I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye: A Novel by Briony Cameron Published by Simon & Schuster, Atria Books on JUne 4, 2024
Genres: Fiction / African American & Black / Historical
Pages: 367
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
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Goodreads
This “thrilling, swashbuckling story” (People) based on true events illuminates a woman of color’s rise to power as one of the few female pirate captains to sail the Caribbean, and a forbidden love story that will shape the course of history.
In the tumultuous town of Yáquimo, Santo Domingo, Jacquotte Delahaye is an up-and-coming shipwright, but her ambitions are bound by the confines of her self-seeking French father. When her way of life and the delicate balance of power in the town are threatened, she is forced to flee her home and become a woman on the run along with a motley crew of refugees, including a mysterious young woman named Teresa.
Jacquotte and her band become indentured servants to the infamous Blackhand, a ruthless pirate captain who rules his ship with an iron fist. As they struggle to survive, Jacquotte finds herself unable to resist Teresa despite their differences. When Blackhand hatches a dangerous scheme to steal a Portuguese shipment of jewels, Jacquotte must rely on her wits, resourcefulness, and friends to survive. But she discovers there is a grander, darker scheme of treachery at play, and she ultimately must decide what price she is willing to pay to secure a better future for them all.
Passionate, action-packed, and unputdownable, The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is “a beautiful and, at times, gut-wrenching tale of found family, self-discovery, and the true meaning of freedom” (M. J. Kuhn, author of Among Thieves).
Review
Let me tell you about a book that made me cancel plans. Briony Cameron’s debut novel grabbed me by the collar and didn’t let go until the last page. It’s the story of Jacquotte Delahaye, a Caribbean shipwright turned pirate captain, and trust me – this isn’t your typical swashbuckling tale.
Cameron drops us into 17th-century Santo Domingo, where we meet Jacquotte – the daughter of a French exile and a free Black woman. She’s brilliant with ships, complicated as hell, and about to shake up the entire Caribbean. The story follows her transformation from skilled craftsman to legendary pirate, and every page crackles with tension.
But here’s what makes this book special: it’s not just about sword fights and sea battles (though those scenes are heart-pounding). It’s about a woman fighting for her place in a world that wants to put her in a box. There’s a forbidden love story that will break your heart, friendships that feel real enough to touch, and enough political intrigue to keep you guessing.
The writing itself is gorgeous without being pretentious. Cameron can describe a ship’s rigging with the same elegance as a Caribbean sunset, and she brings the colonial era to life in vivid detail. The characters around Jacquotte – from fellow pirates to colonial officials – are so well-drawn you’ll forget they’re fictional.
Yes, the first few chapters take their time setting things up. But stick with it – once this story sets sail, it’s impossible to put down. Cameron gives us a protagonist who’s messy, brave, brilliant, and sometimes wrong. In other words, completely human.
If you loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or The Pull of the Stars, this book needs to be next on your list. It’s a story about identity, freedom, and having the courage to become who you’re meant to be – even when the whole world stands in your way.
4.5/5 stars – A stunning debut that proves historical fiction can be both authentic and utterly captivating.
