What do you think?
Rate this book
Slipping the Noose
This book is a sequel to DEVIL'S BALLAST (2019, Text Publishing)
The way out is through.
Anne Bonny is chained up in the hold of a prison ship, nursing nine-month-old Molly. The baby is all she has left of Calico Jack, the swaggering pirate captain who loved her and stole her away to sea—and who now hangs from a gibbet. When armed men rip the child from her grasp, Bonny can do nothing and Molly seems lost. But Anne Bonny was not cut out for despair. She will plan for escape and rescue, and the plan will become action. And the streets of London will belong to her and her daughter — and the ragtag remnants of Calico Jack’s crew.
The way out is through.
Anne Bonny is chained up in the hold of a prison ship, nursing nine-month-old Molly. The baby is all she has left of Calico Jack, the swaggering pirate captain who loved her and stole her away to sea—and who now hangs from a gibbet. When armed men rip the child from her grasp, Bonny can do nothing and Molly seems lost. But Anne Bonny was not cut out for despair. She will plan for escape and rescue, and the plan will become action. And the streets of London will belong to her and her daughter — and the ragtag remnants of Calico Jack’s crew.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2022
2 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Meg Caddy
5 books60 followersMeg Caddy is a part-time bookseller and a full-time nerd. Their fantasy novel Waer was shortlisted for the 2013 Text Prize and the 2017 CBCA Book of the Year Award, and their historical fiction Devil’s Ballast was shortlisted for the 2020 Readings YA Book Prize. They are currently undertaking a PhD in queer fiction.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 2, 2022
Look, it better be at least a little bit good because it's officially out tomorrow and it's taken YEARS to write. Here's hoping?
No. Be confident, Meg.
It's good.
It's a Good Book.
No. Be confident, Meg.
It's good.
It's a Good Book.
May 3, 2022
(originally rated 3.5 stars, bumped it up to 4 stars as the confusion i had was because this is a sequel and my dumb ass didn't realise.)
(please note: this book is a sequel to devil’s ballast).
prior to reading this book, i hadn’t realised it was actually a sequel. i found the first half to be very confusing as i’d missed a whole book. (i’ve changed my rating to reflect this, taking my initial confusion out of the equation). the second half was much better, once i got into the swing of things. although i found the writing very stiff and difficult to read, i did adjust to the authors way of writing towards the end.
i wasn’t a fan of how anne bonny was portrayed. as our protagonist, i was expecting someone a little more likeable. to put simply: she was unlikeable and not very badass (i mean, she kicked ass at the very end. but what about the rest of the book?)
the main reason i ended up loving this book was because of fletcher. he was loveable in that gruff-manly man kind of way. and i love the little twist we get about half way through.
the main thing i loved about slipping the noose was the inclusion of queer relationships. homosexuality was more accepted in the times of piracy and i’m glad the author chose to include it in this book. and the same with a gender queer character. (i’m unsure about gender identity during the time of pirates, but I’m assuming it’ll be along similar lines to sexuality – especially as there are known female pirates who dressed as men).
this book reminded me how much i loved black sails, and i’ve since gone back and rewatched all four seasons.
since finishing this book, i’ve been informed that there’s a first book which i plan to read sometime soon. (please don’t copy me. read devil’s ballast first).
(please note: this book is a sequel to devil’s ballast).
prior to reading this book, i hadn’t realised it was actually a sequel. i found the first half to be very confusing as i’d missed a whole book. (i’ve changed my rating to reflect this, taking my initial confusion out of the equation). the second half was much better, once i got into the swing of things. although i found the writing very stiff and difficult to read, i did adjust to the authors way of writing towards the end.
i wasn’t a fan of how anne bonny was portrayed. as our protagonist, i was expecting someone a little more likeable. to put simply: she was unlikeable and not very badass (i mean, she kicked ass at the very end. but what about the rest of the book?)
the main reason i ended up loving this book was because of fletcher. he was loveable in that gruff-manly man kind of way. and i love the little twist we get about half way through.
the main thing i loved about slipping the noose was the inclusion of queer relationships. homosexuality was more accepted in the times of piracy and i’m glad the author chose to include it in this book. and the same with a gender queer character. (i’m unsure about gender identity during the time of pirates, but I’m assuming it’ll be along similar lines to sexuality – especially as there are known female pirates who dressed as men).
this book reminded me how much i loved black sails, and i’ve since gone back and rewatched all four seasons.
since finishing this book, i’ve been informed that there’s a first book which i plan to read sometime soon. (please don’t copy me. read devil’s ballast first).
May 27, 2022
As I began to read this novel, I felt that I have jumped into the middle of a story. This prompted me to check Goodreads which notes (at the bottom of the book description; I had to click on 'more' to see) that this book is a sequel to Devil's Ballast which, errr, I have yet to read, oops! This kind of ruins the read a little for me... I stopped reading to read Devil's Ballast first which didn't turn out to be what I quite expected before jumping back into Slipping the Noose.
