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The Price of Freedom (Pirates of the Caribbean) Hardcover – May 17, 2011

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 294 ratings

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Twenty-five-year-old Jack Sparrow is a clean-cut merchant seaman pursuing a legitimate career as a first mate for the East India Trading Company. He sometimes thinks back to his boyhood pirating days, but he doesn’t miss Teague’s scrutiny or the constant threat of the noose. Besides, he doesn’t have much choice—he broke the Code when he freed a friend who had been accused of rogue piracy, and he can no longer show his face in Shipwreck Cove.
When Jack’s ship is attacked by pirates and his captain dies in the altercation, he suddenly finds himself in command. The wily sailor’s skillful negotiations with the pirate captain—who turns out to be a woman from his past—result in a favorable outcome that puts Jack in line for an official promotion.
After making port in Africa, Jack is summoned by Cutler Beckett, who makes him captain of a ship called the
Wicked Wench. Beckett gives Jack an assignment. He has heard a legend about a magical island named Zerzura whose labyrinthine bowels are said to contain a glorious treasure. Beckett suspects that one of his house slaves, a girl named Ayisha, is from Zerzura. He asks Jack to take her along on his voyage and seduce her into divulging the island’s whereabouts. In payment for his services, Beckett promises Jack a share of the treasure.
But this task isn’t as easy as Jack initially believes. Before she agrees to reveal the location of her home, Ayisha insists that Jack take her to the New World to rescue her brother, who has been sold into slavery in the Bahamas. Their voyage is long and arduous, and as they weather a vicious storm and a surprise attack from an old pirate foe, Jack grows to respect and admire Ayisha’s bravery. He knows that Beckett intends to enslave her people after robbing them of their treasure, and Jack’s moral compass revolts at the idea. It might be possible to deliver Ayisha safely to Zerzura, obtain some of the treasure, and convince Beckett that he never found it . . . but the greedy E. I. T. C. official has eyes everywhere, and if he learns that Jack has foiled his plans, he could take away the thing that Captain Sparrow loves most: his ship—and his freedom.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A. C. Crispin is the critically acclaimed author of many bestselling Star Trek and Star Wars novels including the Han Solo Trilogy, and novelizations of the television series V and the motion picture Alien Resurrection. Crispin is also known for her wildly popular original series, Starbridge.Her books have topped the New York Times hardcover bestseller list and sold more than a million copies worldwide.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Disney Editions (May 17, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 672 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1423107047
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1423107040
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 2 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 294 ratings

About the author

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A. C. Crispin
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New York Times Bestselling Author A. C. (Ann) Crispin's major original science fiction undertaking was her StarBridge series. These books, now available as Kindle ebooks and in audiobook editions from Audible, center around a school for young diplomats, translators and explorers, both alien and human, located on an asteroid far from Earth. There are seven StarBridge books: StarBridge, Silent Dances, Shadow World, Serpent's Gift, Silent Songs, Voices of Chaos, and Ancestor's World.

A. C. wrote prolifically in many different tie-in universes, and was a master at filling in the histories of beloved TV and movie characters. Over the years, she became the unofficial "Queen of Backstory." Ms. Crispin had a unique talent for writing dialog that captured the essence of those characters. She began publishing in 1983 with the Star Trek novel Yesterday's Son, written in her spare time while working for the US Census Bureau. Shortly thereafter, Tor Books commissioned her to write what is perhaps still her most widely read work, the 1984 novelization of the television miniseries, V, which sold more than a million copies. She went on to collaborate on two more books in the V series, East Coast Crisis with Howard Weinstein, and Death Tide with Deborah Marshall.

For Star Wars, she wrote the bestselling Han Solo Trilogy: The Paradise Snare, The Hutt Gambit, and Rebel Dawn, which tell the story of Han Solo from his early years right up to the moment he walks into the cantina in Star Wars: A New Hope. She wrote three other bestselling Star Trek novels: Time for Yesterday, The Eyes of the Beholders, and Sarek.

