What do you think?
Redemption Pirates #1
The Secrets of Avigdor
Annika Harper only ever wanted a quiet life, helping others and working with her brother on his mission work. Being attacked by pirates and finding herself stranded on an uncharted island was never part of the plan. Neither was falling for the dangerously handsome pirate captain.
Captain Ethan Wolf, adrift in grief and struggling to keep afloat, fights to make a difference in an unjust world. Yet, something about Annika’s fiery eyes and her unwavering faith in Elohim begins to stir a hope he thought had drowned long ago.
Half-drowned and marooned, the merchants and pirates find themselves unlikely allies on an island set on destroying them. Ancient man-eating creatures roam freely and evil intentions abound.
As danger closes in, Annika and Ethan must face the islands many secrets and dodge evil, which is seemingly around every corner. Can they survive long enough to uncover the secrets of this mysterious island as well as the bond that is beginning to forge between them? Above all, is redemption still possible for a heart that has turned away from its Creator?
Captain Ethan Wolf, adrift in grief and struggling to keep afloat, fights to make a difference in an unjust world. Yet, something about Annika’s fiery eyes and her unwavering faith in Elohim begins to stir a hope he thought had drowned long ago.
Half-drowned and marooned, the merchants and pirates find themselves unlikely allies on an island set on destroying them. Ancient man-eating creatures roam freely and evil intentions abound.
As danger closes in, Annika and Ethan must face the islands many secrets and dodge evil, which is seemingly around every corner. Can they survive long enough to uncover the secrets of this mysterious island as well as the bond that is beginning to forge between them? Above all, is redemption still possible for a heart that has turned away from its Creator?
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 24, 2026
What the heck this is one of the best stories I’ve ever read !!!!
October 8, 2025
I finally got around to reading this book and Oh. My. Goodness. I’m obsessed!
We follow two perspectives throughout Annika, an orphan on her way to join her brother in mission work, and Ethan, the dreaded pirate captain Wolfe who comes to steal from the very ship Annika is traveling on. A storm rages and leaves everyone stranded on a mysterious island that seems out to get them…
This gave me instant lost vibes, but fantasy and Christian and I LOVED IT! I instantly fell in love with the writing style, even when nothing major was happening, I was so thoroughly engrossed and enjoying every minute of my time in this, the writing was just so beautifully done. The characters were also very well done and fleshed out too. I loved the little hints of mystery in the story and the faith elements! GUYS! AMAZINGLY DONE. I loved how fully the faith was woven into this story. Scripture quoted, prayers said, Bible stories referenced, and faith questions so gracefully touched on and responded to.
I applaud the author! This story was amazingly well done & I am beyond excited to grab the next one and dive in.
Guys if you want Christian fantasy vibes, lost vibes, or some pirates, go pick this up please!!!
⚠️Trigger/Content Warnings: mild violence, mentions of blood, a few deaths (not graphic), mentions of a sinful man lusting over Annika (not graphic, done tactfully), clean romance plot w/ no kissing.
We follow two perspectives throughout Annika, an orphan on her way to join her brother in mission work, and Ethan, the dreaded pirate captain Wolfe who comes to steal from the very ship Annika is traveling on. A storm rages and leaves everyone stranded on a mysterious island that seems out to get them…
This gave me instant lost vibes, but fantasy and Christian and I LOVED IT! I instantly fell in love with the writing style, even when nothing major was happening, I was so thoroughly engrossed and enjoying every minute of my time in this, the writing was just so beautifully done. The characters were also very well done and fleshed out too. I loved the little hints of mystery in the story and the faith elements! GUYS! AMAZINGLY DONE. I loved how fully the faith was woven into this story. Scripture quoted, prayers said, Bible stories referenced, and faith questions so gracefully touched on and responded to.
I applaud the author! This story was amazingly well done & I am beyond excited to grab the next one and dive in.
Guys if you want Christian fantasy vibes, lost vibes, or some pirates, go pick this up please!!!
⚠️Trigger/Content Warnings: mild violence, mentions of blood, a few deaths (not graphic), mentions of a sinful man lusting over Annika (not graphic, done tactfully), clean romance plot w/ no kissing.
July 14, 2026
This is a great Christian Fantasy. It ended on a major cliff hanger which almost requires you to immediately pick up book two.
If you love the promise of royalty, pirates, and the feel of Jurassic Park you will love this book. However, this book has all of these elements but adds in great faith elements.
If you love the promise of royalty, pirates, and the feel of Jurassic Park you will love this book. However, this book has all of these elements but adds in great faith elements.
November 10, 2025
4.5⭐️ rounded up! Such a fun pirate filled fantasy book that had a wonderful focused on God in it! I enjoyed the story and the fun characters. I look forward to the next book. More of a review to come
May 3, 2024
I've been on a bit of a pirate kick it seems, and The Secrets of Avigdor comes with a special twist!! This novel is full of themes of adventure, family, friendship, and hope, with clear Christian perspective. If you're looking for YA fantasy, The Secrets of Avigdor could be right up your alley!!
Story: 5/5
Worldview: 5/5
The plot of The Secrets of Avigdor immediately threw me back to Narnia. Annika is a great protagonist, and with her best friend Carter, they were suddenly put in a position to explore the world! It definitely gave me the sense of child-like wonder that C.S. Lewis evokes--only with more of a YA twist of danger. Ethan—Captain Wolf—is a formidable yet honorable pirate, and I loved his heart for taking care of his men. It was really cool to uncover the dangers of the island and its secrets! I loved the Ancients and I'm very excited to see more of them in the future books!
The worldview was amazing from the start. Annika is a staunch believer in God, or Elohim, and she prays not only for help but also guidance. I love that! She finds courage in knowing the strength of her relationship with Christ, no matter what circumstances she may face. Ethan is a backslider. He's mad at God for allowing his past to have happened and he doesn't trust God anymore. I'm excited to see how Ethan grows to come back to God in the next book! He wasn't quite there yet at the end of this one, but I'm hoping he might be by the end of book 2!
All in all, another great read this year!! I sat down to read it and devoured it in one sitting! The tone of the book is more lower YA, but some mentions of blood/violence could put it firmly in general YA.
