The Pirate Queen

by Ariel Lawhon

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

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Historical, Book Club, Fantasy, Ireland

528 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2026

About the author

Ariel 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.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

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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[Canadian Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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⭐️

[Liana Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.
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[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

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. With the characters and language barrier on my part, with SO much prose (reminds me of Maggie O'Farrell, who I am neither here nor there with), it made it even harder to focus.

I don’t mind beautiful prose to tell a story, but this caused me to lack focus and quite simply not care anymore.

[Rebecca · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

“Because everything fun is out there. I don’t want to stay. I want to go.”

I hadn’t known much about Grace O’Malley before picking this up, but now I’m fascinated by her. She was born wanting the sea, and even as a little girl she’s already pushing back against everyone telling her what girls can and can’t do. She cuts off her own braid so it won’t get caught in the ropes. That’s commitment!

The story follows Grace through three stages of her life: Maiden, Mother and Matriarch. It jumps between those timelines, so it took me a little while to get my bearings, especially with so many family ties and people to keep track of. But seeing the different versions of Grace side by side gives her story a lovely sweep, from the determined child on the shore to the formidable woman fighting for her family, her land and her people.

I loved the mix of family, love, loss, danger and political power, all set against the beauty and brutality of sixteenth century Ireland. Grace is such a force of nature, and I couldn’t help rooting for her as she kept carving out a life on her own terms.

It’s also sent me straight into a Grace O’Malley research rabbit hole, which is always a good sign. Historical fiction always has a way of introducing me to someone I should have known about all along.

I Highly Recommend.

Thank you Simon & Schuster for my early readers copy.

Available Now!

4.5

[Adi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Han ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

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!

[Teres · Rating 5 out of 5]

To my friends across the Pond, Irish historical heroine Grace O’Malley (Gráinne Ní Mháille) may be as familiar as Amelia Earhart is to those of us in the States.

Having never heard of O'Malley, I was simply drawn to Ariel Lawhon's The Pirate Queen based on its title alone.

Lawhon's work of biographical historical fiction, set between 1535 and 1603, follows Ireland's iconic female warrior through most of her 73 years.

Daughter of the O’Malley clan chieftain, the novel traces Gráinne's life as a sea captain, clan leader, and negotiator under the pressure of Tudor England conquest.

The book's structure is episodic and non-linear across time, moving through the three life stages of a woman: Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch.

I have to admit, the slow, atmospheric pacing with time jumps across decades was a bit off-putting initially. But once I got into its rhythm, I actually enjoyed this structure.

Quite atmospheric — and at times brutal — Lawhon deftly weaves elements of Irish myth into the story of O’Malley’s efforts to preserve her autonomy, family, fleet of 25 ships, and Gaelic sovereignty against English subjugation.

Thankfully, the 500+ pages includes a cast of characters, pronunciation guide, maps, family tree, author’s note, and appendix.

If, like me, you're a fan of Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel; The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett; or any of the Bernard Cornwell series, I think you'll find The Pirate Queen an enjoyable saga... aye, and rollicking good time on the high seas.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read!
This book has it all…
The life of Gráinne Ní Mháille,
anglicized as Grace O'Malley,
born nearly 500 yrs ago, to a chieftan.
She was born during a very troubled time in Irish history.
She was a spitfire from the start! I love that when she was five yrs old, she cut off her long braid so that her father would let her join the crew on his ship, as he had told her he worried her braid would get stuck in the ropes.
She was always drawn to the water.

We get to know her in chapters that span three timelines …Maiden" (1535–1546), "Mother" (1550–1583), and "Matriarch" (1586–1603)
The author takes known facts blended with folklore to write a novel filled with adventure, heroes and villains, romance and tragedy, humor and despair.

When I saw that Ariel Lawhon had a new novel coming out, I was so excited, after her THE FROZEN RIVER being a favorite read in 2024.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE PIRATE QUEEN

By Ariel Lawhon
Narrated by Tara Flynn & Ariel Lawhon

A Remarkable Woman and a Story I Didn’t Want to End

First off, how lovely is the cover art for this amazing book? I love how Grace’s braid is depicted as the waves her ship sails on.

The novel is told through a braided timeline, with chapters alternating between Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch. Ariel Lawhon pulls us into the story of what may have really happened, bringing Grace to life as the brilliant, untamable woman she always was.

I loved everything about this read. Although it’s 500 pages, it was a story I savored and didn’t want to end. Lawhon’s writing is vivid and engaging, blending historical detail with adventure, political intrigue, and moments of tension. I especially appreciated how she captured Grace’s fierce independence, intelligence, and refusal to be controlled. There’s a wonderful sense of atmosphere, with danger and suspense woven throughout, balancing action with character development. She was such a fascinating woman, and I appreciated how the story explored not only her strength and determination but also her relationships and role as a mother.

