Book Review

Piratica (I and II)

December 1, 2020 /

This Post is Spoiler Free!

I’m going to be 100% honest with y’all… I forgot to write down my thoughts on Piratica by Tanith Lee before starting (and finishing) Piratica II. Normally, I’ll be fresh from finishing a book as I write my review (which is less an ordered review and more a slew of my thoughts and feelings), so this feels a little weird. 

Piratica

But let’s look at Piratica. I’m going to start by saying that it took me nearly the whole month of November to read, however that was less because of the book and more because I was busy (and even when I wasn’t, my mind was). Truly, the book was easy to read and very enjoyable. The language was fun and very piratey, which… one might expect from a book titled Piratica. But, more than that, it drew me in every time I came back to it. I never felt like I had to struggle to get back into the tone of the book and the storyline. I think I have the playful narration and language to thank for that!

Moving on to the storyline… I don’t know if I’ve ever been so happily surprised! Firstly, it featured one of my FAVORITE tropes: Found Family. I know a lot of books feature this trope, but is there anything more found and family-like than a pirate crew? I really enjoyed the little family that this book featured. 

Secondly, the storyline had an incredible plot twist that literally made my jaw drop (you can ask my sister… she was with me when it happened). Then, there were a few more twists that I quite enjoyed, one that had me cheering (even though I expected it to happen). All in all, the plotline was just as fun as the narration!

I really did enjoy this book, even with how long it took me to read!

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Piratica II

As for Piratica II, I read it in less than 24 hours. Two sittings. It kept the same type of narration as the first, just as fun and easy to follow, but there were times in the second book that were a bit darker. I’ll admit, it was a little unnerving to read those darker moments in the form of such playful narration, but c’est la vie. It didn’t turn me away from the narration style, so I’m not upset.

I think my favorite part of this second book was one of the relationships. I won’t say between who, as to avoid spoilers and what not, but these two characters were clearly clueless when it came to relationships, and Tanith Lee really played it up. It was quite enjoyable to watch them try to figure things out!

I know there is supposed to be a third Piratica book, but it isn’t exactly easy to get a hold of and supposedly isn’t as good as the first two, so I don’t think I’ll be reading it. Especially as Piratica II wrapped things up SO nicely (because it really did… with a nice yellow bow)! 

All in all, I really did enjoy both Piratica and Piratica II. Perhaps someday I’ll read Piratica III (and maybe reread the first two as well), but until that day I am happy with the story that is now bouncing around in my memory.I’ll end this by saying that Piratica is a story that my older sister absolutely loves. It’s one of her favorites, and she is the reason I read it. I’m very glad for it, too. I think a lighthearted story about a strong, female pirate Captain and the crew of men she protects as she becomes the Queen of the Seas was exactly what I needed this month!

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My Next Read:

Damsel by Elana K. Arnold

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