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Mad Kestrel #1
Mad Kestrel
Quartermaster of an infamous pirate ship, feisty Kestrel loves the freedom of living on the seas. But her way of life could end if anyone on board learns her closely guarded secret—that she has magical control over the wind.
One day a black ship appears, and her life changes. Its captain is a handsome rogue of whom Kestrel is strangely, constantly aware. When Kestrel’s captain is led into a trap and arrested by royal agents, he’s whisked away to face trial before the king. With the handsome stranger following her every move, Kestrel gathers her determined crew and sets sail in relentless pursuit.
One day a black ship appears, and her life changes. Its captain is a handsome rogue of whom Kestrel is strangely, constantly aware. When Kestrel’s captain is led into a trap and arrested by royal agents, he’s whisked away to face trial before the king. With the handsome stranger following her every move, Kestrel gathers her determined crew and sets sail in relentless pursuit.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 4, 2008
29 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
About the author
Misty Massey
23 books69 followersI have always been a voracious reader. My parents encouraged my love of books, a gift more valuable to me than anything else they could have given me. It was no surprise to anyone when I began writing. I dabbled with short stories for years, even publishing a few in small press magazines, until I found and joined a writing critique group, and tried my hand at writing novels. When I'm not writing, I enjoy reading, belly dancing and playing a pirate character at the Carolina Renaissance Faire, based on the pirates of the early 17th century. My novel, Mad Kestrel, was born from my fascination with pirates and my love of fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
October 21, 2011
I ran across Misty Massey's debut novel somewhere over three years ago on the shelves of my local bookshop and the cover pulled me in right away. It's wonderful, isn't it? So many possibilities in it . You don't know whether it's historical fiction or steampunk or fantasy or a combination of all two or more of those. I love it when a cover allows you to avoid genre stereotyping like that for a little while at least. And then there was a lovely blurb from Sharon Shinn to give me that little extra push. So I grabbed it off the shelf and took it home with me. And I was very glad I did. I almost never hear people talking about MAD KESTREL, and yet I really think it deserves a wider audience. I mean, as Tom Stoppard said, "Pirates could happen to anyone."
Kestrel is a pirate. After years fighting to prove her worth, she's now the quartermaster on the pirate ship Wolfshead. She has become invaluable to her captain and mentor Binns, and the crew respect her and follow her lead. The story opens in the midst of a sea battle between Kestrel's crew and a mysterious vessel that seems to disappear and reappear out of the mist like some sort of phantom ship. Later, while on shore, Kestrel and Binns run into the captain of the mysterious ship, one Philip McAvery who is both dashing and maddening and who seems to have his sights set on Kestrel and her captain. Unfortunately, all hell breaks loose at this point. Binns is captured and imprisoned under false pretenses. McAvery makes off with the Wolfshead, and Kestrel is on the run from a pair of assassins and a bounty hunter.
No one is what they appear to be in this book. Even Kestrel. Gifted with the power to whistle up the wind, she has spent her life determined to hide her ability and thereby avoid the Danisoban Brethren--an order of mages who routinely round up all magically inclined children in order to use them for their own purposes. Interestingly enough, water is supposed to dampen magical ability. But our Kestrel is an exception. And she would prefer her unusual status remain safely anonymous. But Binns' capture and the continual interference of the inimitable McAvery gang up on her, making it difficult for Kestrel to maintain her grasp on the life she so carefully crafted for herself. What I like about Kestrel is how comfortable she is in her skin. Her qualms about her magical ability aside, she straddles the gap between women and pirates with panache. She is endearingly unselfconscious in her admittedly unusual role. And though she despises skirts and does not actively seek men out, she doesn't avoid them either. Misty Massey doesn't spend much time laying out back story on her characters. The reader is plunged into the middle of the action and comes to know the characters slowly as the story progresses. It wasn't until the end that I felt like I was getting a handle on who Kestrel, McAvery, and Binns really were. But it was a fun ride, packed with characters full of secrets and escapades on the high seas. I look forward to checking out Kestrel's (and McAvery's....grin) further adventures. It's been my understanding that Ms. Massey has been working on the second volume for awhile now, but I have heard very little about it. This distresses me. I'm crossing my fingers that it finds its way into print (and my hands) very soon.
Kestrel is a pirate. After years fighting to prove her worth, she's now the quartermaster on the pirate ship Wolfshead. She has become invaluable to her captain and mentor Binns, and the crew respect her and follow her lead. The story opens in the midst of a sea battle between Kestrel's crew and a mysterious vessel that seems to disappear and reappear out of the mist like some sort of phantom ship. Later, while on shore, Kestrel and Binns run into the captain of the mysterious ship, one Philip McAvery who is both dashing and maddening and who seems to have his sights set on Kestrel and her captain. Unfortunately, all hell breaks loose at this point. Binns is captured and imprisoned under false pretenses. McAvery makes off with the Wolfshead, and Kestrel is on the run from a pair of assassins and a bounty hunter.
No one is what they appear to be in this book. Even Kestrel. Gifted with the power to whistle up the wind, she has spent her life determined to hide her ability and thereby avoid the Danisoban Brethren--an order of mages who routinely round up all magically inclined children in order to use them for their own purposes. Interestingly enough, water is supposed to dampen magical ability. But our Kestrel is an exception. And she would prefer her unusual status remain safely anonymous. But Binns' capture and the continual interference of the inimitable McAvery gang up on her, making it difficult for Kestrel to maintain her grasp on the life she so carefully crafted for herself. What I like about Kestrel is how comfortable she is in her skin. Her qualms about her magical ability aside, she straddles the gap between women and pirates with panache. She is endearingly unselfconscious in her admittedly unusual role. And though she despises skirts and does not actively seek men out, she doesn't avoid them either. Misty Massey doesn't spend much time laying out back story on her characters. The reader is plunged into the middle of the action and comes to know the characters slowly as the story progresses. It wasn't until the end that I felt like I was getting a handle on who Kestrel, McAvery, and Binns really were. But it was a fun ride, packed with characters full of secrets and escapades on the high seas. I look forward to checking out Kestrel's (and McAvery's....grin) further adventures. It's been my understanding that Ms. Massey has been working on the second volume for awhile now, but I have heard very little about it. This distresses me. I'm crossing my fingers that it finds its way into print (and my hands) very soon.
May 4, 2011
It's a different kind of fantasy -- not your usual quest (Lord of the Rings) or Urban Fantasy (Skinwalker) and because of that it's ... well, not boring! Not predictable. And I admit that I know Misty, so I may be biased, but I think it's like Captain Jack Sparrow's Little Sister -- if she could do magic. An award nominated book worthy of both young adult and adult readers alike. Read it to your kids! That good of a book.
But different -- and maybe hard to pigeonhole. Imaginative, beautiful language, kickass heroine. I want installment number two! Hey, TOR? Where's number two in the series?
But different -- and maybe hard to pigeonhole. Imaginative, beautiful language, kickass heroine. I want installment number two! Hey, TOR? Where's number two in the series?
January 26, 2009
A straight up middle of the road fantasy.
Starts strongly, but just didn't have enough strength to keep it going.
The premise had a lot going for it - a female pirate, with forbidden magic (and wind magic to boot!) off to save her captain with some swashbuckling derring-do.
Unfortunately, the distractions and tangents detracted from that premise, as well as the fact that every problem that the main character [Kestrel:] has is solved in a page or two. Now, I don't mind reading over 300 pages to get to the resolution of Kestrel's problem, but I do mind reading all those pages of build-up to the problem and then about 5 pages of all solution all the time. Quite unsatisfying.
I understand they are in a time crunch to get where they're going, but everything gets solved in a page or two or less. Captured by a bounty hunter to sell to the magicians, her most loyal subordinate stabbed in the gut, mutiny on the high seas, a rival guild wants her because her magic is so different, etc - all are solved with only a page or two - its just a little too handy for my tastes.
I also found the crazy all-consuming desire that Kestrel has anytime she is near to or even thinking of McAvery to be a distraction that should just have been edited out of the book. It adds absolutely nothing to the storyline. The author dwells *excessively* on how the lust/desire Kestrel feels is so stratospheric, so different, so absolute, that it seems she is trying to insert some 'romance novel' into the book. Not needed. Not interesting, at least not with how it is just a tangent that never actually meets up with the plot.
I was also taken aback at the end of the book to realize that she had only spent 2 1/2 years with her captain - the one that she risks everything to rescue - who thinks of her as a daughter (and she treats him very fatherly.) She is 18 years away from the tragedy that orphaned her and had her living on the run in the streets, but we get only dribs and drabs of that story. I would have liked to see a lot more of her backstory growing up, serving on her first ships, etc. to flesh out her as a person.
