(3.5 Stars)

Don't let the rating fool you. Even though this may not be a new all-time favorite book for me personally, I think it's a hell of a lot of fun to read and absolutely delivers as an exciting queer pirate adventure story!

What I love the most about this story is absolutely the characters. Mar is a fantastic character who I very much relate to. It’s still quite rare to see stories about transmasc nonbinary folks period, but it's even more rare for those stories to be about Mexican transmasc nonbinary characters. So that's very meaningful representation for me, and I think it's going to hit home for so many other readers as well.

I think Mar is undergoing a really worthwhile emotional journey in this story as they go from fearing their own power to trying to embrace it. That’s definitely a powerful character arc for young queer and trans folks to see, especially, because we do live in a world where we’re expected to negotiate our power and our visibility for so many different reasons. And sometimes there comes a point where it’s not someone else telling us to silence our joy, and power, and magic, but rather something we learn to do to ourselves.

So I feel like Mar’s story arc is trying to pinpoint where exactly that divide happens, how to navigate that line between living in fear and inflicting your own oppression. In that sense, the story is using magic as a metaphor for visibility, self-expression, self-actualization, and happiness. Their magic is something Mar feels they have to hide from the world, for fear of being persecuted or hunted, but the more they hold it—and, by extension, themself—back, the more it fights to break free.

I also really love Dami, the genderfluid demonio, who’s next move you can never quite predict. Dami and Bas bring some really great relief to the story. They’re funny, they’re charming, they challenge Mar to go against the grain, rethink their beliefs, and take risks. I really did love the dynamics between all three of them. Reading about them trying to navigate this impossible journey together was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book.

To recap: there’s a lot of really good things happening here: fantastic representation—especially in regards to dysphoria and passing—delightful characters, really strong thematic work, and the story is just really fun to read. It’s exciting, it’s fast-paced, it’s incredibly adventurous. There’s no shortage of action or drama. And full disclosure: I read this entire book is less than 24 hours, because I simply had no incentive to stop.

All that said, I still feel torn about it, because there’s something off about it that I can’t quite put my finger on. I think the story doesn’t quite strike the right balance when it comes to both world-building and the establishment of stakes.

I feel like there’s so much to this world that is under-explored in some ways. It feels like there’s a lot more to this whole dynamic of demonios versus humans that we don’t get to see. We don’t really know what the demon world is like or what happens to people who have bargained their souls away. Do they die? Are they imprisoned? Are they experiencing some kind of eternal punishment? We don’t know.

There’s also an implication that there’s more people in the world like Mar who have some sort of powers, but we never actually encounter anyone else who has magic.

Mar is very insistent that their magic is dangerous. If anyone found out about it, they would be hunted and killed. There’s some backstory about why they fear their power, and that’s absolutely valid, but we don’t really see anything reinforcing those fears, which kind of skews the stakes.

On the one hand, it’s necessary because part of the wonderful thematic work is Mar exploring how to move past their own self-imposed limitations and belief, but then that isolation makes them seem like the one and only person having these experiences.

I can’t say much more without getting into spoiler territory, so I won’t. More importantly, it’s not my intention to make you think this is a badly written story or that it’s not worthwhile. It absolutely is.

There’s adventure, there’s action, there’s romance, there’s gender feels, there’s pirates, and found family, and a great revenge arc to top it all off. I still think it could have been better or maybe it just needed to be a duology in order to fully explore this world, which is deeply fascinating as has so much potential. But it was still incredibly solid as whole.

Also I would recommend the audiobook if you can access it, because it’s read by the one and only Vico Ortiz! While I don’t think it would’ve changed my overall opinion, I do think listening to the story would have made it a really special experience!

I am currently devouring The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa, which is a fantastic book with pirates and a nonbinary protagonists! Today is my stop on @turnthepagetours’ bookstagram celebration for The Wicked Bargain, so I will be sharing a short review, giveaway information on how you can win your own copy of The Wicked Bargain, and as many of my favorite quotes as the Instagram character limit will allow!

