Pirates by Celia Rees

Just finished this book on tape and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I doubt it will resonate greatly with me over time, but it is a good solid adventure story with a female protagonist where a male one would be expected.  Nancy Kington is the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Jamaica in the 1700s.  But when her father dies and her brother promises her to a dangerous man in marriage, Nancy flees with her friend and former slave Minerva to become women pirates.  Rees weaves in many interesting details about pirating life and history, while never letting it get in the way of the characters or plot.  The subject matter reminded me often of The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, though the tone of each book is different.  This is not a “light” book, but it is nowhere near as heavy as Octavian Nothing.  Ultimately, things end well for the girls as their friendship and loyalty to each other deepens.