Avast, me hearties! This is fair warning to you that over the next several months you’ll likely be seeing a lot of blogs from me concern Pirates of the Caribbean (or other thusly related topics). I’m a huge fan of the movies (or, as my 6 year old daughter likes to exclaim, "Daddy’s Pirate Crazy!") and am giddy with anticipation for the upcoming fourth installment, On Stranger Tides.

There’s been a ships hold full of merchandise based upon the hit franchise thus far, but one thing that has been sorely lacking is novels. Oh sure, there’s the Jack Sparrow series of kid novels, along with the Legends of the Brethren Court series. But, those are for young readers (which hasn’t stopped me from reading them!). But, I’ve been wanting a good, full-length novel featuring these great and colorful characters.

Well, this May that wait comes to an end with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom by A.C.Crispin and I couldn’t be more excited.

Here’s the description of the book from Amazon.com:

Twenty-five-year-old Jack Sparrow is a clean-cut merchant seaman pursuing a legitimate career as a first mate for the East India Trading Company. He sometimes thinks back to his boyhood pirating days, but he doesn’t miss Teague’s scrutiny or the constant threat of the noose. Besides, he doesn’t have much choice—he broke the Code when he freed a friend who had been accused of rogue piracy, and he can no longer show his face in Shipwreck Cove. 

When Jack’s ship is attacked by pirates and his captain dies in the altercation, he suddenly finds himself in command. The wily sailor’s skillful negotiations with the pirate captain—who turns out to be a woman from his past—result in a favorable outcome that puts Jack in line for an official promotion.          

After making port in Africa, Jack is summoned by Cutler Beckett, who makes him captain of a ship called the Wicked Wench. Beckett gives Jack an assignment. He has heard a legend about a magical island named Zerzura whose labyrinthine bowels are said to contain a glorious treasure. Beckett suspects that one of his house slaves, a girl named Ayisha, is from Zerzura. He asks Jack to take her along on his voyage and seduce her into divulging the island’s whereabouts. In payment for his services, Beckett promises Jack a share of the treasure.          

But this task isn’t as easy as Jack initially believes. Before she agrees to reveal the location of her home, Ayisha insists that Jack take her to the New World to rescue her brother, who has been sold into slavery in the Bahamas. Their voyage is long and arduous, and as they weather a vicious storm and a surprise attack from an old pirate foe, Jack grows to respect and admire Ayisha’s bravery. He knows that Beckett intends to enslave her people after robbing them of their treasure, and Jack’s moral compass revolts at the idea. It might be possible to deliver Ayisha safely to Zerzura, obtain some of the treasure, and convince Beckett that he never found it . . . but the greedy E. I. T. C. official has eyes everywhere, and if he learns that Jack has foiled his plans, he could take away the thing that Captain Sparrow loves most: his ship—and his freedom.

I can’t wait for this book! I wish it was coming out sooner to tide me over until the movie arrives. But, alas, I shall wait patiently. 

Another reason I’m excited is that the author is A.C. Crispin, author of several of my favorite Star Trek and Star Wars novels over the years. So I know the witty Captain Jack Sparrow is in good hands.

Ms. Crispin has posted several excerpts from the book on her website, so if you would like a taste of what’s to come…check ‘em out!

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