Pirates and Privateers

There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away. ~ Emily Dickinson

Avast there! The Bookaneer sails the High Seas in search of books of interest to pirates young and old. Feel free to browse the latest reviewed titles or click on the links below the latest reviews to access specific sections.

A special note to authors and publicists

More than two decades ago, I began reviewing books for Appraisal: Science Books for Young People, The Book Report, Library Media Connection, and School Library Journal. Later, I reviewed books online for Ivy Quill Reviews and Simply E-Books. Today, I review historical novels and history books for Historical Novels Review, Discovering Diamonds, and Goodreads.com, and piratical and maritime fiction and non-fiction for Pirates and Privateers. If you would like me to review your latest pirate or maritime book, please contact me. ~ Cindy Vallar

The Pirate's Duty by Katherine Bone
Once a respected revenue officer, Pierce Walsingham is condemned to die if caught masquerading as the Black Regent. Yet it is the only way he can protect his sister from the brutal Captain Carnage's sworn oath to leave no witnesses. But being close to Carnage's sister proves equally dangerous. His heart yearns to trust her, yet his head cannot forget the bloodthirsty family from which she comes. Like anyone, Oriana Thorpe has dreams, but her brother has vowed she will die for betraying the family. Even so, she is steadfast in her refusal to continue the smuggling legacy into which she was born. Nor will she permit her brother to reclaim that which she's used to help the less fortunate in Cornwall.

Beyond Beauport by James Masciarelli
A visit from her uncle introduces Shannon Clarke of Gloucester, Massachusetts to a family legacy connected to Anne Bonny and Calico Jack Rackham. In searching for her roots, she must come to terms with events and people in her own life.

No Limits to Their Sway by Edgardo Pérez Morales
The Age of Revolutions began when the American Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776. While the French and Haitian Revolutions are well-known, the struggles for independence by colonies in the Spanish Main haven't received as much study until recently. Morales examines one of these bids for freedom with this study on Cartagena and the privateers who fought for her. This is an account of their interactions with men like Bolivar and their interconnections with Haiti, Cuba, France, and the United States. It is also an account of Louis Michel-Aury and some of the privateers who served with him aboard his ship.

Loch Garman by James L. Nelson
Thorgrim Night Wolf returns in this historical novel set in Viking Ireland. Once again, the gods have thwarted his desire to return home. Weary of fighting, he bartars with the Irish for what he needs, but his years spent here have taught him to be wary of them. One Irish lord seeks rumored treasure and the abbot of the monastery where it is supposedly housed takes extraordinary measures to protect his secret. Standing between them are the Northmen, but who is the enemy and who is not? Time and the gods will show Thorgrim the truth.

Additional Reviews

Books for Young Pirates

Books for Pirate Apprentices and Young Adults

Books for Adults - Fiction

Books for Adults - Non-fiction

A special note to readers

The United States Federal Trade Commission has issued new guidelines for online reviewers, which include disclosing to you that publishers, publicists, and authors send me review books and media for free. Sometimes I request these review copies, sometimes I don't. In either case, I am free to choose whether or not I publish a review of these items, although the sender hopes that I will do so. Sometimes I add these free review copies to my personal library collection. Other times I donate them to libraries or other worthy causes, or use them as prizes I award to contest winners. If anyone wishes to know what I did with a specific title reviewed here, I'll be happy to disclose that information.