A post-apocalyptic, queer-inclusive, pirate adventure? That should be more than enough to commend this exceptional novel to most readers (and their tweens) here. But it’s much more than that, with a beginning that pulls readers right into its salt-ravaged world, a storyline that is both highly original and evocative of swashbuckling tales of old, and vivid, quirky characters.
Viola and Wilmur were abandoned by their caretaker Hester after being abandoned by their parents even earlier. They’ve grown up in the remote town of Caveat, helping each other survive and learning about the world only through their memories of Hester’s tales and the collection of books left to them. One favorite story is that of the pirate Scarlet Morning, who killed Queen Hail Meridian and unleashed the blight across the entire realm of Dickerson’s Sea.
One day, however, when Viola is about 14 and Wilmur about 15, a storm brings the mysterious and slightly scary Captain Cadence Chase to their door. Chase is after a book in the youths’ possession, and they strike a deal to leave on her ship, the Calamary Rose, in return for the volume. Their journey reveals more secrets and dangers, though, including hidden identities, horrible curses, violent seagulls, and disturbing dreams, each perhaps offering a clue to what really happened in Dickerson’s Sea.
Viola and Wilmur are soon separated for the first time in their lives, however. As they struggle to cope without each other, they each also start to piece together information about both the realm and about their personal histories. If they can figure out what happened in the past, they might be able to change things for a better future—but dangers loom ever nearer.
Author ND Stevenson is best known for his graphic novels, but here shows his consummate narrative skills in a prose work (although he can’t help including occasional illustrations). The worldbuilding here is as good as I’ve ever seen, giving us a setting full of history, cultures, magic, eerie landscapes, and pirate slang. It is the characters—fun, flawed, and memorable—who bring the world to life, however, and allow Stevenson to explore themes of change, loss, facing one’s fears, and choosing one’s family, in between the swash and buckle. There is rollicking humor here, but also insight into human imperfections and human resilience, along with some plot twists that I didn’t see coming.
There is queerness, too, as several of the characters are noted to have same-sex relationships or crushes. While they are unflinchingly accepted by the other characters who know them, there is some indication that not all of the world is as inclusive; one side character is noted to have worn a fake beard in order to get a marriage certificate with her wife-to-be. There are also some characters who might be gender creative, genderfluid, or trans (it’s not exactly clear how they identify), but to say more would be to reveal spoilers.
Everything comes together to create a highly recommended whole. Add this one, too, to the queer-inclusive books I’d love to see made into a movie—or perhaps movies, as this is only the first of a planned duology. Expect to see this volume on award lists, and deservedly so.
Viola has dark skin and hair; Wilmur has pale skin and hair. Other characters have a variety of skin tones.
