I've been in the mood for some nautical fiction recently, so when I got approved for "Saltblood", I was positively giddy.

This is a recounting of Mary Read's life, told from her point of view, and whilst the narrative is presented in the present tense, it's still her looking back on her life and telling the reader what happened in the past. This is important as it sets the tone for the whole book. It's not a third-person swashbuckling adventure (though there is adventure to be had), rather, it's memories and key moments that shaped Mary as a person.

Right after she is born, Mary quickly becomes Mark Read and is raised as a boy – her dead brother, to be precise – so that she and her mother wouldn't lose the money provided to them by her brother's grandmother. Thus, the foundation for her identity is created, and it is a question she continues to grapple with throughout her life: what does it mean to be a woman or a man, and what is in a name?

I was initially expecting a lot more pirates and piracy from this book. Instead, her life takes her through different careers and roles first, all of which pave the way towards her becoming a pirate. The detailed descriptions of life in the navy and the army paint a clear image of a rough life, especially by modern standards and sensibilities. But it's told as facts, since it was just the way life was at the time.

I enjoyed de Tores' writing style, which felt very lyrical to me. And since I don't know all that much factually about the Golden Age of Piracy, then I thoroughly appreciated getting a more realistic depiction of how pirates ran their ships and crew. As for the factuality of the lives of Mary Read, Anne Bonny, and others, I think the author did a very good job of creating a gripping story around what we DO know (which is very little actually).

It was a 4.5/5 read for me as I just would've hoped for a tiny bit more of the piracy aspect. But I highly recommend it for nautical historical fiction that covers much more than just piracy in the early 18th century and for a book that tackles questions of gender and identity.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

As soon as I saw that this book was about a gender-queer pirate I knew I had to read it. The fact that it is based on a true story just makes it even better.

I genuinely couldn't put this book down and yet didn't want it to end. I had to ration chapters to make reading it last longer because I enjoyed it so much.

While large parts of the book are embellishments, the whole thing is written so beautifully and well that it feels like reading a true first-person historical account. Every character is so vivid and real and Mary's voice weaves a wonderful story.

The history included in the book is absolutely fascinating and done so well. I've now done more research into Mary Read and Anne Bonney and this story really did them justice.

The questions of gender and sexuality were handled so well, especially considering the fact the book was set at a time when the language for the exploration of these things didn't really exist. Mary's journey and acceptance of herself was really beautiful and a lot of her feelings rang true, from someone who has heavily questioned their gender.

I went into this book expecting lots of swashbuckling pirate stories, which are included, but Saltblood is so much more than that and the beautiful way it is written makes it all the more poignant.

As someone who struggles with historical fiction, I would happily read this again right now.

This book read as an adventurous historical memoir filled with dramatic twists and turns. We follow the many lives of Mary Read, as she grapples with her own complicated identity, gender and sexuality while surviving in a man's world.

"The navy is full of boys pretending to be men. Is it such a big difference, one girl pretending to be a boy?"

Towards the middle mark of the book, I'd almost given up on seeing a single pirate. They didn't appear until 54%. Before then, we spent most of the time wading through the muddy trenches with Mary/Mark as a soldier, then in the infantry. Although they had started in the Navy, it felt like a long time until we returned to the sea to find adventure. Mary/Mark really did live a thousand lives, I just wish we were able to connect with some of them in a more meaningful way as they often felt like fractured parts of the person but never the full picture.

"I could pass again as a woman. And may yet in years to come. But I will never not be a sailor."

I'll admit, I was expecting more pirating. Perhaps it's a repetitive line of work that doesn't translate well to storytelling but I must say that I envisioned much more of the book to take place upon a pirate ship. I expected Mary would rise up the ranks of pirate kind, perhaps captain her own ship of multiple female pirates. However it seems Mary was one-of-a-kind female who seized her chance to jump aboard a sinking ship during the decline of piracy, never advancing beyond a shipmate. Could well be that I am just unappreciative of what is a realistic and factual retelling of history.. however, I can't deny that it was a bit of a reality check for a reader expecting female pirates galore embarking on bountiful swashbuckling adventures.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing & Francesca De Tores for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The story of Mary Read and Anny Bonny has always fascinated me. In Saltblood Francesca De Tores imagines Mary's story from her point of view and in her words. The historical gaps or contradiction have been filled very well and paired with what is known about the life of Mary Read this makes for an amazing adventure story. The writing is very descriptive and has so many beautiful moments that are just delicious.

Apart from some minor pacing issues this is a book I wouldn't hesitate to read again and that I will definitely buy in print to have and to hug and to look at the beautiful cover.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for this advanced copy in return for an honest review.

