Introduction to the book
I first heard about this wonderous Middle-Grade adventure back in January when Mia (penned as Maria when writing), the lovely author, came to the Cassandra Clare influencer tea I was overseeing as one of our esteemed guests. I don’t know if you have seen her Instagram, but good god… that girl can take a gorgeous flat lay. We chatted a little throughout the event and when I eventually heard Mia talking to Cassie and Anna James about her upcoming pirate-filled debut, I knew I would have to be one of the first to read it. I waited with bated breath until just this week when the stunning orange cover popped up on my NetGalley. I rushed to request and was overjoyed that I had this fantastic book to keep me company and fill some of those long long hours of staying at home.

Without further ado…

First Impressions
The best place to start with this review has to be the cover. It is a thing of beauty:

SoS

I think Puffin has done a great job of telling the reader exactly what they’re in for with The Ship of Shadows. Even at the briefest glance, you can see the high seas, a pirate ship, it’s dastardly crew swinging and swashbuckling across the cover, and treasure! You might even spot one of my favourite characters on there. I’ll give you a clue, he has two huge eyes and feathery wings. The orange sunset of the cover transports you to a world of busy bazaars, stifling deserts filled with secrets and overwhelming heat, but then the wash of cold seawater cools you right down. After pouring over Karl James Mountford’s cover, I was ready to come aboard.

Characters
Without spoiling anything, this book is filled to the brim with kick-ass, swashbuckling, female pirates who, let’s just say, you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley; you’d be hogtied to the bottom of the nearest palm tree with your weapons missing, jewellery pinched (if Frances has anything to say about it), and your head scrambled from being hit in the back of the head with the butt of a pistol.

The crew of The Ship of Shadows are all so loveable and memorable as they each have their own unique skill and personality that they bring into the mix. Whether it’s linguistics, pickpocketing, navigation, weapons-mastery or even explosives, they each have their part to play aboard ship. My favourite of the bunch was probably Frances whom I promise you are all going to adore; she is funny, fiery, fierce but also lots of fun as she is often dripping with syrup and crumbs from the cakes she’s just wolfed down… all I can say is #Mood.

However, the real diamond amongst the rubies has to be our beloved protagonist, Aleja. I have to start by saying how much of a fan I am of her name; it rolls off the tongue like molasses and was a joy to say and read in my head every time it graced the page. I guarantee that this sharp, courageous, reliable and linguistically skilled bookworm will stay with you long after you read this book. From page one she takes you by the hand through markets, docks, libraries, caves, and even across the seven seas and you never want the journey to end. As someone who learned many languages in my teens, I found Aleja really relatable in a way that I thought, if I were a pirate, I’d have the same useful skills she does.

Plot Thoughts
The story needs no thorough review other than the fact that it is top-notch. Every chapter is wildly different from that which came before as you learn more and more about the world of The Ship of Shadows and all of the mystic and wonder that comes with it. There really is something for everyone including chase scenes, great battles with otherworldly creatures, parties, and many moments filled to the pirate’s cap with treasure. I don’t like to spoil plots so just trust me when I say, just hop aboard The Ship of Shadows, join their motley crew, and let Maria’s magic do the rest…

Overall Impressions
As a marketer in publishing, I come across and read heaps of middle-grade fiction. The majority of it is good – an enjoyable read to settle down to with a cuppa – but then you happen upon one of the greats, Malamander, Tilly and the Bookwanderers, Nevermoor and you find your hands stuck to your book, unable to let go until the final word. The Ship of Shadows is that calibre of story. I loved every moment of it and already can’t wait for the next in the series. I will finish this review by summing up my lasting impressions using my favourite line of this wondrous tale:

Even after just the first page, I “was already melting into a dream of warm libraries and ancient books and old ships.“

5/5

Set the sails, (wo)man the decks and get ready to sail on a fabulous pirate adventure unlike any other.

Meet Aleja who has an inner passion for adventure. Inner because her temperament means she's left out of the girls games, but not included in the boy because... well, she's not a boy.

I'll let you discover how she ends up on the Ship of Shadows, but do let me tell you this is a ship like no other. Full of magic, secrets, intrigue and most importantly a wonderful range of characters. All women. Each member of the crew is valued for HER unique skills and abilities, I love that. And Aleja - it's her passion for languages and her thirst for adventure that gets her noticed.

I adore how Kuzniar whisks us off on exciting adventures with the Ship of Shadows crew - Indiana Jones meets Peter Pan.

The Ship of Shadows is a fast-paced, feminist pirate adventure, packed with puzzles, magic and mystery. Storms in jars, lost cities, pirate hunters, monsters, and legends - this book has it all! It'll take you from Sevilla to Marrakech with a main character, Aleja, who is curious, smart, bold, and a born explorer. I loved following her journey and meeting the curious cast of characters on board the mysterious Ship of Shadows, which has plenty of secrets of its own! I also especially loved the sprinkling of Spanish, Arabic, and French throughout the book and the little pieces of culture from Spain and Morocco - tiny fragments to make your eyes light up at the thought of travelling the world. A gorgeous, gorgeous read. Can't wait for the next book!

This was a big dose of escapism and I really enjoyed it. Vibrant, fast paced and full of exciting ideas. Looking forward to the next adventure.

This pirate filled adventure story is gripping from the first page to the last. Here are three reasons I loved it:

1. I loved the magic in this story. The shadows, the unexpected rooms, everything was so wonderful. Young readers will adore this world and be desperate to visit. It's full of surprises and amazement, and felt like a story where anything could happen. There is so much more I want to know about Kuzniar's world and I'm already looking forward to book two.

2. The settings in The Ship of Shadows were rich and full of details. I'm not sure I could pick a favourite location because they were all so fantastic. They come to life with vivid descriptions, sights and smells, and I would have stepped into the pages if I could.

3. I couldn't possibly end this review without mentioning Kuzniar's brilliant band of pirates. They were all unique and exciting, and readers will be desperate to sign up to join Captain Quint's crew. I particularly loved Frances and her fondness for cake. Aleja's desire for adventure is also contagious. She's a brave, clever and resourceful protagonist.

I can't wait to discover what adventures this exciting explorers get up to in book two. The Ship of Shadows is not to be missed.

Aleja's life is spent in her family's tavern in Seville, where she longs for adventure. However, 'girls can't be explorers!'. Aleja's love of books is where she satisfies her thirst for adventure. She devours books like there is no tomorrow.
This is an action-packed story where girls and women dominate. In it you will encounter an infamous pirate ship with an all female crew, ghosts, shadows, an unspoken code and magic. I loved getting to know the characters in the book as they travel land and sea on their adventures. It is brilliantly written by Maria Kuzniar.
This is a book for everyone who has dreams and is determined to follow them, even though some people say they won't amount to anything. It shows that everyone has a part to play in making things happen - that we are all a small part of a bigger team.