That aside, I wish there was more build up in their relationship. A lot of it felt like an observation on Sharpe's end and fumbling on Kit's. Their dynamic seems alright and there can be a basis for it, but it's gotta be better than this.
If you go into this without being too serious about everything (like the age of piracy and English nobility), I think you'll enjoy this.
The author did mention some things have changed from the release of the ARCs and their edits to the draft, so I fully plan on revisiting this once it's been officially released.
thank you to netgalley and Atheneum Books for Young Readers for the eARC! I was soooooo excited to get access to this, you don't even understand.
This was such a fun read. Kit and I should be friends.
Kit is the son of a viscount, so he's destined to marry a nice girl and start a family, but instead he runs away (fair). He accidentally boards a pirate ship (really funny) and starts a pirate's life (sorta, we don't actually get a lot of info on what kind of pirates they are by the end). Kit's unserious personality and soft hands land him a lot of flack from the crew, but he eventually settles in and catches the eye of a certain man.
Strangely, this doesn't really have a plot beyond Kit starting his pirate's life by accident. I guess it's a bit about Kit discovering himself and what life is like beyond being the son of a viscount. And travelling. This is kind of like if a recently graduated high schooler took a gap year and travelled the world instead. The plot builds on what Kit discovers. Not my favourite setting for a plot, but Kit was so fun to read so I had no choice but to continue.
Kit's personality was the real driving force behind finishing this book. If Kit were even a tad more boring, I wouldn't have been compelled to finish it as quickly as I did. I wish more main characters were like Kit. Although, yes, he is a spoiled kid, he grows somewhat through his journey; if there was more growth alongside the themes, that would've been perfect.
I love a found family trope, because we usually get to explore more characters and their backstories. I understand why there wasn't much room for that here, but I think it would've been nice, especially for the captain. We get the barest bit about him and then it's never spoken of again. But I am glad the author did continue to bring characters in that first spurned Kit or was only mentioned a tad at first.
The romance part of this could've been better, especially because it's the main driving force of why anyone picks up this book (the cover? the blurb?). Captain Sharpe and Kit have a 4 year age gap (Kit has been aged up to 18/19 per author's note on social media) and that's not that crazy, especially given the time we're presented, but that's also on the note of if Sharpe's birthday has already passed, otherwise it's a 5 year gap, which is not my favourite, especially given Kit's age and how naive Kit is. That aside, I wish there was more build up in their relationship. A lot of it felt like an observation on Sharpe's end and fumbling on Kit's. Their dynamic seems alright and there can be a basis for it, but it's gotta be better than this.
If you go into this without being too serious about everything (like the age of piracy and English nobility), I think you'll enjoy this.
The author did mention some things have changed from the release of the ARCs and their edits to the draft, so I fully plan on revisiting this once it's been officially released.
thank you to netgalley and Atheneum Books for Young Readers for the eARC! I was soooooo excited to get access to this, you don't even understand.
May 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I discovered this book probably over a year ago at this point, so I was so excited to get an ARC of it! It is right up my alley.
This was so fun. I was dying laughing the entire book. Kit was so funny and such a great main character to follow.
While we didn’t see a lot of the pirate action, this was still a better pirate book than most I’ve read. They were at least on the ship most of the book and Kit wasn’t all like wah I don’t want to be a pirate! Maybe he would have been that way if he found out right away they were pirates, but I am glad he accepted it when he did find out. I can’t stand when I read a supposed pirate book and half the time the main character hates being a pirate.
A lot of the side characters were pretty great! I loved Rodriguez and wish he was in it more. The twins were also great. I even warmed up to Mr. Tydes! At least his interactions with Kit were funny. I loved Cook as well. I feel like the cook in pirate books or shows are always the best underrated characters.
The bad guy was pretty obvious in this book, and he creeped me out. It was very obvious what his plans were and I wish Kit realized that sooner and didn’t trust him as much as he did. But I know that wasn’t a super important part of the plot and it needed to happen to move the story along.
One thing that was really disappointing to me though was Sharpe and Kit’s relationship! I did not care about them being together at all! At first I was really excited for it, but I didn’t feel very much chemistry at all. The Kitten nickname was really weird and annoying how much he used it. What really got me angry about it though was Kit was 17 freshly turning 18 and Sharpe was 23. What is the reason for that!? So creepy and unnecessary. I am not sure why the author wrote that or how the publishers allowed that. I read that they are going to be aging up Kit, which makes me feel better, but it still puts me off that he was so young to start off with. Right when I found out how hold Sharpe was, it was hard for me to want him and Kit together.
The rest of the plot was enjoyable to read. I was mainly there for Kit because I loved him so much.
