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The Pirate Queen
Grace O'Malley was born to be at sea. Raised alongside her brother by their father, chief of the name of clan O'Malley, Grace learns early that her dreams of the open water are not compatible with the life she's expected to lead as the daughter of a noble family. And when her father marries her to the wrong man, a neighbouring chief named Donhal, Grace's world shifts for the worse.
Undaunted, Grace raises a family without abandoning her passion, aiding her hot-tempered husband in his campaigns against rival tribes. Eventually ousted from her husband's land in the wake of his death, Grace returns to her childhood home and begins her career as a pirate in earnest, claiming new territories and finding deeper love, only to see her livelihood threatened by English incursions into Ireland, and her family endangered in an attempt to check her power.
Tenderly observed and fiercely written, Ariel Lawhon's gripping latest novel channels the natural beauty of sixteenth-century Ireland alongside the brutality of the period as seen through the eyes of an unforgettable heroine and defender of her people, who truly earned the title 'the Pirate Queen of Ireland.'
A thrilling historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O'Malley, an infamous Irish sea captain and folk heroine who risked everything to protect her people against the powerful Elizabethan regime
Undaunted, Grace raises a family without abandoning her passion, aiding her hot-tempered husband in his campaigns against rival tribes. Eventually ousted from her husband's land in the wake of his death, Grace returns to her childhood home and begins her career as a pirate in earnest, claiming new territories and finding deeper love, only to see her livelihood threatened by English incursions into Ireland, and her family endangered in an attempt to check her power.
Tenderly observed and fiercely written, Ariel Lawhon's gripping latest novel channels the natural beauty of sixteenth-century Ireland alongside the brutality of the period as seen through the eyes of an unforgettable heroine and defender of her people, who truly earned the title 'the Pirate Queen of Ireland.'
A thrilling historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O'Malley, an infamous Irish sea captain and folk heroine who risked everything to protect her people against the powerful Elizabethan regime
625 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
Ariel Lawhon
12 books14.3k followersAriel Lawhon is the critically acclaimed, New York Times Bestselling author of THE WIFE, THE MAID, AND THE MISTRESS, FLIGHT OF DREAMS, I WAS ANASTASIA, and CODE NAME HELENE. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have been Library Reads, One Book One County, Indie Next, Costco, and Book of the Month Club selections. She lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, four sons, and black Lab—who is, thankfully, a girl. Ariel splits her time between the grocery store and the baseball field.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,228 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If Ariel Lawhon announced tomorrow that she had written an 800-page novel about a woman watching paint dry in the sixteenth century, I would probably clear my schedule and start reading immediately. She has become one of those rare authors I trust completely, and The Pirate Queen is exactly the reason why.
This book didn't simply entertain me—it completely swept me away.
Grace O'Malley is the kind of heroine who storms onto the page and refuses to leave your mind long after you've finished reading. Fierce, intelligent, rebellious, vulnerable, and endlessly determined, she is a woman born centuries ahead of her time. From childhood, she knows the sea is where she belongs, yet she is constantly reminded that her ambitions matter far less than the expectations placed upon her as a daughter, wife, and mother. Watching her challenge those limitations again and again became one of the most satisfying reading experiences I've had this year.
What I love most about Ariel Lawhon's writing is her ability to take a figure buried beneath layers of history and transform her into a living, breathing human being. Grace is not presented as an untouchable legend. She is a daughter struggling for approval, a woman navigating impossible choices, a mother fighting for her children, and a leader willing to risk everything for her people. Her victories felt triumphant. Her losses genuinely hurt. More than once, I found myself furious on her behalf as powerful men attempted to control her future, only to cheer when she found a way to outsmart them.
The structure of the novel worked beautifully for me. Moving through different stages of Grace's life allows the reader to understand how every triumph, heartbreak, betrayal, and sacrifice shaped the woman history would later remember as the Pirate Queen of Ireland. Each timeline adds another layer to her character, slowly revealing the full scope of her remarkable life.
And can we talk about the atmosphere for a moment?
The Irish coastline practically becomes a character of its own. I could hear the crashing waves, feel the cold sea spray, and picture the ships cutting through dangerous waters. The setting is so vivid and immersive that I often forgot I was sitting on my couch instead of standing on the deck of Grace's ship preparing for battle. Lawhon's research is extraordinary, but what makes the book special is how effortlessly she weaves those historical details into a compelling story without ever making the reader feel like they're sitting through a history lesson.
The political intrigue, clan rivalries, betrayals, shifting alliances, and constant threats from English authority create plenty of tension, but the emotional core of the story is what truly captured me. At its heart, this is a novel about resilience. It is about refusing to surrender your identity when the world insists you should. It is about protecting the people you love, fighting for your homeland, and finding the courage to chart your own course when everyone expects you to follow theirs.
The supporting characters are equally memorable. Some made me laugh, some broke my heart, and some inspired a deep desire to throw them overboard and let the Atlantic handle the rest. That's always a sign of a great book.
What makes Grace's story even more powerful is knowing that she was a real woman whose accomplishments have often been overshadowed by the men surrounding her. Ariel Lawhon once again accomplishes what she does best: resurrecting an extraordinary woman from the margins of history and ensuring readers will never forget her.
This is historical fiction at its absolute finest—epic, emotional, adventurous, inspiring, and impossible to put down. I laughed, I worried, I celebrated, I got angry, and I may have become slightly obsessed with researching Grace O'Malley after finishing the final chapter.
Without question, this is one of my favorite historical fiction novels of the year and another reminder that Ariel Lawhon remains one of the most talented storytellers working today.
A very special thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for sharing this stunning period drama with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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This book didn't simply entertain me—it completely swept me away.
Grace O'Malley is the kind of heroine who storms onto the page and refuses to leave your mind long after you've finished reading. Fierce, intelligent, rebellious, vulnerable, and endlessly determined, she is a woman born centuries ahead of her time. From childhood, she knows the sea is where she belongs, yet she is constantly reminded that her ambitions matter far less than the expectations placed upon her as a daughter, wife, and mother. Watching her challenge those limitations again and again became one of the most satisfying reading experiences I've had this year.
What I love most about Ariel Lawhon's writing is her ability to take a figure buried beneath layers of history and transform her into a living, breathing human being. Grace is not presented as an untouchable legend. She is a daughter struggling for approval, a woman navigating impossible choices, a mother fighting for her children, and a leader willing to risk everything for her people. Her victories felt triumphant. Her losses genuinely hurt. More than once, I found myself furious on her behalf as powerful men attempted to control her future, only to cheer when she found a way to outsmart them.
The structure of the novel worked beautifully for me. Moving through different stages of Grace's life allows the reader to understand how every triumph, heartbreak, betrayal, and sacrifice shaped the woman history would later remember as the Pirate Queen of Ireland. Each timeline adds another layer to her character, slowly revealing the full scope of her remarkable life.
And can we talk about the atmosphere for a moment?
The Irish coastline practically becomes a character of its own. I could hear the crashing waves, feel the cold sea spray, and picture the ships cutting through dangerous waters. The setting is so vivid and immersive that I often forgot I was sitting on my couch instead of standing on the deck of Grace's ship preparing for battle. Lawhon's research is extraordinary, but what makes the book special is how effortlessly she weaves those historical details into a compelling story without ever making the reader feel like they're sitting through a history lesson.
