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Fire Sword and Sea: A Novel
"In her latest, Riley provides a fresh take on high seas adventure through the eyes of the courageous, swashbuckling, based-on-a-real-life female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye. The research Riley has done on this 1600s saga is truly remarkable, second only to her depictions of the lush Caribbean setting and the diverse, multi-faceted cast of characters. This is one to be savored." —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen
The real Pirates of the Caribbean were Black, and women! From Vanessa Riley, acclaimed author of Queen of Exiles, comes a sweeping, immersive saga based on the life of the legendary seventeenth-century pirate Jacquotte Delehaye.
The Caribbean Sea, 1675. Jacquotte Delahaye is the mixed-race daughter of a wealthy tavern owner on the island of Tortuga. Instead of marriage, Jacquotte dreams of joining the seafarers and smugglers whose tall-masted ships cluster in the turquoise waters around Tortuga. She falls in love with a pirate, but when he returns to the sea, Jacquotte decides to make her own way. In Haiti she becomes Jacques, a dockworker, earning the respect of those around her while hiding her gender.
Jacquotte discovers that secret identities are fairly common in the chaotic world of seafaring, which is full of outsiders and misfits. She forms a deep bond with Bahati, an African-born woman who has escaped slavery and also disguises herself as a man to navigate the world. They join forces with Dirkje De Wulf, a fearless adventurer who also lives as a man at sea. As Jacques, Jacquotte falls in love with Lizzôa d'Erville, a beautiful courtesan who deals in secrets and sex. While others see their work clothes as a disguise, Lizzôa’s true self is as a woman.
For the next twenty years, Jacquotte raids the Caribbean, making enemies and amassing a fortune in stolen gold. When her fellow pirates decide to increase their profits by entering the slave trade, Jacquotte turns away from piracy and the pursuit of riches. Risking her life in one deadly skirmish after another, she instead begins to plot a war of liberation.
The real Pirates of the Caribbean were Black, and women! From Vanessa Riley, acclaimed author of Queen of Exiles, comes a sweeping, immersive saga based on the life of the legendary seventeenth-century pirate Jacquotte Delehaye.
The Caribbean Sea, 1675. Jacquotte Delahaye is the mixed-race daughter of a wealthy tavern owner on the island of Tortuga. Instead of marriage, Jacquotte dreams of joining the seafarers and smugglers whose tall-masted ships cluster in the turquoise waters around Tortuga. She falls in love with a pirate, but when he returns to the sea, Jacquotte decides to make her own way. In Haiti she becomes Jacques, a dockworker, earning the respect of those around her while hiding her gender.
Jacquotte discovers that secret identities are fairly common in the chaotic world of seafaring, which is full of outsiders and misfits. She forms a deep bond with Bahati, an African-born woman who has escaped slavery and also disguises herself as a man to navigate the world. They join forces with Dirkje De Wulf, a fearless adventurer who also lives as a man at sea. As Jacques, Jacquotte falls in love with Lizzôa d'Erville, a beautiful courtesan who deals in secrets and sex. While others see their work clothes as a disguise, Lizzôa’s true self is as a woman.
For the next twenty years, Jacquotte raids the Caribbean, making enemies and amassing a fortune in stolen gold. When her fellow pirates decide to increase their profits by entering the slave trade, Jacquotte turns away from piracy and the pursuit of riches. Risking her life in one deadly skirmish after another, she instead begins to plot a war of liberation.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2026
201 people are currently reading
11668 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Riley
45 books1,701 followersI'm Vanessa Riley, and I write Historical Fiction of dazzling multi-culture communities of the 1750s to 1830s, The Revolutionary Years. I write for readers who treasure and share with friends books that showcase women, power, strong sisterhoods, and love.
Web: https://vanessariley.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
they-told-me-to-read-it
August 9, 2025
January 17, 2026
3.5⭐️
Thank you @williammorrowbooks + @librofm for the free finished copy & ALC ♡
link to my review on bookstagram
⚓️ Pirates are often romanticized for their morally grey ruthlessness, brazen risk taking, and general badassery.
🏴☠️ imagine all that and the pirate is a mixed race black woman, a true historical figure.
❤️🔥 Things I loved about this:
♡ the richness of the historical context. the reality of 1600s Caribbean islands, on the verge of slave trading and European pillaging. For crown and country.
♡ the presence of many mixed races characters, those who were passing and those who were viewed as half breeds, and all the complexities therein.
♡ the acknowledgement and normalization of queer relationships and gender identities
♡ sailing by the constellations 🌌 freedom of the open seas, going where the winds blow. the raw beauty and destruction of nature.
It took me a bit to warm up to Jacquotte Delahaye, many of her choices were so hard to fathom. However, in the end I see her wayfaring pirating spirit 🗡️🏴☠️
The first half of the book is a slow build. We learn how Jacquotte became a buccaneer, hiding in plain sight amongst so many men.
And women, as it turns out. There were many climactic moments along the way to a cathartic final showdown.
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 I struggled with this one on audio due to the narrator’s accent. I had to switch to the written word. However the songs 🎶 in the audio were quite beautiful.
Thank you @williammorrowbooks + @librofm for the free finished copy & ALC ♡
link to my review on bookstagram
⚓️ Pirates are often romanticized for their morally grey ruthlessness, brazen risk taking, and general badassery.
🏴☠️ imagine all that and the pirate is a mixed race black woman, a true historical figure.
❤️🔥 Things I loved about this:
♡ the richness of the historical context. the reality of 1600s Caribbean islands, on the verge of slave trading and European pillaging. For crown and country.
♡ the presence of many mixed races characters, those who were passing and those who were viewed as half breeds, and all the complexities therein.
♡ the acknowledgement and normalization of queer relationships and gender identities
♡ sailing by the constellations 🌌 freedom of the open seas, going where the winds blow. the raw beauty and destruction of nature.
