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Sea Witch Chronicles #2
Pirate Code
Voyage Two of the Sea Witch Series (new edition)
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2007
9 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Helen Hollick
59 books526 followersI escaped London in January 2013 to live in North Devon - but was born in Walthamstow, North East London in 1953 I began writing at the age of 13. Desperately wanting a pony of my own, but not being able to afford one, I invented an imaginary pony instead, writing stories about our adventures together at every spare opportunity. In the seventies I turned to science fiction - this was the age of Dr. Who, Star Trek and Star Wars. I still have an unfinished adventure about a bit of a rogue who travelled space with his family, making an honest(ish) living and getting into all sorts of scrapes. Perhaps one day I might finish it.
I had wanted to become a journalist when leaving secondary school, but my careers advice was not helpful. "Don't be silly," I was told, "you can't type." (I still can't, I use four fingers.) Instead, I worked in a Chingford library where I stayed for 13 years although I was not very happy there - I did not realise it, but I wanted to write. The one advantage of the library, however, was the access to books, and it was there that I came across the Roman historical novels of Rosemary Sutcliff, the Arthurian trilogy by Mary Stewart, and the historian Geoffrey Ashe. I was hooked on Roman Britain - and King Arthur!
Reading everything I could, I eventually became frustrated that novels were not how I personally felt about the matter of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere).
By this time, I was married with a young daughter. I had time on my hands and so I started writing my idea of Arthurian Britain . I deliberately decided not to include Merlin and Lancelot, there was to be no magic or Medieval myth. My book was to be a "what might have really happened" historical novel, not a fantasy, and most certainly not a romance! What I didn't know, when I started, was that my one book was to grow into enough words to make a complete trilogy.
I found an agent who placed me with William Heinemann - I was accepted for publication just after my 40th birthday. The best birthday present I have ever had.
I had previously had a smaller success with a children's personal safety book (stranger danger) called "Come and Tell Me," a little story that I had written for my daughter when she was 3. I wanted to tell her how to keep safe in a clear and simple manner - with a message that could be easily remembered. "Always come and tell me before you go anywhere with anyone" fitted nicely. I was immensely proud when my little story was taken up as an official safety book by the British Home Office to be used nationally by the police and schools. An updated and revised version of "Come and Tell Me" was re-published by Happy Cat Books but is now out of print.
I followed on with two Saxon period novels A Hollow Crown and Harold the King - both are about the people and events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 - from the English point of view.
(these titles are published as The Forever Queen and I Am The Chosen King in the US)
When Heinemann did not re-print my backlist I took my books to a small UK independent publisher with their even smaller mainstream imprint, adding my historical adventure series the Sea Witch Voyages to my list.
Unfortunately Discovered Authors / Callio Press, were not as organised as they should have been and the company closed in the spring of 2011. Not wanting my books to fall out of print in the UK I took them to an indie company - SilverWood Books of Bristol UK - and with their technical assistance "self published"
I am also with Sourcebooks Inc in the US, with Artemis Yayinlari in Turkey, Sadwolf in Germany at Catnip Edizioni in Italy.
I was delighted to make the USA Today bestseller list in 2011 with The Forever Queen (US title of A Hollow Crown)
I have published two non-fiction books: Pirates Truth and Tales with Amberley Press and Smugglers : Fact and Fiction with Pen & Sword.
I also run an historical fiction review blog, Discovering Diamonds, with a dedicated and enthusia
I had wanted to become a journalist when leaving secondary school, but my careers advice was not helpful. "Don't be silly," I was told, "you can't type." (I still can't, I use four fingers.) Instead, I worked in a Chingford library where I stayed for 13 years although I was not very happy there - I did not realise it, but I wanted to write. The one advantage of the library, however, was the access to books, and it was there that I came across the Roman historical novels of Rosemary Sutcliff, the Arthurian trilogy by Mary Stewart, and the historian Geoffrey Ashe. I was hooked on Roman Britain - and King Arthur!
Reading everything I could, I eventually became frustrated that novels were not how I personally felt about the matter of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere).
By this time, I was married with a young daughter. I had time on my hands and so I started writing my idea of Arthurian Britain . I deliberately decided not to include Merlin and Lancelot, there was to be no magic or Medieval myth. My book was to be a "what might have really happened" historical novel, not a fantasy, and most certainly not a romance! What I didn't know, when I started, was that my one book was to grow into enough words to make a complete trilogy.
I found an agent who placed me with William Heinemann - I was accepted for publication just after my 40th birthday. The best birthday present I have ever had.
I had previously had a smaller success with a children's personal safety book (stranger danger) called "Come and Tell Me," a little story that I had written for my daughter when she was 3. I wanted to tell her how to keep safe in a clear and simple manner - with a message that could be easily remembered. "Always come and tell me before you go anywhere with anyone" fitted nicely. I was immensely proud when my little story was taken up as an official safety book by the British Home Office to be used nationally by the police and schools. An updated and revised version of "Come and Tell Me" was re-published by Happy Cat Books but is now out of print.
I followed on with two Saxon period novels A Hollow Crown and Harold the King - both are about the people and events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 - from the English point of view.
(these titles are published as The Forever Queen and I Am The Chosen King in the US)
When Heinemann did not re-print my backlist I took my books to a small UK independent publisher with their even smaller mainstream imprint, adding my historical adventure series the Sea Witch Voyages to my list.
Unfortunately Discovered Authors / Callio Press, were not as organised as they should have been and the company closed in the spring of 2011. Not wanting my books to fall out of print in the UK I took them to an indie company - SilverWood Books of Bristol UK - and with their technical assistance "self published"
I am also with Sourcebooks Inc in the US, with Artemis Yayinlari in Turkey, Sadwolf in Germany at Catnip Edizioni in Italy.
I was delighted to make the USA Today bestseller list in 2011 with The Forever Queen (US title of A Hollow Crown)
I have published two non-fiction books: Pirates Truth and Tales with Amberley Press and Smugglers : Fact and Fiction with Pen & Sword.
I also run an historical fiction review blog, Discovering Diamonds, with a dedicated and enthusia
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 11, 2013
Another wonderful read all about the adventures and voyages of Captain Jesamiah Acorne. Jesamiah encounters lots more problems that threaten to ruin his future dreams in regard to his ship "The Sea Witch" and to marry the woman he loves so deeply.... white witch Tiola. Don't miss this exciting series of adventures from the pen of Helen Hollick
December 20, 2018
Captain Jesamiah Acorne is a very naughty boy. Well, he's no boy and has a shocking temper, but then he does have his heart in the right place as well as possessing unparalleled seamanship and courage. And neither he or we are sure on which side of the law he's operating. Such a lively combination brings us another ripping yarn in Helen Hollick's pirate series.
The author weaves an exciting story round Jesamiah within a detail-rich but never intrusive world of the eighteenth century wild Caribbean. And sometimes, Jesamiah can't resist dropping his trousers or scooping up a few careless diamonds hanging around.
But added to this spicy mix is a very plausible otherworldly element in the shape of his love, Tiola, a 'wise woman' of mysterious origins. Hollick tells it as it was – brutal, exciting, colourful, lawless and dangerous, but full of opportunity for the ruthless and adventurous. She shows us these aspects without gratuitous detail, although we do shudder. But in the end, it's the lure of the sea that draws Jesamiah on and will draw this reader on. Recommended.
The author weaves an exciting story round Jesamiah within a detail-rich but never intrusive world of the eighteenth century wild Caribbean. And sometimes, Jesamiah can't resist dropping his trousers or scooping up a few careless diamonds hanging around.
But added to this spicy mix is a very plausible otherworldly element in the shape of his love, Tiola, a 'wise woman' of mysterious origins. Hollick tells it as it was – brutal, exciting, colourful, lawless and dangerous, but full of opportunity for the ruthless and adventurous. She shows us these aspects without gratuitous detail, although we do shudder. But in the end, it's the lure of the sea that draws Jesamiah on and will draw this reader on. Recommended.
