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The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl
Our Flag Means Death gets a magical, sapphic twist in this swashbuckling young adult graphic novel adventure full of high-stakes adventure, fantastical creatures, and a swoony enemies-to-lovers romance perfect for fans of In Deeper Waters and The Prince and the Dressmaker .
“I want to be beautiful. I want to be interesting. I want to be enough.”
That was Ferra Brickminder’s prayer to win back the love of her life. And the gods answer—just not in the way she expected. After hoping for a miracle, Ferra instead watches her skin turn into delicate and dangerously breakable porcelain.
Elsewhere, Brigantine de la Girona, a disgraced orc pirate captain, has her own problems. Penniless and banished from her home, Brig struggles to make ends meet with her crew as her only support. So, when a desperate Ferra enlists Brig to sail her across the Great Sea to her ex-girlfriend’s home for a very handsome fee, Brig is happy to strike a deal.
Pampered Ferra and tough-as-nails Brig quickly butt heads, bickering their way across the high seas, but as they encounter increasingly perilous obstacles—including the gods themselves—the two become reluctant allies…and maybe more.
“I want to be beautiful. I want to be interesting. I want to be enough.”
That was Ferra Brickminder’s prayer to win back the love of her life. And the gods answer—just not in the way she expected. After hoping for a miracle, Ferra instead watches her skin turn into delicate and dangerously breakable porcelain.
Elsewhere, Brigantine de la Girona, a disgraced orc pirate captain, has her own problems. Penniless and banished from her home, Brig struggles to make ends meet with her crew as her only support. So, when a desperate Ferra enlists Brig to sail her across the Great Sea to her ex-girlfriend’s home for a very handsome fee, Brig is happy to strike a deal.
Pampered Ferra and tough-as-nails Brig quickly butt heads, bickering their way across the high seas, but as they encounter increasingly perilous obstacles—including the gods themselves—the two become reluctant allies…and maybe more.
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2023
13 people are currently reading
1197 people want to read
About the author
Emily Riesbeck
6 books11 followersEmily Riesbeck started writing comics at the ripe old age of ten, when they created their first original character, the superhero Aqua Guy. Since then, they’ve been self-publishing their superhero webcomic, The Blue Valkyrie, and their debut graphic novel, It’s Your Funeral, was published by Iron Circus Comics in July 2020. Their upcoming books include Mountain (2021, Cow House Press) and The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl (2022, Simon and Schuster). Their short comics have been featured in anthologies like Chubby and Local Haunts.
Emily was born and raised in McHenry, Illinois and lives in Chicago with their two partners and their cat, Yuri. When not writing comics, Emily enjoys playing tabletop roleplaying games. You can hear Emily on the RPG podcast Roll Dice and Cry.
Emily was born and raised in McHenry, Illinois and lives in Chicago with their two partners and their cat, Yuri. When not writing comics, Emily enjoys playing tabletop roleplaying games. You can hear Emily on the RPG podcast Roll Dice and Cry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
August 29, 2023
This graphic novel was pitched to me as “Our Flag Meets Death but sapphic and also there’s magic” and oh boy did it deliver on every single count.
Reading this book reminded me of when I used to devour webcomics as a teenager, in the best way. It also contained one of those rare plot twists that genuinely shocked me, but also made perfect sense. I would like a million sequels please.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Reading this book reminded me of when I used to devour webcomics as a teenager, in the best way. It also contained one of those rare plot twists that genuinely shocked me, but also made perfect sense. I would like a million sequels please.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2023
A fun adventure plot with interesting magic, easily distracted by side plots and an under-developed romance.
April 2, 2024
I READ A BOOK!!
I haven't read a book in over a month and I finished something *woot*!
So THE PIRATE AND THE PORCELAIN GIRL is about a woman desperate to win the affection of the girl she loves, even making a prayer to a god that no one thinks exists. This prayer takes a turn, however, when the god makes her beautiful, beautiful like fine china. Seeking her love to end the "curse" Ferra hires a pirate captain to take her there, only for both to discover that there may be someone in their lives after all who considers them enough.
When I saw the cover and read the synopsis for this last year I was so excited! I'm a sucker for graphic novels with a cutsey fantasy vibe to them. The art direction really sells this one. I was immediately reminded of The Adventure Zone Vol.1: Here There Be Gerblins. It's colorful, fun, and full of fun details.
