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A review by cozykrysti
Blacksouls by Nicole Castroman
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!