The good thing is that after I read Devil's Ballast, I have readjusted my expectations and actually enjoyed Slipping the Noose. I have become acquainted with some of the characters, especially Anne, and understood her feelings a lot more which I then can sympathise with. It's a suspenseful read with 2 perspectives (Bonny's & Read's) which really got me on the edge of my seat waiting for when or where these will culminate. The final pages were utterly wonderful and I got to wondering if we will see these characters again.
While the plot in this novel will stand on its own, I do highly recommend that you read Devil's Ballast first as it will make clear of who some characters are and how they relate to each other. Do not expect a swashbuckling adventures as these novels aren't quite those but they are action-packed with its own twist. Highly readable and thoroughly enjoyable!
My thanks to Text Publishing for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
The good thing is that after I read Devil's Ballast, I have readjusted my expectations and actually enjoyed Slipping the Noose. I have become acquainted with some of the characters, especially Anne, and understood her feelings a lot more which I then can sympathise with. It's a suspenseful read with 2 perspectives (Bonny's & Read's) which really got me on the edge of my seat waiting for when or where these will culminate. The final pages were utterly wonderful and I got to wondering if we will see these characters again.
While the plot in this novel will stand on its own, I do highly recommend that you read Devil's Ballast first as it will make clear of who some characters are and how they relate to each other. Do not expect a swashbuckling adventures as these novels aren't quite those but they are action-packed with its own twist. Highly readable and thoroughly enjoyable!
My thanks to Text Publishing for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
April 28, 2022
Exciting action packed story with great world building of London in the early 1700s. I loved Caddy's version of Anne Bonny and Mary Read's lives.
Read
March 10, 2023The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of Slipping the Noose
‘A fascinating read…will enthral lovers of historical fiction…The narrative is written in the voices of Bonny and Read, and both come alive for the reader.’
ReadPlus
‘Caddy is unsparing in her description of the seamier side of London life. She includes contemporary issues—Jacobitism, feminism, gender identity and homosexuality—to provide a lively and authentic background to the story.’
Magpies
‘A rollicking piece of feminist historical fiction…Engaging and entertaining…Excellent for YA readers seeking cultural representation and LGBTQI+ inclusivity.
SAETA
‘A fascinating read…will enthral lovers of historical fiction…The narrative is written in the voices of Bonny and Read, and both come alive for the reader.’
ReadPlus
‘Caddy is unsparing in her description of the seamier side of London life. She includes contemporary issues—Jacobitism, feminism, gender identity and homosexuality—to provide a lively and authentic background to the story.’
Magpies
‘A rollicking piece of feminist historical fiction…Engaging and entertaining…Excellent for YA readers seeking cultural representation and LGBTQI+ inclusivity.
SAETA
September 30, 2023
3.5 stars
Slipping the Noose was as good as Devil's Ballast, if not slightly better, although I was disappointed with the ending. The reason I haven't given Slipping the Noose a higher rating was that the novel needed better editing and was spoilt by modernisms which grated on my nerves considering it was a historical setting.
However, I liked that the novel was narrated by both Read and Bonny, and there was certainly lots of action, danger and mayhem. Overall, an entertaining read.
Slipping the Noose was as good as Devil's Ballast, if not slightly better, although I was disappointed with the ending. The reason I haven't given Slipping the Noose a higher rating was that the novel needed better editing and was spoilt by modernisms which grated on my nerves considering it was a historical setting.
However, I liked that the novel was narrated by both Read and Bonny, and there was certainly lots of action, danger and mayhem. Overall, an entertaining read.
June 24, 2025
it was good! a bit more interesting the second attempt - the first time, i think it just wasn't the right time.
the plot and scheming was fun and interesting, but i just unfortunately didn't find myself very invested. this isn't necessarily a fault of the writing, it might just be that i'm not a big pirate person in the end.
the plot and scheming was fun and interesting, but i just unfortunately didn't find myself very invested. this isn't necessarily a fault of the writing, it might just be that i'm not a big pirate person in the end.
December 22, 2023
This book was alright, but it was so fast-paced, right as i started understanding a character, they changed. It also felt as though the author wrote the characters, then suddenly added something else, which didn't really fit into the story. A good read, but not amazing
March 24, 2024
I loved both Anne Bonny and Martin Read in Devil's Ballast, so it was great to see them again, still finding ways to be piratey while trapped in London. Ned Fletcher's arc was also a delightful surprise. As with the first book, bonus points for the fantastic LGBTQ+ rep.
February 4, 2023
I am a judge for the 2022 Aurealis Awards. This review is my personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinators, or the Aurealis Awards management team.
August 24, 2022
love to see a girlboss winning
November 7, 2023
Love it just love it. I love historical fiction. One of my favourite genres for sure. And Meg Caddy didn’t disappoint. I’ve managed to meet them twice and get my copies signed at conventions such as Supanova and school writing programs. A wild ride that they took us all on and once again the way Martians story was handled was once again a highlight! Love the story even if it leans more on fiction this time and I felt that Bonny would have liked it. Can’t wait for more of Caddy’s works! Always good to support local Australian authors :)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews