An epic and intoxicating adventure of piracy, gender and love inspired by the life of Mary Read, Saltblood is a tale of raw survival and self discovery. Mary is raised as Mark in order to claim an inheritance. From this staring point we follow her through deception, loss and transformation, into the navy, the army and through friendship, passion and plunder. You’ll need your sea legs for this stormy story.
Tell me your crow name. Tell me the name you will wear to the bottom of the sea. The name shaped to fit every part of you, instep and underarm and the exact curve of your ear. Tell me the name you hear someone calling in a dream, and wake with your mouth already open to reply. Tell me the name the crows would say, black-voiced, because everybody knows a crow cannot lie.
I’ve had many names - some were given to me, and some I took. Each of them was a lie, big or small. The wrong name, or the wrong form, or the wrong time. Sometimes all three.
In the main, they call me Mary Read. If I am to be remembered at all, it will likely be by that name.
As for my true name? Go ask the sea.
