After reading Thorn, I couldn’t wait to check out Burke’s first novel, Compass Rose. I was in no way disappointed, and dear reader I don’t think you will be either. This is a pirate adventure set in a post-apocalyptic world in which civilization mostly exists underwater. There’s bloodshed, romance, and all sorts of traumatic near death experiences that you’d expect on a mercenary ship. This was a fantastic read!
Here’s the premise-
In some futuristic year that is much too high to seem like an actual year, our main character and narrator, Compass Rose, is asked by her Admiral to go on a secret mission: assist the hired mercenaries in gaining information relating to the increased pirate attacks on the Archipelago’s coastal mines. Rose accepts the task and boards a ship in which it is clear she is unwelcome. Her uncanny skill of being able to feel where she is at all times gives her an edge though, and Rose is tougher than she first appears. She becomes just as gritty as the sailors who resented her. Captain Miranda Stillwater keeps Rose protected, mostly, and harbors interest in the human compass that grows beyond her abilities to navigate. The two fall in love amongst the chaos and Rose finds a place she wants to call home. Of course, in the wild seas, nothing can ever be easy, and what’s worth having needs to be fought for.
I loved all of the characters in this knock out ensemble. First mate Orca is hard and a bad ass. Kraken is soft and strong. Harper is tougher than all the boys I knew in high school. Everyone is so gritty. I loved pirates as a kid, and well, I still love a good ol’ pirate story now that I’m an adult. This had the same feel of a pirate adventure with a futuristic touch that made the story completely new. Burke’s world-building details are subtle enough that they don’t overwhelm, and yet pointed enough to give you a sufficient idea of what 2513 might look like. I enjoyed all the details relating to the ship and “water-life” as I can hardly even swim.
So, I have to admit that I did have to go back and remind myself of the purpose of the mission. I’m not sure if it’s because of all of the action going on throughout before we even get to the mines, the initial delivery by Admiral Comita being too insignificant, or my own faults as a reader (I did read some of this while entertaining a fever) but I did forget what this was all for. A small price to pay for the gracious amount of action provided. Seriously, that squid fight was epic.
Burke is definitely a talented writer. She weaves in beautiful prose atop a complicated plot and creative futuristic world. Really, this writing was captivating and rich in details. I also enjoyed the irony in that Rose literally had an internal compass and yet she struggled with her own personal navigation in life. I feel like Burke is really good at layering.
So if it’s a pirate’s life for you, check out Compass Rose https://www.amazon.com/Compass-Rose-Anna-Burke
Anna Burke also has a new release coming out in January of 2020- check out the summary here
Follow Anna on twitter @annaburkeauthorand instagram @annaburkeauthor