The Slaver's Apprentice by Jonathan M. Bryant

"A phenomenally enjoyable book . . . Bryant has brilliantly brought to life the detailed world of early 19th century shipping . . . a heart-stopping read." – K. Atwood, Midwest Book Review

The year is 1819, and the murder of an African captive aboard the slave ship Liberty upends the world of fifteen-year-old Malachi MacKay. His inheritance stolen, betrayed into an apprenticeship to a tyrannical and unpredictable captain, he must navigate a sea of violence and corruption as the murders continue and the ship descends into madness. In the stinking dark belowdecks, he forges an unlikely alliance with an older captive. But when their ship is captured and taken into Savannah, Malachi's arrested for piracy and murder. He must navigate the complexities of a corrupt legal system or be hanged. Even if he survives trial, he'll be pursued by the vengeful Captain Stewart.

This dark, immersive adventure vividly portrays the brutal realities of the 19th-century slave trade. The stench and creak of the ship, the claustrophobic slave deck, and peril from storm and shipwreck keep the reader on edge. Unflinching and gritty, The Slaver's Apprentice balances the thrill of adventure with an exploration of human cruelty . . . and a desperate search for justice in a lawless world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dark Places of the Earth: The Voyage of the Slave Ship Antelope was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in History. The Slaver's Apprentice won the Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Award in manuscript. Bryant loves hiking, kayaking, sailing, and traveling. He and his wife live in northeast Florida.