January 15, 2011
We first met Jesamiah Acorne in the superb first novel in this series – Sea Witch (Sea Witch Series). Jesamiah just wants to marry Tiola and live out his years on his beloved ship but fate has other things in store. To begin with Tiola’s husband will only divorce her if Jesamiah goes to Hispianola and finds some barrels of precious Indigo. War with Spain looms and it turns out that the Governor of Nassau wants Jesamaiah to go to Hispaniola anyway to find a missing spy.
Jesamiah is thrust into the middle of not just a war between Spain and England but also both the mission to discover who is a spy (who can be trusted and who not) and a rebellion against the governor of Hispaniola.
Jesamiah needs all his luck and guile as well as courage to get out all this alive. Along the way we find out a little more about his past. The end is dramatic, exciting and just very well written.
For me this is better than the first book and I recommend it for anyone who loves a good pirate romp.
Why would you not like it? Well if you don’t like Historical Fiction or don’t like elements of fantasy in your fiction then this might not be for you but the level of authenticity in recreation of period which reflects the depth of historical research by the author is so impressive I would urge you to give it a go.
I gave it 5 stars.
Jesamiah is thrust into the middle of not just a war between Spain and England but also both the mission to discover who is a spy (who can be trusted and who not) and a rebellion against the governor of Hispaniola.
Jesamiah needs all his luck and guile as well as courage to get out all this alive. Along the way we find out a little more about his past. The end is dramatic, exciting and just very well written.
For me this is better than the first book and I recommend it for anyone who loves a good pirate romp.
Why would you not like it? Well if you don’t like Historical Fiction or don’t like elements of fantasy in your fiction then this might not be for you but the level of authenticity in recreation of period which reflects the depth of historical research by the author is so impressive I would urge you to give it a go.
I gave it 5 stars.
July 18, 2011
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Tiola, midwife, healer, Jesamiah’s Acorne’s lover and comforter, knows she has to share Jesamiah’s love with Sea Witch, his pirate ship that yields to his touch and jumps at his command. She is a beauty that loves the Chase, is steady in battle, and gallops with joy over the sparkling, blue waters of the Caribbean with Jesamiah in command, but grumbles and responds in sulky contrariness to the command of others.
Jesamiah left Tiola to fend for herself in order to save Sea Witch. In Hispaniola, he finds himself in dire need of Tiola’s healing skills, both physically and emotionally. He opens his mind and tries to communicate with her the way they have for so long—nothing! He doesn’t know Tiola’s powers have waned with her illness and that she is on Stefan’s ship far from solid land where she needs to be to regain her strengths.
Tethys, soul of the sea, drains away more of Tiola’s powers. Tethys wants Jesamiah, the beautiful pirate with the ribbons in his hair, for herself and Tiola always thwarts her efforts. Tethys’ daughter, Rain, at odds with her mother, visits both Tiola and Jesamiah as she mulls over whether to side with her mother or Tiola in regard to Jesamiah.
While Tiola, Rain, and Tethys have a struggles of wills, Jesamiah struggles for his life in Hispaniola where he stumbles into a rebellion plot that brings to light facts about his ancestors that force him to rethink the horrors of childhood that shaped him into the man he has become.
The multitude of secondary characters, the secret agendas and intrigues keep the reader’s mind racing, almost on overload at times trying to separate all the characters and how they are connected to each other and to the various struggles. Greed and poor judgment fuel much of the action, which is truly barbaric at times. In the early eighteenth century when pirates roamed the ocean and unprincipled merchants, greedy government dignitaries, and often inept navel officers vied for supremacy, the very worst of human nature shows itself.
Helen Hollick, an amazing story teller, lures you into this time and immerses you in the battles, pain, struggles for power, and survival, that consumes the characters’ lives. Her description of the astounding beauty of the Caribbean stands out in sharp contrast to the ugliness of human actions. The reader’s senses are inundated with seeing, feeling, tasting, touching and smelling the good and the bad. Among all the rough and tumble, Ms. Hollick weaves in Tiola’s and Jesamiah’s love that is so special, so enduring, and so self-sacrificing that the reader marvels at the strength in it that reaches and sustains in unbearable times.
Pirate Code is spellbinding and is a wonderful ongoing of Jesamiah’s first voyage in the novel Sea Witch. Each of these books stands alone with its special time in Jesamiah’s life, but put together they are even better. Now I’m looking forward to the third voyage in Bring It Close.
Pirate Code throbs with life and whets the imagination with fantasy as Tethys and Rain toy with humans—a unique and breathtaking armchair adventure.
Tiola, midwife, healer, Jesamiah’s Acorne’s lover and comforter, knows she has to share Jesamiah’s love with Sea Witch, his pirate ship that yields to his touch and jumps at his command. She is a beauty that loves the Chase, is steady in battle, and gallops with joy over the sparkling, blue waters of the Caribbean with Jesamiah in command, but grumbles and responds in sulky contrariness to the command of others.
Jesamiah left Tiola to fend for herself in order to save Sea Witch. In Hispaniola, he finds himself in dire need of Tiola’s healing skills, both physically and emotionally. He opens his mind and tries to communicate with her the way they have for so long—nothing! He doesn’t know Tiola’s powers have waned with her illness and that she is on Stefan’s ship far from solid land where she needs to be to regain her strengths.
Tethys, soul of the sea, drains away more of Tiola’s powers. Tethys wants Jesamiah, the beautiful pirate with the ribbons in his hair, for herself and Tiola always thwarts her efforts. Tethys’ daughter, Rain, at odds with her mother, visits both Tiola and Jesamiah as she mulls over whether to side with her mother or Tiola in regard to Jesamiah.
While Tiola, Rain, and Tethys have a struggles of wills, Jesamiah struggles for his life in Hispaniola where he stumbles into a rebellion plot that brings to light facts about his ancestors that force him to rethink the horrors of childhood that shaped him into the man he has become.
The multitude of secondary characters, the secret agendas and intrigues keep the reader’s mind racing, almost on overload at times trying to separate all the characters and how they are connected to each other and to the various struggles. Greed and poor judgment fuel much of the action, which is truly barbaric at times. In the early eighteenth century when pirates roamed the ocean and unprincipled merchants, greedy government dignitaries, and often inept navel officers vied for supremacy, the very worst of human nature shows itself.
Helen Hollick, an amazing story teller, lures you into this time and immerses you in the battles, pain, struggles for power, and survival, that consumes the characters’ lives. Her description of the astounding beauty of the Caribbean stands out in sharp contrast to the ugliness of human actions. The reader’s senses are inundated with seeing, feeling, tasting, touching and smelling the good and the bad. Among all the rough and tumble, Ms. Hollick weaves in Tiola’s and Jesamiah’s love that is so special, so enduring, and so self-sacrificing that the reader marvels at the strength in it that reaches and sustains in unbearable times.
Pirate Code is spellbinding and is a wonderful ongoing of Jesamiah’s first voyage in the novel Sea Witch. Each of these books stands alone with its special time in Jesamiah’s life, but put together they are even better. Now I’m looking forward to the third voyage in Bring It Close.
Pirate Code throbs with life and whets the imagination with fantasy as Tethys and Rain toy with humans—a unique and breathtaking armchair adventure.
July 25, 2011
In a way this one could almost work as a stand alone novel, but yes I do encourage you to read book 1 first. Jesamiah, I think I have to make some points clear about him. Yes I did say he was a nice pirate, but not that nice. He still steals, and kills like he always have. He is just one of the nicer pirates when it all comes down to it.
Things did not turn out so good in book 1. Tiola is married to someone else and even though she and Jesamiah are back together they still have that fact looming over their heads. Adultery will get you flogged. But there are people who might be able to help, but to do that Jesamiah have to risk his life sailing to Spanish waters.
