I grew up in a small Welsh town and I read to escape into other worlds. My love of myth and legend began when I came across a book of Greek myth in the library. I fell in love with the great voyages, the larger-than-life characters, the snake-haired monsters, and flying horses. I’ve been collecting legends ever since. I studied comparative literature at university, which included epic tales from all over the world and I was struck by how the same motifs come up again and again – quests, battles, magic. I love any story that takes you out of your everyday surroundings and into adventure.
Abandoned as a child, Brine Seaborne has been keeping house for an irritable magician and his apprentice, Peter. Until the day she and Peter run away to sea, straight into the path of the legendary pirate ship The Onion.
Before you can say “pieces of eight” the pair are up to their necks in the pirates’ quest to find Magical North, a place so shrouded in secrets and myth that most people don’t even think it exists. If Brine is lucky, she’ll finally find out who she is. And if she’s unlucky, everyone on the ship will be eaten by sea monsters. It could really go either way.
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This book takes you on an incredible adventure through a series of strange magical lands. It’s full of humour, imagination, and great characters – Lady Crepuscular is a particularly terrifying and memorable villain. I love the twists and turns in the plot and the friendships that develop between the crew of the Impossible Postal Express. If you like to laugh out loud while you’re reading, this book is for you.
This book combines time travel, computer games, and some very thorny puzzles as a group of friends are trapped in a virtual reality game from the future. This isn’t just a simple ‘solve the puzzles to get home’ story, though: there’s something darker going on behind the scenes and as more and more was revealed, I found myself dying to know what was happening. The story is fast-paced, great fun, and different from anything I’d read before.
I used to be put off classic books thinking they’d be a bit old-fashioned, but Treasure Island is a tremendous tale. There are pirates, treasure, exciting fights and escapes, and every chapter ends on such a cliff-hanger that I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. And who can forget the character of Long John Silver – surely the most famous pirate in fiction.
I was given this book as part of Christmas book exchange. My friend thought I’d love it, and she was right. It’s a pirate story at heart, but the action takes place on a frozen landscape and instead of a ship, the Frostheart is a sleigh. The characters are great, especially Ash and his Yeti friend. The pages are packed with danger, magic, and laughs. All my favourite things.
This book took my breath away when I first read it. An adventure travelling across galaxies, weaving ancient mythology with aliens and spaceships and stars that may literally be singing. I have the hardback edition and the illustrations are stunning. Parts of the book have a graphic novel feel, with the illustrations picking up the storyline and taking it forward. It’s an unforgettable journey.
5,215 authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Pirates, virtual reality, and piracy.
We think you will like Daughter of the Pirate King, One Piece, and Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy if you like this list.
From Kelly's list on to indulge your love of Fae.
This book can be described in one word: Fun. From a ship crewed by female pirates to a quest for treasure, it has all the witty dialogue and adventure to match the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but instead features a fierce, female captain named Alosa who has mad skills and a way of looking at the world that will make you laugh out loud and cheer her on.
This is the first in a duology, so it’s also not too much of a commitment to read, unlike some longer series. Both books are equally fast-paced and enjoyable. If you’re like me, you’ll be ready to grab your pirate hat and strap on your sword by the end of this book.
From Jeremy's list on pirate crews and the books that created them.
The crew of the Going Merry become like family, not just on the pages but also personally. Ask anyone who loves One Piece, and they will tell you that they feel attached to the characters as if they're real. You get to see them overcoming adversity and loss, and with the help of their found family, they keep moving towards their dreams over and over again.
The author creates a world where it feels like anything can happen and yet still remains grounded in that world. Given a chance, I would go there in a heartbeat, provided I can join the crew of the future Pirate King.
From Anna's list on romance featuring tomboys.
Mary "Jacky" Faber, an orphaned street kid in early 19th century London, begins her adventures across the seven seas by dressing up as a ship's boy. Throughout the series she builds up quite the amazing resume that would put a Navy Seal to shame. And of course, there is a bit of romance here and there but the focus lies on Jacky sailing the world and kicking butt!