To begin, I want to thank NetGlley for the ARC of this book, not to be insanely excited but it’s my very first one!

Here we go! All i needed to see was the name and the promise of pirates and I was sold. This took me a bit longer to get though than others just based solely on the rich and deep history that the author was able to include in the book. Being the third book in a series, and not reading the first two, I found that it was still quite easy to follow. It is the perfect way to be introduced to the characters in a way that makes you want to read the first two as I discovered they seem t b following one families chronology.

While the first few chapters were slightly confusing, it smoothness out by the second part and the narrative was quite easy to follow. Choosing a female main character for this time period is an incredibly difficult feat and Mosse not only rose to the challenge, but she succeeds in creating an emotional attachment to not just Louse but also Gilles.

Louise comes from a long line of incredibly strong omen, whose stories I cannot wait to read, and her drive to do more, to be more, then the limits of what women at the time can do id inspirational in itself. Gilles story is as heart wrenching as it is powerful, not giving to much away, but the struggles he goes through by being forced by his own mother to be someone he isn’t and seeing the character rise from that and take control of their own agency was just a delight to read.

The history, politics, and romance of this books gives the reader a great ay to learn about this very complex religious and political conflict in such an interesting way from the viewpoint of women was a great way to dive into it headfirst.

I know four stars may not seem like enough based on my review but for me it is a definite reread and there will be a physical copy with lots of notes and annotations in my future.

The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse is a historical fiction story about Louise Reydon-Joubert, a modern woman in 1600s France. This is technically the third book in a series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel, which is how I read it.

I love, love, loved this story about a woman boat captain at a time when to have a woman on a ship was considered bad luck. Modern women in historical books are my favorite characters, so following Louise on her adventures made me a happy reader.

I loved the amount of suspense in the novel. Even though I usually avoid historical fiction because it tends to be a slower, drier read, The Ghost Ship was nothing of the sort. It went from adventure to adventure, with lives often at stake and boundaries broken.

I've only read Mosse's fantasy series before this. Still, I loved that she brings the same immersion and engagement to a wholly historical fiction story. It pulled me in from page one and didn't let me go even after there were no more pages to read. And boy, did I want more pages to read!

Also, the historical elements of the story – even the ones that were a bit of a fictional stretch – felt authentic and genuine to the time.

My only issue was that I wanted more time with Louise and Gilles on the boat. I would have loved to have less of the buildup and more ship time, especially their trip to South Africa.

I love a modern woman in a historical world, and Louise is just that. She is fiercely independent and confident in that independence. She is rebellious with a keen sense of adventure that allows her to experience much more than the typical woman of that period.

The narration is in the third person limited. It is mainly limited to Louise, but a few chapters focus on Gilles. This works well to give it a more personal touch, enhancing the story's emotional aspects.

The pace never slowed, and I loved that. It's mostly a medium pace but speeds up during highly tense situations. It was a page-turner from start to finish.

The story is set in the early 1600s – mainly in France, with some time in Amsterdam and the Canary Islands. This was a contentious time in France with Catholics versus the protestants (Huguenots) and the beginning rumblings that fueled the French Revolution almost 200 years later.

Read if you're in the mood for:
A historical fiction novel that is adventurous, emotional, mysterious, and tense
A largely character-driven tale set in the early 1600s.
A story about a woman ahead of her time and not afraid to be that.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse from Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.

"…multiple storylines all weaving a rich tapestry combining loss, heartbreak, adventure, intriguing history, and forbidden love…"

Continuing the saga of the Joubert family we follow the life of Louise Reydon-Joubert, granddaughter of Minou Joubert and daughter of Marta who was brutally murdered in book two, City of Tears. When Louise receives her inheritance from her father at the age of twenty-five, she knows she will not be content to live a “normal life” instead she dreams of breaking stereotypes by becoming a ship captain one day. Ten years later she is the owner of the ship the Old Moon, but she battles with superstition and misogyny having to hire a captain to sail her ship, always being a mere passenger. At a dinner party for the retiring captain of the Old Moon a wine merchant is murdered, his apprentice and relative Gilles in inconsolable a feeling Louise knows all too well having witnessed her mother’s murder. Feeling protective, Louise begins an unlikely friendship, taking Gilles under her wing as her assistant. They travel to Amsterdam ready to sail the seas on the Old Moon. When at sea the new Captain has designs on Louise his jealousy sparks his cruelty towards the crew but in particular Louise. When the captain is murdered while trying to force himself on Louise, the crew rally around her. While at sea without the captain Louise realizes her dreams and with the support of the crew, she breaks with tradition and becomes the captain. The story continues with the crew traveling to Las Palmas, crossing paths with a ghost ship, with a sole survivor, a slave whom they offer safe harbor to and who inspires Louise to carve a new life’s mission for herself.