It took me a bit to warm up to Jacquotte Delahaye, many of her choices were so hard to fathom. However, in the end I see her wayfaring pirating spirit 🗡️🏴☠️
The first half of the book is a slow build. We learn how Jacquotte became a buccaneer, hiding in plain sight amongst so many men.
And women, as it turns out. There were many climactic moments along the way to a cathartic final showdown.
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 I struggled with this one on audio due to the narrator’s accent. I had to switch to the written word. However the songs 🎶 in the audio were quite beautiful.
February 11, 2026
This book follows a woman who refuses to accept the narrow future laid out for her and instead eventually builds a life at sea. Set in the Caribbean during the late 1600s, it is a long, sweeping historical adventure inspired by a real legendary person.
This is such a fascinating premise. A black woman becomes a pirate, moving through the world as a man. And in many ways, it absolutely delivers. The characters are layered and complex, and the relationships (both romantic and platonic) are genuinely fascinating. There’s a real sense of tenderness and loyalty between these characters navigating a brutal world, and that was easily my favorite part.
The historical detail is also clearly well researched. You can feel the grit of daily life in the Caribbean, the diversity of pirate crews, and the constant tension between survival and morality. I appreciated how much attention was paid to showing piracy as messy and morally complicated rather than glamorous.
That said… the pacing really dragged for me. This is a long, slow burn of a book, and while I admired what it was doing, I often felt like it lingered too long in certain stretches without enough forward momentum. I stayed for the characters and the themes, not because I was breathlessly turning pages.
I listened to the audiobook, and I loved the narration, especially the accent work. It added so much texture and personality to the characters and helped keep me engaged during slower sections. I genuinely think audio is the way to go for this one.
Life is harsh, love is fragile, and freedom is never simple, but there is still space for chosen family and earned happiness. It doesn’t shy away from brutality, but it also refuses to be hopeless, which I appreciated. Overall, this is a thoughtful, well-crafted historical pirate story with rich relationships and strong themes, but the pacing was tough for me. If you love deeply researched historical fiction, queer identity exploration, and morally complicated pirates, this one is worth picking up.
Thanks so much to libro.fm for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This is such a fascinating premise. A black woman becomes a pirate, moving through the world as a man. And in many ways, it absolutely delivers. The characters are layered and complex, and the relationships (both romantic and platonic) are genuinely fascinating. There’s a real sense of tenderness and loyalty between these characters navigating a brutal world, and that was easily my favorite part.
The historical detail is also clearly well researched. You can feel the grit of daily life in the Caribbean, the diversity of pirate crews, and the constant tension between survival and morality. I appreciated how much attention was paid to showing piracy as messy and morally complicated rather than glamorous.
That said… the pacing really dragged for me. This is a long, slow burn of a book, and while I admired what it was doing, I often felt like it lingered too long in certain stretches without enough forward momentum. I stayed for the characters and the themes, not because I was breathlessly turning pages.
I listened to the audiobook, and I loved the narration, especially the accent work. It added so much texture and personality to the characters and helped keep me engaged during slower sections. I genuinely think audio is the way to go for this one.
Life is harsh, love is fragile, and freedom is never simple, but there is still space for chosen family and earned happiness. It doesn’t shy away from brutality, but it also refuses to be hopeless, which I appreciated. Overall, this is a thoughtful, well-crafted historical pirate story with rich relationships and strong themes, but the pacing was tough for me. If you love deeply researched historical fiction, queer identity exploration, and morally complicated pirates, this one is worth picking up.
Thanks so much to libro.fm for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
February 20, 2026
Audiobook (14 hours) narrated by a favorite of mine, Robin Miles
Publisher: HarperCollins (William Morrow)
Robin Miles is excellent. Miles is a narrator well known for her accents. The characters in this novel do have heavy accents. Miles narration, while accented, is also extremely clear. If accents are an issue for you, you will want to do a sampling before picking up the audiobook version to ensure that the narration is compatible with you.
The audio is flawless.
⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
I wanted to love this pirate book. Argh!
⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆
It started off rough. I picked up another book and then went back to this one. I pushed through a bit and it has it's moments. For me, this novel is like a roller coaster.🎢 It gets good, then I am on the slow incline🎢 for an extended time, then weeeee!! then again on the click, click, click,🎢 then weeeee!!! and repeat. 🎢
For me, this is a 2. There's too much slog to make it a 3. I think that some will probably enjoy the whole thing. I think the issue is that I don't like cozy type books and this one has some really great interesting bits snuggled in with a lot of cozy, so for the right readers, this would likely be a win.
⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
I found nothing wrong with the writing or writing style. The character development was fun and interesting. The story is very character driven and also, pirates! Argh! ☠
⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆
Publisher: HarperCollins (William Morrow)
Robin Miles is excellent. Miles is a narrator well known for her accents. The characters in this novel do have heavy accents. Miles narration, while accented, is also extremely clear. If accents are an issue for you, you will want to do a sampling before picking up the audiobook version to ensure that the narration is compatible with you.
The audio is flawless.
⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
I wanted to love this pirate book. Argh!
⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆
It started off rough. I picked up another book and then went back to this one. I pushed through a bit and it has it's moments. For me, this novel is like a roller coaster.🎢 It gets good, then I am on the slow incline🎢 for an extended time, then weeeee!! then again on the click, click, click,🎢 then weeeee!!! and repeat. 🎢
For me, this is a 2. There's too much slog to make it a 3. I think that some will probably enjoy the whole thing. I think the issue is that I don't like cozy type books and this one has some really great interesting bits snuggled in with a lot of cozy, so for the right readers, this would likely be a win.
⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
I found nothing wrong with the writing or writing style. The character development was fun and interesting. The story is very character driven and also, pirates! Argh! ☠
⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆
February 10, 2026
4-ish/5
Mannnnnn 😮💨 Jacquotte Delehaye was the baddest to ever do it on the seven seas!! Vanessa Riley done it again with this adventurous another hisfic about another Caribbean icon.
I also love how researched each and every one of her books are. You just can’t help but to learn all these new terms and facts when you read anything by Vanessa lol. Big shoutout to her for always striving to teach our community about these historical figures that deserve our remembrance!
Mannnnnn 😮💨 Jacquotte Delehaye was the baddest to ever do it on the seven seas!! Vanessa Riley done it again with this adventurous another hisfic about another Caribbean icon.
I also love how researched each and every one of her books are. You just can’t help but to learn all these new terms and facts when you read anything by Vanessa lol. Big shoutout to her for always striving to teach our community about these historical figures that deserve our remembrance!
December 23, 2025
I had very mixed feelings about this book and I couldn't decide what I didn't like about it for the longest time. I think it's the writing style. It's written in first person present tense, but there was a lot of passive voice, and for a fast-paced, action-packed narrative, it dragged quite a bit for me. I also tend to struggle with biopics because sometimes they have a distance to them that I find hard to engage with.
I am in love with the idea of lady pirates though and hope this will be the new lady knights trend of 2026. I will gladly scoop up any lady pirate books I can find.
This book is based on a real-life historical figure, Jacquotte Delahaye, who was a pirate from Tortuga, and I think the book did do a good job at portraying her as a complicated, flawed character. I frequently didn't like her and didn't understand her decisions, but as she was inspired by a real person, I can't fault the narrative for that.
She was not a sparkly pirate. I often found her to be selfish. She treated her crew like family but sacrificed her personal life for adventure, even abandoning her mute brother to a monastery, making her wife work alongside her when she wanted to retire to her garden, or not reuniting with her ex husband because he needed extra care after becoming disabled on his adventures.
I loved that she was fierce, brash and bold, and she was bisexual; her two loves were a pirate captain who abandoned her after a week of marriage to chase adventure and riches, and a trans woman courtesan who joined her on her adventures. I enjoyed the love stories the most in this narrative. I also loved that she hated slavery so much, which drove her to become a pirate; and she wouldn't become a wench or a wife, but wanted to forge her own path. This really showed how hard it was for women at the time.
Wanted to love this more than I did, but it just didn't work for me. More lady pirates though!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am in love with the idea of lady pirates though and hope this will be the new lady knights trend of 2026. I will gladly scoop up any lady pirate books I can find.
This book is based on a real-life historical figure, Jacquotte Delahaye, who was a pirate from Tortuga, and I think the book did do a good job at portraying her as a complicated, flawed character. I frequently didn't like her and didn't understand her decisions, but as she was inspired by a real person, I can't fault the narrative for that.
She was not a sparkly pirate. I often found her to be selfish. She treated her crew like family but sacrificed her personal life for adventure, even abandoning her mute brother to a monastery, making her wife work alongside her when she wanted to retire to her garden, or not reuniting with her ex husband because he needed extra care after becoming disabled on his adventures.
I loved that she was fierce, brash and bold, and she was bisexual; her two loves were a pirate captain who abandoned her after a week of marriage to chase adventure and riches, and a trans woman courtesan who joined her on her adventures. I enjoyed the love stories the most in this narrative. I also loved that she hated slavery so much, which drove her to become a pirate; and she wouldn't become a wench or a wife, but wanted to forge her own path. This really showed how hard it was for women at the time.
Wanted to love this more than I did, but it just didn't work for me. More lady pirates though!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Did not finish
February 9, 2026DNF ⭐ 2/5
I picked up Fire Sword and Sea expecting a gritty, unflinching historical novel about Jacquotte Delahaye, the legendary mixed-race female pirate in the brutal 17th-century Caribbean. The content warnings for the transatlantic slave trade, rape, violence against women, and more set my expectations high — I braced myself for something dark, harrowing, and deeply engaged with the era's horrors.
Instead, the book delivers a feel-good swashbuckling adventure with empowering vibes: queer romance (including gender-bending elements), sisterhood, anti-slavery rhetoric, and a bisexual métisse heroine who repeatedly triumphs with surprising ease.
Jacquotte speaks constantly of freedom and rails against servitude, yet she embraces possessive "you belong to me / I belong to you" language in her relationships — a paradox that feels unresolved.
Her vulnerable mute brother Josiah is treated as a convenient plot device: he's her "irreplaceable" family motivation at first, but she's quick to leave him with strangers (monks) and barely dwells on the guilt or consequences.
The sensitive themes (slavery, women's oppression, queerness, marginalisation) are name-checked and included for representation, but rarely explored with real depth or lasting emotional impact. Jacquotte faces dangers, but she bounces back resiliently, without recurring nightmares, deep scrupules, or the kind of crushing costs that history would demand. It's uplifting and necessary in its focus on agency and joy for marginalised women, but the heavy content warnings made the relatively light, almost YA-for-adults tone feel mismatched and superficial.
Placing this story in a fully alternate-history world (or marketing it more clearly as a reimagined adventure rather than strict historical fiction) would have suited it far better. As it stands, the dissonance with known historical realities — especially for a woman of colour in that time and place — pulled me out too often.
Correct research shines through in the setting and pirate life details, and the queer representation is refreshing, but overall it prioritises empowerment over nuance. A fun high-seas romp if you're after hope and romance; disappointing if you wanted raw historical grit.
I picked up Fire Sword and Sea expecting a gritty, unflinching historical novel about Jacquotte Delahaye, the legendary mixed-race female pirate in the brutal 17th-century Caribbean. The content warnings for the transatlantic slave trade, rape, violence against women, and more set my expectations high — I braced myself for something dark, harrowing, and deeply engaged with the era's horrors.
Instead, the book delivers a feel-good swashbuckling adventure with empowering vibes: queer romance (including gender-bending elements), sisterhood, anti-slavery rhetoric, and a bisexual métisse heroine who repeatedly triumphs with surprising ease.
Jacquotte speaks constantly of freedom and rails against servitude, yet she embraces possessive "you belong to me / I belong to you" language in her relationships — a paradox that feels unresolved.
Her vulnerable mute brother Josiah is treated as a convenient plot device: he's her "irreplaceable" family motivation at first, but she's quick to leave him with strangers (monks) and barely dwells on the guilt or consequences.
The sensitive themes (slavery, women's oppression, queerness, marginalisation) are name-checked and included for representation, but rarely explored with real depth or lasting emotional impact. Jacquotte faces dangers, but she bounces back resiliently, without recurring nightmares, deep scrupules, or the kind of crushing costs that history would demand. It's uplifting and necessary in its focus on agency and joy for marginalised women, but the heavy content warnings made the relatively light, almost YA-for-adults tone feel mismatched and superficial.
Placing this story in a fully alternate-history world (or marketing it more clearly as a reimagined adventure rather than strict historical fiction) would have suited it far better. As it stands, the dissonance with known historical realities — especially for a woman of colour in that time and place — pulled me out too often.
Correct research shines through in the setting and pirate life details, and the queer representation is refreshing, but overall it prioritises empowerment over nuance. A fun high-seas romp if you're after hope and romance; disappointing if you wanted raw historical grit.
January 18, 2026
I think we're due for a lady pirate trend and this book should usher us into it! We get an epic journey, beautiful relationships (both platonic and romantic), and incredible insight into life in the Caribbean in the late 1600s. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll learn a lot along the way!
Jacquotte Delahaye is our main character and she's cooking in her father's tavern on Tortuga when we meet her. She aspires for more for herself and her brother and pounces on opportunity when it arises. There are few phases to the story. First, she's cooking for her father and marries a pirate. After being abandoned, she moves and pretends to be a man while doing dock work (and being paid less because she's black). We get a phase during which she's generally safe, living with a new love, a trans woman who gathers intelligence while working as a prostitute. Eventually, life at seas calls and she becomes a pirate and works her way up to captain.
Each phase of this story is fantastic and fast-paced. Pirate crews of the day were diverse and we see that reflected on Jacquotte's boats. Her crew doesn't remain intact and it's a testament to Riley's writing that I was heartbroken when members died in battle.
I was prepared for a sad ending because of the risks Jacquotte took, but was relieved that we got a beautiful, satisfying conclusion.
Jacquotte Delahaye is our main character and she's cooking in her father's tavern on Tortuga when we meet her. She aspires for more for herself and her brother and pounces on opportunity when it arises. There are few phases to the story. First, she's cooking for her father and marries a pirate. After being abandoned, she moves and pretends to be a man while doing dock work (and being paid less because she's black). We get a phase during which she's generally safe, living with a new love, a trans woman who gathers intelligence while working as a prostitute. Eventually, life at seas calls and she becomes a pirate and works her way up to captain.
Each phase of this story is fantastic and fast-paced. Pirate crews of the day were diverse and we see that reflected on Jacquotte's boats. Her crew doesn't remain intact and it's a testament to Riley's writing that I was heartbroken when members died in battle.
I was prepared for a sad ending because of the risks Jacquotte took, but was relieved that we got a beautiful, satisfying conclusion.
October 6, 2025
Fire Sword and Sea is a sweeping tale about a legendary seventeenth-century pirate Jacquotte Delehaye.
From the first page I was engaged in the story and adventure. The plot was fast paced and had lots of twist and turns. i will recommend this book
l
From the first page I was engaged in the story and adventure. The plot was fast paced and had lots of twist and turns. i will recommend this book
l
February 9, 2026
I read this for a book club and was disappointed. The main character seems to want to be an abolitionist pirate but then never actively does anything the entire plot? The book also skips years at a time and give really no background to other main characters. The ending was annoying and made no sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2026
After reading:
DNF at 120pages/31%
I really had high hopes for this book. The premise was appealing. A HF about a black woman pirate in the 1600s. I assumed it would be a strong female, but she isn’t. I assumed she would be a pirate but I am almost halfway, and she still isn’t on a boat. I am bored and not interested.
I liked:
- the physical book itself. The cover is pretty. I loved deckle edged paper. And the thin paper is yummy.
- love short chapters- love her friendship she had with Old Jean and Sara.
-I like her scenes running the bar 1600s style.
- I love the disabled brother and how she loved him.
What I hated:
-This mc is very dumb. She meets a guy and falls for him after a few hours.
-The love scene was tacky.
-Her sword scenes were tacky and unbelievable.
-For a book with lots going on I was so bored. I found myself not wanting to pick it up.
-The nine million French and boat words I had to look up took away from the story. I don’t mind looking up some things, but it got to be too much.
-I don't feel like I am into the story. Even though it is first person I feel like there is distance with me and the book. I don't know if it's dry, boring, written bad. I don't know.
My initial assessment:
Yes: A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:
Stunning cover & love deckle edge w soft paper. Yum
1600s “real pirates of the Caribbean were women & black” it says. Cool!
An immersive saga that has female black pirates who hide their identity and sail off into the sea. Great story line!!!
I started reading it. This is beautiful wonderful writing!! Love the first person pov! Kate Quinn loves it so of course I do!
Amazon $27.94 not much of a sale but it’s ok.
DNF at 120pages/31%
I really had high hopes for this book. The premise was appealing. A HF about a black woman pirate in the 1600s. I assumed it would be a strong female, but she isn’t. I assumed she would be a pirate but I am almost halfway, and she still isn’t on a boat. I am bored and not interested.
I liked:
- the physical book itself. The cover is pretty. I loved deckle edged paper. And the thin paper is yummy.
- love short chapters- love her friendship she had with Old Jean and Sara.
-I like her scenes running the bar 1600s style.
- I love the disabled brother and how she loved him.
What I hated:
-This mc is very dumb. She meets a guy and falls for him after a few hours.
-The love scene was tacky.
-Her sword scenes were tacky and unbelievable.
-For a book with lots going on I was so bored. I found myself not wanting to pick it up.
-The nine million French and boat words I had to look up took away from the story. I don’t mind looking up some things, but it got to be too much.
-I don't feel like I am into the story. Even though it is first person I feel like there is distance with me and the book. I don't know if it's dry, boring, written bad. I don't know.
My initial assessment:
Yes: A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:
Stunning cover & love deckle edge w soft paper. Yum
1600s “real pirates of the Caribbean were women & black” it says. Cool!
An immersive saga that has female black pirates who hide their identity and sail off into the sea. Great story line!!!
I started reading it. This is beautiful wonderful writing!! Love the first person pov! Kate Quinn loves it so of course I do!
Amazon $27.94 not much of a sale but it’s ok.
February 6, 2026
No conocía la pluma de Vanessa Riley y me sorprendió gratamente en esta novela histórica que leí por Black Heritage Month,
Aventuras emocionantes que te llevan al Caribe del siglo XVIII. La historia de Miranda "Miri" Stephenson, una joven que se disfraza de hombre para unirse a la Marina Real Británica, es fascinante y llena de acción.
La prosa es envolvente y la documentación me pareció bien investigada.
Los personajes son complejos y creíbles.
La trama es emocionante y llena de giros inesperados.
Una excelente opción para los amantes de la novela histórica y la aventura.
100% recomendado.
Aventuras emocionantes que te llevan al Caribe del siglo XVIII. La historia de Miranda "Miri" Stephenson, una joven que se disfraza de hombre para unirse a la Marina Real Británica, es fascinante y llena de acción.
La prosa es envolvente y la documentación me pareció bien investigada.
Los personajes son complejos y creíbles.
La trama es emocionante y llena de giros inesperados.
Una excelente opción para los amantes de la novela histórica y la aventura.
100% recomendado.
March 2, 2026
2.5 stars — The book is “meh”. It’s overly predictable.
November 30, 2025
I received a free copy from William Morrow by entering a Goodreads Giveaway.
I really wanted to like this book but didn't. Fast paced, but in an unexciting way. It felt like I was being told about a loose set events revolving around one person. I wasn't living/feeling the story. A lot happens and I was completely detached. It started strong but after the first couple of chapters I lost interest.
I really wanted to like this book but didn't. Fast paced, but in an unexciting way. It felt like I was being told about a loose set events revolving around one person. I wasn't living/feeling the story. A lot happens and I was completely detached. It started strong but after the first couple of chapters I lost interest.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC and Librofm for the ALC!!!
In "Fire Sword, and Sea," Vanessa Riley takes us back to the rugged Caribbean of the late 17th century. The story begins in 1674, following the legendary Jacquotte Delahaye. As a mixed-race woman in Tortuga, Jacquotte rejects the limited life laid out for her and instead carves a path through the dangerous world of seafaring and piracy.
Riley’s writing is incredibly immersive, capturing the grit of the docks and the freedom of the open water. Jacquotte is a fierce and complex lead, and seeing her navigate a world of smugglers and empires is truly captivating.
I'm in love with Black women who are pirates! I hope this becomes a trend in historical fiction because Jacquotte’s story is exactly the kind of representation and adventure I want to see more of.
The plot includes history so rich that I wish I had a physical copy or an ARC so I could have taken notes as I read. I kept wanting to mark down my favorite moments and clues. Needless to say, I still enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good seas saga.
🎧The Audiobook Review🎧
The audiobook is a high energy production, but it does come with a learning curve for the listener. The narrator uses very authentic 17th century Caribbean accents to bring the diverse cast of pirates and sailors to life.
Because the accents are so thick and realistic, I must admit I had to immerse read (following along with the text while listening) to make sure I didn't miss any important details. It required a bit more focus, but it made the world feel much more real.
In "Fire Sword, and Sea," Vanessa Riley takes us back to the rugged Caribbean of the late 17th century. The story begins in 1674, following the legendary Jacquotte Delahaye. As a mixed-race woman in Tortuga, Jacquotte rejects the limited life laid out for her and instead carves a path through the dangerous world of seafaring and piracy.
Riley’s writing is incredibly immersive, capturing the grit of the docks and the freedom of the open water. Jacquotte is a fierce and complex lead, and seeing her navigate a world of smugglers and empires is truly captivating.
I'm in love with Black women who are pirates! I hope this becomes a trend in historical fiction because Jacquotte’s story is exactly the kind of representation and adventure I want to see more of.
The plot includes history so rich that I wish I had a physical copy or an ARC so I could have taken notes as I read. I kept wanting to mark down my favorite moments and clues. Needless to say, I still enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good seas saga.
🎧The Audiobook Review🎧
The audiobook is a high energy production, but it does come with a learning curve for the listener. The narrator uses very authentic 17th century Caribbean accents to bring the diverse cast of pirates and sailors to life.
Because the accents are so thick and realistic, I must admit I had to immerse read (following along with the text while listening) to make sure I didn't miss any important details. It required a bit more focus, but it made the world feel much more real.
January 14, 2026
Thanks to William Morrow for the gifted copy. All opinions below are my own.
This is the story of notorious female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye. It's actually the story of a woman from the Caribbean finding a way to survive, thrive and own her own destiny. Only the last third or so is swashbuckling pirate action. The first third is her childhood and the realities of life on a small island at the center of slave trade and piracy. The middle really focuses on her first brush with a pirate, losing it all and then deciding hiding her gender and becoming a pirate was the life she wanted. I enjoyed every second of it. It's great historical fiction which evolves into an action packed story.
