Absolutely captivated by this book! What a phenomenal story and told in a way where I felt I was truly there witnessing it for myself. I have been a huge K. Howe fan and this book did not disappoint! If you’re interested in New England history, this book is 100% for you!

Having read Katherine Howe's work before, I've been looking forward to this newest historical fiction book, which definitely didn't disappoint. It has a dual timeline of 1726 and 1930, with both women struggling with their gender roles. Hannah also must fight class distinctions that Marian doesn't face as a Radcliffe professor.

Despite the violence & cruelty well-known in piracy, it's easy to see the attraction of true democracy among the crew where there is no distinction based on class, race, or nationality. In a society that offered little opportunity for most men, as pirates they escaped a life of hard work with little reward. Surely more women than we know of passed as men and joined the crews to escape their own lives of drudgery.

This story is an exciting pirate adventure, a mystery, and a treasure hunt all rolled into one. By the time I hit the second half of the book, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I thought I had pieced together the puzzle of Hannah but there was still a twist I didn't see coming. This is a rollicking read you won't want to miss.

Many thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC. The review is my own.

A True Account by Katherine Howe is about Hannah Masury, who, after watching a pirate hang, comes into a bit of trouble of her own and sheds her identity, taking on the name and position of a dead boy and shipping off with pirates. In the course of her adventure, she finds the noose of danger slipping even tighter around herself, and she has to fight not to have what she assumes will be a short life cut even shorter.

The book is also about Marian Beresford, a professor who is struggling against the confines of society in a different way over two hundred years after Hannah. When an undergrad student--Kay Lonergan--produces Hannah's diary, Marian first reluctantly, and then excitedly utilises it to chase down the treasure promised in the pages of the old book.

This is a dual narrative, told in first- and third-person narrative, and while I feel as though the characters in the '30s are less fleshed out than those from the 18th century, it is still a rollicking good read. And boy do the sea scenes just leap off the page! I feel as though I can taste the spray on my tongue and feel the mist as the waves crest and roll. Who doesn't love a good pirate story, especially one so detailed and descriptive as this? Also, I loved the little note from the author about how she based it on not only real people but people she is descended from; that's an extra, delightful little wrinkle!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a fantastic historical fiction about pirates and specifically a female hidden amongst pirates. This book would be even better with a few more details to anchor it! The cover doesn't draw the reader to this fantastic book of Hannah, sen, orne, and Ned. A great dual timeline read and highly recommend it!

Everything I have ever read by Katherine Howe is always a treat and of the highest quality, and this book was no different. What sets her apart is her breathtaking prose, her excellent characterization, and the quality of her historical accuracy. Combine that with piracy, a dual-time narrative, and two courageous women fighting to have a life on their own terms, and you are swept away yet glued to your seat! Absolutely wonderful! I recommend all her books, but I believe this one is my favorite and her best yet! TEN STARS!

This was so good! I love reading about Pirates since I was a kid and this is absolutely entrantsing. I love this book. I enjoyed it so much.
I just reviewed A True Account by Katherine Howe. #NetGalley
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