I enjoy reading this story, I was intrigued by the fact that there was, a female pirate of color, back in the day when women had no say in what they were allowed to do. I have not read anything by this author before, but I will definitely look for more of her works. I think anybody who likes historical fiction would enjoy reading this story.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Historical fiction based on the true story of a queer, female, biracial pirate captain. This is a well-told tale full of sword fights and daring deeds. It's an engrossing story with well developed characters and seems reasonably realistic. The primary romantic relationship doesn't feel forced or dropped in for the sake of inclusivity.

I absolutely fell in love with this book. It was action packed and kept me engaged until the very end! Jacquotte being a Black queer pirate captain not only fight for her liberation but the liberation of her people as well was so beautiful to read!

The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron is a debut novel about a female pirate. It is billed as historical fiction based on true events. Jacquotte is a shipwright living in the Caribbean. She is the daughter of a black woman and an exiled French nobleman. Her mother dies when Jacquotte is very young, after giving birth to Jacquotte's brother. The children grow up well tutored and Jacquotte has a gift for languages and is fluent in English, Spanish and French. She knows Latin, and parts of other languages. Her father is accused of treason, and Jacquotte and her brother are forced to flee. They take the ship that Jacquotte has been repairing along with women from the brothel and the men who worked for Jacquotte they escape, but then are boarded by pirates and are forced into indentured servitude to the pirate in exchange for their lives. As you might expect with pirates there is piracy and battles and a lot of violence. This story has a good plot and pacing and well developed characters that you come to care for. It gives found family and a sapphic love story. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for my advance reader copy.

3.25

I love pirate books, and I especially love pirate books that center diverse characters. Jacquotte Delahaye is Black, disabled, and queer, and on a mission.

I loved the first act to this! I found the history fascinating and the plot was engaging straight from the prologue. But ultimately I think I needed more. The book is told in 3 parts and each of them feel too distinct from one another. I wish that they had felt more connected because ultimately, the choppy nature made the whole book feel like it wasn't quite fleshed out enough for my tastes. I loved the characters, but they felt so distant.

“It is so often that women of color are overlooked in history, or their achievements are attributed to others, and in Jacquotte I saw someone who deserved to be remembered. She was someone people didn’t know, but should.” Briony Cameron- author’s note

Jacquotte Delahaye was born to a Haitian mother and French father. She is a sister, friend, and skilled in the art of boat restoration and renovation. Being used as a pawn in a battle of island politics and control of the island, Jacquotte is thrust into the life of piracy to save her friends and to save herself. She finds that the pirate life is everything she dreamed of and becomes the captain that is not only loved by her crew, but unites them in the fight for the marginalized. But her past is still chasing her and an act of revenge threatens everything that she holds dear.

This cast of characters is rich and full of depth. This story is movie magic waiting to be made. I didn’t want it to end. From fight scenes to racial injustice, from the pirate culture to loving who makes you feel whole, I was cheering for this band of visionaries through each adventure. Bravo to #brionycameron on a brilliant first novel. I can’t wait to read whatever she has planned next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for this #advancedreaderscopy - Life took me away from reading this month and the pub date for this was 6/4/24. Go buy it!!!!

#lifegotinthewayofreadingthismonth
#2024bookchallenge53of75
#book62sy2324
#netgalley
#theballadofjacquottedelahaye

Swashbuckling pirate tale, anyone? This debut is set in the Caribbean during the 1600’s. Our fierce heroine (full of grit and determination) is non other than Jacquotte Delahayne; -a young, queer, red-headed biracial who after fleeing her hometown.. seizes the opportunity to commandeer a male-ran ship by staging a mutiny.. freeing the women aboard. It’s action packed with themes of race/gender inequality, self-discovery, romance and friendship.. to name a few. BALLAD is a great summer read for those searching for an unusual high seas adventure featuring female pirates! 3.5 stars rated up — Pub. 6/4/24
⚠️ depicts violence, racial slurs

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Twenty year old Jacquotte Delahaye is a skilled shipwright living and working in Santo Domingo in 1655. But she has been thrust into the political machinations of the Governor's heir and flees the island for a life of piracy.

I really appreciated the fast pace at which this novel moves. I enjoy historical fiction, but I was worried whether I would be able to connect to characters and a story taking place in the 1650's. The author did an excellent job keeping the characters approachable and relatable to a modern audience.

The plot may have move too quickly at times. I wish that there had been a bit more time in the novel to get inside of Jacquotte's head to fully understand her growth and inner conflict.

Overall, an excellent historical fiction that I think any lover of the genre -- or of pirates -- will enjoy.

This review will be posted to Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/goodquietkitty) on June 8, 2024 and to Instagram (@goodquietkitty) on June 9, 2024.

An action packed historical feminist sapphic romance adventure. A totally unique and satisfying story that had me engaged throughout. I definitely recommend it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book. This was a beautiful book with such a compelling character. Thrilling and enthralling story and plot that kept me reading and wouldn’t let me put down the book.

Jacquotte Delahaye is a biracial queer pirate, whose story of hardship, rise to power, and fight for equality in an oppressive age is one worth celebrating. Cameron’s inclusion of diverse characters from race, gender, sexuality, and physical ability made this historical fiction an inclusive gem that many readers will be able to connect with. While the book does include some horrific themes, including slavery, murder, physical violence, and sexual assault, Cameron handles these topics with sensitivity and care, but please check content warnings before reading. If you like books that include bad-a** lady pirates, adventure, rebellion against colonialism and exploitation, set in the Caribbean, I think you will enjoy this stand-out book!

The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is the debut novel from Briony Cameron.

"Jacquotte Delahaye is a young shipwright in Yaquimo. A power shift forces her to flee with friends. They end up in indentured service to Blackhand the Pirate. Jacquotte must decide where her true loyalties lie if she is to survive and make a life for herself and her friends."

What I liked - There are well-defined good guys and bad guys. You want a good resolution for Jacquotte. There is good pace and the battle scenes are well-written. Cameron is pretty clear about Jacquotte wanting a free life.

What I didn't like - This book takes place in the 1600s. These are not the Fisher-Price Little People Happy Pirates. These are bloodthirsty, ravaging, killer pirates. Once Jacquotte gets a taste of killing and taking, she likes it. I realize that pirates have been romanticized (and there are lots of pirate stories here on the coast of SC) but these are killers and thieves. Not really a fan of that being glorified.

The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye was all action! Pirates, treasure, mutiny, scandalous love affairs, and gore I felt like I was watching the series Black Sails. Even though it is not completely known if Captain Delahaye was in fact a real person, her story is an amazing one.

With her mother being dead, and her father having no money for a bridal dowry. Jacquotte pays her father a portion of her earnings from working on the Santa Domingo, to keep her freedom and not be married off. She is summoned by the Governor, who asks her to translate a letter, recognizing the handwriting as her father’s. She acts as if she can't translate it. After a coo to over throw the governor, she escapes with the wounded governor, his wife and their unborn child to the sea. Events turn to where she finds herself working under the command of Captain Blackhand. She she quickly adapts and her leadership skills emerge during a naval battle, making her stand-out as a natural leader and eventually, she becomes captain of the crew.

This story was written based off of folk lore of a red-headed mulatto female pirate, who may or may not have existed. After the creation of The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaey, SHE IS REAL!

Sapphic love romance, male/male romance, treason, self-discovery, found-family, action. If any of that excited you at all... PICK UP THIS BOOK!

The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is an action packed pirate adventure. The writing style was so easy to follow (no flowery or unnecessarily long descriptions) with a lot of fight and action scenes. If you're looking for a beach read this would be perfect since most of the book takes place on or around water. Also, the main character reminded me a bit of Aelin from the Throne of Glass series so if you have been looking for something to fill the void after finishing that series this one will probable scratch that itch!

A true story of a woman captain in the Caribbean is a breath of fresh air and so smartly written. I felt like I was in this tale of friendship, and love. A novel one should not pass up as Briony Cameron will captivate you and leave you only wanting more in this inspiring story. One can only imagine Jacquotte Delanhaye's life and wish to have been standing beside her.

First and foremost,The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is a crash-bang, swashbuckler of a story. Ships battling on the high seas of the Caribbean, pirates mercilessly cutting down mercenaries, and treasure gotten by all bloody means. Jacquotte is the daughter of an exiled French nobleman and a free black woman who died during childbirth. She’s educated, smart, and fierce but as an adult, she’s seen as a threat to the local leaders which is why she runs for her life and joins a crew of cutthroat pirates. The author states that the book is based on oral tales of a red-headed, black female pirate, who may or may not have truly existed.

