Dead Reckoning by K.A. Perkins
Book Description
Dead Reckoning is an historical adventure of piracy, love and revenge in the Caribbean in the Seventeenth Century.
Leo is born in Spanish Panama in 1659. When he is twelve years old he witnesses the violent rape and murder of his mother by three of the Caribbean’s most feared pirates: Tarr, Blake and Hornigold, and swears revenge at all costs.
Gabriella is trapped in an abusive marriage to a ruthless Dutch slave trader, who is in business with the same English cut-throats. She risks all to escape with her life.
Leo and Gabriella meet aboard one of the most horrific ships in the Caribbean – a slaver – and join forces against their common enemy. They face a number of challenges as they battle not only the risks of a life at sea – storms, drowning, and being adrift in a crippled ship, but also repeated attacks by Blake and Hornigold.
But their biggest threat proves to be each other. Can they reconcile their hearts in time for the fiercest battle in their quest of revenge, and who will survive the gallows?
Book Review
I have not read the first book in this series but this book was a stand alone adventure which really took my interest. The writing is very stylish and the pace and characterisation are good.
It is an exciting historical tale played out in the Caribbean on land and at sea. The story has obviously been researched very well and gives you a feeling of authenticity in the facts and places, the ports and the mixtures of peoples.
There are life or death battles and romance throughout the book and you will be laughing and also moved to tears in parts.
The two heroes, Leo and Gabriella have overcome very difficult traumatic beginnings which they manage to overcome, and grow in character as the story moves forward.
A couple of small criticisms; Leo comes across as a wee bit too good to be true, strong, noble, a good captain, beneficent his pirates, romantic, and of course good looking, just too much, and the detail of sailing terms got a bit tedious at times. I would have likes a glossary of terms but could not see one in the kindle edition.
However, having said all that, this is a good well written book and I would have no problem recommending it as an exciting read.
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