Crispin and science fiction Grand Master Andre Norton wrote two Witch World novels together, Gryphon's Eyrie and Songsmith, that are finally available as ebooks. Crispin and Andre Norton were friends for nearly 30 years. These two books showcase the best qualities of both writers and add intriguing details to the Witch World saga.

Ann's historical fantasy for young adults, TIME HORSE, is now available as an ebook for Kindle. It's the story of Danielle Tomasky, who is twelve years old and wants nothing in the world but a horse to ride. She finds a horse that turns out to be something extraordinary, and that takes her on a magnificent adventure back to a time that tests every one of Danni's equestrian skills to their limits.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
294 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable and well-written. They appreciate the engaging storyline, historical accuracy, and detailed character development. The book provides an interesting look into the character of Jack Sparrow and his personality traits. Readers praise the fast-paced and entertaining read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

41 customers mention "Readability"41 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it a fun and enjoyable read once it gets going. The factual content within the fiction is well-done. It's a must-read for fans of Pirates of the Caribbean, and arrived quickly and in good condition.

"...Unlike many tie-in novels, it's a substantial read, at over 650 pages. It's also satisfying, without feeling overlong or superfluous...." Read more

"miss crispin did a magnificent job on this book :) She captured the voices of everyone perfectly and the richness of details was amazing!..." Read more

"...If you like a great read full of interesting characters, strong research deftly woven into the story and a touch of magic, get yourself a copy of..." Read more

"Good read" Read more

26 customers mention "Story quality"26 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the engaging story. They found the descriptions of sword fights and battles interesting and complex. The book expanded the storyline that was untold in the movie POTC 3. Readers enjoyed the adventure and excitement, capturing elements of fantasy and fiction with the reality of a prince's life. The book was full of non-stop action, mystery, suspense, and romance.

"...It's also satisfying, without feeling overlong or superfluous. It tells the story of young Jack Sparrow at a couple of turning points in his life...." Read more

"...first meeting of Jack/Barbossa was different than I expected but it was interesting... loved having a little more insight into Hector..." Read more

"...Crispin weaves a great tale - several actually - in a way that ties up a lot of loose ends, provides some interesting back story and makes you not..." Read more

"...and loved (or hated) characters of the POTC world as well as creating interesting and complex original characters...." Read more

13 customers mention "History accuracy"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's historical accuracy. They find the research well-done and the details rich. The characters are described as superb, and the pace is excellent. Readers also mention that the flashbacks to events five years earlier are realistic and true to history.

"...under the East India Trading Company, but also has flashbacks to events five years earlier, back when Jack was a pirate...." Read more

"...like a great read full of interesting characters, strong research deftly woven into the story and a touch of magic, get yourself a copy of the Price..." Read more

"...Well researched, the world she describes is colorful, rich and complex...." Read more

"...and statistics for how fast a given ship could actually sail, are very realistic and true to history...." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's characters interesting. They appreciate the author's insight into the character of Jack Sparrow, with his charm, wit, and other personality traits. The author did a great job tying the characters together and portraying Captain Teague.

"...Teague is a bit of bastard haha, but he's an intriguing person... wouldn't want to be on his bad side haha...." Read more

"...If you like a great read full of interesting characters, strong research deftly woven into the story and a touch of magic, get yourself a copy of..." Read more

"...of the POTC world as well as creating interesting and complex original characters...." Read more

"...The story contains new characters that Jack interacts with as well as a few familiar in the movies...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing quality. They find it well-written and an engaging read for adult fans of Captain Jack Sparrow. The author keeps the action flowing and creates a salty yarn.

"...Overall, this is a surprisingly well-written tie-in novel, and one I very willingly recommend to fans of the movie series...." Read more

"...Set before the first the first movie, this is an original and well written prequel...." Read more

"A. C. Crispin has written a salty yarn for adult fans of Captain Jack Sparrow...." Read more

"...a bit confusing, but the scenes in Shipwreck Cove seemed to be well written and more enjoyable reading than the "present day" scenes; especially..." Read more

5 customers mention "Entertainment value"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and humorous. They say it's a fun, interesting read that makes them laugh out loud.

"...in a manner that will make you grin in spite of yourself, occasionally laugh out loud, shake your head and bring back that feeling of being in the..." Read more

"This was a great book. It was hilarious yet meaningful. And it tugged in all the heartstrings!" Read more

"...He's got all the charm, wit, and other personality traits we've come to expect of the Johnny Depp portrayal. I couldn't put it down." Read more

"...Would recommend them to anyone who liked the movies, were very entertaining for all ages." Read more

4 customers mention "Pace"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing fast and engaging. They say the author keeps the action moving along well.

"...I found it to be a fast read book as I call it. I stayed up reading way to late a few of the nights I got so involved in it...." Read more

"...-rolling on my part, the author can definitely write, and keeps the action moving along...." Read more

"...It was well written and fast moving. Now I want to know how Jack lost the Pearl." Read more

"...The characterizations were superb and the pace of the book was excellent...." Read more

3 customers mention "Color palette"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-researched world the author describes. They find it colorful, rich, and complex. The book provides background on Jack Sparrow that they didn't know.

"...one-off story fleshing out the background of Jack Sparrow, this is pretty cool." Read more

"...Well researched, the world she describes is colorful, rich and complex...." Read more

"...Also, it gives a lot of the background YOU DIDN'T KNOW you didn't know (if you know what I mean) leading up to the very first Pirates movie!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2024
    I am a massive fan of Pirates of the Caribbean and I have been waiting to read this book for a very long time. And I can proudly say it did not disappoint. This book really fleshes out the character of Jack Sparrow, and shows what drives him. It details Jack working under the East India Trading Company, but also has flashbacks to events five years earlier, back when Jack was a pirate.

    This book is the main reason Jack is the person he is when we see him in the movies. And we also see the beginning of the tense relationship between him and Cutler Beckett. There’s so much more I want to say, but I don’t want those spoil it.

    PLEASE read this book if you are a Pirates fan. It will blow your mind.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2011
    When I was a kid, I read Tim Powers' On Stranger Tides, and loved its mix of pirates and magic. When the Pirates of the Caribbean movies came out, I became a huge fan for the same reasons. I wanted more stories along those lines, so when this tie-in novel (the first Pirates of the Caribbean novel not aimed at grade school readers) came along, I couldn't wait to read it.

    Unlike many tie-in novels, it's a substantial read, at over 650 pages. It's also satisfying, without feeling overlong or superfluous. It tells the story of young Jack Sparrow at a couple of turning points in his life. In it, A.C. Crispin captures the feel of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and the voice of Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow, without directly copying stuff from the movies.

    What makes this novel interesting to me is the focus on Sparrow himself. In the movies, he's entertaining, but the sort of character who can't grow or develop or change. The movies are about his adventures, but they aren't about him. This novel gives fans a unique opportunity to see Jack develop into the man we see on the screen. It wouldn't necessarily make a good Pirates movie, because it deviates too far from that formula. But as a novel, it makes a good supplement.

    My one real complaint is that Crispin alludes to numerous events in Jack's childhood which really should be as important as the stuff we actually do see in the book. I have to guess that these events are depicted in the juvenile chapter books that have already been published. That's fine, but those books are mostly out of print now, and also aimed at a different audience than this novel. So it would have been nice, as an older reader, to get some more detail in this book.

    Overall, this is a surprisingly well-written tie-in novel, and one I very willingly recommend to fans of the movie series. I don't want to see a series of Jack Sparrow adventure novels; those are the stories the movies should tell, and just doing more in books would take the specialness away from both. But as a one-off story fleshing out the background of Jack Sparrow, this is pretty cool.
    22 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2011
    miss crispin did a magnificent job on this book :) She captured the voices of everyone perfectly and the richness of details was amazing!

    It felt like I was right there with Jack & everyone throughout all their adventures, found myself missing everyone soon as I finished the last page *hugs book to chest* i can see myself reading this many more times in the future (i also plan buying this as birthday/christmas gifts).

