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A Prince Among Pirates
A 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?
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2026
About the author
Katie Abdou
1 book133 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.
Follow me on Instagram
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. 🥀
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🏴☠️⚓ A Prince Among Pirates ⚓🏴☠️
One of my favorite queer romances of the year!
I am absolutely obsessed with Kit & Sharpe.
While Sharpe could be a ruthless pirate, he was an absolute teddy bear with Kit aka Kitten 😻
And Kit was such a little punk who was lucky he was so funny and adorable! He was also so clueless because he didn't realize he was on a dang pirate ship lol!
The ending went in a direction that was a bit meh! But it didn't take away from how adorable the rest of the book was. So I am still rating 5 stars and will absolutely be listening the audiobook once released!
🌊 What to Expect
• Queer YA romance
• Nobleman MMC
• Pirate captain
• Pirate ship escape
• Found family
_ _ _
⭐ Final Rating: 5 Stars
📅 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.
One of my favorite queer romances of the year!
I am absolutely obsessed with Kit & Sharpe.
While Sharpe could be a ruthless pirate, he was an absolute teddy bear with Kit aka Kitten 😻
And Kit was such a little punk who was lucky he was so funny and adorable! He was also so clueless because he didn't realize he was on a dang pirate ship lol!
The ending went in a direction that was a bit meh! But it didn't take away from how adorable the rest of the book was. So I am still rating 5 stars and will absolutely be listening the audiobook once released!
🌊 What to Expect
• Queer YA romance
• Nobleman MMC
• Pirate captain
• Pirate ship escape
• Found family
_ _ _
⭐ Final Rating: 5 Stars
📅 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.
June 5, 2026
Gosh I had a lot of fun with this. I will always have a soft spot for seafaring adventures. It’s honestly a little shocking how pirate books aren’t as popular as other sub genres. A Prince Among Pirates opens with our main character Kit dreading his impending arranged wedding. The only son of a viscount, his nuptials will mark the end of his youth as he’ll be quickly swept into the duties befitting an heir. Unsuited for such a dull life, Kit spontaneously decides to run away and finds passage aboard the first available ship. Unbeknownst to him, the ship is maned by a pirate crew captained by the handsome Reggie Sharpe. Off they set for a year full of adventure!
This is definitely a very romantic depiction of piracy, which Katie Abdou addresses in her author’s note. There’s much more swashbuckling than pillaging. They have various little adventures as they dock at multiple ports. There’s a heavy emphasis on found family as Kit is welcomed with fairly open arms despite being an aristocrat. He is able to find a freedom and camaraderie out at sea that he never had in England. It’s a pretty wholesome novel with only the occasional maiming and death.
Kit is my favorite type of character. He’s a pretty boy. Charming, pouty, and sassy. Or as Captain Sharpe likes to say, “bitchy.” He’s prone to dramatics and is a big softy at heart. He believes himself to be cursed to never find love, but he gives his affections away like candy. He cries a lot more often than you’d expect, and just wants to be cherished. Seeing his desire for connection and love from his parents was heartbreaking. At times he feels very young, and at others we see how much he has grown into an exceptional young man. Through his travels, he becomes more worldly and open minded. He is able to get in touch with his mother’s heritage and figure out what kind of man he wants to be.
I wouldn’t recommended going into this specifically for the romance. It’s definitely more of a side plot, and Captain Sharpe maintains this kind of mysterious aura around himself until the end. We get a few looks into who he is as a person, but we don’t really know much about him or his past outside that. All of Kit’s conversations with him felt very one sided. Their dynamic was cute but I would have liked to delve more into Reggie’s head.
This is definitely a very romantic depiction of piracy, which Katie Abdou addresses in her author’s note. There’s much more swashbuckling than pillaging. They have various little adventures as they dock at multiple ports. There’s a heavy emphasis on found family as Kit is welcomed with fairly open arms despite being an aristocrat. He is able to find a freedom and camaraderie out at sea that he never had in England. It’s a pretty wholesome novel with only the occasional maiming and death.
Kit is my favorite type of character. He’s a pretty boy. Charming, pouty, and sassy. Or as Captain Sharpe likes to say, “bitchy.” He’s prone to dramatics and is a big softy at heart. He believes himself to be cursed to never find love, but he gives his affections away like candy. He cries a lot more often than you’d expect, and just wants to be cherished. Seeing his desire for connection and love from his parents was heartbreaking. At times he feels very young, and at others we see how much he has grown into an exceptional young man. Through his travels, he becomes more worldly and open minded. He is able to get in touch with his mother’s heritage and figure out what kind of man he wants to be.
I wouldn’t recommended going into this specifically for the romance. It’s definitely more of a side plot, and Captain Sharpe maintains this kind of mysterious aura around himself until the end. We get a few looks into who he is as a person, but we don’t really know much about him or his past outside that. All of Kit’s conversations with him felt very one sided. Their dynamic was cute but I would have liked to delve more into Reggie’s head.
June 19, 2026
─── ୨ৎ 1 star
⤿ .ᐟ not a spoiler free review
i have a lot of thoughts about this book, and most of them aren’t good. i was easily sold on the premise, the cover, and the trope of pirate x noble. but the execution of the plot and characters really lost me. it’s not even that katie abdou’s writing itself is bad — in fact, i really enjoyed her overall writing voice.
first and foremost, kit is just an intolerable protagonist. he’s pretentious, shallow, whiny, and naive. while all of these traits could be blamed on his pampered upbringing, i think he’s just genuinely a shitty person. he bounces back and forth between this need to be praised (that i don’t believe for one second is a facade) and self-deprecation. i think that he has the ability to be a complex and multilayered character, but the development through the plot (or lack thereof) just isn’t quite there.
then there’s the ‘romance’ between kit and captain sharpe. i’m glad that the author decided to change the problematic age gap between them (kit being seventeen and reggie being twenty-three) before publishing this book. though the whole scene on kit’s eighteenth birthday where they begin flirting gave me the total ick. it was giving “i’ll wait till you’re legal” vibes. on top of that, captain sharpe’s nickname for kit happens to be kitten. in case you’re wondering, he calls him “kitten” a total of 71 times throughout this whole book. yes, i counted because i’m petty and annoyed.
the plot itself feels all over the place as well. for a good portion of the book, they’re literally doing nothing aboard the ship. it feels like every passing day they eat, kit complains, and then goes to bed. when kit realizes that the crew of the deliverance are pirates, i found his shock a bit comical and valid — because what do they even do? there’s barely any adventure or excitement that typically comes with pirate stories until a little over halfway through the book.
both parts one and two of the book felt alarmingly slow to me but picked up towards the second half of the book, and i found myself actually enjoying a bit of the mystery and sneaking around. but the third half of the book really fell flat. all the drama was shoved into the tail end of the book and felt like it was too much thrown at me at once. which is why the conclusion to the story felt so rushed and unsatisfying in the long run.
this book had a few other things i didn’t like, such as how kit initially spoke about his betrothed. he equated her to only a pretty face and a handsome dowry, but ironically, he’s the one who constantly refers to himself as just a pretty face to be used. misogyny at its finest! because we can’t have an mlm romance without dunking on women.
on top of that, i really disliked how the revelation of the one trans character in this book was handled. instead of it casually coming up, this character is forced to pretend to be a woman and show off his cleavage. tristan was one of the more tolerable characters in this book and deserved better than dysphoria-inducing antics.
overall, this is not a book i would recommend to anyone who wants to have a fun time reading a queer historical seafaring romance. look elsewhere unless you want to have a migraine and make yourself unnecessarily mad like i did.
massive thanks to netgalley, katie abdou, & simon and schuster children's publishing / atheneum books for young readers for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
⤿ .ᐟ not a spoiler free review
i have a lot of thoughts about this book, and most of them aren’t good. i was easily sold on the premise, the cover, and the trope of pirate x noble. but the execution of the plot and characters really lost me. it’s not even that katie abdou’s writing itself is bad — in fact, i really enjoyed her overall writing voice.
first and foremost, kit is just an intolerable protagonist. he’s pretentious, shallow, whiny, and naive. while all of these traits could be blamed on his pampered upbringing, i think he’s just genuinely a shitty person. he bounces back and forth between this need to be praised (that i don’t believe for one second is a facade) and self-deprecation. i think that he has the ability to be a complex and multilayered character, but the development through the plot (or lack thereof) just isn’t quite there.
then there’s the ‘romance’ between kit and captain sharpe. i’m glad that the author decided to change the problematic age gap between them (kit being seventeen and reggie being twenty-three) before publishing this book. though the whole scene on kit’s eighteenth birthday where they begin flirting gave me the total ick. it was giving “i’ll wait till you’re legal” vibes. on top of that, captain sharpe’s nickname for kit happens to be kitten. in case you’re wondering, he calls him “kitten” a total of 71 times throughout this whole book. yes, i counted because i’m petty and annoyed.
the plot itself feels all over the place as well. for a good portion of the book, they’re literally doing nothing aboard the ship. it feels like every passing day they eat, kit complains, and then goes to bed. when kit realizes that the crew of the deliverance are pirates, i found his shock a bit comical and valid — because what do they even do? there’s barely any adventure or excitement that typically comes with pirate stories until a little over halfway through the book.
both parts one and two of the book felt alarmingly slow to me but picked up towards the second half of the book, and i found myself actually enjoying a bit of the mystery and sneaking around. but the third half of the book really fell flat. all the drama was shoved into the tail end of the book and felt like it was too much thrown at me at once. which is why the conclusion to the story felt so rushed and unsatisfying in the long run.
this book had a few other things i didn’t like, such as how kit initially spoke about his betrothed. he equated her to only a pretty face and a handsome dowry, but ironically, he’s the one who constantly refers to himself as just a pretty face to be used. misogyny at its finest! because we can’t have an mlm romance without dunking on women.
on top of that, i really disliked how the revelation of the one trans character in this book was handled. instead of it casually coming up, this character is forced to pretend to be a woman and show off his cleavage. tristan was one of the more tolerable characters in this book and deserved better than dysphoria-inducing antics.
overall, this is not a book i would recommend to anyone who wants to have a fun time reading a queer historical seafaring romance. look elsewhere unless you want to have a migraine and make yourself unnecessarily mad like i did.
massive thanks to netgalley, katie abdou, & simon and schuster children's publishing / atheneum books for young readers for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
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.
June 19, 2026
had such high expectations for this one especially after ofmd comparison but frankly it seemed liked the book didn't quite know what it wanted to be and thus didn't succeed in being any of those things- it could've been an adventure novel but the plot was almost non-existent and what action we did get was just so brief and then we were back to nothing-really-happens-endless-repetitive-descriptions-of-clothing galore or it could've been romance but it barely touched that aspect at all or at least it could've been funny and it occasionally was but like with the plot- just not enough and don't even get me started on the plot twists- they were just so very obvious right from the second it was merely hinted at i've yet to encounter more terrible twists in a book tbh. also fyi: i'm def too old for this book (but it doesn't change anything bout the twists like it's obvi not middle grade and even that age group would see it coming from a mile away). so dissapointed still finished it quickly so 3 starts it is (for now)
June 19, 2026
2 Stars
The concept wasn't enough to carry this one. I liked the idea, but with how immature the main character reads, the romance feels... uncomfortable. And I'm not one to demand every book have female characters, but if you're writing a book that features primarily men, you should be really, really careful that the few women characters you do have are more than just plot devices. And that, unfortunately, wasn't the case here...
Anyway, I didn't really like it, but that's not to say it's all bad. My full review will go over the highs and lows of this one next Friday, June 26 over at Gateway Reviews. Stop by if you feel so inclined!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
The concept wasn't enough to carry this one. I liked the idea, but with how immature the main character reads, the romance feels... uncomfortable. And I'm not one to demand every book have female characters, but if you're writing a book that features primarily men, you should be really, really careful that the few women characters you do have are more than just plot devices. And that, unfortunately, wasn't the case here...
Anyway, I didn't really like it, but that's not to say it's all bad. My full review will go over the highs and lows of this one next Friday, June 26 over at Gateway Reviews. Stop by if you feel so inclined!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
June 22, 2026
So I loved this (getting four stars only because I wanted more Captain Sharpe), I think this book really just has cemented that pirates are absolutely my jam. I adored the side characters and hearing about the different ports they all visit. I'm glad Kit had some MAJOR character growth. He for sure was an insufferable brat at the beginning of the story but by the end 10/10. I would honestly love to read more stories about this crew.
Want to Read
June 17, 2026I WON A GOODREADS GIVEAWAY FOR A PHYSICAL COPY LETS GOOOOO
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!!!”
remind-me-once-out
March 27, 2026😏
June 19, 2026
I, like many people, had a moment where I dreamt of being swept away by a dashing pirate captain to a life at sea, storming ships, sailing across the oceans, finding buried treasure… and then I remembered that I would probably get scurvy, seasick, or end up falling overboard and eaten by sharks. And while those fantastical dreams may have been nothing more than that, I will always have a fond place in my heart for pirate stories. Especially when there’s a hot captain to drool over.
A Prince Among Pirates had everything I needed to make me fall in love with not 1, but 2 men, and yet again wish for a life of swashbuckling. (Not important, but I’d need a fancy hat, because I don’t need a bald head burn for the rest of my life) Most queer books have me falling in love with the love interest or the MC, but rarely both. You’re meant to feel the emotions that the main character feels, in turn seeing the positives in the person they’re interested in. But this book did such an amazing job at making me not only feel an emotional connection with Kit, quickly understanding, relating, and seeing the strength in him, but the sexy and charismatic Captain Sharpe, who would do anything for his crew… ANYTHING!
Something I love about queer people is that we are good at finding community. We look for places and people like us, so that we don’t feel alone. That’s shown in the books that represent us with a found family trope. Mainly because many people find their place with the family you choose more than the one you are born into. You can see that embodied in the people that Kit meets and surrounds himself with. The entire crew of the ship (well all but one, with who I’d like to punch squarely in his nose) welcome and adopt him into the fold (including the brotherly banter and roasting you see throughout the story). He also has Kitty and Francis, as well as Thomas in the later chapters, who help him to find himself again.
For this being a debut, I feel like I know who Katie Abdou is as an author and to be perfectly Frank (which is my name, if you didn’t know), I like what I see. I do need another book immediately, though. I don’t know if I can get enough. More pirates and more hot men on ships, pleaseeeeee!!! I need them IMMEDIATELY!
Thank you to Simon Teen and the author for my gifted ARC.
A Prince Among Pirates had everything I needed to make me fall in love with not 1, but 2 men, and yet again wish for a life of swashbuckling. (Not important, but I’d need a fancy hat, because I don’t need a bald head burn for the rest of my life) Most queer books have me falling in love with the love interest or the MC, but rarely both. You’re meant to feel the emotions that the main character feels, in turn seeing the positives in the person they’re interested in. But this book did such an amazing job at making me not only feel an emotional connection with Kit, quickly understanding, relating, and seeing the strength in him, but the sexy and charismatic Captain Sharpe, who would do anything for his crew… ANYTHING!
