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mary_trot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Moderate: Death of parent and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Blood, Misogyny, Classism, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Grief, Incest, Alcohol, and Confinement
Minor: Fatphobia, Vomit, Body shaming, Animal death, Infidelity, War, Terminal illness, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, and Pregnancy
livetgjennomb_ker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
It presents itself as Bridgerton meets Peaky Blinders which makes it sound like it’s about to be a whole lot grittier than it is. I’d say this is closer to Bridgerton meets Pirates of the Caribbean but with houses. It’s silly and camp, so why is it trying to distance itself from that silliness by dragging PB into it?
In addition to this none of the supposed danger feels real. It’s all extremely surface level. I am supposed to believe that both Cecilia and Ned are super dangerous pirates who can kill you quickly and easily, without so much as a second thought, but at no point in the entire book do they do anything to back up their claims of villainy?
It’s a fine book if you’re after some silliness that doesn’t take itself (or history) too seriously, but don’t expect anything life changing.
ETA: it feels like a book written about twenty years ago. Had it come out then I’m 78% sure it would have had a film adaptation, as it leans towards the kind of adventure film that was available in the early aughts
Minor: Murder, Death of parent, Sexual content, Colonisation, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
mariahmmm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
What a chaotic story! Nothing makes sense, and that is part of the book's charm. Filled with quirky characters with a strange set of morals and values, this was mostly a fun epic adventure. The book was a 4/5 until the (literal) climax of the slow-burn romance, with the experienced Ned seemingly taking advantage of naive Cecilia that left a sour taste.
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Death, Death of parent, and Blood
Moderate: Infidelity, Cursing, Misogyny, Murder, Drug use, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Minor: Abandonment
sweetchocolatez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Medical content, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, Drug use, Gun violence, and Cursing
bzliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Cecelia has grown up with her aunt, training to be one of the most dastardly proper pirates that England has ever seen. They fly about in their house (yes, houses can fly) whichever way the wind and their whims take them. She is blown off course when her aunt and the rest of the Wisteria Society are abducted by her father, whose worst crime is his terrible poetry. Not so random encounters with Ned Lightbourne keep her guessing- is he friend or foe?- as she embarks on a daring rescue.
There are certainly flaws but I cannot in good conscience give this less than five stars given how much it delighted me.
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Sexism, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit, Blood, Classism, and Drug use
minxymayhem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Alcohol
lisa_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
The premise was interesting and I liked the characters. The whole flipped-patriarchy thing was interesting at first but wasn't explained and justified enough for my liking. (Especially because of the time it seems to be set in.) You definitely need your suspension of disbelieve for this books but I think it can be a fun time if you manage to do that. It was a great simple summer book but no literary masterpiece.
The society was basically all powerful and everything always went in their favour. They are always in control. Even when the battle broke out and the readers are supposed to be scared for them (like Cecilia is) everyone gets out fine. Or gets hurt really badly but someone still can pretend to be fine and it isn't brought up for the rest of the book. There are no stakes because you know that the main characters are going to be fine anyways. Also I wish they were a bit more in favour of murder. For supposed pirates they were quite harmless. The whole "being really proper but also badass" was interesting for sure but I just wish that at least when we get a book about "villains"(I use that term very lightly for obvious reasons) they would be able to actually defend themselves against the bad guys - and by that I don't only mean kick them and maybe sometimes stab someone in the arm..
But for what it was I think it was interesting. I have to say that Cecilias happy ending definitely would be my perfect happy ending as well (20,000 books!!) so I get it and I'm happy for her! I'm not sure if I will read any of the following books in the series though.
Moderate: Misogyny, Gun violence, Sexism, Confinement, Kidnapping, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Incest, and Infidelity
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
India Holton has a very distinct writing style and I was immediately drawn in by the historical world and magic she brought. I loved how badass all the characters are, and how they ran the show and treated men with disdain or exasperation.
I am so glad this is a series, I can't wait to read the next book.
If you are looking for a cozy and funny book filled with adventures, pirates, and romance, then this is the perfect book for you. (Or if you just want to read a good book, I HIGHLY recommend!)
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Death
emilywemily6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Kidnapping, and Alcohol