Capitana - by Cassandra James (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Ximena Reale has spent most of her life training at La Academia to join the Cazadores, seafaring hunters who track down pirates. But her future is uncertain, thanks to her parents' questionable reputation. They were traitorous pirates, and though they were executed when Ximena and her sister were young, they permanently damaged the Reale name in the eyes of the Luzan Empire. Ability alone won't make Ximena a Cazadoro--or earn her the coveted Cazadoro cloak. So, when the legendary pirate Gasparilla returns and captures the Empire's queen, Ximena offers to bring back the queen and the notorious pirate in exchange for a cloak. But there's a catch: only one cloak is available, and Ximena's competition is Dante, an infuriating yet handsome classmate with mysterious motives"--

Book Synopsis

Prepare to set sail with this riveting romantasy--the first in a duology--that's filled with complex characters, sizzling chemistry, and evocative action. A must-read for fans of Daughter of the Pirate King and Fable!

Ximena Reale has spent most of her life training at La Academia to join the Cazadores, seafaring hunters who track down pirates. But her future is uncertain, thanks to her parents' questionable reputation. They were traitorous pirates, and though they were executed when Ximena and her sister were young, they permanently damaged the Reale name in the eyes of the Luzan Empire.

Ability alone won't make Ximena a Cazadoro--or earn her the coveted Cazadoro cloak. So, when the legendary pirate Gasparilla returns and captures the Empire's queen, Ximena offers to bring back the queen and the notorious pirate in exchange for a cloak. But there's a catch: Only one cloak is available, and Ximena's competition is Dante, an infuriating yet handsome classmate with mysterious motives.

With their futures on the line, Ximena and Dante set out on a dangerous quest across the high seas. But no matter how far Ximena sails, her family's legacy haunts her, and her exposure to a world outside of la academia leads her to question the very laws she's always fought to uphold. Is it possible she's been on the wrong side all along?

• A Pirate Hunter's Tale: Ximena is the daughter of notorious pirates, but she's training to be a Cazador, a hunter who tracks down the seafaring outlaws.
• Rivals to Lovers: Ximena is in direct competition with Dante de León, an infuriating yet handsome former classmate.
• Epic Quest: The legendary pirate Gasparilla is threatening the Luzan Empire, so Ximena and Dante must take to the seas to capture the notorious villain.
• Slowburn Romance: As Ximena and Dante journey together, Ximena starts to see him in a new light.

Review Quotes

"James delivers her fast-paced and convincing debut narrative in an accomplished third-person voice. Budding romance and soaring stakes keep the tension simmering through the last page. A shimmering, piratical fantasy with real-world teeth." - Kirkus Reviews

"Enticing. Debut author James employs elucidating prose to craft a rich imaginary world inspired by 18th-century Latin America in this swashbuckling adventure." - Publishers Weekly

"Fast-paced. Readers will cheer as [Ximena] comes to her own conclusions about the Empire's influence. A treacherous, seaworthy tale full of adventure." - School Library Journal

"Fast-paced and brimming with tension, intrigue, and twists, James crafts a vivid setting where murky alliances and questionable motives keep readers guessing. A richly developed, highly driven heroine and a plot full of peril, with themes of courage and resilience lingering long after the last page. A fast-paced adventure set against a backdrop as treacherous as it is mesmerizing." - Booklist