The Determined Honest ARC Review:

Please note that I received no compensation for this review. I read a LOT and found Rachel’s books to be some of the best I have read so far.

This is the second book I have read by Rachel Rueckert and it did not disappoint! Living on Cape Cod, I have always been fascinated by stories of pirates, our history and fantastical tales. Rachel’s story was well researched and interesting. I laughed, cried and fell in love with the characters.

The Determined pulled me in from the first chapter! With many historical fiction books, it seems that they take a while to really grab me. Rachel caught my interest from the first page. Independent Female Main Characters and Pirates at that! Loved it!! I look forward to purchasing the paperback copy so I can reread in the future!

I highly recommend for anyone interested in strong female characters, pirates or adventure.



Thank you so much Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for sharing this ARC with me.

In February 1721, Anne Bonny sits in a gaol in Spanish Town on the isle of Jamaica. She awaits the birth of her child, as well as the hangman’s noose, for her pregnancy is all that stays her execution. Since her capture, the days have passed in monotony, without companionship and without anything to mark one day from another. On this particular day, that changes – a gentleman wearing a tricorn with an ostrich feather comes to visit. He wishes to write her story to add to his forthcoming collection that he hopes will be a bestseller. His name is Captain Charles Johnson. Anne is reticent to share her story – what business is it to others – but she asks for two boons. One is paper and ink to write letters. The second is for word of Mary and a doctor to tend to her ailing friend.

Interwoven through the chapters set in 1721 are the stories of the two most notorious female pirates of the golden age of piracy. Anne’s begins in 1705 in Kinsale, Ireland, where she is the illegitimate daughter of a lawyer from a well-to-do family and a servant woman. Social mores and debts drive them from Ireland and eventually, they land in Charlestown, South Carolina. From there, Anne explains the circumstances of how she meets James Bonny and the unfortunate circumstances that surround her arrival in New Providence and her run-in with Calico Jack Rackham.

Mary, too, is pregnant, but her health is tenuous and the odds are about even as to whether the fever or the hangman will claim her. Her tale begins a decade before Anne’s in London, England, where Mary is known as Mark Read and she has no idea that she is a girl. The ruse is staged by her mother to keep them both alive, but the day soon comes when Mary learns the truth. Life isn’t fair to women, and for them to continue to survive, Mom must separate from her and Mark must continue to make “his” way, this time as an apprentice to a ship’s captain who once was acquainted with her father. World events eventually disrupt their lives, and if Mark wishes to advance and gain enough money to search for “his” mother, he needs a new vocation. He joins the cavalry, where a Flemish officer makes Mark’s acquaintance. What follows is a love story that eventually allows Mark to become Mary once again, until tragedy forces her to make new choices that lead her to the Caribbean where she eventually crosses paths with Anne Bonny.

Using Johnson’s account of the lives of these notorious women, Rueckert has crafted a compelling and totally believable tale that fills in all the blanks left by Johnson. I have always been drawn more to Mary Read than Anne Bonny, and Rueckert’s depiction of the two women helped me understand why this is. Her words paint visual imagery that is dynamic and three-dimensional, and they depict two very different women whose friendship and living in a male-dominated world bring them together to live and survive. Her research is spot-on and seamlessly woven into the story in ways that make it impossible to separate fact from fiction, although Rueckert does elaborate on this in her afterword.

Over the years, I’ve reviewed numerous books about Anne Bonny and Mary Read, but only a few have touched my heart and stayed with me long after I finish reading. The Determined is one of those tales. It is as much a treasure as James L. Nelson’s The Only Life That Mattered and N. C. Schell’s The Ballade of Mary Reede.


THIS REVIEW IS POSTED AT http://www.cindyvallar.com/Rueckert.html#determined

Fast paced, gritty, and emotional, To Cage a Wild Bird had me hooked from page one. Raven is a fierce, loyal FMC you can’t help but root for, and the raw, dangerous setting of Endlock pulls you right in. I loved the found family element, though the romance with Vale felt a bit too quick and could have used more build up. Still, this is a tense, engaging debut with high stakes and plenty of heart. I can't wait for the next book!

Told as a last accounting by Anne Bonny and Mary Read of their lives as infamous Pirates to the supposedly definitive author of “Pyrate” lives, Captain Charles Johnson, ‘The Determined’ means to show these historical figures separate from male gaze, sexual propaganda, and stereotype.

***

In wanting to “shed new light” on certain aspects of history that were glazed over or romanticized, we must also be careful not to, in turn, cast others into shadow.

On a topic so little known (of what is truth, that is) yet so often cited, it’s not at all unusual for another telling or take to emerge, often proclaiming itself as the new this or that to set the story in a unique way. I don’t believe that Rachel Rueckert’s ‘The Determined’ has quite managed to stand out amongst them. The writing style was, personally, not engaging so that I began to speed up in reading to not risk losing interest and putting it aside. And it’s a topic and time period quite near and dear to me! Actions are glazed over in favor of the POV-character merely expounding on them and the narration was void of a lot of detail, which made it read as a book for a much younger audience than I first pictured.

To Rueckert’s credit and disservice, Mary Read’s portion was infinitely more interesting than Anne’s. Perhaps by merit of Mary’s portrayal often falling to the wayside in other publications. But also, certainly, in the compelling way that Rueckert depicted her; the completely complex person shown from the page. There was a fair range of human characteristics on display, and crafting in showing that, men and women, can be many traits and of many morals — even day to day. However, there is one particular stand-out, where the one ‘really good’ man is depicted flatly as ‘very really untouchably good’ and a bit of people revealing their flaws seemingly in order to hold Read up on a pedestal a little higher—so it stabs its own point in the foot a touch. And does to Anne what the author says history has done to Mary. If you want to delve into these folk tales as people, then let them be fully people. (In this way, I was extremely glad that the relationship between Mary and Anne did not fall into the cliche—Lordy, sexual interest is not the pinnacle of all human relationships, but you wouldn’t know it, reading most novels—but also… it didn’t fall into much, after all? Is this not one of the central themes?)

In that vein, I think this would have served better if it had leaned even heavier on the idea of Bonny, Read, and especially Charles Johnson, as unreliable narrators. It was a wonderful framing device, to have Johnson recording their tales for posterity and also his own benefit. There are a few comments, here and there, by Anne and Johnson, of adding or omitting details, but there felt like a lot more attitude and intrigue that could’ve been pulled from that to have the work stand out. It would’ve been much more of a commentary on how history is recorded, and how little can be factually backed up, which the author’s notes strongly suggest was an interest of theirs.

Admittedly, the author also fully notes it as a work of ‘fiction’ and, therefore, how they filled in details as they wanted. I find it does the work a disservice, which will diminish it into the well of other okay-ish historical fiction that tries to do a ‘new thing’, others will greatly appreciate the making of a full-ish tale. I think that was the final feeling: it was story-ish, and will not stand out.

It was a little bothersome that the Afterword wanted to tout real historical record vs sensationalism, when leaning on its own brand of it; as well as having used equally unproven information to make their story lean more into their themes. They write that they “did not want to repeat the mistake of Johnson”, while admittedly doing so, and for reason, which put me a little offsides right at the end.

Lastly, I wished the conclusion was far more ambiguous. Far, far. The last two chapters and especially the epilogue felt unneeded and a little detrimental. These are not the kinds of tales that we mine in order to find them wrapped up in pretty little bows.

***

⭐ ⭐ A somewhat muted 2 stars -- one for Read, and one for subject matter.

Ironically this fell in my lap after I just watched Josh Gates cover these women as a topic on Expedition Unknown. So I was super excited to dive in! Unfortunately the history I know about these badass women and the fluffy love crap in this one didn’t mesh for me. I was genuinely looking for more grit, and the dangerous adventure side of piracy. but this focused too much on them being women and not pirates. It contradicted the whole theme the women in the book are trying to prove themselves in my opinion.


3.5 ⭐️

This will be a top ten of the year for me.
The Determined is the tale of two female pirates. Beginning in the prison where they are being held for piracy, Anne and Mary tell their story via flashbacks. How do two women get into this situation in the 1700s? Love, betrayal, disguises, sword fights, dreams for the future,...it had it all. This was fascinating and gut-wrenching all at the same time. Highly recommended. Loved every minute.

3.5-4 stars
I love historical fiction and I can be compelled upon to be fascinated by pirates. However, there was something about this book that never clicked with me. I was consistently intrigued and continued reading, but it never reached the point that I couldn't put it down. I was only reading it on my breaks at work and that was enough to satisfy me.

There were some things I thought were done really well. For instance, the dual POV and dual timeline was actually done excellently. This is an aspect of books that I find a lot of times will make or break the reading experience for me. It determines whether or not the author has the necessary writing skill to pull off two stories at once, and Rachel Rueckert does. I couldn't decide which POV I preferred to read because they were both so captivating and I was always disappointed (and equally excited) when the perspective changed. I also loved to see the two women's stories overlap as the book came to its conclusion. I also appreciated how much though went into her research for this book.

However, there is something slightly off putting about the way she writes the femininity of the characters. It is almost as though she was trying too hard to make them rival the strength of their male counterparts in a way that contradicted what she had learned from her research. The book struggled to balance a gentle feminine nature with the characters' strengths and it ended up making both female characters- though most notably with Anne- feel slanted, as if their words did not align with their actions, abilities, or even their thoughts from previous chapters.

In summary, the author executes the plot and research well, but the main characters fall flat for me.

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this SPECTACULAR novel. All I can say right now is WOW. This is a book that everyone should read, especially anybody who is learning looking for a powerful piece of women-led, fact-based historical fiction.

An exciting exploration of the lives of two of histories most famous female pirates. Gripping, exciting, and humanising.

Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Coming from the town where Blackbeard was born I was really interested to read this book . I had heard of Ann Bonney though the TV show Black Sails but did not know much about Mary Read.

This book only took me 48 hours to complete and I was really engaged throughout . Found their lives really interesting how they came to piracy and what happened to them. Really enjoyed it . Highly recommend

1.5 stars. Unfortunately this book violated my number one law: "Don't waste my time" .

Ever since I played Pirate101 as a kid I have always held a deep affection for the fictional scoundrel and is what drew me to request this book on NetGalley in the first place. I have my own personal fascination with the legendary pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny so I was excited to actually read about it in a fictional capacity!

This book fell short of my expectations. The setting, the 17th Century Golden Age of Piracy, just feels like set-dressing for a story that otherwise has characters with the mannerisms, motivations, and values of people living in the 21st century. The world doesn't feel lived in, and the characters are one-dimensional. I didn't feel particularly attached to either protagonists, and every single side character had less personality than a smooth potato.

To me, this book also felt historical to a fault. Real people's lives aren't that interesting. We don't really experience a Hero's Journeys that allow for easy serialization of our lives. While I understand why Rueckert stuck so closely with (what little real) history we have about these two female pirates, I think I would have enjoyed a book that leaned more on the fiction side of historical fiction. Could we have leaned into the potential romantic love between our two protagonists? Maybe the love triangle with Calico Jack? Real life is just never that interesting, and it makes this book's pacing exceptionally slow.

Also, for a book centered around the relationship between Anne and Mary, they don't even meet for a significant chunk of the book. Their "close bff girl friendship bond" is mainly delivered through show rather than tell (which is another big gripe I have with the protagonists and their relationships with the side characters. Don't just tell me how they feel, I want to actually see them properly interact with the world around them!!! Ackkk the setting is SO COOL let me see them LIVE IN IT!).

Overall, I was pretty disappointed. The prose was not strong and I couldn't help but roll my eyes every time a character espoused 21st century viewpoints on problematic societal issues. I'm not sure how this book will end up being marketed once it releases but it certainly feels like a YA book attempting to mask as adult historical fiction.

Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the ARC!

A good story about some.of my favorite historical figures. I appreciate the ability to read this in advance!

I am a sucker for pirates! This included lots of action with interesting characters. The pirate life comes alive in a fun read. Keeps the reader entertained as well as educated.

I absolutely loved this swahbuckling book about Anne Bonny and Mary Read, both real female pirates. It has adventure, a bit of love and lust, great historic information, characters whose names you might recognize and two strong women who learned how to take care of themselves. They started out in different circumstances yet both ended up with a love for the sea. It hooked me from the start and didn't let go. Thank you to Netgalley for this great read.

Follow Annie and Mary and the account of their life at sea as pirates. Strong determined women this book was full of interesting details and excellent scene setting. I loved the character development and the way the 2 women were depicted throughout the story. Thought provoking and interesting to read thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read something I may have not done otherwise.

I’m a sucker for books about smart women, women with courage and resolve who somehow find the strength to keep fighting even against the most insurmountable of odds. Rachel Rueckert’s The Determined gives us the story of not just one of those remarkable women, but two.

Anne Bonny and Mary Read are the stuff of legend, but so little is known about who they really were. While Rueckert avails herself of the information that’s out there, it’s her ability to imagine the story that fills in the many remaining gaps that makes her narrative so compelling.

Readers need no reminding that early 18th-century women lived in a world where they had no choices and no agency. However, understanding that fact in theory pales in comparison to witnessing its impact on the lives of Anne and Mary. Again and again, they fight to find safety and freedom, only to have it snatched away. Again and again, they act as powerful voices of reason, only to be resented and ignored. But despite their anger, their hurt, and their desperation, they refuse to give up on themselves and each other. They are inspiring, and they are, indeed, determined.

5 stars!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fictional account of real life pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read. The author did a good job of taking historical references and building upon them in a way that was quite interesting and makes the reader want to learn more about these tragic figures. Well done.

The Determined transformed interesting historical figures into protagonists in this story of hidden identities, loves, loss, and societal expectations. The author wove together the tales of two different people in a seamless transition that keeps the reader rooting for the female pirates.

Thoroughly enjoyed this adventurous story about two female pirates, who fate abc circumstance bring together. I feel like this is different than both setting in content than lots of historical fiction I usually read , which I appreciated, and I also appreciated how much of the novel was inspired by what we know of these women’s actual life stories.