What do you think?
Tides of Fortune #1
Pirate
After decades at sea, pirate legend Jose' Gasparilla is prepared to retire. As he and his crew split their treasure, the promise of one final prize lures the ship back into action. Little do they know that the purported riches are nothing but a trap set by the fledgling U.S. Navy! With the crew decimated and the treasure scattered, a new leader must rise from the defeat. They'll go on one last adventure through unexplored Florida to the Keys. Can they stay one step ahead of enemies hell-bent on their destruction? Tides of Fortune is a box set of the first four serialized episodes of a thrilling high-seas adventure series from renowned storyteller Steven Becker. Fans say the brilliantly written and fast-paced collection has plenty of action, three-dimensional characters, and plot twists galore. Keys natives and land lovers alike will dive headfirst into this daring escape saga.
216 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2015
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 16, 2021
A band of pirates at the end of the days of piracy decides to call it quits and split their treasure. But one last chance for a raid is too tempting to pass up, and it all ends in disaster. The survivors must keep one step ahead of the noose held by the fledgling United States Navy and keep from losing their chests full of treasure.
Told in first person by the ship's cabin boy, who somehow becomes their leader, this is a pretty exciting story. It seems they go from one dangerous situation to another. The writing is straightforward and rather plain - it needed more show and less tell, and first person narrative hampers that - but I still found it a compelling read. Some of the situations don't exactly seem plausible, but the author clearly knows sailing and Florida and history well enough to tell a fun sea-faring yarn. I might even look for the next book in the series. (I downloaded this as one of a collection of the author's books.)
Told in first person by the ship's cabin boy, who somehow becomes their leader, this is a pretty exciting story. It seems they go from one dangerous situation to another. The writing is straightforward and rather plain - it needed more show and less tell, and first person narrative hampers that - but I still found it a compelling read. Some of the situations don't exactly seem plausible, but the author clearly knows sailing and Florida and history well enough to tell a fun sea-faring yarn. I might even look for the next book in the series. (I downloaded this as one of a collection of the author's books.)
September 14, 2024
The time period, setting, and genre are just what they sound like. A real swashbuckler. While Pirate is a pirate story, it is also a fascinating glimpse into life in early Florida. The author is knowledgeable about sailing and life in a swampland. I liked the characters; they are entirely believable in a historical fiction sort of way. I mean, pirates, sea battles, a femme fatale, and treasure, what more could one want? Pirate by Steve Becker was a good and entertaining read. No AI was used to generate this review.
November 1, 2015
Not just a Pirate book
An interesting book that took me a few chapters to get into it.
Having not read any Pirate type books it was something different to read, choosing because of the author. Very enjoyable and am thinking about reading the next one in the series.
An interesting book that took me a few chapters to get into it.
Having not read any Pirate type books it was something different to read, choosing because of the author. Very enjoyable and am thinking about reading the next one in the series.
February 4, 2017
A great series by Steven Becker! I could not put this book down and was disappointed when it ended, but it does not end. There are two more books in the series and did not disappoint. Navigating the waters of Florida and the Caribbean. Becker puts you at the helm for these great adventures.
August 13, 2017
Pirate life
I enjoyed this read for the Florida references and learning about (some) pirate life. Intrigued to see how the story wraps up, probably won't jump into the second one right away, but eventually.
I enjoyed this read for the Florida references and learning about (some) pirate life. Intrigued to see how the story wraps up, probably won't jump into the second one right away, but eventually.
May 4, 2019
An exciting tale of pirates.
Although this novel is mainly concerned with pirates it is an interesting glimpse into life in early Florida. The book is very knowledgeable in sailing and survival in swampland and is full of battles and other adventures but at times tends to over complicate matters. The characters are entirely believable with the exception of Tory who is far more of an remembrance than a necessary character. She seems to be the sort of person that pirates would kill or abandon rather than suffer through her presence, entirely an unwanted distraction to the story who rather than adds to the plot seems to diminish its believability. The book does have some editing issues which should have been caught but all in it is a good read.
Although this novel is mainly concerned with pirates it is an interesting glimpse into life in early Florida. The book is very knowledgeable in sailing and survival in swampland and is full of battles and other adventures but at times tends to over complicate matters. The characters are entirely believable with the exception of Tory who is far more of an remembrance than a necessary character. She seems to be the sort of person that pirates would kill or abandon rather than suffer through her presence, entirely an unwanted distraction to the story who rather than adds to the plot seems to diminish its believability. The book does have some editing issues which should have been caught but all in it is a good read.
May 27, 2026
An OK Introduction to a new series
Not quite the type of Pirate book I was hoping to read. As many of the characters did not exhibit the hard living pirate life.
So while the characters may exhibit higher moral behavior, I would prefer a book with the more hard-living stereotypical pirate characters.
I will probably try the next book or two in the series as this book was a quick, easy read.
Not quite the type of Pirate book I was hoping to read. As many of the characters did not exhibit the hard living pirate life.
So while the characters may exhibit higher moral behavior, I would prefer a book with the more hard-living stereotypical pirate characters.
I will probably try the next book or two in the series as this book was a quick, easy read.
May 28, 2017
TIDES OF FORTUNE : ESCAPE by Steven Becker
TIDES OF FORTUNE : ESCAPE by Becker.Steven .The life of a pirate wanting one more bounty, before retiring,this turned into being a trap for Jose and his crew, by the navy. The tension, a good plot holds one captive to the end. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
TIDES OF FORTUNE : ESCAPE by Becker.Steven .The life of a pirate wanting one more bounty, before retiring,this turned into being a trap for Jose and his crew, by the navy. The tension, a good plot holds one captive to the end. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
February 5, 2019
Like yOu Are There
I am not an expert on old ships but I do have some sailing experience. Becker does not disappoint. Sure, he stretchers plausibility here and there but overall it feels like you are right there. The details of sailing and navigation, though I cannot verify their accuracy, are close enough to convince me. Good fun end of pirate days story. Lots of fun.
I am not an expert on old ships but I do have some sailing experience. Becker does not disappoint. Sure, he stretchers plausibility here and there but overall it feels like you are right there. The details of sailing and navigation, though I cannot verify their accuracy, are close enough to convince me. Good fun end of pirate days story. Lots of fun.
May 25, 2020
Wow!!! I love this book!! And I love it when an author uses real people, real places, and past history to bring together an incredibly good book!! I could not put it down, it kept me on the edge of my seat!! The storyline as well written, the characters are well developed and I just had to know what was gonna happen next!! This is high adventure at it’s best!!
June 11, 2026
Great historical sailing adventure!
I have read the whole Tides of Fortune series several years ago. It was so good I started over! I just finished “Pirate” and I think it was better the second time! For me it has just the right sprinkling of history, geography, and a good helping of nautical terms without getting too technical.
I have read the whole Tides of Fortune series several years ago. It was so good I started over! I just finished “Pirate” and I think it was better the second time! For me it has just the right sprinkling of history, geography, and a good helping of nautical terms without getting too technical.
July 13, 2020
A new entry in the pirate genre
A pirate tale off the coast of 19th century Florida. Florida is now part of the United States and the navy is targeting the pirates still working the coast along the keys. First in a new series. Highly recommended.
A pirate tale off the coast of 19th century Florida. Florida is now part of the United States and the navy is targeting the pirates still working the coast along the keys. First in a new series. Highly recommended.
July 25, 2020
After three of his books, Steven Becker is listed as one of my favorites. His books have lead characters that are just normal people that you love to see succeed in their many exciting adventures. I will keep on reading his work.
April 19, 2022
An interesting read
In the beginning the book was slow but it quickly picked up and held my interest. The storyline had several twists to it which made the plot more adventurous and allowed the characters to grow.
In the beginning the book was slow but it quickly picked up and held my interest. The storyline had several twists to it which made the plot more adventurous and allowed the characters to grow.
August 5, 2023
fun pirate book!
There is very little context or backstory… but who needs it!! I had a great time following along as this band of misfits try to escape the navy, natives, and eachother!
There is very little context or backstory… but who needs it!! I had a great time following along as this band of misfits try to escape the navy, natives, and eachother!
July 25, 2024
A great start for a new series
Becker sticks his neck out in a new book with new characters and a whole new storyline. I think he hit it out of the park. Well thought out and interesting enough to keep you reading.
Becker sticks his neck out in a new book with new characters and a whole new storyline. I think he hit it out of the park. Well thought out and interesting enough to keep you reading.
October 28, 2024
Good story
Love the old sailing stories that take you back to early Florida and the pirate s that ran their boats in these watets.always v more to read have a good day just a few to halloween.ciao from Bobbie and i
Love the old sailing stories that take you back to early Florida and the pirate s that ran their boats in these watets.always v more to read have a good day just a few to halloween.ciao from Bobbie and i
April 29, 2019
Help, I've fallen into a series and I can't get out. That was fun, aaarrrrr
May 3, 2020
3.5
June 28, 2021
Adventure
I'd recommend this book to anybody who likes adventure, boating activities, pirate activities, and like to read with a little history involved.
I'd recommend this book to anybody who likes adventure, boating activities, pirate activities, and like to read with a little history involved.
November 25, 2021
Good Read for Pirate Lovers
It’s a page turner from the very first word until the last. Will Nick keep saving Rory? Read and find out.
It’s a page turner from the very first word until the last. Will Nick keep saving Rory? Read and find out.
April 5, 2022
Light pirate
Great start to some very interesting charachters. I can see this moving along for many episodes. Great read. Looking forward to next book
Great start to some very interesting charachters. I can see this moving along for many episodes. Great read. Looking forward to next book
January 14, 2023
This is a fun pirate adventure! And, if you're like me, when you get to the end, you'll want to read the next book in the series right away.
January 15, 2023
Again, bit to much description of geography, but liked the intertwined pirate and love story combined.
Want to Read
February 24, 2023Author gift First Bites
April 3, 2023
This was a fun book. Unrealistic to some degree but enjoyable.
August 28, 2024
I didn’t even finish this book. It is nonsensical and ridden with plot holes.
August 11, 2026
Couldn't get past the first few chapters
September 23, 2026
well done
Interesting story, much enjoyed by myself. Lots of swashbuckling adventures. A bit of growing up and romance, just a bit.
Rock on!
Interesting story, much enjoyed by myself. Lots of swashbuckling adventures. A bit of growing up and romance, just a bit.
Rock on!
May 24, 2020
Interesting
But I felt unbelievable, the sail sailors of that time would not be so ready to follow one so young and experienced.
But I felt unbelievable, the sail sailors of that time would not be so ready to follow one so young and experienced.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews