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On Stranger Tides

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Who Would Like This Book:

Get ready for a wild adventure with pirates, voodoo magic, zombies, blood-soaked swordfights, and legendary figures like Blackbeard himself. Tim Powers does a fantastic job blending real history with supernatural twists, creating a vivid world that's both authentic and utterly strange. If you love Pirates of the Caribbean, dark fantasy, or swashbuckling action with a clever edge, this book will be right up your alley. Anyone who enjoys imaginative worldbuilding, unexpected magic systems, and stories where history gets a fantastical upgrade will have a blast.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If you prefer grounded, realistic adventures or dislike supernatural elements mixed into your historical fiction, this may leave you cold. Some readers found the pacing uneven, with too many villains and plot threads crammed into a relatively slim book. The main character's quick rise from puppeteer to heroic pirate can feel a bit implausible, and several readers were frustrated by the underdeveloped female lead and recurring 'damsel in distress' themes. Graphic violence and some unsettling content may also be a turn-off for sensitive readers.

A wild, weird, and wonderfully creative pirate yarn that mixes authentic history with dark magic - sometimes messy, often over-the-top, but always a rollicking adventure. If you love pirates and fantasy, it’s a must-read!

About:

'On Stranger Tides' by Tim Powers is a swashbuckling tale set in the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy. The story follows Jack Shandy, a man thrust into the dangerous world of pirates, voodoo magic, and the quest for the Fountain of Youth. The book combines historical elements such as real pirates like Blackbeard with magical elements like zombies and sorcery, creating a fast-paced and adventurous narrative. The writing style is described as engaging, with intricate plotting and fantastical ideas that keep the reader entertained throughout the story.

Characters:

Characters range from a dynamic lead undergoing transformation to charismatic villains, though some characters, especially female ones, lack depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is fast-paced, combining humor and intricate details with both historical and fantastical elements.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around piracy, voodoo magic, and adventure, featuring John Chandagnac who becomes embroiled in conflicts involving pirates and supernatural elements.

Setting:

The setting is vividly described as the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy, filled with historical elements and local mythology.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast and engaging, but some readers felt it dragged due to the complex plot and multiple antagonists.
Gripping one of the taut vertical ropes and leaning far out over the rail, John Chandagnac waited a moment until the swell lifted the huge, creaking structure of the stern and the poop deck on which h...

Notes:

On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers is a historical fantasy novel featuring pirates and voodoo magic.
The story revolves around John Chandagnac, a puppeteer who becomes a pirate named Jack Shandy.
The novel includes real historical figures like Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet.
It was published in 1987 and inspired the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film.
The plot involves a quest for the Fountain of Youth, intertwined with magic and adventure.
Many readers find the novel significantly better written than the Disney film adaptations.
The book explores themes of revenge, love, and moral ambiguity in a pirate's life.
Tim Powers is known for his well-researched novels that blend history with fantastical elements.
Elizabeth Hurwood, a key character, is criticized by some readers for being underdeveloped and a 'damsel in distress.'
The narrative features a mix of swordfights, sorcery, and graphic violence, making it an engaging read for adventure fans.
Powers cleverly integrates ancient legends and myths of the Caribbean into the storyline.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Themes of violence, blood sacrifices, and graphic depictions of fighting, as well as instances of control over female characters and dark themes, necessitate medium-level content warnings.

Has Romance?

There is a romantic subplot involving the protagonist's feelings towards Elizabeth, though it is placed amidst broader action and thematic explorations.

From The Publisher:

The remarkable Tim Powers-who ingeniously married the John Le Carrè spy novel to the otherworldly in his critically acclaimed Declare-brings us pirate adventure with a dazzling difference. On Stranger Tides features Blackbeard, ghosts, voodoo, zombies, the fable Fountain of Youth…and more swashbuckling action than you could shake a cutlass at, as reluctant buccaneer John Shandy braves all manner of peril, natural and supernatural, to rescue his ensorcelled love. Nominated for the Locus and World Fantasy Awards, On Stranger Tides is the book that inspired the motion picture Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides-non-stop, breathtaking fiction from the genius imagination that conceived Last Call, Expiration Date, and Three Days to Never.

"Powers writes action and adventure that Indiana Jones could only dream of."

-Washington Post

"Tim Powers is a brilliant writer."

-William Gibson

Ratings (14)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (4)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (49):

Read It (14)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (24)
Not Interested (8)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
1 year

This book was the basis for Pirates of the Caribbean. It features much action and adventure and it is a good read if you enjoy pirate stories.

 

About the Author:

Tim Powers is the author of numerous novels including Hide Me Among the Graves, Three Days to Never, Declare, Last Call, and On Stranger Tides, which inspired the feature film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. He has won the Philip K. Dick Memorial Award twice, and the World Fantasy Award three times. He lives in San Bernardino, California.

 
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