An amazing journey of a two female pirates who are central to this book got me hooked. I love historical novels and this was based Ona true story. Gripping and taut, the characters were very human; flawed and at the same time showing strongest of emotions and the adventure they embark on brings out the ripeness of this novel.
Absolutely amazing!

I am a sucker for historical books, whether fact or fiction, and Bonny & Read sort of straddles the two. My first comment is that ultimately I did enjoy this book; it’s well written and the author clearly spent a lot of time researching the subject matter. I previously didn’t know much about Anne Bonny and Mary Read and this book us encouraged me to find out more.
However the probably with sitting in the middle of fact and fiction is that the author is required to follow true events, and I found the ending to be particularly brutal in its suddenness and it’s telling. I also didn’t really warm to Anne as a character, she could sometimes be quite cold and nasty, even before the majority of the events of the book occur. I can see why the author portrayed her like this (and this may be a very true reflection of her!), however this meant that I did struggle with empathising with her or even being any more than indifferent on occasion. Which is something you tend to expect from the fictional element of a book.
Ultimately though I did enjoy the book and would highly recommend it.

This is historical fiction based on the real life female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

Full disclosure - the TV show Black Sails is one of my all-time favourites, Anne Bonny being one of my favourite characters - but unfortunately I think this tainted my enjoyment of the book. Whilst undoubtedly displaying both women as complex and developing characters, I found I didn't much care for either of them - or any of the other characters. There was little in plot development, the pacing was slow in my opinion and I think I was just expecting more.

That said - the author creates what could be seen as a realistic interpretation of life for these women - perhaps I was more wanting the completely unrealistic swashbuckling, adventure-packed epic - and so whilst this book wasn't for me, it's not to take away from the fact that it is an interesting read.

It's books like Bonny & Read where I wish 3.5 stars was a proper thing. Giving this book three stars seems to undervalue it, but I held out on four stars for my own reasons - I think it's taste rather than anything else. Make no mistake, though, Bonny & Read is a good book that deserves to be read.

Bonny and Read is definitely the type of book you pick up when you're looking to be swept away by action, adventure and high stakes. I loved the premise of the book. It oozes feminist values and reading about dangerous women - especially when they're based upon real people, like in this book - is always awesome. Mary is a force to be reckoned with from the start of the novel, and it was interesting to see Anne develop her lethal streak.

The start and end of this book are both great. Especially the ending -- I read the last 25% of the book in one sitting, and it really pulled at my heartstrings. My main criticism of the book though is I found the middle a drag. Sailing on the high seas is a cool adventure, but there is definitely times when the 'tension' of the book dies. I think this is partly because once the two heroines meet, the anticipation drops. We are left to see how Anne and Mary develop as characters and (for a time) there's not much danger or threat in the story. I almost gave up on it until a 'ticking time bomb' is revealed, at which point I started t enjoy the book a lot more.

I recommend Bonny & Read - it reminds you how important it is to carve your own way in life, but that equally everything comes at a cost. It's fun but it's also sad at points, which isn't a bad thing, but makes it worldly and honest. I just which it had kept me enthralled the whole way through.

This book may be described as "an exuberant reimagining" of the story of the women pirates of the 1720s Anne Bonny and Mary Read but it is in fact a very accurate telling of their extraordinary lives. I am lucky to have a first edition of Edward Rowe Snow.s 'Pirates and Buccaneers of the Atlantic Coast' (published 1944) in which he details their story and this author Julie Walker has not strayed from the known facts.
A gripping tale of two swashbuckling women in a man's world but one also of friendship, love and even integrity.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publishers, Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

This book honestly really surprised me. I didn't have any expectations but I ended up reading a book about two amazing characters i fell in love with. I've seen people say this book is 'Thelma and Louise meets Pirates of the Caribbean' and I really think it's an accurate description.

Main characters were extremely strong but also flawed and so easy to fall in love with. Reading this book felt amazing, it was the first book I've read about pirates and I am amazed.

Thank you to Julie Walker and the publisher for this ARC copy of Bonny & Read.

I was intrigued by a Twitter cover reveal for this novel - I'm a fan of pirate history and am familiar with Anne Bonny and Mary Read's stories, so was curious to read Julie Walker's take on them. I wasn't initially keen on the writing style in the first two sections, which was a lot of telling and little showing - just an account of the women's lives that whipped over any fixed details. However, once they were together aboard ship, the narrative became more anchored (no pun intended) and I started to enjoy myself, finding it finally possible to connect emotionally with some of the characters. Walker's descriptions of the at-sea setting were so vivid, I could always feel the scene as I read. I did find the ending disappointing, though - perhaps this was the point, but it felt like such an anticlimax to the grand story of adventure, and entirely a departure from all of Anne's established motivations and personality traits.

Ooooooo I was looking forward to reading this book. The novel is based upon a true story, two female pirates which is rather unique. WOW! What a rollercoaster ride this book was!… Totally gripped from the beginning… Grab yourself a copy of this book! I absolutely loved this! I read this book within a day, I couldn’t put it down.

I can’t resist a book, film or TV show about pirates and when I saw this title on NetGalley- I knew I had to read this and I wasn’t disappointed.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased review
This book is told from the points of view of Anne and Mary in the third person. Their voices are strong and interesting. I loved how the author portrayed them as women who turned to piracy because they are women ahead of their time. These women choose a life on the sea to be free from society’s expectations of them rather than being victims or forced into a life on the sea.
Anne runs away from a husband she married in haste by joining Jack Ratham and his crew on his pirate ship. Mary, who dresses as a man has served as a man in the army and later joins the Navy as a widow dressed as a man. She gleefully joins Anne and Jack when her ship is boarded and finds out one of the pirates is quite clearly a pirate.
I particularly liked the relationship between Anne and Mary grows into a strong friendship with no resentment or jealousy. The book doesn’t shy away from Bonny’s violence and her lack of empathy for the people around her or Read’s reaction to this.
The story does slow a bit towards the middle but picks up towards the end( the fate of most of the pirates shouldn’t come as a surprise. I noticed a lack of historical notes in the book but thankfully google came to the rescue.
Perfect for fans of
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction with strong women or anyone who loves reading about pirates. Black Sails, the TV show.

Content warning
Stillbirth

This book surprised me. I went in blind and ending up adoring this story of two amazing characters. I've seen the book be described as 'Thelma and Louise meets Pirates of the Caribbean' and I think that's a great description.

These women are strong and flawed and magnificent. The book really brought us on a journey and spared no details when it comes to depicting the unpleasant sides of piracy.

I've never read a book about pirates before, but I'm glad this was my first one as I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I have been intrigued by the historical figures of Anne Bonny and Mary Read for a long time. There’s something inspiring about these women who completely rejected what society expected of them.

This book really brings Anna and Mary to life making them complex and fascinating characters. I loved the focus on their friendship and camaraderie as they took to pirate life. The story was adventurous, fun and strangely inspiring, as well as being pretty sad in parts.

The descriptions of being at sea were also fabulous, so evocative and painted a really vivid picture.

It’s only not a 5 as I found some bits a little dry and lacking in emotion or excitement.
However, overall a great pirate adventure! Definitely worth reading!

This novel is based upon a true story, it concerns two female pirates and I really enjoyed the novel and the tale of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, it was very moving at times, and that is partly why I enjoyed the book, but also the plot got going straight away and the characters were well drawn. I would recommend the book.

I loved this reimagining of Anne Bonny and Mary Read. It was well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters that I fell in love with. I was gripped from the start and couldn't put it down. I think these two may become on of my favourite pairings in history. I will definitely be looking out for more from the author.