This is a captivating debut novel based on a true story. A difficult subject is handles with so much compassion. It is beautifully written.
Perfects for fans of historical fiction

An excellent story told from an oft neglected point of view. Marmery evokes a convincing picture of Drake's world, populated by a cast of well-drawn and fully realized characters. A wonderful debut!

A very good historical fiction, weaved from a mere mention, in historical accounts, of an enslaved woman, Maria, on board Drake's ship. This made me very curious to go and learn more and check facts about the travels described in the novel. It is well-written and I liked the focus on a female heroine who defies all odds to survive.

I received this free copy in exchange for an honest review here on Netgalley.

so good!!!! I was mesmerised by the writing which is my kind of style that I usually enjoy in books. It took me in a magical journey and made me feel like I really escaped reality.

Overall a good story. Interesting that the General is never actually named as Drake, this could have been the story of any slave woman onboard any ship in 1589. Main character was able to break out of the oppression she’d faced over the course of her life to build her own life with Diego and her daughter.

I didn’t quite understand the license taken by the writer in this - Why all the references to the natives being heathens? I know that’s what the English thought of them and I understand that the narrator is essential unbaptized Catholic but she is indigenous herself and should understand this way of life better and not narrate with that kind of language or bias.

I had no idea what this book was about when I requested the ARC from Net Galley. Thankfully they agreed to send me a copy and I would like to thank them as well as the author. A debut novel, historical and loosely features the story of a slave girl trying to escape her awful life. She unknowingly signs onto a maiden voyage with Sir Frances Drake the famous English pirate. He is commissioned by Queen Elizabeth to look for a shorter route from Africa.
It’s a recounting of the many discoveries, adventures and hardships they encounter. For Maria the slave, as the only woman on board a ship of 90 men it is especially perilous.
Meticulously researched and beautifully written. I look forward to more be this author.
4* (less)

I will be honest and say that this book was really not what I was expecting. However, I really enjoyed it. It was so different for me and not something I would usually read, though I'm glad I did.

I suffered in this book. I say that because of how much the character suffered. It is written in such a way that all of the violent acts that she faces are almost shrugged off, as if to say "eh, this is my life, what can I do" which really was the case. Maria was rarely given the opportunity to think for herself and make a choice, and even more rarely could she do so without facing drastic consequences. I pitied her as much as I rooted for her. She had conviction, hope, optimism, endurance, and strength, despite all of the things she had to face.

I am a religious person, but reading this book helped me understand better why many turn away from religion. How shamelessly lives have been taken, and taken over, in the name of religion. The horrible acts that have been committed in the name of God. Its deplorable. But these things really did happen and they shaped the world as we know it today.

I am glad to have gone on this journey with Maria. This book is harsh, unforgiving, and honest. It will not be for everyone, but I'm glad I got the chance to read this book. This is a great book for those who want to go on a dangerous venture, and learn some history along the way.

ARC from Netgalley in return for review.

I read this one over the course of a couple of evenings, On Wilder Seas charts the months in which Maria (or Macaia) spends sailing with The General - who I realised later is better known as Sir Francis Drake - it is even subtitled The Woman on the Golden Hind, something I hadn't noticed on the cover of my digital copy.

Maria is an escaped slave, she has run from her previous master a Spanish captain after Drake overpowered his ship, and in the process has joined his famous circumnavigation attempt, including his secret mission to try to find a northern passage around America.

Maria experiences life aboard the ship from a relatively priviledged position, gained after she was briefly Drakes lover. Seeing this now famous trip through the eyes of Maria is interesting, it's clear that Marmery did alot of research about the navigation attempt, life aboard a ship such as the Golden Hind and has created a believable piece of historical fiction, using the known presence of a woman aboard the Hind of whom no other information exists to base her work on.

I wanted to love this book, the premise was exciting and original. Unfortunately this book just didn’t grab me, the story was slow and in my opinion predictable. I struggled to like the characters whose actions were often difficult to understand. The book is well written, I just didn’t enjoy it - sorry!

I liked the fable/fairy tale aspects here, but I found it a bit too slow moving for my tastes. Perhaps my quarantine reading is conditioning me to fast paced stories!

Historical fiction at its best.A book a character a female on the seas .Unique original captivating.Highly recommend.#netgalley#legendpress

Engrossing & evocative, this is a fictional story grown from the very few known facts that a woman named Maria was listed as aboard the Golden Hind for 9 months of its famous journey, and from discrepancies in the historical accounts of it. The harshness of life aboard ship and life for a black woman among white Europeans is all here in unflinching detail but it's Macaia herself who shines from the pages as a strong, resilient and courageous young woman. Whatever the story of the real Maria, I'd like to think she'd be pleased with this version of her.

I've been having trouble reading because of all the turmoil in the world. This novel, a product of years of historical research, is based on the true history of the first black woman known to have set foot in America. The story hooked me instantly and I read it all the way through.

Macaia is a slave who was first enslaved when her home in Guinea was invaded and destroyed by the English. Then she's sold to the Spanish, to a sailor named Don Franciso, and taken aboard the Cacafuego. She's renamed Maria but never loses the memory of her real name and identity. When we meet her in 1579 Acupulco, she's trading trinkets for pocket change to eventually buy her freedom. The Cacafuego is attacked by the Golden Hind, Francis Drake's ship, and Macaia/Maria says the fateful words, "Take me with you."

