Paradise Found

Yes, I'm heavily into pirates now, I won't deny it. I'm having a phase it seems.

Black Sails is on Netflix at the moment and I've been planning to watch it for some time. After my little brother lured me into watching The Pirates of the Caribbean with him for the umpteenth time the other week (just when I happened to be reading Pirate's Curse) I realised there was no reason to break the pattern, so I went with the flow and clicked on the first episode of Black Sails on Netflix. I couldn't stop after that.

The show is basically a Treasure Island prequel. I confess I didn't read the book as a child or as a teenager but of course there is no need to know it in order to understand the happenings in Black Sails (its story preceeds Treasure Island's plot after all).

I finished the first season the other day and proceeded with the second immediately. There are four seasons altogether, there won't be more unfortunately.

In season one Captain Flint and his crew are trying to track a Spanish treasure galleon that – once defeated – could make all of them very rich. When they finally get hold of the shipping schedule that could lead them to the galleon and the money, it turns out a page is missing. They have to find the thief in order to be able to continue with their quest.

John Silver, young mischief-maker, who took the page off the original thief knows he's in trouble but if he has some skill at all, it is his aptitude for survival. He commits every detail on the page to memory and burns the piece of paper, thus he becomes indispensable for the pirates. The question is: can he convince Captain Flint it's worth to keep him alive after they've found the ship they're looking for?

Flint has problems of his own. He is not very popular among his crew at the moment, not to mention he has to solve a lot of problems related to the preparations for the treasure hunt. Nassau, the port that many pirates frequent to do business is a place presently overheated with politics and rivalry. Luckily, Eleanor Guthrie – the woman in charge of all business transactions on the island – is on his side.

Pirates are a savage lot, especially if they're after a great prize. After having seen season one, I say it's no wonder people often compare this show to Game of Thrones.

I often get bored with nautical stories in which the characters never see land. There are a limited number of tropes that can be used related to the ship and the sea (like illness, woman on board, sea battle, mutiny etc.). I've seen all of them, that's why I prefer if there is some action on land as well. I like the balance regarding this matter in Balck Sails. 

The beauty is in the details; the accessories breathe life into the costumes. After all, what is a badass pirate without an earring? I'm madly in love with the coats too, and the men's V-necked long shirts, aww.

Eleanor, Max and Anne Bonny are strong, fierce and beautiful women that fight for a meaningful place in a world of men. Respect.

I usually roll with laughter whenever Jack is on screen. And then there's Anne. She is so raw and unapologetic, she doesn't give a damn. She always does what she wants. Way to go, girl!

Blackmail, Sex and Lies is a Victorian murder mystery that is based on true events. 

Frankly, I've never heard of Madeleine Smith before, but people has apparently believed her to a be a murderess since 1857. All we know is that a love triangle got resolved with a murder in that year and it probably came naturally to people to blame a girl who had the indecency to show interest in a working class fellow... But I'm jumping ahead, making guesses. I'll read this book to get to know the story and Kathryn McMaster's opinion on who dun it.

Title: The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls

Author: Emilie Autumn

Source: Amazon

Goodreads

I say I purchased it, but that's not entirely true. The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls was free on Amazon a couple of days ago so if you check, there is a chance you can still download it, and it won't cost you a penny.

Two girls, both shut away in an asylum share a special bond through time in this book. I'm curious how the author connected the two worlds!



Title: The Natural History of Fear

Writer: Jim Mortimore

Source: Big Finish Productions

Goodreads

I decided to continue listening to the main range Eighth Doctor Audio Adventures. If some of you don't know yet, I'm a Whovian and Eight is one of my favourite Doctors. I actually met Paul McGann at one point, so yeah, I'm a fan.

I quit listening to these a while back, but I'm in the mood again, which means you can expect to see a few audio adventure reviews later on the blog.

Title: Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1)

Author: L. Penelope

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads

I've read excerpts from Song of Blood & Stone and I know it's beautifully written. The protagonist, Jasminda, falls in love with an enemy spy and together they try to stop the war that threatens to tear their world apart. There is also magical singing involved according to the synopsis. I can't wait to see how Jasminda and Jack work together towards their mutual goal.

Title: Hiding

Author: Jenny Morton Potts 

Source: b00k r3vi3w Tours

Goodreads

I'm excited to be part of this tour because I haven't read a psychological thriller in a while.

Hiding tells the story of two families whose story is somehow intertwined. It has an intriguing premise and its cover is breathtaking. It's partly set in Scotland. Need I say more? I've only read the synopsis and I'm already hooked... The tour is scheduled between April 2-6, so you can expect a review from me around that time period.