Princeless: Raven the Pirate Princess Book 4: Two Ships in the Night

Raven: the Pirate Princess (Collected Editions) #4

by Jeremy Whitley, Xenia Pamfil (illustrator)

High adventures on the high sea is back! With her crew restored from their run-in with her treacherous brothers, Raven is ready to reclaim what was stolen from her.

But when a night of revelry takes a turn and the crew is taken unawares, will they be able to fight off an invasion and keep their ship afloat? And after Raven came to terms with her feelings for one of her crew last adventure, will she be able to confess those feelings to the one person that matters? Or will another romantic mishap throw their relationship off track before it really even starts?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, LGBT, Young Adult, Queer, Graphic Novels Comics

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2018

About the author

Jeremy Whitley is the son of two teachers and the husband of a third.

Born in La Mesa, CA, Jeremy went to high school in Lenoir, NC and college at The University of North Carolina. He graduated with a Bachelors in English, and a minor in Creative Writing.

Jeremy lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife Alicia and his two daughters Zuri and Amara.

Jeremy is the writer/creator of the comic series Princeless, Raven the Pirate Princess, School for Extraterrestrial Girls, and The Dog Knight. He is also the writer of the acclaimed Marvel series "The Unstoppable Wasp". His other works include extensive work for Marvel, the "Sea of Thieves" comics, and over sixty issues of My Little Pony comics.

Awards and Nominations:
3 time Glyph Winner
5 time Glyph Nominee
2 time Eisner Nominee
2 time Cyblis Nominee
2 time Bloomer Nominee
1 time Most Likely to Succeed Winner

Reviews

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS
I gotta say, the new art really really really threw me off. I had a hard time figuring out who was who because some of them looked too similar now and nothing like the art before.
That aside, I can't say this was the best in the series. It lacked the usual quick witty style and tried too hard for a feminist vibe without anything really happening. This felt like it could have been condensed into one issue instead of a volume.
I know the relationships are complex but this just felt like it was trying to stir up too much drama for no good reason and the overall fight scenes were kind of a let down and repetitive.
I was hoping to see more of their adventures and getting closer to the pirate king, but sadly that didn't happen and this just felt like a detour I didn't need.
I still love these characters and this world, this just was disappointing.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟

FIGHT!! FIGHT!! FIGHT!! FIGHT!!

Holy fuck, did Sunshine really follow a pretty girl into on an open sea adventure knowing that she can't swim??? What a disaster lesbian.

__________________________

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[Dev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with some of the other reviewers that the cast here is really too big to focus on everyone, the art isn't as good as it was before, and a few characters' hair randomly change colors so I was all ready to rate this four stars ...buuuuuuuut ...I DON'T EVEN CARE I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH? And that letter to the fans at the end! ♥ ♡ ♥ ♡

I would love to see some more on a few characters that got overlooked here in the next volume, but overall I am still loving this and I just can't believe we have an ongoing series about an entire ship of queer lady pirates that is written so well. It's clear that Whitley really cares about his characters and his audience and I am continually amazed at his ability to write characters so far from his own life experience and write them so well.

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just really really really really really really like this series.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is all-in on LGBTQ+ soap opera. The all-female crew is all relationships all the time, and an attack in the middle of the book by an old enemy is just more fodder for conversations about friendship and romance.

The characters are charming -- though there a few too many of them to keep track of -- and what action there is is fun and exciting. I'm happy I have a couple more volumes on hand from the library.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contains material originally published in single magazine form as Princeless: Raven the Pirate Princess: Year Two: Love and Revenge #1-4.

Contents: Chapter One. A Ship in the Night -- Chapter Two. Overboard -- Chapter Three. The Ballad of Katie Kling -- Chapter Four. Stitches -- From the Captain's Desk [Author's Afterword]

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat of cliffhanger bit here. The new art isn't quite to my taste. But I still enjoy being with my kick ass ladies.

[USOM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be one of my favorite comic series EVER. Each issue I love it more and more, even if I never thought it was possible. Read it for fierce heroines, fantastic issues, and swoon worthy relationships

[Dreximgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little bit of a let down from the previous volume. From what I can tell the creators took a year off before starting this again but as such it means that we don't get the continuation from the previous volume and to me it felt like the characters moved in a different direction to how they had been set up - possibly because of fan influence? Also the art wasn't as spot on as it had been before and sometimes characters who were not the focus of the frame were done in a sloppy manner when it came to colour etc.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really the only thing that I don't love is that the cast is a bit too big and most of the characters aren't getting a chance to show any depth. Otherwise, I still love this series.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of this graphic novel that were awesome... but it just felt like Raven's series might have lost a little of it's magic.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun. Really enjoying learning about all of the characters. A gallery would be helpful though, because there are just so many.

[Therese Sedin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this so much! I need the next part now.

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one seemed kind of all over the place. It’s a little bit losing me, I think, just like Princeless has. It just feels like something’s missing, you know?

[laura (bookies & cookies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm ugly crying from the author's note at the end and I will never forget those words or this moment.

[Derryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is the best!
With great representation with lesbian,bisexual,demisexual, asexual and a character questioning their gender.

Yes yes yes

[Marthese Formosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure how many issues are in this trade, I read the 6 single issues.

This series is just gah! I love it!

Some people feel there are too many characters but to me, what this series did, is give dignity, importance and a story to many of its characters. What many series do, is they focus on a few characters and we got used to it but the fact it, in a crew, all members are useful. Otherwise they wouldn't be there.

It was difficult, since some time passed from the last trade. I had to get used to the characters again and their names (and really cool names). I have to say I like Zoe and Quinn - I'm guessing ace rep.

The note from the writer was just so good! He explained how the series started and that while he is a straight cis white man, he did his research; and it shows. This graphic novel felt like a bubble of sunshine and a safe space - there are holes in that safe space but that's what planks are for.

Raven's speech on violence on women was also all too real. But the twist was great! Fantastic! Sunshine in the heart of the sea.

I am still team Ravenshine, like Dezzy is. Dezzy got some characterization. He's dramatic and selfish at times but also feel guilt and wanted to help. Many of the characters got some characterization. A lot of different identities, ages, ethnicities etc. Not all characters are fighters or strong but each one has something to add. They're still very much a bunch of geeks, albeit tough ones.

From a party, to boarding party to pity party - this one is definitely worth a read.

[J. Sterling Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better.

As good as the story is, my favorite part of this book is actually the afterward. I've been reading comics and graphic novels for as long as I can remember.

It's rare to find a writer that understands and love his characters as much as Jeremy does. He's writing a cast of characters that's about as far from his personal experience as one can get when writing about humans. Even with the challenges this type of writing possesses, he manages to not only pull it off in a believable fashion, but in an amazing and delightful way.

I became a fan of Princeless even before I read the first story, because I loved the concept. Upon reading it, I knew I was hooked. The stories have grown and evolved so much since then that I'm hooked and love all that has since happened.

I can't wait for more.

[Alexis Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raven the Pirate Princess is an amazing series of stories with a wide diverse range of lady characters. Book four is a dramatic arc which has the women of the crew deal with some massive loss, drama, and romance. The narrative is gripping and had me engaged the whole time. There was so many lovely things going on and and the creative team goes a great job balancing it's large cast to give everyone moments.

The art by Xenia Pamfil is amazing, the diverse body shapes and expressive faces make for really lived characters. She manages to really make great use of light and color to make for a powerful comic.

I had a few issues with some narrative choices, a bit of the dialogue and all that but overall this is a really great story. I think any little complaint can be overwritten by the amazing voice each character gets.

Also its hella queer and I love it.

[Ang · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well they have certainly brought out the love triangle between Ximena, Raven and Sunshine to the forefront. I mean, it was always there, but kind of under the current, but now it's out there... Who is Raven going to choose?

I'm glad that Sunshine isn't dead, but I'm curious as to where her story arc is going to go and how the mermaids will play into the next volume.

Helena killed a pirate. I mean, this isn't a non-violent series. Afterall, it's about bad ass women pirates so there will be sword fights and people getting hurt. I didn't realize that they would actually have one of the women crew kill a man. I wonder how they're going to deal with that in the next volume. I wonder how Helena and Trish will deal with it on the ship and if the other crew will find out.

I'm just curious to see what's in store for the next volume.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raven’s second year as ship captain begins. But when a celebration is cut short by an attack, the crew is tested and finds relationships flourish – and suffer.

