Beverly Books | Fire Sword and Sea: A Novel

Fire Sword and Sea: A Novel

Vanessa Riley

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“In her latest, Riley provides a fresh take on high seas adventure through the eyes of the courageous, swashbuckling, based-on-a-real-life female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye. The research Riley has done on this 1600s saga is truly remarkable, second only to her depictions of the lush Caribbean setting and the diverse, multi-faceted cast of characters. This is one to be savored.”

—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

The real Pirates of the Caribbean were Black, and women! From Vanessa Riley, acclaimed author of Queen of Exiles, comes a sweeping, immersive saga based on the life of the legendary seventeenth-century pirate Jacquotte Delehaye.

The Caribbean Sea, 1675. Jacquotte Delahaye is the mixed-race daughter of a wealthy tavern owner on the island of Tortuga. Instead of marriage, Jacquotte dreams of joining the seafarers and smugglers whose tall-masted ships cluster in the turquoise waters around Tortuga. She falls in love with a pirate, but when he returns to the sea, Jacquotte decides to make her own way. In Haiti she becomes Jacques, a dockworker, earning the respect of those around her while hiding her gender.

Jacquotte discovers that secret identities are fairly common in the chaotic world of seafaring, which is full of outsiders and misfits. She forms a deep bond with Bahati, an African-born woman who has escaped slavery and also disguises herself as a man to navigate the world. They join forces with Dirkje De Wulf, a fearless adventurer who also lives as a man at sea. As Jacques, Jacquotte falls in love with Lizzôa d'Erville, a beautiful courtesan who deals in secrets and sex. While others see their work clothes as a disguise, Lizzôa’s true self is as a woman.

For the next twenty years, Jacquotte raids the Caribbean, making enemies and amassing a fortune in stolen gold. When her fellow pirates decide to increase their profits by entering the slave trade, Jacquotte turns away from piracy and the pursuit of riches. Risking her life in one deadly skirmish after another, she instead begins to plot a war of liberation.

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Beverly Books\ \ Kristian\ \ • Jan 11

The new year means a new crop of books being published. Which means you have the opportunity to try out a new genre or author. You have the chance to get recommendations from friends, near and far.\ \ \ \ I actually posted on my substack, so check out the list of my most anticipated books to learn more!\ \ Kristian's Most Anticipated Books of 2026

Kristians Most Anticipated Fiction Books of 2026

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Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • Jun 26

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It's been a while!!! I've been super busy with everything from panel discussions and lesson planning to reading, parties, and a family emergency. So I'm taking some time to catch up on my book reviews now.\ \ Here is what I finished reading in April and May:\ \ Fire Sword & Sea by Vanessa Riley • Afro-Caribbean & Queer • Historical Fiction • \ \ If you've ever seen movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and wondered if there were any Black a Queer pirates, this is the book for you! Fire Sword & Sea is based on the life of Jacquotte Delahaye, a mixed-race pirate who was likely born in modern-day Haiti. In this book, author Vanessa Riley depicts Jacquotte's journey from the daughter of a wealthy tavern owner in Tortuga to the captain of a ship filled with diverse pirates seeking riches and liberation.\ \ I felt pulled into the story almost immediately, thanks to the audiobook narrator Robin Miles. There was great world building and I found the plot moving. There's conflict, abandonment, love, and much more. It was also awesome that Riley included the inner workings and dynamics present in pirate crews in the 18th century. We need more stories like this!\ \ Guilt and Ginataan (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries, Book 5) by Mia P. Manansala • Filipina • Cozy Mystery • \ \ The Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries series has consistently delivered cozy stories filled to the brim with delicious foods, sweet moments, and creative deaths and Guilt and Ginataan was no exception. I actually think this is my favorite book of the series, so far!\ \ It takes place in the fall (my fave season) at the annual Shady Palms Corn Festival where Lila, Adeena, and Elena aka the Brew-Ha Cafe crew pull up to sell an spread of delicious food and drinks. All is going well until the trio's corn maze challenge ends with Adeena passed out with a bloody knife in her hand next to the dead body of a local politican's wife. Knowing that her best friend couldn't have committed this crime, Lila and her crew conduct their own investigation to find the person who framed her.\ \ If you're looking for entertaining reads with recipes for dishes from the book, check out this series!\ \ An African-American and Latinx History of the United States by Paul Ortiz • U.S. History • \ \ I'm really happy that I finally read my copy of An African-American and Latinx History of the United States by Paul Ortiz because the author approaches this information as a storyteller. Ortiz utilizes his experiences as U.S. military veteran and Professor of Labor History at Cornell University to share the often hidden connections between Black American and Latinx oppression beginning with the American Revolution and ending with 2017.\ \ This is a fantastic book! I listened to the audiobook and had to keep pausing to grab my physical copy and highlight the concepts and stories that jumped out at me. I was pulled in from the author's note and knew as soon as I read the first page of the introduction that this was going to be a text I'd return to over time.\ \ I think I'm going to make a separate post just to break down those parts! I need y'all to pick up this book expeditiously.\ \ The Secret World of Maggie Grey (Drew Collins, Book 1) by Granger • Black American • Adult • Dark Academia Fantasy • \ \ To all my bookish friends who recommended this book left and right a few years back, 🫣 I'm sorryyyy! I should have read it immediately, like y'all said, but I'm stubborn. Now, I'm all in because Granger created a world for all the folks who have been begging for adult fantasy, especially Black women. If you've also had this book on your TBR for more than a year, now is the time to dive in, my love.\ \ The Secret World of Maggie Grey takes place at a magical HBCU called Drew Collins University. The students vary in age, but Maggie and her crew are in their late 20s and early 30s. This school—based below the city of Atlanta—is host to sirens, shapeshifters, and more. Maggie always thought her grandma's stories about a vampiric civil rights leader responsible for her white tresses were just some weird, made-up tales until she tells one of them in her grad school classroom and her professor recommends she visit Drew Collins. \ \ Originally suspicious of the school, Maggie meets other outcasts of the community while attempting to figure out why she's here and what she is. Meanwhile, she tries to fight her growing attraction to Coach Namir, the annoying-ass werewolf who believes her to be part of the First Family, a bloodline of vampires that also happen to be his family's enemy.\ \ This book is steamy, funny, and mysterious which is perfect for me! I devoured the other two books, too, so I'm impatiently waiting for the next one. ~~reviews to come~~\ \ Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa Young Adult • Queer • Rom-Com • Graphic Novel \ \ Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa is a nuanced but sweet graphic novel follows Belle Hawkins, the super shy school mascot, who finally works up the nerve to ask out her crush Regina Moreno. Regina is a popular girl at their high school as the head cheerleader with her sights set on getting into a prestigious college. Her brave moment comes crashing down when one of the athletes, Chloe Kitagawa, makes it clear that she's already dating Regina. Just as Hawkins thinks she blew her chance, Regina convinces her to be Chloe's English tutor so they can get into the same college after graduation. With the hope of getting closer to Regina driving her, Hawkins agrees.\ \ What Regina doesn't realize is that her girlfriend had a crush on Belle Hawkins when they were little kids and she used to dress as a princess everyday. As the school year progresses, an unexpected romance begins to sprout!\ \ I loved reading this book. The storyline is adorable and the cast is diverse. The colors and illustrations are also super cute. I definitely recommend this short but sweet story to everyone!\ \ As always, thank you for reading my reviews and make sure to check the content warnings on TheStoryGraph before you read these titles!

My April and May Reading Wrap-Up

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She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Mar 23

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First Look: Three 5⭐️ Black Authored Historical Fiction Books

Going over all my February reads including a few new 5⭐️ forever favorites. Like previous years, I read all Black-authored historical fiction, so get ready to diversify your TBR with this list of books.

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She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Feb 12

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I'm on a mission to spread the word about Black-Authored Historical Fiction.

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She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Feb 11

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The 2026 Historical Fiction Preview You’ve Been Waiting For 📚 41 New Releases!

I’m sharing the 2026 historical fiction releases I am most excited about—and y’all, 2026 is looking absolutely unreal for us hist-fic fans!

39 books

Beverly Books\ \ Kristian\ \ • Jan 11

Kristians Most Anticipated Fiction Books of 2026

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Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • Jan 3

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\ \ I don't know about y'all, but I've been screenshotting new releases every time I see them on Instagram! Between those and the books I've seen popping up on Netgalley, I was able to figure out which new books I'm excited to check out this year. Here's what I've got my eyes on:\ \ The Starseekers by Nicole Glover \ \ According to the publisher, this is "a stand-alone historical fantasy set in the world of The Conductors, in which the space race of the mid-20th century will be determined by magic...if not murder." This makes sense since the magic system is directly tied to the constellations. The cover and description also connect the story to _Hidden Figures_byMargot Lee Shetterly, which was a fascinating book to me. I'm currently finishing up The Undertakers (Murder and Magic #2)!\ \ Muñeca by Cynthia Gómez \ \ The cover of this novel caught my eye right away! The description says this is "a vivid, surreal Gothic about a queer, Latine, working class witch who sets out to rescue a bespelled heiress and loses control of her powers and her heart in the process." I've been loving Latine Gothic novels, thanks to authors like Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Isabel Cañas. Hopefully, this one will be another gripping read.\ \ Goldenborn by Ama Ofosua Lieb \ \ The cover of this book says, "Love, lies, and legacy–all tangled in a trickster's web," which makes me excited because it makes me think of Anansi, the West African trickster of lore. So I was pleased when I read the description, "When 17-year-old Akoma Addo stumbles into a world of ancient gods and modern magic, she’ll have to choose between saving her father… or staying true to everything she’s ever believed." I love that! Also, this novel takes place in San Francisco’s AfricaTown, which I've haven't read about before.\ \ Score by Kennedy Ryan \ \ Let's be real, Kennedy Ryan is an autobuy author for me. I love the Skyland Series and Reel was amazing. I'm pumped to read another book in the world of Reel! After I read the blurb below, I was completely sold. We've got a second-chance romance between a world-class musician and an award-winning screenwriter as they are forced to reconnect over an epic Harlem Renaissance biopic. swoon\ \ Bound by Fury by Noelle Monét \ \ This cover is gorgeous and one thing I'm loving in BIPOC fiction lately is the emphasis on ancestral magic and southern folklore! Read this description: " Legendborn meets The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in this captivating contemporary fantasy debut about a teen whose newly awakened magical abilities send her searching for answers at an elite boarding school that has a mysterious connection to her family’s history." HELLO!?! That sounds amazing.\ \ Before We Burn (Born from the Ashes, #1) by Ophelia Reign \ \ I saw some exciting promos on the author's IG and decided to add this mysterious book to my list. Before We Burn follows ex-assassin Marzana, who teaches young vamps how to control their hunger, power, and rage, until her academy is raided by humans and her pupils are taken. Intriguing!\ \ To Ride a Rising Storm by Moniquill Blackgoose \ \ This pick was inevitable! I read To Shape a Dragon's Breath twice and loved it, so I've been waiting for news of book 2 for a while. Anequs has passed her first year at Kuiper’s Academy with flying colors and is ready for a break back on Masquapaug with her dragon Kasaqua and close friend Theod. Unfortunately, her notoriety brings an Anglish presence pressing to control her people. As if Anequs would let them have the chance! If you have a hard time with language in Fantasy books or even just want to make sure you have the pronunciation correct, I highly recommend the audiobooks for this series.\ \ Heir of Prophecy by Analeigh Sbrana \ \ I loved Sbrana's Lore of the Wilds duology so it's no surprise that I wanted this book as soon as I saw it on her IG. The cover is amazing and the description has me floored. Audra, the female MC, is kidnapped by Fae to be trained as a soldier by the Priestesses at their cult-like school. They are looking for the Heir of Prophecy but Audra isn't going to just accept her fate as their prisoner while they search.\ \ The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest \ \ A fake summer fling?! Fake dating romances give me life and I don't care who knows it. I loved the Greene sister series, so I think this will be right up my alley.\ \ Blood Rising (Volume 2 of The Blood Saga) by Markus Redmond \ \ Blood Slaves was one of the best books I read in 2025 and the ending was the perfect set-up for book 2. I can't wait to read it!\ \ Honey by Imani Thompson \ \ I feel like this book is gonna be a bit cathartic for many WOC in academia. Our MC is bored with her PhD program, work, and the crappy men in her life. Then, she accidentally kills one of them, a problematic professor, and feels a little more alive. She's been researching, writing, and teaching about feminism and racial solidarity for a while, but now it feels extremely useful. Of course, her stint of righteous murders can't continue forever...\ \ The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang\ \ "A marine biologist makes the discovery of a lifetime when called to rescue the inhabitants of a small Maine island being menaced by a giant, glowing jellyfish in this richly imagined, wholly original debut." That sounds hella whimsical and like it might be weirdly scary which is intriguing!\ \ Until The Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow \ \ Listennnnnnn, I enjoy Alechia Dows books but the promos for this one have me locked in. " The Good Place meets the Brandy version of Cinderella in Until the Clock Strikes Midnight, a cozy, romantic fantasy from award-winning author Alechia Dow." Yes, please! \ \ Aicha by Soraya Bouazzaoui \ \ I was scrolling on IG minding everyone's business when I saw this queenly book cover and internally gasped. They say not to judge a book by it's cover so here's the description: "Aicha is the story of Morocco's warrior goddess, her strange magic, fierce rebellion, and devastating romance."\ \ The Lust Crusade by Jo Segura \ \ I've loved Jo Segura's first two books, Raiders of the Lost Heart and Temple of Swoon, so I know The Lust Crusade will give me that wonderful mix of archaeology, romance, and intrigue. On top of that, the female MC is a librarian (like me)!\ \ Burn Down Master's House by Clay Cane \ \ Since the plantation fire last year, I've felt inspired more and more by stories of resistance on those plots of Hell on Earth. I think this novel will be perfect for that. "Sparked by individual acts of resistance among those enslaved across the American South, their seemingly disparate rebellions fuel a singular inferno of justice, connecting them in ways quiet at times, explosive at others." I love that it follows multiple people seeking justice!\ \ Fire Sword and Sea by Vanessa Riley \ \ This novel is a new take on the "life of the legendary seventeenth-century pirate Jacquotte Delehaye." You might remember that I read The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron last year, which was very entertaining, so I'm looking forward to reading another about this fascinating figure.\ \ The Art of Loving You (The Forever Falling Series) by Natasha Bishop \ \ A beautiful cover and some of my fave Romance tropes: friends to lovers, he falls first, second-chance romance, Black joy, forced proximity, right person, wrong time. I'm in!\ \ Witch Queen Rising by Savannah Stephens \ \ Look at that baddie on the cover! This novel is about an outcast witch in New Orleans named Seraphine Barreau who can "feed on magic and make it her own." After her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, Barreau becomes the ruler of the same people who misunderstood her. I love stories like this!\ \ Devil of the Deep by Falencia Jean-Francois\ \ "Lu watched the love of his life walk the plank and sink into the inky-black depths of the sea. Nnenna was dead . . . or so he thought." Ooop! We've got another Black pirate adventure on our hands and I'm so down. In Devil of the Deep, a pirate, a fleet officer, and a mermaid who "must choose their loyalties, find their courage, and race to protect the island from false gods and forces of evil--or risk unleashing an ancient curse that could destroy them all."\ \ The Missed Connection by Tia Williams \ \ This Romance is about a boss casting agent named Sasha, who, despite her typical thorniness around men, believes she might have found her soulmate on a flight to Paris. They miss their chance to exchange contact info but Sasha isn't going to give up that easily. As she enlists her work friend to help her search, Sasha realizes that she accidentally sent the email to the entire company and now they are also on the lookout. This sounds hilarious and wholesome!\ \ Charmed and Dangerous by Shelly Page\ \ "A teen mystic will do anything to solve a series of love-related magical mishaps plaguing her high school, including fake dating her boss's daughter, in this charming sapphic romance." Sounds adorable!!!\ \ The Case of Elmwood Ranch by Deanna Grey \ \ Romance and a haunted house? I'll take that!"A legacy paranormal investigator, loner horse rancher, and a haunted house."\ \ The Bridge Back To You by Riss M. Neilson\ \ "Exes discover they’ve both inherited the restaurant they love..." Tis' the year for second-chance romance, it seems! I'm looking forward to this one because I love a good foodie Romance, especially with a deep emotional connection.\ \ Death Card by Jasmine Smith \ \ The cover drew me in but this description made me wanna pre-order it: "A dark contemporary fantasy featuring witchcraft, tarot, death, and a bit of romance that's perfect for fans of Immortal Dark and Cinderella Is Dead."\ \ The Starter Ex by Mia Sosa \ \ Mia Sosa is an autobuy author for me because she always knows how to mix the perfect amount of hilariousness with tender and sexy romance. I know The Starter Ex won't let me down because the description has me hooked already. Vanessa Cordero had a side gig where she'd date your crush and annoy/scare the hell out them so they'd see how much of a catch you really are. Now, Vanessa's sister is asking her to do the same to Jason Torres, a "certified commitment-phobe" she has her eye on. The problem is, Jason actually wants a temporary ridiculous girlfriend so his mom will stop trying to get him to the altar. Uh oh!\ \ The Other Moctezuma Girls by Sofia Robleda\ \ "In sixteenth-century Mexico, a fearless young woman strives to uncover the secrets her mother kept as the last Aztec empress in a sweeping historical epic by the author of Daughter of Fire." Sounds like a fascinating novel!\ \ _The Rhythm of Raine at Dawn (Perfect Muse, # 1)_by Aricka Alexander \ \ This looks like a cute sapphic romance. Raine Williams, a choreographer, posts a video to R&B artist Dawn Anderson's newest hit and it goes viral. So viral that the musician herself reaches out. Then, she realizes that Dawn isn't only interested in her choreo...\ \ Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi\ \ "Cleopatra tells her own story in this evocative and sensuous historical epic from the bestselling and award-winning author of Faebound and The Final Strife." As someone who used to be obsessed with Ancient Egypt, I think this will be a really cool take on the story of Cleopatra VII.\ \ The Re-Do List by Denise Williams \ \ I feel like this book will be a great palette-cleanser after reading Fantasy or Horror."Willow experienced all her big firsts with her high school sweetheart. Now, reeling from their very public breakup, she wants to get a re-do on those important moments. While dog-sitting for her brother during his deployment, she has a chance to start over and spending time with his best friend gives her the confidence to start checking items off her “Re-Do list.”\ \ As you can see, I'm really hype about Fantasy, Historical, Romance, and Horror this year. I only realized after compiling this post that I don't have many men on the list and that was totally unintentional! If you know of any books by men of color and/or queer men you think I'd enjoy based on this list, please share! Did any of these books catch your eye? What are you excited to read this year?](https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/item/OAiJvLeytAiBRF2D8MAp/)

30 New Books I'm Excited About In 2026

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