Description

A captivating and swashbuckling romantasy for fans of DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING and TO KILL A KINGDOM.

Ximena Reale is certain of one thing: the only good pirate is a dead one.

Ximena has spent her life training to become one of the black-cloaked cazadores, seafaring hunters who capture the pirates pillaging the Luzan Empire. But although Ximena is the top candidate at la academia, that will not be enough for a daughter of the notorious Reales – pirate captains who were executed for their crimes against the Empire.

So when Gasparilla, the most infamous pirate in Luza’s history, attacks the capital, Ximena offers to catch him in exchange for being named a cazadora. The Empire accepts, on one condition: she must compete for her cloak against Dante de Leon, the pompous and infuriating son of the High Minister.

Knowing this is her chance to prove herself once and for all, Ximena must set out on a dangerous quest across the archipelago to hunt Gasparilla. But no matter how far she sails, her family’s pirate legacy continues to haunt her, and she soon has to question the very laws she’s always fought to uphold . . .

Publisher Review

A fantastical, action-packed tale full of swashbuckling, daring and complex characters. * Rachel Greenlaw, author of COMPASS AND BLADE * Featuring fabulous characters and spectacular world-building, Capitana is rich, vivid and enthralling from the very first page. A wonderful fantasy which heralds a brilliant new voice in YA fiction – thrillingly good. * Jonathan Stroud, author of LOCKWOOD & CO * James delivers her fast-paced and convincing debut narrative in … a shimmering, piratical fantasy with real-world teeth. * Kirkus * Seafaring romantasy with a Latinx twist * The Bookseller * Debut author James employs elucidating prose to craft a rich imaginary world inspired by 18th-century Latin America in this swashbuckling adventure * Publishers Weekly * Swashbuckling fantasy thriller * LoveReading4Kids *