Piratica: Being a Daring Tale of a SIngular Girl's Adventure Upon theHigh Seas

by Tanith Lee

Book Overview

Artemesia is the daughter of a pirate queen, and she's sick of practicing deportment at the Angels Academy for Young Maidens. Escaping from the school, she hunts up her mother's crew and breezily commands them out to sea in a leaky boat. Unfortunately, Art's memories of her early life may not be accurate-her seasick crew are actors, and Art's infamous mother was the darling of the stage in a pirate drama. But fiery, pistol-proof Art soon shapes her...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142406449
• ISBN13: 9780142406441
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

Okay, first I just need to say, this book is not just for middle-to-high school readers. I would recommend it to anyone! I seriously LOVE this book. I didn't find any of it hard to read, or confusing at all, I thought it was unique and I liked the writing style. I read this book in two days and immediately got the sequel. I like that it's not one of those books where you know what's going to happen at the end; it's not the kind where you know there's going to be a happy ending. It kept me guessing until the last two or three pages. It's witty, full of romance (and that alone is enough to pull me in!), and engaging. You can tell it was really well thought out, and everything comes together in the end in a way that surprised me. The characters are wonderful, because they're not perfect. They have little quirks and real personalities. I loved it the first time I read it and now, two times later, I still do. Even if you don't buy this book, you should at least get it from the library. It's completely worth it!

Adventurous and Satisfying!

Piratica was just the kind of book I was looking for; something about adventure on the seas. And all the unexpected twists and turns throughout really captures you! I've read many books, and this by far is my favorite. It satisfys every reader looking for adventure, romance, a good sword fight or two, and of course pirates!

My favorite Book

I found this book in the library over spring break and thought it might be an ok read. I read it and absolutely loved it. It has become my favorite book in the world. I read alot of different kinds of books and this is my favorite book. I just read it a week ago and i am going to read it agian this week.

Well worth persevering

Like other reviewers, I found this book a little tough to get into. In fact, I probably read the first few chapters 5 or 6 times before I could really get into the book, but it is definitely worth it. The plot twist that comes up a few chapters in is genuinely surprising (it surprised me, anyway!) and makes the book infinitely more intriguing and enjoyable. The plot is extremely rewarding (after those first few chapters at least) and, as ever, Tanith Lee's exposition is beautiful. It's interesting to read some work of hers that's aimed at a younger audience, and this book treads a fine line between what you might expect from Lee's other work and what you might expect from a pirate story. The sensual elements are more restrained, perhaps, but the characterisation is still very Lee. I think this book should not be a disappointment for either pirate fans or Lee fans (unless you're just looking for smut, because you won't find it here), and would recommend to it to anyone who likes all things whimsical, fantastical, and piratical.

Enormously Fun

First, let's get something straight. In order to enjoy Piratica, you must suspend reality. Half of the things that happen in this book would never work in real life. So if you're looking for a deep, intellectual novel, you will be seriously disappointed. If, however, you are searching for a book that will make you laugh out loud even on repeat readings, where fantasic adventures are possible and an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl can become a heroine, then this book will be a joy for you. It's also my personal favorite of Tanith Lee's books.