The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron

This novel is a swashbuckling success! Here are just a few reasons why I highly recommend it.

1. I love historical fiction and The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye introduces a slice of history about which I was unfamiliar. The 17th and early 18th centuries are often considered the “Golden Age of Piracy” in the Caribbean, and pirate ports experienced rapid growth in the areas in and surrounding the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Here is how the narrator of the novel describes 1655 Tortuga, currently a Caribbean Island that forms part of Haiti:

Now, from what she could glean from the idle chatter of those passing through, Tortuga was full of sailors and fisherman, as well as Buccaneers and pirates. The island was left to its own devices after the execution of La Vasseur, and surrounded by sea on all sides, the greatest shipwrights in the Caribbean had flocked there to provide them with worthy vessels. [p. 13]

Details from that period and way of life abound in The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye, such as this description of Jacquotte in Port Royal Harbor:

The strong sea wind made a tangle of her flaming hair. The Marauder rocked violently on the gentle waves of the Port Royal harbor, as if just as eager for its final voyage as its captain. Even the rats had abandoned the brigantine. She had watched them from the prow of the ship as they leapt overboard, their sodden black bodies struggling away though the deep blue waves. [p.254]

• Even though evidence of Jacquotte’s existence is scant, accounts of other women pirates in the Caribbean area do exist and I’m sure helped develop this proud pirate captain.[B.C. Brooks: A Writer’s Hiding Place: Anne Bonny, Possible Neighbor of the Thaches of Spanish Town, Jamaica?]

It really did not matter to me whether she was real or not, I thought Briony Cameron created a highly likable, charismatic primary character in Jacquotte. She is a strong-headed hero, fighting for what is right, trying to cut a piece of land to call her home. And, as captain of The Marauder, she hires women as well as men for her crew.

The women had found their footing amongst her crew quickly. Lennox taught the larger women how to brawl. Two farm girls, Henrietta and Alice, were his favorites. The bravest trained in the crow’s nest. The riggers taught the sure-footed to scale the ropes. Mbala had some belowdecks at the cannons. Francisco trained Elizabeth and the older, less agile women how to shoot. Marceau had two former midwives in the surgeon’s quarters, where they traded knowledge. And those with child were in the cookroom. Everyone found their place. Every job was accounted for, and all were eager to learn. It was better than she could ever have planned. [p. 256]

• I do not usually enjoy fight scenes, but the ones described by Briony Cameron were amazing! I particularly enjoyed the face smashing. I know, I know! I don’t know what has come over me! Here is a description of Jacquotte and Vincente, fighting soldiers at Fort de Rocher on Tortuga.

Three soldiers burst out of the room behind him. She barely had time to draw her cutlass before they were upon them. She slashed up, knocking away a sword that raced down toward her, and leapt away. Vincente was not so lucky. The second soldier’s blade came down hard and fast and lopped his hand off.

Jacquotte lowered her sword and brought it up sharply, slicing the soldier’s groin. He cried out and fell, and she lunged at the second guard. His sword was missing, but he grabbed her sword hand and pulled her close, too close for her to slash him. She smashed her face into his. She heard his nose crunch and break and she stumbled away, head pounding. [p. 303]

I can only imagine! And there’s lots more where that came from!

• I can’t end this review without acknowledging the exquisite cover. I searched unsuccessfully for recognition for the artist(s) who created it. Kudos to whomever that might be.

Some readers might want this novel to be more accurate historically, but I found it a highly imaginative, bold, boisterous, heartwarming, and sometimes bonkers thrill ride. The author describes it in five words: “Hope. Revolution. Justice. Freedom. Friendship.”

Climb aboard!

A huge thank you to Briony Cameron, Atria Books, and the Goodreads giveaway campaign for sending me this terrific read!

Additional Reading: [Anne Bonny – History of Piracy] [Golden Age of Piracy Timeline – World History Encyclopedia]

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