Maggie and the Pirate's Son
Once upon a time, Maggie Mackintosh Budge yearned for handsome rogues and breathtaking adventure. Now widowed after a disastrous marriage and desperate to escape her still-matchmaking father, she stows away on the nearest vessel because sometimes the only solution is running away to sea.
Bastian MacLeod never chose a life of piracy, but after coming of age under the brutal regime of Auldfarrand’s Revenge, his world has been limited to placating the volatile captain and staying one step ahead of the navy—that is until he discovers Maggie in the cargo hold. The first rule of piracy is: wenches are unlucky and will be cast overboard.
With Bastian’s help, Maggie disguises herself and joins the crew, but sparks between them ignite like St. Elmo’s Fire. Can they keep her secret—and keep their hands off each other—long enough to outwit the navy and hunt down the captain’s lost treasure? Or will bad luck send them both to the hangman’s noose?
Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10
Originality: 9 out of 10
Prose: 8 out of 10
Character/Execution: 9 out of 10
Overall: 8.50 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Prendeville's engaging, adventurous story line appeals from the start; the novel is forged in a bygone era, ripe with danger and intrigue, but brimming with opportunities for the key players to connect and bond.
Prose: Prendeville convincingly depicts the story's time period with believable characters and authentic customs and dialogue. The prose sparkles, prolific in historic references, and the sparks between Maggie and Bash are both tenderly and powerfully wrought.
Originality: Strong, appealing characters boost the novel's appeal, and Prendeville's skill at constructing a believable setting amplifies its individuality.
Character/Execution: Characters in this spirited venture are finely honed, particularly Maggie, who is fierce, determined, and quite atypical given the time period. Her personality builds naturally over the course of the novel, and the interplay between her and Bash is exciting.
Date Submitted: June 30, 2024
