Book Blurb:
"Aye, I was a pirate, 'tis true"
Years after pillaging the Nossa Senhora Do Abismo, ex-pirate Jackson Teague continues to struggle with the costly fallout from the ill-fated galleon's bounty. Half a world away, a grownup Alger Moore finds equal difficulty in reconciling their shared past. But when a ruthless and diverse crew of bandits begin rampaging across the Caribbean, both will be inexplicably pulled back into a world they thought had been effectively ended by Europe's perceived social progress. Navigating around a burgeoning culture of independence within the New World's colonies, both will be afforded the rare opportunity to find closure with each other and themselves.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/dGpzK0q
Author Bio:
Theo Clarkson is a Canadian author living in Toronto. His works include the Muddied Waters duology, novella Eternal Return and short story The Leak. He counts J.R.R. Tolkien, Irvine Welsh, Cormac McCarthy and Anthony Bourdain as his foremost literary influences.
Editorial Review:
Muddied Waters: Coda by Theo Clarkson is the sequel to his first book, Muddied Waters. Just like his first book, readers are taken back into the life of a former pirate, Captain Jackson Teague. No longer a captain, Teague is hiding out from the British Royal Navy in Panama after defecting. He is soon thrown back into life on the sea when he is ordered to work on a Spanish warship working in the Caribbean to capture a group of rogue pirates terrorizing local merchant ships. At the same time, Jonathan and Chelsea are enduring their own struggles as a musician and a prostitute. Their paths cross with Teague’s when Chelsea is introduced to the mysterious Rafael, a pirate captain who implores Chelsea to sail away with him. Alger has grown up and after reuniting with his father, is now running the family shipping company but struggles to get along with other merchants. Muddied Waters: Coda is another fast-paced adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats with all the twists and turns.
“New Panama’s improved fortress looked out over the glistening waters of the Pacific Ocean with a deliberation borne of tragic history. None remained that remembered first-hand the acute embarrassment handed to the Spanish colony by privateer-turned-governor Sir Henry Morgan, but tales were passed down to following generations with vivid clarity.”
Clarkson brings characters from his first novel right into this one seamlessly. He is able to continue their inner development and invest readers in each character. One problem that often occurs with sequels is that readers may become disenchanted or bored by the characters but Clarkson is able to avoid this with his skillful writing and character development. His characters are incredibly relatable. While it is true that most readers have never been a pirate, had to hide out in Panama, or worked in a bordello in Tortuga, they can still relate to the characters’ feelings and experiences in Muddied Waters: Coda. Chelsea is strong and independent. Readers can relate to Alger’s melancholy and frustration. Clarkson is a master storyteller and much of his talent lies in his ability to create memorable and relatable characters with enough depth that they can sustain reader interest through more than one novel.
“Ship traffic had exploded through Tortuga’s docks going on weeks. Honey Pot’s doors remained open at all hours, as patrons from Europe and the surrounding island colonies continuously filed in and out of them. The messy and seemingly all-encompassing slave-led revolution occurring in Saint Domingue and the greater Hispaniola area had attracted all manner of soldiers and sailors of French, English, and Spanish loyalties, each with sexual appetites to match their voracious natures.“
Clarkson’s writing is phenomenal. His prose is easy to read and follow and he uses his writing to paint a very clear historical picture of the Caribbean during this time period. The multifaceted layers of the relationships between different racial groups, plantation owners, and slaves, as well as the economic systems in place during this time period are well-represented. Clarkson is knowledgeable about maritime activities and politics. He has clearly researched both this time period as well as this location in historical terms and does well representing them in a way that is believable for readers.
“The uncomfortable feeling Rafael had brought with him was eating away at the audacious Chelsea, yet she couldn’t bring herself to leave. Pride compelled her to stay exactly where she was, outweighing her unfamiliar sense of irrational fear. The Honey Pot was packed with people and would continue to be so. This man posed no immediate danger. Maybe if he convinced her to be alone with him, but she was much too experienced to allow that. Or maybe not.”
Many readers often find sequels to be subpar compared to the first book in a series. This is not the case with Muddied Waters: Coda. As a follow-up book to Muddied Waters, it does a fantastic job of carrying the excitement and adventure of the first book. It is just as riveting and engaging and readers may even find it more enjoyable than the first book. It is also a bit shorter than the first book which will appeal to some readers as well.
“People are born, if they are lucky, into one type of loving family or another. They grow and learn and take on the basic virtues and world views of their parents. Some accept “these things whole-heartedly while others reject them when they become old enough to seek out what suits them better. Disappointments and prideful satisfactions may dot each child’s life as they pick and choose what they inherit and what they decide to strike out for on their own, but the love always remains in one form or another.”
The target audience for Muddied Waters: Coda is likely historical fiction fans and those that enjoyed the first novel. Those with an interest in maritime adventures and pirate tales will find this book to be an enjoyable read. Clarkson’s writing will also appeal to those who appreciate well-written stories. The action-packed plot of these Clarkson’s book will also make his series a great option for those just venturing into the historical fiction genre.
“She grabbed his wrist and turned into him, driving him against the wall of his own cabin with a hard thud, the knife poking into his shoulder enough to draw blood. Intensely disappointed at this show of boorish, juvenile behavior befitting the many misogynists she’d done business with, Chelsea continued to reevaluate the image Rafael had initially presented to her in Tortuga.”
The swashbuckling adventure, unique characters, and outstanding writing earn Muddied Waters: Coda five out of five stars. It is a great follow-up to Muddied Waters and an enjoyable read in itself. Historical fiction fans will love Clarkson’s writing and be eager for more pirate adventures.
*****
“Muddied Waters – Coda” by Theo Clarkson receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
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