I think one of my most important roles in life is teaching my daughter that she can carve whatever path she chooses for herself. There was a time when women weren’t given the freedom to dream or even make choices about their own lives. The Pirate Queen is a book I’ll deeply encourage Isla to read one day. A reminder that she gets to choose her own future.

This book was expert-level storytelling. The chapters are arranged across three stages of Grace O’Malley’s life in 1500s Ireland: maiden, mother, and matriarch. I’ll admit, it took me a second to get the hang of the jumps between past, present, and future. And oh, the names… so many characters with the same names. Then there are the towns and forts and castles to keep straight. 😂

But eventually, it all clicks, and you become completely immersed in this wild, sweeping adventure. I loved watching Grace evolve through each stage of her life without ever losing the fire that made her who she was.

And one of my favorite exchanges:

“I would think a woman your age would be tired of fighting.”

“Then you know nothing about women. The older we get, the easier fighting becomes.”

Five stars. No notes.