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becxreadz's review
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Liked
*Unique story
*Historical
*Pirates and sea setting
*Strong fmc and protective mmc
*Fast paced
*Action packed
*Unique story
*Historical
*Pirates and sea setting
*Strong fmc and protective mmc
*Fast paced
*Action packed
kiaramedina's review
5.0
*I read this in April and reviewed it then. I read it as a hardcover. My review of Blackhearts here. Spoilers for Blackhearts, obviously. As always, this is my honest opinion. All my reviews are available on: www.theterriblebookblogger.wordpress.com
THIS IS A SERIES GUYS OR A TRILOGY OR SOMETHING. WHAT I MEAN IS THAT THERE'S AT LEAST ANOTHER BOOK COMING AND FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT THIS WAS A DOULOGY AND I CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW GLAD I AM THAT I WAS WRONG.
I absolutely loved Blackhearts. Like, with all my heart, loved. I devoured it. I was worried that Blacksouls wouldn't live up to my super high expectations, but it did.
In my review of Blackhearts, I talked about how much I wanted to see the Caribbean menitioned, and I got my wish. While, I wish there would have been more descriptions of the area, Nicole Castroman got a couple of things spot on (humidity, heat, and mosquitos). It was a lot of fun seeing the story take place in islands like mine.
Obviously, Anne and Teach were perfect. I loved them throughout this novel, I loved that there was no manufactured angst, and the problems they faced they dealt with like intelligent human beings. Feelings aren't just one dimensional, and there was a depth to their arguments.
The new characters were easy to love and root for. I can't wait to see more of them. (Reva is particularly awesome).
This story is engaging, and you read it quickly without meaning into. Whenever I picked up the book, I was immediately sucked in. There's a lot of snark in this book and a lot of laughs. I found myself screaming and laughing and commenting OUT LOUD like a madman. It's definitely an experience to read one of these books.
I really loved this book. It comes back with a bang and a plot that's impossible to put down. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
THIS IS A SERIES GUYS OR A TRILOGY OR SOMETHING. WHAT I MEAN IS THAT THERE'S AT LEAST ANOTHER BOOK COMING AND FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT THIS WAS A DOULOGY AND I CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW GLAD I AM THAT I WAS WRONG.
I absolutely loved Blackhearts. Like, with all my heart, loved. I devoured it. I was worried that Blacksouls wouldn't live up to my super high expectations, but it did.
In my review of Blackhearts, I talked about how much I wanted to see the Caribbean menitioned, and I got my wish. While, I wish there would have been more descriptions of the area, Nicole Castroman got a couple of things spot on (humidity, heat, and mosquitos). It was a lot of fun seeing the story take place in islands like mine.
Obviously, Anne and Teach were perfect. I loved them throughout this novel, I loved that there was no manufactured angst, and the problems they faced they dealt with like intelligent human beings. Feelings aren't just one dimensional, and there was a depth to their arguments.
The new characters were easy to love and root for. I can't wait to see more of them. (Reva is particularly awesome).
This story is engaging, and you read it quickly without meaning into. Whenever I picked up the book, I was immediately sucked in. There's a lot of snark in this book and a lot of laughs. I found myself screaming and laughing and commenting OUT LOUD like a madman. It's definitely an experience to read one of these books.
I really loved this book. It comes back with a bang and a plot that's impossible to put down. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
moonprismbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book was adventurous from start to finishing following Teach & Anne’s adventure to and on Nassau! I liked this one a lot more than Blackhearts, but both were so much fun to read!
I really like Anne & Teach’s characters and both have developed and grown as people & together. They both can stand strong on their own and are stronger when they’re together. Each of them needed saving and were willing to risk it all to secure their safety.
I don’t have any complaints about this series except that I need a third book!!! I need to know what happens in Jamaica!
I really like Anne & Teach’s characters and both have developed and grown as people & together. They both can stand strong on their own and are stronger when they’re together. Each of them needed saving and were willing to risk it all to secure their safety.
I don’t have any complaints about this series except that I need a third book!!! I need to know what happens in Jamaica!
the_cover_contessa's review
4.0
You didn't read Blackhearts? Ok, so you should go do that! Because, while I didn't love it as much as this one, you really do need its background to understand the relationships in this book, and the storyline, really. If you don't go read it, you're selling yourself short if you don't! Plus, you might just see some spoilers in this review, and I wouldn't want that for you!
This book picks up where Blackhearts left off. Anne has left England and Teach has jumped ship to try and find her. They sail on different ships but oh so close.
I truly loved the in depth look we got through Anne's eyes this time around. She has become such a strong character with a determination that keeps her going no matter the situation into which she is put. She truly takes care of her own needs, though she does worry about others at the same time. She has a wonderful heart.
I admire Teach's determination in this book, as well. Nothing will keep him from finding his true love. And he goes after what he wants for sure. He is also unwilling to let Anne come to harm, no matter how much she might want to put herself in harm's way! It was nice to watch their relationship grow even closer in this story.
I will say this book had a faster pace than the first. I know the first definitely had more of a world building to it and that's probably why I found it to lag a bit. But for me this one did not have a dull moment. I kept wanting the next scene to come. I kept needing to see what would happen next. And the author was really able to capture the imagery of the Caribbean for me. I felt like I was there, the warm tropical breeze blowing through my own hair!
My only fault with this book...hello will there be a third? With the way things ended, though not a total cliffhanger per se, the story is definitely not concluded. I need to know where it goes from here and who comes out the winner on the other end (you can imagine I'll be routing for Anne and Teach!).
This book picks up where Blackhearts left off. Anne has left England and Teach has jumped ship to try and find her. They sail on different ships but oh so close.
I truly loved the in depth look we got through Anne's eyes this time around. She has become such a strong character with a determination that keeps her going no matter the situation into which she is put. She truly takes care of her own needs, though she does worry about others at the same time. She has a wonderful heart.
I admire Teach's determination in this book, as well. Nothing will keep him from finding his true love. And he goes after what he wants for sure. He is also unwilling to let Anne come to harm, no matter how much she might want to put herself in harm's way! It was nice to watch their relationship grow even closer in this story.
I will say this book had a faster pace than the first. I know the first definitely had more of a world building to it and that's probably why I found it to lag a bit. But for me this one did not have a dull moment. I kept wanting the next scene to come. I kept needing to see what would happen next. And the author was really able to capture the imagery of the Caribbean for me. I felt like I was there, the warm tropical breeze blowing through my own hair!
My only fault with this book...hello will there be a third? With the way things ended, though not a total cliffhanger per se, the story is definitely not concluded. I need to know where it goes from here and who comes out the winner on the other end (you can imagine I'll be routing for Anne and Teach!).
ladytook's review
5.0
I'm always super scared of sequels, but I'm very pleased with this one! While it did have a different feel from the first one, I was not disappointed at all! In fact I absolutely LOVED seeing all the events that lead up to the fate of those characters. Definitely such a great, it was one of those books, I couldn't put down.
cozykrysti's review
5.0
It’s rare that I enjoy a sequel to a book that I loved even more than the original, but that was certainly the case with Blacksouls. This book is adventurous and swoony but also has some really important messages and themes as well.
Blacksouls was an absolute pleasure to read. I fell in love with this series with Blackhearts, but I actually enjoyed this second book even more. Nicole Castroman took everything great that she had going on in Blackhearts and just really took it to the next level.
One thing that I adored about this book, is how it continued the steady progression through Blackbeard’s origin story that Castroman began in Blackhearts. It takes it time, developing his character at just the perfect pace. There hasn’t been just one sudden, devastating event that turned him from merchant’s son to pirate, but a steady progression of plot points that are pushing his character ever closer to the Blackbeard of legend.
I also love the fact that these books are not just about Blackbeard (Teach). They are equally about Anne, who is an incredible character in her own right. She has her own story that is so important and is applicable both to the time period the story is told in and today. Her story really focuses on the themes of discrimination, feminism, and the horrors of slavery.
The romance between Anne and Teach continues to sizzle. I love the dynamic between the two of them. I adore that Anne is so completely herself with him, and their banter is always so much fun to read. Castroman has done a great job continuing the storyline of the romance into book two, so that it is still just as compelling as it was in book one.
This book does have some high-seas adventure, but a lot of the story does still take place on land, this time in Nassau. The way the setting is progressively taking place more and more at sea perfectly reflects the progression of Teach’s character, and I very much enjoyed that.
I loved this book, and I’m so hoping for another installment in this series!
Blacksouls was an absolute pleasure to read. I fell in love with this series with Blackhearts, but I actually enjoyed this second book even more. Nicole Castroman took everything great that she had going on in Blackhearts and just really took it to the next level.
One thing that I adored about this book, is how it continued the steady progression through Blackbeard’s origin story that Castroman began in Blackhearts. It takes it time, developing his character at just the perfect pace. There hasn’t been just one sudden, devastating event that turned him from merchant’s son to pirate, but a steady progression of plot points that are pushing his character ever closer to the Blackbeard of legend.
I also love the fact that these books are not just about Blackbeard (Teach). They are equally about Anne, who is an incredible character in her own right. She has her own story that is so important and is applicable both to the time period the story is told in and today. Her story really focuses on the themes of discrimination, feminism, and the horrors of slavery.
The romance between Anne and Teach continues to sizzle. I love the dynamic between the two of them. I adore that Anne is so completely herself with him, and their banter is always so much fun to read. Castroman has done a great job continuing the storyline of the romance into book two, so that it is still just as compelling as it was in book one.
This book does have some high-seas adventure, but a lot of the story does still take place on land, this time in Nassau. The way the setting is progressively taking place more and more at sea perfectly reflects the progression of Teach’s character, and I very much enjoyed that.
I loved this book, and I’m so hoping for another installment in this series!
haileyshaver's review against another edition
5.0
yeah this is my favourite book ever. the naming of queen anne’s revenge was so good, i love all of it with my entire heart
trisarey's review
4.0
I received a free copy of Blacksouls as part of the FFBC Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review.
Enter the GIVEAWAY on my blog, Absolute Bookishness. (Ends 5/3/2017.)
A lovers’ drama sails across the open seas in Nicole Castroman’s long-awaited second installment in the Blackhearts series. A tale of two lovers–Anne Barrett and Edward “Teach” Drummond–trying to carve out their own existence in a world where wicked men with even more sinister aims wield unnatural stores of resources and power. Blacksouls is a journey through the troubled waters of Anne and Teach’s uncertain circumstances as they struggle to reunite and, later, hold on to each other as forces work to rend them apart. Often, it reflects back to the cruelties and abduction that forced Anne onto the Providence (a sorry excuse for a seaworthy vessel) and Teach, the Deliverance (the pride of the seas). With the help of her new friends, Cara and Coyle, Anne makes her way to Nassau, a strange land filled more treachery than she first surmised, despite its turquoise waters and paradisaical landscape. Whatever she can learn of the Deliverance‘s fate and the inner workings of the island is through Alastair, Cara and Coyle’s uncle, and Beth, the object of his affection. As danger, in the form of two approaching pirate ships, lurks off the coast of New Providence, Teach battles his way to shore, only to be accused of mutiny. To spare his crew’s lives, Teach must find a notorious pirate, George Easton,* and bring him to justice.
Castroman’s story treks both leagues of seawater and a spectrum of civil right issues–touching on abolition, feminism, and miscegenation–that still bear relevance in our modern era. Yet, within the depths of it all rests Anne and Teach’s resistance against the restraints of tyrannical authority figures and seizure of their own autonomy. They war to become lords and masters of their own fate, and champions of freedom for others, even in the face of terrible risks. But what they lack in patience, wisdom, and experience, they make up for in strength, bravery, resourcefulness, and loyalty…and allies. Anne and Teach’s efforts don’t go unnoticed or unrewarded. And they each bear scars to prove it. But that’s not all that awaits…
Castroman wields her literary craft to weave an intricate tale filled with passion, intrigue, and deception that wrenches your gut and leaves you emotional yet hopeful. (Though I anticipated more depth where some issues were concerned, Castroman did not disappoint.) As she does so, Castroman breathes life into new dynamic characters to love and hate, and brandishes nautical terms and details of the period like a seasoned corsair. Arrr! Blacksouls is a Pirates-of-the-Caribbean-esque novel of love, independence, and injustices you’ll want to dive into, that cries out for a captivating, swashbuckling sequel.
*I assume he’s based off of Peter Easton, a lesser known pirate of the early 17th century–with some liberties taken with his timeline.
The original review was posted on Absolute Bookishness.
Enter the GIVEAWAY on my blog, Absolute Bookishness. (Ends 5/3/2017.)
A lovers’ drama sails across the open seas in Nicole Castroman’s long-awaited second installment in the Blackhearts series. A tale of two lovers–Anne Barrett and Edward “Teach” Drummond–trying to carve out their own existence in a world where wicked men with even more sinister aims wield unnatural stores of resources and power. Blacksouls is a journey through the troubled waters of Anne and Teach’s uncertain circumstances as they struggle to reunite and, later, hold on to each other as forces work to rend them apart. Often, it reflects back to the cruelties and abduction that forced Anne onto the Providence (a sorry excuse for a seaworthy vessel) and Teach, the Deliverance (the pride of the seas). With the help of her new friends, Cara and Coyle, Anne makes her way to Nassau, a strange land filled more treachery than she first surmised, despite its turquoise waters and paradisaical landscape. Whatever she can learn of the Deliverance‘s fate and the inner workings of the island is through Alastair, Cara and Coyle’s uncle, and Beth, the object of his affection. As danger, in the form of two approaching pirate ships, lurks off the coast of New Providence, Teach battles his way to shore, only to be accused of mutiny. To spare his crew’s lives, Teach must find a notorious pirate, George Easton,* and bring him to justice.
Castroman’s story treks both leagues of seawater and a spectrum of civil right issues–touching on abolition, feminism, and miscegenation–that still bear relevance in our modern era. Yet, within the depths of it all rests Anne and Teach’s resistance against the restraints of tyrannical authority figures and seizure of their own autonomy. They war to become lords and masters of their own fate, and champions of freedom for others, even in the face of terrible risks. But what they lack in patience, wisdom, and experience, they make up for in strength, bravery, resourcefulness, and loyalty…and allies. Anne and Teach’s efforts don’t go unnoticed or unrewarded. And they each bear scars to prove it. But that’s not all that awaits…
Castroman wields her literary craft to weave an intricate tale filled with passion, intrigue, and deception that wrenches your gut and leaves you emotional yet hopeful. (Though I anticipated more depth where some issues were concerned, Castroman did not disappoint.) As she does so, Castroman breathes life into new dynamic characters to love and hate, and brandishes nautical terms and details of the period like a seasoned corsair. Arrr! Blacksouls is a Pirates-of-the-Caribbean-esque novel of love, independence, and injustices you’ll want to dive into, that cries out for a captivating, swashbuckling sequel.
*I assume he’s based off of Peter Easton, a lesser known pirate of the early 17th century–with some liberties taken with his timeline.
The original review was posted on Absolute Bookishness.
hollyannmccann's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
rita4canavarro's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it and found it mediocre at the same time because i liked the ending (it was devastating!!) but Anne was unsufferable and Teach sincerly could have been more mature (not everyone is in love with Anne just chill...)