4 stars
A fun pirate story with some really good scenes and tropes. Although I didn't fall in love with this author's writing style, I did really enjoy this story. There was a lot of world building and backstory during the first few chapters, but once I got caught up, it was quite fun. My main problem with this book was just the pacing. The adventure was well paced, but the relationships, both platonic and romantic, felt rushed. I never really felt the connection between Csilla and Flynn, and although I did really like Kane and Lorelei, their feelings developed super fast. Regardless, I really did enjoy the actual plot, and although this book wraps up nicely, if the author ever writes any sequels/spin offs, I'll probably pick them up. I'd definitely recommend this is any fans of pirate books. They're generally hard to find, and this is a good one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun pirate adventure. It starts out with a bang with main character Csilla about to be hanged because she's a pirate. She obviously gets saved (otherwise she wouldn't be a main character) and it really takes off from there. We have 3 POVs. Csilla, captain of her ship, Kane, captain of his ship and Loreli, just a girl from a port city...or is she?
I really liked having these 3 POVs. I feel they were all necessary to tell the whole story and I looked forward to each of their parts. Csilla was kind of unsure of herself as everyone thought the ship would go to her older sister Rhoda when their grandmother passed away. She wanted to keep her crew together and loyal to her even though she wasn't the obvious pick for captian. Kane was kind of the broody, tall, dark and handsome, mysterious character with a dark past but trying to be someone different. Loreli always wanted to leave her town, but couldn't because her mother was "crazy" and talked to invisible voices. I think Loreli was my favorite character.
When the pirate king dies without any heirs, the captains of each ship compete in these trials to determine which one will be the next pirate king (or queen, but there has never been a queen). The trials start around the halfway point in the book. The lead up to the trials really sets the groundwork of which characters really want the crown, which may want to work with others, who to stay away from. It gives them all a good background. The trials themselves are fun and brutal (which sounds like a strange combination). They aren't really "trials" so much as a treasure hunt to find the 4 pieces of the key that will open the chest containing the crown.
There were twists and turns and gods and goddesses. Funny characters, scary characters. Everything that makes for a good pirate story, so if you are into pirates, definitely check this one out!

Such a fun, light hearted adventure book with lovable characters & a fun questing plot!!!

The pirates of the caribbean vibes are amazing and if you enjoyed those movies at all I think you’ll enjoy this book!
I’d describe this as more of a light fantasy - there is world building and lore but it’s not overwhelming to follow The pirate lore & mythology is really interesting, it’s very elemental based which is neat.

Lorelei is definitely my favorite character, I just absolutely love the sheltered character surprising everyone else with their strength and resilience. Kane is really fun to read about too. Gotta love an angsty, brooding, grumpy boy who really has a pure heart underneath it all.. Csilla is the kick butt heroine everyone loves in books. She’s deadly and harsh but underneath everything she has so much love for the people she cares about & she is confronted with so much. Her strength is just as prominent in her heart as it is with a sword. There's also really fun side characters that you’ll just have to read to find out about!

Kane & Lorelei together is my favorite dynamic. When the no strings attached boy begins falling for the ‘innocent’ girl and then keeps trying to deny it just never gets old to read about. Plus just seeing him be left completely speechless by her multiple times throughout this story made my day (they actually serve a few fan favorite tropes but I’ll leave you with just this one for now) Also, KANE & LORELEI ON PAGE 229 THAT’S ALL!!! Csilla & Flynn have the flirty banter every fandom knows and loves with a little bit of betrayal trope thrown in for good measure. They’re also childhood friends to lovers to low-key enemies which I appreciate.

Csilla & Kane’s friendship is so amusing and cute because her are two people who just deny they care about anyone yet they obviously care about each other & Kane even compares Csilla to a “scolding elder sister." Actually all the friendships in this book are excellent.

The ending makes it feels like there’s a set up for a sequel and I truly hope there will be but even if not readers won’t want to miss this amazing tale!

Review: 4.5 stars

For fans of Tricia Levenseller and her Daughter of the Pirate King duology, Crossbones is a wonderful YA fantasy which embraces the power of friendship and how we create our own paths to our fate.

I really loved this book! I do hope that there will be follow up books. It left off not at a cliffhanger but at a part where I really want there to be more! There is something in here for everyone! Romance, action, adventure, travel, betrayal, friends, and humor. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys and of the previously stated!

The pirate king has died which means the island nation of Cerulia will hold the Trials to determine the next recipient of the Bone Crown. Among the current pirate captains and contenders for the crown are Csilla Abado and Kane Blackwater. Csilla, the youngest and sole female captain with everything to prove and Kane, who just wants to shed the shadows of his father's reputation. Then there is Lorelei Penny, unwittingly entangled in the power struggle and the center of much controversy herself.

Csilla Abado is the embodiment of all my childhood pirate fantasies. I wish we got a little more of her romance with Finn, they had amazing chemistry together and their banter was so much fun. Kane honestly makes some pretty terrible choices but with good intentions so its hard not to like him, he has the tall, dark, and mysterious vibe to him and you can't ask for much more in a pirate captain.

This book was fast paced and action packed. This isn't a dark or particularly gruesome pirate book but there are a fair amount of fight scenes that I quite enjoyed. I loved the world and the history behind each ship and captain, if anything I just wished we got more of that back story earlier in the book. I am a sucker for reluctant teamwork trope and it was so fun to see some truly opposite pirates attempt to put aside their differences.

Thank you so much @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Crossbones releases on October 5th!

I. LOVE. PIRATES. POTC has to be my most watched movie series ever, so I jumped at the chance to request this and I wasn't disappointed at all. Kimberly Vale has managed to write the swashbuckling YA adventure of my dreams. There are definitely flaws: it's a little light on the worldbuilding, and I didn't care much for Kane as either a POV, annd the romances fell kind of flat for me, but in a book with a character like Csilla Abado I can overlook some flaws. I will say I didn't expect this to have three POVs (it's been a while since I read the first book of a YA series with more than two) and it was kind of jarring at first so do be prepared for that. Really great if you like fun, popcorn-y, action-filled YA. This is a trilogy so I can't wait to read the next two installments.

I have been wanting a pirate book for so long, so obviously when I saw Crossbones I jumped at the chance to read it. Crossbones has a pretty strong start but from there it does kind of fall flat. The plot is entirely predictable and everything seemed to happen simply because the story had to go on, everything being entirely too convenient for the characters. Pacing wise this is a pretty quick read, but that is likely due to the fact that there is literally no room to breathe in the story. I love a fast-paced plot, but this one is too fast and missing something. The relationships formed within the story happen too quickly and don't seem to have any depth. The characters and the story lack depth, which I feel is in large part the fault of the too-fast pacing. I just expected more from this story.

This book felt a little too simplistic for me. The idea and the trials were very cool and interesting, but it felt very amateurish. It felt developed enough to be entertaining and interesting but that’s all it was for me. I felt no connection to any character.

Pirates are always a win. If I saw this in the store, it would definitely be an instant cover buy. The writing was nice and the characters were okay enough to be enjoyable. However, it fell off for me. Very convenient things happened. It wasn't a masterpiece. Not a terrible time, not a great time.

Thank you Netgalley for this incredible Arc!

Crossbones by Kimberly Vale was a wild ride from beginning to end! I loved mostly all of this story bc... PIRATES!!!

This tale follows 3 Main characters throughout this adventure, Csilla, Kane and Lorelei. This bloody tale full of adventure is also full of secrets. The Bone King dies (the king of the pirates) and now trials must begin to prove who the best candidate is for the crown of Bones! However, there is a lost heir to the throne that some pirates want to find and help and others want to kill.

Although I found some parts to this story predictable, I really loved the pirate vibe of the book and especially the creativity of the trials the pirates went thru. This book has a great ending and I definitely would read more if more is to come!

Look for this on Oct. 5th!

This was pretty okay. There were a lot of POV’s and it was also in third person so that kind of threw me off. It was very hard to get into and couldn’t keep my focus all that well. Definitely could’ve been better I think.

Okay, first of all...that cover! It's gorgeous, completely the reason I decided to give this book a read and I was not disappointed! It has everything a great pirate book should; swashbuckling adventure, a pirate treasure, dueling, and even some romance.

Kimberly Vale wasted no time setting the mood in Crossbones, opening with one of the main characters, Csilla, being lead to the gallows to hang. From there, there's no real lull in the adventure, each chapter alternates between three POVs, Csilla, Kane, and Lorelai, giving a great look into the plot as a whole. Unfortunately, the characters felt almost forced together and therein, they just automatically liked each other...I mean, they're pirate captains, where's the edge and grit? The relationship and character arcs could have been better suited to being steal-your-booty, swashbuckling pirates.

I think, for a debut author, this is a fantastic first book. It's fast-paced and quite fun to read. I definitely recommend giving it a go!



Huge thank you to Wattpad Books via NetGalley for the e-ARC to read and honestly review.

I feel like with Wattpad authors, you get a hit or miss sometimes and this was a hit! A rollicking great pirate adventure told through multiple perspectives. I did have a bit of trouble keeping track of who was who at the beginning and I found the story a little easy to call at times which is why I didn't give it a fifth star, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought Kimberly Vale delivered a unique pirate tale that was gripping, exciting, and mesmerizing. I'm actually really excited to read what she puts out next and if it will be anything like this.
**ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

This book is like a teen version of Pirates of the Caribbean, and I do not mean that in a good way.
Honestly, I think it is a case of me being too old to appreciate a young adult *this* young, but I didn't enjoy this book at all.
The characters were flat and with little dimension to them, the plot was predictable except for the bits that didn't make any sense and the writing was extremely juvenile.
I considered several times to DNF it but I pushed through, however my efforts were not repayed.

This is a fantastic debut novel! Csilla, Kane, Lorelei Have to race to find the treasure. I love these three main characters , I really got attached. The side characters really made a splash with their whit during trying times. The race to find the clues and keys was intense and entertaining. Lessons on love, loyalty, and what’s important are really felt during the story. You never really know who you can trust! There was a great mix of Gods, ruthless pirates and witches. I can’t wait to see more of the development of the world and characters as the series goes on!

Thank you to @wattpadbooks and @netgalley for my copy for honest review!

In Crossbones, Kimberly Vale's debut novel, the pirates of Cerulia are trained from a young age to sail and fight for their nation. The five fleets, chosen by the Bone King, harmoniously protect their island kingdom from the fire worshipping country, Incendia. But when the king dies unexpectedly, the crown is up for grabs, and each captain wants it for themselves. They enter into a fierce competition to see who will become ruler of the seas. When the pirates begin to gather, rumors swirl of a hidden heir to the throne, cruel gods long thought buried returning, and a wicked plot to steal the crown by any means necessary.

There are so many enjoyable elements in this novel. One high point is the complex relationship between Csilla and her older sister, Rhoda. They've been in competition their whole lives, and when Csilla is chosen as successor to their captain rather than Rhoda, the jealousy and tension between them begin to build to something more sinister.

Something else that bears mentioning is the underlying theme of suffering loss for the greater good. Each person has a definitive moment where they decide what they're willing to sacrifice for their ambitions. The choices they make determine the outcome not only for themselves but their loved ones and their nation.

There are moments in this novel that feel a bit too convenient, maybe a little predictable. There are a few surprising revelations, but many of the plot twists fall flat. It does take away from the story, but it certainly doesn't make it unenjoyable. Sometimes predictability can be comforting, and I think that's the case here.

Because of all the above mentioned, I give Crossbones four out of five stars. It's an entertaining storyline with heart, betrayal, found family, humor, and characters you will love and hate with equal fervor. There is a romantic subplot, but the intimate moments are only implied, with no explicit content.

If you are a fan of the Six of Crows Duology, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Hunger Games novels, Crossbones is an entertaining combination of all of them wrapped into a high-stakes adventure. I highly recommend it to readers age 12+ who love an action-packed YA fantasy novel.

"Never trust a pirate.

The Blood Bell tolls, marking the death of the pirate king and the start of the Trials - a heart-stopping competition where the reward is the Bone Crown. Only one contender can claim the coveted island throne; each will gamble life and limb to win.

Captain. Sister. Maiden.
Csilla Abado yearns to prove her strength to the seasoned pirates who balk at her youth and to her elder sister who has always craved Csilla’s captainship. She will risk everything to become the first pirate queen, no matter the cost.

Dealer. Son. Legacy.
Kane Blackwater wants to leave behind the dirty gold and shady trades he’s made to keep his father’s ship, the Iron Jewel, alive. The Trials represent a new beginning - yet rumors of a secret heir are swirling, threatening his hopes of becoming the pirate king.

Stowaway. Daughter. Storm.
Lorelei Penny longs for nothing more than to avenge her mother’s death. Stowing away on the Iron Jewel was supposed to get her closer to the killer, but instead she finds herself caught up in the deadly battle where loyalty and desire collide.

Csilla. Kane. Lorelei. Each on a mission. The sea, however, has other plans. Dark tides are rising, and if they aren’t careful, they’ll surely drown."

Have I ever mentioned before my love of pirates? Because I LOVE pirates!

Synopsis:
The Blood Bell tolls, marking the death of the pirate king and the start of the Trials—a heart-stopping competition where the reward is the Bone Crown. Only one contender can claim the coveted island throne; each will gamble life and limb to win. Following Csilla, Lorelai, and Kane each one following their own missions, but if they’re not careful they’re sure to drown.
My Thoughts:
Crossbones is a Disney story, but with pirates. No, I don’t mean Pirates of the Caribbean, I mean real Disney. Like a Disney princess movie, but with a pirate. Like if Will Turner were a princess instead of, well Will. It brings up dark pieces and topics, but skirts around them to not get *too* dark, has unexplained magic, and a friend group that forms almost instantly. And most of it worked out beautifully.
I went into this book hoping for a fun pirate book to break up the horror-filled books I’ve been reading. This was achieved! I got sword fights, hunting treasure, and the pirate politics. The plot moved fast and the established crews were interested. But as per a Disney movie, it didn’t go into much detail about any of the crews past 1 or two people, if that. And it steered away from the darker crews. Out of the 6 or 7 main characters in this book, Nara, Csilla, and Kane were my favorites. They touched on their past, had genuine thoughts and feelings. I just wanted more from them, specifically the motiviations for Nara. It felt like a weird thing to mention multiple times that she was from way north and hard it is to get there, but not have it pay off at all. Maybe there’s a sequel where this will come into play, or maybe the author thought it was just a fun detail, but it just made me think of Chekhov’s Gun. I also have zero opinion on Csilla’s love interest, honestly, at this point, I can’t remember his name. He wasn’t fleshed out and felt like he was meant to be the comic relief, but missed the punch for me.
The characters aside I did greatly enjoy the plot. It was a fun treasure hunt! It had a dash of politics, a sprinkle of fighting, and just a dribble of betrayal. It was a fun little quest that wrapped up very nicely. But I have a qualm. It’s the magic. It’s barely used or explained, essentially used as plot armor and then not spoken of again. Lorelai used some magic, but it’s not revisited. By anyone. Not even her. It was used to get a character and then dropped. I think this part could be an effective and super cool part of the story. After al who doesn’t like a bit of magic with their pirates? But it needs some serious reworking.
I also think this book fell into the category of telling not showing. Things like “it was gory,” or “it was wet” were used. Not often, but if someone was just gutted I need more than stating it was gory, or the blood was wet. I know both of those things when it was said they were gutted.
At the end of the day though, I’m giving this a 3.5 stars, because, despite its shortcomings, it achieved what I had hoped. Giving me an entertaining pirate story. And if this gets a sequel I’d read that in a heartbeat!
Would I recommend?
Yes! To any pirate lover, or one that doesn’t need explanation on how magic works in favor of a fun fast-paced story. It’s a quick read that will make you not want to put it down in favor of making it to the bottom of the hill.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for this free copy in exchange for an honest review*

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Actual Rating = 2.5 stars

The first Pirates of the Caribbean movie came out the summer before I started 8th grade and, like most people, I friggin loved it. It inspired in me an adoration of all things pirate and, apart from a few notable novels like the Fable duology and To Kill a Kingdom, there aren't a lot of great fantasy books that use this setting (though if anyone knows of more please recommend them below!). Suffice it to say, I was thrilled when I received this ARC. Unfortunately, I don't feel the same way after reading it.

This book definitely had strengths. I actually found the writing to be quite atmospheric, really immersing you in blistering sun and the salt-and-brine scent of the sea. The action, though not the most realistic in terms of choreography and characters with no training magically knowing what to do, was well-written also.

Basically, it was entertaining. If that's all you need to enjoy a book, than this will probably be a good time for you.

Now for the (numerous) problems.

The plot of this novel was insanely simplistic. In and of itself, that's fine - I love character driven novels and a de-emphasis on plotting can open the door for some really unique worldbuilding. Unfortunately, none of that happened. The characters were incredibly stock - I felt like I've read all three of them a million times before. This might've been fine if they were at least fun stock, but I was super bored by all three of them, though Csilla was the best. It didn't help that all three POV characters had similar voices as well. Add in the really mild worldbuilding and I'm kind of confused as to how this book ended up as long as it is.

There's also some logical inconsistencies that are perfectly acceptable for early drafts, but probably should've been shorn up in editing. For example, in Chapter Two our newly introduced MC Kane is boxing with some dude:

"With a wide sweep of his arms, he used the strike his father had used on him during their brutal training sessions, catching Silas in the ribs with a blow that cracked them and caved in his side."

Like, okay. I understand Kane was a victim of abuse which is terrible but also probably pretty common for pirates and people raised by pirates. But are we supposed to believe that Kane's dad was just regularly breaking his ribs? Like, that's a pretty serious injury to be often repeated and would leave pretty lasting damage. This might seem nit-picky but small details leave large impressions.

Also, are we really supposed to believe that Csilla and Kane are ship captains as teenagers? I mean, I get that this is a YA novel but what the hell kind of self-respecting pirate would take orders from a teenager? Let alone two full crews of ships being like "okay kid who couldn't possibly have more sailing/battling/plotting experience than me, lead on!" WTF? I could MAYBE see a single teenage pirate captain, if they were just such a savage mothereffer that even other pirates were scared of them. The Kaz Brekker of the seas, if you will. (Please ignore the fact that Kaz Brekker is, in fact, the Kaz Brekker of the seas.)

Plus insta-love. Gross.

This had a lot of promise and I will keep an eye on the author's development. Unfortunately, this just missed the mark for me.

** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

I am searching for a really good pirate book. Unfortunately this book was not it. There were holes and info that just doesn’t didn’t fit.