THE WICKED BARGAIN follows Mar after they survive the storm which (at El Diabolo’s seeming behest) kills their father and his crew when the terms of his bargain with El Diabolo concludes. Mar is picked up by a different pirate ship and works to conceal their magic as they become closer with the captain’s son, Bas. They have a few months to make a deal with El Diabolo or lose their father forever, but then a demonio named Dami shows up and offers another way to make a deal. As time runs out and the pirates run into trouble, Mar must figure out how to accept their own magic. I’m extremely happy this this has a nonbinary main character and no gender-related moment where someone else “catches” them or “figures out” something based on their body. There are scenes which emotionally have some similarities in terms of the danger of discovery and uncertainty about the other person’s reaction, but they’re all related to Mar’s magic rather than their body or gender.

The worldbuilding has a degree of specificity which is enough to place it in history (with the addition of magic) but generally avoid infodumping. It is in a particular time and place (the Caribbean in 1820), but what matters emotionally to Mar is their personal timeline and recent tragedy. There’s frequent use of Spanish, enough to make the characters fluently multilingual without making the text difficult for readers (like myself) with little to no understanding of Spanish. It seemed like anything of importance to the plot was either slightly paraphrased in English after the Spanish portion, could be inferred from other characters' reactions, or took the form of small words and phrases intermingled with otherwise English sentences and were understandable from the surrounding context. The important thing from all that is that the characters’ speech supports the other forms of worldbuilding to create the setting and feel.

The first half is pretty good, but this comes alive in the second half as the setting changes and the dangers became more concrete. Mar is tense from almost the start, but it takes a while for them to open up enough to explain why they're afraid of more than just discovery when it comes to using their magic. Mar's rapport with Bas takes a long time to build, though they interact frequently because Mar kind of becomes Bas's assistant. Their early interactions with the demonio, Dami, are even more strained because Dami is trying to get Mar to do several things they refuse to even consider (to use more magic and to make a deal). How much I liked each of them tracked pretty closely with how Mar's feelings changed towards them, as initially annoying interactions made more sense when additional context was provided.

This book follows Mar, a transmasc Latine pirate as he attempts to circumvent the devil after his father makes a disastrous bargain. This book has magic, a sexy ambiguously morally gray demon, and a slowwwww burn bit of romance. Perfect for those who like fantasy with a small hint of historical realness about the Carribbean in the 1800s.
Small complaint was that even having taken AP spanish, I needed to translate a lot of the phrases. I could get by with context clues, but it would have been more powerful if the cursing especially was translated. I did love the specific phrases chosen, like using mariposa as an endearment for Mar due to their genderfluidity, I could see that being missed by someone who might not know spanish.
This was my first novel with a MC that used they/them pronouns, I’m glad to see the representation! I will say that there was a point near the end where Mar and Dami were talking and because they both use they/them pronouns there was a point where names were missing (ie: they told them…)and I lost who the sentence was about.
If this book is printed in physical copies a map in the front would be so cool! Good luck and congrats on the book to the author!

Thank you to Net Galley for the e-book!
This book was everything you wanted from a pirate adventure. There was magic, deals, and LGBTQ+ characters!! For me this for like a fantastic blend of the daughter of the pirate king and our flag means death. The representation was what made me pick up this book but the fantastic writing style and characters really captured me. I flew through this and I can't wait to see more from this author!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read The Wicked Bargain.

This book gave me so many Pirates of the Caribbean vibes and I loved it. Mar is a transmasculine non-binary teenager who never believed their father’s stories about a deal with a Diablo. On their 16th birthday El Diablo makes a return and sends Mar’s world spiraling. This book has everything. Magic, pirates, deals with the devil, well rounded characters and a splash of romance tossed in. When Mar loses everything, they find themselves in this epic coming of age tale that. The Wicked Bargain has a great found family trope, diverse characters, and unique storyline.

I absolutely loved this book so much more than I expected. I will be recommending it all the time now.

