Rating: 4
Description: Artemesia is the daughter of a pirate queen, and she's sick of practicing deportment at the Angels Academy for Young Maidens. Escaping from the school, she hunts up her mother's crew and breezily commands them out to sea in a leaky boat. Unfortunately, Art's memories of her early life may not be accurate-her seasick crew are actors, and Art's infamous mother was the darling of the stage in a pirate drama. But fiery, pistol-proof Art soon shapes her men into the cleverest pirate crew afloat. And when they meet the dread ship Enemy and her beautiful, treacherous captain, Goldie Girl, Art is certain that her memories are real. The Seven Seas aren't large enough for two pirate queens: Art will have the battle of her life to win her mother's title--and the race for the most fabulous treasure in pirate lore.
Note: Lazily stole this description from amazon.com
Review: "Piratica" is a completely new take on the typical pirate with a heart of gold story. The book is set in a slightly skewed historic England. I don't see why the author couldn't have set it in real historic England, but the difference doesn't detract from the plot at all. Art is a feisty, intelligent character who will get readers laughing with her and cheering her along on her escapades. Her discovery of her mother's true profession tugs at the heartstrings just enough. Art's pirate crew are characterized in a perfect place between realistic and over-the-top. The villains are perfectly villanous and they get a fitting punishment for their dirty deeds. The only character I found lacking was Felix, mysterious semi-romantic interest of Art's. He never became fully real to me, and I wasn't sure exactly what the author was going for with his and Art's relationship. I wanted to like him, but I just never felt like I got to know him. The plot was an exciting series of adventures that were just this side of unbelievable. The only part that I found a little off was the final search for the treasure. The riddle was all fine and good, but it seemed like the pirates found it much too quickly and easily after all they went through to find the place itself. Nevertheless, the story ends in a very satisfactory manner. "Piratica" is a rollicking high seas adventure is the perfect read for lovers of pirates and strong heroines.