Review of S. R. Staley's Calusa Spirits

Calusa Spirits by SR Staley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Healing from his wounds, Juan Carlos Santa Ana desperately tries to stave off Spanish soldiers sneaking aboard La Marée Rouge. He has few weapons at his disposal and the infection in his shoulder and chest threaten to steal what strength he possesses. The enemy came from the shores of Cuba, for him and for Isabella – one labeled traitor, the other pirate – and from the sounds above and outside the great cabin, there is little hope that anyone will come to his aid. His only chance is to escape his present location, to seek help from whoever is still able to stand on his own two feet.

Bold ingenuity and stalwart determination allow the pirates to succeed, but Isabella knows their respite will be brief. The Captain-General of the West Indies will not give up his relentless pursuit of her or Juan Carlos. But their best chance of escape means sailing straight into the lion’s den. In that way they might just make it to New Orleans.

For her entire life, Isabella has fought for freedom and equality. The last six of those years have been at sea. She escaped the bonds of slavery, which is why she is determined to help others, but how much longer can she survive? It is a question that comes close to being answered when they stop in La Florida, now in the hands of the British, in hopes of replenishing their supplies. Instead of the trading post they expect to find, they are surrounded by at least 350 Calusa warriors from a fierce tribe that’s not supposed to exist any longer. Even though they are an unknown enemy, Isabella, Juan Carlos, and several pirates accompany the warriors deep into the swamp to trade. But the Calusa have other plans for them.

Calusa Spirits is the third volume in the young adult historical fiction series, Pirate of Panther Bay. Staley includes two maps, one of West Cuba (c. 1787) and Florida’s West Coast (c. 1781), to orient readers to the two main locales of this book. There is also a short glossary of Calusa words. As in previous titles, this one introduces new characters who join the pirates, such as a man from Japan forced to join the Spanish soldiers. The time period isn’t explicitly stated, but there are enough hints within the text for readers to figure out that it is set in 1781.

Although backstory is expertly woven into the dialogue and narrative, there is a bit too much sprinkled throughout the book, sometimes at places that disrupt both the tension and the flow. In spite of this, readers who have enjoyed the previous titles will enjoy this latest offering in Isabella’s saga, and those who have not will easily pick up on what has come before.

An interesting twist in the story comes with the introduction of Pierre and Jean Lafitte. The two young boys (thirteen and two, respectively) are captives, who are with their mother, and it is Pierre’s knowledge of the Calusa that assists Isabella in their escape. The fight scenes, especially the final one with the Calusa, make readers’ hearts pound. I look forward to future adventures of Isabella, Juan Carlos, and the other pirates, including the Lafittes.




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