This is one of my most anticipated books of 2023, and it did not disappoint! It gave me everything I wanted in a queer historical fantasy pirate book and I loved everything about it. I can’t wait to be able to purchase a hardcover and will recommend it to multiple people.

This was an absolute BLAST to read. If you want the same delightful queer pirate vibes of OFMD, then I am begging you to read The Wicked Bargain.

It's queer as heck with a romance comprised of two dorks circling each other, found family that is both lost and gained, along with a good dose of magic.

And the trans rep, even it just being written in third person with they/them pronouns, was everything that I needed. There was even one specific moment that made me CACKLE, because SAME, and is honestly one of the most trans things I've ever read lol.

Just an utterly delightful book.

Thank you so much, NetGalley, Random House Children's and Random House Books for Young Readers, for this chance to read the book in exchange of an honest review.

Mar is a transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate, with a strong magic able to control fire and ice, even though they is scared to use it and to be seen as a monster. On their sixteen birthday, because of a deal their father did to save them and to be granted years of fortune, El Diablo comes calling, taking away Mar's father and killing their whole crew. When Mar is rescued by the sole remaining pirate crew of the Caribbean el Diablo gives them a choice: their soul for thier father or losing him forever by the harvest moon. Mar refuses to make a bargain, trying to adapt to their new life on the Ana ship, but they are grieving and when Dami, a genderfluid demon, starts to appear to them, with unclear motives and Bas, the captain's son, wants to be their friend, everything change.

The Wicked Bargain is one of the best book I've read this year and it goes straight away in my most anticipated of 2023. The story is absolutely brillliant, original and heartwrenching. Mar is the main character of the story, with powerful magia, but scared to use it, grieving their losses, but unwilling to lose their soul to save their father, determined to find another way to get him back.
It's a story of losses and found family, new allies and queer love, pirates and fighting against the Spaniard oppressive rule, rebellion and gods, demons and magia. I absolutely loved the queer representation in this book, it was so amazing.
A book about learning and accepting themselved and their power and with a wonderful diverse cast, queer love and moving, funny and heartwrenching moments, plans and secrets and acceptance.
I loved the bond between Mar and Bas, made of teasing, laughter when they slowly start to understand, fight for, love and accept themselves and each others. Mar is a wonderfully complex main character, burdened by past and new losses, fighting against their true power and nature, in a intricate journey of self-love and embracing themselves and to learn to be accepted by others. I also adored the bond with Dami, whose motives are complex and unclear, a powerful demonio and whose presence helps Mar understanding and accepting themselves better.

Queer love and pirates? Demonios, El Diablo, deals for souls and fortune? Could I have asked something better? This book is a masterpiece!

I just finished reading this and I don't think I can properly talk about how much I loved this book, so: I really, really, really loved this book.

You get pulled into the action from page one, and it's just nonstop as soon as it starts. I was in a slight reading slump before starting this - and then I binged the first 100 pages when I did, and wanted to read it nonstop since then.

And yeah, the end had me in tears.

If you're looking for a good fantasy pirate book with a nonbinary main character, read this immediately.

Got an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow.

I've been reading contemporary books for months because it's hard to really get into fantasy, but this book IS AN AMAZING READ. The character is transgender, which the story delves into throughout: Knowing who they are yet finding the courage to show it to everyone. The use of their magia in the past was the reason they're holding back. I like how the story is also about losing yet gaining something/someone new, moving forward after going through something painful.

I really LOVE the writing style. The correct pronouns are used. The representations. Some scenes actually tickled my funny bone.

I didn't know I needed a trio here until I've been laughing through the pages. I also didn't expect to be charmed by a particular character here.

A worthy read!

Thank you, Random House Children's, Random House Books for Young Readers, for allowing me to read The Wicked Bargain early!

I can't review this book properly because it was simply too good. I am still reeling from all emotions it evoked. Phenomenally excellent.