“Papá says water speaks to those willing to listen.” -The Wicked Bargain

The Wicked Bargain is easily going to be one of my top winter reads! I love the worldbuilding, the infusion of an oceanic setting, and the high stakes of the story! Mar is one of the most interesting perspectives I’ve read in a long time, and I can’t wait for others to start reading this book as well!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. While the premise was interesting I didn’t connect with the characters or the story in a meaningful manner. Some books just aren’t for us, and that’s alright.

This book is such a delight to read - Mar is a pirate who is out for revenge against the devil. They have to accept and use their (awesome!) magic in order to do so, and they must learn to rely on their new crew as well. Throw in a cute pirate boy, a gender-bending demon, and revolution? What a wild ride!

I love me a fantasy, but pirates are something I have not seen in a LONG time. This Latinx pirate fantasy had me at the edge of my SEAT! Loved it!

I picked this up on Netgalley because the blurb says nonbinary + pirates. What I got was an amazing, action-packed, and inspiring story! Since a sizable chunk of the story takes place in San Juan, I decided to check this off as my challenge book for Puerto Rico.

The story takes place during the Latin American revolutions against their colonial oppressors (circa 1820), and the pirates of the book are Robin Hoods who steal from the Spanish merchant ships and aid the revolutionaries. Mar is a 15-year-old child of a famous pirate who is also 'cursed' (in their opinion) with magia, the ability to make fire and ice. When El Diablo shows up on board to collect on an old deal made with Mar's father, their life is suddenly turned upside down. Mar finds themself on a rival pirate's ship with an annoying (but very cute) captain's son, a mysterious genderfluid demonio, and a deadline to save their father from El Diablo's grasp, if they can conquer their fear of their own magic.

This book is a non-stop adventure from start to finish - from swashbuckling sea life to badass revolutionaries to daring rescues, with demons, magic, and queerness thrown in.

One of the things I loved was that the story didn't need to kill off characters for the sake of drama. Too often side characters are deemed dispensable and killed off without thought to 'up the tension'. Beside an initial tragedy and a flashback (plus a few baddies) it was nice to have my heart spared with a truly happy ending.

Another thing I loved was that this book is so affirming for queerness. Mar's gender neutral-ness is 100% accepted by their family and original crew. Those who know their secret all address Mar neutrally without any ado, and there are multiple gay characters who are just there. Plus Mar's add-on to their final wish -- I laughed and cheered at the same time.

This was a fun and exciting read, and I think it is suited for middle grade all the way up to adults.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, Random House Books for Young Readers, and Gabe Cole Novoa for the opportunity to read The Wicked Bargain in exchange for an honest review.

Mar's dad made a deal with el Diablo when they were only a baby, and upon Mar's 16th birthday, the deal closes as it comes to its fruition. Now losing their father and their crew, Mar has nothing left but their magia, magical fire and ice abilities that they must keep hidden for fear of death.

When Mar is picked up by a new crew, the captain finds them to be an asset as they are the heir of a major pirate captain. With the crew of la Ana, Mar finds a new home and familia, including forming a close relationship with the captain's son, Sabastian, or Bas. Being with the last remaining pirate crew on the Caribbean has its benefits...and its challenges.

When a demonio appears with their own bargain, Mar learns there is a chance to save their father's soul from el Diablo, but there will be one chance only, and they know they have to take it. And they must use their magia to win.

When everyone else says this book has it all, there are no lies detected! Pirates, romance, magic, deals with devils, a transmasculine lead, and a gender-fluid demon make for quite the adventure and tale. Eloquently written, this is a top-tier pirate novel at its best.

An excellent novel for a teen audience who loves pirates and/or fantasy, anyone seeking a vibrant and unique LGBTQ read, and anyone who wants a holistic stand-alone novel with a solid adventure.

Faustian bargains never turn out well for anyone but the devil, something the protagonist of Gabe Cole Novoa’s stunning new stand-alone pirate fantasy, The Wicked Bargain, knows very well. Mar has been a beneficiary of their father’s devilish deal for sixteen years. Everyone knows the story: the famous pirate el Embrujado made a deal with the devil to protect his legacy, saving the life of infant Mar and giving the pirate and his crew a legendary run. Mar never believed the story—and on their sixteenth birthday, they find out that it’s true in the worst way.

