The Determined

Praise for The Determined

“An exciting, immersive tale about two legendary women, their courage, and the circumstances that bound them together in infamy. It’s no easy task to fictionalize historical figures as widely mythologized as Read and Bonny, but Rueckert does it with aplomb.” —Rita Chang-Eppig, author of Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea

“This story is based on the real lives of Mary Read and Anne Bonny, two female pirates determined to choose their own adventure in a society that seems equally determined to reduce them to a single narrative. Though set in the eighteenth century, this novel feels eerily relevant to the situation we find ourselves in today; while the outfits and weapons may have changed over the last three hundred years, women’s autonomy still hangs in the balance. The Determined is a powerful example of two women who, armed with daggers, grit, ingenuity, and yes, tenderness, refuse to surrender their right to freedom.” —Lisa Van Orman Hadley, author of Irreversible Things

“Immersive, thrilling, and steeped in emotional complexity, The Determined is a triumph of historical research and heart, transporting the reader into the lives of the infamous Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Rueckert paints a nuanced portrait of two complicated women in a world that opposes them at every opportunity. Both heartwarming and gut-wrenching in turns, this novel brings a fresh and original perspective on two of history’s most recognized female pirates.” —Briony Cameron, author of The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye

“Hang on to your tricorn hat! Rachel Rueckert’s homage to real-life pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read is an unforgettable adventure. From the dangerous high seas to the trenches of war, these women forge a remarkable friendship and wield their wits, wiles and weapons against countless enemies — as well as the social norms and mores of their era. A treasure of a book.” —Michelle Collins Anderson, USA Today bestselling author of The Flower Sisters