I loved this. I haven't read historical fiction in a while and was attracted to it because it was about Mary Read, one of the known female pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy, a topic close to my heart. I have to admit that for the first half of the book (until she becomes a pirate), I felt a sort of trepidation and frustration that she wasn't a pirate yet, that it was taking so long to get to the pirate bit, but reading her back story and the events that lead to her joining the pirates was fascinating.
This book is very rich in its descriptions of the times, the characters you meet, the language used has been well researched to include terms and idioms from the time period. It felt like being transported by back in time to the late 17th century, early 18th century. I was worried at times that the pirates weren't going to be depicted accurately (having researched them myself), but the author did not disapoint and it was great to see her sources at the end of the book. Thoroughly enjoyed it, might seek out more historical fiction!

This is Francesca De Tores remarkable, scintillating and imaginative take on the actual historical pirate figures of Mary Read and Anne Bonny, she is inspired by and researches their stories. It is in the form of a narrative located in the present, spanning Mary's memories and major milestones and all that made her who she is, her ground breaking life, the challenge of the gender expectations of the time, her sexual identity, and the precarious nature of the adventures set in the golden age of piracy. Mary is born in 1685, her young brother, however, is dying, pushing her mother to make the momentous decision to raise Mary as Mark, driven to do so for financial aid which will continue to be received by her.

It is not surprising that this is going to generate confusion for Mary, but she accepts the position her mother found herself in, continuing to pose as male which raise all the inevitable multilayered complexities revolving around gender roles. We follow her as she develops into an increasingly confident woman, gaining insights into her thinking and the world as she sees it, shifting and changing life paths, as she takes a position with a French widow, and with the war, bravely joins the navy, followed by the army with all the risks this entails, getting married, having a child, but the sea is in her blood, as she once again reverts to being a man, and a pirate in the Caribbean with Anne Bonny.

There is a compulsive and captivating quality to the skilfully drawn character of Mary, the author breathes vibrant life into who she is and her developments, living amongst the historical turbulence of the time, that had me deeply immersed in the storytelling, even whilst being aware of where it is all going and how it all ends. The is a thought provoking, engaging and beautifully written book, with rich descriptions of the historical period and the major events and issues of the day that loom large in the background of Mary's adventurous life, with its exploration of gender, sexual identity, and more. Highly recommended to readers of historical fiction and others interested in Mary, gender, and, of course, piracy! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

This is a fascinating, beautifully written tale told from the perspective of Mary Read. It takes us through the rollercoaster of her incredible life as she seeks and finds one adventure after another, never being shy of a challenge! She is quite happy to switch her persona to fit the circumstances whilst we meet some incredible, vividly portrayed characters along the way. Although I felt that the pace dipped a little in the middle of the book, overall it was an excellent read thank you!

She doesn’t think she’s brave, bold or exceptional but, oh my, what a woman. I loved the retelling of the unconventional life of Mary Read, particularly the non-pirate years. But, there is no doubt, the sea runs through her veins. The wind in the sails gives her breath. Life on the waves animates her, enables her to become her hidden self.

Animated and engaging throughout this is the story of an exceptional life, with its many twists and turns, expertly told.

To be recommended.

This wasn’t at all what I was expecting it to be but I’m not sure that’s necessarily a bad thing. The book follows the tale of Mary, a young woman who is raised in her brothers name and later becomes a pirate.

It’s a very character driven book and doesn’t contain nearly as much piracy as I was expecting given the blurb and cover.

Overall an enjoyable read and great for lovers of historical fiction but probably not one I’d come back to.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a bit slow in places, as fictional biographies can be. And I was honestly waiting the whole time to get to the pirate bit. But I liked the voice a lot and the character was interesting.

I liked the exploration of gender. It was really interesting how the author chose to portray Mary Read’s gender. It’s difficult with historical characters to put labels on them, as the labels wouldn’t exist at the time. But I think De Tores did a good job of showing someone who doesn’t fit in gender without giving it a modern label. (I would probably label it as agender if I had to, but I really don’t think a label was necessary).

I liked the crow. It really added to the image of Mary as this fearless pirate who doesn’t care about your rules. Even though Crow came a bit before she became a pirate. I felt it was a nice addition to the historical character who unfortunately didn’t have a crow companion.

I think this book is a great book to read to explore LGBTQ+ themes. It also gives a good view of piracy at the time.

Based on the stories of Mary Read and Anne Bonny, Saltblood is a fictional account of their lives, using as much documentation as was available to the author.
It begins with Mary's birth in a rented room near Plymouth in 1685. As Mary is born, her young brother lies dying and her mother makes a calculated decision - to bring up Mary as Mark in order to continue to receive financial help from her mother-in-law.
At times Mary is conflicted by male/female role but as she gets older and understands her mother's reasons she goes along with the ruse. She takes employment in the house of a French widow as a footman, where she is accepted as Mark. When the country goes to war, Mary leaves the house and follows her calling, signing on in the navy where she must guard her secret even more carefully less it is discovered she is a woman. There after, Mary joins the army, marries, has a child and leaves the Netherlands, the land of her husband, going to sea once again as a man, and ending up in the Caribbean as part of a pirate crew.
The detailed descriptions in the book of Mary's early life, and of the ships and pirate life are all fascinating and really drew me in to the story. De Tores writing style and lyrical prose, along with the way she has created a 'voice' for Mary as she looks back on her life, make the book extremely readable. Since it is based on fact rather than being fiction the end is fairly certain from the outset but the books is a journey worth being on.
This books is a 4.5 from me, as I think perhaps I'd have liked more plot and happier ending but that was never going to be. I found the historical detail wonderful and would recommend the read for that alone. I love the cover design too. Excellent.
With thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing and Netgalley for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

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