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book_gremlin_caitlyn's review
4.0
What a wonderful story! I loved the way they portrayed the characters and the pirate world! Can’t wait for the second book!
lilibetbombshell's review
4.0
This is the second Wattpad Books title I have read in the last couple of months to really surprise me (the other being “Big Boned”, which I was blown away by). They must be putting something in the water over there (figuratively speaking), because this book is excellent. It’s everything I like about pirates and leaves out a whole lot of the stuff I don’t like to think about when I think about pirates.
It’s no secret to people who know me that I have… issues with pirate fantasy novels. Mainly because when there’s romance involved authors tend to gloss right over all the things I find gross and nasty about pirates and I can only suspend my belief so much before I get grossed out. I don’t care how hot the Captain of that pirate ship is: he probably still has scurvy, rickets, missing teeth, and who knows what else.
Luckily, this pirate fantasy novel takes care of most of those worries for me by having the characters spend most of their time on land, and by leaving the romance to almost-entirely romantic tension and off-screen love scenes. The pacing (which was deftly edited and wielded effectively) and the plot (in which, for the most part, time is of the essence), doesn’t lend itself to long and tender heartfelt moments or a lot of alone time for any of the romantically-paired love interests. Really, it doesn’t leave a whole lot of alone time for anyone. This is mostly a treasure hunt with a tiny bit of heist, a dash of puzzle-solving, and a sprinkling of fighting for your survival with whatever you can get your hands on under a lot of pressure and a time limit.
So, in a way, you can see influences and inspirations from Pirates of the Caribbean, Six of Crows, The Hunger Games, and even Throne of Glass (I can’t help but draw some parallels between the crew of the Scarlet Maiden and The Thirteen, I’m sorry). I’m not saying these books/movies have anything to do with this book, necessarily, but it’s like I can see those properties looking down on this book and nodding with some sort of approval in their eyes.
I was surprised, I wasn’t repelled by it being a pirate fantasy, and I had a good time reading it. It was a rather fast read for me, given I didn’t really want to stop reading. I’ll definitely be back. You’ll want to come back too.
It’s no secret to people who know me that I have… issues with pirate fantasy novels. Mainly because when there’s romance involved authors tend to gloss right over all the things I find gross and nasty about pirates and I can only suspend my belief so much before I get grossed out. I don’t care how hot the Captain of that pirate ship is: he probably still has scurvy, rickets, missing teeth, and who knows what else.
Luckily, this pirate fantasy novel takes care of most of those worries for me by having the characters spend most of their time on land, and by leaving the romance to almost-entirely romantic tension and off-screen love scenes. The pacing (which was deftly edited and wielded effectively) and the plot (in which, for the most part, time is of the essence), doesn’t lend itself to long and tender heartfelt moments or a lot of alone time for any of the romantically-paired love interests. Really, it doesn’t leave a whole lot of alone time for anyone. This is mostly a treasure hunt with a tiny bit of heist, a dash of puzzle-solving, and a sprinkling of fighting for your survival with whatever you can get your hands on under a lot of pressure and a time limit.
So, in a way, you can see influences and inspirations from Pirates of the Caribbean, Six of Crows, The Hunger Games, and even Throne of Glass (I can’t help but draw some parallels between the crew of the Scarlet Maiden and The Thirteen, I’m sorry). I’m not saying these books/movies have anything to do with this book, necessarily, but it’s like I can see those properties looking down on this book and nodding with some sort of approval in their eyes.
I was surprised, I wasn’t repelled by it being a pirate fantasy, and I had a good time reading it. It was a rather fast read for me, given I didn’t really want to stop reading. I’ll definitely be back. You’ll want to come back too.
book_geek15's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad books for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for a review.
Crossbones has been an anticipated read of mine ever since I saw the cover reveal at the beginning of March. I had been looking for my next amazing pirate read and Crossbones was that book!
My favorite part of the story was the the relationships between the characters, and not just the romance scenes. Bonds like the one between the Abado sisters and the one between Kane and his father were very well written and helped the reader understand why each character acted the way they did. The only thing I wish I saw more of was sea battles, although I did love the one that was included. Hopefully the next book, which I will definitely be reading, will include more pirate ship fights and a closer look at the magic system the author created! All in all Crossbones was a fantastic read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves dagger based love confessions, snarky pirates, and a great cast of characters.
Crossbones has been an anticipated read of mine ever since I saw the cover reveal at the beginning of March. I had been looking for my next amazing pirate read and Crossbones was that book!
My favorite part of the story was the the relationships between the characters, and not just the romance scenes. Bonds like the one between the Abado sisters and the one between Kane and his father were very well written and helped the reader understand why each character acted the way they did. The only thing I wish I saw more of was sea battles, although I did love the one that was included. Hopefully the next book, which I will definitely be reading, will include more pirate ship fights and a closer look at the magic system the author created! All in all Crossbones was a fantastic read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves dagger based love confessions, snarky pirates, and a great cast of characters.
dream1ngcostsmoney's review
4.0
4.5 stars
whoa, since when did wattpad books get good?? it was slow at first but once the pace picks up DAMN IT PICKS UP
my only complaint is i feel like kane seemed a little too protective of lorelei but i understand why, lorelei isn’t exactly the most capable person out there. but geez, give her a chance to protect herself!
other than that this was surprisingly good, go read it omg it’s so underrated
whoa, since when did wattpad books get good?? it was slow at first but once the pace picks up DAMN IT PICKS UP
my only complaint is i feel like kane seemed a little too protective of lorelei but i understand why, lorelei isn’t exactly the most capable person out there. but geez, give her a chance to protect herself!
other than that this was surprisingly good, go read it omg it’s so underrated
keepcalmblogon's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It took me a minute to get around to reading Crossbones and after finishing it, I CANNOT WAIT to read DARK TIDES!
I give Crossbones four stars! There are poignant quotes, which I dog-eared (I couldn’t find my page markers, I’m sorry!), and themes of found family, enemies-to-lovers, and a hidden heir.
The Characters in this book are probably my favorite aspect! Of course a hidden heir mystery and a treasure hunt are fun on their own, but found family gives me all the feels.
The pacing of Crossbones was very well done, but I could feel at points that this may have originally been serialized on Wattpad? Sometimes a plot point appeared out of the blue, kind of unnaturally (r.e. Flynn and the crown, teaming up, two major LI’s interest in each other). I also felt there were character aspects that could have been better developed, like Csilla’s jaded nature isn’t really given fodder to back up how often she says she was betrayed in the past by people she trusted.
My biggest issue is a major plot hole though:
is the major plot hole of the Storm line not having produced male heirs, so even though there were blooded female Storms, they could not be queen, but the solution to this problem was to create The Trials, which then allowed women to become queen anyway if they won. That was a logic plothole that bugged me the whole way through and the only thing that made me feel better was when I decided on my own that the sexist royalists basically implied a woman could only be queen if she won The Trials. If Vale had just thrown that tidbit in there somewhere, I think it wouldn’t have bothered me as much.
I give Crossbones four stars! There are poignant quotes, which I dog-eared (I couldn’t find my page markers, I’m sorry!), and themes of found family, enemies-to-lovers, and a hidden heir.
The Characters in this book are probably my favorite aspect! Of course a hidden heir mystery and a treasure hunt are fun on their own, but found family gives me all the feels.
The pacing of Crossbones was very well done, but I could feel at points that this may have originally been serialized on Wattpad? Sometimes a plot point appeared out of the blue, kind of unnaturally (r.e. Flynn and the crown, teaming up, two major LI’s interest in each other). I also felt there were character aspects that could have been better developed, like Csilla’s jaded nature isn’t really given fodder to back up how often she says she was betrayed in the past by people she trusted.
My biggest issue is a major plot hole though:
destinedreads's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really enjoyed this book throughout. I’ve hit a wall when it came to books and this kind of brought me out. It was something new and interesting for me because I’ve never read any book about pirates before. They definitely had some good twist and turns when the book came to it but overall the ending and everything was kind of anticlimactic for me. Seemed like more happened in the cave then at the very end and I would’ve just liked for that all to happen differently like for Csilla she deserved more dramatics honestly so it just left me wanting more. I’d read the second book but I’m not in a hurry.
mandalynreads's review
3.75
The Blood Bell tolls, marking the death of the pirate king and the start of the Trials—a heart-stopping competition where the reward is the Bone Crown. Only one contender can claim the coveted island throne; each will gamble life and limb to win. Three worlds collide trying to prove themselves and make it out alive.
First off - I really enjoyed this book. While reading I could note issues or that certain things weren't the best, but I really enjoyed reading it the entire time. The writing was easy, the story was interesting, and the characters were fun. It gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes but in a YA fantasy way.
The book does read very much like a Ya fantasy (take that as you will). I will there was more exploration of the world and the magic in it. I was confused about the magic even when the book ended. With some edits this book could have easily been 600+ pages and an amazing epic fantasy. But that's not what it was, and it accomplished what it set out to do.
I will say, the trails don't start until the 50% mark, and I was a little disappointed in them. The first part of the story where the trials aren't happening yet were a lot more interesting to me than the actual trials - which is so odd for me because I love book competitions.
I am so glad this was a standalone. I loved the world and would have totally read a series about it, but part of what pulled me in was seeing a standalone pirate fantasy.
Overall - if you want a fun easy book with found family, pirates, trails, strong women, magic, and lots of angst this is a great pick.
Thanks to Netgalley and Wattpad publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange or an honest review!
First off - I really enjoyed this book. While reading I could note issues or that certain things weren't the best, but I really enjoyed reading it the entire time. The writing was easy, the story was interesting, and the characters were fun. It gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes but in a YA fantasy way.
The book does read very much like a Ya fantasy (take that as you will). I will there was more exploration of the world and the magic in it. I was confused about the magic even when the book ended. With some edits this book could have easily been 600+ pages and an amazing epic fantasy. But that's not what it was, and it accomplished what it set out to do.
I will say, the trails don't start until the 50% mark, and I was a little disappointed in them. The first part of the story where the trials aren't happening yet were a lot more interesting to me than the actual trials - which is so odd for me because I love book competitions.
I am so glad this was a standalone. I loved the world and would have totally read a series about it, but part of what pulled me in was seeing a standalone pirate fantasy.
Overall - if you want a fun easy book with found family, pirates, trails, strong women, magic, and lots of angst this is a great pick.
Thanks to Netgalley and Wattpad publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange or an honest review!
ecmross's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0