{"id":349052,"date":"2025-12-18T05:20:53","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T05:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/entertainment\/books\/the-vengeance-by-emma-newman-%e2%9a%94%ef%b8%8f-piracy-vampires-and-found-family\/"},"modified":"2025-12-18T05:20:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T05:20:53","slug":"the-vengeance-by-emma-newman-%e2%9a%94%ef%b8%8f-piracy-vampires-and-found-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/?p=349052","title":{"rendered":"The Vengeance By Emma Newman \u2694\ufe0f Piracy, Vampires And Found Family"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Vengeance<\/em> by Emma Newman is the first book in a new fantasy series blending historical adventure, found family, and light supernatural elements. Set against the backdrop of an alternative France, the novel follows a young woman raised by pirates who sets out on a quest for revenge after the death of her mother figure. If you\u2019re looking for a story packed with action, tension, and emotional growth, this might be the next adventure for your reading list.<\/p>\n

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Morgane grew up at sea, daughter of the fierce pirate captain of the Vengeance, raised to follow in her footsteps as scourge of the Four Chains Trading Company. But when Anna-Marie is mortally wounded in battle, she confesses to Morgane that she is not her mother.<\/p>\n

The captain of the enemy ship reveals he was paid to kill Anna-Marie and bring Morgane home to France and her real family. Desperate to learn the truth about her lineage, Morgane spares him, leaving the Vengeance and everything she knows behind.<\/p>\n

Her quest reveals a world of decadence and darkness, in which monsters vie for control of royal courts and destinies of nations. She discovers the bloody secrets of the Four Chains Trading Company, and the truth about her real mother\u2019s death, nearly twenty years before\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The protagonist, Morgane, is compelling because of her fierce loyalty and naivety. Raised aboard the pirate ship The Vengeance<\/em>, she sets off on a personal quest after her mother figure Anna-Marie is killed, hoping to avenge her and rescue her birth mother. Morgane\u2019s journey is marked by miscommunications and gradual learning as she navigates unfamiliar French society, ultimately discovering that family isn\u2019t always about blood.<\/p>\n

Supporting characters shine, particularly the new captain of The Vengeance<\/em> and Lisette, who starts as Morgane\u2019s lady\u2019s maid but quickly becomes much more. The arcs around Morgane\u2019s birth parents hold surprises for her (if not always for the reader), and a late supernatural twist hints at future series developments, though it feels somewhat jarring after the mostly grounded first three-quarters of the novel. Overall, Morgane\u2019s emotional growth from selfish to selfless is satisfying and believable.<\/p>\n

At its core, The Vengeance<\/em> is an action-adventure tale: Morgane leaves her pirate life to seek revenge and find her place in the world. The pirate-heavy opening is engaging, with vibrant characters and settings, but the pacing slows as the story unfolds. While the supernatural reveals bring intrigue, it\u2019s the central mystery around Morgane\u2019s birth mother that keeps the pages turning. Importantly, while this book sets up sequels, it stands well on its own, offering a satisfying ending.<\/p>\n

The world blends historical alternative France with seafaring adventure and light supernatural touches, including vampires and wolves. However, the magical system remains minimally explained. The book leans heavily on familiar adventure tropes (found family, hidden identity, dressing as a boy), set against a backdrop of societal oppression that contrasts Morgane\u2019s free pirate past with the restrictive French court. This moral contrast adds thematic richness to an otherwise straightforward adventure.<\/p>\n

While supernatural creatures exist in the world, the magic system isn\u2019t deeply developed or explained. Vampires hold political and societal power, fitting neatly into the French setting, but rituals and magical mechanics aren\u2019t explored in detail. The power dynamics are more about societal structures and class than magic itself.<\/p>\n

The major theme is revenge, but layered beneath that are explorations of identity, freedom, loyalty, and found family. Morgane starts off acting for selfish reasons, but as she grows emotionally, she learns to act for those she loves. Emma Newman provides moral ambiguity and complexity, ensuring even side characters have believable motivations. One standout symbolic moment is Morgane learning how the boned gowns of high society act as a prison for women, reflecting broader themes of societal constraint.<\/p>\n

Newman\u2019s prose is immersive and action-driven, favouring character moments over detailed world explanations. The tone is tense and adventurous, and the narrative is very much character-focused rather than plot-focused. Readers who enjoy fast-moving emotional arcs will appreciate this style.<\/p>\n

The Vengeance<\/em> is best suited for readers who enjoy low or historical fantasy, especially those who like adventure-driven narratives with light supernatural elements. High fantasy and vampire lovers might find it underwhelming, as the fantasy components are minimal. Fans of Viper<\/em> by Bex Hogan<\/a> will likely enjoy it.<\/p>\n

Positives of The Vengeance<\/em><\/h2>\n