The Pirate Queen

The Pirate Queen tells the story of Grace O'Malley, a real Irish woman from the 1500s who led her own fleet of ships and refused to bow to anyone - not even the Queen of England.

Grace was my favorite character, and I believe she truly makes the book stand out. She is stubborn and sharp, and I found myself rooting for her even when she was in morally ambiguous situations, or I questioned her judgment as a mother. If you read a lot of historical fiction, you are likely aware that women were often married off against their will and considered property of their husbands, which is exactly what happens to Grace. Although she outwardly accepts her fate, she quietly builds her power, and when the opportunity arises, she returns to what she does best-commanding a ship.

And of course I have to mention Grace's four most trusted companions and confidants: Gutty, Ultan, and the twins. They were delightful to get to know and deepened your knowledge of Grace as a leader and woman.

The only aspect that didn't quite work for me was the timeline. Moving repeatedly between Grace's younger, middle, and later years occasionally disrupted the flow. But make no mistake, I loved reading about this complex, dynamic woman who was a fierce fighter, amazing leader, and a loving, protective mother. I also appreciated this book even more after learning how much of her life was based on real events. I always love historical fiction that shines a light on remarkable women who deserve to be better known.

If you loved The Frozen River, know that The Pirate Queen is a very different reading experience. This novel leans into adventure, danger, and revenge more than intimate character drama. Readers who enjoy action-filled historical fiction will love this one. It's also a solid pick for fans of strong-willed historical heroines or stories inspired by real, lesser-known women from history.

This is also a great pick for book clubs. There's a lot to dig into - questions about power, resilience, and what women were up against just to be taken seriously, plus enough dramatic twists and betrayals to keep the conversation going for a while.

My favorite quote from the book:
Because men will never respect you if you try to be like them... Not unless you make them.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Doubleday, and Ariel Lawhon for the advance reader copy.

Trigger warning: The Pirate Queen features frequent heavy profanity, graphic maritime violence, and themes of sexual assault, coercion, and forced marriage.

Other books by this author that I loved: