LIBERTAD - Sequel to Capitana

Libertad by Cassandra James

GREEN LIGHT with CAUTION

AGES: 9TH - 12Th Grade

Now that Ximena has left the empire and the elite Cazadors and sails the oceans as the notorious pirate Gasparilla with her sister, Marquesa, she thinks the days of backstabbing and underhanded politics are in the past. They're actually just beginning. When serious mistakes are made, a mad scramble for control in the pirate world begins, and the man leading the charge is one la Pantera de la Noche whose true identity has been a closely guarded secret for a reason. Ximena and Marquesa find themselves in constant peril from the seas they sail, the enemies they encounter, and the mythical creatures that track them. Despite the continuous difficulties they encounter, the goal remains the same: bring freedom to the lands the empire is literally choking the life from.

Overall, I enjoyed this read. Author Cassandra James is a Christian, and her desire is to write clean books for YA readers that glorify the light winning over the darkness. However, there are some elements that parents may struggle with in this book.

HEADS UP - This is a pirate story, so there is a decent amount of alcohol consumption and smoking of cigars. There is one d*** used. The biggest element that may cause some issues is the use of magic and sorcery. While not always present, it is a theme that comes up multiple times. For the spell to work, blood is required.