Jesamiah also made me loose respect for him in this book. He just leaves poor Tiola again but mostly the lack of respect comes from that he thinks it's ok to visit whores. Because it's not love or passion so why would it be wrong? Too bad Hollick is so damn good that she doesn't make me hate him for it. He is just a man of his age and he still loves his woman.
If you are expecting this to be some sort of happy book then you are wrong. Their love is not an easy one. Jesamiah will also suffer for other reasons in this book just like he did in book 1. Life is hard and a pirate could only wish for a quick hanging. Still, it is not a dark book. It's just gritty and real. And our pirate hero will do his best to stay alive as many want him dead and while he is contemplating the harsh life of a pirate.
There is adventure in abundance. This book has spies and secrets instead of pirating. And what else is got is magic. No not that much, Tiola has her craft but there is also something else. Tethys, mother of the ocean. The sea itself is alive and wants Jesamiah. Here and there through out the book she speaks with Tiola who tries to keep her man alive. And we also hear the wind and the land.
Conclusion:
I am starting to think they can't be happy. He loves the sea and his ship. She does not want him to be a pirate. But it does make me look forward to book 3 and see what kind of mess they will create there.
Things did not turn out so good in book 1. Tiola is married to someone else and even though she and Jesamiah are back together they still have that fact looming over their heads. Adultery will get you flogged. But there are people who might be able to help, but to do that Jesamiah have to risk his life sailing to Spanish waters.
Jesamiah also made me loose respect for him in this book. He just leaves poor Tiola again but mostly the lack of respect comes from that he thinks it's ok to visit whores. Because it's not love or passion so why would it be wrong? Too bad Hollick is so damn good that she doesn't make me hate him for it. He is just a man of his age and he still loves his woman.
If you are expecting this to be some sort of happy book then you are wrong. Their love is not an easy one. Jesamiah will also suffer for other reasons in this book just like he did in book 1. Life is hard and a pirate could only wish for a quick hanging. Still, it is not a dark book. It's just gritty and real. And our pirate hero will do his best to stay alive as many want him dead and while he is contemplating the harsh life of a pirate.
There is adventure in abundance. This book has spies and secrets instead of pirating. And what else is got is magic. No not that much, Tiola has her craft but there is also something else. Tethys, mother of the ocean. The sea itself is alive and wants Jesamiah. Here and there through out the book she speaks with Tiola who tries to keep her man alive. And we also hear the wind and the land.
Conclusion:
I am starting to think they can't be happy. He loves the sea and his ship. She does not want him to be a pirate. But it does make me look forward to book 3 and see what kind of mess they will create there.
February 18, 2016
Meet - or be reacquainted with – Jesamiah Acorne, Helen Hollick's charismatic protagonist from her first pirate book, Sea Witch.
No woman, it seems, can resist Jesamiah – including the ancient Goddess of the Sea and her daughter, Wind – and nor can he resist them, despite his constant companion and lover, Tiola. But then he's a pirate – or was, because he has signed an amnesty and is currently berthed in Nassau.
We start off with Tiola accused of adultery by her husband and facing the barbarous treatment accorded to such women in those days. Jesamiah will do almost anything to save her from punishment, but will he run errands for the wily Henry Jennings and the good hearted but rather weak willed governor. No, he won't, but his hand is forced when war is declared between England and Spain, the amnesty revoked and the arrival of an English Commodore bent on requisitioning Jesamiah's pride and joy, his ship Sea Witch.
Jesamiah stumbles – as he so often does – from danger to danger: old enemies will be met, a revolution encouraged, searches for spies and traitors and a lot of secrets about Jesamiah's past life before Jesamiah can find some peace.
All of the elements are in this book for a great, rollicking adventure on the Spanish Main and Helen Hollick has captured the atmosphere and the characters perfectly.
For me, this goes to Eleven.
No woman, it seems, can resist Jesamiah – including the ancient Goddess of the Sea and her daughter, Wind – and nor can he resist them, despite his constant companion and lover, Tiola. But then he's a pirate – or was, because he has signed an amnesty and is currently berthed in Nassau.
