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

Blood for Blood by Mark M. McMillin
Mary has lived a life steeped in blood. Her heart broken, she must continue to live for her daughter and to do that, she must reunite with her men and return to the sea. Her journey takes her first to Spain where participates in Sir Francis Drake's ill-fated bid to rid England of Spain's threat. Then she joins forces with the son of the famous corsair, Guilliaume Le Testu, and his quest for buried silver. But sooner her later, those who almost killed her once before wait for a time of their choosing to spill her blood, as well as those she holds dear.

Marooned by James Schannep
Traveling to London to collect your cousin, you find yourself facing dilemmas that take you on different paths. One leads to the Royal Navy. A second takes you aboard a merchant ship and murder. A third turns out to be a pirate tale. This adventure makes you the primary character and to select your path in life. Some lead to life, some to death, but you never quite know where you'll end up.

Convicts in the Colonies by Lucy Williams (reviewed by Irwin Bryan)
Between 1787 and 1868 British courts sentenced more than 150,000 convicts to transport to penal colonies in Australia. This book shares some of the personal tales of the people, especially the women, who experienced life in Great Britain's remote colony after surviving the perilous sea voyage to their new homes.

Calusa Spirits by S. R. Staley
After Spanish soldiers execute a sneak attack upon Isabella's ship, the Pirate of Panther Bay decides it's time for her and her crew to go to less dangerous waters and they set sail for New Orleans. Low on supplies, they search for a trading post in La Florida, but the welcome they receive isn't what they expect.

Katherine of Carrick by Annie Holmes
Katherine wants to be a warrior, but she's actually a worrier. Her troubles are compounded when she and her mother move into a new house, but the creatures in the garden and people at the castle prove to be true friends when she comes to their aid to thwart Sammy the Bull and his Terribles. But all their hard work is endangered when Sammy challenges Katherine to name ONE real girl pirate. With her loyal companies, Bienkie the bear and Boongie Rabbit, she ventures into the realm of Harry Gold and the Pieces of 8 to find a girl pirate. If they fail in their quest, Sammy and the Terribles will claim title to the garden.

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.