Title: Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King #1)
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 320
Source: Bought
Add to Goodreads | Amazon.ca | Indigo

Overall: 5 STARS

SUMMARY

There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I've gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

In Daughter of the Pirate King, debut author Tricia Levenseller blends action, adventure, romance, and a little bit of magic into a thrilling YA pirate tale. 

MY THOUGHTS
I suddenly find myself wishing there were more YA books featuring pirates because I absolutely loved Tricia Levenseller's debut Daughter of the Pirate King! Danger and thrills. A search for an ancient treasure map. A seafaring adventure with ruthless pirates. Daughter of the Pirate King was addictive, entertaining, and ridiculously fun. I fell in love with Alosa and the book within the first chapter, utterly captivated, and then wished I would never run out of pages to read.

Seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa has been sent on a mission to retrieve one of three pieces of an ancient map that will lead to the legendary Isla de Canta, an island believed to be guarded by sirens and filled with untold treasure. Staging her own capture by the cruel pirate captain Draxen and his crew, Alosa just needs to endure being a prisoner and avoid arousing suspicion for a fortnight so she can secretly search their ship, the Night Farer.

Draxen believes he can ransom the beautiful daughter of the renowned and feared pirate king, unaware Alosa is not a woman to be underestimated. But his brother and first mate, Riden, is much more bright and perceptive. He knows Alosa is hiding something, that there's more to her than meets the eye. And Alosa keeps pretending to escape, playing the part of an unwilling captive, when really, she wants to stay on their ship. As they both try to outwit each other, the chemistry and romance heats up until you just want them to kiss, kiss, kiss.

Alosa reminded me of a pirate version of Celaena Sardothien from Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series. She's cocky and confident, but she totally has the deadly skills to back it up. She'll slit throats with a dagger or stab her enemies with a sword one moment, and then complain about ruined tailored clothes another. I loved her so much. And while she's got not qualms stealing or killing, there are still some lines she doesn't cross. A pirate's life is never safe, but she does what she can to protect her loyal crew and those she cares about.

I highly recommend Daughter of the Pirate King to fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies or fantasy lovers just wanting to have some swashbuckling good fun. Alosa's antics were often hilarious as she downplayed her capabilities, stirred up some trouble, and tried to "escape" the Night Farer. And when her stubbornness or defiance got her hurt, I couldn't wait to see how she would retaliate. Alosa doesn't make idle threats. When she says you're a dead man, she really means it. And now I absolutely can't wait to see what daring adventures are in store for Alosa, Riden, and her crew in the sequel!