I've been interested in pirates for as long as I can remember. Hearing about Blackbeard, Calico Jack, Henry Morgan, and Anne Bonney, among others, made my imagination run wild. Learning about who they really were as I grew up made me interested in why they were the way they were. I love stories about pirate crews, especially ones that explore the why of how they became pirates. I also love fantasy stories as you can plainly see (I even cheated to include a favourite of mine) and I wanted to combine the two in my first series.
How could I not include this classic pirate crew with a ship named after the very flags pirates fly? The Jolly Roger and Hook are undoubtedly the most recognizable figures amongst fictional pirates.
The Jolly Roger crew is on my list because it's a whole new experience reading it as an adult and because of the differences between Disney and the source material. The Jolly Roger was large, imposing, and the crew a fearsome, bloodthirsty bunch. The captain, Hook, is the perfect antithesis to Peter's childish attitude. He's handsome, well educated, and used the hook not just as a weapon but also to smoke two cigars at once. What's not to love?
If you've only watched the Disney movie, you owe it to yourself to read the book.
Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up or Peter and Wendy is J. M. Barrie's most famous work, in the form of a 1904 play and a 1911 novel. Both versions tell the story of Peter Pan, a mischievous yet innocent little boy who can fly, and has many adventures on the island of Neverland that is inhabited by mermaids, fairies, Native Americans and pirates. Peter has many stories involving Wendy Darling and her two brothers, his fairy Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, and the pirate Captain Hook. The play and novel were inspired by Barrie's friendship with…
This sequel to The Lies of Locke Lamora brings pirates to a fantasy setting in ways that no other fantasy series has. The author brings to life a crew that truly feels real, with history in the fictional world that mirrors that of real pirates.
The captain, Zamira Drakasha, and her first mate are well-rounded and believable characters that jump off the page. They are brave, witty, strong, and intelligent, just as any captain should be.
Scott Lynch is the type of author that I aspire to be, and each of his books is unique and different, yet all fall neatly in line with a series. In this book, he has smartly written female characters who could and should have their own series.
Escaping from the attentions of the Bondsmagi Locke Lamora, the estwhile Thorn of Camorr and Jean Tannen have fled their home city. Taking ship they arrive in the city state of Tal Varrar where they are soon planning their most spectacular heist yet; they will take the luxurious gaming house, The Sinspire, for all of its countless riches.
No-one has ever taken even a single coin from the Sinspire that wasn't won on the tables or in the other games of chance on offer there.
But, as ever, the path of true crime rarely runs smooth and Locke and Jean…
This one's a bit of a cheat because the Wizard Ged isn't a pirate, and he's usually just a crew of one on his boat Lookfar, but it's worthy of inclusion in any book list.
A Wizard of Earthsea is a classic fantasy story that doesn't feature on many lists of the best fantasy novels, which is a shame because it truly deserves more love.
I love this story because it is so singular. It has a full coming-of-age story about a person searching for salvation. While you might guess the twist at the end of the story, it's no less compelling in its execution. Facing fears, sailing tumultuous seas, adventure, and a bit of magic all make it a fantastic journey worth reading.
The first book of Earthsea in a beautiful hardback edition. Complete the collection with The Tombs of Atuan, The Furthest Shore and Tehanu
With illustrations from Charles Vess
'[This] trilogy made me look at the world in a new way, imbued everything with a magic that was so much deeper than the magic I'd encountered before then. This was a magic of words, a magic of true speaking' Neil Gaiman
'Drink this magic up. Drown in it. Dream it' David Mitchell
Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, was called Sparrowhawk in his reckless youth.
On Stranger Tides is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure novel, and it has something for everyone. Action, black magic, voodoo, zombies, and of course, pirates.
The crew and those who command them are true pirates, loyal only to themselves and with no scruples beyond achieving the greatest score they can. They include real pirates such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet and creations of villainy in Benjamin Hurwood and Leo Friend. There are, of course, good characters in the crew as well, and it's the conflict between the two sides that creates tension in the book.
This book was certainly a big inspiration in my writing and is a true adventure from beginning to end.
Shortlisted for the World Fantasy Award Shortlisted for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel
1718: Puppeteer John Chandagnac has set sail for Jamaica to recover his stolen inheritance, when his ship is seized by pirates. Offered the choice to join the crew, or be killed where he stands, he decides that a pirate's life is better than none at all.
Now known as Jack Shandy, this apprentice buccaneer soon learns to handle a mainsail and wield a cutlass - only to discover he is now a subject of a Caribbean pirate empire ruled by one Edward Thatch, better known…
This may be a strange pick for some, but it is one of my favourite stories. It's something I grew up with and is very influential and inspirational to me.
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.
The battle for Fish-Man Island continues as a giant ship threatens to collide with the island and destroy everything. Can the Straw Hat pirates defeat Hody Jones and create a new bond between humans and Fish-Men? And what strange new adventures await the crew when they finally step into the new world?
The Voyages of Queen Anne's Revenge is a historical fantasy series about Blackbeard's transformation from a simple whaler to the dreaded pirate of fame like Pirates of the Caribbean meets Indiana Jones.
On the run from the law, Edward Thatch must gather a crew of outcasts and outlaws while solving a series of deadly puzzles across the Caribbean left by the former owner of his ship. You know the legend; now find out how his name became synonymous with pirates in this adventure set in the golden age of piracy.
The Valor of Valhalla series by Martin Kearns is a pulse-pounding dark urban fantasy trilogy that fuses the raw power of Norse mythology with the grit of modern warfare. Set in a world where ancient gods and mythical creatures clash with secret military organizations and rogue heroes, the series follows a band of unseeming heroes who are bound to an ancient prophecy. As they navigate a dangerous web of deceit, sacrifice, and violent combat, they must confront not only their own demons but also the growing threat of Ragnarök—the Norse apocalypse.
At its heart, The Valor of Valhalla blends high-stakes…
In a battle between two ancient evils, can one naïve young man become the last hope against powerful creatures of legend?
David Dolan thinks he's already got the world figured out. But when a collapsed bridge plunges him into the icy Hudson, he's pulled deep into the deadly realm that exists between life and death. And with his earthly form trapped in a coma, he's vulnerable to the horde of demons hell-bent on his utter destruction.
Traversing the road to the afterlife, David seeks the wisdom and skills he needs to fight the demonic forces reigning havoc on his allies…