Story: 5/5
Worldview: 5/5
The plot of The Secrets of Avigdor immediately threw me back to Narnia. Annika is a great protagonist, and with her best friend Carter, they were suddenly put in a position to explore the world! It definitely gave me the sense of child-like wonder that C.S. Lewis evokes--only with more of a YA twist of danger. Ethan—Captain Wolf—is a formidable yet honorable pirate, and I loved his heart for taking care of his men. It was really cool to uncover the dangers of the island and its secrets! I loved the Ancients and I'm very excited to see more of them in the future books!
The worldview was amazing from the start. Annika is a staunch believer in God, or Elohim, and she prays not only for help but also guidance. I love that! She finds courage in knowing the strength of her relationship with Christ, no matter what circumstances she may face. Ethan is a backslider. He's mad at God for allowing his past to have happened and he doesn't trust God anymore. I'm excited to see how Ethan grows to come back to God in the next book! He wasn't quite there yet at the end of this one, but I'm hoping he might be by the end of book 2!
All in all, another great read this year!! I sat down to read it and devoured it in one sitting! The tone of the book is more lower YA, but some mentions of blood/violence could put it firmly in general YA.
April 18, 2025
This is now one of my favorite reads of the year so far. When I discovered this book I started reading it within a week because I've been on a pirate kick lately, and when I saw that it was not just clean, but written from a Christian perspective I was even more excited. Let me just say, it did not disappoint!
I loved the adventure of this book, it felt so fun and captured my attention right from the start. Many of the characters were lovable, and the blossoming romance was so sweet and cute. It had a little bit of mystery, and there was one thing I didn't see coming at the end of the book.
The Christian elements were so good also. Annika, the main character, has a faith in Elohim (God) that is unwavering and inspiring, as well as some other characters. It's so refreshing to read this in a fun fiction book these days. It was also refreshing that the main characters did not want to resort to violence unless they really had to, and did not want to kill others if it was preventable.
I have a few ARC books I need to read next, but I want to jump straight into the second book - and will as soon as I can!
Content: some mild violence, a few deaths (caused by a storm), a clean romantic plotline (no kissing, but mentions of wanting to kiss, hand holding, hugging, etc), a side character who has interest in Annika in a creepy way (mentioned in a very tactful way, nothing inappropriate)
I loved the adventure of this book, it felt so fun and captured my attention right from the start. Many of the characters were lovable, and the blossoming romance was so sweet and cute. It had a little bit of mystery, and there was one thing I didn't see coming at the end of the book.
The Christian elements were so good also. Annika, the main character, has a faith in Elohim (God) that is unwavering and inspiring, as well as some other characters. It's so refreshing to read this in a fun fiction book these days. It was also refreshing that the main characters did not want to resort to violence unless they really had to, and did not want to kill others if it was preventable.
I have a few ARC books I need to read next, but I want to jump straight into the second book - and will as soon as I can!
Content: some mild violence, a few deaths (caused by a storm), a clean romantic plotline (no kissing, but mentions of wanting to kiss, hand holding, hugging, etc), a side character who has interest in Annika in a creepy way (mentioned in a very tactful way, nothing inappropriate)
October 26, 2025
The Secrets of Avigdor by Chaney Hobson is your inner explorer's dream come true.
From pirates, to mysterious islands, and unknown creatures, this book had so much to draw you in. The relationship building between all involved was wonderful to see grow. The whole premise of a mystical island was amazing. Who knew that the creatures of old would be alive, and you are on their menu for lunch. There were elements of faith in this book but it wasn't shove down your throat, and I think was tastefully done.
I loved the strength of the FMC and her relationship with Carter. I loved her ability to see beauty to see in others, and her want to help everyone. The captain was also a mysterious figure that you can't help but wonder about his back story. I loved the relationship that the captain had with his crew. That cliffhanger that the author gave at the ending was crazy. I can't wait to read the second edition of the book!
I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants an adventure.
Thank you to Chaney Hobson for the free book.
From pirates, to mysterious islands, and unknown creatures, this book had so much to draw you in. The relationship building between all involved was wonderful to see grow. The whole premise of a mystical island was amazing. Who knew that the creatures of old would be alive, and you are on their menu for lunch. There were elements of faith in this book but it wasn't shove down your throat, and I think was tastefully done.
I loved the strength of the FMC and her relationship with Carter. I loved her ability to see beauty to see in others, and her want to help everyone. The captain was also a mysterious figure that you can't help but wonder about his back story. I loved the relationship that the captain had with his crew. That cliffhanger that the author gave at the ending was crazy. I can't wait to read the second edition of the book!
I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants an adventure.
Thank you to Chaney Hobson for the free book.
July 20, 2026
“If I had not walked through the veil of pain in my path, I would not have found the joy Elohim had on the other side.”
Okay, this one was fun!🤭 I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with dinosaurs (Magic Tree House not included😂), but this made for a very unique world and story! I really enjoyed the spooky atmosphere of exploring the island. It has that eerie feeling to it that made you nervous to keep reading.🙈 I also really enjoyed our FMC Annika, she was so sweet and caring, but could also hold her own. I also liked the slow-burn between her and Ethan. I’m a sucker for a slow-burn nowadays.🙂↕️ And y’all know how much I’ve been loving Christian fantasy recently and this one did not disappoint!👏🏻 I would definitely recommend this one bestie girls.🫶🏻
💚Christian Fantasy
🏝️Stranded on an Island
🏠Found Family
🦕Dinosaurs
🏴☠️Pirates
Okay, this one was fun!🤭 I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with dinosaurs (Magic Tree House not included😂), but this made for a very unique world and story! I really enjoyed the spooky atmosphere of exploring the island. It has that eerie feeling to it that made you nervous to keep reading.🙈 I also really enjoyed our FMC Annika, she was so sweet and caring, but could also hold her own. I also liked the slow-burn between her and Ethan. I’m a sucker for a slow-burn nowadays.🙂↕️ And y’all know how much I’ve been loving Christian fantasy recently and this one did not disappoint!👏🏻 I would definitely recommend this one bestie girls.🫶🏻
💚Christian Fantasy
🏝️Stranded on an Island
🏠Found Family
🦕Dinosaurs
🏴☠️Pirates
January 4, 2026
Wonderful Start!