He did frustrate me at the end for abandoning the crew. I get he has father issues, and he would want to get comfort where he can, but he has been with the crew much longer and never wanted the lifestyle his father was offering him, so I don’t know why he took it.
I liked how the book actually ended though.
This was a lighthearted book that was easy to fly through. If you like pirates, this is a worthwhile one to read. I wish I liked it a little more than I did. It had a super strong start, but it kind of fell off as I was reading. Still very enjoyable!
I discovered this book probably over a year ago at this point, so I was so excited to get an ARC of it! It is right up my alley.
This was so fun. I was dying laughing the entire book. Kit was so funny and such a great main character to follow.
While we didn’t see a lot of the pirate action, this was still a better pirate book than most I’ve read. They were at least on the ship most of the book and Kit wasn’t all like wah I don’t want to be a pirate! Maybe he would have been that way if he found out right away they were pirates, but I am glad he accepted it when he did find out. I can’t stand when I read a supposed pirate book and half the time the main character hates being a pirate.
A lot of the side characters were pretty great! I loved Rodriguez and wish he was in it more. The twins were also great. I even warmed up to Mr. Tydes! At least his interactions with Kit were funny. I loved Cook as well. I feel like the cook in pirate books or shows are always the best underrated characters.
The bad guy was pretty obvious in this book, and he creeped me out. It was very obvious what his plans were and I wish Kit realized that sooner and didn’t trust him as much as he did. But I know that wasn’t a super important part of the plot and it needed to happen to move the story along.
One thing that was really disappointing to me though was Sharpe and Kit’s relationship! I did not care about them being together at all! At first I was really excited for it, but I didn’t feel very much chemistry at all. The Kitten nickname was really weird and annoying how much he used it. What really got me angry about it though was Kit was 17 freshly turning 18 and Sharpe was 23. What is the reason for that!? So creepy and unnecessary. I am not sure why the author wrote that or how the publishers allowed that. I read that they are going to be aging up Kit, which makes me feel better, but it still puts me off that he was so young to start off with. Right when I found out how hold Sharpe was, it was hard for me to want him and Kit together.
The rest of the plot was enjoyable to read. I was mainly there for Kit because I loved him so much.
He did frustrate me at the end for abandoning the crew. I get he has father issues, and he would want to get comfort where he can, but he has been with the crew much longer and never wanted the lifestyle his father was offering him, so I don’t know why he took it.
I liked how the book actually ended though.
This was a lighthearted book that was easy to fly through. If you like pirates, this is a worthwhile one to read. I wish I liked it a little more than I did. It had a super strong start, but it kind of fell off as I was reading. Still very enjoyable!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh, how I enjoyed A Pince Among Pirates.... Oh, I loved Kit's crazy journey through character development... Oh, how I teared up over the dancing romance between Kit and Sharpe, two characters who will always be two halves of the same soul. Oh, how I want nothing more than to give every single star to this beautiful, amazing novel that captured my emotions for the few days that took me to finish it because it had also captured my attention and I read it quickly. Oh, how I want to....
But I can't go against my better judgement.... I have to give it 4 stars.........
Before I say my reason for the loss of my precious star, I need to state that I loved chapter of this novel! I'm a big fan of Our Flag Means Death and the parallels between this book and that show had me swimming in nostalgia. Any OFMD fan who is also a reader will LOVE this book. I think it'd make a great gift for such a reader! The writing is awesome and flows smoothly, the character development is there, the characters are hilariously charming, I FREAKING LOVE KIT, and the story never lags or keeps us guessing!
The only thing I have a problem with that I cannot let go is.... the sudden triggering content.
For most of the novel, the narrative flows as a charming, cozy fantasy full of tropes such as found-family, slow-burn, coming-of-age, and identity. And through it all we get front row tickets to the hilarious situations Kit finds himself in. But towards the end of the book, the story takes a darker tone. There are triggering themes that are introduced very late in the read that almost throw the whole book off. ALMOST! Katie Abdou does a tremendous job of presenting these themes while wrapping them up in the happily ever after we all wanted for Kit and his family. Kind of like giving a child candy after visiting the doctor.
All in all, I loved this book and I will never not recommend it! This is a perfect read for anyone looking for silly pirates and found family, or fans of Our Flag Means Death! I would also recommend looking into the potential triggers~
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOUUUU to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for allowing me an advanced reader copy of A Prince Among Pirates on my Kobo! And to Katie Abdou, you absolute gremlin, I adore you and hope your pillow is always the perfect temperature. Thank you so much for creating my current favorite read of 2026 <3
But I can't go against my better judgement.... I have to give it 4 stars.........
Before I say my reason for the loss of my precious star, I need to state that I loved chapter of this novel! I'm a big fan of Our Flag Means Death and the parallels between this book and that show had me swimming in nostalgia. Any OFMD fan who is also a reader will LOVE this book. I think it'd make a great gift for such a reader! The writing is awesome and flows smoothly, the character development is there, the characters are hilariously charming, I FREAKING LOVE KIT, and the story never lags or keeps us guessing!
The only thing I have a problem with that I cannot let go is.... the sudden triggering content.
For most of the novel, the narrative flows as a charming, cozy fantasy full of tropes such as found-family, slow-burn, coming-of-age, and identity. And through it all we get front row tickets to the hilarious situations Kit finds himself in. But towards the end of the book, the story takes a darker tone. There are triggering themes that are introduced very late in the read that almost throw the whole book off. ALMOST! Katie Abdou does a tremendous job of presenting these themes while wrapping them up in the happily ever after we all wanted for Kit and his family. Kind of like giving a child candy after visiting the doctor.
All in all, I loved this book and I will never not recommend it! This is a perfect read for anyone looking for silly pirates and found family, or fans of Our Flag Means Death! I would also recommend looking into the potential triggers~
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOUUUU to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for allowing me an advanced reader copy of A Prince Among Pirates on my Kobo! And to Katie Abdou, you absolute gremlin, I adore you and hope your pillow is always the perfect temperature. Thank you so much for creating my current favorite read of 2026 <3
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
At a time when the world is very unkind to queer people, this book is a joyful escape filled with found-family, coming-of-age revelations, and a romance that survives against harsh odds.
Queer stories being published are vital. As the world continues to become more hateful, these books become even more essential as beacons of hope.
A Prince Among Pirates is the hilarious, heart-warming, and angsty queer pirate romance of my dreams! This is exactly the book I needed to read during a very stressful week. It allowed me to escape the real world and join the miscreant crew of The Deliverance!
(Did Kit accidentally join a pirate crew, or in actual fact did a pirate crew accidentally get kidnapped by Kit?)
This book will have you cackling and kicking your feet! I had butterflies in my stomach as the romance blossomed between Kit and Sharpe!
The author has written an absolutely hilarious, pretentious and bratty MC who is also SO LOVABLE! I was rooting for Kit from page one! I loved being inside his head! And Sharpe is the most charming, kind and beautiful soul, I was swooning every time he was on the page! It was very entertaining to witness Kit’s insta-lust to Sharpe, which resulted in some funny flirting, whilst Sharpe calmly and amusedly watched on.
For me this book felt like a cross between Our Flag Means Death and Pirates of the Caribbean, both of which I love! There is characters I adore, a crew I feel VERY attached to, law-breaking, ribbon-gifting, and tender smooching! Not to mention the heavy but important topics also discussed in this book, such as class issues, the cruelty of royalty, and racism. I am eagerly hoping for a sequel to A Prince Among Pirates, for we simply need MORE of this crew of misfits!
P.S. I need more Tristan content, it made my heart happy to read a trans pirate character and I would love the next book to have some POV’s from him so we can learn his backstory and his experience in the crew. (….mayhaps a romance between him and Thomas, since they are both just the sweetest, most loyal angels who deserve the world)
P. P. S. I am gutted the UK cover isn’t the gorgeous artwork of Kit and Sharpe that is on the US cover, as it is just one of the most beautiful character artworks I have seen and sets the tone of the book well. Maybe we could get a print in a preorder campaign or special edition?
Queer stories being published are vital. As the world continues to become more hateful, these books become even more essential as beacons of hope.
A Prince Among Pirates is the hilarious, heart-warming, and angsty queer pirate romance of my dreams! This is exactly the book I needed to read during a very stressful week. It allowed me to escape the real world and join the miscreant crew of The Deliverance!
(Did Kit accidentally join a pirate crew, or in actual fact did a pirate crew accidentally get kidnapped by Kit?)
This book will have you cackling and kicking your feet! I had butterflies in my stomach as the romance blossomed between Kit and Sharpe!
The author has written an absolutely hilarious, pretentious and bratty MC who is also SO LOVABLE! I was rooting for Kit from page one! I loved being inside his head! And Sharpe is the most charming, kind and beautiful soul, I was swooning every time he was on the page! It was very entertaining to witness Kit’s insta-lust to Sharpe, which resulted in some funny flirting, whilst Sharpe calmly and amusedly watched on.
For me this book felt like a cross between Our Flag Means Death and Pirates of the Caribbean, both of which I love! There is characters I adore, a crew I feel VERY attached to, law-breaking, ribbon-gifting, and tender smooching! Not to mention the heavy but important topics also discussed in this book, such as class issues, the cruelty of royalty, and racism. I am eagerly hoping for a sequel to A Prince Among Pirates, for we simply need MORE of this crew of misfits!
P.S. I need more Tristan content, it made my heart happy to read a trans pirate character and I would love the next book to have some POV’s from him so we can learn his backstory and his experience in the crew. (….mayhaps a romance between him and Thomas, since they are both just the sweetest, most loyal angels who deserve the world)
P. P. S. I am gutted the UK cover isn’t the gorgeous artwork of Kit and Sharpe that is on the US cover, as it is just one of the most beautiful character artworks I have seen and sets the tone of the book well. Maybe we could get a print in a preorder campaign or special edition?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So excited I received an ARC from NetGalley to read this book early! (And I've already pre-ordered the hardcopy as well!)
A Prince Among Pirates was a very fun romp on the high seas. For the most part, I did really enjoy this book. I think it was an excellent debut novel from a new writer and I would like to see more from her. She's a talented writer with a gift for banter, heartwarming writing, and diverse characters.
The book hooked me right off the bat. I really enjoyed Kit's personality and journey. He grows a lot throughout the book, is snarky, delightfully pompous, yet vulnerable. He had a typical growth journey, realizing he was stronger than he thought and growing in ways he didn't expect. There were fun twists and turns throughout the plot, that admittedly, were not great shockers, but entertaining none-the-less.
The camaraderie and friendship between the crew was a nice, found family vibe. I think that leads to my first problem/not problem with the book. I loved that aspect of the book, but it does tend to be a little more cozy than adventurous. So if that is what you're looking for, then it won't be an issue for those readers.
I only have a couple of complaints, which is why I knocked off one star. I do wish there would have been a bit more of the adventure part on the seas. Knowing this is a pirate book, I was very excited to see more of the life of the crew while sailing and having adventures, being all pirate-y and such. If you want that, unfortunately there isn't much. A good portion of the beginning of the book is about Kit's life before he joins the crew, and the last 30% is devoid of piracy and sailing as well.
The other thing would be Captain Sharpe. Oh Captain Sharpe... I know it was stressed that this book is not about love or romance mainly, but of found family. So the romance is there, but it is not the main focus, and I am totally okay with that. I love when romance is woven seamlessly into a novel amongst other genres. However, if there was going to be romance, I would have liked Sharpe to have a bit more personality. He falls very flat as a character, sad to say. We don't ever get to know much about him, his background, personality, inner workings, etc. He's just kinda, there and handsome, quiet and stoic, and that's it. He definitely needed a lot more depth.
A Prince Among Pirates was a very fun romp on the high seas. For the most part, I did really enjoy this book. I think it was an excellent debut novel from a new writer and I would like to see more from her. She's a talented writer with a gift for banter, heartwarming writing, and diverse characters.
The book hooked me right off the bat. I really enjoyed Kit's personality and journey. He grows a lot throughout the book, is snarky, delightfully pompous, yet vulnerable. He had a typical growth journey, realizing he was stronger than he thought and growing in ways he didn't expect. There were fun twists and turns throughout the plot, that admittedly, were not great shockers, but entertaining none-the-less.
The camaraderie and friendship between the crew was a nice, found family vibe. I think that leads to my first problem/not problem with the book. I loved that aspect of the book, but it does tend to be a little more cozy than adventurous. So if that is what you're looking for, then it won't be an issue for those readers.
I only have a couple of complaints, which is why I knocked off one star. I do wish there would have been a bit more of the adventure part on the seas. Knowing this is a pirate book, I was very excited to see more of the life of the crew while sailing and having adventures, being all pirate-y and such. If you want that, unfortunately there isn't much. A good portion of the beginning of the book is about Kit's life before he joins the crew, and the last 30% is devoid of piracy and sailing as well.
The other thing would be Captain Sharpe. Oh Captain Sharpe... I know it was stressed that this book is not about love or romance mainly, but of found family. So the romance is there, but it is not the main focus, and I am totally okay with that. I love when romance is woven seamlessly into a novel amongst other genres. However, if there was going to be romance, I would have liked Sharpe to have a bit more personality. He falls very flat as a character, sad to say. We don't ever get to know much about him, his background, personality, inner workings, etc. He's just kinda, there and handsome, quiet and stoic, and that's it. He definitely needed a lot more depth.
March 26, 2026
There’s nothing more Kit fears than being trapped in marriage, especially the one his father has arranged for him. So when he runs away on his wedding day and pays for passage on the first ship that will take him, he is surprised to find several months later that the crew he had come to think of as family are actually pirates!