This is the story of notorious female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye. It's actually the story of a woman from the Caribbean finding a way to survive, thrive and own her own destiny. Only the last third or so is swashbuckling pirate action. The first third is her childhood and the realities of life on a small island at the center of slave trade and piracy. The middle really focuses on her first brush with a pirate, losing it all and then deciding hiding her gender and becoming a pirate was the life she wanted. I enjoyed every second of it. It's great historical fiction which evolves into an action packed story.
February 27, 2026
2.5/5
This book was so slow unfortunately! It just took too long before anything of substance happened. I felt like after Chapter 20-25, that's when it started to pick up, but by that time, I was kinda over it. I'm not a big Historical Fiction fan, so I know that also contributed to it, but I wish the pacing was better. The main reasons why I finished it were (1) it takes place in Haiti which is where my family is from so I had strong ties and (2) it was a book club pick and I wanted to finish to discuss.
I will say, the second half of the book did have really unpredictable twists and some jaw dropping moments, but I feel like I was so done with the book, it didn't really matter. The love stories were so superficial and I did not buy them at all. It kind of irked me how quickly attached Jacquoette was to her love interests. The writing also had weird pacing and jumps. There were moments where I really enjoyed the writing, there were moments where I didn't understand how we got from point A to B, and there were moments were it dragged on too much. I did appreciate some of the minor characters. I did also appreciate the moments of women empowerment and taking control of your own destiny especially during a time where that was not allowed. I see where the author was going, but it fell flat for me. I wouldn't read this again nor would I recommend it.
This book was so slow unfortunately! It just took too long before anything of substance happened. I felt like after Chapter 20-25, that's when it started to pick up, but by that time, I was kinda over it. I'm not a big Historical Fiction fan, so I know that also contributed to it, but I wish the pacing was better. The main reasons why I finished it were (1) it takes place in Haiti which is where my family is from so I had strong ties and (2) it was a book club pick and I wanted to finish to discuss.
I will say, the second half of the book did have really unpredictable twists and some jaw dropping moments, but I feel like I was so done with the book, it didn't really matter. The love stories were so superficial and I did not buy them at all. It kind of irked me how quickly attached Jacquoette was to her love interests. The writing also had weird pacing and jumps. There were moments where I really enjoyed the writing, there were moments where I didn't understand how we got from point A to B, and there were moments were it dragged on too much. I did appreciate some of the minor characters. I did also appreciate the moments of women empowerment and taking control of your own destiny especially during a time where that was not allowed. I see where the author was going, but it fell flat for me. I wouldn't read this again nor would I recommend it.
March 5, 2026
I was SO excited about this one and the premise. Unfortunately the book description on Goodreads gives away nearly every major plot point so I kept feeling like the plot was dragging along waiting for it to get to the real pirate action. All of the major action scenes were excellent and just what I was looking for. But the overly expositional and repetitive style of explaining all of Jacquotte’s internal motivations in between all those major plot points feels kind of juvenile, I think halts the pacing of the story, and doesn’t leave anything up to the readers imagination or interpretation.
February 26, 2026
Interesting storyline but not easy to read. I also wondered why the author changed the dates of Jacquotte Delahaye’s life. If she lived at all, and that isn’t certain, she was shot dead in 1663. This story spans 1670s to 1690s. That probably doesn’t really matter.
The description of life in the Caribbean was brutal. Jacquotte is a pirate, initially dressed as a man. She is ably assisted by other women dressed as men and one transgender male. These characters,and the choices they have to make to survive, were engrossing.
However, all of the story is told in the first person and too much time is spent going over Jacquotte’s repetitive thoughts - her loves, her guilt about abandoning her brother, her addiction to life as a pirate and her abhorrence of slavery. Too little time is spent describing events so the story is unbalanced and hard to follow at times.
The description of life in the Caribbean was brutal. Jacquotte is a pirate, initially dressed as a man. She is ably assisted by other women dressed as men and one transgender male. These characters,and the choices they have to make to survive, were engrossing.
However, all of the story is told in the first person and too much time is spent going over Jacquotte’s repetitive thoughts - her loves, her guilt about abandoning her brother, her addiction to life as a pirate and her abhorrence of slavery. Too little time is spent describing events so the story is unbalanced and hard to follow at times.
December 22, 2025
This book was a truly adventurous read. I’ve never read a story about pirates—especially not one centered on a Black female pirate—so it immediately stood out. The main character, Jacquotte Delahaye, was born to an enslaved mother and a French father under French colonial rule. Her mixed identity placed her in a complicated position, shaping how she navigated the world from an early age.
From beginning to end, Jacquotte was brave, determined, and fierce. She knew what she wanted early on. At first, she was willing to compromise her dreams for love, particularly with Captain LeBasque. But once he left, she fully chose herself and pursued her true calling—becoming a filibuster, a pirate, and eventually a captain. She achieved all of that and even found love again.
I really appreciated how research-driven Vanessa Miller is. Because so little information exists about figures like Jacquotte, this historical fiction is carefully built around real facts, with thoughtful storytelling filling in the gaps. Miller did a great job portraying Jacquotte’s strength alongside her regrets, fears, and emotional struggles.
Although Jacquotte was proud of her accomplishments, she was also incredibly hard on herself. She carried guilt over what she lost by choosing her dreams—especially her relationship with her brother, whom she left in the care of monks. Still, she remained deeply committed to her crew, who became her chosen family.
The book also offered strong representation. Women couldn’t own property or command ships during this time, yet Jacquotte defied every expectation. She was a skilled sailor and fighter, quick to identify her enemies’ weaknesses and navigate danger. The story also explored gender and identity through Madame Erville, showing how people in the 1600s often had to disguise themselves to live freely and love who they chose.
While the story dragged a bit in the middle, the character development and reflection made it worth the read. Overall, it was a compelling story about ambition, sacrifice, identity, and the cost of choosing yourself.
From beginning to end, Jacquotte was brave, determined, and fierce. She knew what she wanted early on. At first, she was willing to compromise her dreams for love, particularly with Captain LeBasque. But once he left, she fully chose herself and pursued her true calling—becoming a filibuster, a pirate, and eventually a captain. She achieved all of that and even found love again.
I really appreciated how research-driven Vanessa Miller is. Because so little information exists about figures like Jacquotte, this historical fiction is carefully built around real facts, with thoughtful storytelling filling in the gaps. Miller did a great job portraying Jacquotte’s strength alongside her regrets, fears, and emotional struggles.
Although Jacquotte was proud of her accomplishments, she was also incredibly hard on herself. She carried guilt over what she lost by choosing her dreams—especially her relationship with her brother, whom she left in the care of monks. Still, she remained deeply committed to her crew, who became her chosen family.
The book also offered strong representation. Women couldn’t own property or command ships during this time, yet Jacquotte defied every expectation. She was a skilled sailor and fighter, quick to identify her enemies’ weaknesses and navigate danger. The story also explored gender and identity through Madame Erville, showing how people in the 1600s often had to disguise themselves to live freely and love who they chose.
While the story dragged a bit in the middle, the character development and reflection made it worth the read. Overall, it was a compelling story about ambition, sacrifice, identity, and the cost of choosing yourself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2026
This was a book club read and I’m gonna be honest… I wasn’t a fan of the writing style. It felt so choppy. Felt like there was always something missing. The FMC was very brave but I felt as though everything was just glazed over. Like I was hearing the story being told in a mother room. At times it felt the slow burn was REALLY slow burning. The concepts of black female pirates seems INCREDIBLE but I just wish this author could have done more. Just feel so flat to me idk
February 22, 2026
Nope, I still dislike first-person present tense for historical novels. I wish it weren't Riley's go-to. I also feel misled by the description, which promised that our MC would "plot a war of liberation." I guess she starts plotting at the very end of this long book, but the adventure I really wanted to witness (freeing enslaved people) is not on the page apart from one early event in which she frees a White captive.
February 17, 2026
Fire Sword and Sea is about "Legendary" Mulatto Female Pirate, Jacquotte Delahaye. It is historical fiction. This book was alright. There are a multitude of relationships in this book. Jacquotte is brave at times and naive at times which seems like a bad balance in the times in which the novel occurs. This book is important because for many this is the only information ever seen about Jacquotte DelaHaye. History is not kind to those it wants to paint as unimportant, yet it is often the forgotten who inspire. Fire Sword and Sea has an interesting premise and it is nice to see life on the high seas in a different light from it being Caucasian males controlling the waters. Jacquotte shows bravery from the very beginning of this novel but I wish for something more than what was written. There are elements I think would have made this stronger but I am a good reader not a writer.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A historical fiction taken in the Caribbean was all I needed to see in order to get my eyes on this ARC anticipated novel. This book was a whirlwind but Vanessa Riley did an amazing job keeping the reader fully engaged in the world she built. It was easy to follow as she took us from land to sea and back. I love when I read a book and the author can transport me to a time period and place without it feeling muddled or overdone. You could visualize and taste the saltwater spray, hear the crackle of fire spreading, and see the various faces of diverse characters we were introduced to throughout the story.
At first when I went through the cast of characters and their alternative names in the introductory pages, I found myself feeling overwhelmed. I mentally started to prepare myself to be confused which hindered me from picking up this read sooner. However, while reading I felt Riley did an excellent job making the characters names and presence easy to follow and remember. Because of this, I feel like there was no need for the list we are first introduced to.
While I wouldn’t necessarily have picked up a book surrounding the theme of piracy, I’m glad I took the risk and engaged with a text outside of my comfort zone. I found myself invested and surprised by Jacquotte Delahaye’s ambitious nature. At the same time, I was angry with Jacquotte a lot. While we saw her grow into herself more through each page, we also saw how she lost herself in other ways. I think that “selfishness” she displayed was truly a double edged sword. If she chose a different path would she really have been better? Or would the embers of her longing be too strong to cool?
I recommend this book to anyone who’s even a little bit curious. The historical aspect of this book makes it even more fascinating knowing it draws on some researched truths.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #FireSwordandSea
Oh, and #JusticeForJosiah !
At first when I went through the cast of characters and their alternative names in the introductory pages, I found myself feeling overwhelmed. I mentally started to prepare myself to be confused which hindered me from picking up this read sooner. However, while reading I felt Riley did an excellent job making the characters names and presence easy to follow and remember. Because of this, I feel like there was no need for the list we are first introduced to.
While I wouldn’t necessarily have picked up a book surrounding the theme of piracy, I’m glad I took the risk and engaged with a text outside of my comfort zone. I found myself invested and surprised by Jacquotte Delahaye’s ambitious nature. At the same time, I was angry with Jacquotte a lot. While we saw her grow into herself more through each page, we also saw how she lost herself in other ways. I think that “selfishness” she displayed was truly a double edged sword. If she chose a different path would she really have been better? Or would the embers of her longing be too strong to cool?
I recommend this book to anyone who’s even a little bit curious. The historical aspect of this book makes it even more fascinating knowing it draws on some researched truths.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #FireSwordandSea
Oh, and #JusticeForJosiah !
February 5, 2026
This book is such a powerful reminder that the real Pirates of the Caribbean were Black and women.Set in 1675, this story follows Jacquotte Delahaye a mixed race daughter of a tavern owner in Tortuga who refuses to accept the small life the world expects from her. Instead of marriage, she chooses the sea and when life forces her hand, she reinvents herself as “Jacques,” a dockworker in Haiti, hiding her gender just to survive in a brutal world built to erase women like her.
What makes this book hit so hard is how fearless Jacquotte is. Such a ICON. I love her. She’s not just fighting for freedom on the water she’s fighting for her right to exist fully. Along the way she forms bonds with other outsiders including Bahati, an African born woman who escaped slavery and she falls into a complicated romance with Lizzôa d’Erville a courtesan who holds her own power in a world of secrets.And when piracy starts sliding into the slave trade Jacquotte doesn’t just disagree She turns away from the easy riches and starts plotting something bigger: a war of liberation.This is absolutely a must read especially for anyone who loves a story led by a strong Black female main character who refuses to be broken, owned, or silenced. Jacquotte is bold, complicated, and unforgettable the kind of heroine we deserve more of. Manifesting this becomes a movie. Because I WAS SAT throughout this whole book. My first by this author but it most definitely won’t be my last.
What makes this book hit so hard is how fearless Jacquotte is. Such a ICON. I love her. She’s not just fighting for freedom on the water she’s fighting for her right to exist fully. Along the way she forms bonds with other outsiders including Bahati, an African born woman who escaped slavery and she falls into a complicated romance with Lizzôa d’Erville a courtesan who holds her own power in a world of secrets.And when piracy starts sliding into the slave trade Jacquotte doesn’t just disagree She turns away from the easy riches and starts plotting something bigger: a war of liberation.This is absolutely a must read especially for anyone who loves a story led by a strong Black female main character who refuses to be broken, owned, or silenced. Jacquotte is bold, complicated, and unforgettable the kind of heroine we deserve more of. Manifesting this becomes a movie. Because I WAS SAT throughout this whole book. My first by this author but it most definitely won’t be my last.
February 8, 2026
Okay but nobody warned me I’d be emotionally invested in a pirate like this. I went in expecting vibes and adventure and came out caring deeply about freedom, legacy, and one very stubborn woman who refuses to shrink.
Jacquotte Delahaye is based on a real life Black woman pirate, which already had me hooked, but it’s the way she’s written that really got me. She’s fierce but soft, grieving but hopeful, powerful without losing her humanity. The story moves at a steady pace at first, but once it picks up, it picks up. Ships, battles, politics, tension, feelings. All of it.
What really worked for me is how much is happening under the surface. Disability rep, queerness, gender roles, colonialism, chosen family, resistance, and none of it feels forced. It just exists naturally in the world. And yes there’s romance and spice, but the heart of this book is purpose and survival and choosing joy anyway.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Would I reread it? Not anytime soon, but I’m genuinely glad I experienced it.
Perfect if you want historical fiction that feels bold, emotional, and quietly powerful.
Jacquotte Delahaye is based on a real life Black woman pirate, which already had me hooked, but it’s the way she’s written that really got me. She’s fierce but soft, grieving but hopeful, powerful without losing her humanity. The story moves at a steady pace at first, but once it picks up, it picks up. Ships, battles, politics, tension, feelings. All of it.
What really worked for me is how much is happening under the surface. Disability rep, queerness, gender roles, colonialism, chosen family, resistance, and none of it feels forced. It just exists naturally in the world. And yes there’s romance and spice, but the heart of this book is purpose and survival and choosing joy anyway.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Would I reread it? Not anytime soon, but I’m genuinely glad I experienced it.
Perfect if you want historical fiction that feels bold, emotional, and quietly powerful.
Read
January 5, 2026Fire Sword and Sea is a powerful and engaging historical novel that blends courage, love, and resilience. The individuals worked to live of their truths, and become who they one themselves to be. They were fearless in times where being black, as well as a woman counted against you.
Vanessa Riley brings her characters to life with strong emotions and rich detail, making the story both inspiring and immersive. The novel explores themes of freedom, identity, and sacrifice while keeping the pace exciting and the stakes high.
Overall, it’s a compelling read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with strong characters and meaningful depth. Thank you Netgalley and Vanessa Riley for this ARC copy.
Vanessa Riley brings her characters to life with strong emotions and rich detail, making the story both inspiring and immersive. The novel explores themes of freedom, identity, and sacrifice while keeping the pace exciting and the stakes high.
Overall, it’s a compelling read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with strong characters and meaningful depth. Thank you Netgalley and Vanessa Riley for this ARC copy.
January 31, 2026
Jacquotte Delahaye, a mixed race woman, wants to be a buccaneer in the Caribbean during the 17th century. She disguises herself as a man and eventually captains her own ship. Author researched much of the book through the character's friendship with Anne Dieu-Le-Veut, a Blanc (white) French woman, whose life was more documented than Jacquotte's. I'm fascinated by this time period of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and liked learning how strong women were also part of pirate culture.
February 16, 2026
I was so excited for a female pirate as a MC and woman of color! I gave it a solid 3.5 as I had a hard time reading it. By my own fault, I could not follow the time period's dialogue or the French words, and often failed to understand what the heck I had just read. I finished this book a while ago but wrestled with what I liked (and disliked) about it. It was adventurous and rebellious and romantic and daring but I struggled with how these narratives were drawn out and came not in torrents, but more like trickles. I did, however, love how the author highlighted the MC's strength, perseverance, and courage, making difficult decisions and creating her own path. I was definitely intrigued to see her come into herself, even if she didn't realize she had all those qualities already in her. In a world where everything is plain and colorless, she was unashamedly bold, vivid and bright.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
February 27, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction book. it is about Jacquotte Delahaye who was a real life female pirate in the Caribbean. There is adventure, romance, and history in this novel. The characters draw you into their journey of leadership, struggles, and success. Vanessa Riley does her research of Jacquotte Delahaye's story in her desire to become a pirate. This story covers a time period of 20 years in the 17th century. This world definitely needs more female pirates!
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