A band of fierce females lead the adventure in Seafire by Natalie C. Parker, a new fantasy YA with pirate-y vibes and lavish details.
After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, whose lives have been turned upside down by Aric and his men. The crew has one misson: stay alive, and take down Aric’s armed and armored fleet.
But when Caledonia’s best friend and second-in-command just barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether or not to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all…or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?
I loved the world-building of this fantasy; it’s so cool and unlike anything I’ve read before. I honestly want to know more about this world and how Aric Athair came to power. (I can also only hope that the finished book includes a map, because this book is just begging for one!)
Of course, the real stars of this book are Caledonia and her crew of kickass ladies. Though this isn’t truly a “pirate” book, it definitely has pirate vibes — and Caledonia is an impressive, young captain for her crew.
And the tagline for this book, “Sisterhood is survival,” really is the heart and soul of this story. Though there is a teensy hint of a possible romance, it is hardly a footnote in the book’s larger plot. (Having been in a major romance mood this summer, I was personally a little disappointed there wasn’t more kissing — but that’s hardly a fault of the book. But readers who prefer books without romance as the focus will surely love that it is such a minor part of this plot! And those who do love romance — well, you won’t really find it here.)
Still, there is plenty to love about the friendships and formed family aboard the Mors Navis, and the lengths Caledonia will go to both to protect them and seek personal vengeance. This is one people are sure to be talking about for a while.
Look for Seafire in stores August 28th.
Novel Novice 