El Diablo has come to collect. La Catalina, the ship that has been Mar’s home and sanctuary, will not survive the storm.

Mar isn’t supposed to survive either, but when they wash up, rescued, on the deck of La Ana, ship of the only other remaining successful pirate in the Caribbean, they have to start anew. Not only is the grief of losing their family, and their home, heavy on their shoulders, but they have to keep two secrets: first, Mar is nonbinary, something not everyone understands, and, more importantly, Mar has magic.

It wasn’t magic enough to save their crew. And the last time Mar used their full strength, they became a monster. They won’t ever let that happen again.

Novoa ushers readers right into the lush world at the end of the Golden Age of Piracy, pitting people of indigenous heritage (including Mar) against the Spaniards who have colonized their lands. The double antagonism of the pirate-hunting, oppressive navy plays beautifully into the pirate narrative to such a degree that it feels almost surprising this angle hasn’t become the dominant pirate story. Mar’s father and their crew (as well as La Ana’s) support rebels throughout the Caribbean, trying to end the Spanish occupation. While there’s certainly still a love of gold and glory common to pirate stories here, the deeper motivation, the search for a land free from tyranny, gives readers a greater reason to side with the pirate heroes.

Mar’s magic, and their struggle to keep it contained, is also beautifully done. The magic has dual natures—ice and fire—that rage through Mar’s veins, appearing as tattoos across their skin. The “tattoos” glow when Mar’s powers are used, something sure to give them away as a demonio or a monstruo. Given what once happened, Mar’s not entirely sure they can disagree with people who would call them those names. But as Novoa follows Mar’s struggle, their battle against accepting this side of themselves, he opens new doors and new perspectives. Mar’s father always told them of the beauty of their magic, and fantasy readers will get it immediately—glowing tattoos and tremendous magical powers that belong to our hero can only be for the good in the long run! But it takes Mar far longer to come to terms with their abilities.

And that’s before they even encounter their first demonio.

Of course, Mar’s not foolish enough to enter a deal. That’s what got their father killed after all. But Novoa’s introduction of Dami, a demonio who really wants to make a deal with Mar, is pitch perfect. Dami is confident and fluid, comfortable in their own, ever-changing skin in a way that Mar is not. Completely charming and untrustworthy, Dami is both a fantastic foil for Mar and a strong character in their own right, with a hidden depth belied by their cocky exterior.

All of this would be enough to make an epic adventure—but what’s a pirate story without a little romance? There’s no damsel in distress here (most of the women readers meet are rebel leaders in no need of rescue), and there’s definitely no kidnapped governor’s daughter. Instead, Mar’s primary relationship is with a boy who drives them to their wit’s end: Bas, the teen sailor who directed the crew of La Ana to rescue Mar from the sea. Like Dami, Bas is overconfident and charming, but he’s ultimately far more trustworthy than a demonio (even if he’d be tempted to make a deal himself).

For readers who live far from the tropical climes of the Caribbean, this dose of pirate adventure is a perfect remedy for the doldrums of not-quite-spring. As a protagonist, Mar is easy to root for, and Novoa populates the cast with a well-drawn, sympathetic crew of likable pirates, fighting against an overwhelming foe.

And sometimes, against the Devil himself.

The Wicked Bargain is available now.

I love a good pirate story. Throw in some magic, deals with the devil, adventure on the high seas and you’ve got yourself a thrilling read.

Mar is such an easy character to root for. They possess powerful magic and struggle to control it, but after accidentally hurting people several years ago, they consider themselves a monster. Despite Mar’s power, they’re unable to save their father and crew when the devil comes to collect payment for a deal Mar’s father made years ago. Subsequently, Mar loses their entire family, but when they’re rescued by the last remaining pirate ship in the Caribbean, Mar has the opportunity to join another one. Found family is my favorite trope, so the emphasis on that aspect made me happy.

The crew from Mar’s ship are gone, but el Diablo holds Mar’s father in a kind of limbo. He gives Mar two moons to save their father – if Mar accepts a bargain from el Diablo. They refuse, but Mar is still determined to find a way to save Papa. Demonio Dami offers to help Mar, but also has an agenda of their own. Throughout the story, there’s a brewing romance between Mar and Bas, the captain’s son. It’s a sweet relationship, but I felt more vibes between Mar and Dami. It would have been interesting to explore.

The settings are so vivid and descriptive I felt like I was there on the ship and nearly needed to wipe salt water from my face. Pacing was a little slow for my taste at the beginning, but around 60% it took off, and I didn’t want to put down the book. It was mentioned in the author’s note that while none of the pirates are real, they were loosely inspired by real-life Latinx pirates, a detail I thought added a degree of authenticity.

Pirates, a narcissistic demon, el Diablo, magic – they all form a perfect storm of an adventurous read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was lucky enough to get an eARC of the Wicked Bargain. I did end up buying a copy of the audiobook so I could listen to it for the trans rights read a thon this month. And I have to say, this book might have saved pirate books for me. I loved this book and having Vico narrate it was an added bonus. It helped fill in the hole that Our Flag Means Death left.
We follow Mar, a nonbinary character who’s father sold his soul to keep alive. Mar was given strange marks that cover their arms and back much like tattoos and possess a magic that allows them to create both ice and fire. When el diablo comes to collect on his payment of Mar’s father soul, he sinks the ship and the crew. Mar survives and is rescued by another pirate crew. They seeks help from Bas, one of the crew members in saving their father’s soul while trying to keep their new found family safe. When Dami, a genderfluid demon like character tells them that they can kill el Diablo with their magic, they need to decide if it’s worth selling their own soul in order to save their family.
I loved this book with a passion. Normally books like this never end the way I want them to. I have a hard time getting past all the jargon used in them and they end up going too in detail on sailing and not on plot or characters. As a fan of Our Flag Means Death, it’s been hard to find a way to fill this big hole that the show left while waiting for season 2. Books like this end up being extremely white and have maybe one queer character. Which in itself is frustrating when we know that in history, that wasn’t the case. There were plenty of people of color and there were men who entered a special marriage of sorts with other men at sea. The sea has always been a safe haven for those who are often overlooked. So having a book finally out that does something about it, it’s amazing. The story itself was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed every second of it. Its quickly becoming one of my favorite books of the year and I’ve made sure to tell everyone I know they need to read it.

This was such a great read! I don't know many pirate stories and especially none that are queer, have trans rep, and are Latine so I was super excited about this. I loved the characters (Dami was definitely my favorite!) and their interactions, the plot, the use of Spanish and the setting, and the conclusion. The writing is very easy to read and beautiful, and just, I really enjoyed reading this book. A 4.5 from me.

The Wicked Bargain has hands-down become one of my favorite books of the year, and one of my favorite books with transmasculine representation. Novoa was able to sculpt out a variety of characters within a magic and fantasy system, steeping readers deep into the world with a sense of magical realism and familiar tropes of found family.

This is absolutely a book I did not want to put down. The magic system was interesting, the historical element made me want to learn more about that time period, and I felt so seen by our nonbinary protagonist, Mar. I think anyone who likes Children of Blood and Bone, Frozen, or Pirates of the Caribbean would LOVE this book as much as I do.

On Mar León-de la Rosa's 16th birthday, el Diablo comes calling. Mar is a transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate hiding a magical ability to manipulate fire and ice. But their magic isn't enough to reverse a wicked bargain made by their father, and now el Diablo has come to collect his payment: the soul of Mar's father and the entire crew of their ship.

When Mar is miraculously rescued by the sole remaining pirate crew in the Caribbean, el Diablo returns to give them a choice: give up their soul to save their father by the Harvest Moon or never see him again. The task is impossible--Mar refuses to make a bargain, and there's no way their magic is any match for el Diablo. Then, Mar finds the most unlikely allies: Bas, an infuriatingly arrogant and handsome pirate -- and the captain's son; and Dami, a genderfluid demonio whose motives are never quite clear. For the first time in their life, Mar may have the courage to use their magic. It could be their only redemption -- or it could mean certain death.

The MC is Mar, a transmasculine non-binary pirate who is a crew member on their father's pirate ship. I enjoyed that there was no transphobia or homophobia in the book, and Mar was treated with dignity throughout the book. The writing was amazing, and once I started reading, I tore through the book in a couple of days. Overall I enjoyed this book a lot, and I rated it 5 stars.

