This was the final book written by the bestselling writer Michael Crichton. In fact, it was published after his death. This time he has created a historical fiction piece that brings readers out on the high seas to experience the era of the pirate.

Crichton has created an engaging tale will with interesting characters (both fictional and true-to-life). The protagonist is Captain Charles Hunter, the commander of a British vessel that is checking out a neighboring Island that is a stronghold for the Spanish boats in the area. The post is supposed to be filled with gold and taking it out would definitely help safeguard British vessels and holdings in the Caribbean in the area near Jamaica.

He is joined by a crew filled with interesting and fun characters including a visiting lady, a prostitute, a woman hiding as a man, an unique Frenchman, and a number of others. As they make their way over to the island they run into all sorts of adventures ... the kind that would make Odysseus proud.

The fun starts as they attack and capture a Spanish ship filled with oro and use commandeer it for their mission. They are also confronted with a kraken, cannibals, a massive hurricane, and being captured by Spaniards with a taste for torture.

The novel captures everything that makes pirate tales fun. I found myself not wanting to put the book aside. It definitely had some moments that were a bit cliché, but most people who pick up a pirate tale are pretty much looking for that. Fans of *The Pirates of the Caribbean* film series will definitely eat this one up.