Something I love about queer people is that we are good at finding community. We look for places and people like us, so that we don’t feel alone. That’s shown in the books that represent us with a found family trope. Mainly because many people find their place with the family you choose more than the one you are born into. You can see that embodied in the people that Kit meets and surrounds himself with. The entire crew of the ship (well all but one, with who I’d like to punch squarely in his nose) welcome and adopt him into the fold (including the brotherly banter and roasting you see throughout the story). He also has Kitty and Francis, as well as Thomas in the later chapters, who help him to find himself again.
For this being a debut, I feel like I know who Katie Abdou is as an author and to be perfectly Frank (which is my name, if you didn’t know), I like what I see. I do need another book immediately, though. I don’t know if I can get enough. More pirates and more hot men on ships, pleaseeeeee!!! I need them IMMEDIATELY!
Thank you to Simon Teen and the author for my gifted ARC.
June 21, 2026
„Kitten.“
4.5*
4.5*
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
June 27, 2026
I adore Kit and Sharpe so much.
Kit with his sassy, bratty comebacks and Captain Sharpe with his steady head keeping Kit (almost) out of trouble, were the perfect pair of pirates leading the crew of the Deliverance through their adventures.
I laughed out loud so many times reading this book, mostly at Kit’s bratty nature (which was the perfect amount) and his non-existent filter, but at some of the absolute pickles that he ends up in.
How does someone accidentally become a pirate, you ask?!
Christopher-Henry Mortimer Davenport runs away on the eve of his wedding, buying passage on a ship sailing away from his Viscount father, and his fiancé, and Kit Davenport is born.
It’s only months of living and working, and becoming one of the Deliverance family later, that Kit finds out that the Deliverance is a pirate ship, and he’s gone and accidentally become a pirate himself.
That’s just one of the mishaps for Kit in his pirate adventures, there are many others, some amusing, and some very much what you’d expect in a story about pirates.
The author prefaces the book saying that this isn’t a romance, although there is a love story, but a book about found family, self-discovery and queer joy - and I would agree 100%, I loved this ragtag bunch of misfit pirates. The found family element is great to read, from the crews initial hesitation with ‘lordling’ Kit to them fully embracing him as one of their own.
Kit with his sassy, bratty comebacks and Captain Sharpe with his steady head keeping Kit (almost) out of trouble, were the perfect pair of pirates leading the crew of the Deliverance through their adventures.
I laughed out loud so many times reading this book, mostly at Kit’s bratty nature (which was the perfect amount) and his non-existent filter, but at some of the absolute pickles that he ends up in.
How does someone accidentally become a pirate, you ask?!
Christopher-Henry Mortimer Davenport runs away on the eve of his wedding, buying passage on a ship sailing away from his Viscount father, and his fiancé, and Kit Davenport is born.
It’s only months of living and working, and becoming one of the Deliverance family later, that Kit finds out that the Deliverance is a pirate ship, and he’s gone and accidentally become a pirate himself.
That’s just one of the mishaps for Kit in his pirate adventures, there are many others, some amusing, and some very much what you’d expect in a story about pirates.
The author prefaces the book saying that this isn’t a romance, although there is a love story, but a book about found family, self-discovery and queer joy - and I would agree 100%, I loved this ragtag bunch of misfit pirates. The found family element is great to read, from the crews initial hesitation with ‘lordling’ Kit to them fully embracing him as one of their own.
May 22, 2026
Thank you NetGallery for the eARC! 2.5 ⭐️
What does this book have?
A beautiful cover, a great plot premise, but everything else lost me.
Let’s start with the ages. Kit begins the book at 17…while Sharpe is 23. Now, I know that this is set in the 1700s and times are different…but as my friend pointed out although it’s set in a different time, the author wrote it today. I feel like that speaks enough to itself.
Secondly, Kit’s nickname…I got a kick out of it the first time, but then Sharpe just keeps calling him Kitten…I really couldn’t stand it. Like at all.
Thirdly, the plot lacks strength. Kit just straight up runs away (which like, hell yeah!), but that doesn’t become an issue until wayyy later in the timeline of the story itself (like months and months later). And the twist… like yes, of course the King is his bio-dad. Obviously.
Overall, I simply believe this book can be fantastic, it’s just not ready to be published yet. The plot needs to be reworked slightly and there’s this need for slight edits (like their ages..). I definitely see the inspiration drawn from Our Flag Means Death, but it’s way too similar (Kitty being a plot device especially). The show also works excellently because they are older gentlemen, and this book is very centered around the youth.
If you don’t mind the cringe, I would pick it up! Just be prepared is all.
What does this book have?
A beautiful cover, a great plot premise, but everything else lost me.
Let’s start with the ages. Kit begins the book at 17…while Sharpe is 23. Now, I know that this is set in the 1700s and times are different…but as my friend pointed out although it’s set in a different time, the author wrote it today. I feel like that speaks enough to itself.
