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kundor's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
The definitive treatment of cursed pirates. You can definitely see how this laid the ground for the Curse of Monkey Island and the Pirates of the Caribbean movies—those do a more comedic take on the material: this book plays it straight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest
dasrach's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
canaanmerchant's review against another edition
4.0
The writing is fine and powers deftly manages to weave his magical plot elements into the real world events referenced in the story.
The story itself is really 3-4 stories that could have all been books on their own had Powers had a mind to serialize things a bit more. I appreciate the tight focus but I felt like I read more than one climax to the story.
The magic itself was a little hard to follow. Maybe if I knew a bit more voodoo history and mythology some things would be more apparent.
The story itself is really 3-4 stories that could have all been books on their own had Powers had a mind to serialize things a bit more. I appreciate the tight focus but I felt like I read more than one climax to the story.
The magic itself was a little hard to follow. Maybe if I knew a bit more voodoo history and mythology some things would be more apparent.
jenstarfury's review against another edition
2.0
The story was fun, but I found the narrative to be disjointed which made it difficult to really get into.
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
This book has been sitting on my TBR list since July 2017. I guess it was time for me to finally getting around to reading it.
Pirates, ghosts, bokors, zombies. There is so much to like about this book. I enjoyed every minute of this book. Tim Power is now an author on my radar.
Pirates, ghosts, bokors, zombies. There is so much to like about this book. I enjoyed every minute of this book. Tim Power is now an author on my radar.
songwind's review against another edition
4.0
Three word review: Unf, so good!
As I have come to expect from Powers, OST deftly blends historical fact and supernatural elements. He has also clearly done his homework on the mechanics of sailing, voodoo and fencing.
John Chandagnac's journey from itinerant puppeteer to notorious pirate Jack Shandy would be entertaining in itself. In addition, the story of Hurwoods adds a creepily supernatural element to the whole affair.
The introduction of several historical pirates, including John Bonny, Blackbeard (Ed Thatch) and Stede Bonnet adds a feeling of verisimilitude to the whole affair. The uniting thread of a quest to harness the still-strong mystical forces of the New World (for multiple different reasons) is creepily well done.
Unfortunately, the story is missing any female characters with agency. Beth Hurwood does her best whenever she is able, but by the time the story begins, she's wrapped up tight in a web of family obligation, drugs and enchantment. This means that she spends most of the novel as the Damsel in Distress for Jack to quest after. Pirate Ann Bonny appears, but doesn't actually do much.
Definitely a good read.
As I have come to expect from Powers, OST deftly blends historical fact and supernatural elements. He has also clearly done his homework on the mechanics of sailing, voodoo and fencing.
John Chandagnac's journey from itinerant puppeteer to notorious pirate Jack Shandy would be entertaining in itself. In addition, the story of Hurwoods adds a creepily supernatural element to the whole affair.
The introduction of several historical pirates, including John Bonny, Blackbeard (Ed Thatch) and Stede Bonnet adds a feeling of verisimilitude to the whole affair. The uniting thread of a quest to harness the still-strong mystical forces of the New World (for multiple different reasons) is creepily well done.
Unfortunately, the story is missing any female characters with agency. Beth Hurwood does her best whenever she is able, but by the time the story begins, she's wrapped up tight in a web of family obligation, drugs and enchantment. This means that she spends most of the novel as the Damsel in Distress for Jack to quest after. Pirate Ann Bonny appears, but doesn't actually do much.
Definitely a good read.
corprew's review against another edition
5.0
Possibly one of the best pirate/fantasy books of recent years. Tim Powers brings this one home with a great plot and strong characterizations.
socialbrad's review against another edition
The premise was great but the execution was lacking. The writing style was clunky.
peterbwarren's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
raeannmichelle's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5