With multiple storylines all weaving a rich tapestry combining loss, heartbreak, adventure, intriguing history, and forbidden love, Mosse has out done herself again. Each carefully crafted vignette features authentic, beautifully written, intriguing characters and I especially love the way Mosse features brave, strong, capable, and intelligent women all of which have a unique grace and strength.


I am a fan of Kate Mosse as she has a talent for bringing her beautifully written, well-researched historical stories to life through vivid description and interesting characters. The only negative is that sadly I will have to wait to read the continuation of the Joubert family saga. Definitely a fantastic read that I highly recommend.

Louise Reydon-Joubert has come of age and received her inheritance. Though a wealthy woman, she is constrained by the society of the 1600. When a dinner party for the retiring captain of her ship, The Old Moon, turns tragic, it sets her on an a new path. Along with Gilles, a young man with a deep secret, she embarks on a journey aboard her ship to gain answers to her past. What follows in a saga of adventure, love, and a woman's strength. This is an outstanding historical fiction and I liked the strong, confident woman who persevered with in the limitations of her time. The difficulties Gilles faced and his relationship with Louise were compelling and added to the risk and atmosphere.

While I don't know much about the time period of the story, the author created a narrative that gave me a clear understanding for the culture and politics. The Ghost Ship is the third book in the series. Reading the books in order will give back ground for the story but it is easily a stand alone.

When I requested to read this book for a review through NetGalley, I was unaware that it was the third in a series. Without time to go back and read the first two books, I was afraid that I'd be a bit lost coming into the current book. However, it turned out that it was not an issue.

I only know the bare basics of the history of what happened with the Huguenots in France. I saw those basics in this historical fiction novel but since I don't have a deeper knowledge of the true events that's as far as I can vouch history wise. The story itself though, was engaging. There were characters to like, characters to hate, and characters to feel sorry for. With a story of a woman who takes matters into her own hands and follows her dreams to be out at sea regardless of what society thinks she should do, how can you go wrong? Add in that she's kind of like a pirate, but instead of stealing from others she helps stop people from being enslaved and its a win-win. I'd absolutely recommend this book for anyone who finds those types of story lines appealing. Our fearless heroine does seem to have an unusual streak of good luck but since it's fiction, I have no complaints.

I'm unsure of what I missed in the previous two books but am planning to go back and read them when time allows. I'll also say I'll be watching for a fourth book, the epilogue absolutely made me want to continue the series at the very least.

The 3rd tome of the Burning Chamber series is coming out this month and I am so thankful I have been given a galley! After giving The City of Tears 5 stars, I am giving the Ghost Ship another much deserved 5 stars because the story is simply perfect! This one focuses on Louise Reydon-Joubert, granddaughter of Minou Joubert (starring in the first 2 books) and daughter of Marta who got killed in City of Tears. Louise is the owner of the Old Moon but she secretly dreams of becoming a she-captain one day. Things force her to leave France, and then leave Amsterdam. So she finally gets to navigate on her ship. In France she meets Gilles, and there is something indescribable happening between those two from the get-go. Gilles ends up getting on board the Old Moon with Louise as she tries to protect him from his abominable mother. Their voyage aboard the ship takes a turn for the worse when the captain who initially want to make Louise his wife, sees Louise and Gilles being affectionate toward one another and he immediately turns on Louise.

This book is so full of back stories, stories within stories, lots and lots of characters (but they were all distinctive from one another), and one of the main storyline, which is Louise and Gilles, was really beautiful. Never have I ever read a ship story set in the 1600s being so delicate and good intentioned. The writing was so well executed: rather short sentences, nothing florid, but they all carried out all emotions and intentions. The story was divided in different parts, and the final part was an awesome surprise that made me giddy on my couch!

I so love Kate Mosse! She knows how to create realer than life characters that you grow to love like family.

Thank you Net Galley and Minotaur Books for this e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.

This is an absolutely terrific and truly gripping read about two determined women in the 1600s- women who defy convention and follow their dreams. Don't worry if you haven't read the first two books (which are equally awesome)- Mosse has written this to work beautifully as a standalone, providing enough back story to either remind you of what's gone before or to round out the characters for those who are new. Louise has come into her inheritance from her French father at long last and she's determined to travel back to Amsterdam and take command of the Old Moon trading ship owned by her aunts. Her family are Huguenots who have been chased around Europe for their religion but that's less important to her than taking to the sea. She meets Giles, a young "boy" and the heir of his uncle, a wine merchant, by chance, rescuing him from a loathsome man. They have an unusual bond. While the scenes on land are fascinating, this really takes off when Louise and Giles are at sea. This is one heck of an adventure story with great characters and atmospherics which also made it a page turner for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I truly enjoyed and highly recommend this. I'm very much looking forward to Mosse's next.

I don’t like saying more than what’s in the summary so I will just say this book is about two people one who after losing those that raised her and she loves so much finally comes into her own and gets the adventures to seek but only after meeting Jeal someone who embraced the person he was forced to be. I know this is simplistic but this is a OMG good and a great book about living the life we want as opposed to watch society wants us to be in finding the one thing that makes us happy despite it all. I wish I would’ve read the other books in this Siri‘s but only because this one was so good and not because I felt as if I missed out on anything. This book is set in the 1600s and there is a lot to it but it is so worth reading a really great book… I loved it! Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review I also want to thank Saint Martin’s press in Net Galley for my arc copy.

The best of the trilogy so far! Fascinating part of history that I didn’t know much about! Kate mosse is brilliant.

To begin, I should preface with the fact that I have not read the first two novels in this series by Kate Mosse. I am sure there was a lot of story before this one that lead to what happens in The Ghost Ship. Having said that, if you are like me and haven't read the others, you definitely won't be disappointed or have a hard time reading this. In fact, this can absolutely be read as a standalone.

Mosse clearly did her homework and knows how to bring history to life! This was outstanding, well thought out and well researched. I am not a sailor, nor a history buff, but this story makes me want to become both. It begins with Louise, a young woman who lives with her grandparents. Having lost both of her parents earlier, she is about to become very wealthy when she comes of age and accepts her inheritance. This sets her up for her future, where she decides to follow her dream of sailing. When she meets Gilles, a wine merchant's apprentice, she realizes she can be more than she ever thought possible. Their relationship is modern and refreshing and everything it should be for a female captain in the 1600's looking to change the rules.

If you read the title and believe it to be something having to do with the supernatural you may be disappointed to learn that it's the name of a ship. However, this ship is what leads Louise to her destiny and, eventually, her infamous legacy. Her quest to break the rules is heart-pounding and vibrant and taking the journey with Louise ,and following her adventure, is everything you could want in a pirate story . I loved every part! Thank you, Minotaur Books, for the opportunity to read this fantastic book!

Yes! This was perfect for me. I have been wanting a book like this book forever! High seas, adventure, Pirates. I absolutely loved this!
I just reviewed The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse. #TheGhostShip #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I always start by thanking NetGalley and the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Historical fiction written as if you were there.. The Drama, the personalities, and a story that keeps you turning pages late into the night. Kate-Mosse continues her epic tale of the Rayden-Joubert family as we venture where women have never been accepted.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ARC of this title in exchange for my review.

Reading a historical fiction by Kate Mosse is an experience like no other. The research, the character development, the settings - always an experience for me.
And this book is everything you expect from Kate Mosse. What an amazing book. Though not the 'historical fiction' everyone might like, I appreciate the journey she takes us on.

4.5 stars - the ending felt a bit rushed, but still an amazing read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I didn’t realize this was part three of a series but I still was able to follow and enjoy it.
Well told tale of mystery, a ghost ship and some romance. I’ll definitely check out the other books in this series by the author.

Kate Mosse’s final installment in her French Huguenot Trilogy (The Burning Chambers Series), “Ghost Ship,” is a long and meandering tale of several women’s subterfuge in hiding their true natures from society in pursuit of career ambitions and emotional pleasures in an age of religious repression and persecution. “…It was rumoured that the ghost ship was commanded by a she-captain, a hellion, a monstrous yet beautiful creature, some ten feet tall, her hair wrapped in a long red scarf, who would turn a man to stone if he looked upon her.” As a huge fan of Mosses’ Languedoc Series about the Catharars and the Holy Grail—which are richly atmospheric, deeply emotional and character-driven, as well as tense with suspense and emotion—Ghost Ship, about female pirates, had tons of potential; however, never came through emotionally nor adventurously.

TheBookMaven graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Kate Mosse, and Publisher Minotaur Books for this Advance Readers’ Copy (ARC).

This book was good in some way. I love the aspect of the history of the ghost ship. Mostly finding what is wrong and finding someone that is missing. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review.

The Ghost Ship is an interesting story of how fiercely independent a woman wanted and was during a time when women were expected to pretty much be second class citizens. The Ghost Ship is also a love story in different ways.

This is the story of Louise Reydon-Joubert, a Dutch woman, who receives a great inheritance from her father (she waa an illegitimate child) at the age of 25, for which she needed to go to Paris to receive. With her in Paris were her maternal grandparents, who has been made aware that there was quite possibly a legitimate heir to claim the said inheritance. On Louise's 25th birthday, she,along with her grandfather, go to the appointed lawyer and she receives the inheritance with no complications. At the same time, Louise discovers her grandmother is unwell and instead of returning to Amsterdam, she wanted to return to her city of birth.

Upon Louise's grandmother's death, she ends up in La Rochelle, France, after buying a ship from the VOC in Amsterdam - part of what she had always wanted while growing up. In the course of her life in Amsterdam, her ship, which was involved in trade came and went. On one arrival, the ship's captain was to be retiring and Louise was holding a,party. It is at this point where the full adventure begins!

We have very unorthodox happenings, including a mother trying to pull off a deception for her own devices vs anything else, a quick escape from La Rochelle, more personal histories of characters, a mutiny of sorts, and a love story in the making before we get to where we get the name Ghost Ship.

The Ghost Ship is a story of strength and courage of a woman during a time when things were unheard of or even forbidden! It's also a,story of perseverance and what people will do for a cause in which they believe!

I want to acknowledge, quite honestly, that I am perhaps not the best person to review The Ghost Ship. While I have enjoyed Kate Mosse’s work in the past (Labyrinth was a godsend during a 16-some hour flight 10 years ago), I have not been the biggest fan of the Joubert Family Chronicles and have not read the complete series despite trying. Had I known that this one was #3, I don’t think I would have requested it, honestly. Once again, NetGalley fails to advertise books in a series as such.

HOWEVER, I did read it! Kate Mosse doesn’t disappoint on the historical details or the complexity of her characters. I thoroughly enjoyed these aspects or the book. I felt as though the pacing was poor —very very slow, but I do admit my concentration has been poor as of late, and I imagine the….thoughtfully plotting and lingering details will be appreciated by many.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the ebook ARC. All of opinions are mine alone

496 pages

4 stars

Kate Mosse is such a remarkable author! I especially like her Languedoc series. Her characters are so real and life-like. I walked with them in the towns and was aboard the ship at sea. And a female captain for the Ghost Ship! I loved it.

We traveled around the globe, from Amsterdam to the Barbary Coast to the Canary Islands, and other places, riding the waves all the way. It was refreshing and exhilarating.

While I have not read the first two books in this series, I had no trouble following the story. It is so engaging. Ms. Mosse is very good at drawing in the reader. I was literally glued to the novel. I immediately went to Amazon to look up the two previous books to add to my Kindle.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

This was a phenomenal love story combined with pirates and sword-play on the open seas. What more could a girl want? Kate Mosse is a fantastic writer, and so far I have never been disappointed with any of her books - but I truly believe this one is her best yet! I absolutely loved it and could not put it down! And it was so original, a nice break from every other historical fiction novel that seems to be about WWII these days. Highly recommended.