I grew up loving sea movies and old maps. Fog on the water, boots on wet wood, a fast grin before a sword fight. So I went looking for gay pirate books. And I read them. Some on a rainy weekend. Some at 2 a.m., with my dog snoring and my tea going cold. You know what? I found treasure. Not gold, but heart.
Let me explain.
If you're curious about the full captain's log of that binge, you can board the detailed account at I Read a Stack of Gay Pirate Books—Here’s What Stuck.
For an even deeper dive into LGBTQ+ swashbuckling tales, sail over to the review vault at Gay Book Reviews.
Wait—why pirates?
Pirates feel big and messy. They break rules, but they keep their own code. I guess that hit me where it counts. Also, the sea. It’s loud, salty, and honest. Love kind of feels like that too—loud and honest.
Now to the books I actually read and dog-eared.
“Brethren” by W. A. Hoffman
This one is a full meal. It’s a long, rich story set in the Caribbean. The romance is messy and real. The sea life feels true—storms, sickness, hunger, all of it. Some nights I had to set the book down and breathe. Then I picked it back up because the pull was strong.
What I loved:
- Grit and tenderness living side by side
- Big feelings, but also quiet care on deck
What bugged me:
- It can get heavy; I needed breaks
- Some scenes hurt, and they should, but still—whew
Heads up: violence, slavery, and rough power games appear. It’s not light. But it feels honest.
For authoritative information on "Brethren" by W.A. Hoffman, you can refer to its Goodreads page: Brethren on Goodreads.
“On a Lee Shore” by Elin Gregory
Soft pirates? Yes, please. This is about a young naval officer taken by pirates, and it turns slow and sweet. The sea parts feel careful and steady. I could almost taste the salt on the pages.
What I loved:
- A slow burn that warms your hands
- Ship life that sounds like the real thing
What bugged me:
- A few long passages on ropes and sails (I skimmed a tiny bit)
- I wanted one extra chapter at the end
For detailed insights into "On a Lee Shore" by Elin Gregory, consider visiting the author's official website: Elin Gregory’s site.
“The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue” by Mackenzi Lee
Is this a straight-up pirate story? Not really. But Monty and Percy get tangled with pirates, and it’s a blast. The voice is witty. The banter snaps. I laughed, then I felt a lump in my throat when things got hard for Percy.
What I loved:
- Charm for days
- How it handles class, race, and health with care
What bugged me:
- Pirates show up late
- Some jokes run long, but I still grinned
Good for a teen reader, or for a tired adult who needs fun with teeth.
“The Abyss Surrounds Us” by Emily Skrutskie
Queer sea sci-fi with pirates and giant trained sea monsters called Reckoners. I read it fast, then I read parts again. Cass gets taken by a pirate crew and has to train a monster pup. The push-pull with Swift (a pirate girl) feels sharp and brave.
What I loved:
- High stakes without fluff
- Monster training scenes that feel like trust exercises
What bugged me:
- I wanted more world detail in a few spots
- The last act races; I wished it lingered
Heads up: cruelty from some pirates, and moral gray areas. But that’s the point.
“Peter Darling” by Austin Chant
A tender retelling. Peter is a trans man, and Hook is not just a villain. It’s short and dreamy, but not vague. I read it in one sitting, with a blanket and a candle, because I’m dramatic like that.
What I loved:
- Careful, grown-up love mixed with adventure
- A quiet ache that stays after the last page
What bugged me:
- I wanted more scenes on deck; I always do
- Ended just a hair sooner than my heart wanted
“Scourge of the Seas of Time (and Space),” edited by Catherine Lundoff
An anthology of queer pirate stories, from classic swashbucklers to space pirates. Not every tale is gay male, but the crew is gloriously queer. I kept this in my tote for bus rides. One story for breakfast, one for lunch.
What I loved:
- Range—romance, revenge, and weird wonders
- Fresh voices from a small press that cares
What bugged me:
- A few stories didn’t land for me
- Tone shifts can be jarring if you binge
Quick hits if you want more queer crews
- “A Clash of Steel” by C. B. Lee: A Treasure Island remix with a sapphic heart, set in the South China Sea. Bright and brave.
- “The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea” by Maggie Tokuda-Hall: Magic, pirates, and a genderfluid lead. Lush and fierce.
- “Compass Rose” by Anna Burke: Post-storm future, f/f navigation drama, and yes—pirates in the mix.
Not all of these are “gay pirate” in the narrow sense. But they scratch the same itch: danger, devotion, and salt spray.
For an even broader map of queer magic and monsters, sail through my 2024 favorites in gay fantasy over at this personal stack.
Whenever my own voyages land me far from the ocean’s edge—say, on a road trip through Maryland—I still keep an eye out for the kind of hidden charts pirates would appreciate. If you ever find yourself craving a land-locked adventure of a more… relaxing variety, you can consult the discreet directory at Rubmaps Hagerstown for up-to-date reviews, locations, and user tips on local massage spots that might help you unwind between chapters.
What I learned (about me, I guess)
I thought I wanted only sword fights. Turns out I want rules, too—crew codes, chosen family, small kindness at 3 a.m. I love a map at the front. I love found family at the end. And I really love when a captain learns to say “I’m wrong.”
Pick your next read (by vibe)
- Want dark and sweeping? Try “Brethren.”
- Want gentle and sea-smart? “On a Lee Shore.”
- Want quips and heart? “The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.”
- Want fast sci-fi bites? “The Abyss Surrounds Us.”
- Want short, tender, and a little magic? “Peter Darling.”
- Want variety in small servings? “Scourge of the Seas of Time (and Space).”
Content notes, so you feel safe
- “Brethren”: violence, slavery, rough sex themes.
- “On a Lee Shore”: peril at sea, captivity.
- “Gentleman’s Guide”: period homophobia, illness.
- “Abyss Surrounds Us”: cruelty, moral gray choices.
- “Peter Darling”: dysphoria, grief, and healing.
- “Scourge…”: varies by story; check intros.
Final word from my hammock
If you want salt, storms, and stolen kisses, these books deliver. Some made me cheer. Some made me quiet. All left me looking up from the page like I could hear waves. That’s the magic for me.
Got a favorite gay pirate book I missed? Tell me. I’ve got tea, a pen, and room on the shelf.
And if your compass points toward any tale with a gay hero at the helm—on land or sea—drop anchor in my roundup of books with a gay protagonist to chart your course.