The story is a heck of a ride but I appreciate that the author tells Jacquotte’s story from the beginning so we witness her pain and sorrow which is the driver to her push to power. Violence and brutality are front and center which is fitting. The 17th century is a time of slavery, colonialism, and women as possessions. But Jacquotte Delahaye’s aim is to burn down the evildoers. Now, a part of me had to downplay that they are still pirates doing bad stuff like robbing and killing. But watching how she struggles with some wrongs and not others also kept me invested to the end. I still rooted for her. Lastly, I loved the romance between Jacquotte and Teresa, who matches the pirate perfectly in intelligence and strength. Read the book if you like non-stop action, female pirates, and sapphic romance.

Do not be fooled by the title - The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is an action packed historical fiction that will get your blood pumping. This is a story filled with friendship, family, love, sacrifice, revenge, and pirates!

I absolutely loved Jacquotte Delahaye, she is a strong-headed heroine, fighting for what’s right, trying to cut a piece of land to call her home. When the Governor is killed by a traitor, Jacquotte is forced to go on the run. Joining a crew of pirates and making a name for herself. What follows are nail biting fight scenes, sea travels, rescue missions, a sapphic romance, and more.

I was heavily invested in Jacquotte and her friends, her relationship with Teresa was such a nice slow burn, not to mention all the side characters we get to know and love. This was an epic adventure with feminist themes, slight political intrigue and I highly recommend it for an entertaining summer read! Would love to see this picked up for a movie or show, it would be fantastic on the screen.

Some triggers to watch out for: slavery, colonialism, racism, misogyny, violence, death.

Thank you to Atria Books for the eARC to review.

This did not work for me at all. I could not bring myself to care about these characters or their stories.
I was excited about the queer pirate romance when I got this book but this said romance which was a secondary plot was a disappointment. Those two had zero chemistry.
For a pirate story with lots of actions, I found myself bored and my mind drifting even during action packed scenes.
In fact the only thing I liked about this book was that beautiful cover 😍

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Jacquotte Delahaye is a Black shipwright whose world is turned upside down when secrets are revealed and she is forced into piracy with her brother Marceau, her friends, and her love interest, Teresa. She is forced to encounter constant racism and misogyny in her fight for justice and freedom.

One thing I particularly enjoyed about the novel was the way Briony Cameron wrote the fight scenes. I enjoyed the way the fights could have easily translated into a movie scene (I am a sucker for dramatic fights) and they were easy to follow and were super engaging! A lot happened in, but it usually did not feel too convoluted, though I did have trouble following some scenes such as what was happening in one of the final battles. The settings were another great aspect, and all factors of it felt very fleshed out, from the architecture to the people.

There are a lot of characters in this book, especially background characters who are constantly changing as it is indeed a pirate book and people die. However, despite the huge cast it never felt like too much and most characters were appropriately utilized and the end did bring me to tears. Love a good found family always!! Jacquotte in particular was a great character and protagonist, with emotional turmoil and plenty of mistakes under her belt, but also an overall great person. Her connections with her crew and Teresa particularly felt very real and very intimate.

Very happy for this story of found family and queer love with a Black main cast to be my first read of pride month!!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for the honest review!

Everything Jacquotte knows has been a lie. After a shocking family secret is revealed, her father is tried for treason, and her childhood best friend betrays her, Jacquotte, her younger brother, the governor's wife, and the rest of her shipwright crew are barely able to escape the burning town of Yaquimo with their lives on a slowly sinking ship.

Without a home to call their own and a vessel that's barely seaworthy, Jacquotte and her friends are resigned to their deaths after being boarded by the notorious pirate Blackhand. But instead of killing them all, he takes them on as indentures and puts them to work. They're alive, but they'll never be free.

After Blackhand betrays his crew, Jacquotte must decide if she should risk her life to become captain and if she does, what kind of leader should she be.

I enjoyed this action-packed story of bravery, queer love, found family, and the constant fight for justice. While some of the characters blended together and some of the relationships were under developed, it was still an entertaining, fast-paced read perfect for readers who want a story that breaks the mold, but has all the swashbuckling adventure you expect.

Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!