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Pirates of the Cataclysm #1
Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest
Tasked with mapping the coastlines centuries after the Great Cataclysm, cartographer Jonathan Greenleaf is thrown into a series of strange encounters that leave him marooned with the greatest treasure left in the sea.
Meanwhile, the ruthless pirate Javier Ortega will stop at nothing to claim the prize, battling rival crews, ancient technology, and the mysteries of time itself.
When both men stumble upon a force older and more dangerous than either could imagine, they must decide whether to fight each other, or join forces against the common enemy.
Meanwhile, the ruthless pirate Javier Ortega will stop at nothing to claim the prize, battling rival crews, ancient technology, and the mysteries of time itself.
When both men stumble upon a force older and more dangerous than either could imagine, they must decide whether to fight each other, or join forces against the common enemy.
354 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy
6/14/26 Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A UNIQUE SCIENCE FICTION TIME TRAVEL MASTERPIECE THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND JUST HOW ORIGINAL IT IS
Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest by Vincent Baverso an ARC copy I received through BookSirens is a well-written time travel novel which is action packed from the first page to the last. This debut novel definitely shows the Vincent has for writing with characters that are well developed and you'll find yourself at the edge of your seat to see how they get through the challenges they face on the sea, land, and in strange realms in the Bermuda Triangle caught in time folds, shifts, and travels. Vincent has brought his unique story to life that will hold your interest throughout and once you reach the end of this book you'll find hoping he will continue the story in future books so you can find out what happens to Jon and Gabriella in either the past, future, or in their current time period.
Something that you'll really find yourself enjoying while reading this book is the author's romantic description of the sea, land, smells traveling the currents of the air itself, and his description of inanimate objects will leave you thinking you can see them, smell, and feel them. For Vincent's first book, this story has depth with characters that you'll either love or hate, and surprisingly so, you'll also find yourself trying to figure out if the pirates are the good guys or the bad guys in this tale.
Decades after the Great Cataclysm, the coastlines are in a desperate need to be mapped out for safe passage on the sea. Jonathan (Jon) Greenleaf, a navigator and cartographer, finds himself dealing with sea monsters, pirates, mutants, and a mysterious puzzle that will just blow your mind. While searching the Bermuda Triangle for the source of the Deep Lights and their meaning Jon and the crew of the North Arrow run across ghost ships, pirates, cutthroats, gangs, killer drones, and mutants who have been trapped in time for centuries and a mystery that must be solved or they will to be trapped in this strange time for eternity.
Vincent has set the stage and opened the door for additional books with Jon and Gabriella moving through time if they can just find out how to accomplish time travel without the consequences they have endured and witnessed during their encounters. I for one can't wait to see what happens in future books that hopefully Vincent Baverso will have published in the near future. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.
Quotes from Thirteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest:
"Sometimes the flaw are what guide us the best."
"She's like me wife, Captain, otta control and not goin' to listen to me no matter how nice I am to her."
Balls;
"Don't let up," she yelled. I don't care if you've got salt in your eyes and wind up your ass, keep those ropes tighter than a virgin and hold this ship together."
"You trying to be some kind of hero?" "Nah, mate. I seen your sister, I got a fancy for them large women. Now, I be in your good favors.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A UNIQUE SCIENCE FICTION TIME TRAVEL MASTERPIECE THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND JUST HOW ORIGINAL IT IS
Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest by Vincent Baverso an ARC copy I received through BookSirens is a well-written time travel novel which is action packed from the first page to the last. This debut novel definitely shows the Vincent has for writing with characters that are well developed and you'll find yourself at the edge of your seat to see how they get through the challenges they face on the sea, land, and in strange realms in the Bermuda Triangle caught in time folds, shifts, and travels. Vincent has brought his unique story to life that will hold your interest throughout and once you reach the end of this book you'll find hoping he will continue the story in future books so you can find out what happens to Jon and Gabriella in either the past, future, or in their current time period.
Something that you'll really find yourself enjoying while reading this book is the author's romantic description of the sea, land, smells traveling the currents of the air itself, and his description of inanimate objects will leave you thinking you can see them, smell, and feel them. For Vincent's first book, this story has depth with characters that you'll either love or hate, and surprisingly so, you'll also find yourself trying to figure out if the pirates are the good guys or the bad guys in this tale.
Decades after the Great Cataclysm, the coastlines are in a desperate need to be mapped out for safe passage on the sea. Jonathan (Jon) Greenleaf, a navigator and cartographer, finds himself dealing with sea monsters, pirates, mutants, and a mysterious puzzle that will just blow your mind. While searching the Bermuda Triangle for the source of the Deep Lights and their meaning Jon and the crew of the North Arrow run across ghost ships, pirates, cutthroats, gangs, killer drones, and mutants who have been trapped in time for centuries and a mystery that must be solved or they will to be trapped in this strange time for eternity.
Vincent has set the stage and opened the door for additional books with Jon and Gabriella moving through time if they can just find out how to accomplish time travel without the consequences they have endured and witnessed during their encounters. I for one can't wait to see what happens in future books that hopefully Vincent Baverso will have published in the near future. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.
Quotes from Thirteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest:
"Sometimes the flaw are what guide us the best."
"She's like me wife, Captain, otta control and not goin' to listen to me no matter how nice I am to her."
Balls;
"Don't let up," she yelled. I don't care if you've got salt in your eyes and wind up your ass, keep those ropes tighter than a virgin and hold this ship together."
"You trying to be some kind of hero?" "Nah, mate. I seen your sister, I got a fancy for them large women. Now, I be in your good favors.”
Review of advance copy
6/14/26 Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A UNIQUE SCIENCE FICTION TIME TRAVEL MASTERPIECE THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND JUST HOW ORIGINAL IT IS
Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest by Vincent Baverso an ARC copy I received through BookSirens is a well-written time travel novel which is action packed from the first page to the last. This debut novel definitely shows the Vincent has for writing with characters that are well developed and you'll find yourself at the edge of your seat to see how they get through the challenges they face on the sea, land, and in strange realms in the Bermuda Triangle caught in time folds, shifts, and travels. Vincent has brought his unique story to life that will hold your interest throughout and once you reach the end of this book you'll find hoping he will continue the story in future books so you can find out what happens to Jon and Gabriella in either the past, future, or in their current time period.
Something that you'll really find yourself enjoying while reading this book is the author's romantic description of the sea, land, smells traveling the currents of the air itself, and his description of inanimate objects will leave you thinking you can see them, smell, and feel them. For Vincent's first book, this story has depth with characters that you'll either love or hate, and surprisingly so, you'll also find yourself trying to figure out if the pirates are the good guys or the bad guys in this tale.
Decades after the Great Cataclysm, the coastlines are in a desperate need to be mapped out for safe passage on the sea. Jonathan (Jon) Greenleaf, a navigator and cartographer, finds himself dealing with sea monsters, pirates, mutants, and a mysterious puzzle that will just blow your mind. While searching the Bermuda Triangle for the source of the Deep Lights and their meaning Jon and the crew of the North Arrow run across ghost ships, pirates, cutthroats, gangs, killer drones, and mutants who have been trapped in time for centuries and a mystery that must be solved or they will to be trapped in this strange time for eternity.
Vincent has set the stage and opened the door for additional books with Jon and Gabriella moving through time if they can just find out how to accomplish time travel without the consequences they have endured and witnessed during their encounters. I for one can't wait to see what happens in future books that hopefully Vincent Baverso will have published in the near future. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.
Quotes from Thirteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest:
"Sometimes the flaw are what guide us the best."
"She's like me wife, Captain, otta control and not goin' to listen to me no matter how nice I am to her."
Balls;
"Don't let up," she yelled. I don't care if you've got salt in your eyes and wind up your ass, keep those ropes tighter than a virgin and hold this ship together."
"You trying to be some kind of hero?" "Nah, mate. I seen your sister, I got a fancy for them large women. Now, I be in your good favors.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A UNIQUE SCIENCE FICTION TIME TRAVEL MASTERPIECE THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND JUST HOW ORIGINAL IT IS
Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest by Vincent Baverso an ARC copy I received through BookSirens is a well-written time travel novel which is action packed from the first page to the last. This debut novel definitely shows the Vincent has for writing with characters that are well developed and you'll find yourself at the edge of your seat to see how they get through the challenges they face on the sea, land, and in strange realms in the Bermuda Triangle caught in time folds, shifts, and travels. Vincent has brought his unique story to life that will hold your interest throughout and once you reach the end of this book you'll find hoping he will continue the story in future books so you can find out what happens to Jon and Gabriella in either the past, future, or in their current time period.
Something that you'll really find yourself enjoying while reading this book is the author's romantic description of the sea, land, smells traveling the currents of the air itself, and his description of inanimate objects will leave you thinking you can see them, smell, and feel them. For Vincent's first book, this story has depth with characters that you'll either love or hate, and surprisingly so, you'll also find yourself trying to figure out if the pirates are the good guys or the bad guys in this tale.
Decades after the Great Cataclysm, the coastlines are in a desperate need to be mapped out for safe passage on the sea. Jonathan (Jon) Greenleaf, a navigator and cartographer, finds himself dealing with sea monsters, pirates, mutants, and a mysterious puzzle that will just blow your mind. While searching the Bermuda Triangle for the source of the Deep Lights and their meaning Jon and the crew of the North Arrow run across ghost ships, pirates, cutthroats, gangs, killer drones, and mutants who have been trapped in time for centuries and a mystery that must be solved or they will to be trapped in this strange time for eternity.
Vincent has set the stage and opened the door for additional books with Jon and Gabriella moving through time if they can just find out how to accomplish time travel without the consequences they have endured and witnessed during their encounters. I for one can't wait to see what happens in future books that hopefully Vincent Baverso will have published in the near future. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.
Quotes from Thirteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest:
"Sometimes the flaw are what guide us the best."
"She's like me wife, Captain, otta control and not goin' to listen to me no matter how nice I am to her."
Balls;
"Don't let up," she yelled. I don't care if you've got salt in your eyes and wind up your ass, keep those ropes tighter than a virgin and hold this ship together."
"You trying to be some kind of hero?" "Nah, mate. I seen your sister, I got a fancy for them large women. Now, I be in your good favors.”
Read
July 1, 2026Thank you to Booksirens for my copy and letting me review the book.
Entertaining but not impactful.
I love books about pirates. I haven't read much steampunk, and I admit I was concerned about a book like this having time travel. The time travel part was great, makes sense for what it is. I was a little confused about what year it was, or like if this was supposed to be like our world or another world. At one point they mentioned the The Golden Age of Piracy, Victorian era ships, and nuclear submarines, so I guess that was for the audience because we understand what years those are from. I'm not sure of the characters understand nuclear submarines.
Parts where they're walking through the jungle remind me of Jurassic Park (the book). Parts dealing with the monsters/ mutant pirates reminded me of the Pirates of the Caribbean Davy Jones's crew (the movie). And the parts with the magic and the time travel reminded me of On Stranger Tides (the book).
Normally in my recommendations I recommend what age this is for. For this one I am having trouble. I guess what parents need to know, it that for the most part this is YA appropriate. The pirates seem more like sailors with smoking and drinking. It's not to violent for teens. There is a character that says "Jesus tits who the f*** are you?" Which my middle schooler assures me, he hears worse at school. There's other language like, "son of a b****" and "w****", and one use of the word "chukold". Which is only bad if you know what it is or look it up.
Also I'm not sure if it's entirely appropriate to refer to the dwarf as getting confused for a child.
There seems to be some inconsistencies with how the magic works. On one hand you're erased as if you are never born, but after another scene people have slight memory of things with deja vu.
I appreciate the female pirates being part of the crew and they're being no sexes attitude towards their jobs and capability. I did fail to see if any of them talked with each other not about a man so I don't know what this book will pass the Bechel test, but I think it does.
The ending has a good happy ending worth reading.
Entertaining but not impactful.
I love books about pirates. I haven't read much steampunk, and I admit I was concerned about a book like this having time travel. The time travel part was great, makes sense for what it is. I was a little confused about what year it was, or like if this was supposed to be like our world or another world. At one point they mentioned the The Golden Age of Piracy, Victorian era ships, and nuclear submarines, so I guess that was for the audience because we understand what years those are from. I'm not sure of the characters understand nuclear submarines.
Parts where they're walking through the jungle remind me of Jurassic Park (the book). Parts dealing with the monsters/ mutant pirates reminded me of the Pirates of the Caribbean Davy Jones's crew (the movie). And the parts with the magic and the time travel reminded me of On Stranger Tides (the book).
Normally in my recommendations I recommend what age this is for. For this one I am having trouble. I guess what parents need to know, it that for the most part this is YA appropriate. The pirates seem more like sailors with smoking and drinking. It's not to violent for teens. There is a character that says "Jesus tits who the f*** are you?" Which my middle schooler assures me, he hears worse at school. There's other language like, "son of a b****" and "w****", and one use of the word "chukold". Which is only bad if you know what it is or look it up.
Also I'm not sure if it's entirely appropriate to refer to the dwarf as getting confused for a child.
There seems to be some inconsistencies with how the magic works. On one hand you're erased as if you are never born, but after another scene people have slight memory of things with deja vu.
I appreciate the female pirates being part of the crew and they're being no sexes attitude towards their jobs and capability. I did fail to see if any of them talked with each other not about a man so I don't know what this book will pass the Bechel test, but I think it does.
The ending has a good happy ending worth reading.
Review of advance copy
I was attracted to the story because it was described as a science fiction fantasy swashbuckling adventure. That might seem like a mouthful, but for me, this story lived up to every part of that description. The story is set around 400 years in the future, after “The Cataclysm,” and is sort of divided into three sections.
The first part focuses on the crew of the North Arrow, a sailing ship tasked with charting the new coasts of North America. The crew encounters dangers, both natural and man made, that they hope to map for the safety of all mariners. The scientific mind of cartographer Jonathan Greenleaf becomes a key to their survival.
The second part revolves around the pirate ship Trefoil’s Rebellion and their quest of a treasure they have found, but are hampered from retrieving by an ancient technology. Captain Javier Ortega and his crew prove they are the terror of the high seas.
The third part involves a chance encounter between the two groups of sailors. They reluctantly have to work together to defeat the legendary pirate ship La Fleur, whose deranged captain may be the cause of the last 400 years of dangers in the Devil’s Triangle.
The story is first and foremost a seafaring adventure. The encounters with both Pre-Cataclysmic technology and the creations of La Fleur’s captain offer the science fiction element. A time travel element adds fantasy. Short chapters and plenty of action. This was a lot of fun for me to read.
I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The first part focuses on the crew of the North Arrow, a sailing ship tasked with charting the new coasts of North America. The crew encounters dangers, both natural and man made, that they hope to map for the safety of all mariners. The scientific mind of cartographer Jonathan Greenleaf becomes a key to their survival.
The second part revolves around the pirate ship Trefoil’s Rebellion and their quest of a treasure they have found, but are hampered from retrieving by an ancient technology. Captain Javier Ortega and his crew prove they are the terror of the high seas.
The third part involves a chance encounter between the two groups of sailors. They reluctantly have to work together to defeat the legendary pirate ship La Fleur, whose deranged captain may be the cause of the last 400 years of dangers in the Devil’s Triangle.
The story is first and foremost a seafaring adventure. The encounters with both Pre-Cataclysmic technology and the creations of La Fleur’s captain offer the science fiction element. A time travel element adds fantasy. Short chapters and plenty of action. This was a lot of fun for me to read.
I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 1, 2026
If you love pirate stories that delve into time travel, the multiverse, and the end of the world, you'll love this genre-blending sci-fi adventure story.
Centuries after the Great Cataclysm, an event that rearranged continents and fundamentally altered human society, cartographer Jon Greenleaf sails with a vessel whose job is to map the changed world. When the captain of his ship dies, slain by a monstrous creature from the deep, Jon takes command of the vessel--only to be confronted by an older version of himself who sets him on a quest to save the world... if he can before time runs out.
That quick summary doesn't do justice to the nonstop inventiveness of this novel. The characters were less satisfying to me than the plot; for the most part, they felt rather one-dimensional, but maybe that was to be expected in a story that draws heavily on pirate-fiction tropes. But when those tropes are subverted in the interest of page-turning twists, I was happy to go along for the ride!
Centuries after the Great Cataclysm, an event that rearranged continents and fundamentally altered human society, cartographer Jon Greenleaf sails with a vessel whose job is to map the changed world. When the captain of his ship dies, slain by a monstrous creature from the deep, Jon takes command of the vessel--only to be confronted by an older version of himself who sets him on a quest to save the world... if he can before time runs out.
That quick summary doesn't do justice to the nonstop inventiveness of this novel. The characters were less satisfying to me than the plot; for the most part, they felt rather one-dimensional, but maybe that was to be expected in a story that draws heavily on pirate-fiction tropes. But when those tropes are subverted in the interest of page-turning twists, I was happy to go along for the ride!
August 3, 2026
This book opens after a great cataclysm has reshaped the landscape of the earth. We're on a ship with a crew who have set out to map the oceans. They come across uncharted land and pause to assess if it is approachable. Though they've measured the depths and found the bay safe, they become grounded on the sunken remnants of a glass and steal building.
And that was enough to hook me.
File this under The New Weird, with themes of lost technology, a warped world, and time manipulation. The author (a writing buddy of mine) works deftly with tropes of sea faring tales without straying into cheesy and weaves in science that feels like magic.
All in all, it's a fun, good-hearted read with enough depth to keep you thinking about it after the conclusion.
And that was enough to hook me.
File this under The New Weird, with themes of lost technology, a warped world, and time manipulation. The author (a writing buddy of mine) works deftly with tropes of sea faring tales without straying into cheesy and weaves in science that feels like magic.
All in all, it's a fun, good-hearted read with enough depth to keep you thinking about it after the conclusion.
August 9, 2026
WOW! This is not your normal pirate book.
Centuries after something called the Great Cataclysm sinks entire cities and changes the world, pirates roam the seas and encounter ancient mysterious technology.
It’s a story about pirates, with some very cool scifi elements mixed in, and fantastic characters. I’m so impressed by the creativity in the setting and story. And, it’s written very well!
This novel has a ton of heart and it’s extremely fast paced. If you love pirate stories, but want to read something fresh, check this out! I can’t wait for the next book!
Centuries after something called the Great Cataclysm sinks entire cities and changes the world, pirates roam the seas and encounter ancient mysterious technology.
It’s a story about pirates, with some very cool scifi elements mixed in, and fantastic characters. I’m so impressed by the creativity in the setting and story. And, it’s written very well!
This novel has a ton of heart and it’s extremely fast paced. If you love pirate stories, but want to read something fresh, check this out! I can’t wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews