3rd Sep
I love historical fiction blended with historical figures and was delighted to read along as I listened to The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon, narrated by Tara Flynn. You’ll want to grab this and discover the adventures of Grace O’Malley, the infamous Irish sea captain who protected her clan against the Elizabethan regime. Danger, Romance and adventure await you on the high seas.
The Pirate Queen
by Ariel Lawhon
Narrator: Tara Flynn, Ariel Lawhon
Length: 18 hours and 27 minutes
Genres: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.4x
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Frozen River and I Was Anastasia, a thrilling historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the infamous Irish sea captain and folk heroine who risked everything to protect her people against the powerful Elizabethan regime
Grace O’Malley was born to be at sea. Raised alongside her brother by their father, chief of the name of clan O’Malley, Grace learns early that her dreams of the open water are not compatible with the life she’s expected to lead as the daughter of a noble family. And when her father marries her to the wrong man, a neighboring chief named Donhal, Grace’s world shifts for the worse.
Undaunted, Grace raises a family without abandoning her passion, aiding her hot-tempered husband in his campaigns against rival tribes. Eventually ousted from her husband’s land in the wake of his death, Grace returns to her childhood home and begins her career as a pirate in earnest, claiming new territories and finding deeper love, only to see her livelihood threatened by English incursions into Ireland, and her family endangered in an attempt to check her power.
Tenderly observed and fiercely written, Ariel Lawhon’s gripping latest channels the natural beauty of sixteenth-century Ireland alongside the brutality of the period as seen through the eyes of an unforgettable heroine and defender of her people, who truly earned the title “the Pirate Queen of Ireland.”
First, I have to commend Lawhon for shining a light on Grace O’Malley. She did an excellent job of delivering a compelling story with the limited amount of historical information available while still staying true to the details.
I will be the first to admit I have read very little fiction surrounding the Tudor era and Queen Elizabeth and her battles with Ireland. After reading the Pirate Queen, I fear I need to amend that.
The timeline in non-linear as we meet Grace and her clan. It begins when she is young and discovers her love of the sea, then it transports us through her life as she falls in love, is forced into an arranged marriage, bears children and ultimately commands a ship to protect her family and clan.
The tale that unfolded was addictive, and I loved Grace from her fearlessness to her sense of duty. She was clever, determined and used the disadvantages of being a woman to her advantage. I laughed, cried, got angry and slipped into the story and these characters.
Do not miss the author’s notes at the end. I had the pleasure of reading along as I listened to the narration performed by Tara Flynn. Flynn did a splendid job of capturing the force of Grace and made listening an immersive experience. I highly recommend grabbing your earbuds for this one.
If you love strong historical women, high seas adventure, and the shores of Ireland, you will want to grab The Pirate Queen.
About Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is the critically acclaimed, New York Times Bestselling author of THE WIFE, THE MAID, AND THE MISTRESS, FLIGHT OF DREAMS, I WAS ANASTASIA, and CODE NAME HELENE. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have been Library Reads, One Book One County, Indie Next, Costco, and Book of the Month Club selections. She lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, four sons, and black Lab—who is, thankfully, a girl. Ariel splits her time between the grocery store and the baseball field.
About Tara Flynn
Tara Flynn is an acclaimed Irish actress, writer, and prolific audiobook narrator known for performing popular contemporary fiction.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
