
Author: Celia Rees
Publisher: 2003
Year of Publication: 2003
About the book:
When Nancy Kington is forced into an arranged marriage to better her family’s ruined fortune, Nancy flees taking along with her Minerva, a slave she befriends, and together they join a crew of a pirate ship. Donning men’s clothing, Nancy and Minerva survive storms, battle, and mutinies, all while being constantly pursued by the groom she sought to escape.
The novel is fast-paced and engrossing, with Rees giving a strong feel for the 18th century the novel is set in, without being overly detailed. The main character Nancy is an engaging heroine with a voice that is appropriate for the time period.
While some of the details may be a bit dark for younger readers (such as the descriptions of violence on the plantation and aboard the ship), this novel is perfect for those who like a swashbuckling adventure that doesn’t shy away from the brutality and horror of the time period.