As the exploration unfolds across continents, the sailors only see riches and dream of plunder, but Macaia connects with the indigenous women. With every landing and exploration off the Golden Hind, she is a marvel due to her black skin, but is always tempted to stay with the women, where it is safe, even though she does not know the language. When Macaia becomes the General's mistress in order to avoid rape and survive, the black officer, Diego is angry and jealous.

Macaia/Maria's misery onboard only intensifies when she becomes pregnant by the General, and she wages a war to keep herself and her child alive and obtain freedom for them both. There's only one habitable continent left that she hasn't seen, that either the English or Spanish aren't plotting to plunder and destroy, so against all odds, she is determined to begin her life anew in Australia.

"On Wilder Seas" is a rollicking woman-power sea adventure with a main character whom I adore.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley and was encouraged to submit a review.

On wilder seas is an appropriate title - the author took time to develop the character and her plight to freedom . the time period of the 1500's was barbarous and brutal , A black women enslaved , raped , starved and beaten. She held on to her dreams of freedom. The author's research and prose is evident and kept me reading until I finished , would highly recommend this book to someone who likes historical fiction- an unusually creative twist of a story.

A real find for history fans, populated with characters you'll remember for a long time. Highly recommended.

An excellent historical novel, detailing the life and struggle of Maria, a young African slave who finds herself on board the Golden Hind, captained by Sir Francis Drake, mentioned as The General in the novel. With no protection against violence, she travels with Drake and his crew in their quest to discover a new passage for shipping and for the English to evade the Spanish. Intriguing and very well read, recommended!

On Wilder Seas, by Nikki Marmery:

I adore thrilling historical novels that feature strong, brave, unconventional women, and this novel ticks all those boxes, and more. On Wilder Seas is the story of Macaia/Maria, who ends up sailing with Sir Francis Drake, on the Golden Hind. She is the only woman amongst a crew of eighty men, and during the voyage she is tested to absolute limits of her endurance. From the fist page, I was hooked. The 16th century seafaring world is brought vividly to life in all its gore and glory, and Marmery writes so eloquently, so beautifully, the pages flew by. Maria’s survival rests on her courage and intelligence, and I was on the edge of my seat for much of this novel. Maria’s story of adventure and discovery is inspired by a real woman, and this added element made On Wilder Seas one of the most moving, awe-inspiring novels I have read in a very, very long time.

On Wilder Seas is Nikki Marmery’s debut novel. It is rooted in history with parts fictionalised to fill in the gaps and bring the characters to life. Maria is a resilient slave who changes her situation and gains passage on one of Francis Drakes Ships. I enjoyed the exploration of new colonies and Maria’s personal journey, which was colourful and hard to read, emotionally at times. Heavily researched and rich in detail. However, in parts I felt the pacing was off in parts, therefore I’ve awarded 3.5 stars. I look forward to the authors future works.

Thank you for the ARC NetGalley and Legend Press.

Fantastic book showing how strong and courageous a women can be. I don’t want to give anything away so I will simply say it is a must read. It’s a captivating true story of one women's determination to change her circumstances and overcome obstacles out of her control. Every women should read this book! It’s reminder that we are stronger than what we seen and sometimes feel. This book I hold dearly to my heart. Taken from her home and sold into slavery this true story is a page turner. The authors debut novel is a great example of literary genius. I look forward to reading more of her work!

Thank you to NetGalley and Legend Press for the advanced copy, in exchange for an honest review. On Wilder Seas publishes March 17!

This story really portrays the strength of women and our ability to react, adapt and thrive in our environments. It is inspired by a true story, and I think that made it more enjoyable for me.

It is the late 16th century, and slave Maria makes an impulsive decision to change her situation - she bargains her way onto the ship of Francis Drake, seeing a brighter future with him than the men who bought her in a slave auction. However, she is on an English ship among 80 men, and she is the only female. She befriends Diego, the General's right-hand man - not English, but Cuban and trusted wholeheartedly by the General. She manages to find a way to keep herself from the prying hands of the crew members and in the "safety" of the General's cabin. She's told that they sail to England, where slavery is being abolished and she will be free. What she doesn't realize is that Francis Drake is set on finding the New World and places to settle new colonies in the Queen's name. They travel through icy waters, meeting different Indigenous people and trying to show them Christianity. But Maria feels more at home with these new people than with the English, and in the end her decisions put her at a great risk. When the ship comes into trouble, she is almost swept away, but ends up finding her salvation instead, and the life she's always wanted.

I definitely enjoyed Maria's resilience - she is kidnapped from her home, and sold as a slave, never seeing her family again. She is subjected to true horrors, but never loses her sense of self. She does what she can to take back her freedom, and to keep others from losing theirs along the way. I really enjoyed the way she interacted with the Indigenous people, and saw more of herself in them than the English. She had a charming personality that easily won people over.

Overall, this was a pleasant, mostly lighthearted read, and I did enjoy it. It was short-lived, and the plot could have been developed a little more, as well as the relationships expanded on.