Come for the irrepressible gremlin of a narrator, stay for the plot-relevant cake competitions! A whip-smart, hilarious and exuberant high seas romp – Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous LightSimply a masterpiece. Uproariously funny, exquisitely witty, brimming with buckling of swashes and scuttling of butts, an adventure tale peppered with heartfelt moments and the power of friendship like so much grapeshot. Put me in a rowboat and tow me behind the ship if I tell a lie – Premee Mohamed, author of Beneath the RisingI’ve never fallen so instantly in love with a story as with Running Close to the Wind by the inimitable Alexandra Rowland. Incredible fun, endearing characters, and a beautiful message wrapped in a sea-serpent bow – Seth Haddon, author of RebornA delightful romp. Fans of Our Flag Means Death are going to flock to this hilarious and unabashedly queer pirate adventure – Booklist, Starred ReviewAn incredibly horny book that is also silly and loving and wants to celebrate just how fun sexiness can be … an exuberant adventure that manages to combine humour with a strong sense of humanity and justice – SFX MagazineAlexandra Rowland has written the ideal antidote to the past indeterminate number of awful years – LitHubHumorous… . The characters and the world they inhabit are developed in striking detail… . Fans of Our Flag Means Death will want to check it out – Publishers WeeklyThere simply wasn’t a single dull moment in this story … One of the most hysterical and delightfully queer fantasy adventures you will ever have the pleasure of experiencing – Grimdark MagazineTruly good fun – Kirkus ReviewsWill have readers laughing on every page – BookPage

Alexandra Rowland is the author of A Taste of Gold and Iron, Running Close to the Wind, A Conspiracy of Truths, A Choir of Lies and Some by Virtue Fall, as well as a Hugo Award-nominated podcaster (all sternly supervised by their feline quality control manager). They hold a degree in world literature, mythology and folklore from Truman State University.