The story was a bit different from what I was expecting but that didn't make it bad. It's great when books are able to surprise me! I do think perhaps the lead in to Ferra falling for Brig could have been done a little differently. Brig's felt natural while Ferra's did not, especially for long she was pining after Ephemeral. Giving her a bigger, or even more obvious, "I don't need to change for love" moment would have helped her character feel a bit more impactful.
Overall though a very fun read! I totally recommend for those looking for a fun, casual fantasy read with an adorable wlw romance and some fun queer side characters <3
I haven't read a book in over a month and I finished something *woot*!
So THE PIRATE AND THE PORCELAIN GIRL is about a woman desperate to win the affection of the girl she loves, even making a prayer to a god that no one thinks exists. This prayer takes a turn, however, when the god makes her beautiful, beautiful like fine china. Seeking her love to end the "curse" Ferra hires a pirate captain to take her there, only for both to discover that there may be someone in their lives after all who considers them enough.
When I saw the cover and read the synopsis for this last year I was so excited! I'm a sucker for graphic novels with a cutsey fantasy vibe to them. The art direction really sells this one. I was immediately reminded of The Adventure Zone Vol.1: Here There Be Gerblins. It's colorful, fun, and full of fun details.
The story was a bit different from what I was expecting but that didn't make it bad. It's great when books are able to surprise me! I do think perhaps the lead in to Ferra falling for Brig could have been done a little differently. Brig's felt natural while Ferra's did not, especially for long she was pining after Ephemeral. Giving her a bigger, or even more obvious, "I don't need to change for love" moment would have helped her character feel a bit more impactful.
Overall though a very fun read! I totally recommend for those looking for a fun, casual fantasy read with an adorable wlw romance and some fun queer side characters <3
August 23, 2023
Listen, I could fix Halycon--
While the romance did move a little fast for me, I really liked Brig and her crew, and the art was super cute! It reminded me a bit of The Adventure Zone-specifically the graphic novels, although the book does have something of a D&D sort of feel to it.
Thank you to Mystery To Me in Madison for the ARC! If you're a book lover in the Madison area, stop on in and give them a visit!
While the romance did move a little fast for me, I really liked Brig and her crew, and the art was super cute! It reminded me a bit of The Adventure Zone-specifically the graphic novels, although the book does have something of a D&D sort of feel to it.
Thank you to Mystery To Me in Madison for the ARC! If you're a book lover in the Madison area, stop on in and give them a visit!
May 14, 2024
The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl is so cute! It's set in a fantasy world and starring, as the title would indicate, pirates and a girl who was turned porcelain by a god. It also has, again as the title would indicate, a great sapphic romance between the captain of a pirate ship and the porcelain girl. The fantasy aspect is interesting and a lot of fun, the romance is cute, the pirates are delightful, and the art is full of life and energy. I honestly think this would have been better if it were longer. Still though, I very much enjoyed it! If you think the concept sounds good, it's definitely one you should check out!
June 8, 2024
I didn’t like either of the protagonists, they were both annoying. Emphemeral was a sympathetic character, she was dealing with a stalker who wouldn’t take no for a answer. The protagonists made her out to be a villain but she has every right to break up with someone that doesn’t feel right for her. The porcelain girl was creepy towards her, suffocated her, and stalked her to her home, and when Emphermal takes actions to get porcelain girl some much needed help they villainize her for it. How did the Girona get accepted back??? They got a well respected captain, crew, and ship destroyed, how did this earn Flotilla’s forgiveness??? Girona was a terrible captain, she barely lasted a year, Yawl did mess up promoting her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2023
Things I don't care about orcs and definitely don't care for pirates... I just ugh. I dont like how they talk.. and I just get stuck thinking about scurvy, how they can't bathe, how hard it is to keep food from rotting ect. Anywho the world building and ideas are so dang fun that I hope we dip back in with another story in this world their gods and just life in areas not shown.. with perhaps other characters not pirates. Tho it was fun to see dnd like species as pirates. I want more lizardmen plz they are adorable. I wanna learn more about it all and how the society works. Not sure why but I liked all the side characters more than the main 2. Huh.
December 6, 2024
I LOVE THE ART STYLE SO MUCH !! Story and characters were SO fun and well developed XD
June 9, 2024
NGL, I read this one a while ago and forgot to input, so I do not remember everything. But I do remember loving it. I liked the villain a LOT, I liked the portrayals of women and how people present different ways (strong like pirate, fragile like porcelain, but both can be both), I loved the found family, etc. And the art style was delicious. Loved it sm.
