The cover is the first thing that caught my eye. With the contrast of the black and gold, it is beautifully designed and after reading the book, I think the cover perfectly represents the story that the author was trying to tell! For a pirate book, it definitely felt more like a romantic adventure with the open seas as a backdrop. The plot is incredible and flows well together, making this a read that I could not put down! The beginning is attention grabbing and very strong, which set a precedent for the rest of the book. This expectation was certainly lived up to and I can not wait for the next few books, as this one is the first in a highly anticipated series! In terms of the characters, I was rooting for all of them and could not wait to see how their story lines played out and affected the other characters and their goals. I would highly recommend this read to anyone with a love for pirates and adventure!