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Cornelia Fairfield and the Darkened Heart: Pirates of the Caribbean meets Renegade Nell in this high-stakes YA fantasy adventure
Kindle version includes exclusive bonus chapter!
Life is a game… one that is easily altered.
On the corrupt island of Silvertown, nobility dictates destiny, and as the daughter of a noble family, seventeen-year-old Cornelia Fairfield is destined for a loveless marriage.
True to her rebellious nature, Cornelia has spent her childhood disobeying all the rules and acquiring numerous less-than-ladylike skills, encouraged by her Admiral father. But with her mother determined to secure her a match, Cornelia’s days of freedom are fast running out.
That is… until her father succumbs to the curse of the Oblivion Sea.
Seeing an opportunity for the adventure she craves, Cornelia sets out to rescue him, with the help of a handsome yet frustratingly superstitious pirate named Adrien. But saving her father requires sacrifices she was not anticipating, and when she is forced to strike a dangerous bargain, she not only risks losing her father, but her own freedom as well.
Perfect for fans
High-stakes adventure
Slow burn romance
Pirates
Badass FMCs
Closed door romance
Life is a game… one that is easily altered.
On the corrupt island of Silvertown, nobility dictates destiny, and as the daughter of a noble family, seventeen-year-old Cornelia Fairfield is destined for a loveless marriage.
True to her rebellious nature, Cornelia has spent her childhood disobeying all the rules and acquiring numerous less-than-ladylike skills, encouraged by her Admiral father. But with her mother determined to secure her a match, Cornelia’s days of freedom are fast running out.
That is… until her father succumbs to the curse of the Oblivion Sea.
Seeing an opportunity for the adventure she craves, Cornelia sets out to rescue him, with the help of a handsome yet frustratingly superstitious pirate named Adrien. But saving her father requires sacrifices she was not anticipating, and when she is forced to strike a dangerous bargain, she not only risks losing her father, but her own freedom as well.
Perfect for fans
High-stakes adventure
Slow burn romance
Pirates
Badass FMCs
Closed door romance
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
Amy Leigh Chandler
1 book3 followersAmy Leigh Chandler is a writer and reviewer whose fascination for British social history, literature, and the arts shines through in both her life and her work. After struggling academically due to dyslexia, Amy defied expectations, earning both a BA in English Literature and History and an MA focusing on museums, galleries, and contemporary culture. Her creative journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, imagination, and the refusal to be defined by limitations.
Follow Amy on TikTok & Instagram @amyleighchandler and visit her website www.amyleighchandler.co.uk for writing updates and reviews.
Follow Amy on TikTok & Instagram @amyleighchandler and visit her website www.amyleighchandler.co.uk for writing updates and reviews.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“I want the freedom to be who I am and do what I want without the fear of scandal or gossip. I want to have a choice, not be a puppet for conventions designed to keep the family name out of ruin.”
Cornelia Fairchild and the Darkened Heart is, at its core, a coming of age story, but it is also so much more. It weaves together pirates, deadly curses, magical bargains, and a romantic subplot to create a rich and adventurous tale.
Cornelia, our fierce and witty FMC, pushes against every societal expectation placed on a young woman of her age and status. With her father’s encouragement, she schemes to escape an arranged marriage she fears will strip her of her freedom. When her father falls victim to the curse of the Oblivion Sea, Cornelia sets out on a daring adventure to save him.
This book delivers a delightful blend of Pirates of the Caribbean adventure and Bridgerton elegance, mixing high sea peril with the refined world Cornelia is expected to inhabit. The writing is vivid and immersive, and the pacing is brisk and engaging. The world building is well crafted, and the character development shines throughout. I especially loved Cornelia as a rebellious heroine in a world determined to silence its women. She does not go down without a fight.
It was an honor to read this author’s debut novel, and I am already looking forward to whatever they write next.
Thank you Cranthorp Millner Publishers, Netgalley and Ms. Amy Leigh Chandler for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Cornelia Fairchild and the Darkened Heart is, at its core, a coming of age story, but it is also so much more. It weaves together pirates, deadly curses, magical bargains, and a romantic subplot to create a rich and adventurous tale.
Cornelia, our fierce and witty FMC, pushes against every societal expectation placed on a young woman of her age and status. With her father’s encouragement, she schemes to escape an arranged marriage she fears will strip her of her freedom. When her father falls victim to the curse of the Oblivion Sea, Cornelia sets out on a daring adventure to save him.
This book delivers a delightful blend of Pirates of the Caribbean adventure and Bridgerton elegance, mixing high sea peril with the refined world Cornelia is expected to inhabit. The writing is vivid and immersive, and the pacing is brisk and engaging. The world building is well crafted, and the character development shines throughout. I especially loved Cornelia as a rebellious heroine in a world determined to silence its women. She does not go down without a fight.
It was an honor to read this author’s debut novel, and I am already looking forward to whatever they write next.
Thank you Cranthorp Millner Publishers, Netgalley and Ms. Amy Leigh Chandler for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cornelia Fairfield and the Darkened Heart by Amy Leigh Chandler swept me away in the best possible way—like being caught in a storm at sea with no choice but to hold on and see where it takes you. Think Pirates of the Caribbean chaos and charm colliding with the fierce independence and grit of Renegade Nell, all wrapped into a YA fantasy that doesn’t hold back on stakes, emotion, or danger.
From the very first pages, I felt completely anchored to Cornelia. She’s not a polished hero—she’s sharp-edged, impulsive, and deeply human in the way she makes mistakes that actually matter. Her journey doesn’t feel like a straight line toward destiny; it feels messy, uncertain, and constantly shifting, like trying to read a map during a storm at sea.
The world-building is vivid without being overwhelming. Ships, curses, secrets, and shifting loyalties all weave together in a way that keeps the tension high and the pacing relentless. There’s this constant feeling that nothing is safe—not the crew, not the mission, not even Cornelia’s own heart.
What really stayed with me was the emotional undertow of the story. Beneath all the adventure and danger, there’s something much quieter and heavier running through it—grief, loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of becoming the person you’re forced to be.
By the end, I didn’t just feel like I had read a book—I felt like I’d survived a voyage.
A bold, high-stakes YA fantasy that absolutely delivers on adventure and heart.
From the very first pages, I felt completely anchored to Cornelia. She’s not a polished hero—she’s sharp-edged, impulsive, and deeply human in the way she makes mistakes that actually matter. Her journey doesn’t feel like a straight line toward destiny; it feels messy, uncertain, and constantly shifting, like trying to read a map during a storm at sea.
The world-building is vivid without being overwhelming. Ships, curses, secrets, and shifting loyalties all weave together in a way that keeps the tension high and the pacing relentless. There’s this constant feeling that nothing is safe—not the crew, not the mission, not even Cornelia’s own heart.
What really stayed with me was the emotional undertow of the story. Beneath all the adventure and danger, there’s something much quieter and heavier running through it—grief, loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of becoming the person you’re forced to be.
By the end, I didn’t just feel like I had read a book—I felt like I’d survived a voyage.
A bold, high-stakes YA fantasy that absolutely delivers on adventure and heart.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you want to combine Bridgerton vibes with Pirates of the Caribbean adventures then this is a book for you. With a high society lady, Cornelia, burdened with societal expectations and feeling suffocated, longing for adventures and escaping into the lower town for gambling and drinking and reminiscing back to her escape on the high seas the summer before to rescue her father. She is torn between duty to her family and her love of the high seas adventure that she's inherited from her father. She seizes the opportunity to run from a forced betrothal when her father becomes sick and she is the only one who can attempt to search for a cure. Oh and throw in a magical bargain and monsters and you've got this rip roaring adventure!
Enter the charming rascal that is Adrien, add some simmering tension as the two skirt around each other in a way that frustrates and tantalises the reader and you will find yourself immersed in this adventure.
The plot is pacey and engaging, the writing descriptive without being overloading and the side characters often adding comic relief.
The FMC was spikey, often angry and frustrated, sarcastic and sharp, but she was fierce, loyal, driven and full of human foibles that shape her into who she needs to be as she finds her feet in this novel.
Enter the charming rascal that is Adrien, add some simmering tension as the two skirt around each other in a way that frustrates and tantalises the reader and you will find yourself immersed in this adventure.
The plot is pacey and engaging, the writing descriptive without being overloading and the side characters often adding comic relief.
The FMC was spikey, often angry and frustrated, sarcastic and sharp, but she was fierce, loyal, driven and full of human foibles that shape her into who she needs to be as she finds her feet in this novel.
April 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the ARC.
Plot 4.25/5
Characters 4/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 4/5
Overall 4/5
-The way this book is marketed is very good because it truly made me want to read it. I was so intrigued at first but the start of it was actually quite slow. There was a lot of setting and it eventually got a bit long, all I wanted was to meet Adrien and go in a pirate adventure. But as a whole it was very entertaining and enjoyable read.
-I have to say that the characters really did frustrate me at time. The romance very much has a central place in the story but it is also quite pushed back because it is such a slow burn and even by the end, nothing really happens, which I always appreciate despite it frustrating me still. But the characters still frustrated me themselves because they often made questionable choices. But they were still fun.
-I did wonder whether this book was a standalone or not, and i seems like we should expect sequels. One main plot point was concluded nicely but there is still so much more to tell and so much more to discover of this world and these characters.
Plot 4.25/5
Characters 4/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 4/5
Overall 4/5
-The way this book is marketed is very good because it truly made me want to read it. I was so intrigued at first but the start of it was actually quite slow. There was a lot of setting and it eventually got a bit long, all I wanted was to meet Adrien and go in a pirate adventure. But as a whole it was very entertaining and enjoyable read.
-I have to say that the characters really did frustrate me at time. The romance very much has a central place in the story but it is also quite pushed back because it is such a slow burn and even by the end, nothing really happens, which I always appreciate despite it frustrating me still. But the characters still frustrated me themselves because they often made questionable choices. But they were still fun.
-I did wonder whether this book was a standalone or not, and i seems like we should expect sequels. One main plot point was concluded nicely but there is still so much more to tell and so much more to discover of this world and these characters.
May 4, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Cranthrope Milner Publishers for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I struggled through this book. The plot points were good and I liked the overall storyline, but the rest was “meh” for me. I generally enjoy YA books and am perpetually on the lookout for books I can share with my adolescent kids; this just didn’t hit the mark for me.
So why did I struggle? The banter was trying to be there but felt forced. There was a lot of repetition, and it felt like the quips were just thrown in without much thought to what might be true to the character. Some leaps between events and decisions made little sense, and I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two main characters. Yearning was attempted to be described, but seemed like just a line or here thrown in.
I finished this story, but it took a lot of will power.
Unfortunately, I struggled through this book. The plot points were good and I liked the overall storyline, but the rest was “meh” for me. I generally enjoy YA books and am perpetually on the lookout for books I can share with my adolescent kids; this just didn’t hit the mark for me.
So why did I struggle? The banter was trying to be there but felt forced. There was a lot of repetition, and it felt like the quips were just thrown in without much thought to what might be true to the character. Some leaps between events and decisions made little sense, and I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two main characters. Yearning was attempted to be described, but seemed like just a line or here thrown in.
I finished this story, but it took a lot of will power.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was... fine. The storyline was interesting and overall, I enjoyed the romance between Cornelia and Adrien. This is YA and the characters definitely feel VERY juvenile. Some things within the story had me scratching my head and wondering where the logic is (I'm sorry, a competition where you shoot a gun after drinking alcohol is the height of idiocy). Cornelia's emotions were all over the place and I found myself getting annoyed with her frequently. The story mostly wraps up at the end, but we are left with the potential for more to come, although I don't think I'll be continuing this series. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Such a fun read!
This YA fantasy story was right up my alley! Actions packed from chapter one with just the right amount of slow burn romance sprinkled in I quickly became infatuated with our badass fmc as she went out searching for her father, the author did an amazing job of reeling me in and keeping me hooked into the vivid story line.
YA books are some of my favourite to read, the adventure is always so much more fun in them and this read was no different, each chapter kept getting better and better and I can say I devoured this within a day!
This YA fantasy story was right up my alley! Actions packed from chapter one with just the right amount of slow burn romance sprinkled in I quickly became infatuated with our badass fmc as she went out searching for her father, the author did an amazing job of reeling me in and keeping me hooked into the vivid story line.
YA books are some of my favourite to read, the adventure is always so much more fun in them and this read was no different, each chapter kept getting better and better and I can say I devoured this within a day!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cornelia Fairfield and the Darkened Heart by Amy Leigh Chandler is a thrilling, high-stakes adventure that had me hooked from the very first page. With Pirates of the Caribbean vibes and a bold, Renegade Nell-style heroine, it’s packed with action, magic, and heart. Cornelia is fierce, clever, and impossible not to root for, and the story races along with twists and excitement at every turn. An absolute page-turner—I loved every second!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
I rated this book 4 Stars, the humour in this took me by surprise. I really enjoyed the banter and how these 2 incredibly flawed peple misfits really are on this heroic mission and nobody really cares. The slowburn was enjoyable, and I enjoyed the cliffhanger. Will definitely read the next book.
I rated this book 4 Stars, the humour in this took me by surprise. I really enjoyed the banter and how these 2 incredibly flawed peple misfits really are on this heroic mission and nobody really cares. The slowburn was enjoyable, and I enjoyed the cliffhanger. Will definitely read the next book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews