Cindy Vallar's Blog, page 5

Sean Kingsley and Rex Cowan's The Pirate King

The Pirate King: The Strange Adventures of Henry Avery and the Birth of the Golden Age of Piracy by Sean Kingsley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


He leads a mutiny in the last decade of the 17th century. He captures a ship belonging to the Indian emperor. The garnered treasure makes him very rich. As a result of this single act, he becomes the world’s first most-wanted criminal. Then he simply disappears. His name is Henry Avery, and these are the basic facts that appear in pirate histories. None satisfactorily answer the questions of who he was and what became of him.

Fast forward to 1978. Cowan and his wife are searching for a shipwreck off Orkney, and Zélide is doing a deep dive into the Scottish archives for information. One misfiled document catches her attention. It is a letter, partially encoded and written by “Avery the Pirate,” four years after he disappeared. She spends a decade tracking down its authenticity before other shipwrecks necessitate the Cowans’ complete attention. Then, in 2020, Kingsley mentions “pirates” during a visit with Rex Cowan. This book reveals what they discovered about Henry Avery and his connection to Daniel Defoe, a master spy and disseminator of misinformation, and Dr. Thomas Tenison, archbishop of Canterbury.

A Pirate King reads like a novel, even though it’s both a biography and a history. While the details on how the research was done are briefly covered, the primary foci are on the players, the influences that led them along the paths they took, and the wider picture of world events that had direct and indirect bearing on them. It is essentially a mystery story that convincingly reveals what happened to this most-wanted pirate, why he was never caught and punished, and how he fell in with a Dissenter who often found himself penniless and evading creditors.

In some regards, this depiction of Avery deviates with previously published books on the pirate. Instead, it portrays him as a more complex person and provides rationales for why he went on the account and why he joined forces with Defoe and Tenison. Using a 1709 publication (written by an author whose identity can’t be verified) to show Avery’s mindset during the pillaging of the Ganj-i-Sawai is somewhat questionable. It does, however, add to the smoke screen that the authors suggest was created to divert people’s attention away from the real Avery and his whereabouts.

The book includes a timeline, a center section of illustrations, a list for further reading, an index, and notes. The illustrations include photographs of the Avery letter, while one note includes an interesting hypothesis as to the identity of Captain Charles Johnson, the author of A General History of Pyrates (1724).

I have read several books on Henry Avery over the years, but The Pirate King is by far the most absorbing and compelling. It fills in the blanks that other volumes have, answering not just the who but also the why and how. Another key component is that the lives and deeds of Avery and Defoe are not related in vacuums. Instead, they unfold within the events and politics of the day to provide readers with a broader, more understandable perspective. In essence they have done what Richard Lawrence wrote to code breaker John Wallis in 1657: “If you can finde out a key whereby to picke this locke, you are able to reade any thinge.”


(This review first appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Kingsley.html)



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Kirsten Blacketer's Queen Takes Hook

Queen Takes Hook by Kirsten S. Blacketer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The news of her father’s death devastates Princess Celeste and her older sister, Caroline. At least their uncle is safe and will help Caroline rule as queen. It’s not the best hand to play, but it is all the kingdom of Nevarro has. This is what Celeste assumes until she overhears her uncle and a stranger talking in the palace garden. Their secrets upend her world and she flees the safety of her home to seek the aid of someone willing to risk his life for Nevarro. But the only one likely to believe her is the worst possible individual – the infamous pirate James Hook.

All James wants to do is drown his sorrows and forget that half his crew is dead, his ship is lost, and he’s missing a hand. The tavern turns out not to be the haven he sought, for a stranger intrudes and offers him gold in return for his help. Being a pirate, he takes the money and instead of helping her, he kidnaps Princess Celeste. She can lead him to an even bigger treasure, in the caves beneath the palace.

Teamwork and trust are sorely lacking once the two board his new ship, Raven. Celeste will do whatever it takes to rescue her sister from her uncle’s clutches and save the kingdom. James will do whatever it takes to be the pirate he is and gain even more treasure. Bargains are made and broken. Stakes are raised. But the news First mate Smee delivers puts a wrinkle into their plans, and they agree to work together, even though their end goals are not the same. They collide as conscience wrangles with duty. Of course, outside influences have their own agendas, making for rude awakenings that further complicate the relationship between princess and pirate.

Queen Takes Hook is a fast-paced tale that intricately melds elements from Peter Pan with pirate lore. Readers seeking a sweet romance won’t find it here; Blacketer describes her writing as “steamy, swoony, and sweary.” She deftly portrays pirates as real pirates. Mapmaker makes for an interesting character, but his backstory and reason for inclusion aren’t provided. It’s hoped that his tale and James’s father will be more fully developed in future volumes of her new Pirates and Persuasion series. In the meantime, Queen Takes Hook is swashbuckling adventure with a lot of spice and heat.


(This review first appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adult-roma...)




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Elena Covens's His To Love

His To Love : Second Chance Books by Elena H. Covens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A decade has passed since Emily Underwood’s father’s ship vanished. Now, if she and her mother want to keep their house, Emily must marry. She’s not keen on the idea; after all, the lord’s twice her age and eccentric. She likes her independence. She also craves adventure. Rather than face the issue, Emily goes to her special place, the local library, even though a storm brews. Upon arriving, she takes her favorite book, The Adventures of the Cross Bone Pirate Thief, and begins to read about Flynn Sawyer and his daring plan to topple the evil king. She already knows what will happen; she’s read this book multiple times. Except this time, a lightning bolt strikes and she’s no longer in 1852 London. She now resides within the pages of the book, which takes place over a century earlier.

Flynn Sawyer assumes the girl he stumbles upon in the dark is a princess and takes her in tow. After all, she can be used against her father to gain what Flynn wants. He scoffs at her claims that she’s not who he thinks she is. After all, he’s the most feared pirate in the kingdom and he never makes mistakes or commits acts of stupidity. Still, there’s something off about this princess who claims to be a psychic because she knows so much about him and what he wants. Another problem is that he’s attracted to her; she is so different from the others who have crossed his path. Not a good thing when he’s determined to exact revenge against the king for killing his father.

His To Love is a delightful adventure where sometimes getting what you wish for comes with its own problems and consequences. What further complicates this time travel is that instead of traveling into the past or future, Emily travels to a fictional world and her intrusion may forever change the story that means so much to her. The real conundrum: How can she love someone who’s not real?

At times, the narrator steps in to remind readers of what he/she promises at the start of the story. These are not intrusive, but your interpretation may not be the narrator’s interpretation. Love scenes are explicit. There are expected twists, but they may not be the ones you think. Despite the occasional copyediting and formatting issues, this is a good and different time-travel romance. You may find yourself falling into the pages of the pirate tale much like Emily does. To further seal the deal, Covens also entices readers with a teaser for the next title in the series, His to Heal.


(This review first appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adult-altf...)




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Wu Weiwei's Sailing Across the Seas

Sailing across the Seas: Fujian and the West by Weiwei Wu

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


China has been involved in maritime trade since the 1st century BC. Trading overseas took on greater importance during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 to 907) and their vessels sailed on what came to be known as the Maritime Silk Road (MSR). Sailing Across the Seas utilizes photographs, artifacts, and architecture with brief textual explanations to review the people, advancements, and cultural exchanges that played significant roles in maritime trade. The hope is that by studying the past, we can bring new life to the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road.

This title is one in a series (Illustrated Fujian and the Maritime Silk Road edited by Xie Bizhen) and it focuses on a region in southeast China that has played a central role in overseas trade. One of the most important ports was Quanzhou, which was both the embarkation and debarkation locus of the MSR. From the second half of the 10th century through the 13th, Fujian shipbuilders utilized the latest advances in their vocation to build the best vessels and their seamen implemented the latest technology in navigation. The MSR upon which they sailed permitted cultural exchanges with other countries, be they as near as Japan or Korea or as far away as Africa, Europe, and America. For example, Zheng He made seven such voyages while Europeans sent missionaries who wrote about life in China and introduced Western religion and ways to the Chinese.

The book is divided into six sections. The first covers early voyages, which includes one that predates Marco Polo’s travels, and Christianity’s spread. The second part explores colonists, merchants, and trade commodities, while the next section discusses the conflicts and battles that impacted trade and China. The fourth part focuses on disputes arising from religions, both Western intrusions and the spread of Neo-Confucianism in the West. Tea and coolies are the principal focus of the fifth section. The final section examines people, especially those involved in interactions between East and West and Fujians who helped to spread their knowledge to other countries.

Sailing Across the Seas is beautifully illustrated and packs a wealth of introductory information. At times, the text doesn’t read as smoothly as it could if written by a native English speaker, but there is sufficient information provided for readers to get the point. One helpful feature that is missing are dates; at present, one must look up a dynasty name or a specific fact to determine when events happened. A bibliography is provided and even though there is no index, paging through the book and reviewing the table of contents makes it easy to find specific information. Wu does a commendable job providing opposing viewpoints, and it’s refreshing to view China and Fujian from a perspective not usually encountered in Western maritime literature.


(This review first appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adultpirat...)



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Sailors, Ships and Sea Fights

Sailors, Ships, and Sea Fights: Proceedings of the 2022 ‘From Reason to Revolution 1721–1815’ Naval Warfare in the Age of Sail Conference by Nicholas James Kaizer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The late 17th century to the 19th was a time of science, reason, and understanding. This Age of Enlightenment inevitably led to the Age of Revolution. In both spheres, the world’s navies played a role, and this book examines naval history during this period from the points of view of Britain, France, Italy, and Spain. The essays examine operations in Europe and North America, naval administration, and naval social history and biography. The subjects on which the thirteen contributors write are often aspects rarely elaborated upon in volumes that study naval history in greater depth.

Venetian and ‘Auxiliary’ Vessels in the Second Morean War: Failures and Successes of a Mediterranean Navy in the Age of Sail (1714-1718) by Mauro Difrancesco

Spanish Use of Sea Power, 1731-1748 by Albert C.E. Parker

From Ferrol and Flanders: Bourbon Seaborne Support for the 1745 Jacobite Rising by Albert C. E. Parker

An Unsung Success: The French Flying Squadron in the Atlantic, 1793-1795 by Olivier Aranda

The Royal Navy in American, 1767-1771: Trade, Public Order, and the Halifax Naval Yard by R. N. W. Thomas

The Nile That Wasn’t: D’Estaing, Barrington, and the Battle of St. Lucia, 1778 by Thomas Golding-Lee

Unprepared and Unaccountable? The Historical Significance of the Loss of His Majesty’s Sloops Peacock, Boxer, and Epervier, 1813-1814 by Nicholas James Katzer

Antwerp: Britain’s Achilles Heel by Paul Leyland

Anson’s Legacy: The Man Who Built a Navy, 1751-1762 by Andrew Young

‘Ships wanting in the whole’: Navy Dysfunctions at the Beginning of the Seven Years War by Joseph Krulder

War and Peace: Trends in Royal Navy Courts Martial, 1812-1818 by Andrew Johnson

Seamen, Safe Houses, and Secret Service: A British Counsel’s Recruiting for the Navy, 1795-1808 by Jim Tildesley

‘Discovered Going to the 74 in a Small Boat’: Black Pilots and Maritime Opportunity Aboard HMS Poictiers, 1812-1813 by Andrew J. Lyter

‘Safe Moored’: Greenwich Pensioners in Perception and Reality by Callum Easton

Sailors, Ships and Sea Fights is the 121st title in the From Reason to Revolution series. The book is divided into four parts, each concentrating on different aspects of naval history. Scattered throughout are illustrations, maps, tables, and figures. Each chapter includes footnotes and a selected bibliography. The book is indexed generally and according to ships mentioned by the authors. There is also a brief Comparison of Ranks that covers the British Royal Navy, France’s Marine du Roi and later Marine Nationale, Spain’s Real Armada, as well as the Republic of Venice.

Although of primary interest to readers of naval history, readers seeking information on less-covered aspects will enjoy these informative and interesting contributions.


(This review first appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adultpirat...)




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Wayne Savage's Dream Chaser

Dream Chaser: The Pyrate Chronicles by Wayne Savage

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


William Benton, former boatswain of Dream Chaser, rues the predicament he faces. Before long, he will meet the hangman’s noose. The only saving grace is the stranger who visits him with an offer to make his final days in 1723 more bearable if he shares his story. And so, Nathaniel Bagshaw gets his wish and learns the true tale of William Benton and the exploits of Björn Gunnarsson, better known as the legendary Captain Ironside.

It begins the day they and two other pirate vessels pursue a Spanish treasure galleon. A heavy mist swallows them all, and when they finally emerge, the pirates find themselves in the midst of a sea battle between vessels flying unfamiliar flags. One pirate ship is destroyed, and one appears to get away, but Dream Chaser is taken back to East Holstein where her crew learn a civil war or a rebellion or a war of succession rages between East and West Holstein for many years. At present, Captain Ironside and the men and women who serve under him are merely guests, but if he refuses to man the town’s guns during a surprise attack on that may change. Unwilling to participate in what will be a mass slaughter, Captain Ironside devises a plan to prevent this while allowing the pirates to regain their ship and sail far away from this strange land. If they can get away without William Benton throwing a wrench into their escape.

This is the first of two adventures the Dream Chasers encounter in this debut volume of The Pyrate Chronicles. Set during the early 1700s, this fantasy series mirrors real past events in interesting ways. Pirate history and lore are woven like braided rope throughout. William Benton lives up to his role as antagonist, although there is a shift in his character during the second half that will make readers wonder just what he’s up to. There are a few missing letters, misspellings, and formatting issues, but these are minor and won’t spoil the reading experience.

Savage does a commendable job recreating places and times in vivid ways. He interweaves relevant topics of bigotry, prejudice, and enslavement, even while populating his tale with a wealth of diversity and enlivening it with some pirate songs. He even puts a provocative twist on one of the most enduring pirate mysteries.


(This review first appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adult-fant...)




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Sarah Morgan's The Holiday Cottage

The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Imogen loves what she does. Work is everything. No one in her office is aware that the pictures of her family are fake and so is her dog. When the dreaded bring-your-dog-to-work day arrives one December, she invents reasons as to why Midas can’t participate. Before long, the carefully built life she has invented topples and reality intrudes. Enough so that her boss forces her to take the month of December totally off. With her life in shambles, what can Imogen do?

Dorothy has no idea what she’s doing, but she succeeds at doing it. And Imogen, with her marketing ideas, has played a key role in making the winery a success. When they meet to discuss the latest event Imogen has planned, Dorothy learns about Imogen’s predicament. Heartache at past Christmases has led Dorothy to save animals. Since Imogen needs saving, Dorothy invites her to stay at Holly Cottage for the holidays because no one should ever spend the holidays alone.

Family is what matters to Sara, Dorothy’s daughter. When she learns that her mother has invited Imogen to stay for the holidays, Sara fears that her carefully constructed walls may crumble. How will she protect herself, her family, and her mother then?

This captivating tale arouses a host of emotions. You will laugh and cry. You will feel anguish and pain. You will experience hope and love. Although you may not identify with all the incidents that these three characters encounter, you will have experienced at least some of them. The Holiday Cottage is a romance, and so much more. It’s a story of facing yourself, finding balance in your life, letting go, and forgiveness.




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Review of Ciara O'Neal's Pedro the Pirate

Pedro the Pirate: A Foster Kid's New Crew by Ciara O'Neal

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Pedro the Pirate stands alone. Others offer to help, but he only needs Parrot the dog. He does not trust others, especially Governor Daddysbeard. One day, though, Pedro locates treasure too heavy for him and Parrot to take. But the governor has no trouble seizing it. How ever can Pedro the Pirate get back the treasure?

Readers are kind of dropped into the story, not sure exactly what is happening. Yet this is the perfect way to recreate what a foster child feels like when placed in a new foster home. It is a feeling many can relate to, including the author who herself was a foster child. She craftily maintains a piratical atmosphere as Pedro learns to trust.

The text, which is small for picture or chapter books, is geared toward young pirates who know how to read, but the colorful illustrations allow younger pirates to understand what’s happening if the story is read aloud. Simple pirate lingo adds to the feel of a true pirate story. The artwork is uncrowded and deftly conveys exactly what the narrative says.

Treasures abound within these pages, not just with the story itself but also in the artwork that accompanies it. The author provides questions to discuss before the book is read, while the book is read, and after the story ends. There is also a “Do You Speak Pirate” page that includes instructions on how to “Make Your Own Treasure Chest.”

Although Pedro the Pirate is a great introduction to what it’s like to be a foster child, it’s also a story that any reader, no matter their age or family circumstance, will readily understand. As O’Neal says in her author’s note, “Everyone, no matter who they are, goes through stormy waters.” Perhaps learning about Pedro will allow you to find a way to navigate through your storm.


This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/ONeal.html



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Review of Eric Jay Dolin's Left for Dead

Left for Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World by Eric Jay Dolin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


On the cusp of the War of 1812, an American ship sets sail on a sealing expedition. The master, Charles Bernard, and the owners understand the risks, but if this venture proves successful, the skins and oil will garner them a sizable profit.

Although Charles is captain of this expedition, he is not the only master aboard. In fact, there are four others. Three sign on as partners in the venture; the fourth is Charles’s father. The remaining members of the expedition are eight crewmen and Charles’s dog, Cent.

Nanina reaches the Falklands on 7 September 1812. With five masters aboard, strife becomes an issue – one that is aggravated when another ship arrives with a letter from the owners. Since war has been declared between the United States and Great Britain, the owners urge Charles and the others to come home, but they ignore the request. As a result, their later encounter with shipwrecked passengers and crew from a British brig will have dire consequences for the Americans despite a peaceful accord with the survivors. Some will become prisoners of war; Charles and four others become stranded on one of the Falklands where they face inhospitable conditions for more than a year.

Black-and-white pictures depict people, floral, fauna, and places throughout the book; there is also a color section of photographs. The galley lacks an index, but it will be included in the published book. Much of the information imparted comes from period journals and documents.

Few readers will be aware of this historical event, one earmarked by betrayal, danger, and survival. Dolin does a masterful job of relating what transpires in a way that reads more like adventure fiction. He makes it clear from the start that this is not a treatise or exposé on seal hunting; this is a recounting of what happened and how it unfolded during a time of war and a time when sealing was an acceptable commercial venture. Human strengths and frailties are vividly recounted in ways that make readers wonder how such events can occur, and yet, viewing them through a modern lens, makes it clear that human nature hasn’t really changed much in the two centuries separating this event and today.


This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Dolin.html...




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Review of S. K. Minnis's The Girl Before the Legend

Girl Before the Legend by S.K. Minnis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jacquotte Delahaye. The name may mean nothing to most readers, or perhaps a few have heard of this female buccaneer of the 17th century. Mystery surrounds her . . . if she ever existed. If Jacquotte was a real person, who was she and what transpired to make her become a fearsome pirate captain? This is the premise of Minnis’s new trilogy, The Red Pirate, and Girl Before the Legend recounts how Jacquotte went on the account.

A carnival comes to the village where Jacquotte lives. She has a wonderful time with her father and younger brother until she swipes a necklace she covets. She could have purchased it, but doing so lacks adventure and that is something she craves. Perhaps because of her father’s many stories of his adventures. Perhaps because she already knows what life has ordained for her, and she’s not particularly thrilled with getting married and obeying society’s rules.

Sometimes, wishes are granted, but not in the way we expect or want. That night, intruders come. Her father takes Jacquotte and her brother into the smuggler’s tunnels under the house. After making sure they are hidden, he surrenders to the English soldiers and before Jacquotte’s eyes, she watches them kill him. She exacts retribution, but in the process, her brother is traumatized. They must leave even though a storm rages. They set sail in a boat, which causes Etienne further health problems. At sixteen, Jacquotte is too young and lacks the means to take care of him, especially after wanted posters for her appear. If they are to survive, she has only one choice: surrender Etienne into the safekeeping of others while she flees the island aboard her father’s ship. But who’s going to allow a girl aboard a pirate ship? And once there, how can she reclaim what rightfully belongs to her?

This coming-of-age story deftly shows how a series of unconnected events lead Jacquotte onto paths she never expects. At the same time, she must come to grips with what happens to her. Although no specific time frame is provided, references are made to the period when Lord Protectors ruled England during the 1650s. Minnis crafts a realistic pirate tale with touches of swashbuckling adventure in which there are always consequences to face. The only misstep is making Paragon, her father’s ship, a galleon, which in real-life did not possess the sailing qualities needed for these adventures. Revenge, secret codes, a treasure map, slave trading, mysticism, and empire-building are just some of the interwoven threads that make for riveting, action-packed exploits.


This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/youngadult...



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