3.5/4

I'm currently loving the YA pirate fantasy trend, so I was very excited to read this book! The Wicked Bargain is full of adventure, magic, and plenty of heart-warming scenes, while also having a strong focus on gender identify (the MC is non-binary). I would definitely recommend for fans of Aiden Thomas and TJ Klune's The Extraordinaries.

At the beginning of the book, a powerful diablo destroys Mar's ship and their entire crew, When another pirate crew rescues them from the sea, Mar must join them and works as a cabin boy...all while attempting to hide their magic from the crew, rescue their dad from the diablo, and pretend they're not attracted to the captain's son.

If you're looking for an LBGTQ+ fantasy that's fast-paced and fun, pick this book up in February 2023!

The Wicked Bargain follows teenage pirate Mar as they learn to harness their magic in order to defeat el Diablo and rescue their Papa.

This book was simply INCREDIBLE! I loved every minute of it and I didn’t want it to end. The writing was so descriptive and made me feel like I was right there alongside Mar and the rest of their pirate crew.

The characters were all compelling and layered. I especially loved the dynamics and banter between Mar, Bas, and Dami. The action was well paced and it had so many unpredictable twists and turns which made the story impossible for me to put down.

I cannot say enough about how good this book was. It is definitely one that I will reread and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

Thank you so much to Random House Children’s and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

A magical nonbinary pirate. I loved Mar and Bas. The story was beautiful. I love the descriptions of how the magic worked. The conflicts with the Spaniards and El Diablo. I loved this. I will be recommending this to everyone.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me an ARC in return for my honest feedback.

I must admit, this is the second ARC I've ever read, thanks to Netgalley ;), and my experience with my first one was unpleasant. I went into this not expecting much, hoping for a book that at least wouldn't make me mad.

This book was amazing. Right from the start, it captured my attention, and I finished it in almost an entire day.

The main character, Mar, is a transmasculine non-binary pirate, helping the Caribbeans after the years of colonization from Spain. I've seen a lot of books involving LGBT+ characters where there is transphobia, homophobia, etc. At some point, it gets exhausting because why can't there just be a book where LGBT+ can be treated well without trauma? The Wicked Bargain executed it perfectly. Absolutely no transphobia, no homophobia, no one treating Mar like they're unnatural because they don't feel they are a boy or a girl. At the end of the book, I felt like I could cry.

"So," el Capitán says, "what are you?"

Mar blinks at the question. There are so many answers, each of them as true as the last. They're a person-mostly a boy, but not entirely. They're a crew member, a sailor, an explorer. They're an only child. A friend.


The writing was great, the slow burn was just delicious, and the plot had me unable to put the book down for hours. This is going on my list as one of the best books I've read this year. I am so thankful I had the chance to read it early! Can't wait to purchase it once it's out :)

The Wicked Bargain is a trans latine pirate story about family, deals with the devil, and acceptance. It is an absolutely beautiful and incredibly fast-paced fantasy story that follows Mar, a 16 year old non-binary transmasc pirate who holds magia under their skin and desperately tries to hold it in, lest it explode and hurt people they love once again. As I read this story I absolutely fell in love with Mar and desperately wanted to see them succeed and accept their magia for the gift that their papa believes it to be. I loved this book, and the only part I disliked was that the action felt too fast at times. I wanted to see more development of the individual characters and their relationships, particularly Mar's relationship with Bas. They had a great dynamic and their banter was fun, and I wanted to see more of the development between them. Overall however this was a beautiful story and I was absolutely touched by it.

immediately 5 stars oh my God.
mar and their magia WERE EPIC THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE BOOK (specially when they embraced it)
there was magic and romance i thought i was unlucky today? BUT???? THIS WAS MY SALVATION and oh my god the found family (literally lmfao)
thank you netgalley for this arc i ADORED IT.

Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read The Wicked Bargain.

This book was an excellent magical pirate fantasy. I loved the character representation (the MC is a transmasculine non-binary teenager) and I also enjoyed the relationship and banter between Mar and Bas. This was a fast-paced book that I read in a few hours (however the story did not feel rushed) and I would recommend this to YA fantasy lovers.