The Vengeance

I have not read the synopsis of a book I am about to read for over twenty years, ever since I read a spoiler on the back of the novel that revealed the massive twist that occurred two thirds of the way through. I will have to add Series Titles to the list of things not to read as The Vengeance by Emma Newman is part of The Vampires of Dumas series. A cracking pirate adventure, but no vampires in sight.... until. 

Morgane has only ever known the life of a pirate. Her mother is the Captain Anna-Marie of The Vengeance, one of the most feared pirate ships on the sea. Although the trading companies may fear the captain, her crew respect her. It is not until Captain Anna-Marie is fatally injured that cracks appear in her shell and she reveals to Morgane that she is not her mother and an aunt who stole her as a baby. On her deathbed Anna-Marie asks Morgane never to look for her real mother as she is evil, but Morgane has always had her own mind and sets off on an adventure to France. 

Vengeance is one of the most entertaining pirate novels that I have ever read. The opening act of the book is all about Morgane’s life on the seas and the tragic events that lead to her mother’s death. These are swashbuckling murderers, but Newman balances their bloodthirsty nature with a sense of honour. Morgane is an anti-hero who has killed several men, but you never feel like she is cruel. 

The story then sets off on a wonderful fish out of water story as the daughter of a Pirate Captain sets sail for France where she must learn to settle into the gentile lifestyle of a Lady. Rather than write a linear plot that leads Morgane to her mother, Newman leads the reader on a fun dance as Morgane’s nature to act first and think later leads her astray. There are action sequences and new characters to meet on the way, including Lisette, a Lady in Waiting who is hired to teach manners to Morgane, but picks up some bad habits of her own. The character of Morgane is excellent and I could read many adventures about her. The relationship between her and Lisette is a lovely one, played out over a series of misadventures.  

What will happen when Morgane finally meets her mother? I guessed early on. Not because the book revealed it, but because the series title did. For a Pirate Vampire novel, there is a whole lot of Pirate before there is any Vampire. Far too much. I loved the Pirate sections and would happily have just read these, but I knew the undead were coming at some point, because the cover tells me. 

Why does it matter if you know that Vampires are involved? Because it shapes how you read the entire novel. If you went into this book blind, the reveal may have been a massive surprise. Hints are given, but to the unawares they may have overlooked them, to someone who has glanced at the cover, these hints blaze in technicolour neon. It becomes a case of not if vampires are going to pop up, but when. 

Evoking the idea of Vampires in the Series Title does The Vengeance a true disservice. This is a cracking Pirate adventure with some great characters. It is a stroll through a grimy and entertaining alternative France. However, those in the know are always waiting for the other shoe to drop and that does not occur to well into the novel. Far enough in the proceedings to work better as a surprise. Do the words Undead and Vampire sell copy and that is why they are on the front? Perhaps, but I would have preferred excellent pirate adventure as a Series Title and let me discover the twists for myself.