I was thrilled when I got the email that I would be a part of the Blackhearts blog tour! Everything about this book sounded right up my alley. Spoiler, IT SO WAS! If you’re into a beautiful story and romance, this book is for you too! And, can we take a quick minute to appreciate that cover?
Review
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: February 9th, 2016
Series: N/A
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Blog Tour)
Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Retelling, Romance
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything.
Edward “Teach” Drummond, son of one of Bristol’s richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There’s just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.
Following her parents’ deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she’s stuck in England?
From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.
Special thanks to The Fantastic Flying Book Club for hosting the blog tour and to Simon Pulse and Edelweiss for providing me with an advance copy of the book for review!
I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. SO. MUCH. It has taken me a couple of days to compose my feelings in order to right a proper review. My mind seriously couldn’t put this book into words, and I’m still having some troubles, so bear with me here. Blackhearts is an absolutely beautiful story. Everything about it was just that: beautiful. The writing, the story, the characters, the romance, everything.
I’ll start with the writing. It was descriptive, but not too much so. The writing didn’t take away from the story, but enhanced it. A lot of historical fiction books tend to be long and drawn out, but that’s not the case with Blackhearts. It was an addicting read, but not in the “normal” page-turning sense of the word. I felt like I was taking my time experiencing the story while I was reading, when in reality I was flying through it. I think that speaks to the rich immersive quality of Nicole Castroman’s ability to write a story.
The story was just as wonderful as the writing that tells it. It hints at the struggles of racism, classism, and gender inequality. But the main story follows the characters of Anne and Teach. It seems like all the books are being written from dual points of view these days, but with Blackhearts, I felt the choice to do so here was a great one. Through that choice we are able to see parallel stories intertwine, and get insight into the hardships that both characters go through. As I mentioned before, I flew through this book. I came to the end and wasn’t expecting it at all because I was so into the story.
Anne and Teach were both such amazing characters, too. I found myself rooting for both of them to find their happiness from the very beginning. They’re both strong-willed and stubborn, and I can’t see how you couldn’t love them!
So of course when the hints of romance were introduced I hopped right aboard that ship (pun intended)! The two managed to bounce off each other in a banter-filled way, and also have those intense moments that will make you blush. From the moment Teach asked Anne to read to him, I was sailing away…
The ending absolutely destroyed me. Fair warning if you pick this book up, it’ll destroy you too. I talked before about how I was so into the book I didn’t even realize I reached the end. Well, it hit me hard when I turned that virtual page and saw acknowledgements. The shock and sadness at reaching the end of this book was totally worth it though. Nicole Castroman is definitely an author I hope to read more from. *cough* A sequel would be nice. *cough*
But in all seriousness, Blackhearts is a much read for those that love historical fiction and romance. And plus, there’s pirates and ships (of both sorts)! I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to read it! This book blew me away, and I urge you to pick up a copy and experience its beauty for yourself.
BUY THE BOOK!
(seriously, do it)
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Favorite Quotes
*All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final publication.
About Nicole Castroman
Nicole was lucky enough to come with her very own best friend…she has a twin sister who can read her mind and finish her sentences for her.
At the age of 13, she went to Europe for the first time and it changed her life. She loves learning about different people, languages and cultures and speaks fluent German. She knows enough Spanish to get herself into trouble and can still read the Cyrillic alphabet from when she studied Russian.
She received her B.A. from Brigham Young University and has lived in Germany, Austria and two different places called Georgia. One is located on the Black Sea. The other is the state of Georgia where she now lives with her handsome husband and two beautiful children who continue to amaze her.
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Books & Cleverness 
I can’t wait to read this! It’s sitting at home on my TBR pile just asking to be picked up next. So glad it’s getting such great reviews! – ashley
I hope you LOVE it!!
I really need to buy this one ASAP!
DO IT!! 😀