Starred review from April 15, 2024
Cameron debuts with an exciting and multidimensional story inspired by the women pirates who sailed the Caribbean in the 17th century. Jacquotte Delahaye, who is of Haitian and French descent, defies societal gender norms by learning to become a skilled shipwright in Yaquimo, Santo Domingo. Her occupation nurtures her soul as she copes with an alcoholic father, who has been thrown out of the French aristocracy, and cares for her disabled younger brother, who has trouble sleeping through the night. After her nefarious childhood friend Florian kills her father and the island’s governor during a coup, Jacquotte flees with a group of refugees including a young woman named Teresa. They set sail on the Dorado, the ship Jacquotte had been working on, but are captured at sea by the loathsome Captain Blackhand, who makes them indentured servants aboard his pirate ship The Marauder. Though Jacquotte didn’t choose the life of a pirate, she embraces it as a path toward regaining her freedom. Cameron further disrupts the typically male domain of pirate stories by portraying Jacquotte’s love for Teresa, who turns out to be the governor’s widow. There are many thrilling fight scenes, especially after Blackhand hatches a plan to steal a shipment of precious jewels, but the heart of the novel lies with Jacquotte, whose honor, passion, and tenacity leap off the page. This fiery feminist adventure shows what legends are made of. Agent: Rebecca Wearmouth, PFD.
November 22, 2024
Inspired by women pirates who sailed the Caribbean in the 17th century, Cameron's fast-paced, swashbuckling debut traces the rise of Jacquotte Delahaye, a queer shipwright-turned-pirate of Haitian and French descent. The story is told in three parts and based on actual events. Jacquotte flees her island home only to be captured by the ruthless pirate Blackhand, who forces her into indentured servitude. She eventually claws her way free, banding together with a motley crew of refugees and friends who commandeer their own ship and later build an island home. Cameron offers a tender and hugely entertaining read from start to finish, filled with action, adventure, betrayals, sword and gunfights, near-death experiences, loss, sapphic love, and found family. Particularly poignant is the love story between Jacquotte and Teresa, a woman she has an ongoing affair with over many years. The book is superbly narrated by Angel Pean, who deftly gives voice to the full cast of characters, making everyone's voice stand out. VERDICT A thrilling debut, sure to delight readers who enjoy historical fiction full of action-packed adventure and trailblazing women characters based on real-life figures.--Shannon O'Connor
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