I absolutely loved Kit as a the pov character! Yes he is sheltered and quite a bit naive, a little too obsessed with his appearance and clothes, but he is charming, sassy, and loyal. I adored his friendship with the twins Trevor and Triatan, and of course his growing comraderie with Billy and the cook. He embraces his new life as a pirate but doesn’t let it fundamentally change him as a person. And when he is taken back to England and his true identity revealed, he doesn’t let his new title and station change him either.
The romance is more of a subplot of the book, though I wished it would have been more of the focus. Captain Sharpe is dashing and handsome, surprisingly a gentleman who refuses to take advantage of Kit (despite him offering several times). They do little more than kiss—in fact Kit has several amorous encounters with others that are a lot heavier than anything he and Sharpe got up to together. In fact, Sharpe doesn’t even tell him his first name until the end of ththe book. Now this could be because the author intends to write further adventures about these characters, or that could just be me wanting more of their story since it does end rather abruptly.
What I especially liked is that even though it glorified the life and history of pirates to some extent (as all pirate stories do), it didn’t shy away from the violence (and outright murder) of that life, nor the heavy subjects of sea battles, slavery, and sexual assault. Now that isn’t to say the book is triggering for these subjects, as I felt that the author handled them in a respectful way that would give depth to the story without making them the focus of the narrative. It isn’t realistic to ignore that these things happened out on the sea and in the Caribbean during this time period.
Overall this was a fun and adventurous new pirate story that I couldn’t put down and I would love to read more about this crew of misfits who found their family together!
I absolutely loved Kit as a the pov character! Yes he is sheltered and quite a bit naive, a little too obsessed with his appearance and clothes, but he is charming, sassy, and loyal. I adored his friendship with the twins Trevor and Triatan, and of course his growing comraderie with Billy and the cook. He embraces his new life as a pirate but doesn’t let it fundamentally change him as a person. And when he is taken back to England and his true identity revealed, he doesn’t let his new title and station change him either.
The romance is more of a subplot of the book, though I wished it would have been more of the focus. Captain Sharpe is dashing and handsome, surprisingly a gentleman who refuses to take advantage of Kit (despite him offering several times). They do little more than kiss—in fact Kit has several amorous encounters with others that are a lot heavier than anything he and Sharpe got up to together. In fact, Sharpe doesn’t even tell him his first name until the end of ththe book. Now this could be because the author intends to write further adventures about these characters, or that could just be me wanting more of their story since it does end rather abruptly.
What I especially liked is that even though it glorified the life and history of pirates to some extent (as all pirate stories do), it didn’t shy away from the violence (and outright murder) of that life, nor the heavy subjects of sea battles, slavery, and sexual assault. Now that isn’t to say the book is triggering for these subjects, as I felt that the author handled them in a respectful way that would give depth to the story without making them the focus of the narrative. It isn’t realistic to ignore that these things happened out on the sea and in the Caribbean during this time period.
Overall this was a fun and adventurous new pirate story that I couldn’t put down and I would love to read more about this crew of misfits who found their family together!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this book so much! It’s such a light, easy read with lovable, memorable characters. Once I picked up this ARC, I had a really hard time putting it down, I just kept wanting to see what would happen next. It reminded me a lot of Our Flag Means Death, which made it even more fun since it has that same mix of humor, heart, and chaotic crew dynamics.
The story follows Kit, a viscount who is running away from an arranged marriage. In his escape, he finds himself aboard The Deliverance with Captain Sharpe and his crew. As the story unfolds, Kit slowly realizes that he may or may not have accidentally joined a pirate ship, which added charm to the book.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was Kit’s chemistry with the entire cast. Every character felt distinct and human, and their interactions were engaging and often genuine. I really appreciated how Kaite Abdou created a diverse cast while also touching on deeper themes like colonialism and racism without taking away from the story’s adventurous tone.
The romance between Kit and Captain Sharpe was another highlight for me. Their relationship felt natural and developed nicely, especially in the first half of the book where their connection really shines. That said, I did find myself wishing for more romantic moments between them, particularly in the second half. I wanted a bit more depth and more scenes where we could really see their relationship grow and evolve.
The pacing overall was strong, though the second half felt slightly less focused on the relationship than I would have liked. Still, the story kept me invested the whole way through, and I was eager to keep reading.
By the end, I was definitely left wanting more. The final chapter didn’t feel quite as satisfying as I’d hoped, and I wish it had been a bit longer or given us a little more closure. However, if this turns into a series, I will absolutely be picking up the next book because I’m not ready to leave these characters behind.
Thank you, Harper Fire and NetGalley for this ARC.