But I enjoyed the world that Kestrel is in, and really, there isn't much to not-like in a book about a swashbuckling woman pirate captain out on a rescue mission. I like that tough young woman of dubious morals with her own inner compass of right and wrong.
Such is the reason for a middle of the road 3 star rating. If a second book is written (which I expect) I'll be giving it a chance, but I won't be actively looking for it.
Starts strongly, but just didn't have enough strength to keep it going.
The premise had a lot going for it - a female pirate, with forbidden magic (and wind magic to boot!) off to save her captain with some swashbuckling derring-do.
Unfortunately, the distractions and tangents detracted from that premise, as well as the fact that every problem that the main character [Kestrel:] has is solved in a page or two. Now, I don't mind reading over 300 pages to get to the resolution of Kestrel's problem, but I do mind reading all those pages of build-up to the problem and then about 5 pages of all solution all the time. Quite unsatisfying.
I understand they are in a time crunch to get where they're going, but everything gets solved in a page or two or less. Captured by a bounty hunter to sell to the magicians, her most loyal subordinate stabbed in the gut, mutiny on the high seas, a rival guild wants her because her magic is so different, etc - all are solved with only a page or two - its just a little too handy for my tastes.
I also found the crazy all-consuming desire that Kestrel has anytime she is near to or even thinking of McAvery to be a distraction that should just have been edited out of the book. It adds absolutely nothing to the storyline. The author dwells *excessively* on how the lust/desire Kestrel feels is so stratospheric, so different, so absolute, that it seems she is trying to insert some 'romance novel' into the book. Not needed. Not interesting, at least not with how it is just a tangent that never actually meets up with the plot.
I was also taken aback at the end of the book to realize that she had only spent 2 1/2 years with her captain - the one that she risks everything to rescue - who thinks of her as a daughter (and she treats him very fatherly.) She is 18 years away from the tragedy that orphaned her and had her living on the run in the streets, but we get only dribs and drabs of that story. I would have liked to see a lot more of her backstory growing up, serving on her first ships, etc. to flesh out her as a person.
But I enjoyed the world that Kestrel is in, and really, there isn't much to not-like in a book about a swashbuckling woman pirate captain out on a rescue mission. I like that tough young woman of dubious morals with her own inner compass of right and wrong.
Such is the reason for a middle of the road 3 star rating. If a second book is written (which I expect) I'll be giving it a chance, but I won't be actively looking for it.
June 9, 2018
Meh.
Pros–Some interesting ideas with the world, and politics with regard to magic.
Cons–No detail about any of it, and the amount of times I had to read the word, "wench" with my own two eyes.
Pros–Some interesting ideas with the world, and politics with regard to magic.
Cons–No detail about any of it, and the amount of times I had to read the word, "wench" with my own two eyes.
September 2, 2023
Great FMC
Kestrel is one of the best female main characters I've read in a long time. Unlike so many other writers these days, Ms Massey presents a female protagonist who is NOT TSTL, who is capable of fighting for herself, and is not in constant need of rescue by her male counterpart.
On the surface, this is a tale of pirates trying to rescue their captain. However, it is also a tale of a young woman overcoming her personal fears and coming to terms with who -- and what -- she is. I could have done without the lust/hate relationship between Kestrel and the Knave, but I'm thankful it was kept to a minimum.
There are some strange typos scattered throughout, as if the publisher used OCR to convert a PDF to kindle, along with several cases of missing apostrophes/incorrect possessives, but they were minimal overall.
Overall, I recommend Mad Kestrel to anyone looking for a pirate fantasy with a good, strong female lead who doesn't take crap from anyone.
Kestrel is one of the best female main characters I've read in a long time. Unlike so many other writers these days, Ms Massey presents a female protagonist who is NOT TSTL, who is capable of fighting for herself, and is not in constant need of rescue by her male counterpart.
On the surface, this is a tale of pirates trying to rescue their captain. However, it is also a tale of a young woman overcoming her personal fears and coming to terms with who -- and what -- she is. I could have done without the lust/hate relationship between Kestrel and the Knave, but I'm thankful it was kept to a minimum.
