Alosa was full of surprises and personality. Riden and his brother were an interesting duo, and made the plot of this portion of the duology very interesting. Loved the story and unusual setting for YA literature. I look forward to the next book!

This book had me at page one. Alosa is intelligent, funny, and oozes confidence. Throughout her ordeal aboard an enemy ship, she maintains composure, her mind working quickly and efficiently in order to carry out the task assigned to her by her father, the notorious Pirate King. Alosa's resilience, power, and strength are tested in this gripping read.

The dialogue, especially her exchanges with Riden, are well written and the characters are engaging. I was shocked when the book came to a close, convinced there had to be more that I simply wasn't seeing. I am greatly looking forward to the second book and Alosa's continued adventures.

Full of excitement and adventure, this book is a fun one for those who like a little travel on the high seas!

I had seen this book everywhere and heard nothing but incredible things. All the incredible things I heard were true. This is an incredible fast paced pirate adventure that has amazing action, romance, and hilarious lines from characters that you instantly love.

I adored the plot. Since I truly don't want to spoil anything for this I can't talk about it much but it kept you engaged on what was happening and truly shocked me at some points. The characters. Now the characters are my favorite parts of books. I love finding characters that I can love or love to hate and this story gives you both. Alosa has such an feisty personality and I adored her. She is sarcastic and hilarious and so tough. You can't help but cheer her on the entire story. And if you love amazing banter between characters then definitely pick this up. Riden. Riden. Riden. That's all I really need to say about him. Just trust me if you love adventure and pirates this will become a new favorite for you.

Never trust a pirate, especially in this high-tension tale where sword fights and stormy waters are nothing compared to deception's games.

Alosa isn't just a pirate, she's the feared pirate king's daughter. When she lets herself get captured to fulfill a task for her father, the circumstances - which would be horrifying to anyone else - are nothing more than an adventure. Or so she thinks.

I'd heard a lot about this book and was excited to get my hands on it - although I wasn't sure it would be something I'd enjoy. The first chapters swept me away.

Alosa isn't only capable, she's a real treat. She knows her strengths, and she knows she's clever. For her, dangerous situations are all fun and games. Even though she borders on arrogant, she's simply a ton of fun. Her fearlessness puts even the bravest pirate to shame, but it's her secret heart of gold which rounds off the sharpest edges of her personality.

The other characters in the book are rich with personality, each demonstrating very distinct characteristics. They come to life, creating a crew which calls for dread and humor at the same time. Especially the dialogue exchanges are a joy to read-packed with sarcasm, hidden messages and stabbing humor. Alosa dances with her words around everyone, but finds a few who match pace and make for a dangerous game.

There's never a boring moment as the sea and the pirating world come to life. Alosa goes from one high-tension moment to the next, often with very bloody and deadly stakes. This book is heartless in that respect. Pirates die violent deaths, and there isn't a twitch of regret. Pirating life is not a dainty past time, and that is clear in these pages. Alosa plays her part of deception like a master, but she isn't the only one - and it's this tension which grabs hold the entire way through.

Secrets come in layers, but in this rough world, it's the softer ones which are the most dangerous. The author does a great job of making these moments not only a facet of intrigue but creates a needed warmth to make the characters sympathetic. It's hard not to root for them, even with horrendous acts. Things like romance gain an extra edge, since even this aspect isn't clear cut. Not even at the end.

The only thing which bothered me was the heavier twist into fantasy toward the end. Although the story didn't lose pace through it, it weakened Alosa's character and strength. But this is a very personal opinion, which others probably won't be bothered by in the least.

Summed up, this is an exciting read which takes to the seven seas and back again. The wit is a real treat. Fans of adventure are sure to enjoy this one.

With a bottle of rum, this sounded like some simple yo ho fun, but I hit some rough waters at the start. The initial dialogue and tone didn't sweep me out to sea. It was ho hum and, frankly, kind of meh as we sailed into the 1st half of the book. It wasn't until the 2nd half when Alossa reveals her secret for sure (like many clever readers, I read the foreshadow) that things get more interesting.

Am I anxiously awaiting the next? Not really. Now that I have a flavor of Tricia Levenseller's writing style, I think it'll be very mild entertainment and not the adventure I had hoped it could be.

After finishing I was baffled as to how to rate this.
It's the same old question though isn't it. Because rating is really completely subjective, though I do try and look at it objectively. In the end rating has a lot to do with how much one enjoys a book.
And here lies my dilemma. I like the idea of the book. I do. In theory this should totally be my favorite book EVER. I mean it's like Pipi Longstocking goes YA, with a splash of Pirates of the Caribbean and a good dose of Greek mythology.
Totally up my alley. Right?
Eh.
I actually struggled heavily reading the first half. In fact would this not have been an ARC I definitely would have DNFed at 25%. But as it was an ARC. I read on.
I am pleased I did, because somehow around 75% I found myself invested in the book and didn't even mind the writing style very much.

The writing style is the first hurdle for me here. I am not a fan. It's not my cup of tea. I found Alos not witty or boisterous. I just found her annoying for pretty much half the book. Then Levenseller changed the storytelling style a tad, less bragging more story telling and I grew to like her more.

The cast was very cliche. I mean VERY. It felt too much like any good old pirate flick I have seen, trust me I saw alot of them as a child. Pipi was my absolute hero for several years. But again, suddenly at the end, I realised though they all are extremely cliche, they did grow on me. Somehow Levenseller did add unique details to them and I found myself caring for them.

The plot is quite entertaining. Again very piratey and reminiscent of many pirate flicks I have seen.

At the end however, I found myself wondering where the story goes and I am planning to read the next installment.
That's why I ended up rounding 2.5 Stars up to 3.

To be honest I think I would have loved this a movie. I think someone should make a movie out of this! It reminds me of some childhood favorites and I think it would be simply a good pirate romp!

Tricia Levenseller’s debut, Daughter of the Pirate King, is the pirate tale we need more of in YA! It’s a fun, fierce adventure that is sure to entertain fans of Pirates of the Caribbean!

Our main character, Alosa, is setting up her kidnapping when we first meet her. In my opinion, the blurb is a little too spoilery for my liking. Making it known that her kidnapping was planned allowed the beginning to be less intriguing for me. Now, we know that this is all an act as Alosa becomes a prisoner.

It was hard for me to connect with Alosa as she was hiding pieces of her true self. In the end, I really did enjoy her though. She’s a strong heroine that readers can easily root for! Being the daughter of the powerful pirate king has shaped her into a brave, fearless woman, and she even has the scars to prove it. She’s intelligent and skilled, and unlike most pirates she knows, she has a good heart.

Her inner thoughts did become a bit repetitive at times, by telling us how skilled she was, etc. This wasn’t a downfall in her character but more in the writing of the story. Besides the parts that seemed to drag a bit, I think Tricia Levenseller is a fantastic writer. She brought to life such a fun adventure! There’s a huge lack of pirate tales in YA, which I find odd, so this alone made Daughter of the Pirate King unique to read!

All of the characters introduced are enjoyable! There were evil ones and surprisingly fun characters within this crew of pirates. Of course there was our other main character, Riden. The two of them complimented each other well. Everything Alosa lacked in bringing to the story, Riden was there for support. It didn’t hurt that their banter leading up to a more romantic relationship was pure gold!

Within the actual world building there was plenty of action. There was also a lot more blood and death then I was expecting, but I’m not complaining! The history of these pirates was well thought out to add more depth to these characters. Finally, it wraps up perfectly by adding a bit of magic to the story.

Overall, this book was enjoyable and fun. Centering it around pirates made it feel unique, and there were a few twists to keep the story exciting. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of Alosa’s story in the next book! If you’re looking for an action-packed adventure then this book is for you! Plus, who doesn’t enjoy pirate tales?

(Post will be live on 2/27/17)
Alosa is a pirate princess and a force to be reckoned with. She is not only the captain of her very own crew, but her father is a legendary pirate king. He has part of a treasure map, but obviously needs the other part of it to obtain the treasure. The only problem is that a rival pirate, Captain Draxen, has the other part of the map. So, in order to get said map, Alosa has volunteered to retrieve it through a sneaky plan in which she allows herself to be kidnapped by the rival crew and then once aboard their ship, she will attempt to get the map. Meanwhile Captain Draxen thinks he has captured the daughter of the notorious pirate king and will hopefully get a ransom making it all worth it. But things aren't easy for Alosa once aboard the rival pirate's ship. Draxen's brother, Riden, is charged with keeping a very close eye on her and finding the map isn't going to be as easy as she thought. While Alosa is just as tough, if not tougher, than some of the male pirates, she also has a secret hidden up her sleeve that will help her obtain the map if all else fails. Tricia Levenseller's novel, Daughter of the Pirate King, is a swashbuckling good time. If you like adventure, strong heroines, and of course pirates, you must check out this YA debut.

Alosa is such a fun heroine in Daughter of the Pirate King. I knew instantly that I would enjoy her. She's tough, determined, full of secrets, and despite being a female pirate in what is traditionally a male world, she is a formidable opponent. It's not just the fact that her father is the pirate king; Alosa can truly hold her own.

Alosa meets her match in Riden in Daughter of the Pirate King. The slow burn between the two is a delight and a relationship I thoroughly enjoyed. Their antics definitely kept me on my toes. Who doesn't love an unlikely romance?

Pirates! I can't tell you how much I love pirates, so I was thrilled to read a YA pirate adventure that is engaging and fun. I love Black Sails and I was so happy that this book had a similar vibe. In fact, Alosa reminded me a bit of the tough Anne Bonny (also a real-life pirate!) from the show.

There's sword fights, adventure, secrets, treasure, a romance, plot twists and so much more in Daughter of a Pirate King. If this is your kind of thing, definitely check out this debut. It made me want to binge-watch Black Sails and Pirates of the Caribbean all weekend and if you know me, that's a good thing!

A surprising tale of strength, beauty, and deception. Daughter of the Pirate King will entertain and delight readers with witty banter, sword fights, and treasure.

I requested this book on a whim. I mean...I like stories about pirates and the cover intrigued me so I went for it. I honestly don't think I even read the description (as you all know I like to do). And I was pleasantly surprised. I definitely want to get my hands on a hardback version!

From the beginning, I knew I was going to love Tricia Levenseller's voice and her complex character Alosa. I found myself pulled in and flipping pages as quickly as I could. Many nights I was up past my bedtime just to get in "one more page" which turned into chapters when all was said and done.

I really enjoyed following Alosa's story. As is a danger to most writers when writing in first person, a reader can become bogged down by the characters thoughts and desires but here I found hers to be helpful, informative, and easy to relate to. Alosa is a cunning and complex character and a whole lot of fun. As there is a romantic element, I'll also mention that Riden's character was intriguing to me. I won't say much more on this so you can make your own opinions, but I liked his character.

As for the plot and plot elements, I am a fan! At times, due to the circumstances that Alosa finds herself in, there is some repetition, but I honestly wasn't bothered by it. I felt as if Levenseller did a great job progressing the story so that, at a time where I would expect to get bored, something else would happen and pull me through. Thumbs up for that!

There were only a few things I wasn't a huge fan of. After the start of the book, I felt as if there was a lot of telling vs. showing. It's complicated by the situation Alosa finds herself in so I understand why it's that way, but sometimes it felt like she was thinking things to explain a situation, giving more information because we needed to know details in order for it all to make sense. I don't know if I have a great way around that fact because of the plot so, personally, I let this slide and just took the information for what it was. I also wasn't a huge fan of the violence because this is labeled as YA. Now, I've read much more violent books, but they weren't marketed as a fun YA read. Yes, I understand the reality of pirate life is messy and at times violent, but I think there were creative ways around the violence that Levenseller chose to ignore. Eh, just a personal opinion.

So, my recommendation: If you enjoy a good pirate tale that includes romance (because this certainly does) and some light-hearted elements of danger, then I really think you'll like this. It's entertaining, surprising, and an overall easy read. It's definitely not a 'dark' book and I found myself laughing quite frequently. If you aren't a huge fan of romance threads or are looking for a more gritty pirate tale, then this may not be for you.

*A note for my clean readers: Though this is still considered YA I would rate it more at a 17+ for violence and romantic elements.

My rating: 4.5*
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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

So excited. Back to the post at hand, Friday I finished an ARC from NetGalley of Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King #1) by debut author Tricia Levenseller. This book comes out February 28th and I highly recommend picking it up.

Rating: 5 Stars

I was first drawn to this cover with the beautiful font and the red headed armed female at the bottom who looked ready to do some pirating. Then once I learned more about the premises I was hooked and even more thrilled when my request to review it was answered! Basically we follow 17 year-old pirate captain Alosa, daughter to the Pirate King, as she is captured by enemy pirates. Though this was all part of the plan, see she isn't some captured victim but really using her "capture" to search the enemies ship undercover. However, as with any well thought out plan there are bound to be some snags along the way like underestimating the first mate, Riden, who keeps her on her toes.

Doesn't that just scream interesting. Let me say it is! I was enthralled from the start and loved Alosa. While I didn't always like how she did some things or her reasoning for others I understood her and her motives. She is cruel when she has to be, this is a man's world after all, but she isn't cruel for the sake of enjoyment as others may be. She has her own code. I do enjoy people with codes (Dexter had a code, yes he was a serial killer but he had a code) and morals. Plus what girl wouldn’t cheer for the daughter trying to make her way in this world of men and best them. Alosa is able to get down and dirty when necessary though she is much more civilized and cultured. She has to walk a fine balance and keep her real and full self and abilities from the crew while she plays the victim. Though given her abilities and, yes pride, playing weak is a bit harder than she thought.

We get to know the crew that's taken her. Like one would expect it's a miss-mash of personalities. Some with honor and others more brutal. Balancing between them while giving just enough away is a fine game and watching Alosa go toe to toe with Riden was amazing. Riden from the start seems like an interesting character with a very complex personality. He has so many conflicting opinions and actions it's impossible to nail him down. The back and forth between them building as they try to figure one another out was enthralling. Enemies who get closer are something I enjoy for sure but the best ones have to be able to go back and forth verbally at one another with witty zingers and Alosa and Riden have that in spades. Sometimes more than verbal volleys because well they know how to keep it interesting.

The overall plot of trying to find this hidden item and bring her captors to him was fascinating but also not even the half of it. There is so much more happening that is just evolves so nicely into something much larger and expansive. This book ties up in a way that you feel like you've reached a certain point but also where there is a ton more to learn in this world. There were a few things that I saw coming and others that completely blew me away but when thinking back I could totally see the breadcrumbs. It was beautifully written and an amazing debut for the author as well as for a series. I can't wait to get a physical copy when it comes out next week! I highly recommend this one. It has something for everyone to enjoy and so many reveals and things that will just knock your socks off!

Until next time…

Impressive and fun! So much fun! Tricia Levenseller's first novel is an energetic whirl of banter, hate to love tropes, action, and tricky plotting. Fantasy and adventure combine to make a fresh and lively storyline with some dynamic characters. Daughter of the Pirate King is clever and amusing and zips along from chapter to chapter, never letting up on the entertainment. Lots of fun, plenty of action, and also featuring a fantastic main character in the titular Alosa. She's clever, capable, cutthroat; a woman with a plan for everything and every situation. To say this was a good beginning for the series is an understatement.

The voice in this is fantastic. Alosa carries the novel and she does so ably; she's smart, snarky, brash, and confident. It's easy to get caught up in her forthright and ambitious narration -- though admittedly she does read as much older than her stated 17 years. She's what you would expect from the daughter of a pirate king. From outsmarting older pirates to watching her match wits and exchange banter with her love interest, Alosa is unpredictable and engaging. She's fun to read and she makes up a large part of why Daughter of the Pirate King ends up the success it is.

3.5 stars

I'll be completely honest: this wasn't something I requested when I first saw it. I'm sure I would have picked it up eventually, but there was something that kept me from getting it. I had a couple of friends tell me that it was amazing, so I grabbed it.

I liked Alosa. She's smart and sassy and kicks some serious ass. I enjoyed her manipulation and games and her love for frilly dresses. Of course Riden was delightful and their banter was fun.

The plot was where I struggled a bit. It seemed repetitive after a bit. And while there were some interesting revelations, I just couldn't get captivated by the story. However, the characters are what will get me to read the next book.

**Huge thanks to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for providing the arc free of charge**

Charming, swashbuckling delightful fun with all the ingredients to a top-notch adventure - a mysterious map, missing treasure, a handsome first mate, and a fantastic piratical heroine. Can't wait for book two!

Daughter Of The Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller is one of those books that popped up on my radar totally unexpectedly. I mean, I was not even aware of it until this Netgalley email came in that boiled down to – YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. Far be it from me to resist hype. Also? I just really, really love books about pirates. Straight up, if you like the Jacky Faber books, you’re going to really enjoy Daughter Of The Pirate King. Although, the main character of this book is quite a bit more refined than Jacky.

Daughter Of The Pirate King begins with immediate action. Alosa, the protagonist, is on a ship that is getting captured by another pirate. She fights hard, but is at an impasse when the other pirate’s crew begin slicing throats one by one. When Alosa’s best friend is threatened, she turns herself in. Now Alosa is on board Draxen’s ship. Draxen is the son of one of the pirate lords, FYI.

As it turns out, Alosa has a plan in mind and what just happened in those opening pages is flipped, turned upside down. And so, Alosa, whose dad is king of the pirates, begins her search of Draxen’s ship for a piece of a map to a legendary island containing riches beyond imagination.

Alosa’s character might seem too clever to be true. However, let’s be realistic here. She’s a woman on a ship surrounded by men. Most underestimate her and she takes advantage of that. Furthermore, she is her father’s daughter and has had practice with these types of situations. Also, Alosa has an ace up her sleeve which leant an interesting avenue for this book to take. I definitely enjoyed reading from Alosa’s point of view and totally found myself cheering every time she got out of one mess or another.

Of course, acting in concert with but also sometimes as a foil to Alosa is the first mate, Riden. Riden is Draxen’s little brother. Unlike Draxen, he is not unnecessarily cruel. Riden finds Alosa to be a bit of a pain in the ass. However, the two have this slow burn between them and of course, we know romance is going to happen. And goodness, when it did, IT WAS AWESOME. I definitely thought the romance in Daughter Of The Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller was well worth the price of admission. As you read, you can’t help but ship Riden and Alosa. There’s chemistry and balance between the two.

Tricia Levenseller is a debut author, and wow does she have a winner on her hands. Daughter Of The Pirate King is a fast paced adventure set on the high seas. There are spades of interesting characters, twists, and turns. Alosa is the kind of character who I can’t wait to spend another book with. There is going to be a sequel. However, this book does resolve a few things so I am not too aggravated at any cliffhangers or anything. Plus, I cannot wait for more Riden and Alosa. In all, this is one debut you absolutely won’t want to just ignore.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've heard a LOT of advanced buzz about this book, so when I got my hands on it, I was very excited to read it. When it started, it felt a little slow to me (though that could have been because I haven't been feeling well), and I wondered what the buzz was all about.

Then I got to the "twist/reveal" (no worries, no spoilers). Then things picked up. Then I could appreciate the "slow" start (which wasn't really slow at all). I was totally invested in the characters and loved the new angle I saw them, especially Alosa, the title character.

I've always been a fan of pirates. I think this book lived up to the legacy they've left tenfold. And I love seeing a strong female lead who cares about the well-being of others!

***5 STARS***

*HUGE thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Netgalley, and Tricia Levenseller for the eGalley of Daughter of the Pirate King

PLOT

Daughter of the Pirate King is the story of Alosa, a 17 year old pirate captain who has been sent by the Pirate King AKA her father to find a hidden map. Alosa along with her crew of female pirates plot her own kidnapping, fully intending to allow herself to be taken by another ships captain. She downplays her physical capabilities as well as other abilities that would give her a serious advantage in any physical altercation. The objective is to be taken onto the ship in order to find the hidden map that will lead them to a Island filled with treasures. There are three important/royal pirate families descended from three well known & highly feared pirates. Alosa is descended from the Pirate King himself and they hold one of the maps needed to find the island, the other two maps can be found within the other two pirate families. Alosa successfully manages to pull off being kidnapped however, her mission turns out to be much more difficult than she had anticipated. Although she was trained by the Pirate King himself in a all manners of defense, it is keeping those skills hidden that will prove to be her biggest weapon. We get to follow Alosa on board the enemy ship as she gathers intel all the while trying not to raise suspicions. After all, no one can know that she fully intended to be captured or what she hopes to find...

CHARACTERS

The characters in Daughter of the Pirate King remind me plenty of those in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise only I enjoyed this cast a bit more. Starting with Alosa, the daughter who wants nothing more than to make her father proud and follow in his footsteps ruling the seas. Alosa is strong physically & mentally, she is also very sharp & sarcastic which quickly made her a fave. We get a bit of background on her and how she came to be so strong. Her relationship with her father is not a positive one but Alosa is very proud & grateful for how it has molded her into a force to be reckoned with. Alosa has a crew of women on her very own ship, all of which she has handpicked herself. Each woman has their strengths & Alosa values everyone one her crew. Once on the enemy ship, we get introduced to their captain and first mate who happen to be brothers. Alosa & the first mate have some fierce chemistry and their banter throughout the book often made me laugh out loud and visibly shake my head. These two know which buttons to press to get the other one going & NOTHING is too far below the belt. There is plenty more that I LOVED about Alosa that I can't quite say because *spoilers* but just know that she is seriously kick a**! I got Merida from Brave/ blended with Jack Sparrow/Pirates of the Caribbean vibes & I couldn't get enough. I haven't had this much fun with a cast of characters like I have with Daughter of the Pirate King, in a very long time!

WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS

Ok, the selfish bookworm in me just wants to get this out of the way...this book was way too short for me! I need more of this fantastic crew, more of this adventure/quest, more Riden! I had so much fun reading Daughter of the Pirate King that I seriously had to pace myself when I noticed that I was inhaling the book. I want to gush all about what I loved about Alosa but I know that I can't for fear of spoilers lol. The YA Fantasy genre has been a go to for me this past year & therefore has gotten bit harder to find new story lines/characters. However, not only is Alosa a refreshing new character but she will catch you unawares. Just like she manages to keep the crew of the enemy ship in the dark, we the reader also don't fully grasp the depth of her skills. We get introduced to a very cocky, self-assured, and brave female protagonist & then we are shown that she can back up everything that she says & thinks she is. Hands down my 1st fave female protagonist in YA Fantasy since...thinking...thinking...yea no, she simply is my favorite (the Illuminae Files girls don't count cuz that's more sci-fi lol). This being Tricia Levenseller's debut fantasy series, i'd say she's onto something here cuz who doesn't like pirates? this book will leave you wanting to hop on the next ship out of port to your very first adventure with no care in sight. Many of the fighting scenes have a cinematic feel and overall was a ton of fun to visualize. I can't wait for the sequel to Daughter of the Pirate King, the next adventure that i'm sure will be packed with non-stop surprises ;)

Are any of my bookish peeps looking forward to meeting Alosa, Daughter of the Pirate King? What do you make of that cover? I can't stop staring at her fierce red hair contrasted against the black & cream parchment *heart eyes*

***Review will go live on my blog LairOf Books & Goodreads on Sunday 2/12/2017 @ 10am EST. links to be added once review goes live on Sunday. Thanks again for the eGalley!

The Daughter of the Pirate King is a seafaring story with a sprinkling of some magic and mythical elements. Sent on a secret mission by her father, Alosa, the Pirate King's daughter, first arranges her capture and then works hard to not escape her captors. The banter between opposing sides is abundant, and as the novel unfolds, additional secrets are revealed which leave you questioning who should be trusted. Alosa herself is not certain who she wants to trust and who she wants to get close to.

The plot was interesting... some romance, some sword fighting, and a smidgen of the mythical mixed in. I wasn't as enthralled by this book as much as I imagined I would be, but I would definitely recommend it as an entertaining story. I guess I should admit that once I started it, I didn't put it down until it was finished.

Tricia Levenseller’s Daughter of the Pirate King is a fun adventure

DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING by Tricia Levenseller, Feiwel & Friends, Feb. 28, 2017, Hardcover, $17.99 (young adult)

I usually have so much to read, that I struggle to read anything too far in advance of its release. That’s not the case of Tricia Levenseller’s Daughter of the Pirate King. In fact, even though I’m reviewing it two weeks prior to its release, I actually finished it a few weeks ago. And it’s stuck with me for all the right reasons.

Seventeen-year-old Alosa is the daughter of the pirate king, and as such, she’s a deadly foe. The problem is, you usually don’t find that out until it’s too late.

So when Alosa is captured by her enemies, they’re right to be cautious. But some are more careful than others. Riden, the first mate, can’t quite put his finger on it, but knows Alosa is up to something.

It turns out Riden is right. Alosa deliberately allowed her enemies to capture her. Now she has the chance to search their ship for an ancient hidden map that leads to a legendary treasure. But to get to the map, Alos must get past Riden, and he’s not about to go down without a fight.

I picked up Daughter of the Pirate King shortly after reading three excellent, but hard books. I needed a light adventure and that’s exactly what I got.

Daughter of the Pirate King is what I imagine the writers of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Princess Bride would come up with if they sat down together. The book features gallant heroes, evil masters, quirky sidekicks and more than one surprise.

What I loved most of all, though, was Alosa. In her debut author Tricia Levenseller’s voice shines. Alosa exterior is confident, bold and sarcastic — all things you’d expect from a pirate captain — but it’s the little pieces on the interior that Tricia lets slip that rally make Alosa a character you want to root for. Tricia’s pacing is also commendable. She builds tension and excitement with ease, but never goes so far as to make her book or her characters into caricatures.

Daughter of the Pirate King is a fast-paced adventure full of action and romance with a little mystery thrown in for good measure. I’m excited to see where the author takes this story in the future.

I am always on board for more pirate stories. (Heh.) But all of the books I've read recently that were supposed to be about pirates...weren't. Not really. Not even the one called Lady Pirate. These books all featured pirate ships on the covers and sounded like they'd be a welcome romp on the high seas, but none of them could hold a candle to Daughter of the Pirate King.

First and foremost, I think you should know that I wouldn't consider this YA, except for the age of the main characters and that very middle-grade-looking cover. Oh, and the fact that there's no actual sex, though I've read plenty of adult novels that don't include that either, so that's not actually all that telling. Daughter of the Pirate King is violent and brutal and bloody and clever AF. And it deserves a better cover, in my opinion. I know the publisher gave it an "upgrade", but all that did was add a few more spots of blood and give boobs to the main character. It needs a cover more representative of how badass this book is.

But I digress. This book was everything I'd hoped for in a pirate book. For one, the plot actually occurs at sea, rather than on land. There's thieving and treasure and all manner of fighting. A lot of death, too. Some random. Some unnecessary. And some just outright vengeful. And I don't know what this says about me, but I loved every second of it.

Oh, and the magical aspect is just brilliant. I didn't know it was happening until it was happening, and then I was like, damn, son. I was blind-sided by a few aspects of this novel, and I couldn't be happier. But then Alosa would point something out as she narrated and seemed relatively oblivious as to why she'd noticed in the first place, and then I felt like I had one up on her. Even though she was the master of surprises herself.

And now we come to the part where I discuss the romance, which was just UNGH. I. Love. Banter. And these two pirates are relentless with it. He's cocky and arrogant and I can't help but feel it's all a facade. Alosa is...the same, but not. Her secrets mean she keeps most at arm's length, but little by little, she lets him in. And the teasing, will-they-won't-they just about drove me nuts. I am SO on board for this ship.

I pretty much loved everything about this book. Daughter of the Pirate King was so good. So good. And then it just...ended. I was like, wait, where's the final chapter? It wasn't a cliffhanger. Nothing like that. But I think I still had all that battle lust going on and then it was just over and I just had all these feelings left over. Which means a very torturous wait for the next installment, but at least I know it'll be worth it.