This fascinating story tells pretty much all of Mary Read’s life. It uses a first person, present tense narrative, which draws you in to Mary’s secret thoughts and observations. It feels autobiographical, even though Francesca de Tores has pieced it together from many sources, all with scant information.

Saltblood is wholly engrossing. I’m fond of sea stories, but this starts on land before Mary, transformed by her Ma into Mark, the half-brother who pre-deceased her, joins the navy. Mark has a good go at naval warfare, before shifting into the army for a taste of Belgian mud. And not until a cavalry officer is ‘unmasked’ as a woman does Mark have any intention of revealing himself as Mary.

in these days of transgender and LGBQT+, it may be surprising to consider how, really, it was ever thus. But Mark reveals some interesting thoughts on the differences in the treatment and attitudes to women in the 18th century, and they ring true even now.

it’s a fabulous story, with an arc that peaks earlier than I thought it might, but then the roll of the dice means that even Mary can’t avoid the inevitable forever. The characters are lively, wondrous and mixed-up — why else take to piracy? The issues of the time, warfare and slavery, provide a background context to the ‘escape’ so many wretches seek.

The end is well-handled, and the writing is so beautiful I want to go back and read it again. No higher praise than that.

This book is an absolutely crashing wave of seafaring, piracy and womanhood based on the life of a real woman pirate, Mary Read— written in an impeccable style that strikes you with it’s beauty and emotion under the guise of simplicity and pragmatism. A glittering and salty reflection of the golden age of piracy.

This is an epic historical adventure following the life of the one of the only known female pirates Mary Read. Mary really comes to life in this retelling of her story. I know it is a work of fiction but much of the story is based on known facts about Mary’s life and what a life she led, sailor, soldier, pub landlady and pirate! Mary’s life was truly remarkable. I loved Mary’s relationships with all those she was close to. This book is beautifully and satisfyingly told.

By far the best book I have read this year!

Mary is born into a role chosen for her by fate. The role is that she takes the place of her brother Mark, who died whilst her Ma was giving birth.

Mary becomes Mark and they embark on many adventures encountering many characters, that you will both love and hate.

I have given Saltblood five stars as it is beautifully written, so much so that the book becomes alive. I feel that I have lived both the life of Mary and Mark.

Overall this is an exciting read that you will not want to put down.

Fantastic - such an epic story told in a beautifully poetic way (even the sailing manoeuvres were beautiful!). I loved the exploration and descriptions of gender, and the romantic relationship with Mary and Anne and the way their lives were so intertwined.

Thank you and Bloomsbury and NetGalley for providing me this advanced copy e-book in exchange for a honest review.

When I first requested this title I thought it would be fantasy (just based on the cover) but was pleasantly surprised it was a historical fiction novel instead!

This novel is about the remarkable life of Mary Reads, her unconventional upbringing and her extraordinary adventures that transcend societal norms during the Golden Age of Piracy.

The author writes beautifully and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this entire novel. I didn’t want it to end. Her storytelling keeps the reader hooked with the settings she creates and the adventures that are portrayed.

I went in blind, not knowing anything about Mary or her life and enjoyed how complex she was. She was a wonderful and beautifully layered protagonist.

I highly recommend this novel

Larger than life real historical characters Mary Read and Ann Bonny have waited three centuries for a writer who could do their wild adventures justice. It was well worth the wait: Francesca de Tores has done them proud. To say that Saltblood is a gripping page turner would be to understate its enthralling terrors and delights. De Tores lures us to the oceans in the Golden Age of Piracy on a fully immersive voyage through the convention and gender-defying lives, loves and adventures of feminism’s favourite unrepentant brigands. You can hear the songs of the ships, smell the salt, taste the tar and gunpowder. Francesca De Tores has read closely between the lines of the questionable historical records, listened acutely for the sound of lost voices and drawn deftly on reliable, well selected scholarship to set her scene. The result is a completely satisfying imaginative reconstruction of Read and Bonny to what might have been the full dimensions of their flamboyant, complex characters.

Hands-down the best seafaring tale I’ve enjoyed since Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey–Maturin series.

The golden age of pirates is always fascinating and the story of Mary Read often gets overlooked. Along with Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny these are the more fascinating pirates. Francesca has done a great job piecing together historical fact and interweaving a story through it filling in blank areas and making the story run so well. Including other pirates like Black Beard Vane etc brings the story to life.
This is a gripping read from the early days of Mary and her life through to her military career and onto pirating. A total must read.

Saltblood by Francesca De Tores is a blinding epic and utterly immersive read that flows through time, identity and rebirth,

Mary's character is fascinating, a powerful FMC that swims against the tide and balks at all conventions forced upon her. Francesca De Tores has a stunning narrative prose, the story undulates and rolls, foams and dives deep, just like the ocean Mary yearns for

A beautiful blend of fact and fiction, creating a whole new sub-section of the genre. I adore historical fiction and this is an absolutely belting debut that carves a whole new path for the genre

Straight on to my "to buy" list for 25th April as this one is a keeper!

Thank you to Netgalley, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) | Bloomsbury Publishing and the author Francesca De Tores for this amazing ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This is a brilliant fictionalisation of the life of Mary Read.
I loved how vivid the imagery was in this book as it felt like you were right on board of a ship with Mary and a crew.

This book is set in 18th in the golden age of piracy. If like me you were overly investing the in pirates of the Caribbean franchise then this is a much read. It incorporates all the same elements of adventure, piracy, life and love.

I now need to find more pirated related books to fill in the gap that this book has created.

4.25 ⭐️

📖 My very first ARC with NetGalley.
Thank you and Bloomsbury so much for offering me the opportunity to read this book before it’s out in the world! All thoughts are my own.

Now let’s get down to business. Did I start this book convinced it was gonna be a fantasy and quickly realized I was wrong? Yes, yes I did.
Do not let that Goodreads tag confuse you, my friends, as this is very much an historical fiction book, and a very good one indeed.

This book covers the very interesting life of Mary Reads, a woman pirate that lived in the 1700s, and how she came to be in that situation.

I really loved Mary’s story, it’s so fully of twists and turns, and I felt them deep into my chest every time. The author writes so beautifully and I have basically highlighted all my ebook because some sentences just hit so hard.
I am not usually a big fan of books narrated in first person present tense, as I believe they tend to simplify the story a lot, but Francesca De Tores does such a great job that she did really prove me wrong.
It’s still not my preferred style but I learnt to enjoy it.

Mary is a wonderful, complex and layered character that kept me guessing throughout her story and I am sure I will miss her and think of her a lot.

The only thing I feel I missed from this book was more pirate action. I was expecting big battles and drama but this book is for sure very character driven rather than plot. Nothing wrong with it, just my personal preference.

So: read this book if you like pirates and adventure and complex characters that don’t fit in their world and their thoughts process.
[Do NOT read it if you want to find magic and Jack Sparrow in it -there IS a character called Jack tho, and a Gibson.]

From the blurb around this new novel by Francesca De Tores I knew this would be right up my street. I was not disappointed. I loved the characters and the details of sailing life in the 18th century were very evocative. As I was reading I kept having to ask myself if the story was really true and why do I feel sympathy for Mary despite her being a pirate?

Salt blood is a fabulous fictional account of the life of Mary Read, a female pirate from the Golden Age of Piracy 🏴‍☠️
The book follows Mary from her hidden birth, where she assumes her deceased brother's identity, to her adventures as a pirate on the high seas.
Mary is a strong and resilient character and the book makes for a really captivating read in particular for readers who enjoy historical reads, reads that include strong female characters, or just well written stories about pirates… it’s a win-win situation really!!!

A beautifully poetic fictionalised recounting of the life and exploits of Mary - Mark - Read. Expansive and fluid, like the themes of gender, identify, and the bonds of loyalty the book explores.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free review copy!

The best way to describe this book is as a dramatised version of a memoir, which wasn’t what I was expecting going into it. It is based on the life of Mary Read, starting from childhood all the way to her death. The story has plenty of action and the pace is steady with a good mix of characters that keeps the story interesting wanting you to read on to see what happens next in Mary’s life. We meet a collection of other famed pirates that she crosses paths with, and see how each has an impact on her life.

My main issue with this book is how much time was spent on the first half of her life, the time before she became a pirate. During this part of the book it dragged for me a little, yet some important parts of her life and rushed through very quickly. Once Mary started her piracy I enjoyed the book more but overall it was still lacking for me. It’s written in a very matter of fact way and seems very detached from any real strong emotion.

Overall I’m glad I read it as it was interesting and I would recommend if your interested in her life, but not something I would reach for again

'Saltblood' is an utterly brilliant novel which follows the life of the infamous female pirate, Mary Read. De Tores has clearly done an extraordinary amount of research, and has successfully brought Mary to life on the page, in all her vivid detail. From Mary's childhood, where she was disguised as her dead brother Mark in order to secure an inheritance, through her years in the Army, the Navy, and then her days of piracy, de Tores has painted such a rich picture of such a little known woman. Mary Read's relationship with another infamous female pirate, Anne Bonny, is brilliantly rendered, with every character so well drawn, flawed but lovable. 'Saltblood' is vying for my title of 'best book of the year so far', and the story of Mary Read will remain with me for a long time.