❄️This story definitely takes you an a whole adventure. It does not rush the day to day survival and events which I really enjoyed.
❄️There are faith based themes, active prayer and God is a main character in this tale.
❄️I loved how it revolved around grace, growth and seeing God's grace through the troubles faced.
❄️This is book 1, so a lot is left to be said/ resolved (I am sure) but for now I content and happy. Waiting on book 2 ☺️
❄️Spice:0
❄️Language:0
❄️This book was given as an ARC, so first of thank you to the author and publishing house for this opportunity. Second, all thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the author, publisher, or more
❄️This story definitely takes you an a whole adventure. It does not rush the day to day survival and events which I really enjoyed.
❄️There are faith based themes, active prayer and God is a main character in this tale.
❄️I loved how it revolved around grace, growth and seeing God's grace through the troubles faced.
❄️This is book 1, so a lot is left to be said/ resolved (I am sure) but for now I content and happy. Waiting on book 2 ☺️
❄️Spice:0
❄️Language:0
❄️This book was given as an ARC, so first of thank you to the author and publishing house for this opportunity. Second, all thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the author, publisher, or more
May 20, 2024
My first five star read of the year! Thank you so much for sending me this book! The sequel comes out on May 28 so you should read the first book now so you’re ready lol!
Where do I even begin with this book?! Well, I did DM the author after I finished it freaking out so that’s how you know it was good haha! The Secrets of Avigdor has romance, found family, pirates, suspense, fantasy, enemies to lovers, adventure, and more! I really appreciated being able to read a fantasy book that didn’t have magic or spells in it. God was woven throughout the entire story!
The relationship between Ethan and Annika is so special and I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold! There was such a sense of mystery to Ethan that continued to unravel until the end!
I’m looking forward to the other books in this series and to be able to read about these characters again!
Where do I even begin with this book?! Well, I did DM the author after I finished it freaking out so that’s how you know it was good haha! The Secrets of Avigdor has romance, found family, pirates, suspense, fantasy, enemies to lovers, adventure, and more! I really appreciated being able to read a fantasy book that didn’t have magic or spells in it. God was woven throughout the entire story!
The relationship between Ethan and Annika is so special and I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold! There was such a sense of mystery to Ethan that continued to unravel until the end!
I’m looking forward to the other books in this series and to be able to read about these characters again!
October 10, 2025
This was a fun and adventurous read! I will admit, I was extremely confused by the prologue, had to go back and reread after I finished, but this book really grew on me. It had a really great plot and characters to fall in love with. I’d give it a 5, but some things were a tad confusing for me, but overall a very enjoyable read! I loved following Annika and watching her and Ethan develop feelings as well as discover more about the island together with the crew. Carter was also an amazing side character I came to love. I am excited to read the second book and see how it all develops further!
November 4, 2025
Picture it! A voyage across the sea to reunite with your brother, only to be attacked by pirates and marooned on a mysterious island filled with secrets that could lead to treasures untold. This novel impressed me and no one can convince me that Annika and Ethan aren’t perfect for each other. I seriously can’t wait to read the second installment of the redemption pirate series!
May 16, 2024
Annika’s dreams of a life away from the orphanage are finally coming true when her brother sends for her. She sets sail with her best friend, Carter, to meet her brother in the kingdom of Lookinia. When her ship is attacked by pirates and a disastrous storm comes, everything changes. They end up on a mysterious island with hopes to find shelter or even better, someone to help.
This was such a captivating story!
I loved the characters so much, and seeing Annika and Ethan’s friendship grow. The world building was fantastic and the Christian content in this story was refreshing to read. I can’t wait to read book two and see what happens next for Annika and Ethan! I really enjoyed this book and highly recommended if you’re looking for a good fantasy read.
This was such a captivating story!
I loved the characters so much, and seeing Annika and Ethan’s friendship grow. The world building was fantastic and the Christian content in this story was refreshing to read. I can’t wait to read book two and see what happens next for Annika and Ethan! I really enjoyed this book and highly recommended if you’re looking for a good fantasy read.
July 10, 2026
Maybe the top read of the year so far!!!!
May 9, 2024
I actually haven't read many, if any pirate books in my life, but this book might have just changed that! Chaney Hobson did such a wonderful job creating a world and telling a story that reached my heart!! I fell in love with the characters and loved the banter and interaction between them.
Ethan was such a great leader and man and ironically the pirate in the story. Annika was a wonderful example of a faithful woman even in the face of danger. The faith elements were strong both in allegorical ways but also just in the faith arcs of the characters.
I definitely recommend picking up this book if you enjoy great stories that capture your attention and don't have inappropriate content!
Content Warnings:
Language: None
Spice: None
Trigger Warnings: death/violence, non-graphic on page, harassment of a lady
Ethan was such a great leader and man and ironically the pirate in the story. Annika was a wonderful example of a faithful woman even in the face of danger. The faith elements were strong both in allegorical ways but also just in the faith arcs of the characters.
I definitely recommend picking up this book if you enjoy great stories that capture your attention and don't have inappropriate content!
Content Warnings:
Language: None
Spice: None
Trigger Warnings: death/violence, non-graphic on page, harassment of a lady
April 24, 2024
This Christian YA Fantasy was such a captivating adventure to dive into. It was easy to get invested into the story right away. I love the adventure of the pirates and the dangers hidden on the island (I don't want to give the mystery away)! I loved the FMC! She was a combination of confidence, boldness, and humility. I also loved the developing romance gracefully tucked into the plot. It was super clean but incredibly swoony! I definitely recommend reading this book!
September 5, 2026
“The Secrets of Avigdor” by Chaney Hobson
Book #1 of 2 in the “Redemption Pirates” series
5 star read
🎥 1-minute book reflection → https://youtube.com/shorts/z6ldQ1zOzO...
