The Red Flag

By: Julia Maiola

Narrated by: Thomas Cardwell

Captain Stephen Boswell sails under the red flag, a symbol of no mercy. It’s the only reason he has lived this long. The only reason the Navy has not found him yet. But they are closing in. And if they catch him, they will execute him for piracy.

Ten-year-old Alice Bradford doesn’t know why she is alive. When Captain Boswell found her hiding on his ship, she expected him to kill her, and it seemed his own crew had expected likewise. But now she is his prisoner and she fears that she will be forever. Somehow, though, it seems that the captain might be more afraid of the Navy than she is of him. Something from his past has him ill at ease, Alice realizes.

Even if the Navy cannot bring him to his knees, his own paranoia will.

A gripping, fast-paced story about one of the last pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy and his fight for survival.

"Julia Maiola holds nothing back as she enlightens readers and listeners about piracy; the bond between the men, the dangers of trusting acquaintances, and the policy of no witnesses left behind. This is a must-read for everyone who loves historical high-seas adventures. Thomas Cardwell brings each character to life effectively and adds spirit to the novel. He is one of the best narrators I have heard." (Readers' Favorite)

©2018 Julia Maiola (P)2019 Julia Maiola

Brutal and Realistic Look at Pirates

Captain Boswell is the most ruthless pirate sailing the seas. His ship and crew sail under a red flag, a signal to all that no quarter will be given and no one will survive to tell the tale. That is, until Boswell crosses paths with Alice, a precocious ten year old girl that holds so much fascination for Boswell that he can't bring himself to kill her.

And so Alice goes on the adventure of her young life as a prisoner aboard a pirate ship, witness to their blood lust and Boswell's ever pervading fear of capture.

Boswell is a monster we can understand, if not condone. As the story progresses, we learn how he came to be a pirate and what sort of hardships he's had to endure on his journey into depravity through his Journal. And even though he at times shows compassion and even tenderness, he can't change the fact that he's a murderer. As the story progresses, Alice comes to understand him and perhaps even forgive him for his crimes. But we can't forget that he's still a criminal, and in the wrong, and even deserves to hang from a yardarm. And so the question becomes will Boswell meet the end he deserves or escape to continue his murderous ways.

My biggest problem with this book was Alice. I just wish she had been a little older. She's a bit too worldly for such a young age and there are times where she's seen as a sexual object (nearly raped) and I just found that too creepy. I think all of that would have worked better for me if she had been in her mid-teens.

I enjoyed the narration from Thomas Cardwell, although I did have a hard time with his choice of voices for Boswell and his first mate. They were far too close to each other and it made it difficult at times to tell who exactly was talking.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this honest review.

Pirates... good or bad?

I loved the audio version of this book. It was so fun to hear someone read the words so my mind could draw the story. I highly recommend this book!!

One of the best pirate books I've listened to.

An engrossing story that accurately portrays pirates and the British navy who hunted them. This was a very unique book, that left me conflicted as to how I felt toward Captain Boswell and his crew. The Red Flag somehow manages to humanize the pirates without turning them into heroes. It started off by grabbing my attention and kept me engaged until the end.

Learn to love and hate the Captain

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another.
Captain Boswell is an interesting character. True to old prejudices (and even current ones), he does all he can to forge his way as an honest, hard-working man, yet most everyone bases their opinion of him on his pirate father. Everyone has their breaking point. Now he’s on the run and captain of a pirate crew that offer no quarter.
Alice is a young girl who evaded execution when their ship is attacked. She hides aboard the pirate ship. Once she is found, Captain Boswell spares her life.
Much of the story revolves around the relationship between them.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Thomas Cardwell ) and I would listen to another. I liked his portrayal of Alice and he did well with the other character voices. His narration helped bring out the horror of the pirates actions, the paranoia of the Captain and the courage of Alice.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Compelling and thrilling!

Very compelling and thrilling book! It's very easy to get lost in this book. The story is well narrated, with each character having their own voice. The characters come alive, and I found myself becoming drawn to certain characters.
Definitely a book I would recommend even if you aren't into Pirates.

Easy to listen, gripping story,

Easy to listen, fast pace gripping story, a lot of details, awesome narrator. Loved the book.

Ahoy

a wonderful story I enjoyed it so much the Pirates were described very well and in a very interesting manner the narrator was great and I enjoyed the story very much
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Bodacious and captivating.

Excellent story that keeps you engaged and curious. The descriptive writing style fills your imagination.

Fantastic!

Great book! Intriguing characters: a conflicting captain and remarkably strong lead female character. This book is not for those who squirm at violence. Nor is it for those who like to consider pirates as misunderstood villains. The author depicts pirates the way they truly were in history. Join Captain Boswell on his desperate, never-ending evasion of the British army, and you will not be disappointed.

The narrator, Thomas Cardwell does an excellent job as well. He really brings the characters to life and helps keep the reader engaged. This is a pretty short book, a little over 6 hours, but well worth the listen. By the way — Mr. Cardwell has an English accent 😏😏

Great book!

A great book full of action and adventure, keeps your interest the entire time !