Secondly, Kit’s nickname…I got a kick out of it the first time, but then Sharpe just keeps calling him Kitten…I really couldn’t stand it. Like at all.
Thirdly, the plot lacks strength. Kit just straight up runs away (which like, hell yeah!), but that doesn’t become an issue until wayyy later in the timeline of the story itself (like months and months later). And the twist… like yes, of course the King is his bio-dad. Obviously.
Overall, I simply believe this book can be fantastic, it’s just not ready to be published yet. The plot needs to be reworked slightly and there’s this need for slight edits (like their ages..). I definitely see the inspiration drawn from Our Flag Means Death, but it’s way too similar (Kitty being a plot device especially). The show also works excellently because they are older gentlemen, and this book is very centered around the youth.
If you don’t mind the cringe, I would pick it up! Just be prepared is all.
June 20, 2026
E'la prima volta che leggo un'ARC quindi immagino che diverse cose un po' strane che ho riscontrato verranno corrette nella versione definitiva.
L'ho trovata una lettura carina, non eccezionale, che mi ha ricordato tanto da vicino "The Gentlemen's guide to vice and virtues" (stesso tipo di protagonista e di sviluppo, pure con i problemi irrisolti col padre) ma con meno trama di mezzo, anzi, la poca che c'è alla fine si rivela inconcludente (anche qui, non so se è una cosa che verrà risolta nella versione definitiva). E soprattutto è molto meno un romance e più un coming to age, quindi la relazione e l'interesse amoroso sono un po' meh.
L'ho trovata una lettura carina, non eccezionale, che mi ha ricordato tanto da vicino "The Gentlemen's guide to vice and virtues" (stesso tipo di protagonista e di sviluppo, pure con i problemi irrisolti col padre) ma con meno trama di mezzo, anzi, la poca che c'è alla fine si rivela inconcludente (anche qui, non so se è una cosa che verrà risolta nella versione definitiva). E soprattutto è molto meno un romance e più un coming to age, quindi la relazione e l'interesse amoroso sono un po' meh.
Read
June 22, 2026cute and super fun, but you have to be willing to accept that the love interest calls the protagonist “kitten” unironically, which is asking a lot of anyone. I liked the criticism of classism/racism/colonialism underlying the narrative which did a lot to save the book from being entirely kitschy and forgettable. Still, I had fun, which is all I wanted from this one. 3 to 3.5 stars.
June 14, 2026
ARC REVIEW: “I have somehow accidentally become a pirate.” A story of found family, self-discovery, and young love. Fans of Bridgerton, Sandokan, and Sara Raasch will adore this book. It's a standalone historical fiction that follows a young gentleman and his accidental adventures of joining a pirate crew while running away from his responsibilities on the mainland. Kit is a hilarious narrator and it was so fun being on this adventure with him!
Quotes:
“I may be a pirate but I am a gentleman.” -Sharpe
“How dull.” -Kit
"How did ye survive this long, Kit?" -Renard
"At the behest of others," -Kit
“I don’t want to be hang. I’m too pretty to be hang. What kind of death is that for a young gentleman?” -Kit
Quotes:
“I may be a pirate but I am a gentleman.” -Sharpe
“How dull.” -Kit
"How did ye survive this long, Kit?" -Renard
"At the behest of others," -Kit
“I don’t want to be hang. I’m too pretty to be hang. What kind of death is that for a young gentleman?” -Kit
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!
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."
June 25, 2026
Rtc
Before reading: Lowkey really want to read this book right now since it releases on my birthday!! Also the cover is stunning and it sounds sooo good
Before reading: Lowkey really want to read this book right now since it releases on my birthday!! Also the cover is stunning and it sounds sooo good
Read
May 24, 2026Accidental pirate or not, I was still bred a gentleman, and we are simply not built for activities like running for our lives on cobblestone in heels.
This felt SO extremely like The Gentleman's Guide to Vice & Virtue that honestly I'm personally offended that one of my fav books ever didn't get elevated to the status of comp title for this book.
Ah, I dunno. I do think this book will absolutely appeal to fans of that one. The voice is very similar, as are the topics and concerns and the general spirit of it. So if someone wants more GGVV, they should read this. (Or, if you want more of this, you should read GGVV.)
But it seemed determined to annoy me. Like, personally. IDK stop reading here, I really do recommend it if goofy gay pirates with hearts of gold are your thing. A bit scattershot, but a strong debut, and who doesn't want that gorgeous cover on their shelf??
June 28, 2026
Truly I fell in love with this book from the very first "Dear Reader". I knew based on her forward that I was going to enjoy this book and I had even pre-ordered this book months ago when she made a post about feedback from arc readers and correcting misinformation. I am such a simple person, I absolutely will buy a gay book I know barely anything about if I know the author cares about historical accuracy
Kit is an amazing character. Hes a perfect blend of being a bisexual menace and a snob considering his upbringing. You could see how much he craved connection and love throughout the book and seeing him befriend the crew and teach them was wonderful to read
I wish we got more information about Captain Sharpe. He's called a 'prince among pirates' several times in the book and we know barely anything about him at all! He certainly seems much older than he actually is and even has some gray hairs in his beard despite only being 23. You can tell something quite terrible happened in his life to have him be at sea since a young child as well as being from Jamaica during the golden age of Piracy. I wanted so much more about his past!!!