April 29, 2024
The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl is a heartwarming, seafaring adventure that explores important messages and themes, all wrapped in a palatable story fit for all ages. This book has everything - damsels in distress, epic battles between good and evil, and even enemies-to-lovers as our two leads set sail on a dangerous adventure. Sword fights, evil villains, and the most endearing pirates are everywhere in this rom-com gone topsy-turvy!
At the start of this tale, we see young Ferra wishing to be beautiful, perfect for the "love of her life" that she lost. One of the gods, who are rarely seen, grants her wish, but it comes with a price. Ferra's beauty is now the result of her skin becoming delicate like porcelain. Fragile like a teacup, Ferra must now shelter herself from the world. And, now that she's been blessed by the gods, she is not only being sheltered from the world, but, for all intents and purposes, she's being held prisoner by the Ecclesiarchy for "her own protection." However, Ferra is set on escape by whatever means necessary, even if that means risking serious personal injury.
After Ferra makes her daring escape, she meets our ill-mannered pirate, Captain Brigantine de la Girona. Brig is nothing short of uncouth and is always looking for a fight. However, due to their questionable pirating tactics, she and her crew have been banished from their homeland left practically penniless. Then in walks Ferra, seeking a ship to take her across the sea to find her ex-lover, whom she made her wish of perfect beauty for.
Throughout the journey, Brig and Ferra butt heads at every turn. As one starts to rub off on the other, somehow they get each other twisted and misunderstandings ensue. Still, when the chips are down, Brig is always right there to lift Ferra up and save her, even from herself. But to be fair, they both do a little saving in the end.
Brig's journey to Ferra hasn't been an easy one. Brig is rough, callous, and one swig away from an all out brawl every time she drinks and opens her mouth. This has gotten her into trouble more than once. But, her heart is as pure as gold, even if she tries to hide it. Ferra brings out this softer and more vulnerable side of Brig. Ferra forces Brig to see all of herself - the fun, over-excited, carefree Brig that only her crew truly knows. With Ferra, Brig isn't able to just be the tough, blasé ruffian she tries to show the world.
Ferra & Brig's journey to self-acceptance and self-love is absolutely brilliant and truly brings home the message that not everything is not always as it seems, and beauty is something more than just surface deep. Beauty is never perfect, but you will always be perfect for the ones that love you, including yourself. Never doubt who you are and always believe in your abilities no matter how weak you may think you are, or how often people tell you you're "too much." Strength means so much more than brute strength: endurance, perseverance, courage - they all require strength, strength that each of us has inside if we only know where to look.
Sometimes, others build themselves up by tearing others down, and unfortunately those people will always be miserable. Ferra's journey, however, shows us that no matter how much we change to please these bullies, it will never be enough. But, in the end what they think is not what's important. What's important is that we are enough for ourselves. That's all that truly matters in this world. If others want to be in our lives, then they will accept us and love us for who we are, not bully us into changing so far beyond recognition that our true selves are lost in the facade.
The artwork throughout the graphic novel is absolutely stunning. Vibrant colors, thin yet bold brushstrokes - it truly brings each character to life. Whether you're looking at the scenic background or each individual character, the attention to detail is spot on. Even the most minimal background character has such detailed expressions and movements. The moody color palette also drives home the setting and tone of the story.
In short, if you love stories of growth and acceptance like Beauty and the Beast, and you're looking for a thrilling rom-com set in the world of pirates and magic, The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl is the perfect fit.
At the start of this tale, we see young Ferra wishing to be beautiful, perfect for the "love of her life" that she lost. One of the gods, who are rarely seen, grants her wish, but it comes with a price. Ferra's beauty is now the result of her skin becoming delicate like porcelain. Fragile like a teacup, Ferra must now shelter herself from the world. And, now that she's been blessed by the gods, she is not only being sheltered from the world, but, for all intents and purposes, she's being held prisoner by the Ecclesiarchy for "her own protection." However, Ferra is set on escape by whatever means necessary, even if that means risking serious personal injury.
After Ferra makes her daring escape, she meets our ill-mannered pirate, Captain Brigantine de la Girona. Brig is nothing short of uncouth and is always looking for a fight. However, due to their questionable pirating tactics, she and her crew have been banished from their homeland left practically penniless. Then in walks Ferra, seeking a ship to take her across the sea to find her ex-lover, whom she made her wish of perfect beauty for.
Throughout the journey, Brig and Ferra butt heads at every turn. As one starts to rub off on the other, somehow they get each other twisted and misunderstandings ensue. Still, when the chips are down, Brig is always right there to lift Ferra up and save her, even from herself. But to be fair, they both do a little saving in the end.
Brig's journey to Ferra hasn't been an easy one. Brig is rough, callous, and one swig away from an all out brawl every time she drinks and opens her mouth. This has gotten her into trouble more than once. But, her heart is as pure as gold, even if she tries to hide it. Ferra brings out this softer and more vulnerable side of Brig. Ferra forces Brig to see all of herself - the fun, over-excited, carefree Brig that only her crew truly knows. With Ferra, Brig isn't able to just be the tough, blasé ruffian she tries to show the world.
Ferra & Brig's journey to self-acceptance and self-love is absolutely brilliant and truly brings home the message that not everything is not always as it seems, and beauty is something more than just surface deep. Beauty is never perfect, but you will always be perfect for the ones that love you, including yourself. Never doubt who you are and always believe in your abilities no matter how weak you may think you are, or how often people tell you you're "too much." Strength means so much more than brute strength: endurance, perseverance, courage - they all require strength, strength that each of us has inside if we only know where to look.
Sometimes, others build themselves up by tearing others down, and unfortunately those people will always be miserable. Ferra's journey, however, shows us that no matter how much we change to please these bullies, it will never be enough. But, in the end what they think is not what's important. What's important is that we are enough for ourselves. That's all that truly matters in this world. If others want to be in our lives, then they will accept us and love us for who we are, not bully us into changing so far beyond recognition that our true selves are lost in the facade.
The artwork throughout the graphic novel is absolutely stunning. Vibrant colors, thin yet bold brushstrokes - it truly brings each character to life. Whether you're looking at the scenic background or each individual character, the attention to detail is spot on. Even the most minimal background character has such detailed expressions and movements. The moody color palette also drives home the setting and tone of the story.
In short, if you love stories of growth and acceptance like Beauty and the Beast, and you're looking for a thrilling rom-com set in the world of pirates and magic, The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl is the perfect fit.
June 8, 2024
A fun, swashbuckling adventure featuring queer romance & One Piece/Pirates of the Caribbean vibes!
May 29, 2024
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this. I love lesbians. Also, I really loved the depictions of the gods as so otherworldly.
I really enjoyed this. I love lesbians. Also, I really loved the depictions of the gods as so otherworldly.
February 23, 2025
3.8 pretty good. Don't know why was expecting less but it was a hooking story with memorable characters and a good story overall. Maybe a little cliche and predictable but fine.
September 4, 2023
4/5 stars, this was a unique and fun graphic novel with lots of heart
Thank you to Simon Teen for the physical copy!
Going into this little graphic novel I didn't really know what to expect, because I had not heard of this book before Simon Teen sent it to me. But it ended up being a really cute little story about a girl trying to change for the person she thought loved her, and a pirate just trying to find a way back home. Both of them obviously fall in love, and while it's pretty quick because it's a graphic novel, I still thought that it was really cute.
The art style for this book was really cute as well, I thought the colors worked really well for the story that it was trying to tell and it was a unique art style. Overall this was a fun story and I'd definitely read more books from this author!
[TW: kidnapping, extortion]
Thank you to Simon Teen for the physical copy!
Going into this little graphic novel I didn't really know what to expect, because I had not heard of this book before Simon Teen sent it to me. But it ended up being a really cute little story about a girl trying to change for the person she thought loved her, and a pirate just trying to find a way back home. Both of them obviously fall in love, and while it's pretty quick because it's a graphic novel, I still thought that it was really cute.
The art style for this book was really cute as well, I thought the colors worked really well for the story that it was trying to tell and it was a unique art style. Overall this was a fun story and I'd definitely read more books from this author!
[TW: kidnapping, extortion]
June 11, 2024
I don't have too much to say about this one; it just didn't capture me. I was all for sapphic pirates, but the art style and color palette here wasn't quite my thing. The characterizations felt very mutable at times (Ferra's whole thing is that she's "afraid to break" but she's a know-it-all and kind of bossy), but there were interesting dynamics. Captain Brig's relationship with Cutter was very sweet, as was her and Yawl. I liked how the backstory scenes worked, and there were a lot of depth to the side characters. Almost more than the main couple, unfortunately, as in the end this just wasn't a romance that did it for me. (Also, my favorite character died.) 3.5/5 stars.
February 6, 2024
I really wanted to love this one. But found that there was WAY to much happening. Way to many different characters. I felt lost quite often and hand to go back and read. I enjoyed the art and characters but I just had a hard time following. :/
January 7, 2024
DNF pg 150
January 7, 2024
Sapphic pirate adventure? Butch orc lesbian? Yes please
June 28, 2024
**3.25**
December 17, 2024
Cute!! And a pretty ambitious cast of characters/amount of plot for a graphic novel
October 8, 2023
3.5? It was fun and all but missed a little something for me to be entirely sold
November 5, 2023
I loved this!
August 16, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up
September 22, 2024
So much of this book felt undeveloped. The missing gods, the romance, the chase plot. The plotting needed some serious tightening up. And I needed a lot more information about the gods to understand why people cared like this. It didn't help that the two main characters were both pretty obnoxious for the first half of the book, and that the romance between them went at lightning speed once it even started to kick off.
August 10, 2023
I finished! A book!!! And it was a really good one! Butch/femme fantasy godpunk pirates and I loved it SO MUCH!!!
January 16, 2025
3.5, loved the illustrations
November 10, 2023
2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
There are things I could criticise about 'The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl' in terms of story, characterisation, themes and pacing, but darn it it is so fun, colourful, creative, bold, satiating, and (mostly) fulfilling by the end. A complete graphic novel action adventure story.
It needs to receive praise for its character designs, in that you cannot, should not, assume anyone's gender just by looking at them. Except for Ferra Brickminder and Ephemeral, and maybe Felucca, no one in 'The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl' adheres to or even gives a passing thought to gender stereotyping. A story about pirates should subvert stereotypes, and this graphic novel has strong pints of it in the sturdiest barrels. It's an LBTGTQ+ loving world to the core.
The action, rich worldbuilding, emotion and catharsis are solid and awesome, too. So blast it all to the few character-and-motivation inconsistencies, and the underdeveloped side characters, like the many pirate crew members, 'The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl' - exactly what it says on the tin, meaning the title and cover art, wherein lies the romance between a pirate captain, Brigantine, and a union leader's daughter-turned-to-porcelain-by-a-presumed-missing-god, Ferra - is a treat.
The main romance is not the heart of the story; alongside it is the child-and-parent/mentor relationship between Brig and her elder first mate Cutter, which in my opinion is much better developed and more believable, and then there's the history with Brig and her pirate captain hero, Yawl. Overall and at the end of the day, the "brute" Brig cares deeply for her crew. Her family.
Fantasy creatures, orc people, people with pointy ears, and gays galore, 'The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl' is thrilling fun. Another thing a pirate tale shouldn't be is boring, and this is certainly not boring. I'd love to see spinoff material starring Beryl Weaver, Felucca, Dhow, Corinth, Languor, Ketch, Jazri, Billon and Magna - to see more of them and what their stories are would be fantastic.
A heartbroken girl made of porcelain isn't as easily breakable as she initially thinks. Nor is she fragile, pathetic, hopeless, and incapable of being loved. The roughest, toughest, blusteriest pirate captain in all the known seas can be the softest, most sensitive soul underneath, who thinks she has much to prove; too much to reasonably handle, at least alone. The vulnerabilities of these two complete opposites, both external and internal, are what make them complete people, and are what bring them together.
The pirate eyepatch/missing eye/eye scar symbolism and parallels are also well done.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
There are things I could criticise about 'The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl' in terms of story, characterisation, themes and pacing, but darn it it is so fun, colourful, creative, bold, satiating, and (mostly) fulfilling by the end. A complete graphic novel action adventure story.
It needs to receive praise for its character designs, in that you cannot, should not, assume anyone's gender just by looking at them. Except for Ferra Brickminder and Ephemeral, and maybe Felucca, no one in 'The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl' adheres to or even gives a passing thought to gender stereotyping. A story about pirates should subvert stereotypes, and this graphic novel has strong pints of it in the sturdiest barrels. It's an LBTGTQ+ loving world to the core.
