Fire Sword and Sea
A Novel
Published on 26. February 2026
Book
Hardback
384 pages
978-0-06-327104-3 (ISBN)
Description
"In her latest, Riley provides a fresh take on high seas adventure through the eyes of the courageous, swashbuckling, based-on-a-real-life female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye. The research Riley has done on this 1600s saga is truly remarkable, second only to her depictions of the lush Caribbean setting and the diverse, multi-faceted cast of characters. This is one to be savored." -Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen
The real Pirates of the Caribbean were Black, and women! From Vanessa Riley, acclaimed author of Queen of Exiles, comes a sweeping, immersive saga based on the life of the legendary seventeenth-century pirate Jacquotte Delehaye.
The Caribbean Sea, 1675. Jacquotte Delahaye is the mixed-race daughter of a wealthy tavern owner on the island of Tortuga. Instead of marriage, Jacquotte dreams of joining the seafarers and smugglers whose tall-masted ships cluster in the turquoise waters around Tortuga. She falls in love with a pirate, but when he returns to the sea, Jacquotte decides to make her own way. In Haiti she becomes Jacques, a dockworker, earning the respect of those around her while hiding her gender.
Jacquotte discovers that secret identities are fairly common in the chaotic world of seafaring, which is full of outsiders and misfits. She forms a deep bond with Bahati, an African-born woman who has escaped slavery and also disguises herself as a man to navigate the world. They join forces with Dirkje De Wulf, a fearless adventurer who also lives as a man at sea. As Jacques, Jacquotte falls in love with Lizzoa d'Erville, a beautiful courtesan who deals in secrets and sex. While others see their work clothes as a disguise, Lizzoa's true self is as a woman.
For the next twenty years, Jacquotte raids the Caribbean, making enemies and amassing a fortune in stolen gold. When her fellow pirates decide to increase their profits by entering the slave trade, Jacquotte turns away from piracy and the pursuit of riches. Risking her life in one deadly skirmish after another, she instead begins to plot a war of liberation.
The real Pirates of the Caribbean were Black, and women! From Vanessa Riley, acclaimed author of Queen of Exiles, comes a sweeping, immersive saga based on the life of the legendary seventeenth-century pirate Jacquotte Delehaye.
The Caribbean Sea, 1675. Jacquotte Delahaye is the mixed-race daughter of a wealthy tavern owner on the island of Tortuga. Instead of marriage, Jacquotte dreams of joining the seafarers and smugglers whose tall-masted ships cluster in the turquoise waters around Tortuga. She falls in love with a pirate, but when he returns to the sea, Jacquotte decides to make her own way. In Haiti she becomes Jacques, a dockworker, earning the respect of those around her while hiding her gender.
Jacquotte discovers that secret identities are fairly common in the chaotic world of seafaring, which is full of outsiders and misfits. She forms a deep bond with Bahati, an African-born woman who has escaped slavery and also disguises herself as a man to navigate the world. They join forces with Dirkje De Wulf, a fearless adventurer who also lives as a man at sea. As Jacques, Jacquotte falls in love with Lizzoa d'Erville, a beautiful courtesan who deals in secrets and sex. While others see their work clothes as a disguise, Lizzoa's true self is as a woman.
For the next twenty years, Jacquotte raids the Caribbean, making enemies and amassing a fortune in stolen gold. When her fellow pirates decide to increase their profits by entering the slave trade, Jacquotte turns away from piracy and the pursuit of riches. Risking her life in one deadly skirmish after another, she instead begins to plot a war of liberation.
Reviews / Votes
"Fire Sword and Sea is a tale both timely and powerful. Mixed-race Jacquotte Delahaye grows up the daughter of a wealthy tavern owner in seventeenth century Tortuga, fired equally by dreams of adventure on the high seas and fury at the growing slave trade on her island home. Marriage to a dashing pirate does nothing to quell her thirst for both adventure and justice, and Jacquotte is destined to take to the waves herself with a cadre of fellow female buccaneers. Warrior, liberator, force of nature-Jacquotte, as penned by powerhouse historical fiction author Vanessa Riley, is a heroine for the ages." - Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author"Set in the dangerous world of the 17th-century Caribbean, Vanessa Riley introduces us to the brilliant and cunning pirate Jacquotte Delahaye. This is a sweeping, daring tale that, at moments, left me both speechless and breathless. It's unlike anything I've ever read. Fire Sword and Sea is pure literary gold." - Victoria Christopher Murray
"In her latest, Riley provides a fresh take on high seas adventure through the eyes of the courageous, swashbuckling, based-on-a-real-life female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye. The research Riley has done on this 1600s saga is truly remarkable, second only to her depictions of the lush Caribbean setting and the diverse, multi-faceted cast of characters. This is one to be savored." - Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen
"Exciting...Riley packs a great deal into her sweeping novel, all to memorable effect, including a gender-bending queer romance subplot and gritty action on the high seas. Fans of swashbuckling adventures will cheer. " - Publishers Weekly
"Exploring the maritime and political history of the Caribbean through the eyes of a woman determined to follow her own path, Riley's latest is a welcome addition to her collection of work uncovering forgotten or overlooked women of color from the past." - The Washington Post
"A wild ride of adventure and historical curiosity." - Booklist, starred review
"It sounds like everything fans of Black Sails, Our Flag Means Death, and seafaring historical fiction ever could've wanted." - Book Riot
"Here is a queer and Black pirate novel based on the legend of Jacquotte Delahaye, a 17th century pirate... She falls in love with a courtesan and is pulled into a life full of secrets, intrigue, and yes, swashbuckling." - Autostraddle
"This book further continues Riley's literary legacy of creating nuanced and lively characters while teaching the masses about pivotal moments in history." - Essence
"Fire Sword and Sea vividly imagines people who could very well have been real, operating in a time when living truly as themselves bore catastrophic consequences." - Trinidadian Sunday Express
"This might be the pirate book of 2026!" - Ms. Magazine
"In this cracking adventure full of thrills and chills, Riley's diverse, multi-faceted cast fulfils the task of building the compelling narrative." - Historical Novel Society
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Product notice
Rough front
Dimensions
Height: 238 mm
Width: 164 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
502 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-327104-3 (9780063271043)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
In addition to being a novelist, Vanessa Riley holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and both a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State. She currently juggles mothering an architect, baking her Trinidadian grandmother's desserts, hugging her retired military husband, and speaking at women's and STEM events. You can often find her writing from the comfort of her Georgia porch, tea or latte in hand.