    The first meeting of Jack/Barbossa was different than I expected but it was interesting... loved having a little more insight into Hector (maybe disney will commission his backstory as well... i would buy it)

    I didn't care for Cutler Beckett in POTC but I wanted to strangle him even more in the book... i had a little sympathy for him in a flashback scene but it was ripped away not very long after... miss crispin did an excellent job fleshing him out and giving him more depth.

    Teague is a bit of bastard haha, but he's an intriguing person... wouldn't want to be on his bad side haha.

    the novel answers alot of questions I had about Jack but still leaves a few I'm hoping Disney will answer one day.

    Miss Crispin's writing sucks you right in and doesn't let go, I found it very hard to put it down.

    Highly recommend this book! :) many kudos to Anne Crispin, hope they tap you for the next 'Pirates' book (if there will be one down the road)

    In my opinion, i would love for disney to adapt this into a feature film (I could see Jordana Brewster as Esmeralda, what do you think?)
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2011
    One of my most favorite things that came from The Curse of the Black Pearl (POTC 1, if you please) is the multitude of things that bring up questions. Why, Who, How, What really happened? and on and on and on. Sadly, that was lacking in the latter films.

    I picked up this book in a vain hope of recovering the pleasure of Jack Sparrow's company and learning a bit about his past. In all honesty, I wasn't entirely hopeful, having tried to read the Disney Youth series that supposedly provided stories about "Young Jack Sparrow". Let's just say they weren't my cup of tea.

    This book, however, is wonderfully crafted. The author has captured the essence of Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow in a manner that will make you grin in spite of yourself, occasionally laugh out loud, shake your head and bring back that feeling of being in the company of a good friend. Crispin weaves a great tale - several actually - in a way that ties up a lot of loose ends, provides some interesting back story and makes you not want to put the book down.

    Treasure, to be sure.

    Makes me wonder if a sequel could be coerced. As long as this author does the work, I would have high hopes for new adventures.

    If you like a great read full of interesting characters, strong research deftly woven into the story and a touch of magic, get yourself a copy of the Price of Freedom.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book!!
    Reviewed in Canada on August 28, 2017
    If you like pirate adventures, this is just perfect with a touch of the Pirates of the Caribeans' humour. Loved it!
  • simon r
    5.0 out of 5 stars Will the real Jack Sparrow please step forward
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2016
    So glad I found this as it has been out of print for a while. Of all the Pirates of the Caribbean spin offs this reads the most authentic.
  • Christine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ziemlich interessante Geschichte und super zum Englisch lernen!
    Reviewed in Germany on May 8, 2014
    Dieses Werk ist ein Muss für FdK-Fans. Man bekommt eine Menge Zusatzinformationen und der Charakter des legendären Captain Jack Sparrow wird deutlicher.
    Außerdem versteht man endlich die Beziehung zwischen Cutler Beckett und Jack besser, deren Verlauf in FdK 2 und 3 nur leicht angehaucht wird.

    Richtig interessant und sehr gut um sein Englisch etwas aufzubessern. Die Sprache ist nicht besonders schwer gehalten und wenn man ein paar Wörter ab und zu nachschaut kann man auf jeden Fall etwas lernen und vielleicht auch das ein oder andere Mal über den Schreibstil des Autors lächeln.
  • Melanie D Dumas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome novel
    Reviewed in Canada on August 26, 2013
    Fills in all the background information for Pirates of the Carribean. It captures the characters personalities and strang actions really well.
  • Irmhild Tibbe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mehr über Captain Jack Sparrow
    Reviewed in Germany on October 17, 2013
    Wer Interesse hat, mehr über die Vorgeschichte von Captain Jack Sparrow zu erfahren wird dieses Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Natürlich ist dies keine hochtrabende Literatur, aber so ist es auch nicht gedacht. Es ist spannend geschrieben und man kann gut der Story folgen, obwohl manche Zeit- und Gedankensprünge manchmal schwer nachzuvollziehen sind. Eine perfekte Ergänzung zu den POTC-Filmen von Disney, denn der Inhalt dieses Buches kommt in keinem der Filme vor und ein Muss für Captain Jack Sparrow-Fans!