There are some strange typos scattered throughout, as if the publisher used OCR to convert a PDF to kindle, along with several cases of missing apostrophes/incorrect possessives, but they were minimal overall.
Overall, I recommend Mad Kestrel to anyone looking for a pirate fantasy with a good, strong female lead who doesn't take crap from anyone.
September 14, 2008
A decent, not great, first novel that needed richer world-building and more original 'magic' to keep from coming off as a romance novel disguised as a nautical/piratical fantasy. Kestrel was intriguing in her independence and history, but I always felt something was missing to keep her from becoming a truly _great_ character. Binns was fun, but I wanted to punch McAvery in the face, a feeling that only grew worse as the book went on. An acceptable read given the surprising dearth of piratical fantasy novels out there -- and I'll probably read the sequel when it comes out -- but Robin Hobb's Liveship trilogy was far more worth my time.
February 20, 2011
I really hope there's a sequel to this because there's a few things that kept me from giving it five stars. I like Kestrel. I like the crew. I like the location and I love that it's centered around pirates and magic. Despite all these things that are going for the story, I felt as though I was given information too late in the game about certain things and things could have been set up in a more thorough way. This left the plot a bit weak and the entire situation a little contrived. That's really the main complaint I have with the story—I'd definitely love to read more about Mad Kestrel; she's a fun character.
August 1, 2008
I'm wavering between two and three stars on this. I guess it'll be two. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't a new favorite, either. And I'd like to know how Kestel's crew automatically learned how to fire the ship's guns; it took a lot of practice and choreography to fire them without injury and any kind of speed.
January 27, 2012
2.5/3 stars
Fantasy-lite
A pirate adventure that was fun, but still left a lot of questions. I did not care for the possible romantic interest, but liked Kestrel and her abilities, her fear and her determination.
Fantasy-lite
A pirate adventure that was fun, but still left a lot of questions. I did not care for the possible romantic interest, but liked Kestrel and her abilities, her fear and her determination.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2017
A pirate story with a female pirate who has magical abilities. How could I resist that? I was hooked from the moment I read the blurb for this book. This is set in a different world where children who have magical abilities are raised in a secret order to become feared magi. The heroine has the abilities the order seeks but has kept herself hidden from them by going to sea. Water negates magic. This is the type of heroine I like to read about. She's strong, independent, wily yet able to show vulnerability when needed. The plot was intricate but not too hard to follow. The attempt at romance wasn't necessary but it didn't bother me either although much too much was said about the rogue's looks and body. We get it. He's a finely made and dashing Han Solo of this world. I wish the author expanded on the mysterious Danisoban order of magi. What happens when a child is finished with the training? What kinds of magic does the order do? Who governs them? All we know is that they are feared and Kestral has a mortal fear of anyone in the order discovering her abilities yet her abilities go beyond those of the average Danisoban, so what is she?
I don't know the first thing about pirates but the pirates in this story weren't as cutthroat and drunk as those in other stories. Unlike some other reviewers, I didn't find this a flaw either because it takes place in some other world where magic exists. So presumably their pirates aren't exactly like pirates in our history.
This book didn't have any sex (shucks!) so it would be a good selection for a young teen or old grandma type. I plan to read the second book in the series.
I don't know the first thing about pirates but the pirates in this story weren't as cutthroat and drunk as those in other stories. Unlike some other reviewers, I didn't find this a flaw either because it takes place in some other world where magic exists. So presumably their pirates aren't exactly like pirates in our history.
This book didn't have any sex (shucks!) so it would be a good selection for a young teen or old grandma type. I plan to read the second book in the series.
April 1, 2020
I've had this on my list for several years now, back from when I made a massive backlog of pirate novels and stories to read. Many have the unfortunate fate of being unresearched and sloppily written, but this was good. The nautical terms and lingo were spot on, and the characters were actually believable. What I really respect was that this was written in a way that an entire world had been developed, and you knew it and understood it as it evolved naturally throughout the story, instead of having to be beaten over the head with it in long, boring, exposition-filled chapters.
Normally I'd have devoured this in a day or two, but life doesn't allow me to read as fast as I once did, so I'd say two weeks is pretty good for me, and my current indicator of whether a book is really good or not.
Normally I'd have devoured this in a day or two, but life doesn't allow me to read as fast as I once did, so I'd say two weeks is pretty good for me, and my current indicator of whether a book is really good or not.