*Thank you to Random House Children's and Turn the Page Tours for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.*

A DNF for me. I think this is something I will recommend to fantasy teen readers. The trans/non-binary rep is amazing and I will be shoving this in peoples faces to read. I keep thinking fantasy is for me, and the cover was so gorgeous I just had to request it. Latinx pirate fantasy of someone else's dreams.

AMAZING pirate tale. Includes just enough historical credibility to make you want to research the setting and timeline more. The lgbtq+ component was an added layer that was really good but not too in your face. An amazing fast paced swashbuckling pirate tale full of action and a surprising amount of emotion.

Hey Words & Whimsy, come and join me on the high seas! We'll visit tropical islands, feel cool ocean breezes, hang out with pirates, and maybe make a deal or two with the devil. Most of all, we'll find out who we really are, come to terms with our past, and probably save the day. It certainly won't be easy, but it will be so rewarding. Oh hey, there's also magic! Ready? Cool, let's go then!

We recently chatted with Gabe Cole Novoa on The Nest, who was delightful, so go and check it out! His new book The Wicked Bargain is full of pirates and action, sweet cinnamon roll characters, the most attractive demonio, and the most evil, El Diablo. Mar, the star of the story, is a young transmasc non-binary person, struggling to control their magia, powers of fire and ice. They mostly try to keep it hidden, only using it in secret or when there is no other choice. Their past has made it clear this is the safest route. Heartbreaking, but necessary.

One disasterous night, under sail with their pirate family, Mar's father, the captain of La Catalina is confronted with the fruits of a past agreement with El Diablo, who is coming to seal their deal and take their father's soul as promised. All are lost but Mar, who is then rescued by another pirate crew on the ship La Ana. Still grieving, but put to work on the new ship, they begin to form a new family, but are determined to take back their father's soul from El Diablo. The underworld is certainly not done with Mar, and with the help of Bas, the son of La Ana's Captain, they just might do it, but there is so very much that happens in between, with so many lives in the balance. It's a string of no-win situations, and deals that Mar knows are a bad idea. That Demonio is just something!

Somehow through it all, Mar learns to live to their fullest potential, and is able to become their truest self. It's a beautiful Latinx, LGBTQ+ YA fantasy, with lovely imagery, a range of emotion, and a satisfying ending.

What I liked:
LGBTQIA+ representation by an author who identifies this way makes for a compelling fantasy story centered around Latinx pirate history. We have a pirate adventure with characters who don't pretend to be things they are not and are true to who they are. The basic plot goes as we have young Mar, whose dad essentially made a deal with the devil, and that devil comes to collect—throwing Mar off into the sea and off on a quest to try and save him. Mar's mission will involve revenge, redemption, and eventually revolution.
Final Verdict:
The Wicked Bargain is an immersive, vibrant adventure with swashbuckling, secrets, and deals with a devil. If you're looking for a Caribbean experience with a diverse cast, romantic tension, and heart-warming found family pick up The Wicked Bargain today.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in return for an honest review!
This was a 4.25 star for me rounded down to a 4 for NetGalley’s star system.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and this story! I loved Dami and Bas and although Mar could get repetitive and irritating in terms of refusing to ask for or accepting help at times, I did like their character as well overall.
Additionally another critique I had which kept this from being a 5 star book for me was how drawn out the middle felt and how rushed the end was. While I did like the ending overall, I did feel that the pacing could have been adjusted and improved which would have made it a better reading experience throughout the book for me.
However as I said earlier I really liked this story! I love reading about pirates (especially queer ones) and this was a well done pirate story with significant queer, trans, and Latinx representation which I always love seeing :)

Y’all, y’all. We all love Pirates of the Caribbean. But what if we made it queer…er…. That’s this book. We have a transmasc nonbinary Latinx Magic welding pirate set on seeking revenge. I’ve devoured this story twice already. And now I’m listening to the audio book. It’s that good.

This book is 100% plot driven which keeps you on the edge of your seat, and features one of my absolute favorite tropes, found family. Overall this book is just one big giant thumb up. All of the stars. Just give them all away