Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Blackhearts Series

Synopsis for Blackhearts (from Goodreads):

Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything.

Edward “Teach” Drummond, son of one of Bristol’s richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There’s just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.

Following her parents’ deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she’s stuck in England?

From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Fave Read 2016, New Must Watch Author, Sad to See Go 2017
Author: Nicole Castroman
# of Books: 2 (Blackhearts, Blacksouls)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Romance, Retellings
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating
Publication Date: February 2016 – April 2017
Source & Format: Public Library–eBook

**This post was originally posted as a Fresh Friday review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to include the newest publications in the series.**

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

This book was EVERYWHERE when it first came out. But before I saw it gracing my WordPress Reader feed, I first read a review on Bookishness and Tea in early January and Ava’s review convinced me to read it.

But, I admit, the hyped scared me a lot and so I was a little hesitant to pick it up when it was actually released. Until, I noticed my library’s eCatalogue had one last copy left to read one Tuesday. I figured it was fate and picked up the book despite the numerous other novels I should have been reading.

The Concept / The World:

The best thing I got from Ava’s review is that this story isn’t a “pirate” story like Never Never or the like. I think she explains it best below:

Before you go into this book, know: it is NOT a pirate book. The author has called it a “pre-pirate book”, and that is entirely accurate. The book mostly revolves Teach and Anne’s romance, which means it is slower, but not non-enjoyable. It’s more of a historical fiction than a pirate book.

~Ava @ Bookishness and Tea

It isn’t some swashbuckling pirate novel taking place on the high seas and I think if you are expecting that, you will be disappointed. It’s a story about two people trying to find their place in the world and them finding each other while they do it.

So essentially, it is an historical romance.

The Plot:

Despite the fact that there isn’t that much to the story when it comes to the plot, this story is highly addicting. This story has a “less is more” attitude about it. It doesn’t try to overload you with too much conflict or unnecessary drama. It keeps the story focused on Anne and Teach by making their character development the main focus of the story. And the bits that are added to keep the plot moving do exactly that; they add a little layer at a time to make this story rich for the reader…and super addicting.

I’m about a third of the way through #Blackhearts @nicolecastroman and I’m starting to see what all the fuss is about–I’m SO addicted! ❤️

— Lauren (@SERIESousBooks) March 8, 2016

The Characters:

Anne and Teach really are the story for this one. On their own, they were both very intriguing characters. They each had a complexity to them that makes them seem so real and full of life. I found their reactions to events were natural and I never felt like their character development was strained as the story progressed. They also had great chemistry together and that really is what drives the story.

The Romance:

The slow burning romance really is the heart of the story (pun soooo intended). Anne and Teach are one of my favourite couples because they matched each other so well! They had their differences but they also had this kindred bond of understanding that draws them together. I thought Teach was so swoon-worthy in some of his actions to show his affections that I honestly melted at times. Totally a new book boyfriend.

My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:

When I first read this book, the sequel had not been announced. I talk about my reaction in tomorrow’s SERIESous Spoilers but I’m going to brief and say that I am very, very happy there is a sequel. I can’t wait to return to this world and see what happens next!

–June 2, 2017– Book #2: Blacksouls

This was easily one of my most anticipated reads of this year. I had no idea what to expect but I was dying to find out. Which is probably why I spent most of the book feeling like this:

TFW you really want to finish a book but don’t know if a HEA or heartbreak is in store for you pic.twitter.com/J8bJE8gfmZ

— Lauren (@SERIESousBooks) June 1, 2017

I’ll admit that the first quarter of this book was slower than I wanted it to be. I wasn’t as into it as I had hoped but that quickly changed a few chapters later. I found that latter have of this book to be very captivating and I could’t put it down. It reminded me why I adored that first book so much and that’s exactly what I want in a sequel and grande finale (?).

Series Rating: 5/5

Blackhearts 5/5 | Blacksouls 4.5/5

It really is important to know that this book has nothing to do with pirates! It’s a prequel in every sense of the word. I actually think it is best described as an “origin” story for Blackbeard. But I will be the first to admit, I am loving this YA pirate trend that is starting to happen this year!

Read if You Like: retellings of history, historical romance, slow burn romance
Avoid if You: want a pirate focused adventure book

• Victoria and the Viscount by Meg Cabot
• Never Never by Brianna Shrum