Libertad | An Evening with Cassandra James

Join Cassandra James to celebrate the release of Libertad (HarperTeen, $19.99), the thrilling conclusion to her sweeping seafaring romantasy duology. Perfect for fans of Daughter of the Pirate King and The Hurricane Wars, Libertad follows Ximena Reale, a pirate captain torn between love and loyalty as she faces betrayal, imperial power, and the high cost of freedom on the open seas.

🎟 Free & open to the public · RSVP recommended

In this conclusion to a sweepingly epic seafaring romantasy duology—perfect for fans of Daughter of the Pirate King, Curious Tides, and The Hurricane Wars—Ximena Reale is trying to bring down an empire. But with her loyalties torn, she finds herself grappling with the true price of freedom...and love.

Alongside her sister, Ximena Reale now sails under the banner of the legendary pirate Gasparilla. But, between the bounty on “Gasparilla’s” head and the Empire’s renewed efforts to stomp out piracy, the sisters’ fellow pirates are suddenly wary of swearing allegiance to their cause.

After a betrayal in the one place they were supposed to be safe, Gasparilla’s crew hits the high seas again and Ximena is reunited with Cazador Dante de León. Her longtime rival has been tasked with capturing her, and Ximena doesn’t know if she can trust the information he’s feeding her about the empire’s plans to take over the Northern Archipelago’s silver mines. “Gasparilla” heads north to rob the robbers, but the Empire has a few nasty tricks up their sleeves—including putting a traitor in the pirates’ midst.

With the armada closing in, Ximena finds herself scrambling to protect the people she loves. The price of freedom is higher than it’s ever been—but is Ximena willing to pay, even if it costs her everything?

Cassandra James grew up in a mixed immigrant family with a penchant for storytelling, so becoming a writer was almost inevitable. She recently graduated from Princeton University with a degree in English focusing on Creative Writing. After solo-traveling the world for several months, she met her swoon-worthy husband and landed in Orlando, Florida, where she spends her time cooking Colombian food, obsessing over Broadway musicals, and occasionally swashbuckling. Her debut Young Adult fantasy novel, CAPITANA, is now available, with the sequel, LIBERTAD, to follow in June, 2026. She is represented by Andrea Morrison at Writers House.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Books & Books