Welcome, book friends!
To listen to my real-time reaction to these books, you can check out the full episodes on The Bookmarks ‘n Blankets Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or listen below.
I’d love to know your thoughts on any of these books if you’ve read them. I invite you to hop over to X (aka Twitter), Facebook, or Instagram, where you can comment.
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Arg, matey! Ready to go on a swashbucklin good time?!
In this Real-Time Reaction episode, I’m diving into not one, not two, but three pirate fantasy books and reacting to them as I read. From cursed treasure maps to stormy betrayals on the open sea, you’ll hear my thoughts and feelings in real time as the stories unfold.
Summer is the perfect time to set sail on wild high seas adventures, and these swashbuckling tales are just the escape we all need. So grab your iced tea (or Long Island tea or rum & Coke), find a sunny spot, and get ready to join me for magic, mayhem, and maybe a sea monster or two.
My Reaction to 3 Pirate Fantasy Books
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
Format: Audiobook – Narrators: Lameece Issaq and Amin El Gamal
Genre: Historical Fantasy
GR Rating: 4.25
My GR Rating: 2 (2.5)
Read more on GoodReads.
Amina al-Sirafi should be content. After a storied and scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates, she’s survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands, and one actual demon to retire peacefully with her family to a life of piety, motherhood, and absolutely nothing that hints of the supernatural.
But when she’s tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of a former crewman, she’s offered a job no bandit could refuse: retrieve her comrade’s kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. The chance to have one last adventure with her crew, do right by an old friend, and win a fortune that will secure her family’s future forever? It seems like such an obvious choice that it must be God’s will.
Yet the deeper Amina dives, the more it becomes alarmingly clear there’s more to this job, and the girl’s disappearance than she was led to believe. For there’s always risk in wanting to become a legend, to seize one last chance at glory, to savor just a bit more power…and the price might be your very soul.
My Review:
This was my first time reading this author, and unfortunately, I do not think her writing style is a good fit for me. The book was difficult to get through. It was far longer than it needed to be, and the story moved at a painfully slow pace. Things did not really pick up until around the 30% mark, which made the first half drag.
I experienced the story through the audiobook, and I will say that the narrators were excellent, especially the female narrator who voiced Amina. She brought a real spark and some sass to the character, which made listening enjoyable. I would happily listen to her narrate other books. However, the story itself was hard to follow in audio alone. I eventually paired it with the ebook so I could read along, which helped me keep track of events, but even then, the plot remained convoluted and often confusing.
When I picked this up, I expected something in the vein of the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, but with a female lead. Unfortunately, it fell far short of that promise. While there were fantasy and supernatural elements, they were underdeveloped and inconsistent. At times, the story veered so far into the strange that it stopped feeling like pirate fantasy at all and instead felt almost surreal, as if I had wandered into Wonderland. This direction left me bewildered and ultimately unsatisfied.
I also had issues with the content. The frequent cursing pulled me out of the story, some characters seemed to be included only for the sake of ticking diversity boxes, and the book was riddled with historical inaccuracies. The author’s note claimed an effort toward historical accuracy, but I found it unconvincing and far lacking. My biggest frustration was how characters were meant to exist in the twelfth century, yet consistently thought, spoke, and behaved as if they lived in the modern day. It just did not feel believable, which made it hard to stay invested.
On top of that, the book leaned heavily into liberal, woke messaging that felt preachy and out of place in the story. The inclusion of queer characters, both gay and transgender, felt extremely forced rather than natural, and the emphasis on their sexuality did not contribute meaningfully to the plot or character development. Also, if the book was aiming for historical accuracy, it really missed the mark here. In the twelfth century (and even today), Muslim characters would not realistically befriend or openly support queer people. Having Amina and her crew, many of whom were Muslim, accept and embrace them so quickly felt inaccurate, forced, and implausible.
Overall, this was not the pirate fantasy I had been hoping for. The premise had promise, but the execution left me frustrated and disappointed. I cannot recommend this book, and I will not be continuing the series or reading more from this author.
If you want to listen to all of my thoughts and get my real-time reactions to this book, listen to the episode above.
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Format: Audiobook – Narrator: Marisa Calin
Genre: YA Romantasy
GR Rating: 3.94
My GR Rating: 3 (3.5)
Read more on GoodReads.
There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.
Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map―the key to a legendary treasure trove―seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.
More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.
My Review:
This was my first time reading this author, and overall, I had a good time with the story, though I wished it leaned more into the adventure and fantasy side. It relied a bit too much on telling rather than showing, which kept me from being fully immersed. I experienced it both through the audiobook and the KU ebook, and I have to say the narrator was excellent. She gave each character distinct accents and voices, which really helped bring them to life.
What I did not realize going in is that this is a YA book, and it definitely reads younger. That being said, I appreciated that it had only very mild language and no spice. The romance is closed-door, which is a refreshing change if you prefer a lighter read. Personally, though, I felt the story leaned too heavily on the romance and not enough on the actual plot. I wanted more action at sea, more supernatural intrigue, and maybe even some sea monsters. I was hoping for something with the high-energy flair of Pirates of the Caribbean, but this story did not quite go that far. The beginning hooked me right away, but the middle dragged and left me bored at times. Luckily, the last 40% picked up again with faster pacing and more excitement.
The characters were enjoyable enough, but not especially memorable. Alosa and Riden had fun banter, but they often came across as arrogant and cocky, which wore thin after a while. Neither showed much character development, so I never felt a real emotional connection to them. Still, the twists and turns of the story kept me entertained, even if I was not deeply invested in the cast.
The book wraps up without a cliffhanger, but it definitely leaves plenty unresolved. I am looking forward to picking up the next installment to see how the story continues, since there are still quite a few unanswered questions.
In the end, this feels like a light-hearted pirate fantasy with a playful tone. It is not a dark or gritty adventure, but more of a fun romp that does not take itself too seriously. The audiobook is around seven hours, so it is a quick and easy read. If you want a breezy pirate story with humor, romance, and a fast pace, this could be a good choice.
If you want to listen to all of my thoughts and get my real-time reactions to this book, listen to the episode above.
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
Format: Audiobook – Narrator: Shayna (shae-nuh) Small
Genre: YA Romantasy
GR Rating: 3.65 (GR Nominee for Readers’ Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction 2020)
My GR Rating: 4
Read more on GoodReads.
Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.
She will reign.
As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer — the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.
When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.
But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder — and more peril — than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stowaway she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.
I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.
My Review:
This was such a fun pirate fantasy adventure and a perfect summertime read when you want to escape into a magical kingdom of the sea. I listened to the audiobook while also reading along, which really helped immerse me in the world. The narrator was enjoyable overall, though her voices for some of the male characters were distracting. They often sounded too young, almost like characters from a middle grade story, which occasionally pulled me out of the experience.
The writing itself was lush and lyrical, filled with vivid descriptions and imaginative world-building. The seafaring setting came to life with its magic and enchantments, pirates, a magical ship, a mermaid, and even a sea monster. However, the story often felt confusing, especially when it came to the complex magic system. Even after finishing the book, I am still uncertain about some elements, and I do not think a YA fantasy should be quite that hard to follow. The pacing also dragged in places, and I think the story could have been tighter with a bit of trimming. Also to note, there is a fair amount of blood and violence. While it is not overly graphic, some scenes include gory details and a few intense, gruesome battles.
The cast of characters was entertaining, especially the crew that gathered around Amora, which had strong found-family vibes. Unfortunately, many of the side characters felt underdeveloped, and I struggled to fully connect with them. Amora and Bastian were likable leads, though their arrogance sometimes made them less relatable. The romance subplot between them felt unnecessary and lacked chemistry, though I appreciated that it stayed in the background rather than overtaking the story. I also liked that the book kept things clean, with no language or spice, just a few light kissing scenes.
Despite my critiques, I really enjoyed this pirate adventure. It had all the elements I was hoping for in a pirate fantasy, and it left me eager to see what happens in the sequel. While it does not end on a cliffhanger, there are plenty of loose ends to be resolved, and I am excited to continue the journey with Amora and her crew. If you are craving a magical, high-seas adventure filled with pirates, enchantments, and danger, then definitely check out this book. Highly recommend!
If you want to listen to all of my thoughts and get my real-time reactions to this book, listen to the episode above.
