Pirates! : the true and remarkable adventures of Minerva Sharpe and Nancy Kington, female pirates

Title: Pirates! : the true and remarkable adventures of Minerva Sharpe and Nancy Kington, female pirates
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.

The Wreckers

Title: The Wreckers
Author: Iain Lawrence
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Year of Publication: 1998
Series: The High Seas Trilogy

About the Book:
John Spencer barely survives when his father's ship the Isle of Skye is shipwrecked. He thinks himself lucked to have survived but soon realises that the village that took him in is much more sinister than it appears. The village of Pendennis thrives through the practice of 'wrecking' - lighting false beacons and luring ships to crash on the coast's jagged rocks, and taking anything salvaged from the wreckage for their village.
John finds out that his father survived the shipwrecked but is held prisoner in the village. Jack must use his wits rescue his father, and also try not to get killed by the townspeople.
For those who like their books on the creepier side, this is a perfect read. Lawrence masterfully crafts a thrilling suspenseful tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
This book tends towards the more gruesome and violent side, with some scenes that could potentially scare the more sensitive readers.

Capt. Hook : the adventures of a notorious youth

Title: Capt. Hook : the adventures of a notorious youth
Author: J. V. Hart; with illustrations by Brett Helquist
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year of Publication: 2005

About the Book:
Written by the same person who wrote the popular movie 'Hook', Hart writes about the Captain's troubled youth before he became Captain Hook.
Hook, first known as James Matthew is the bastard son of 'Lord B', and then novel starts with James' first day at Eton. Shunned for being illegitimate and tormented by the uppity Arthur Darling, James plots and schemes, ever determined to be the one to come out on top.

While it isn't strictly speaking a pirate novel, this book gives an interesting look into the origins of one of the most famous pirates in literature. The majority of the novel takes place in Eton, but the later half is set aboard the ship the Sea Witch where we find out how James Matthew becomes Captain Hook.
Hart's characters are very much well rounded and likable, James himself is a lovable sort of anti-hero and a good contrast to his best mate Jolly Roger (who is very much as jolly as his namesake), and James' love interest, a Sultan's daughter, Ananova is also no wilting flower.

Helquist's illustrations would be familiar to those who've read A Series of Unfortunate Events and very much add to the narrative. Hart weaves an engaging, if slightly disturbing tale, filled with romance, revenge plots, and whistling spiders (???) that will have you rooting for Hook and his pirates when you next read Barrie's Peter Pan.

Silver : my own tales as written by me with a goodly amount of murder

Title: Silver : my own tales as written by me with a goodly amount of murder
Author: Edward Chupack
Publisher: Thomas Dune Books
Year of Publication: 2008

About the Book:
A fictional autobiography of Long John Silver. Yes, that Long John Silver.
Set long after Treasure Island, Silver is captured and bound on his ship the Linda Maria, which sails to England and for Silver, the noose. He writes his last will and testament to the ship's new captain, his cabin boy collecting the pages he writes when he gives Silver his daily meals.

This novel provides an interesting backstory to the infamous Long John Silver, which details his life from the slums of his poverty stricken childhood to his ascent to a notorious pirate; a life which includes murders, maps, codes, thievery and even a little bit of romance for the old priate. Chupack also throws in some familiar faces from Treasure Island as well, such as Jim Hawkins and Ben Gunn.

Chupack masterfully uses his knowledge of pirate language to make Silver sound as authentic as possible. Though some may find his use of pirate speak daunting to read, it is well-rendered and can be the stand out over the sometimes meandering plot.

As the title suggests, it does include some blood and murder, and is classified as being an adult book for young adults, so it is strictly for our older readers who aren't afraid of some gore.