Jill, 16, is a talented fencer but loses in the qualifying championships to go to the Olympics. Disappointed with her performance she mopes about the loss during her family vacation in the Caribbean a week later. On a beach excursion she stumbles upon a piece of a rapier, rusted with age. She decides to keep it and takes it with her on a party boat tour of the ocean. Rough weather approaches and she is caught off guard and slips overboard. Unfortunately for her the hands that fish her out are not her father's or the tour guides. The hands belong to some mean looking seafarers that take her back to their ship. She realizes in disbelief that she has some how been transported to onto an 18th century pirate ship. She doesn't know how she got there or how to get back, but what is certain is she'll have to learn to play the part of the pirate and eventually learn the secret to getting back home or swim with with the sharks.

Vaughn created a nice premise for this adventure tale. There's certainly enough sword play, battles and revenge to get into for adventure types. The romance was demure and the pacing adequate. You really feel the tension Jill is under as she battles to redefine herself and decide what her ideals are regarding loyalty to her pirate friends and returning home to her family.

Recommended for Tweens to 9th grade.