Rich characters, addictive pirate adventures, immersive worldbuilding—what more could a reader want?
*This review contains no major spoilers.*
I have never been overly drawn to fantastical pirate adventures, but JL Smyser’s The Chestmaker effortlessly drew me into all the intriguing peaks and valleys of pirate life. Smyser proselytized me, and I don’t see myself turning away from the genre—or his writing—any time soon.
The Chestmaker begins just as Archie Salvatorre, a skilled chestmaker struggling to keep his family business alive, discovers a mysterious chest beneath his shop. This discovery launches him on an unexpected—and unwelcome—pirate journey, during which he must rely on his craft, ingenuity, and new swashbuckling companions to survive.
The characters are richly written. Being the MC, Archie is of course a favorite, but Captain Rubias often steals the show. Shadir’s antics are also front and center, and he makes an endearing companion to Archie. In the end, Edia’s matter-of-fact disposition and unintentionally deadpan humor made her my favorite. There are far more excellent characters, but this core ensemble stands out.
The worldbuilding is particularly impressive. The story's depth is satisfying, prompting me to imagine possible prequels, sequels, and spinoffs. We get a taste of the various islands’ backstories and characters’ histories, and it feels as if Smyser is setting us up for more in the future. I am positive I could get lost in further exploration of The Chestmaker universe.
First-person present tense can be difficult to pull off, but Smyser does it. I felt as if I were Archie, sailing the seas, outsmarting pirates, and fighting monsters. He transported me directly into the story, making the action and adventure sequences even more memorable.
The Chestmaker is one of the best books I have read this year, and for a debut, it is incredibly well done. If you love fantastical pirate adventures peppered with ethical conundrums and satisfyingly deep characters, The Chestmaker should absolutely be your next read. I look forward to reading more of Smyser’s work.