The story follows Kit, a viscount who is running away from an arranged marriage. In his escape, he finds himself aboard The Deliverance with Captain Sharpe and his crew. As the story unfolds, Kit slowly realizes that he may or may not have accidentally joined a pirate ship, which added charm to the book.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was Kit’s chemistry with the entire cast. Every character felt distinct and human, and their interactions were engaging and often genuine. I really appreciated how Kaite Abdou created a diverse cast while also touching on deeper themes like colonialism and racism without taking away from the story’s adventurous tone.
The romance between Kit and Captain Sharpe was another highlight for me. Their relationship felt natural and developed nicely, especially in the first half of the book where their connection really shines. That said, I did find myself wishing for more romantic moments between them, particularly in the second half. I wanted a bit more depth and more scenes where we could really see their relationship grow and evolve.
The pacing overall was strong, though the second half felt slightly less focused on the relationship than I would have liked. Still, the story kept me invested the whole way through, and I was eager to keep reading.
By the end, I was definitely left wanting more. The final chapter didn’t feel quite as satisfying as I’d hoped, and I wish it had been a bit longer or given us a little more closure. However, if this turns into a series, I will absolutely be picking up the next book because I’m not ready to leave these characters behind.
Thank you, Harper Fire and NetGalley for this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read A Prince Among Pirates!
I saw the cover and read the summary applied immediately and was so excited to receive an early copy.
A M/M young adult Romance of Kit Davenport, a charming and sassy nobleman and Reggie Sharpe who has long dreadlocks, calls him kitten and is the Captain of a pirate ship?? YES PLEASE!!
I am really happy that the author announced that Kit's age was changing from 17 about to be 18 to 18 about to be 19, because learning that Sharpe was in his early twenties around 23 or 24 had me a little concerned.
This story is in Kit Davenports point of view. He’s mouthy, sassy, and sometimes... most times, immature, but he is the kind of person you end up loving whether you want to or not. At least for me anyway!
Kit has spent years dodging his father’s stern disapproval and delighting in clandestine rendezvous. But time is running out. With an arranged marriage looming over his head with white wigs and stiff decorum closing in, Kit was desperate to escape a life that felt completely wrong for him.
His solution? A wildly impulsive decision that lands him aboard the Deliverance, a galleon captained by the infuriatingly charismatic Reggie Sharpe. With a devil-may-care attitude, Captain Sharpe commands the waves with his crew of misfits…who all turn out to be pirates. Oh no!
Over time,
Kit grows a lot over the course of the story, learning from his mistakes and finding his place on the ship among a diverse group of misfits. I really enjoyed this read! There is a lot of drama, twists and turns and also with Kit having such a sassy attitude, I couldn't put this book down! I wish we got to learn about Sharpe and how he came to be a bit more but overall I really enjoyed this book. The cover is beautiful and I can't wait to purchase the physical copy!
If you love
• Arranged marriage escape
• Pirate ship adventures
• Nobleman x Pirate Captain
• Found family
This book is for you!
I saw the cover and read the summary applied immediately and was so excited to receive an early copy.
A M/M young adult Romance of Kit Davenport, a charming and sassy nobleman and Reggie Sharpe who has long dreadlocks, calls him kitten and is the Captain of a pirate ship?? YES PLEASE!!
I am really happy that the author announced that Kit's age was changing from 17 about to be 18 to 18 about to be 19, because learning that Sharpe was in his early twenties around 23 or 24 had me a little concerned.
This story is in Kit Davenports point of view. He’s mouthy, sassy, and sometimes... most times, immature, but he is the kind of person you end up loving whether you want to or not. At least for me anyway!
Kit has spent years dodging his father’s stern disapproval and delighting in clandestine rendezvous. But time is running out. With an arranged marriage looming over his head with white wigs and stiff decorum closing in, Kit was desperate to escape a life that felt completely wrong for him.
His solution? A wildly impulsive decision that lands him aboard the Deliverance, a galleon captained by the infuriatingly charismatic Reggie Sharpe. With a devil-may-care attitude, Captain Sharpe commands the waves with his crew of misfits…who all turn out to be pirates. Oh no!
Over time,
Kit grows a lot over the course of the story, learning from his mistakes and finding his place on the ship among a diverse group of misfits. I really enjoyed this read! There is a lot of drama, twists and turns and also with Kit having such a sassy attitude, I couldn't put this book down! I wish we got to learn about Sharpe and how he came to be a bit more but overall I really enjoyed this book. The cover is beautiful and I can't wait to purchase the physical copy!
If you love
• Arranged marriage escape
• Pirate ship adventures
• Nobleman x Pirate Captain
• Found family
This book is for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalleu and Harper Collins Children's for the eARC
3,5/5
'A prince among pirates' is a young adult, taking inspiration from 'Our flag means death' to create a funny sea adventure. It's light, full of humour, with just a bit of dashing romance added to the mix. The writing flows, helped by a nice pacing, dragging just slightly at the end.
I must say, I think the book delivered on its promises. Our protagonist... isn't the brightest, joining a pirate ship without being aware of the pirate element. For four months. Kit shows his lack of discernment as a secondary plot unfurls, about which I won't say much to avoid any spoilers. The romance element isn't that much of a leading beat, which I enjoyed, it left space for other relationship to build. More importantly, it left room for Kit to grow, something he does quite a bit, fortunately.
Now, I also had some issues about the book. Captain Sharpe doesn't have much depth or isn't explored as much as I would have liked. There is a lot of very obvious elements that are set up as plot twists despite how obvious they are. This might be an age range thing, or an attempt from the author to have the cleverness of OFMD without the ability to draw on it too much. Anyways, it bothered me a little, even if I still had a nice time. I would have liked a little more depth around complicated issues that are kinda brought up (race, power, trauma), but the story didn't aim for that.
Similarly, the end of the story seems to attempt to create a mirror situation with the beginning of the book, while resolving the issues that caught up with Kit during the story. Does it works ? Kinda. But not completely, at least for me, there's an ease that prevent me from really buying it.
Nevertheless, as a fun adventurous sea adventure, meant for a younger audience, it works! It's an enjoyable piece of fiction, with a bratty main character and a very soft pirate captain.
3,5/5
'A prince among pirates' is a young adult, taking inspiration from 'Our flag means death' to create a funny sea adventure. It's light, full of humour, with just a bit of dashing romance added to the mix. The writing flows, helped by a nice pacing, dragging just slightly at the end.
I must say, I think the book delivered on its promises. Our protagonist... isn't the brightest, joining a pirate ship without being aware of the pirate element. For four months. Kit shows his lack of discernment as a secondary plot unfurls, about which I won't say much to avoid any spoilers. The romance element isn't that much of a leading beat, which I enjoyed, it left space for other relationship to build. More importantly, it left room for Kit to grow, something he does quite a bit, fortunately.
Now, I also had some issues about the book. Captain Sharpe doesn't have much depth or isn't explored as much as I would have liked. There is a lot of very obvious elements that are set up as plot twists despite how obvious they are. This might be an age range thing, or an attempt from the author to have the cleverness of OFMD without the ability to draw on it too much. Anyways, it bothered me a little, even if I still had a nice time. I would have liked a little more depth around complicated issues that are kinda brought up (race, power, trauma), but the story didn't aim for that.
Similarly, the end of the story seems to attempt to create a mirror situation with the beginning of the book, while resolving the issues that caught up with Kit during the story. Does it works ? Kinda. But not completely, at least for me, there's an ease that prevent me from really buying it.
Nevertheless, as a fun adventurous sea adventure, meant for a younger audience, it works! It's an enjoyable piece of fiction, with a bratty main character and a very soft pirate captain.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Actual rating: 4.75/5
When I got the confirmation email that I received this arc my heart sped up so fast that my body thought there was a threat of the massive-tiger-sneaking-up-on-me variety. That is to say I was EXCITED. Look, I L O V E pirates. I love gay pirates. In theory, I would love this book.
And then I got really nervous because I was scared I wouldn’t like it and I would be left disappointed the way I am after reading most pirate books.
Well, good news: I freaking LOVED this book!
It is YA (though I would say upper YA, like 16-18 and even that may be a bit risky. 17-18? Idk. I’m not a youth anymore haha) so my criteria is a bit different. If I had fun reading it, that’s good enough for me. And boy did I have fun.
WHAT I LIKED:
- the characters. All of them. The twins especially. Also Sharpe hellooooooo I need him asap. 99% of the characters I loved (and if you know that last 1% you know).
- the historical aspect. One of my special interests is historical fashion. And YES YES YES this was it! This had the accuracy of the early 1700s! Every time Kit put on a pair of ridiculously colored trousers my little neurodivergent self got so excited. The wigs! The heeled shoes! The overly complex bodices! PERFECT!!!
- the piracy. It was YA so it wasn’t as bloody as I usually like, but that doesn’t mean it was bad. Think of the first PoTC movie. It was a lot like that.
WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:
- the stakes weren’t super high. This was a standalone and probably more of a romance than anything else, but the stakes weren’t super high and it was a bit predictable. It COULD be set up to be the first in a series, but it also works as a standalone so it’s fine regardless.
All in all I enjoyed this book and had a ton of fun reading it. If you liked PoTC but wished Jack Sparrow and Will Turner got together, pick this book up N O W.
Actual rating: 4.75/5
When I got the confirmation email that I received this arc my heart sped up so fast that my body thought there was a threat of the massive-tiger-sneaking-up-on-me variety. That is to say I was EXCITED. Look, I L O V E pirates. I love gay pirates. In theory, I would love this book.
And then I got really nervous because I was scared I wouldn’t like it and I would be left disappointed the way I am after reading most pirate books.
Well, good news: I freaking LOVED this book!
It is YA (though I would say upper YA, like 16-18 and even that may be a bit risky. 17-18? Idk. I’m not a youth anymore haha) so my criteria is a bit different. If I had fun reading it, that’s good enough for me. And boy did I have fun.
WHAT I LIKED:
- the characters. All of them. The twins especially. Also Sharpe hellooooooo I need him asap. 99% of the characters I loved (and if you know that last 1% you know).
- the historical aspect. One of my special interests is historical fashion. And YES YES YES this was it! This had the accuracy of the early 1700s! Every time Kit put on a pair of ridiculously colored trousers my little neurodivergent self got so excited. The wigs! The heeled shoes! The overly complex bodices! PERFECT!!!
- the piracy. It was YA so it wasn’t as bloody as I usually like, but that doesn’t mean it was bad. Think of the first PoTC movie. It was a lot like that.
WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:
- the stakes weren’t super high. This was a standalone and probably more of a romance than anything else, but the stakes weren’t super high and it was a bit predictable. It COULD be set up to be the first in a series, but it also works as a standalone so it’s fine regardless.
All in all I enjoyed this book and had a ton of fun reading it. If you liked PoTC but wished Jack Sparrow and Will Turner got together, pick this book up N O W.
April 14, 2026
"Here at sea, I've become free in a way I never knew possible."
The son of a Viscount trying to escape an arranged marriage, Kit runs away from home and gets on the first ship he can - The Deliverance. Unbeknownst to him, Captain Sharpe and his crew are pirates, and Kit is soon swept up in a world of adventure!
I'm not going to lie, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book for the first couple of chapters. It sounded amazing, but Kit not my favorite character. I think my favorite thing about this book is how Kit's character grows! Talk about a great character arc. Once I got used to his character, I loved his humor and internal monologue. The relationships he developed with the crew were fantastic. I love the themes of Found Family.
I also loved Captain Sharpe's character. He balances out Kit's character quite well, and the two of them have great chemistry, though I do wish we'd seen a little more depth here. I would read another book just about Captain Sharpe and how he came to sail on The Deliverance. Where is he from? How did he learn to sail? When did he become the Prince among Pirates?
There are some heavier themes in this book, including slavery, sexual assault, racism, and Islamophobia. While some of this is to be expected in a book about pirates, I think it's important to go into this realizing that this isn't purely a romance novel and it does explore other themes. I also wish there had been more about sailing/life as a Pirate. A good portion of this book takes place off the sea.
The twist about 70% through had me gasping! I didn't see that coming at all, and I loved it! It was a well-earned twist. Overall this was a really fun, engaging read. and I'm looking forward to picking up a finished copy in June and I'm sure I'll have more thoughts to add after a reread!
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
The son of a Viscount trying to escape an arranged marriage, Kit runs away from home and gets on the first ship he can - The Deliverance. Unbeknownst to him, Captain Sharpe and his crew are pirates, and Kit is soon swept up in a world of adventure!
I'm not going to lie, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book for the first couple of chapters. It sounded amazing, but Kit not my favorite character. I think my favorite thing about this book is how Kit's character grows! Talk about a great character arc. Once I got used to his character, I loved his humor and internal monologue. The relationships he developed with the crew were fantastic. I love the themes of Found Family.
I also loved Captain Sharpe's character. He balances out Kit's character quite well, and the two of them have great chemistry, though I do wish we'd seen a little more depth here. I would read another book just about Captain Sharpe and how he came to sail on The Deliverance. Where is he from? How did he learn to sail? When did he become the Prince among Pirates?
There are some heavier themes in this book, including slavery, sexual assault, racism, and Islamophobia. While some of this is to be expected in a book about pirates, I think it's important to go into this realizing that this isn't purely a romance novel and it does explore other themes. I also wish there had been more about sailing/life as a Pirate. A good portion of this book takes place off the sea.
The twist about 70% through had me gasping! I didn't see that coming at all, and I loved it! It was a well-earned twist. Overall this was a really fun, engaging read. and I'm looking forward to picking up a finished copy in June and I'm sure I'll have more thoughts to add after a reread!
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
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