Book Review: Capitana by Cassandra James
When I first heard about Capitana, I was instantly intrigued by its quirky premise and the promise of a strong female protagonist navigating a world full of intrigue and law enforcement. However, my excitement quickly turned into frustration…and then outright disappointment. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Capitana follows Ximena Reale, a 17-year-old aspiring cazadora, determined to prove herself in a world that relentlessly judges her based on her parent’s infamous past as treacherous pirates. While the foundational concept of a young woman striving for acceptance and grappling with her family’s dark legacy felt compelling, my journey through the pages led me down a path I never expected—one of intense irritation and rage towards Ximena herself.
Ximena’s character is nothing short of an enigma; she’s stubborn, set in her adherence to rules, and embodies a holier-than-thou attitude that had me rolling my eyes more often than not. Her unwavering loyalty to the cazadors—the empire’s guardians—despite overwhelming evidence of their shortcomings, felt almost laughable at times. I never imagined I could harbor such visceral feelings against a fictional character. At moments, I felt inspired to reach through the pages, give her a well-deserved shake, and scream, “Open your eyes!”
Throughout the majority of the story, Ximena obsessively recites laws and regulations, painting a picture of someone who truly believes in a system designed to protect. Unfortunately, this blind faith strips any potential for meaningful character growth and left me yearning for someone—anyone—else to take the spotlight. While I found myself begrudgingly enjoying the character of Dante de León and his chaotic charm, I couldn’t help but wish the narrative had explored more facets of his life instead of continually returning to Ximena’s irritated tirades.
As for the romantic component, which was marketed so prominently, I can tell you that it was about as romantic as a rainy Tuesday afternoon in the DMV. Any chemistry between Ximena and Dante was akin to a ghost; present only in hushed whispers rather than tangible interactions. The promise of a ‘riveting romantasy’ felt more like wishful thinking than actual execution.
Now, don’t let me paint the entire experience as bleak. The twist toward the end had me momentarily captivated, and the cliffhanger left just enough tantalizing threads to needle my curiosity. But were they enough to lure me into a sequel? Absolutely not.
The writing style, or perhaps the pacing, left much to be desired. For a debut novel penned by a graduate from an Ivy League university, I expected more depth and sophistication. Sadly, it felt disjointed, like it hadn’t polished its voice just yet.
In summary, I genuinely wish I could recommend Capitana to others, perhaps those who thrive on character-driven stories or enjoy an overzealous adherence to law and order. But ultimately, I can’t in good faith say that it will leave you fulfilled or inspired. While the cover is undoubtedly beautiful, it doesn’t redeem the experience in any way.
So, if you’re looking for a book that challenges the archetypes of a young heroine and delves into rich narratives with authentic character development, save your time and energy. I can only give this one star (and even that feels generous).
Here’s to hoping the next read brings far more joy and connection! Have you read Capitana? Let me know your thoughts below!
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