An exciting Christian fantasy adventure filled with pirates, a mysterious island, dangerous creatures, friendship, and a sweet slow-burn romance. The Secrets of Avigdor follows Annika Harper, a nineteen-year-old orphan seeking to reunite with her brother, and Captain Ethan Wolf, an honorable pirate driven by revenge. When their paths cross at sea, they find themselves stranded on an unknown island where danger, mystery, and unexpected discoveries await.
📝 Writing Style - 5✨
- Third-person narration in the past tense made it feel as though we were being told a story, which fits perfectly with this kind of adventurous tale.
- Multiple points of view following the main leads, Annika and Ethan. Perspective changes occur naturally throughout the chapters.
- Although inspired by historical settings, the language is contemporary and accessible, making the story easy to follow, even for non-native English speakers.
- Medium-length chapters. I occasionally found myself needing to stop midway, but they were still easy to pick up again.
- An incredibly entertaining writing style. I genuinely felt that almost every paragraph had something interesting happening, making this a very engaging read.
- The prologue was such a clever addition that it kept the suspense going throughout the entire story.
📖 Story and Characters - 5✨
- Every character has a distinct personality and purpose. There are characters I immediately liked and felt relatable and others definitely did not, but very few ever felt bland or forgettable.
- This is a very plot-driven story, with new discoveries, dangerous situations, moments of companionship, and romantic tension keeping almost every chapter moving forward.
- The world-building is a standout and entertaining aspect of the story, with mysterious places, fascinating animals, dangerous environments, and stories waiting to be uncovered.
- I appreciated the message surrounding responsible hunting and only taking what is necessary for food, as well as the way the story addresses women being given opportunities to participate in roles traditionally reserved for men.
- Ethan’s crew was a favorite part of the story. Their loyalty and friendships are built on genuine care, trust, and respect for one another.
- The story does a great job creating a sense of adventure and discovery without losing the relationships between the characters.
- And that cliffhanger… 😭 The suspense surrounding what comes next left me absolutely needing the next book!
🙏🏻 Faith Content - 5✨
- Elohim serves as an allegorical representation of God throughout the story.
- References to God are woven naturally throughout the narrative, which is exactly the kind of Christian fiction I personally enjoy.
- Annika and Carter’s faith is particularly inspiring. Even when faced with danger and uncertainty, they remain calm because they know that God is powerful enough to protect them while also trusting that His will is ultimately better than their own.
- I particularly appreciated the emphasis on surrendering circumstances to God rather than assuming that safety always means getting the outcome we want.
- The story repeatedly reinforces the idea that God can bring beauty and purpose from situations that initially seem hopeless.
❤️ Romance - 5✨
- A slow-burn romance that begins with an enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
- The relationship develops through small gestures of care, concern, admiration, and growing trust rather than being rushed.
- I really appreciated the way faith influences the romance, particularly in the characters’ willingness to be discerning about their circumstances rather than simply giving in to their feelings.
- Annika’s faith plays an important role in how she approaches her feelings for Ethan, especially because of his lack of faith.
- Ethan’s care and concern for Annika create some incredibly sweet moments throughout the story.
- Overall, this was exactly the kind of slow-burn romance I enjoy: sweet, meaningful, and intertwined with the characters’ faith and personal growth.
📍 Setting
- A fantastical world of kingdoms, sailing ships, deserted island, white sand beaches, jungles, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, caves and volcanoes.
- Very suiting read for summer time.
🗺️ Explored Themes
Slow-Burn Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Kingdom Conflicts, Pirates, Sailing, Friendship, Loyalty, Jungle Exploration, Swordsmanship, Archery, Dinosaurs, Orphanhood, Family Loss, Women’s Rights, Faith, Trusting God
⚠️ Trigger Warnings
- No language; clean romance;
- Death of family members; death at sea; attempted sexual assault; child abandonment; reference to orphanage;
🎯 Recommended if you enjoy…
- Christian fantasy with strong faith themes
- Slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance
- Pirates, sailing ships, and adventurous journeys
- Mysterious islands and jungle exploration
- Fantasy worlds filled with dangerous creatures and unexpected discoveries
- Loyal friendships
- Stories where faith influences the characters’ decisions and relationships
✨ Inspirational Takeaways
Note: Christian fiction even though grounded in Christian values should not replace the Word of God. However, I do believe with some scrutiny they can complement our understanding and offer fresh perspectives on biblical truths in the context of characters and their stories.
- God’s power transcends our understanding, and what seems impossible to us is never beyond Him
- When facing difficult circumstances, we can surrender them to Christ and trust that He has a plan, even when we cannot understand what He is doing
- God can bring something beautiful from situations that initially seem painful, frightening, or hopeless
- True safety is ultimately found in God’s hands, regardless of what circumstances around us may look like.
Overall, The Secrets of Avigdor is such a fun and exciting read! With an incredibly engaging plot, memorable characters, a fascinating world, meaningful faith content, and a slow-burn romance that kept me invested, this book gave me exactly the kind of adventurous reading experience I was looking for. I particularly loved how much was happening throughout the story while still giving space for friendships, faith, and relationships to develop naturally.
The cliffhanger absolutely got me, and I’m already looking forward to finding out what happens next. If the rest of the series keeps this level of adventure and excitement, I definitely need to continue reading!
Book #1 of 2 in the “Redemption Pirates” series
5 star read
🎥 1-minute book reflection → https://youtube.com/shorts/z6ldQ1zOzO...
An exciting Christian fantasy adventure filled with pirates, a mysterious island, dangerous creatures, friendship, and a sweet slow-burn romance. The Secrets of Avigdor follows Annika Harper, a nineteen-year-old orphan seeking to reunite with her brother, and Captain Ethan Wolf, an honorable pirate driven by revenge. When their paths cross at sea, they find themselves stranded on an unknown island where danger, mystery, and unexpected discoveries await.
📝 Writing Style - 5✨
- Third-person narration in the past tense made it feel as though we were being told a story, which fits perfectly with this kind of adventurous tale.
- Multiple points of view following the main leads, Annika and Ethan. Perspective changes occur naturally throughout the chapters.
- Although inspired by historical settings, the language is contemporary and accessible, making the story easy to follow, even for non-native English speakers.
- Medium-length chapters. I occasionally found myself needing to stop midway, but they were still easy to pick up again.
- An incredibly entertaining writing style. I genuinely felt that almost every paragraph had something interesting happening, making this a very engaging read.
- The prologue was such a clever addition that it kept the suspense going throughout the entire story.
📖 Story and Characters - 5✨
- Every character has a distinct personality and purpose. There are characters I immediately liked and felt relatable and others definitely did not, but very few ever felt bland or forgettable.
- This is a very plot-driven story, with new discoveries, dangerous situations, moments of companionship, and romantic tension keeping almost every chapter moving forward.
- The world-building is a standout and entertaining aspect of the story, with mysterious places, fascinating animals, dangerous environments, and stories waiting to be uncovered.
- I appreciated the message surrounding responsible hunting and only taking what is necessary for food, as well as the way the story addresses women being given opportunities to participate in roles traditionally reserved for men.
- Ethan’s crew was a favorite part of the story. Their loyalty and friendships are built on genuine care, trust, and respect for one another.
- The story does a great job creating a sense of adventure and discovery without losing the relationships between the characters.
- And that cliffhanger… 😭 The suspense surrounding what comes next left me absolutely needing the next book!
🙏🏻 Faith Content - 5✨
- Elohim serves as an allegorical representation of God throughout the story.
- References to God are woven naturally throughout the narrative, which is exactly the kind of Christian fiction I personally enjoy.
- Annika and Carter’s faith is particularly inspiring. Even when faced with danger and uncertainty, they remain calm because they know that God is powerful enough to protect them while also trusting that His will is ultimately better than their own.
- I particularly appreciated the emphasis on surrendering circumstances to God rather than assuming that safety always means getting the outcome we want.
- The story repeatedly reinforces the idea that God can bring beauty and purpose from situations that initially seem hopeless.
❤️ Romance - 5✨
- A slow-burn romance that begins with an enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
- The relationship develops through small gestures of care, concern, admiration, and growing trust rather than being rushed.
- I really appreciated the way faith influences the romance, particularly in the characters’ willingness to be discerning about their circumstances rather than simply giving in to their feelings.
- Annika’s faith plays an important role in how she approaches her feelings for Ethan, especially because of his lack of faith.
- Ethan’s care and concern for Annika create some incredibly sweet moments throughout the story.
- Overall, this was exactly the kind of slow-burn romance I enjoy: sweet, meaningful, and intertwined with the characters’ faith and personal growth.
📍 Setting
- A fantastical world of kingdoms, sailing ships, deserted island, white sand beaches, jungles, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, caves and volcanoes.
- Very suiting read for summer time.
🗺️ Explored Themes
Slow-Burn Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Kingdom Conflicts, Pirates, Sailing, Friendship, Loyalty, Jungle Exploration, Swordsmanship, Archery, Dinosaurs, Orphanhood, Family Loss, Women’s Rights, Faith, Trusting God
⚠️ Trigger Warnings
- No language; clean romance;
- Death of family members; death at sea; attempted sexual assault; child abandonment; reference to orphanage;
🎯 Recommended if you enjoy…
- Christian fantasy with strong faith themes
- Slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance
- Pirates, sailing ships, and adventurous journeys
- Mysterious islands and jungle exploration
- Fantasy worlds filled with dangerous creatures and unexpected discoveries
- Loyal friendships
- Stories where faith influences the characters’ decisions and relationships
✨ Inspirational Takeaways
Note: Christian fiction even though grounded in Christian values should not replace the Word of God. However, I do believe with some scrutiny they can complement our understanding and offer fresh perspectives on biblical truths in the context of characters and their stories.
- God’s power transcends our understanding, and what seems impossible to us is never beyond Him
- When facing difficult circumstances, we can surrender them to Christ and trust that He has a plan, even when we cannot understand what He is doing
- God can bring something beautiful from situations that initially seem painful, frightening, or hopeless
- True safety is ultimately found in God’s hands, regardless of what circumstances around us may look like.
Overall, The Secrets of Avigdor is such a fun and exciting read! With an incredibly engaging plot, memorable characters, a fascinating world, meaningful faith content, and a slow-burn romance that kept me invested, this book gave me exactly the kind of adventurous reading experience I was looking for. I particularly loved how much was happening throughout the story while still giving space for friendships, faith, and relationships to develop naturally.
The cliffhanger absolutely got me, and I’m already looking forward to finding out what happens next. If the rest of the series keeps this level of adventure and excitement, I definitely need to continue reading!
July 15, 2023
First book by this author and it was a super fun read!! Can't wait for the next one!!
July 2, 2025
All Annika wants is to see her brother again. She wasn’t counting on being attacked by pirates and deserted on an unknown island. Or having feelings for the pirate captain.
Captain Wolf is not your average pirate captain. He pays those he steals from in an attempt to exact justice on the monarchy.
But, when he finds himself stranded on an island with an unfamiliar crew, he realizes there are secrets surrounding them that he couldn’t have imagined.
And some of those secrets may be dinosaurs.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
Did I find this book while scrolling on Bookstagram, and instantly download it from Kindle Unlimited? Yeah, I did. However, when you tell me your book is Pirates of the Caribbean meets Jurassic Park with the romance of Princess Bride and the faith content of Narnia? I am totally on board. And, I’m happy to say I was not disappointed with this story (which I referred to as Pirates of Isla Nublar while reading it). It was a fun and entertaining read, and I was interested in the story. Also, without giving away any spoilers, let me say that the ending was definitely intriguing, and hooked me for the sequel.
Ethan and Annika were good characters, and some of the supporting cast were loveable people who I was happy to see whenever we came back to them. I appreciated the way the world definitely had it’s own unique rules/dynamics, and it definitely gave it a fantasy ambience, even without any magic.
Enemies-to-more is one of my favorite tropes, and I did enjoy their interaction– especially toward the beginning. I’m curious where their relationship is going to go in future books, because I liked both of those characters. There were a few sweet moments between them, like when he told her what his real name was, and I’m excited to watch for more cute bits from them in the future.
I will say that I was not-so-secretly hoping for more dinosaurs. When I heard about this book, the dinosaurs were the main reason why I picked it up, and I was very excited to see what the author did with that. I don’t feel like we got a ton of time with the dinos in this first story, but judging from the cover of the next book, it looks like we’ll get a little more.
The faith elements were very unique in my opinion. I was thinking it would be more allegorical, but it wasn’t, and that was very different and unique to see in a book that leans on the fantasy side.
Content-wise, I would say this book was pretty appropriate. I liked how we kept the romance clean, and how we dealt with certain scenes. There was violence– as might be expected– but nothing that I considered to be too much, personally. Of course, always go with what you feel personally comfortable with. While it was a fantasy, there was no magic, which I really appreciated.
I read this one through Kindle Unlimited, and I’m definitely planning on starting the sequel soon, because I’m really excited to see where the story goes. If you’re looking for a fun and adventurous read with faith content, pirates, and some dinosaurs, definitely look into this one.
EMOJI REVIEW!
🏴☠ seafaring adventure
🦖 dinosaurs!!!
😠 enemies-to-more romance
❤ clean romance
📚 first in a series
📱available on Kindle Unlimited
Captain Wolf is not your average pirate captain. He pays those he steals from in an attempt to exact justice on the monarchy.
But, when he finds himself stranded on an island with an unfamiliar crew, he realizes there are secrets surrounding them that he couldn’t have imagined.
And some of those secrets may be dinosaurs.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
Did I find this book while scrolling on Bookstagram, and instantly download it from Kindle Unlimited? Yeah, I did. However, when you tell me your book is Pirates of the Caribbean meets Jurassic Park with the romance of Princess Bride and the faith content of Narnia? I am totally on board. And, I’m happy to say I was not disappointed with this story (which I referred to as Pirates of Isla Nublar while reading it). It was a fun and entertaining read, and I was interested in the story. Also, without giving away any spoilers, let me say that the ending was definitely intriguing, and hooked me for the sequel.
Ethan and Annika were good characters, and some of the supporting cast were loveable people who I was happy to see whenever we came back to them. I appreciated the way the world definitely had it’s own unique rules/dynamics, and it definitely gave it a fantasy ambience, even without any magic.
Enemies-to-more is one of my favorite tropes, and I did enjoy their interaction– especially toward the beginning. I’m curious where their relationship is going to go in future books, because I liked both of those characters. There were a few sweet moments between them, like when he told her what his real name was, and I’m excited to watch for more cute bits from them in the future.
I will say that I was not-so-secretly hoping for more dinosaurs. When I heard about this book, the dinosaurs were the main reason why I picked it up, and I was very excited to see what the author did with that. I don’t feel like we got a ton of time with the dinos in this first story, but judging from the cover of the next book, it looks like we’ll get a little more.
The faith elements were very unique in my opinion. I was thinking it would be more allegorical, but it wasn’t, and that was very different and unique to see in a book that leans on the fantasy side.
Content-wise, I would say this book was pretty appropriate. I liked how we kept the romance clean, and how we dealt with certain scenes. There was violence– as might be expected– but nothing that I considered to be too much, personally. Of course, always go with what you feel personally comfortable with. While it was a fantasy, there was no magic, which I really appreciated.
I read this one through Kindle Unlimited, and I’m definitely planning on starting the sequel soon, because I’m really excited to see where the story goes. If you’re looking for a fun and adventurous read with faith content, pirates, and some dinosaurs, definitely look into this one.
EMOJI REVIEW!
🏴☠ seafaring adventure
🦖 dinosaurs!!!
😠 enemies-to-more romance
❤ clean romance
📚 first in a series
📱available on Kindle Unlimited
October 22, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Comment: It was more like a 4.7-4.8 so, in other words, near perfection. I definitely didn't expect it and I definitely have to say I am so looking forward to reading book 2. But let's dive into a little bit of more details of this wonderful story.
Description: Annika dreams of a quiet life, helping others and working with her brother on his mission work. Being attacked by pirates and finding herself stranded on an uncharted island was never part of the plan. Neither was the handsome pirate captain.
Ethan, adrift in grief and struggling to keep afloat, fights to make a difference in an unjust world. But why does this girl, with her fiery eyes and gentle spirit, cause his guarded heart to feel again?
Half-drowned and marooned, the merchants and pirates find themselves unlikely allies on an island set on destroying them. Ancient man eating creatures roam freely and evil intentions abound. Can Annika and Ethan dodge danger long enough to uncover the secrets of this mysterious island as well as the new bond that is beginning to forge between them?
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Avigdo...
Comment: So, I got picked to be part of the ARC team for the re-release and I definitely found intriguing the idea of having ancient creatures (kind of like dinosaurs) and pirates in the same story, but I gave it a try and it didn't disappoint. Plus, the story seems to run deeper than what is presented on this first book and that I do enjoy. It leaves you trying to figure out how the story will unfold.
POV: The story is told from a dual POV (Annika's and Ethan's)
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers (although I would describe this more as misunderstood Enemies to Lovers kind of trope), but we also see some Stuck together, survival against nature, and more
Genre: This is a Christian Fiction book, but more specifically it can be considered a Romantic Clean Fantasy Christian Fiction
Likes: I loved the adventure and the time period where the story was developed. I love how the Female lead is strong and knows how to fight, but that doesn't detract from her femininity. I loved how the author was able to combine the pirates and the ancient creatures into a whole world. Also, the romance was cute, but the Faith content was AMAZING...it was always present. The secondary character were also easy to like and I am looking forward to seeing how the author will develop their characters throughout the story.
Dislikes: Now, there was only one thing I didn't like and it is not necessarily that I didn't like it... it is more in the area of "I would have preferred if it happened" kind of area. What I mean is the kiss... like... just letting you know that at least that doesn't happen in this books, which is not necessarily bad cause it keeps the book kind of squeaky clean, but I would have loved at least a small kiss 😭😭🤣🤣. But oh well, I guess I save my hopes for the next book.
Conclusion: So, in short words, I loved the book and was super glad that I could be part of the ARC team for such and amazing story. Many thanks to the author for the opportunity. I really hope many other may come to love this story the same way I did.
Toodles and many blessings ⚘️
Comment: It was more like a 4.7-4.8 so, in other words, near perfection. I definitely didn't expect it and I definitely have to say I am so looking forward to reading book 2. But let's dive into a little bit of more details of this wonderful story.
Description: Annika dreams of a quiet life, helping others and working with her brother on his mission work. Being attacked by pirates and finding herself stranded on an uncharted island was never part of the plan. Neither was the handsome pirate captain.
Ethan, adrift in grief and struggling to keep afloat, fights to make a difference in an unjust world. But why does this girl, with her fiery eyes and gentle spirit, cause his guarded heart to feel again?
Half-drowned and marooned, the merchants and pirates find themselves unlikely allies on an island set on destroying them. Ancient man eating creatures roam freely and evil intentions abound. Can Annika and Ethan dodge danger long enough to uncover the secrets of this mysterious island as well as the new bond that is beginning to forge between them?
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Avigdo...
Comment: So, I got picked to be part of the ARC team for the re-release and I definitely found intriguing the idea of having ancient creatures (kind of like dinosaurs) and pirates in the same story, but I gave it a try and it didn't disappoint. Plus, the story seems to run deeper than what is presented on this first book and that I do enjoy. It leaves you trying to figure out how the story will unfold.
POV: The story is told from a dual POV (Annika's and Ethan's)
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers (although I would describe this more as misunderstood Enemies to Lovers kind of trope), but we also see some Stuck together, survival against nature, and more
Genre: This is a Christian Fiction book, but more specifically it can be considered a Romantic Clean Fantasy Christian Fiction
Likes: I loved the adventure and the time period where the story was developed. I love how the Female lead is strong and knows how to fight, but that doesn't detract from her femininity. I loved how the author was able to combine the pirates and the ancient creatures into a whole world. Also, the romance was cute, but the Faith content was AMAZING...it was always present. The secondary character were also easy to like and I am looking forward to seeing how the author will develop their characters throughout the story.
Dislikes: Now, there was only one thing I didn't like and it is not necessarily that I didn't like it... it is more in the area of "I would have preferred if it happened" kind of area. What I mean is the kiss... like... just letting you know that at least that doesn't happen in this books, which is not necessarily bad cause it keeps the book kind of squeaky clean, but I would have loved at least a small kiss 😭😭🤣🤣. But oh well, I guess I save my hopes for the next book.
Conclusion: So, in short words, I loved the book and was super glad that I could be part of the ARC team for such and amazing story. Many thanks to the author for the opportunity. I really hope many other may come to love this story the same way I did.
Toodles and many blessings ⚘️
November 25, 2025
I really liked the concept behind this book. The story was interesting in a 2002’s Dinotopia and Kong Skull Island kind of way and yes it has dinosaurs and giant creatures in it!🦕
Some things I enjoyed:
That the FMC was portrayed as strong and independent and she stood up for herself. She also had a strong faith in God despite her circumstances and all the crazy things she went through in this book.
I like that there were pirates, even if they were less than traditional, and that there was several fighting scenes.
I liked that it is marketed as a Christian fantasy book. When I was growing up, this is exactly the sort of book I would’ve loved to read and see readily available. 💖
However, there were a few things I struggled with:
The story line…the book starts with a scene that I kept waiting for the author to return to throughout most of the book and it didn’t happen until we were already at the end. To me it didn’t make sense to have that scene in the beginning, other than for being full of action to draw the reader in?
Again the concept and story was good, I just feel like it could’ve been fleshed out a bit more, I also feel like there was a bit too much of trying to save others, though I do understand the Christian concept behind that, I guess I’m more bloodthirsty 🤷🏻♀️ when it comes to the “bad guys”?
To me, the writing itself…and the dialogue felt stiff at times, which kept pulling me out of the story.
Overall, the story was good though the writing could’ve been better. The characters were interesting and I did make it through the entire book.
Will I be re-reading this book? Probably not, but if you like Christian Fantasy, or books with a Christian message that also has an entertaining story to it, then this one is definitely for you!
Some things I enjoyed:
That the FMC was portrayed as strong and independent and she stood up for herself. She also had a strong faith in God despite her circumstances and all the crazy things she went through in this book.
I like that there were pirates, even if they were less than traditional, and that there was several fighting scenes.
I liked that it is marketed as a Christian fantasy book. When I was growing up, this is exactly the sort of book I would’ve loved to read and see readily available. 💖
However, there were a few things I struggled with:
The story line…the book starts with a scene that I kept waiting for the author to return to throughout most of the book and it didn’t happen until we were already at the end. To me it didn’t make sense to have that scene in the beginning, other than for being full of action to draw the reader in?
Again the concept and story was good, I just feel like it could’ve been fleshed out a bit more, I also feel like there was a bit too much of trying to save others, though I do understand the Christian concept behind that, I guess I’m more bloodthirsty 🤷🏻♀️ when it comes to the “bad guys”?
To me, the writing itself…and the dialogue felt stiff at times, which kept pulling me out of the story.
Overall, the story was good though the writing could’ve been better. The characters were interesting and I did make it through the entire book.
Will I be re-reading this book? Probably not, but if you like Christian Fantasy, or books with a Christian message that also has an entertaining story to it, then this one is definitely for you!
January 25, 2026
This was such a great book! I’m not a big Pirate-romance fan, but I was really intrigued by the combination of pirates, dinosaurs, Christian worldview and the beginning of a sweet romance - and I was not disappointed.
I loved the adventures and the scenes on the Island. A lot of what is described reminded me vividly of a dinosaur book me and my brother loved as children and I’m honestly a bit obsessed with the world Chaney Hobson created there. (Had my mom looking for this book and yes, it’s kind of how I pictured this island.)
I also really loved the characters. Annika is so brave and strong, sweet, caring and humble and has such a strong faith. The Christian elements in this book were just wonderful, I loved how prayer, Scripture and personal relationships with Elohim were incorporated in the story.
My favorite character was probably Carter, he just stole my heart!
And the budding romance between Annika and Ethan was really sweet, even though it could have been even slower for my taste. I actually really like angsty romance books, so with a trilogy, a biiiiit more uncertainty would have probably made it even better (personal preference!).
I’m looking forward to seeing the new cover for book 2 (I actually really like the old ones, but after reading book 1, the new version with both characters on the cover fits the story and Annika’s character better than the blueish old version) and of course to reading the rest of the trilogy!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
I loved the adventures and the scenes on the Island. A lot of what is described reminded me vividly of a dinosaur book me and my brother loved as children and I’m honestly a bit obsessed with the world Chaney Hobson created there. (Had my mom looking for this book and yes, it’s kind of how I pictured this island.)
I also really loved the characters. Annika is so brave and strong, sweet, caring and humble and has such a strong faith. The Christian elements in this book were just wonderful, I loved how prayer, Scripture and personal relationships with Elohim were incorporated in the story.
My favorite character was probably Carter, he just stole my heart!
And the budding romance between Annika and Ethan was really sweet, even though it could have been even slower for my taste. I actually really like angsty romance books, so with a trilogy, a biiiiit more uncertainty would have probably made it even better (personal preference!).
I’m looking forward to seeing the new cover for book 2 (I actually really like the old ones, but after reading book 1, the new version with both characters on the cover fits the story and Annika’s character better than the blueish old version) and of course to reading the rest of the trilogy!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
September 11, 2026
Annika Harper an orphan with a love to help others. Her friend Carter Monroe is another orphan and student to Annika sword skills. They been living at the orphanage for a couple of years until Annika got a letter of her brother to send her to him. As the journey begins in a ship, they are being attacked by a pirate ship! Captain Wolf! But wait they are stealing the goods but paying for them? The ship is damaged by an ugly storm and the pirates will help?
Captain Ethan Wolf was such an interesting character, he isn't one of those mean and nasty pirates. He is quite the gentleman and caring person. Annika is on guard with the pirate but the more they are together the more she's liking the pirate. The concept of the novel was interesting but for my taste it was a very slow phase. My low star was due of the over hype in my opinion. I was given the idea it was more adventures mixing Jurassic park and pirates. But it was about finding a tribe or people in the island literally 60 percent of the book and the end was getting to slow for the action. I love the faith in the book though.
"No, my stories are all true. Sure as the sky is blue and your teeth are yellow"
Captain Ethan Wolf was such an interesting character, he isn't one of those mean and nasty pirates. He is quite the gentleman and caring person. Annika is on guard with the pirate but the more they are together the more she's liking the pirate. The concept of the novel was interesting but for my taste it was a very slow phase. My low star was due of the over hype in my opinion. I was given the idea it was more adventures mixing Jurassic park and pirates. But it was about finding a tribe or people in the island literally 60 percent of the book and the end was getting to slow for the action. I love the faith in the book though.
"No, my stories are all true. Sure as the sky is blue and your teeth are yellow"
February 15, 2026
*sigh* I really, really wanted to like this book. It’s my first time reading a Christian fantasy and I was so excited because the blurb sounded so cool. But unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. Mad respect to the author for the time and love she poured into this book, I think it has the framework for an amazing story but the writing was just not great in my opinion. It felt very juvenile, and I came across a few typos as I was reading. It really lacked depth. The world, plot and characters have SO MUCH potential, but the way they were written was shallow. The pacing was very choppy, some sentences I had to reread because they just didn’t make sense and she kept repeating things over and over again that didn’t need to be repeated. Overall I’m disappointed that such an amazing story idea wasn’t executed to the fullness it deserved, but I do hope that perhaps some younger audiences might appreciate it more than me. Perhaps it just wasn’t for me as I am used to more mature writing.
June 11, 2024
Honestly I was hesitant to read this one since pirates aren't my normal thing but I do love Christian Fiction. I'm so glad I gave it a try!
It has amazing intrigue and will make you smile. The dynamic between the characters is heart warming. Plus being called a “beautiful warrior” was very sweet.
I’m excited for book 2 and to continue to follow this series!
Content:
Style - Christian Pirate fantasy
Intimacy - Low (hand holding, staring, hugs, forehead kiss)
Language - None
Violence - Moderate - lots but not gory
Potential Triggers - Familial deaths and abandonment, unwanted advances, death, danger - sea storms and animal attacks
It has amazing intrigue and will make you smile. The dynamic between the characters is heart warming. Plus being called a “beautiful warrior” was very sweet.
I’m excited for book 2 and to continue to follow this series!
Content:
Style - Christian Pirate fantasy
Intimacy - Low (hand holding, staring, hugs, forehead kiss)
Language - None
Violence - Moderate - lots but not gory
Potential Triggers - Familial deaths and abandonment, unwanted advances, death, danger - sea storms and animal attacks
August 31, 2024
Wow! I loved this book! Which tell me you have a Christian historical fiction with pirates and high seas! SIGN ME UP!
I loved the presence of God's power and miracles throughout the book, which I feel is missing in a lot of books. And Chaney did it in a way that wasn't cheesey either.
It had pirates, adventure, romance, surprising twists, and turns! And an incredible ending that has me left me wanting to pick up the second book!
I recommend this book 100%. I feel it is safe for young teenagers to read as well. I'm keeping this one for all my book lovers' daughters!
I loved the presence of God's power and miracles throughout the book, which I feel is missing in a lot of books. And Chaney did it in a way that wasn't cheesey either.
It had pirates, adventure, romance, surprising twists, and turns! And an incredible ending that has me left me wanting to pick up the second book!
I recommend this book 100%. I feel it is safe for young teenagers to read as well. I'm keeping this one for all my book lovers' daughters!
January 13, 2026
This book was really fun! I enjoyed the pirate and dinosaur plots!
I loved the faith themes, but times they seemed a bit too obvious.
The writing is definitely for younger YA readers!! But the book is super super fun!
CW: a man is obsessed w the FMC in a lustful way (shown as bad), attempted SA, violence (pirates)
I loved the faith themes, but times they seemed a bit too obvious.
The writing is definitely for younger YA readers!! But the book is super super fun!
CW: a man is obsessed w the FMC in a lustful way (shown as bad), attempted SA, violence (pirates)
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