The action, rich worldbuilding, emotion and catharsis are solid and awesome, too. So blast it all to the few character-and-motivation inconsistencies, and the underdeveloped side characters, like the many pirate crew members, 'The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl' - exactly what it says on the tin, meaning the title and cover art, wherein lies the romance between a pirate captain, Brigantine, and a union leader's daughter-turned-to-porcelain-by-a-presumed-missing-god, Ferra - is a treat.
The main romance is not the heart of the story; alongside it is the child-and-parent/mentor relationship between Brig and her elder first mate Cutter, which in my opinion is much better developed and more believable, and then there's the history with Brig and her pirate captain hero, Yawl. Overall and at the end of the day, the "brute" Brig cares deeply for her crew. Her family.
Fantasy creatures, orc people, people with pointy ears, and gays galore, 'The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl' is thrilling fun. Another thing a pirate tale shouldn't be is boring, and this is certainly not boring. I'd love to see spinoff material starring Beryl Weaver, Felucca, Dhow, Corinth, Languor, Ketch, Jazri, Billon and Magna - to see more of them and what their stories are would be fantastic.
A heartbroken girl made of porcelain isn't as easily breakable as she initially thinks. Nor is she fragile, pathetic, hopeless, and incapable of being loved. The roughest, toughest, blusteriest pirate captain in all the known seas can be the softest, most sensitive soul underneath, who thinks she has much to prove; too much to reasonably handle, at least alone. The vulnerabilities of these two complete opposites, both external and internal, are what make them complete people, and are what bring them together.
The pirate eyepatch/missing eye/eye scar symbolism and parallels are also well done.
Final Score: 3.5/5
May 17, 2024
LESBIANS. PIRATES. FUCKED UP RELATIONSHIPS WITH DIVINITY. EXCELLENT ART. what more can u ask for???
December 19, 2022
I loved this so much!
The romance between a know it all cursed rich girl and an insecure, brash captain is tropey and perfect, and the fantasy pulling it together is divine. I love the way gods are treated and the nefarious quest at play. The plot is wonderful and so is the art!
I especially love the crew. They're all not only diversely drawn but interesting in their own right, even those with few lines. There is very much an "Our Flag Means Death" sort of vibe when it comes to these pirates, especially in the way that I just want to watch each and every one of them interact and live their piratey lives for as long as possible.
There's a heart wrenching reminder of found family here too, with the two people Brig sees as parental figures, and it's beautiful.
I also really enjoyed the way Ferra's newfound disability is handled! I know "magical curse disability" is controversial, but I feel like the way it effected Ferra's life and the way she handles it and navigates the world with it in mind was really well done and organic in the way it reflected an actual disability.
The romance between a know it all cursed rich girl and an insecure, brash captain is tropey and perfect, and the fantasy pulling it together is divine. I love the way gods are treated and the nefarious quest at play. The plot is wonderful and so is the art!
I especially love the crew. They're all not only diversely drawn but interesting in their own right, even those with few lines. There is very much an "Our Flag Means Death" sort of vibe when it comes to these pirates, especially in the way that I just want to watch each and every one of them interact and live their piratey lives for as long as possible.
There's a heart wrenching reminder of found family here too, with the two people Brig sees as parental figures, and it's beautiful.
I also really enjoyed the way Ferra's newfound disability is handled! I know "magical curse disability" is controversial, but I feel like the way it effected Ferra's life and the way she handles it and navigates the world with it in mind was really well done and organic in the way it reflected an actual disability.
October 30, 2023
Well...
Okay. It all just felt a little flat to me, tbh.
The underpinning love story felt really contrived. They hang out. Fall in love, I guess. Get rescued. One of them cries a lot.
And... I wish that either this was a heterosexual love story, or that the pirate-character was drawn to look remotely feminine? Also, I didn't know she was supposed to be an orc until I read the back cover.
The thing is-- the most interesting character is the villain. He's got a WICKED motivation, so what happens to him seems like a let-down. Plausible, especially if you don't like him, but he had the most concrete narrative of any character in this.
Okay. It all just felt a little flat to me, tbh.
The underpinning love story felt really contrived. They hang out. Fall in love, I guess. Get rescued. One of them cries a lot.
And... I wish that either this was a heterosexual love story, or that the pirate-character was drawn to look remotely feminine? Also, I didn't know she was supposed to be an orc until I read the back cover.
The thing is-- the most interesting character is the villain. He's got a WICKED motivation, so what happens to him seems like a let-down. Plausible, especially if you don't like him, but he had the most concrete narrative of any character in this.
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