Pirate Queen: The Legend of Grace O'Malley

A captivating retelling of the story of Grace O'Malley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland.

Grace is a true daughter of the fearsome O'Malley clan, and while still a child she yearns to help her father fight to keep Henry VIII's invading English armies out of Ireland. But battlefields are not seen as places for women, and for years she must sit idly at home while her father and her husband march off to defend their homeland. When English conspirators brutally murder her husband, though, Grace will remain idle no longer. She herself leads men into battle on the high seas, where her prowess as a sailor and her ability with a sword quickly gain her a reputation as The Pirate Queen of Ireland. But this reputation will place her own life and the lives of her entire family in danger, and will lead her to confront the most powerful woman in England, Queen Elizabeth I.

This graphic novel, designed for middle-grade readers, is characterized by brilliant and vivid artwork and a thrilling story closely based on actual historical events. English Lord Richard Bingham is the perfect sinister and murderous villain to offset the valor and patriotism of Grace and other rebellious Irish leaders. The book has the feel of an exciting animated movie. Discerning girls and boys may end up disdaining the made-up farcical and cartoonish "superwomen" of film, television and video games and come to appreciate the infinitely more impressive and thrilling women of actual history. Heartily recommended. Historical Novel Society This is a great swashbuckling romp with an indomitable female hero which may well lead some young people into a greater engagement with the romance of history. And if not it will at least keep them well-entertained. Enda O'Doherty, Dublin Review of Books Through this tale, Lee portrays the sixteenth-century Pirate Queen of Ireland as a ruthless, cunning, and capable leader, which Hart captures through her flaming red hair and strong facial expressions and gestures. Deep, black shadows dramatize the characters' features, and lines streak across the page during the bright, vivid battle sequences, adding to the chaos. Although O'Malley is an undeniably fierce heroine, neither the story nor the illustrations over-romanticize her. She conquers the seas and wields two swords, but she also experiences the grittiness of war. The exciting biography, the fourth in Lee and Hart's Heroes and Heroines series, will encourage teens to learn more about O'Malley, pirates, and Irish-English history, but it will also make them examine the qualities they can expect from laudable leaders Biz Hyzy, Booklist

Tony Lee has written for many popular comic books including X-Men, Spider Man, Starship Troopers, Wallace & Gromit and Shrek. His adaptation of Pride & Prejudice & Zombies: The Graphic Novel is a New York Times bestseller. Tony is the author of Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood, Excalibur: The Legend of King Arthur and Messenger: The Legend of Joan of Arc, all published by Walker. He has also adapted Anthony Horowitz's bestselling series The Power of Five into graphic novels. Tony lives in London.

Sam Hart has illustrated many comic books and graphic novels, including Judge Dredd, Starship Troopers and Walker's Heroes and Heroines series - Outlaw: the Legend of Robin Hood, Excalibur: The Legend of King Arthur and Messenger: The Legend of Joan of Arc. His graphic novel The Coldest City, written by Antony Johnston, has recently been adapted for the screen as Atomic Blonde starring Charlize Theron. He also teaches drawing skills at the AXIS School of Art in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he lives.

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