Combining the book with the audiobook made for such an immersive experience, bringing the historical setting and Grace O’Malley’s world to life. The book is also helpful for its cast of characters and family tree, which make it easier to keep track of everyone. Tara Flynn’s authentic Irish accent and exceptional delivery made the listening experience even more enjoyable. This is a book that requires your attention, but it’s well worth it.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Julie MacKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Patti Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece of story, writing and sheer adventure.

[Jessica Brusven · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Ericka · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I just can’t do it. I’m bored to tears at 17%.

[Andye.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Christy fictional_traits · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘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'?

[Linz✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Because men will never respect you if you try to be like them."
"Then how will they respect me?"
"They won't....Not unless you make them."

Some women are remembered for the crowns they wore. Others are remembered because they refused to bow. Grace O'Malley was both a force of nature and a woman determined to write her own history.

Ariel Lawhon's The Pirate Queen is a historical fiction story that not only introduces us to this historical legend but also allows us to understand the woman behind the legend. Ariel Lawhon's writing is simply breathtaking and I will read everything she writes. Not only is her writing immersive but the way she chooses to tell it adds layers that makes us emotionally invested in the story and the characters.

જ⁀➴What to Expect
🏴‍☠️Historical Fiction
🏴‍☠️Real Historical Figure
🏴‍☠️Irish Folklore
🏴‍☠️Female Pirate Queen
🏴‍☠️Family Betrayal
🏴‍☠️Woman vs Patriarchy

જ⁀➴The Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch
One of my favorite parts of this book is that the author lets us see all sides of Grace O'Malley and not just the pirate queen that made her famous. The way that she chose to weave the trinity knot and the lifespan of a woman into the story was breathtaking. Together they create an incredibly layered story of a woman who refused to be defined by the limitations of her time.

જ⁀➴ Maiden
The maiden represents the beginning of Grace's rebellion. She was five years old when her father told her she could not go to sea because her hair would get caught in the sails, so she cut it off. From an early age, she was drawn to the sea and to freedom. When her father took her and her brother to a shop and told them they could pick out one item and one item only, Grace picked a compass. In this era of her life, she begins to understand that with independence comes consequences and that the freedom she desires will require sacrifices she can't begin to understand yet. I loved this part of the journey because it allowed us, the readers, to understand that certain parts of Grace's personality and characteristics were always part of her. She was always in love with the sea, she always had a rebellion streak in her, and she always wanted freedom and independence.

જ⁀➴ Mother
As a woman and a mother myself, this section was the most complex part of the book for me, watching Grace have to battle between freedom and her responsibilities as a mother. Learning that her decisions now carry consequences not only for herself but for those she loves. Grace is forced to navigate between her responsibilities and her identity. Many times, mothers struggle with keeping their own personal independence while also taking care of others. I love that the author refused to let who Grace was before motherhood simply disappear, instead you see her evolve into a woman who loves fiercely and is willing to go to immeasurable lengths for those she loves.

જ⁀➴ Matriarch
At this point in her life Grace has experienced much in life: love, loss, betrayal, sacrifice. She has already earned her power, defended it, and suffered because of it. This part of the book is when her legacy and personal rebellion is bigger than just herself. This is the part of the story where you see Grace and her confrontation with the English Crown. Her power has changed throughout her lifecycle, and it has become a quieter kind of power. She begins to understand that sometimes different battles in your life require you to fight differently. In this section we see how everything she has went through in life and how all of her different layers help shape her decisions and her power.

"Though I would think a woman your age would be tired of fighting."
"Then you know nothing about women. The older we get, the easier the fighting becomes."

[Lily Steeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bringing us on yet another historical venture is Ariel Lawhon in her newest release- The Pirate Queen. This time, she chronicles the life of 1500s Irish chieftain and sea captain Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Ní Mháille). Though little of Grace's story is found in Irish history, details of her life come from an unexpected place: her enemies, the English. Her memory survives, and we see her as a fearless leader by land and by sea, political tactician, rebel, pirate and matriarch.
Lawhon chooses to unfold the narrative in a nonchronological manner, rotating between three phases of Grace's life: Maiden, Mother/Maimed, and Matriarch. We see she was born with an unbreakable bond with the ocean, often defying her chieftain father. Though she is eventually pushed into a loveless marriage for the sake of politics, wedding a terrible and cruel man- Donal O'Flaherty. She does her duties, having her first three children, though eventually finds herself betrayed on his lands.
We see her return to sea, finally able to lead clan O’Malley. However, as the English sets their eyes on Ireland, Grace wages a fierce resistance. Following her, we culminate to see her true encounter with Queen Elizabeth I. I will say, the timeline became a bit hard to follow, forcing me to keep going back to the last time a character was mentioned. We do have quite a large cast, but at least are given a character list before the novel begins.
Also incorporated is an unexpected sense of romance. Though stripped of making her own decisions early in life, Grace becomes confident in herself and finding her own love. While I'm not sure how much creative liberty was taking in detailing her love story, it was still a good component to add to the epic quality of the narrative. Grace was written as such a dynamic character. It was told in third person, which I find is best when giving the story of a real figure. Lawhon crafted Grace so well, she emerged so vividly as daughter, leader, wife, and mother.
Another thing I always like to consider when reading historical fiction is the author's effort in finding sources. I could not wait to get to the author's note to see how Lawhon approached sharing Grace's story. Grace was truly such a fascinating figure, one I'm surprised to not of previously know about. This was such a large story to tackle, one I'm glad was done by Lawhon. I think the timeline could of been polished a bit better, though this remains an experience I recommend.

[Michael Carver · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was rough. After reading The Frozen River I was beyond excited to read her next book and it was almost immediately a let down. Grace was an interesting character but it was also hard to become attached to her with the time jumps. I feel like every chapter being a different age was creative but it caused a lot of headaches. To go from five to twenty, to fifty-six, back to eight, to twenty-four, to fifty-six... This could have been separated into part 1 starting at age five, part 2 starting at age 20, and part three starting at age 56 or something instead of whatever this was.
It made it difficult, for me, to follow... or care honestly. I've been looking forward to this novel for so long and it was not at all what I wanted or expected.

That's all my opinion though. This could be the turn of the century novel for someone else, and I hope it is, but for me it fell very short.

[Marialyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Pip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ego te expectabo😭😭

This is a strong contender to be one of my favourite books of the year! The most gorgeous and satisfying reading experience I’ve had in a while.

This book has it all: family drama, clan rivalries, castles and imprisonments, romance, political scheming, pirates and shipwrecks, and all revolving around one of the most memorable heroines I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. It is wild to think that so much of this is based largely on real historical events. I am in awe of Ariel Lawhon’s skill in fleshing out Grace’s story and historical context and bringing everything to life in such painstaking and exquisite detail.

I felt every emotion from joy to grief, excitement to disgust. This story moved me in ways I wasn’t expecting and I was in tears by the end. Ariel Lawhon is a powerful writer and this story solidified her as an all-time favourite author.

The author’s note mentioned that it was probably a book that you wouldn’t read again. I disagree entirely! I want to revisit this in the future.

Gráinne O'Malley I will quite literally never be able to get your story out of my head.

[Cheryl Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pirate Queen

Rough or Regal?
What say I?
Rough, yes but not in the traditional way you would think her.
Regal, yes but not in the traditional way you would think her.

The most important reason this is a full five stars for me is a point that makes any book, in any genre successful for me is character development. Lawhon takes Grainne from her stormy day of birth to her last day so satisfactorily helping us know what this woman is made of and why she makes the decisions she does. When you call someone a character in real life or in a story book it makes me think of someone who is different than others around her, often someone scrappy who acts outside the normal way we are expected to act. That is the woman called Gráinne Ní Mháille.

The second reason I gave this novel 5 stars is I absolutely love to find the treasure of a historical fiction piece whose protagonist is based on a real woman. I especially appreciate if she is a strong and resilient woman. Here she is a "fecking" strong woman who has more nerve, verve and bravery running through her blood stream than most anyone, male or female I have read about.

Third...Having read the author's previous book The Frozen River I knew she could write a strong and compelling storyline. That she did again here.

Fourth now having read two of her novels I know I both enjoy and appreciate her writing style. This book is however laid out so differently than The Frozen River. In fact, in her after notes, the author invites you to read the book a second time by grouping the chapters she subtitled:
Maiden
Mother
Matriarch
She suggests it will offer you a totally different reading experience. I am traditionally not a re-reader of books as I feel there are so very many books I need yet to read. I've only re-read books for book club discussions. But as I enjoyed this novel so much I believe by March of this coming year I will re-read this as she suggests to see what the experience will be like.

And lastly the other reasons I enjoyed this book so...

• There is a large cast of interesting supporting characters written so sharply. I enjoyed them all whether they be friend or foe of Grace...her second name she is called by in the book.

• It primarily takes place in the fascinating country of Ireland.

• I had the opportunity to learn a bit about ships and seafaring.

• The 1500s, the time period of pirates, castles, royalty and traditions of the 1500s proved interesting to me.

A book about a female pirate may not be for everyone but it surprisingly turned out to be one of the most engaging books I've read all year.

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. 📚🎧

[tash · Rating 1.75 out of 5]

edit: stop liking my review pls

thank you to netgalley and swift group for providing me with this arc of ariel lawhon’s the pirate queen

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

[Angie Miale · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

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