The crew was wonderful and everyone was pretty good natured and pretty decent to our Kit. I do find it a bit unrealistic there was very little violence or terror from the crew. Though in all fairness during these scenes where there's supposed fighting Kit is conveniently hidden away down below deck. and this is YA so maybe it's not exactly something that's going to pop up idk
I adore Tristan and Trevor taking Kit under their wing and getting him adjusted to the life of piracy. i do find it hilarious Kit had to be TOLD they were pirates after four months at sea 💀
We only get Thomas for such a little bit of this book but I would DIE for him. hes so loyal and polite and proper and sure he'll just follow Kit onto a pirate ship to keep serving him when Kit runs away. AGAIN.
my biggest complaint is the lack of backstory for Captain Sharpe. I just want to know more about this mysterious pirate Captain who very clearly has a past of violence and darkness. ugh I wanted moreeee of him. alas.
I'm gonna give this I think 4.75 stars!
Kit is an amazing character. Hes a perfect blend of being a bisexual menace and a snob considering his upbringing. You could see how much he craved connection and love throughout the book and seeing him befriend the crew and teach them was wonderful to read
I wish we got more information about Captain Sharpe. He's called a 'prince among pirates' several times in the book and we know barely anything about him at all! He certainly seems much older than he actually is and even has some gray hairs in his beard despite only being 23. You can tell something quite terrible happened in his life to have him be at sea since a young child as well as being from Jamaica during the golden age of Piracy. I wanted so much more about his past!!!
The crew was wonderful and everyone was pretty good natured and pretty decent to our Kit. I do find it a bit unrealistic there was very little violence or terror from the crew. Though in all fairness during these scenes where there's supposed fighting Kit is conveniently hidden away down below deck. and this is YA so maybe it's not exactly something that's going to pop up idk
I adore Tristan and Trevor taking Kit under their wing and getting him adjusted to the life of piracy. i do find it hilarious Kit had to be TOLD they were pirates after four months at sea 💀
We only get Thomas for such a little bit of this book but I would DIE for him. hes so loyal and polite and proper and sure he'll just follow Kit onto a pirate ship to keep serving him when Kit runs away. AGAIN.
my biggest complaint is the lack of backstory for Captain Sharpe. I just want to know more about this mysterious pirate Captain who very clearly has a past of violence and darkness. ugh I wanted moreeee of him. alas.
I'm gonna give this I think 4.75 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2026
This was a cute, rakish, flirty, and fun read. Yes it's heavy in sections too but those are brief and Katie wrote them exceptionally well.
From the prelude lines of "The question of why I woke up in pirate Captain Sharpe's bed will have to be a future Kit problem." and "The whereabouts of my trousers is another issue I dare not examine too closely.", I knew I was in for a good read. And a lot of the moments were really reminiscent of Alex Rowland's works and type of writing/banter. Given it's marked as "perfect for fans of Our Flag Means Death", the Alex Rowland comp is hardly a surprise but is totally a compliment.
And there were a lot of 'Steede Bonnet intensifies' moments for me.
I thought I'd be annoyed by Kit but actually he kept me laughing and was just so genuinely trying his best that you can't help but be in his corner. And his relationships with the different crew, and Kitty, were so wholesome. I loved seeing Kit win them over as well. But the biggest thing that had me cheering on Kit was his growth in himself. And people comment on the physical side of him filling out but his personal growth was just *chef's kiss*.
Now the other gem in the story, besides Tristian and Trevor, and Kitty....and Billy....basically a lot of the crew..., is Reggie Sharpe. We don't learn TONS about him from himself, but we get a lot about him from the crew that loves him fiercely. He's the first one we hear referred to as 'A Prince Among Pirates' and I am super cheesy so I love getting a book title chucked into the story. I'm solidly putting Captain Sharpe on my 'Ride or Die' list of characters.
There were definitely some moments that Katie set out which you will almost definitely call because the breadcrumb trail was laid out perfectly. And there were a couple moments I had very wrong. Both kept the story interesting but to be honest I read this in like 2-3 days so I was pretty invested anyway just with Kit and Captain Sharpe and the writing.
This was a great debut and I am thoroughly excited for Katie Abdou's author career.
From the prelude lines of "The question of why I woke up in pirate Captain Sharpe's bed will have to be a future Kit problem." and "The whereabouts of my trousers is another issue I dare not examine too closely.", I knew I was in for a good read. And a lot of the moments were really reminiscent of Alex Rowland's works and type of writing/banter. Given it's marked as "perfect for fans of Our Flag Means Death", the Alex Rowland comp is hardly a surprise but is totally a compliment.
And there were a lot of 'Steede Bonnet intensifies' moments for me.
I thought I'd be annoyed by Kit but actually he kept me laughing and was just so genuinely trying his best that you can't help but be in his corner. And his relationships with the different crew, and Kitty, were so wholesome. I loved seeing Kit win them over as well. But the biggest thing that had me cheering on Kit was his growth in himself. And people comment on the physical side of him filling out but his personal growth was just *chef's kiss*.
Now the other gem in the story, besides Tristian and Trevor, and Kitty....and Billy....basically a lot of the crew..., is Reggie Sharpe. We don't learn TONS about him from himself, but we get a lot about him from the crew that loves him fiercely. He's the first one we hear referred to as 'A Prince Among Pirates' and I am super cheesy so I love getting a book title chucked into the story. I'm solidly putting Captain Sharpe on my 'Ride or Die' list of characters.
There were definitely some moments that Katie set out which you will almost definitely call because the breadcrumb trail was laid out perfectly. And there were a couple moments I had very wrong. Both kept the story interesting but to be honest I read this in like 2-3 days so I was pretty invested anyway just with Kit and Captain Sharpe and the writing.
This was a great debut and I am thoroughly excited for Katie Abdou's author career.
May 28, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from Edelweiss and Atheneum Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
"A Prince Among Pirates" by Katie Abdou started out a little slow in the first couple of chapters, but those pages were absolutely necessary to develop the plot. Once Kit was aboard the Deliverance, I was ready for a good time! This book has all the swashbuckling, high-seas adventure you could want for an accidental gentleman pirate. I was completely enraptured by the action on the ship, from all the little daily tasks Kit had to do to the wonderful bonds and found family he formed with the rest of the crew. Kit was such a fantastic main character. He’s humorous and fun, and he shows so much growth throughout the story. Plus, the slow-burn romance had me internally screaming, "Please kiss already!" Every single time Sharpe called him "Kitten," I melted a little. And then Sharpe’s attitude with, "I may be a pirate, but I’m a gentleman." #swoon
Despite the bright, humorous overall tone, Abdou doesn't shy away from the heavier, dark realities of historical piracy, including English colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, assault, and cultural displacement. These topics are 100% believable for the time period (and now), and the story thoughtfully uses a privileged POV character to explore them compassionately for a younger audience. The deeper themes were taken very seriously and discussed so well, balancing the adventure with real substance. It truly managed to be funny, thought-provoking, romantic, and serious all in one.
The only downside for me was the ending, which felt rushed and hastily shoved aside to wrap things up, leaving the final reveal rather anticlimactic. Choosing to accept or disavow his birthright is such a monumental decision, but the suddenness robbed it of any real sense of conflict. Before that final drama, the book was a solid 4.5 stars, but the abrupt wrap-up made me round down instead of up. That being said, if there happens to be a sequel, I will be the absolute first in line to buy it, and this will instantly jump to a 5 star series for me. I can't wait to see what Katie Abdou does next.
Come for the pirates, stay for the found family!
"A Prince Among Pirates" by Katie Abdou started out a little slow in the first couple of chapters, but those pages were absolutely necessary to develop the plot. Once Kit was aboard the Deliverance, I was ready for a good time! This book has all the swashbuckling, high-seas adventure you could want for an accidental gentleman pirate. I was completely enraptured by the action on the ship, from all the little daily tasks Kit had to do to the wonderful bonds and found family he formed with the rest of the crew. Kit was such a fantastic main character. He’s humorous and fun, and he shows so much growth throughout the story. Plus, the slow-burn romance had me internally screaming, "Please kiss already!" Every single time Sharpe called him "Kitten," I melted a little. And then Sharpe’s attitude with, "I may be a pirate, but I’m a gentleman." #swoon
Despite the bright, humorous overall tone, Abdou doesn't shy away from the heavier, dark realities of historical piracy, including English colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, assault, and cultural displacement. These topics are 100% believable for the time period (and now), and the story thoughtfully uses a privileged POV character to explore them compassionately for a younger audience. The deeper themes were taken very seriously and discussed so well, balancing the adventure with real substance. It truly managed to be funny, thought-provoking, romantic, and serious all in one.
The only downside for me was the ending, which felt rushed and hastily shoved aside to wrap things up, leaving the final reveal rather anticlimactic. Choosing to accept or disavow his birthright is such a monumental decision, but the suddenness robbed it of any real sense of conflict. Before that final drama, the book was a solid 4.5 stars, but the abrupt wrap-up made me round down instead of up. That being said, if there happens to be a sequel, I will be the absolute first in line to buy it, and this will instantly jump to a 5 star series for me. I can't wait to see what Katie Abdou does next.
Come for the pirates, stay for the found family!
June 21, 2026
Happy Pride!!!! This may be the most wholesome pirate story I’ve read? Which, isn’t to say this book glazes over some of the awful parts of pirate life and the inherent ills of empire and colonial rule—it doesn’t. BUT, the romance (though secondary) is very much TOP TIER adorable.
Spiritually, I was kicking my heels and giggling.
I love our dashing, capable Captain and his unruly, foppish Kitten.
Their dynamic is just so enjoyable to read. The banter and the cutting commentary. The easy back and forth—it’s what you want in a love story. Two people who fit together.
And, the tender moments between the pair are so very tender.
My favorite parts of this book are when these two are being soft with each other. I mean, Kit confessing that he believes he’s unlovable while the Captain quietly strokes his hair and puts him to bed, demonstrating that loving Kit is as easy as breathing???? What more could you really want??????
This is such a lovely debut.
On top of being such a sweet, romantic read, it’s also a swashbuckling adventure through the Caribbean.
The author clearly invested research into what the conditions were in these places during this time period and made it a point to emphasize how colonial rule and the brutal might of empire created these often horrific and ever oppressive conditions.
Despite its ostensibly cute premise, this book isn’t trying to misrepresent anything about the racist, misogynistic, and homophobic realities of our history and of the world in which this story occurs. It’s very refreshing.
I appreciate an author who respects their readers enough to tell them the truth.
Anyway.
I really liked this book—and I think you all will too! Again, happy Pride and definitely check this book out~
Spiritually, I was kicking my heels and giggling.
I love our dashing, capable Captain and his unruly, foppish Kitten.
Their dynamic is just so enjoyable to read. The banter and the cutting commentary. The easy back and forth—it’s what you want in a love story. Two people who fit together.
And, the tender moments between the pair are so very tender.
My favorite parts of this book are when these two are being soft with each other. I mean, Kit confessing that he believes he’s unlovable while the Captain quietly strokes his hair and puts him to bed, demonstrating that loving Kit is as easy as breathing???? What more could you really want??????
This is such a lovely debut.
On top of being such a sweet, romantic read, it’s also a swashbuckling adventure through the Caribbean.
The author clearly invested research into what the conditions were in these places during this time period and made it a point to emphasize how colonial rule and the brutal might of empire created these often horrific and ever oppressive conditions.
Despite its ostensibly cute premise, this book isn’t trying to misrepresent anything about the racist, misogynistic, and homophobic realities of our history and of the world in which this story occurs. It’s very refreshing.
I appreciate an author who respects their readers enough to tell them the truth.
Anyway.
I really liked this book—and I think you all will too! Again, happy Pride and definitely check this book out~
June 21, 2026
Note: I was approved for an e-ARC of this at the same time as I actually got it from the library and seem to have missed the approval email so I found out almost accidentally after I had already finished my library copy and rated it 4 stars 😄 The opinions shared in this review are my own.
This was such a fun romp through the high seas… and the jungle of English high society.
Kit is a fantastic MC: kind of spoiled and clueless but charming, kind, and a truly good person at heart. He is also hiding a deep sadness and loneliness behind a cocky, charming facade and his healing journey was both heartbreaking and heartwarming in turns.
The romance is slow-burn and wonderful, developing gradually and organically, allowing for various vicissitudes, a more realistic portrayal of the characters’ challenges, and the development of a deeper bond with a love interest who is truly chef’s kiss. The way the MC develops and grows through it was also wonderful to witness.
But where this book really shines is in the found family aspect: finding potential friends, developing bonds that end up being stronger than anyone expected and help the MC stay strong while struggling through some challenging times. The hesitancy to trust someone and put your heart on the line by placing faith in them and relying on them was also very nicely portrayed, and the way we sometimes end up disappointed and feeling betrayed (but if we are lucky, we still have the rest of our found family to carry us through!)
This was an impressive debut — well written, with a great cast and sharp dialogue. I would have loved to hear a bit more about some of the side characters but even with that, this was still a solid 4-STAR read and I’d definitely recommend it!
In fact I might get myself a physical copy so I can grab it when I need something heartwarming that’s still sharp and fun. (Also the artwork on the US cover is beautiful!!)
This was such a fun romp through the high seas… and the jungle of English high society.
Kit is a fantastic MC: kind of spoiled and clueless but charming, kind, and a truly good person at heart. He is also hiding a deep sadness and loneliness behind a cocky, charming facade and his healing journey was both heartbreaking and heartwarming in turns.
The romance is slow-burn and wonderful, developing gradually and organically, allowing for various vicissitudes, a more realistic portrayal of the characters’ challenges, and the development of a deeper bond with a love interest who is truly chef’s kiss. The way the MC develops and grows through it was also wonderful to witness.
But where this book really shines is in the found family aspect: finding potential friends, developing bonds that end up being stronger than anyone expected and help the MC stay strong while struggling through some challenging times. The hesitancy to trust someone and put your heart on the line by placing faith in them and relying on them was also very nicely portrayed, and the way we sometimes end up disappointed and feeling betrayed (but if we are lucky, we still have the rest of our found family to carry us through!)
This was an impressive debut — well written, with a great cast and sharp dialogue. I would have loved to hear a bit more about some of the side characters but even with that, this was still a solid 4-STAR read and I’d definitely recommend it!
In fact I might get myself a physical copy so I can grab it when I need something heartwarming that’s still sharp and fun. (Also the artwork on the US cover is beautiful!!)
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