I cannot even get into my review without squealing for joy that the ads have disappeared from these volumes!! I was overjoyed to find all 128 pages of this book full of Raven and her crew with a poignant author’s note (and a heartfelt promise to his readers) as well as several progression views from the artist.

And now we get to see what this crew is made of! While the story begins with a riotous celebration with food and dancing, it is interrupted by an attack from another ship. Swords fly, bodies bleed, men tumble, our female crew is tested, and relationships complicate. Now, this is why I love these characters: tremendous strength and friendship from a solid crew of women of every ethnicity and sexuality.

[Anoush · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out on the seas and it seems everyone must pair up and inevitably there's jealousy and mischief and clashing. A bit more romance than I was looking for. I imagine it moves the story forward, but it wasn't my favorite installation in the series.

Sunshine wants Raven but Raven is completely taken with Ximena. Amirah stirs the pot and helps Sunshine seduce Raven. In the midst of this the ship is attacked, Sunshine goes overboard and can't swim. Raven jumps in to save her and gets knocked unconscious. Ximena saves Raven, but then gets the cold shoulder as Sunshine is missing, presumed dead.

The crew successfully fights off their attackers, looking to capture Raven. Helena went berzerk and killed men and is keeping it secret, feeling so guilty.

It ends with a cut-scene to Sunshine in an secret underwater mer-world. Duhn duhn duhn!

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunshine has a major crush on the Captain and trouble-maker Dezzy sees an opportunity to bring them together (while driving a wedge between Raven and Ximena who clearly have strong feelings for one another. Her scheme works and Raven and Sunshine end up canoodling under the stars. Then their ship is attacked and Sunshine goes overboard. Raven follows her and is injured in the process. Ximena dives in to save them both, but only manages to retrieve Raven. The capable crew, led by First Mate Katie, repels the attackers, but Sunshine appears to be lost forever. Adventure on the high seas! And relationship drama. Will Ximena and Raven ever talk about their real feelings for one another?

[Liz Freed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Possibly the best one yet, but it's hard to say because I love these comics so much.

This is everything I wanted and needed in a story: a pirate ship run by diverse women (and possibly an enbie!) who are strong, gracious, learning, individual, and agents of their own stories. They're gay, bi, pan, and ace, and some are falling for each other while others are fast friends. There are even 2 Deaf characters who use sign. I could not love this more and I will eagerly buy the continuing volumes.

[Akemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't the biggest fan of the new art but storywise, this is my favorite volume yet and I find I love the series more each volume. I'm still very much in love with Raven, but I really liked that this volume was able to focus more on the other characters. Since it's Pride month, one thing that's been on my mind lately is I wonder if I had comics like this when I was younger I would have realized I'm bisexual much sooner.

[Sidny · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: 4/5



I don't think that this was the strongest instalment into this series, but that doesn't mean that it was bad by any means. I think that the character development just wasn't on a roll quite as much as it was in Book #3. I do wonder what will happen to characters that have been torn from the story and how other characters will deal with loses of different people in their lives.



Thanks for reading,

Sidny

[Lara Goldstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a solid 4 stars for me and then I read the post script by the author and it bumped it up to a 4.5/5. I love everything about the diversity, art, and girl power in the Raven books. Yes it is a little heavy handed at times, but the representation is also wonderful and important and so encouraging. Props to Whitley, Pamfil, and the rest of the creative team.

[em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5

Not as good as the previous installments, but just as enjoyable. It started off fairly slow buy it picked near the middle. Could've done without Dezzy pushing Sunshine into making a move on Raven. Sunshine was introduced as a strong & independent character & it felt odd seeing her be pushed to do something. Here's to X & Raven not being injured in the next installment.

[Skye Kilaen]

I think I'm done. The cast feels too big for anyone to get depth, I'm not wild about the new artist, and I don't know why Katie's hair keeps changing color, especially to the green-tinged blond (in a world without chlorine?) and mauve?

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I love the diversity and the queer content, the crew is just too large to give depth to any character. Captain Raven has only a small part in this collection mostly as a romantic interest. First Mate Katie (?) faces off against her past. I read this for my 2018 Reading Challenge.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story in this volume is messy. There's just a lot going on, but not much is explored in-depth. I'm not a big fan of the love triangle, either. That said, Whitley's author note at the end is thoughtful and makes me excited to read the next couple volumes.