Cranston Public Library

Pirates are an enduring popular subject, depicted often in songs, stories, and Halloween costumes. Yet the truth about pirate women -- who they were, why they went to sea, and what their lives were really like -- is seldom a part of the conversation. In this Seven Seas history of the world's female buccaneers, A Pirate's Life for She tells the story of 16 women who through the ages sailed alongside -- and sometimes in command of -- their male counterparts....

"The most powerful pirate in history was a woman who was born into poverty in Guangzhou, China, in the early 1800s. When pirates attacked her town and the captain took a liking to her, she saw a way out. Zheng Yi Sao agreed to marry him only if she got an equal share of his business. When her husband died six years later, she took command of the fleet. Over the next decade, the pirate queen built a fleet of over 1,800 ships and 70,000 men. On land...

Profiles pirates throughout history, especially women pirates of Europe, America, and Asia, such as Princess Alvilda, Ingean Ruadh, Grany Imallye, Elizabeth Killigrew, Anne Bonny, and Lai Cho San.

"The Kaiser murdered Theodosia's mother, the Fire Queen, when Theo was only six. He took Theo's country and kept her prisoner, crowning her Ash Princess--a pet to toy with and humiliate for ten long years. That era has ended. The Kaiser thought his prisoner weak and defenseless. He didn't realize that a sharp mind is the deadliest weapon. Theo no longer wears a crown of ashes. She has taken back her rightful title, and a hostage--Prinz Søren. But...

"Alosa is the daughter of the Siren Queen, and her mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he's under her orders. Now Alosa and her crew are in a deadly race with Vordan, the pirate king, to find...

"Raven's crew is worse for wear after the confrontation on the Island of the Free Woman, and one of their number is on the edge of death. Can Raven and her crew reach a nearby island in time and find a legendary woman who can heal all ills?" --

"Date Night is over and a new day is dawning on Raven s crew. Everything is different. Everything is perfect. Everything is about to fall apart. Just when things couldn t get better, the wind stops blowing and an old enemy catches up with Sunshine. When the wind, the rain, and the sea itself turn on Raven s crew, can they survive?"--

"Two years ago, Raven Xingtao was locked in a tower and denied her birthright thanks to the scheming of her brothers. After she was freed, she set out to reclaim what was hers and get her revenge. It has been a long time coming, but after tonight the job will be halfway done. On Golden Rock there is a beautiful fortress and at the heart of that fortress is Raven's brother, Magpie. Unfortunately, between Raven and Magpie is every sword swinging, tough...

"The crew is lost and scattered, but finally some of them are coming back together. But they couldn't choose a worse place. The Black Fort sits atop a rocky cliff on an island full of monsters and Raven's oldest brother, Crow, has decided to make this an object of spectacle. He's about to introduce Raven and her crew to the most dangerous of creatures in his arena. But elsewhere in the world, Ananda has been found by the queen and her mermaids. The...

Anatole "Annie" Doultry is in his early fifties, with an imposing physical presence and a reputation to match. In 1927, he is serving six months in a hellish Hong Kong prison where, on a whim, he saves the life of a Chinese prisoner.The prisoner's employer happens to be Madame Lai Choi San. Beautiful, ruthless, and shrewd, she is one of the most notorious gangsters in Asia. When Annie gets out of prison, Madame Lai thanks him with an offer of inconceivable...