Capitana

Teenage Ximena Reale, who has one eye, strives to overcome her family’s reputation—her parents, who were once allied to the Luzan Empire, were executed for their crimes against their country as Robin Hood–like pirates, the Reales. Now attending La Academia de los Cazadores, the training center for Luzan’s Naval recruits, Ximena seeks to reach the coveted rank of Cazador. The return of Gasparilla, a notorious pirate, could be Ximena’s only opportunity to rise above her infamous parents’ legacy; if she defeats Gasparilla, she could prove her bravery and loyalty to the empire. But her resolve begins to crumble as those around her start exposing Luzan’s dark secrets, particularly Dante de León, her rival and the son of the empire’s high minister, who opens her eyes to the misery of her people. Lengthy narration and the protagonists’ lackluster developing romance sometimes sap tension and forward momentum from the enticing plot. Nevertheless, debut author James employs elucidating prose to craft a rich imaginary world inspired by 18th-century Latin America in this swashbuckling adventure, a duology starter. Ages 14–up. Agent: Andrea Morrison, Writers House. (Feb.)