The political intrigue, clan rivalries, betrayals, shifting alliances, and constant threats from English authority create plenty of tension, but the emotional core of the story is what truly captured me. At its heart, this is a novel about resilience. It is about refusing to surrender your identity when the world insists you should. It is about protecting the people you love, fighting for your homeland, and finding the courage to chart your own course when everyone expects you to follow theirs.
The supporting characters are equally memorable. Some made me laugh, some broke my heart, and some inspired a deep desire to throw them overboard and let the Atlantic handle the rest. That's always a sign of a great book.
What makes Grace's story even more powerful is knowing that she was a real woman whose accomplishments have often been overshadowed by the men surrounding her. Ariel Lawhon once again accomplishes what she does best: resurrecting an extraordinary woman from the margins of history and ensuring readers will never forget her.
This is historical fiction at its absolute finest—epic, emotional, adventurous, inspiring, and impossible to put down. I laughed, I worried, I celebrated, I got angry, and I may have become slightly obsessed with researching Grace O'Malley after finishing the final chapter.
Without question, this is one of my favorite historical fiction novels of the year and another reminder that Ariel Lawhon remains one of the most talented storytellers working today.
A very special thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for sharing this stunning period drama with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium blog
September 8, 2026
FIVE STARS, no notes. Maiden. Mother. Matriarch. A woman can be many things, put on many faces and yet be a legend all the same. I would describe The Pirate Queen as a very character driven, historically epic, family saga that leaves no crumbs behind. Her books get better and better with every year she writes. This was a long read and I took my time reading it slowly, enjoying every part of Graces story.
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW!
Short summary:
16th century. Queen Elizabeth I. The English expansion and the resistance of the Irish clans. Grace O'Malley was born to be the seafaring queen. Building her reputation as a pirate and a warrior, Grace is a woman who challenges expectations. She must confront the English Crown in order to protect her homeland and her people. In the world dominated by men, Grace and Queen Elizabeth I are two women who refuse to be controlled by societies around them. What will it take for Grace to survive in the dangerous world?
My MOST anticipated novel of 2026 and it did not dissapoint.
My BOTM box is here and I have 5 awesome books to review, but starting with this one.
BOTM promised to restock. If interested, grab this book for $5 using this link: https://www.mybotm.com/bgnrjn6qk0o
Very easy to sign up, cancel or pause a subscription at no cost to you!
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW!
Short summary:
16th century. Queen Elizabeth I. The English expansion and the resistance of the Irish clans. Grace O'Malley was born to be the seafaring queen. Building her reputation as a pirate and a warrior, Grace is a woman who challenges expectations. She must confront the English Crown in order to protect her homeland and her people. In the world dominated by men, Grace and Queen Elizabeth I are two women who refuse to be controlled by societies around them. What will it take for Grace to survive in the dangerous world?
My MOST anticipated novel of 2026 and it did not dissapoint.
My BOTM box is here and I have 5 awesome books to review, but starting with this one.
BOTM promised to restock. If interested, grab this book for $5 using this link: https://www.mybotm.com/bgnrjn6qk0o
Very easy to sign up, cancel or pause a subscription at no cost to you!
September 23, 2026
Lawhorn is back with an epic story based on the true pirate: Grace o’Malley, chieftain and captain of Ireland, in the 16th century. From the time she was 8, Grace knew she wanted to be on the sea and be the chieftain to lead her men to protect her castles and lead her fleet.
The story flips back and forth beginning from her younger years to her more advanced ones. The sacrifices made to remain true to herself.
She was warrior who earned her respect with her uncharacteristic drive to protect, pivot, lead and live her life on her terms which was unheard of at the time.
*Lawhorn has written of this matriarch as a tribute to a most powerful and remarkable woman, hidden in much of Irish history - do read author’s notes*
5⭐️
The story flips back and forth beginning from her younger years to her more advanced ones. The sacrifices made to remain true to herself.
She was warrior who earned her respect with her uncharacteristic drive to protect, pivot, lead and live her life on her terms which was unheard of at the time.
*Lawhorn has written of this matriarch as a tribute to a most powerful and remarkable woman, hidden in much of Irish history - do read author’s notes*
5⭐️
September 19, 2026
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
First of all, Grace herself is SUCH an incredible character. She’s fierce and stubborn and completely unforgettable.
I also absolutely LOVED how epic and fantastical the setting felt. You have battles, rival clans, family drama, politics AND rainy Ireland weather, castles, and just an overall gloomy atmosphere. This is the perfect historical fiction fall read.
And then there’s the romance. It is SUCH a slow burn, that makes your heart physically ache because you just want the characters to get together so you can’t stop flipping the pages until it happens.
Underneath all of that is this really incredible story about one woman’s life, and Ariel tells it across three different timelines. I always love how she plays with structure, and getting to see Grace at these three different points in her life made the whole story hit so much harder.
I will say, this is not a book you can passively read. There are a lot of characters, relationships, and politics to keep track of, and the story really builds. But once I got about 100 pages in I could NOT put it down and I highly recommend mixing in the audiobook because the narrator did such an incredible job bringing the whole story to life.
I cannot wait to see what Ariel writes next.
Thank you so much to Doubleday Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.
First of all, Grace herself is SUCH an incredible character. She’s fierce and stubborn and completely unforgettable.
I also absolutely LOVED how epic and fantastical the setting felt. You have battles, rival clans, family drama, politics AND rainy Ireland weather, castles, and just an overall gloomy atmosphere. This is the perfect historical fiction fall read.
And then there’s the romance. It is SUCH a slow burn, that makes your heart physically ache because you just want the characters to get together so you can’t stop flipping the pages until it happens.
Underneath all of that is this really incredible story about one woman’s life, and Ariel tells it across three different timelines. I always love how she plays with structure, and getting to see Grace at these three different points in her life made the whole story hit so much harder.
I will say, this is not a book you can passively read. There are a lot of characters, relationships, and politics to keep track of, and the story really builds. But once I got about 100 pages in I could NOT put it down and I highly recommend mixing in the audiobook because the narrator did such an incredible job bringing the whole story to life.
I cannot wait to see what Ariel writes next.
Thank you so much to Doubleday Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Outstanding! If Ariel Lawhon writes it, I am going to read it. Seriously, this book was fabulous. I did not want this book to end. I found it to be gripping, thought provoking, riveting, and moving. I loved the characters, both likeable and unlikeable, the tension, the atmosphere, the vivid descriptions, the adventure, the plot, and the wonderful writing! If you have not read a book by Ariel Lawhon before, you are seriously missing out! I highly recommend this book along with The Frozen River and I Was Anastasia. The Pirate Queen is an amazing book which was inspired by Grace O'Malley, an Irishwoman and sea captain who fought to protect her beloved country/people against the Elizabethan regime.
Grace O'Malley shares something with her father- an ability to read the sea. She dreams of being on the water and sailing along with the men on her father's ship. But she was born in the sixteenth-century in Ireland. She is the daughter of a noble man who is the chief of the clan O'Malley. She longs for the waves, the ship, the smell of salt in the air, and the rush of being on the sea. But instead, she is married off to a man she does not love, her life takes a drastic change.....
Wowza!!! What a book! I love books that are based on real life people. I also like books that show ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Grace O'Malley was a female during a time when females outside of the royal family did not have much power. They had their roles which were tied to the home and the raising of children. But Grace O'Malley dared to dream and aspire for more. I admired her strength, her cunning, her mind, her bravery, and her determination. I also loved the adventure, the show of female power, the courage, the bravery, the relationships, the adventure, the danger, the tension, and the path that Grace took to become the Pirate Queen of Ireland. Not a lot is known about the real-life Grace O'Malley, and I enjoyed the breath of life that Ariel Lawhon blew into her. It is a shame that not more is known about the real-life pirate queen. What I do know is that this book was an amazing work of historical fiction that is not to be missed.
Highly Recommend!
Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Grace O'Malley shares something with her father- an ability to read the sea. She dreams of being on the water and sailing along with the men on her father's ship. But she was born in the sixteenth-century in Ireland. She is the daughter of a noble man who is the chief of the clan O'Malley. She longs for the waves, the ship, the smell of salt in the air, and the rush of being on the sea. But instead, she is married off to a man she does not love, her life takes a drastic change.....
Wowza!!! What a book! I love books that are based on real life people. I also like books that show ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Grace O'Malley was a female during a time when females outside of the royal family did not have much power. They had their roles which were tied to the home and the raising of children. But Grace O'Malley dared to dream and aspire for more. I admired her strength, her cunning, her mind, her bravery, and her determination. I also loved the adventure, the show of female power, the courage, the bravery, the relationships, the adventure, the danger, the tension, and the path that Grace took to become the Pirate Queen of Ireland. Not a lot is known about the real-life Grace O'Malley, and I enjoyed the breath of life that Ariel Lawhon blew into her. It is a shame that not more is known about the real-life pirate queen. What I do know is that this book was an amazing work of historical fiction that is not to be missed.
Highly Recommend!
Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Available Now 9/08/26
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for this advanced readers copy.
Grace O’Malley was destined to a life at sea, so she thought at her very young age. She even cut off her own braid, so her father would take her out to sea. But that would never happen. Not yet. Instead, her father, chief of the clan O’Malley marries her off to Donal O’Flaherty, someone she despises.
This is a sweeping story of Grace O’Malley. Her life told in different timelines, alternating chapters Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch. Each timeline gave you a little piece of Grace’s life.
You won’t be able to put it down. I didn’t even realize that it was 528 pages until the end I just kept reading I didn’t want this story to end.
I have read many books by Ariel Lawton, I couldn’t wait to read this one. I was not disappointed.
She did a wonderful job of telling the tale of Grace O’Malley, Pirate Queen. So little information was available She explains how she wrote the book in her authors notes.
She really captured 16th century Ireland, the land and the people. i loved all the interesting characters and Grace meeting Queen Elizabeth.
This book was a great adventure not to be missed. I just loved this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for this advanced readers copy.
Grace O’Malley was destined to a life at sea, so she thought at her very young age. She even cut off her own braid, so her father would take her out to sea. But that would never happen. Not yet. Instead, her father, chief of the clan O’Malley marries her off to Donal O’Flaherty, someone she despises.
This is a sweeping story of Grace O’Malley. Her life told in different timelines, alternating chapters Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch. Each timeline gave you a little piece of Grace’s life.
You won’t be able to put it down. I didn’t even realize that it was 528 pages until the end I just kept reading I didn’t want this story to end.
I have read many books by Ariel Lawton, I couldn’t wait to read this one. I was not disappointed.
She did a wonderful job of telling the tale of Grace O’Malley, Pirate Queen. So little information was available She explains how she wrote the book in her authors notes.
She really captured 16th century Ireland, the land and the people. i loved all the interesting characters and Grace meeting Queen Elizabeth.
This book was a great adventure not to be missed. I just loved this book.
September 10, 2026
Sadly, about 30% in and my mind keeps going elsewhere. While it’s not a badly written book, I feel it should’ve been written chronologically, as there’s so many characters and a lot going on and I’m getting lost. It could just be a me thing, but I really wish the story flowed much better than it did.
I don’t mind beautiful prose to tell a story, but this caused me to lack focus and quite simply not care anymore.
I don’t mind beautiful prose to tell a story, but this caused me to lack focus and quite simply not care anymore.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 (rounding up to 4 star for Goodreads because I was hopeful and loved The Frozen River, and I'm giving Lawhon the benefit of the doubt that her next book will be better)
It pains me to admit that this book fell short. After many many many months of anticipation, perhaps my expectations were unreasonably high and after loving The Frozen River, I was hoping for a similar reader experience.
I’ve spoken about this in my Instagram stories, but my biggest issue with this book is the structure. There are 3 concurrent storylines: maiden, mother, and matriarch. It is frustrating to no end to get attached to a piece of the story, and then zoom forward 20 years, or fall back 20-40 years. It was exhausting which then made it impossible for me to get attached to the story, the characters, or the momentum of the climax of the story. Ultimately, all of it felt underwhelming. I think I expected more plot? More battles? With all the back and forth with the storylines, and the mannnnnny characters, it was really a test of reader strength to keep it all straight.
Now for the authors note suggesting reading the story through each concurrent piece, meaning, to read all maiden chapters together, all mother chapters, and then finally all matriarch chapters together. That means NOTHING to the reader knowing it after while reading the authors note. I do not appreciate that type of manipulation as a reader that maybe the fact that I didn’t get what I wanted out of the book was because in the authors note the author suggested to read it a certain way? No reader would know that when cracking the book open, and assuming the reader would is honestly ridiculous. If the author wanted it read that way, in a chronological order, then why didn’t she write it that way?
All in all, the story is rich here and it is always fun to image a Pirates of the Caribbean type of story with family drama, looting, battles, and the simple fact that women were sadly used as a currency. I found Grace O’Malley held at a distance where we really didn’t know her, even though the book was all about her. Her difficult demeanor was the main thread of story, and I wish we imagined her in more depth and detail.
I think readers will be swept up in Lawhon’s writing, but sadly, they might be left disappointed by the lack of cohesion in storyline and melodramatic climax.
It pains me to admit that this book fell short. After many many many months of anticipation, perhaps my expectations were unreasonably high and after loving The Frozen River, I was hoping for a similar reader experience.
I’ve spoken about this in my Instagram stories, but my biggest issue with this book is the structure. There are 3 concurrent storylines: maiden, mother, and matriarch. It is frustrating to no end to get attached to a piece of the story, and then zoom forward 20 years, or fall back 20-40 years. It was exhausting which then made it impossible for me to get attached to the story, the characters, or the momentum of the climax of the story. Ultimately, all of it felt underwhelming. I think I expected more plot? More battles? With all the back and forth with the storylines, and the mannnnnny characters, it was really a test of reader strength to keep it all straight.
Now for the authors note suggesting reading the story through each concurrent piece, meaning, to read all maiden chapters together, all mother chapters, and then finally all matriarch chapters together. That means NOTHING to the reader knowing it after while reading the authors note. I do not appreciate that type of manipulation as a reader that maybe the fact that I didn’t get what I wanted out of the book was because in the authors note the author suggested to read it a certain way? No reader would know that when cracking the book open, and assuming the reader would is honestly ridiculous. If the author wanted it read that way, in a chronological order, then why didn’t she write it that way?
All in all, the story is rich here and it is always fun to image a Pirates of the Caribbean type of story with family drama, looting, battles, and the simple fact that women were sadly used as a currency. I found Grace O’Malley held at a distance where we really didn’t know her, even though the book was all about her. Her difficult demeanor was the main thread of story, and I wish we imagined her in more depth and detail.
I think readers will be swept up in Lawhon’s writing, but sadly, they might be left disappointed by the lack of cohesion in storyline and melodramatic climax.
April 10, 2026
I adore 1500s history and am particularly fond of the Tudor time period. I’m utterly shocked I knew nothing about Grace O’Malley and her incredible accomplishments as Queen Elizabeth’s contemporary. This novel does a wonderful job of unpacking the limited accounts of her life that history has preserved while creating an engaging read. It hops around to her various ages, though the flow is strong and I enjoyed how the chapters jumped around. Grace’s story is filled with so much intrigue and explores feminist themes as well as lighter troupes like her romantic endeavors. A fantastic read!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A masterpiece of story, writing and sheer adventure.
September 4, 2026
Finally got through it! It was a looong read! It was fascinating to read about Grace O’Malley’s life. We move along three different timelines throughout the book: Maiden, Mother and Matriarch. Like other reviewers, I enjoyed the Maiden chapters the most when life and future is ahead of Grace. I found myself getting a little bit forgetful when reading the Mother and Matriarch chapters as to what had happened in each section (eg. did X happen already, or did I read about that in the Matriarch chapter?)
While some chapters ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, it wasn’t a book that had me wanting to keep reading to find out what happened next. But it was enjoyable enough that I was happy to keep plodding through. There were exciting moments and it was always interesting. It was very long though. I did find myself feeling at times that I just wanted it to be over now.
What makes this book great though is that it really sheds light on Grace O’Malley’s life, albeit in a fictional way. The author’s note at the end explains that she was left out of Irish historical records, while the English historical records are written by Grace’s enemies, so they only portray her in a bad light. The bones of the story are based on factual events, with the fiction being the flesh added to it.
I had never heard of Grace O’Mallley, the Pirate Queen before, although apparently she is well known. I am thankful to have read her story and feel a bit like I have walked through a bit of her life with her.
I’d recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction, but you do need to be prepared for a very long read!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster (Australia) and NetGalley for sharing an advance reader copy of this book with me. All opinions are my own.
While some chapters ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, it wasn’t a book that had me wanting to keep reading to find out what happened next. But it was enjoyable enough that I was happy to keep plodding through. There were exciting moments and it was always interesting. It was very long though. I did find myself feeling at times that I just wanted it to be over now.
What makes this book great though is that it really sheds light on Grace O’Malley’s life, albeit in a fictional way. The author’s note at the end explains that she was left out of Irish historical records, while the English historical records are written by Grace’s enemies, so they only portray her in a bad light. The bones of the story are based on factual events, with the fiction being the flesh added to it.
I had never heard of Grace O’Mallley, the Pirate Queen before, although apparently she is well known. I am thankful to have read her story and feel a bit like I have walked through a bit of her life with her.
I’d recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction, but you do need to be prepared for a very long read!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster (Australia) and NetGalley for sharing an advance reader copy of this book with me. All opinions are my own.
September 6, 2026
A historical fiction that I think is really going to hit with classic fantasy readers. And in fact there is a bit of a fantasy element to this fascinating historical story. Gael Song and The Lost Queen readers will feel a familiarity in this one and I highly recommend it if you liked either of those series!
The reason that I think fantasy readers will be well suited to this is because of the structure of the story and the length. It is told in three different timelines that hop around from chapter to chapter. We get to experience Gráinne's story from childhood through adulthood, but her life is divided into three sections, and these sections all slowly reveal themselves simultaneously. I do think this might be frustrating for some readers who aren't used to this kind of structure. And I think the length could be a deterrent for some who want a faster moving storyline. But as someone who reads a lot of fantasy, I absolutely loved sinking into this story, and this world. And the fact that Gráinne was an actual person who existed and lived this life, just made it all the more fascinating.
I also feel like for someone who has been looking for epic fantasy with a good romantic subplot, fantasy writers could learn a lot from the way the romance is handled in this book. What an absolute gem!
My only critiques are not really critiques but personal preferences. I wish that there had been a little bit more of the actual piracy explored. And there is a bit of head hopping and I just prefer to be firmly grounded in one POV at a time. But these were very minor things that honestly didn't bother me much because I was enjoying the emotional experience of being in this story so much.
I listened to an advanced copy of the audiobook from LibroFM and I thought it was fantastic! The narrator was perfect, and I absolutely recommend this one on Audio.
The reason that I think fantasy readers will be well suited to this is because of the structure of the story and the length. It is told in three different timelines that hop around from chapter to chapter. We get to experience Gráinne's story from childhood through adulthood, but her life is divided into three sections, and these sections all slowly reveal themselves simultaneously. I do think this might be frustrating for some readers who aren't used to this kind of structure. And I think the length could be a deterrent for some who want a faster moving storyline. But as someone who reads a lot of fantasy, I absolutely loved sinking into this story, and this world. And the fact that Gráinne was an actual person who existed and lived this life, just made it all the more fascinating.
I also feel like for someone who has been looking for epic fantasy with a good romantic subplot, fantasy writers could learn a lot from the way the romance is handled in this book. What an absolute gem!
My only critiques are not really critiques but personal preferences. I wish that there had been a little bit more of the actual piracy explored. And there is a bit of head hopping and I just prefer to be firmly grounded in one POV at a time. But these were very minor things that honestly didn't bother me much because I was enjoying the emotional experience of being in this story so much.
I listened to an advanced copy of the audiobook from LibroFM and I thought it was fantastic! The narrator was perfect, and I absolutely recommend this one on Audio.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
‘I want a boat of my own. And a life bigger than any tower house can hold'.
Inspired by the extraordinary life of Gráinne (Grace) O'Malley, The Pirate Queen transports readers to the shifting political landscape of 16th century Ireland, where English rule is steadily eroding traditional Gaelic chieftainship and self-rule. But one remarkable woman refuses to accept the boundaries placed upon her.
As the daughter of a chieftain, Grace is expected to know her place. Instead, she carves out a life commanding both the sea and the respect of those around her, constantly walking the fine line between the expectations of womanhood and her determination to chart her own course.
Told through three intertwining timelines: maiden, mother, and matriarch - inspired by the symbolism of the Celtic Trinity Knot, the novel may take a little time to settle into. Yet this approach allows Lawhon to focus on the defining moments of each stage of Grace's life without becoming weighed down by the years that separate them.
Lawhon vividly recreates the sights, sounds, and brutal realities of this period in Irish history. She doesn't romanticise the violence, political unrest or hardships of everyday life, but instead immerses the reader in a world where survival often depends upon courage, resilience, and impossible choices.
More than a novel about piracy, 'The Pirate Queen' is the story of a proud Irish woman determined to define herself on her own terms. Although Grace O'Malley's life reverberated through both Irish and English history, her story has too often remained in the shadows. Lawhon gives her not only a voice, but the depth, complexity, and humanity worthy of the legend she became.
Meticulously researched, richly atmospheric, and wholly immersive, this was an easy five-star read.
‘So this is it, then?...This is the life that I have been given'?
Inspired by the extraordinary life of Gráinne (Grace) O'Malley, The Pirate Queen transports readers to the shifting political landscape of 16th century Ireland, where English rule is steadily eroding traditional Gaelic chieftainship and self-rule. But one remarkable woman refuses to accept the boundaries placed upon her.
As the daughter of a chieftain, Grace is expected to know her place. Instead, she carves out a life commanding both the sea and the respect of those around her, constantly walking the fine line between the expectations of womanhood and her determination to chart her own course.
Told through three intertwining timelines: maiden, mother, and matriarch - inspired by the symbolism of the Celtic Trinity Knot, the novel may take a little time to settle into. Yet this approach allows Lawhon to focus on the defining moments of each stage of Grace's life without becoming weighed down by the years that separate them.
Lawhon vividly recreates the sights, sounds, and brutal realities of this period in Irish history. She doesn't romanticise the violence, political unrest or hardships of everyday life, but instead immerses the reader in a world where survival often depends upon courage, resilience, and impossible choices.
More than a novel about piracy, 'The Pirate Queen' is the story of a proud Irish woman determined to define herself on her own terms. Although Grace O'Malley's life reverberated through both Irish and English history, her story has too often remained in the shadows. Lawhon gives her not only a voice, but the depth, complexity, and humanity worthy of the legend she became.
Meticulously researched, richly atmospheric, and wholly immersive, this was an easy five-star read.
‘So this is it, then?...This is the life that I have been given'?
September 25, 2026
Ariel Lawhon's The Pirate Queen is a fascinating historical fiction novel which is told using a unique structure of three distinct alternating timelines. I enjoyed being immersed in Grace's story, experiencing her pain, despair, anger, joy, love, and triumphs in the vividly described Irish setting and aboard her ship. Tara Flynn has a lovely voice and does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and conveying their emotions. The author's note, read in her own voice, is enlightening, and her personal insight is truly appreciated.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars "A sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everything to defend her people. Venture onto the high seas with the thrilling latest from the New York Times bestselling author of The Frozen River and I Was Anastasia."
Grace O'Malley was born with a love for the sea. As a little girl she persistently asks her father to go on the ship with him. At sixteen, she is forced to marry the son of a warrior - not the one she loves as he is deemed of a lower class than her family. She gains loyal followers and manages her husband's property, only to be kicked off his land. It is then that she goes to sea and leads a mighty fleet. Her endeavors catch the attention of enemies and Queen Elizabeth I herself as she becomes a heroine known as The Pirate Queen od Ireland.
Based on a true story and impeccably researched, Ariel Lawhon is at the top of her game with the finest historical fiction. We see a strong female character who had an impact on history when most women tended to their own homes and weren't even allowed on ships. The character development is fantastic and the characters leap off the page and come to life from the sixteenth century. We learn about Grave O'Malley in three alternating timelines: Maiden, Mother and Matriarch. There is a lot of information presented which could get a little overwhelming at times but I highly recommend it for those who enjoy action packed historical fiction and strong female characters.
The audiobook performance by Tara Flynn (18 hours 27 minutes) is outstanding and brings all the action and emotion to life. It was perfect in tandem with the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Doubleday Books, PRH Audio and Ariel Lawhon for the gifted advance reader's copy and advance listening copy. All opinions are my own. 📚🎧
Grace O'Malley was born with a love for the sea. As a little girl she persistently asks her father to go on the ship with him. At sixteen, she is forced to marry the son of a warrior - not the one she loves as he is deemed of a lower class than her family. She gains loyal followers and manages her husband's property, only to be kicked off his land. It is then that she goes to sea and leads a mighty fleet. Her endeavors catch the attention of enemies and Queen Elizabeth I herself as she becomes a heroine known as The Pirate Queen od Ireland.
Based on a true story and impeccably researched, Ariel Lawhon is at the top of her game with the finest historical fiction. We see a strong female character who had an impact on history when most women tended to their own homes and weren't even allowed on ships. The character development is fantastic and the characters leap off the page and come to life from the sixteenth century. We learn about Grave O'Malley in three alternating timelines: Maiden, Mother and Matriarch. There is a lot of information presented which could get a little overwhelming at times but I highly recommend it for those who enjoy action packed historical fiction and strong female characters.
The audiobook performance by Tara Flynn (18 hours 27 minutes) is outstanding and brings all the action and emotion to life. It was perfect in tandem with the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Doubleday Books, PRH Audio and Ariel Lawhon for the gifted advance reader's copy and advance listening copy. All opinions are my own. 📚🎧
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Alice Lawhon's The Pirate Queen is a masterfully written, meticulously researched epic that delivers everything that I love about her work: a classic, badass female protagonist and storytelling that feels like a genuine work of art. It’s a complex, rich narrative that gives you plenty to digest.
A few things that make this book an absolute standout:
The Atmosphere: The setting is so well-developed and vivid. Think Game of Thrones and Outlander vibes.
The Structure: The story jumps between timelines, which the author beautifully explains in her afterword as being structurally inspired by a Celtic knot. I absolutely loved her suggestion to re-read the book in chronological order next time—what a brilliant way to experience the same story from a completely new perspective! And there is enough content in this story to warrant a second read.
The Depth: While the length of the book and the complexity of the narrative require some focus and time commitment, it is 100% worth the effort.
If you appreciate deep character development, rich history, and intricate plotting, do not miss this one.
A few things that make this book an absolute standout:
The Atmosphere: The setting is so well-developed and vivid. Think Game of Thrones and Outlander vibes.
The Structure: The story jumps between timelines, which the author beautifully explains in her afterword as being structurally inspired by a Celtic knot. I absolutely loved her suggestion to re-read the book in chronological order next time—what a brilliant way to experience the same story from a completely new perspective! And there is enough content in this story to warrant a second read.
The Depth: While the length of the book and the complexity of the narrative require some focus and time commitment, it is 100% worth the effort.
If you appreciate deep character development, rich history, and intricate plotting, do not miss this one.
August 23, 2026
This is a hard review for me to write - because this author’s work is some of my favorite. The Frozen River is truly one of my favorite historical fiction novels ever. I came into this book with such high hopes. I started out enjoying the first couple of chapters and was immediately sucked into Grace O’Malley/who she was, but unfortunately interest was lost quickly. This book felt so incredibly long and I just did not want to pick it up after hitting the 15% mark. There were times the writing would somewhat pull me back in but not for long. It was difficult for me to push through. The author takes us through three alternating timelines in the book (Maiden, Mother and Matriarch) but it seriously confused me. I felt lost way too often - and don’t get me started on my inability to keep track of the characters. There are sooo many and most share the same names. I know this is likely part of that time period, but I just could not connect the dots well enough to truly immerse myself in the story. I felt like most of my energy was used trying to keep the story straight in my head and wondering what Grace I was reading about. I absolutely see the immense level of research and care that went into this book, which I truly appreciate. It’s just not enough to make me fully enjoy a story - based on that alone. This one missed the mark for me.. but I will continue to read this author in the future. I really do love her work!
Thank you NetGalley, Doubleday and the author for this gifted arc copy!
Thank you NetGalley, Doubleday and the author for this gifted arc copy!
September 8, 2026
It felt like hitting the lottery receiving this book. Not just because it’s by Ariel Lawhon, and I’ll read everything she writes. This one is extra special because it features a Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley. Make sure to read the author’s note, but save it for the very end, as the author warns, because you don’t want to spoil any of this story.
And what a story. I’ve mentioned several times here that I spent some of my childhood years on the coast, specifically where legends and lore around Blackbeard abound, and I loved every bit of it. I was also aware of some of the lore surrounding Grace O’Malley, but this story takes it so much further into a complete life.
Grace was a pirate, but she may have preferred the term privateer to save her some of the hassle with the English law. Her story begins at the very beginning, as a child born to be at sea. The apple of her father’s eye, but “just” a girl. She’s the apple of her half-brother, Donal’s, eye, too, and wow, did I ever love their steadfast relationship. So many of the characters who surrounded Grace were charming and committed; her followers, indeed.
A tumultuous life, as topsy-turvy as the sea she was so drawn to; filled with adventure, unwavering strength, and love of the romantic kind, but also for her children, her homeland, her ship, and again, the sea. A remarkable reading experience in every way. I cherished these characters and hated to leave Ireland and Grace behind, so I will be reading the chapters in consecutive order some time in the future to experience that (though I absolutely loved it as it was). A 2026 favorite.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
And what a story. I’ve mentioned several times here that I spent some of my childhood years on the coast, specifically where legends and lore around Blackbeard abound, and I loved every bit of it. I was also aware of some of the lore surrounding Grace O’Malley, but this story takes it so much further into a complete life.
Grace was a pirate, but she may have preferred the term privateer to save her some of the hassle with the English law. Her story begins at the very beginning, as a child born to be at sea. The apple of her father’s eye, but “just” a girl. She’s the apple of her half-brother, Donal’s, eye, too, and wow, did I ever love their steadfast relationship. So many of the characters who surrounded Grace were charming and committed; her followers, indeed.
A tumultuous life, as topsy-turvy as the sea she was so drawn to; filled with adventure, unwavering strength, and love of the romantic kind, but also for her children, her homeland, her ship, and again, the sea. A remarkable reading experience in every way. I cherished these characters and hated to leave Ireland and Grace behind, so I will be reading the chapters in consecutive order some time in the future to experience that (though I absolutely loved it as it was). A 2026 favorite.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
June 1, 2026
After loving The Frozen River, I was so excited to read this new novel from Ariel Lawhon. Like The Frozen River, this novel was based on a real person - Grace O'Malley - the Irish pirate who lived during the 16th century. The book takes us through Grace's childhood where she develops her love for the water, abusive marriages, love affairs, piracy, murder, the corruption of the Irish government, family ties, and the deep love of a mother. This book had something for everyone.
The novel was organized around three eras of Grace's life - maiden, mother, and matriarch. However, the book is not linear; it is not told chronologically, but rather the reader gets a snippet of each at different times throughout the book. AL does a really fantastic job of giving the reader just enough information in each of the chapters to inform Grace's life at other times. What you get is that the novel skips about, but not in a disorganized way. Rather, you get an overarching storyline about her love for her family, her determination to protect herself and her family from those who would do harm, and her love for Ireland and the Irish people.
There were some really well developed characters in the novel. Grace, of course, but her four traveling partners, Gutty, Ultan, and the twins, were so wonderfully done. I laughed at some of their antics, cheered when the good guys got ahead, and shed some tears when things didn't go their way. It sounds so cliche, but I felt like I knew these characters by the end of the novel.
The only complaint I had about the book is that there were A LOT of characters, many with very similar names (Donal O'Malley and Donal O'Flaherty as examples). At the beginning of the novel there is a character list, which I found myself consulting many times. Even so, you have to really pay attention while reading. It's not one of those books you can skim and still understand things that happen later in the novel. But, once you start reading it, you'll want to pay close attention; it's action packed!
5 well-deserved ⭐s from me. Put this one your TBR!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an advanced copy of this book. It's scheduled to be published on September 8, 2026.
The novel was organized around three eras of Grace's life - maiden, mother, and matriarch. However, the book is not linear; it is not told chronologically, but rather the reader gets a snippet of each at different times throughout the book. AL does a really fantastic job of giving the reader just enough information in each of the chapters to inform Grace's life at other times. What you get is that the novel skips about, but not in a disorganized way. Rather, you get an overarching storyline about her love for her family, her determination to protect herself and her family from those who would do harm, and her love for Ireland and the Irish people.
There were some really well developed characters in the novel. Grace, of course, but her four traveling partners, Gutty, Ultan, and the twins, were so wonderfully done. I laughed at some of their antics, cheered when the good guys got ahead, and shed some tears when things didn't go their way. It sounds so cliche, but I felt like I knew these characters by the end of the novel.
The only complaint I had about the book is that there were A LOT of characters, many with very similar names (Donal O'Malley and Donal O'Flaherty as examples). At the beginning of the novel there is a character list, which I found myself consulting many times. Even so, you have to really pay attention while reading. It's not one of those books you can skim and still understand things that happen later in the novel. But, once you start reading it, you'll want to pay close attention; it's action packed!
5 well-deserved ⭐s from me. Put this one your TBR!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an advanced copy of this book. It's scheduled to be published on September 8, 2026.
July 22, 2026
thank you to netgalley and swift group for providing me with this arc of ariel lawhon’s the pirate queen
1.75
when i read the premise of the book, i thought that it would be good, especially as it was about women pirates, especially grace o‘malley, also known as gráinne ní mháille; i really liked how ariel lawhon focused on that topic. however, i found that the writing wasn’t as good as what i thought; i’m not sure if me not having read the frozen river by lawhon has anything to do with how i feel about her writing, but i felt i couldn’t get into the story as well as i hoped
i’m also not a fan of how the chapters have switching timelines every single time. each chapter focuses on one aspect of gráinne’s life: gráinne seen as a maiden; gráinne seen as a mother; or gráinne seen as a matriarch. i feel like lawhon could’ve organised this a bit differently, through having three parts, especially as gráinne is seen at different ages: part 1 being gráinne as a maiden; part 2 being gráinne as a mother; and part 3 being gráinne as a matriarch. i do think that, along with the writing, the constant switching of timelines threw me off a lot
finally, i’m not sure why lawhon, when speaking about gráinne, keeps switching between her original name of gráinne ní mháille and the anglicised version of grace o’malley. i would understand if, in the context of when an english person is speaking or the chapter briefly switches to an english character’s perspective, that the anglicised spelling would be used, but i feel as though lawhon could’ve approached this better in that she was more consistent with which spelling she used
overall, not a fan of the book and i don’t think i’d be reading any other books by lawhon
1.75
when i read the premise of the book, i thought that it would be good, especially as it was about women pirates, especially grace o‘malley, also known as gráinne ní mháille; i really liked how ariel lawhon focused on that topic. however, i found that the writing wasn’t as good as what i thought; i’m not sure if me not having read the frozen river by lawhon has anything to do with how i feel about her writing, but i felt i couldn’t get into the story as well as i hoped
i’m also not a fan of how the chapters have switching timelines every single time. each chapter focuses on one aspect of gráinne’s life: gráinne seen as a maiden; gráinne seen as a mother; or gráinne seen as a matriarch. i feel like lawhon could’ve organised this a bit differently, through having three parts, especially as gráinne is seen at different ages: part 1 being gráinne as a maiden; part 2 being gráinne as a mother; and part 3 being gráinne as a matriarch. i do think that, along with the writing, the constant switching of timelines threw me off a lot
finally, i’m not sure why lawhon, when speaking about gráinne, keeps switching between her original name of gráinne ní mháille and the anglicised version of grace o’malley. i would understand if, in the context of when an english person is speaking or the chapter briefly switches to an english character’s perspective, that the anglicised spelling would be used, but i feel as though lawhon could’ve approached this better in that she was more consistent with which spelling she used
overall, not a fan of the book and i don’t think i’d be reading any other books by lawhon
September 22, 2026
Finally finished! It's a long one
Have you ever hears of Grace O'Malley? (Gráinne Ní Mháille) She came from the west of Ireland and lived in the time of Henry and Elizabeth 1, and was a fierce courageous woman who took over leadership of Clan Uí Mháille and when her father died. She ultimately become its leader, so unusual in her day, had three children and was married twice.
In her tale of Clan Uí Mháille, most of it being fiction and relying on Irish tales, Ariel Lawhon has created a larger than life feminine hero whose leadership skills and love for the sea seemed unparalleled. Yet, many of us have never heard of her unto Ms Lawon brought her to life.
The book is broken into parts of Grace's life from when she was a maiden, a wife, mother, and leader to many. She took up "pirating" after her first husband died (an unhappy marriage) and she was thrown off his lands. Back to her birth home and eventually to the man she initially loved, she lived her life as an adventuress, an inspiration, and a thorn in the British side.
Ms Lanhon did extensive research into Grace and her life and this book, although long was fascinating in its telling. A remarkable story told in depth by a remarkable writer.
Have you ever hears of Grace O'Malley? (Gráinne Ní Mháille) She came from the west of Ireland and lived in the time of Henry and Elizabeth 1, and was a fierce courageous woman who took over leadership of Clan Uí Mháille and when her father died. She ultimately become its leader, so unusual in her day, had three children and was married twice.
In her tale of Clan Uí Mháille, most of it being fiction and relying on Irish tales, Ariel Lawhon has created a larger than life feminine hero whose leadership skills and love for the sea seemed unparalleled. Yet, many of us have never heard of her unto Ms Lawon brought her to life.
The book is broken into parts of Grace's life from when she was a maiden, a wife, mother, and leader to many. She took up "pirating" after her first husband died (an unhappy marriage) and she was thrown off his lands. Back to her birth home and eventually to the man she initially loved, she lived her life as an adventuress, an inspiration, and a thorn in the British side.
Ms Lanhon did extensive research into Grace and her life and this book, although long was fascinating in its telling. A remarkable story told in depth by a remarkable writer.
September 17, 2026
This was a very good work of historical fiction. I loved learning about the remarkable life of the Irish pirate queen, Grace O'Malley--loved her spirit and bravery. She was fortunate to be surrounded by many loyal supporters who were equally fascinating characters, including many men who loved her and a few who wanted to control or destroy her.
I did find the novel overly long and I did not really enjoy the unique structure of this novel, which is told in three timelines, in alternating chapters, depicting episodes from the stages of her life when she was a maiden, a mother and a matriarch. I appreciate the author's reasons for doing this which she mentions in her final notes, but I would have preferred a linear timeline to the story. I did shed a few tears over the ending, so obviously I was that invested in her life story.
One thing I delved into to learn is the origin of the phrase 'beyond the pale.' I won't give the info away here but do look it up for yourself. Hint: it has to do with Dublin.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with arc of this novel via NetGalley.
I did find the novel overly long and I did not really enjoy the unique structure of this novel, which is told in three timelines, in alternating chapters, depicting episodes from the stages of her life when she was a maiden, a mother and a matriarch. I appreciate the author's reasons for doing this which she mentions in her final notes, but I would have preferred a linear timeline to the story. I did shed a few tears over the ending, so obviously I was that invested in her life story.
One thing I delved into to learn is the origin of the phrase 'beyond the pale.' I won't give the info away here but do look it up for yourself. Hint: it has to do with Dublin.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with arc of this novel via NetGalley.
September 15, 2026
So the time period jumps annoyed me in the beginning, however by the end it’s what made the story such a success! I also recommend buying a the book even though it’s long the authors suggestion to reread the three sections separately after you have finished it for the first time is something I definitely will want to accomplish in the future! It’s long, but be patient the story is fantastic!. Once you grasp what the three sections are …🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 12, 2026
The Pirate Queen is a powerful and extensively researched novel about the real Irish Pirate Queen,Grace O’Malley, who lived during the mid 1500s. It contains an extensive list of characters described in the beginning but many characters had the same names as well as chieftain and Gaelic names. The story is told in three alternating timelines mirroring the structure of the Celtic/Trinity Knot. They symbolize the three phases of womanhood: maiden, mother, matriarch. Unfortunately, this structure didn't work for me and interrupted the flow of the story. In the author’s notes she suggests that readers may want to go back and reread the book in chronological order. I did love learning about Grace O'Malley whose strength, cunning, bravery, and determination were awesome. I was glad to have read this story with its beautiful writing and vivid descriptions.
Did Not Finish
September 17, 2026Soft DNF around 20%
It pains me to DNF this one, as I was so excited to read it! Ariel Lawhon is such a talented writer and storyteller, and I can see why people will love this one. I started by reading the ebook on my Kindle, and the writing style/format read really choppy, and it was difficult for me to follow and connect with Grace O'Malley. I was going to DNF then, but I wanted to give the audiobook a try. The audiobook is a lot better, but I find that I still don't want to pick it up. It could just be my mood and the timing I'm trying to read it, but for now, I'm going to put it down. I might return to it at another time, but I just don't want to force myself to read it; it will only impact my overall rating.
I will still definitely read other books by Ariel Lawhon, as I really enjoyed The Frozen River.
Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday Books, for the ARC for this book; all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Content considerations from what I've read so far:
-Strong language (including ship talk and the Lord's name in vain)
-Vulgar talk
-Descriptions of violence
It pains me to DNF this one, as I was so excited to read it! Ariel Lawhon is such a talented writer and storyteller, and I can see why people will love this one. I started by reading the ebook on my Kindle, and the writing style/format read really choppy, and it was difficult for me to follow and connect with Grace O'Malley. I was going to DNF then, but I wanted to give the audiobook a try. The audiobook is a lot better, but I find that I still don't want to pick it up. It could just be my mood and the timing I'm trying to read it, but for now, I'm going to put it down. I might return to it at another time, but I just don't want to force myself to read it; it will only impact my overall rating.
I will still definitely read other books by Ariel Lawhon, as I really enjoyed The Frozen River.
Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday Books, for the ARC for this book; all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Content considerations from what I've read so far:
-Strong language (including ship talk and the Lord's name in vain)
-Vulgar talk
-Descriptions of violence
June 26, 2026
Grace O’Malley is a very intriguing historical character and I commend Lawhon for attempting to bring more awareness to her life through this novel. But, though I am sure it’s a reflection of reality, elements of her life made for a very complicated, violent, and at times vulgar story. But I’ll hand it to her, Lawhon certainly does her research due diligence - this book absolutely breaths the lush setting of Ireland and starkly conveys the political tension of the time.
The book is written in a triple timeline format, each chapter alternating between three different periods of Grace’s life (maiden, mother, matriarch). On the surface I like this creative approach, but I personally had a hard time following the layers of the story with this flip-flop format.
Grace was a very challenging protagonist for me to connect with or root for. Much of the plot was based upon an immensely complicated clan structure that involved rival chieftains, family lands, and a tangled web of family connections that were very difficult to keep straight. Additionally, consistent harsh language, the continual vulgarity in reference to women, and the violent incidents made it a book that made me cringe more often than not.
All of those things made it so I never truly felt invested in the story.
Content to consider:
consistent harsh language throughout, sexual references, vulgar speech about women, descriptions of violent incidents & killings, attempted sexual assault
The book is written in a triple timeline format, each chapter alternating between three different periods of Grace’s life (maiden, mother, matriarch). On the surface I like this creative approach, but I personally had a hard time following the layers of the story with this flip-flop format.
Grace was a very challenging protagonist for me to connect with or root for. Much of the plot was based upon an immensely complicated clan structure that involved rival chieftains, family lands, and a tangled web of family connections that were very difficult to keep straight. Additionally, consistent harsh language, the continual vulgarity in reference to women, and the violent incidents made it a book that made me cringe more often than not.
All of those things made it so I never truly felt invested in the story.
Content to consider:
consistent harsh language throughout, sexual references, vulgar speech about women, descriptions of violent incidents & killings, attempted sexual assault
September 13, 2026
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How did I make it this long without reading Ariel Lawhon? If The Pirate Queen is any indication, I have been seriously missing out, and The Frozen River just shot even higher up my TBR.
The Pirate Queen brings to life the remarkable true story of Grace O'Malley, the legendary Irish pirate queen whose extraordinary life was nearly lost to history. Through rich historical detail and vivid storytelling, Ariel Lawhon paints the portrait of a woman determined to live on her own terms in a world that constantly tried to define them for her.
Grace completely stole my heart. I think I might be a little in love with her. She was fearless, energetic, clever, and utterly unwilling to let her gender dictate what her future should look like. Instead of accepting the life others expected of her, she carved out her own path, one filled with adventure, leadership, resilience, and unwavering determination. Knowing she was based on a real historical figure made her story all the more incredible.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was how Lawhon restored a woman to history whose story deserves to be remembered. Rather than simply telling the story of a famous pirate, she celebrates a woman who refused to let the limitations of her time define her legacy.
This book felt like standing on the cliffs of Ireland with the wind at your back, daring the world to tell you what you cannot do. Perfect for readers who love historical fiction inspired by remarkable real women, immersive settings, and fierce heroines who refuse to be forgotten. Grace O'Malley lived life entirely on her own terms, and thanks to Ariel Lawhon, I don't think I'll ever forget her.
How did I make it this long without reading Ariel Lawhon? If The Pirate Queen is any indication, I have been seriously missing out, and The Frozen River just shot even higher up my TBR.
The Pirate Queen brings to life the remarkable true story of Grace O'Malley, the legendary Irish pirate queen whose extraordinary life was nearly lost to history. Through rich historical detail and vivid storytelling, Ariel Lawhon paints the portrait of a woman determined to live on her own terms in a world that constantly tried to define them for her.
Grace completely stole my heart. I think I might be a little in love with her. She was fearless, energetic, clever, and utterly unwilling to let her gender dictate what her future should look like. Instead of accepting the life others expected of her, she carved out her own path, one filled with adventure, leadership, resilience, and unwavering determination. Knowing she was based on a real historical figure made her story all the more incredible.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was how Lawhon restored a woman to history whose story deserves to be remembered. Rather than simply telling the story of a famous pirate, she celebrates a woman who refused to let the limitations of her time define her legacy.
This book felt like standing on the cliffs of Ireland with the wind at your back, daring the world to tell you what you cannot do. Perfect for readers who love historical fiction inspired by remarkable real women, immersive settings, and fierce heroines who refuse to be forgotten. Grace O'Malley lived life entirely on her own terms, and thanks to Ariel Lawhon, I don't think I'll ever forget her.
September 20, 2026
Right here my best book of 2026
It’s a love story: Ego te expectabo. I will wait for you.
It is a swashbuckling story of the one and only Pirate Queen who found herself on the pointy end of a blade plenty but lived to tell about it.
It’s told in three parts: Maiden, Mother, Matriarch. They are told in alternating chapters ( yes this did mess with my head a bit). The author shares one tidbit in her author notes that the story could be read by reading all the maiden parts followed by all the mother followed by all the matriarch. That is good info to store away.
Most importantly it made me cry and not really much does that these days.
Up North, this book is quite simply a continuation of our conversations about life in the Matriarch Zone.
Most highly recommended.
It’s a love story: Ego te expectabo. I will wait for you.
It is a swashbuckling story of the one and only Pirate Queen who found herself on the pointy end of a blade plenty but lived to tell about it.
It’s told in three parts: Maiden, Mother, Matriarch. They are told in alternating chapters ( yes this did mess with my head a bit). The author shares one tidbit in her author notes that the story could be read by reading all the maiden parts followed by all the mother followed by all the matriarch. That is good info to store away.
Most importantly it made me cry and not really much does that these days.
Up North, this book is quite simply a continuation of our conversations about life in the Matriarch Zone.
Most highly recommended.
September 12, 2026
I have tried and tried but I can’t follow this. Too many time jumps and my mind is wandering. I am jealous of the rave reviewers because I want to love this book.
September 13, 2026
Talk about fierceness! The book brings to life the epic saga of Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Ní Mháille), a formidable 16th-century Irish captain, clan leader, and pirate who dominated the western seas through commerce and sheer rebellion. Left destitute after the ruthless English Governor Sir Richard Bingham strips her of her fleet and property, an aging Grace takes a daring gamble. She commands her flagship straight down the River Thames to London, demanding a high-stakes, face-to-face showdown with her imperial rival: Queen Elizabeth I.
Told within 3 timelines, the narrative alternates between three distinct stages of Grace's life: Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch.
It’s been a wild ride listening to the audiobook.
Told within 3 timelines, the narrative alternates between three distinct stages of Grace's life: Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch.
It’s been a wild ride listening to the audiobook.
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