library_bookwyrm's review against another edition
4.0
Well, it really wasn't what I was expecting.
Given the plot (poor chef Owen Wedgwood is kidnapped by a gorgeous red-headed pirate and her crew, forced to cook gourmet meals for the captain while she terrorizes the sea) and the cover art (said chef and pirate, he all tied up and she, smoking gun in hand, nestled up against him chummily) - well, I expected a fun, quirky romance.
This is not a fun, quirky romance.
Yes, the pirate captain is a gorgeous red-head, who kidnaps the main protagonist and forces him to cook gourmet meals while she terrorizes the sea - but it is set in a very real time period, one that brings to light the dark side of Britain's vast empire. These pirates are realistic and historically accurate - refugees and combatants of the slave-opium-tea trade upon which England depended, and which had such devastating effects on India, China, and the surrounding regions. Mad Hannah Mabbot's life is torn between destroying the immoral Pendleton Trading Company and hunting down the Brass Fox, for reasons of her own.
Absolutely great book - but don't look to it as a breezy read. It's a swashbuckling adventure with some serious matters to discuss.
Given the plot (poor chef Owen Wedgwood is kidnapped by a gorgeous red-headed pirate and her crew, forced to cook gourmet meals for the captain while she terrorizes the sea) and the cover art (said chef and pirate, he all tied up and she, smoking gun in hand, nestled up against him chummily) - well, I expected a fun, quirky romance.
This is not a fun, quirky romance.
Yes, the pirate captain is a gorgeous red-head, who kidnaps the main protagonist and forces him to cook gourmet meals while she terrorizes the sea - but it is set in a very real time period, one that brings to light the dark side of Britain's vast empire. These pirates are realistic and historically accurate - refugees and combatants of the slave-opium-tea trade upon which England depended, and which had such devastating effects on India, China, and the surrounding regions. Mad Hannah Mabbot's life is torn between destroying the immoral Pendleton Trading Company and hunting down the Brass Fox, for reasons of her own.
Absolutely great book - but don't look to it as a breezy read. It's a swashbuckling adventure with some serious matters to discuss.
mattgroot1980's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.5
doodlebuginarug's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cblunier's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marialuice's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nerodia2348's review against another edition
5.0
Told from the perspective of a captive aboard a pirate ship, this story was entertaining from start to finish. I liked that this book didn't over glamorize the pirate life. It felt very honest and genuine.
tullyndmom's review against another edition
4.0
I saw this on a list of suggestions for the 2020 Read Harder task of a book about a cuisine you’re unfamiliar with. That might be a stretch... but given Wedge’s creativity cooking high cuisine on the high seas with very few resources... maybe not - I don’t think I’ve ever eaten most of the things he prepares. And I found myself wanting to highlight the cooking descriptions to break down the recipes, which is a tribute to the writing, if not the food (as a vegetarian I wouldn’t really eat most of what was cooked).