We start off with Tiola accused of adultery by her husband and facing the barbarous treatment accorded to such women in those days. Jesamiah will do almost anything to save her from punishment, but will he run errands for the wily Henry Jennings and the good hearted but rather weak willed governor. No, he won't, but his hand is forced when war is declared between England and Spain, the amnesty revoked and the arrival of an English Commodore bent on requisitioning Jesamiah's pride and joy, his ship Sea Witch.
Jesamiah stumbles – as he so often does – from danger to danger: old enemies will be met, a revolution encouraged, searches for spies and traitors and a lot of secrets about Jesamiah's past life before Jesamiah can find some peace.
All of the elements are in this book for a great, rollicking adventure on the Spanish Main and Helen Hollick has captured the atmosphere and the characters perfectly.
For me, this goes to Eleven.
January 12, 2017
Having read the first book in Helen Hollick’s Sea Witch Voyages series (Sea Witch) I was really looking forward to the second instalment – Pirate Code – and I wasn’t disappointed. It was wonderful – if at times rather terrifying – to be once more at sea with dashing pirate Jesamiah Acorne and his lover, Tiola. This is definitely a pirate story for the grown ups, with a real sense of the pains and perils of life in the early eighteenth-century, especially for a pirate who’s trying to go straight but who finds himself caught up in the war between England and Spain. Set in the early eighteenth-century, Pirate Code is a heady blend of historical fact, historical fiction and a dash of fantasy – Tiola is a white witch, midwife and healer. It’s got action, adventure, true love and grog! A great read – now on to book three…
Disclosure: the author is known to me (we are both published by SilverWood Books), but this is my honest opinion and rating of the book.
Disclosure: the author is known to me (we are both published by SilverWood Books), but this is my honest opinion and rating of the book.
December 30, 2014
Having really enjoyed the first Jesemiah Acorne story last Christmas, I hoped this sequel would be as captivating, and I was not disappointed. Helen Hollick is a great storyteller, weaving a compelling and exciting story full of twists and surprises, around complex and engaging characters whose motivation is always well explained. Her thorough research is evident but never intrusive, and she cleverly gives factually accurate descriptions - including some grisly details - without repelling the reader or being sensationalist, and while retaining a strong sense of romance and adventure. The result is a very well balanced story that would delight any reader interested in piracy as it really was, rather than in Hollywood or Disney versions. I'm now looking forward to reading the next in what I hope will be an ever-growing series.
July 23, 2011
The story continues (works as a stand-alone too) of Captain Acorne and his lady love, Tiola and a third side of a love triangle who shall remain nameless.
This story is just as action packed as the previous and includes more pirate politics.
Love watching (reading) pirate lore and love of the sea (and freedom) come alive.
This story is just as action packed as the previous and includes more pirate politics.
Love watching (reading) pirate lore and love of the sea (and freedom) come alive.
August 16, 2010
I enjoyed this book almost more than the first one. Pirates, Romance, crazy sea goddesses... what is not to like. Adventure...etc. PG 13 for sure due to sex scenes and language.. but well worth the effort. All of the books by this author are excellent!!!
December 30, 2015
The sequel to Sea Witch, because I borrowed both books at the same time. I thought this was better than book 1, but there are so many better books I want to read that I don't think I'll read any more in the series.
January 10, 2010
My review is at historicnavalfiction.com
December 8, 2009
Reviewed for NQG.
August 28, 2011
What fun sequel to Hollick's first pirate book. Loved descriptions of the wild seas. All the makings of life, love sex and war.
April 10, 2013
If you have a soft spot for scruffy tom cats then you will like Helen Hollick's character, Captain Acorne. An enjoyable read, looking forward to the next on in the series.
October 11, 2019
First book I downloaded on the kindle for iPhone app not to brag
Want to read
June 16, 2012ISN13-9781906236632 is the Nook ebook version
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews