Seven Jane’s The Isle Of Gold is a truly magical novel that will transport you far away, and long ago, to the Golden Age of Piracy. Disguised as a man, orphan Merrin Smith joins the pirate crew of the Riptide. Captained by Erik Winters, the Riptide is setting sail for the mystical island of Bracile in hopes of finding Winters’ love, Evangeline Dahl who disappeared two years ago. Merrin wants to help find Evangeline, but more than that, she’s convinced that answers to her own life lay there. Though at first the established crew are hostile or indifferent towards Merrin, they eventually warm to her. She finds particular friendship with Tom Birch, Brandon Dunn, Jomo the cook, and even Winters himself.

As Riptide sails, she avoids all other ships, taking neither prizes nor treasure. It is a focused mission for sure, and in this way, didn’t feel like a pirate tale to me at all. Not to say they didn’t find treasure. They found what could be argued the greatest of treasures. Family and friendship. Love. Experiences otherworldly and unheard of. They face legends and myths and lived to tell the tale (mostly). As such, there are times where the story seems surreal, and yet it is written well enough to allow for thorough imagination. I found it easy to picture the story in my mind.

My favourite characters were Jomo, with his fierce appearance and love of trinkets, especially red ones, and quartermaster Dunn, with his wealth of legend and lore. I was so sad to learn the truth about Dunn and glad things worked out for him in the end. It’s hard to lose an essential part of yourself. Thankfully, he wasn’t a bitter person over it. I’d love to know the story behind how he ended up on Isla Perla, and sailing with Winters. This was also a different take than any I’ve seen before on a popular sea myth. Saying more would be telling, but I loved how that ended. Much happier than I’d expect.

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Black Spot Books for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for JBN Tours.