Spanish Waters

Barbara Korsness
Amira Press (2007)
ISBN 9781934475201
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (10/07)


“Spanish Waters” begins in the Spanish settlement of Santa Maria de Galva.  The French are attacking the settlement. Childhood friends Catana and Louis are trying to figure a way out of this mess.  Louis is French.  If he is caught in the settlement, he will be tried for treason.  They also have an Indian friend Tokala, who has been has been put in prison and is being abused.  They decide to steal a sloop called “The Dove,” and to rescue Tokala and his friend Jabulani, who is an escaped slave.  Catana wishes to find her father, who disappeared.

After a dramatic rescue and escape, the group takes off on The Dove.  Included with them is Catana’s cousin, Inez, who is going with her to find her boyfriend Juan who is in the military.  Along the way, they rescue two men who claim that they are not pirates.  Catana is not too sure about this, so she keeps an eye on them.  She finds herself becoming intrigued with Orlando.  The group finds themselves relying on their wits to overcome pirates, and their Spanish and French enemies. 

I loved this story!  The author, Barbara Korsness, presents some unusual, but well-thought-out ideas and strategies that make it a very interesting adventure.  I liked that she didn’t follow the typical formula for this type of story.  The characters are well-developed and interesting.  The relationships are more complex than superficial.  The conflicts that she develops in “Spanish Waters” are also different than the usual.  I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give anything away, but I can tell you that you will enjoy this story!

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