4 out of 4 stars
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Ahoy, are you ready to embark on a sea adventure? Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess throws you in 1829, right in the middle of the action. Brandy is a feisty 15-year-old girl, a promising pirate in training. Her parents run one of the most fearsome pirate ships of the Caribbean, and life is ruthless at sea. A terrible betrayal puts Brandy in danger and forces her to run with her uncle.
Fifteen years later, we discover the two fugitives in Jamaica as owners of a prosperous tavern. They are helped by Davonte, a bright young girl, and Zhang, a Shaolin priest with many talents. One evening, a British crew sets foot in the place, ready to enjoy the fine food and the quality entertainment. Captain Joshua and John Edwards, the first officer, make quite an impression and accidentally start an unpredictable chain of events. New bonds form between the guests and the locals, but some secrets from the past are a looming threat.
Dan E. Hendrickson has an easy and entertaining writing style that allows the reader to enjoy the fast-paced plot and the excellent character development. The characters are a bit idealistic, but I loved that. For instance, John seems too good to be real; he is handsome, kind, and honorable. Brandy is also an amazing lady, but she is battling her inner demons. Zhang is a mysterious character with no past; he is a mentor for Brandy and manages to help all the characters by steering them down the right path.
At first, the book might seem like a light reading that involves romance and adventure. However, there are important lessons to be learned. First, Brandy is a victim of bad parenting, even if her mother only tried to teach her the skills required to survive in her harsh world. Zhang teaches her a new way to deal with her anger and, guided by Chinese wisdom, Brandy discovers a safe environment where she can be vulnerable. Also, John is torn between love and duty; he falls in love with Brandy, but he is devoted to his mistress, the sea.
Remember that you will not encounter a romantic version of the pirate life; piracy means politics and violence. The pirates take local people from the islands and sell them as slaves in America. The British use the situation to their advantage, to tighten their grip on the United States. Fortunately, the Queen supports the Abolitionist movement that frees the slaves and offers them a new life in the Caribbean paradise.
I couldn’t find anything to dislike, so I am happy to rate Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess 4 out of 4 stars. If you love to read about pirates, ships, and battles, grab a copy of the novel. Love is in the air, so romance fans will be thrilled. Keep in mind that the book includes some violent scenes and several non-borderline profanities.
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Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess
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Moderator's Note: A previous version of this review incorrectly misspelled listed Brandy as Brady. This typo has been corrected by an admin.
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