History Literature / KnavesOnWaves

[[caption-width-right:350:A man’s words reflect his soul.]]

The Tides of Redemption. History’s greatest race. Every year, pirates, thieves and scoundrels gather, coming from all corners of the world in order to claim its vaunted prize. Total amnesty for their countless crimes.

Knaves on Waves is an epic fantasy novel, first published in 2021. The debut work of Jim Parfitt, it follows the adventures of Captain Trigger and his crew as they attempt to win the Tides of Redemption, an annual race which promises amnesty for any crimes committed by the victorious pirate crew. As the blurb suggests, merely surviving the journey is perilous enough, with the voyage boasting several good ol’ fashioned Fantasy tropes.

!!Knaves on Waves contains examples of:

* BadassNormal: It’s a story about a race between pirates. Badasses abound, yet Trigger, Sheridan, Jacques and Magwa are probably the standout examples.

* BigBad: While there are countless enemy crews competing in the race, ultimately it is [[spoiler: The Empress]] who threatens Trigger the most.

* BigGood: Somehow, this is what [[spoiler: Trigger]] is shaping up to become.
* BigDamnHeroes: A few of the [[spoiler: Blackbird’s]] crewmen pull off what may perhaps be the clumsiest example ever put to paper.

* BreakTheCutie: Hoo boy. [[spoiler: Barnaby]] may not be cute, exactly, but that doesn’t stop the universe from hating him.
* BreakTheHaughty: We can’t quite be sure, but by the end of the novel, [[spoiler: Jacques]] appears to have been knocked down a peg.
* BrokenBird: [[spoiler: Barnaby]] is pretty much dead inside, once all is said and done.
* ButtMonkey: The crew’s general attitude to Barnaby. He holds the same opinion.

* CharacterDevelopment: In spades, though particularly in Barnaby’s case.
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Trigger’s aim, Sheridan’s strength and Jacques’ swordsmanship could all qualify.

* CloudCuckoolander: Magwa observes several rituals and beliefs that don’t quite make sense to the rest of the crew. Doesn’t stop him being an absolute badass, however.

* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Trigger’s crew isn’t the brightest.

* DealWithTheDevil: Several are necessary throughout the course of the voyage. Trigger particularly regards his deal with [[spoiler: Thodurk]] as this.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: Carnage may be a mass-murdering lunatic, but even he can see that the [[spoiler: Empress]] must be stopped.
* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: Knaves on Waves is a book about pirates. Who’d have guessed?
* FaceHeelTurn: Executed in stunning fashion by [[spoiler: Jacques]]

* FromBadToWorse: Navigating a series of small channels that spill out into an endless void is dangerous enough. Now add in a battle…and no rudder.

* HeroicSacrifice: More than a few are made to ensure the crew’s survival.

* JustInTime: Almost subverted by the crewmen, who can’t quite pick their moment on the Swaying Deck.

* MoralEventHorizon: [[spoiler: Jacques betrayal of Trigger]] counts as this for most of the crew.

* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Approaching anyone named “Captain Carnage” is simply asking for trouble.

* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Carnage is a genetically engineered super soldier. He’s also a pirate.

* RunningGag: “That’s half-rations”.

* TookALevelInBadass: Applies to [[spoiler: Barnaby]] before the novel reaches its end.

* WhatTheHellHero: Pretty much everyone’s reaction to [[spoiler: Trigger teaming up with Carnage]].

* NiceGuy: Trigger is gentleman to anyone he meets.
* NiceHat: Carnage has one, surprisingly. It’s woven into his dreads.

* AbusiveParents:Most of the crew had shitty parents, but Jacques' adoptive father really takes the cake, having [[spoiler:sold Jacques into childhood prostitution, and then later pit fights.]]

* Battle-HaltingDuel: While not a battle per se, the showdown between Jacques and Hargrave is so anticipated that the entire race halts to watch. They even print out posters.

* ManipulativeBastard: Jacques definitely qualifies.
* MagnificentBastard: Jacques again.
* MasterSwordsman: Jacques is considered the best in the world. His only competition is Captain Hargrave, and the promise of a duel between them garners almost as much attention as the race itself.

* BigDamnHeroes: A few of the [[spoiler: Blackbird’s]] crewmen pull of what may perhaps be the clumsiest example ever put to paper.

* Determinator: Nothing, absolutely nothing, will keep down Trigger or Jacques.

* Cloudcuckoolander: Magwa observes several rituals and beliefs that don’t quite make sense to the rest of the crew. Doesn’t stop him being an absolute badass, however.

* AntiVillian: Surprisingly, [[spoiler:Carnage]] acquires shades of this.

Knaves on Waves is an epic fantasy novel, first published in October 2021. The debut work of Jim Parfitt, it follows the adventures of Captain Trigger and his crew as they attempt to win the Tides of Redemption, an annual race which promises amnesty for any crimes committed by the victorious pirate crew. As the blurb suggests, merely surviving the journey is perilous enough, with the voyage boasting several good ol’ fashioned Fantasy tropes.

[[caption-width-right:350:some caption text]]

''A man’s words reflect his soul.''