At the Mercy of the Sea: A Country for Castoffs

Based on true events. Etienne’s story is joined with Abraham’s as they struggle to survive in a dangerous world threatened by disease, conflict, and financial ruin. Etienne takes to the sea again in a new venture to earn the money his family needs to repay their debts, while his friends, Alsoomse and Abraham, embark on new enterprises of their own that promise to solve all their problems. The lure of adventure quickly turns sour as the young people are launched into a struggle to survive that will ultimately force them to reevaluate everything they believed was true. Trouble is coming for Etienne Gayneau and his friends at home and at sea as the English prepare to invade New Netherland, pirates roam the oceans, and pandemics and storms threaten to turn their worlds upside down. Twelve-year-old Etienne takes to the sea again in 1663 in a desperate move to earn the money his father needs to repay their debt only to find himself shanghaied onto a pirate ship captained by none other than his old rival, Jacob Janssen van den Burgh. He will soon discover that this voyage will test his character and his faith as he must choose whether to follow the easy path that leads to destruction or the harder road to self-discovery and redemption. Meanwhile, back in the colonies, his friends must traverse their own difficult paths to self-discovery as they struggle to find their places in their own communities. Alsoomse resists following the traditional Lenape gender roles and her mother’s expectations as she must make a seemingly impossible choice to discover her rightful place within the tribe. And Abraham, wrestles with his own mixed heritage and fights to prove his worth to his father as he must choose the kind of man he will become. “Cetas draws deeply on the historical record to create her cast and the enthralling challenges they face.” – BookLife Editor’s Pick, (2024) “Cetas has clearly done extensive research into the period and setting, and she fills the narrative with evocative cultural details and atmospherics that give the story a sense of foreboding–a tone that readers will find compelling.” – Kirkus Review (2024) “Overall the novel is recommended for its informative portrayal of 17th century life, particularly scenes focused on Native Americans …” – BlueInk Review (2024)