First off, I can't remember the last time a historical fiction moved with this much energy without sounding either like a stuffy museum tour script or a rambling sea-shanty from a tavern. Hoover writes from inside his characters' brains, but never slows down too much. This book grabbed me, put me on a rough cutter, sent me chasing maps, and honestly, nearly gave me motion sickness—but in the best way.

The Story

Before turning one page: stop here, admit you love pirates, hidden Inca booby-traps, corrupt church heavy-handed-ness all melted into brewing restlessness of the Indies. Thomas 'Toby' DeLindsay is loyal to His Majesty and yet tangled in love and misadventure with a certain Spanish marquesa; plot includes Amazon warriors—real land-war island tribal women ready to carve for England—teamwork makes treasure hunting possible, conflict builds abruptly, subterfuge after murder, and facing His Most Inquisitorial High without flinching.

Why You Should Read It

I read this at almost impossible breaks of writing mundane chores and week-day trudging. Its weakness? Not at all weak—free and wild, gives for mere read you simply revel in while wondering: “Would I behave that radically if Inquisition ran towards me holding steaming armor atop a conquistador horse?” The answer might be unsettling—maybe but glorious literature version—make yourself face injustice which surrounds open brave adventursth. For girls and boy-guys jumping in, you root for Lottie, for rogue swords, for sea-beaten fighters. Actually smart reveals hinge on plausible history tied to Sir Henry Morgan. Plus descriptions entirely remove your immediate couch or coffee shop murk. Yes, line some dialogues clipped with unappealing male gaze now-and-then, classic out-of-style 70s-authorisms not subtle but reading through that quickly you skip by, adventure mind-swallow quickly overtakes. Also perfect follow double-ship cannon combat along secret island lair chases step by page.**Right reason to walk through fear guarded dungeon-realms—both real dark unpleasant of Spanish and Brit slaughters the coastal peoples subtly made main course... but stays exciting:

Final Verdict