When our world gets too dark, a good book is always waiting for us to dive into and read. Some of the best fantasy books have adventures set in different worlds. Nowadays, a pirate is completely different from what we see on TV. What better way to get our fix of pirates than through pirate books? So, I am here to share five pirate fantasies to take you to another world.
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch
Content Warning: This entry contains spoilers for Red Seas Under Red Skies.
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch is the perfect high fantasy book that includes a lot of pirates, if that is what you are looking for. It is in the second book in the Gentleman Bastards series. The first book goes over more of the main character and his story before this book, so you must read them in order. The book was published in 2007 and has won many awards for Scott Lynch, who is married to another author!
After a gruesome battle, Red Seas Under Red Skies follows a thief, Locke Lamor, and his sidekick Jean. Locke and Jean were forced into a life of piracy, but they had had enough of their horrible lives and these brutal battles. Instead, they devise a plan to steal from the rich, and so they crash the wealthiest man in the world, Requin’s, business. However, stealing from the undeserving rich will always have consequences, and someone from their pirate past will knock on their door, ruining everything they schemed and planned for.
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
The next pirate fantasy on our list is a beautiful tale of betrayal and family heirlooms. Robin Hobb wrote Ship of Magic, the first book in the Liveship Traders series. It was published in 1998, but it still hits all those pirate cravings we love. Robin Hobb is a popular author, with many books under her belt, her most notable being the Farseer Trilogy. She specializes in high fantasy stories and writes under the name Megan Lindholm.
The oldest pirate family has ruled the seas for years, with their beautiful boat, the Vivacia. Althea deserves that ship; it was her birthright and everything she has known and worked for. After unjustly losing the ship, she stops at nothing to get it back, even if that means dragging her academic nephew, who wants nothing to do with pirates, with her. Only Kennit, another pirate looking to be the king of all pirates, gets in the way. Does she have what it takes to be a real pirate and take back her ship?
The Bone Ships by R.J. Barker
The Bone Ships by R.J. Barker is the perfect fantasy if you are looking for a mix of a darker version of How to Train Your Dragon and pirates. It is the first book in the Tide Child Trilogy and was published in 2019. R.J. Barker’s social media presence is limited and focuses more on his life rather than his stories, but his stories deserve just as much recognition. With high ratings, this high fantasy pirate book with dragons is up every fantasy person’s alley!
For centuries, the Hundred Isles have hunted dragons and used those bones to create grand pirate ships, to continue to hunt those dragons. However, the dragons have all disappeared, but the battles continue. Wars between the Kingdoms on the Isles have continued to persist, each wanting to gain glory. Now, after so many years, the first dragon has appeared, and each kingdom seeks to capture it, because if they capture it, they win the crown and the war. It is a race to the dragon.
Sea of Ghosts by Alan Campbell
Sea of Ghosts by Alan Campbell is a dark fantasy with elements that give off pirate vibes, unlike the conventional pirates. From monsters in a sea to ship voyages, it will give you all the pirate vibes in the most surprising way. It was published in 2011 and is the first book in the Gravediggers Chronicles. Alan Campbell also has a quiet social media influence, but he has many high and dark fantasy books.
The Gravediggers, an elite force sent by the Empire, disbanded after being hunted by the people they served, but that never sat right with Colonel Granger. In hiding, he finds unlikely allies in an even unlikelier place, the empire’s most reputable prison in poisonous streets. A young girl, Ianthe, with psychic powers like no other, is wanted by the empire as she can turn the tide of the war. With a promise in place that serves both, Granger and Ianthe realize the empire and the war aren’t what should be feared, but the ancient enemy hiding in the depths of the poisoned sea, waiting to strike again.
Of Sea and Shadow by Will Wight
Will Wight, the author of the Cradle series, gave us an excellent pirate book called Of Sea and Shadow. It is the first book in the Elder Empire: Sea series, and was published in 2014. This one is a more conventional pirate story, and is perfect if you are looking for someone to match your Jack Sparrow vibes. Of Sea and Shadow has a parallel story, following a girl wanting to destroy an artifact, so you can either follow Calder’s story on the sea, or her’s in the shadows.
The Empire controlled the pirates of the sea for trading until the emperor died. Pirate and Captain Calder have never been more excited for a tragedy. His crew can finally find the special heart artifact, bring a new emperor, and make him powerful. If his crew can look for it, others can too, right? Spies, thieves, and assassins all race to the heart, some wanting to restore the dead emperor, some wanting the power for themselves. But in the shadows, someone lurks to destroy it all.
Pirates are something that is never going to get old. From the common theme of empires and thieves, unconventional pirate stories, and dark fantasy, there is something in here for everyone. Lies, gold, artifacts, crews, voyages, and monsters lurk between every page, waiting for you to discover in these fantastical worlds.
Need some young adult fantasy instead? Click here for our team’s favorite ones!
Check out the history behind some of the most popular pirate books here!