August 22, 2022
There sure are a lot of own-goals and quick reversals in this book. "Kes had the best crew ever. If they found out she was wounded they would mutiny!! They were great and her family. She didn't trust those sex pests. What a super cool crew. What's in this box? The prisoner won't tell me! Should I open it and find out? No, I'll stab it! Hmm, did the stabbing work? I guess not. Should I open it? I really want to know what's in there! I guess I'll yell at this prisoner to tell me some more! I'll chain the prisoner up over there. Over here. Over there. I'll wear this shirt. No, that shirt!!" (She does change her shirt a lot.)
What do old people say instead of cringey? I found this kinda cringey.
What do old people say instead of cringey? I found this kinda cringey.
April 19, 2022
Magic, Pirates and a bad ass female lead, what more could you ask for. Misty creates an intricate tapestry in this work that is beautiful and intricate in it's detail. The story sucks you in and keeps you reading. She develops amazing characters and tells an interesting story with them. Kestrel is one of those female leads that epitomizes what a strong female can be without sacrificing the aspects that make her a woman. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys pirate adventures, or magical journeys.
June 15, 2017
This is an average, nothing special fantasy tale. It has the requisite young, female protagonist who is hiding her power and is hunted by fanatical bad guys. Of course, there is the stereotypical handsome rogue as well. The only difference between this tale and so many others, is that the female protagonist is a pirate.
February 13, 2019
I loved this book! It's a thrilling adventure story with well-drawn, lovable characters and a fast-paced story that had me be staying up late to finish it. Kestrel is the perfect heroine, tough and smart, the type of heroine it's impossible not to root for. The other pirates and characters in her world are as fascinating and fun as she is.
April 14, 2019
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It drags in places, and the plot seemed so interesting and original. A female pirate with magic powers to control the wind, Ghost ships, many men who want to control her, sword fights, etc. She is like the female Jack Sparrow. Read it but be warned: it's good but uneven.
December 21, 2022
I wasn't sure I would like a fantasy book about pirates, but I got sucked in pretty quickly. Kestrel went to sea to hide her abilities with magic. Anyone with magic is taken against their will and trained. Young children are even taken from their families. Kestrel becomes de-facto captain of a pirate ship when their captain its arrested, and she leads a mission to rescue him. She's good at it.
July 10, 2017
Super cute, fun story. Loved the main character, the world and the intrigue. The only thing I didn't care for was the love interest. After all her, "I'll marry the first man who doesn't treat me like a sex object" she still goes for one who does.
April 15, 2021
Plagued by typos and misprints, Mad Kestrel draws you in with is story and characters, but loses you with its lack of polish. The main character is well fleshed out and some of the supporting characters are too, but not all of them. A very quick, enjoyable read for lovers of pirate fiction
December 11, 2022
A Pirates Life For Me
Magic and mayhem rolled into one. An interesting and entertaining story. Kestrel’s amazing abilities
are a source of peril for her. The ending; a dream come true.
Magic and mayhem rolled into one. An interesting and entertaining story. Kestrel’s amazing abilities
are a source of peril for her. The ending; a dream come true.
December 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this story! There was so much fun action. I respected the main character. The only reason I didn't give the story 5 stars was because the heroine seemed to get through most of the story on luck as much as bravery or intelligence which she really had.
March 26, 2025
In a world where children with magic are stolen from their parents and raised by a creepy cult, Kestrel takes to the sea as a pirate rather than reveal her gifts. But when her captain is taken, she embarks on a quest to save him, battling magicians, mutinous pirates, and more.
January 5, 2019
Started off well enough only to slide into below average. Had potential. Would be good if there were sequels but it's one of those one off's authors.
April 24, 2019
Very enjoyable read!
May 21, 2019
This book hooked me and didn't let go--I read it in two days. I loved it.
August 18, 2020
Couldn't finish it.
September 3, 2021
Enjoyable but a tab bit repetitive. Some moments feel a little forced and ingenuine to the characters but it's still fun.
October 8, 2021
Had to DNF this one at page 88. The writing style is just not for me and the plot is too slow to really hold my attention.
February 21, 2022
Awesome swashbuckling adventures! It would be an excellent movie or series, since everything was nearly tied in a bow at the end. Very fun read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2022
3++. I didn't like this as much as I'd hoped to, but it was interesting and well-written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews