Nessa and the Pirates of Shadow Bay

By Marta Iris

Nessa and the Pirates of Shadow Bay follows the thrilling adventures of Nessa, a young but fiercely determined pirate who sets sail to uncover the secrets of Shadow Bay, a hidden pirate haven.

With her quick thinking and adventurous spirit, Nessa earns the respect of her crew as she navigates treacherous waters, faces rival pirate factions, and uncovers a sinister plot to overthrow the leaders of Shadow Bay.

Braving danger and proving that even the youngest pirates can change the course of history, Nessa shows the world that a true pirate’s heart knows no age.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Good Child Bookstore
• Release date: Jun 23, 2025

Book preview

Nessa and the Pirates of Shadow Bay

Adventure Series

Pirate Adventures

Marta Iris

Published by The Good Child Bookstore, 2025

Copyright

Published by The Good Child Bookstore

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

All rights reserved © 2025, Good Child Bookstore.

Preface

Pirates are known for their daring adventures, their fierce loyalty to the sea, and their unyielding thirst for treasure. But not all pirates fit the typical mold. Nessa, a young girl with dreams as vast as the oceans she sails, is one such pirate. In a world where age and experience often determine a pirate’s worth, Nessa is determined to prove that courage, quick thinking, and heart are what truly make a pirate great.

This tale follows Nessa’s journey across the seas as she navigates through mysterious waters, faces unexpected enemies, and uncovers the hidden secrets of Shadow Bay, a legendary pirate haven. Along the way, she learns that leadership is not just about strength or size, but about inspiring others to rise to their best.

Nessa and the Pirates of Shadow Bay is a story of bravery, friendship, and the realization that no dream is too big—especially for a pirate who dares to believe in herself.

Contents

Chapter 1: The Daring Dreamer

Chapter 2: The First Test

Chapter 3: The Map of Shadows

Chapter 4: A Pirate’s Code

Chapter 5: The Misty Waters

Chapter 6: Pirate Bounty

Chapter 7: The Ghost Ship

Chapter 8: A Rival’s Challenge

Chapter 9: The Island of Secrets

Chapter 10: The Curse of Blackwater Cove

Chapter 11: The Plot Unfolds

Chapter 12: The Final Duel

Chapter 13: Storm of Shadows

Chapter 14: The Smuggler’s Den

Chapter 15: The Pirate’s Ball

Chapter 16: The Price of Power

Chapter 17: The Trial of Shadows

Chapter 18: The Heart of Shadow Bay

Chapter 19: The Price of Leadership

Chapter 20: The Pirates’ Reckoning

Chapter 21: The Hidden Alliances

Chapter 22: The Unseen Enemy

Chapter 23: The Duel for Dominance

Chapter 24: The Price of Defeat

Chapter 25: Shadows of the Past

THE END

Chapter 1: The Daring Dreamer

Nessa had never been a pirate like the others on the Sea Serpent. Most of them were old, grumpy, and smelled like fish—so much so that Nessa often wondered if the sea creatures themselves would refuse to board the ship out of sheer embarrassment. But Nessa? She was young, scrappy, and full of dreams that reached as far as the horizon. If there was one thing Nessa knew, it was that she wasn’t just another pirate; she was going to be a legendary one. And it all started with Shadow Bay.

Shadow Bay. The mysterious pirate haven hidden somewhere beyond the endless mist. It was a place whispered about by sailors with wide eyes and trembling voices. Some said it was filled with treasures beyond imagination, guarded by the fiercest pirates to ever sail the seven seas. Others said it didn’t even exist, a mere story told by aging pirates with too many grog-filled nights behind them.

But Nessa wasn’t one to believe in stories. She believed in action, in daring, in finding things that people thought couldn’t be found. So, when Nessa overheard the mention of Shadow Bay while she was scrubbing the deck (something the crew didn’t let her forget—like the time she accidentally spilled the entire barrel of fish guts over Captain Blacktooth’s boots), she made a decision. Shadow Bay would be her destination. She would find it. And when she did, she would show everyone on the Sea Serpent that a pirate didn’t have to be old to be great.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a whistle. The crew was getting ready for another round of practice drills. Nessa wasn’t particularly good at drills, but they didn’t know that yet. She had a secret. A very important secret.

Grabbing a rope, she quickly tied it to a post and gave it a tug, pulling herself up the rigging like she had done it a thousand times before. The wind howled through the sails, making the ship sway, but Nessa kept her balance with ease. She grinned as she made her way up to the crow’s nest, where her rival, Barlow, was already perched, looking down at her with an expression of disdain.

Ah, look who’s trying to pretend she knows how to climb, Barlow said with a smirk. You’re not fooling anyone, Nessa. Get down before you fall and hurt yourself.

Nessa gripped the wooden edge of the crow’s nest and pulled herself up with a determination that only a true pirate could possess. I’m not pretending, she said, eyes narrowing as she faced Barlow. I’m just better at this than you.

Barlow rolled his eyes, clearly not believing her. Better at falling, you mean.

But Nessa wasn’t paying attention to Barlow anymore. As the ship sailed through the water, she scanned the horizon. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue across the endless expanse of the ocean. There was something about this view that made Nessa feel alive. It wasn’t just the sea air or the promise of treasure—it was the adventure, the thrill of the unknown, the excitement of finding something no one had ever dared to search for.

And that’s when she saw it. Far off in the distance, a sliver of land appeared on the horizon, barely visible through the mist.

Hey, Barlow, Nessa called, her voice cutting through the silence. Do you see that?

Barlow squinted, following her gaze. What, the mist? It’s just more fog. Nothing to get excited about.

Nessa shook her head. No, it’s land. I’m sure of it. Shadow Bay could be out there.

Barlow snorted. Shadow Bay’s just a myth, kid. It doesn’t exist. Now come down before you get yourself in trouble.

But Nessa wasn’t listening. She’d seen something, and it wasn’t just her imagination. Something told her that this was the first step toward finding what she had been dreaming of for years. With newfound determination, she made her way back down the rigging, her heart pounding with excitement.

As she reached the deck, she was greeted by the sound of a familiar voice.

Nessa, what are you doing up there? It was Captain Blacktooth, standing with his hands on his hips and an eyebrow raised. The captain was a massive man, covered in tattoos and with a wild, bushy beard that looked like it had its own personality. He was infamous for his gruff demeanor and the scowl that never seemed to leave his face.

I was just checking the sails, Captain, Nessa said, trying to sound casual. Everything looks fine.

Captain Blacktooth eyed her suspiciously. You’ve got that look again, Nessa. The one that says you’re up to something.

Nessa swallowed. I’m just— She paused, thinking quickly. I’m just thinking about the next mission. I’ve been practicing my sword fighting. I can take on any pirate who dares challenge me.

Captain Blacktooth raised an eyebrow. Sword fighting, huh? I’ll believe it when I see it.

Nessa tried not to let her nerves show. She wasn’t great with a sword, but she had been practicing whenever she had a moment to herself. The truth was, she was more comfortable with the ropes and sails, but sword fighting was something she knew she had to master. If she was going to prove herself, she needed to be ready for anything.

I’ll show you, she said, her voice firm. I’ll be ready when the time comes.

Captain Blacktooth grunted and walked away, muttering something under his breath. Nessa watched him go, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. She wasn’t going to let anyone tell her what she could or couldn’t do—not even the captain.

With the wind picking up and the ship’s sails billowing in the breeze, Nessa made her way to the edge of the ship and looked out at the vast, open sea. The land she had seen earlier was now just a faint blur on the horizon. But she knew it was there.

Chapter 2: The First Test

The days following Nessa’s discovery of the distant land were filled with nothing but fog. For three days, the Sea Serpent sailed through endless gray, with no sign of the mysterious island that had captured Nessa’s imagination. The mist hung thick in the air, creating a haze that made everything seem unreal, like they were sailing through the pages of a forgotten legend.

Nessa, however, was not discouraged. She spent every spare moment gazing at the horizon, her eyes searching for any sign of the land she had seen, knowing that it was out there. But the rest of the crew were far more preoccupied with their routines—tuning the rigging, cleaning the decks, and polishing their swords. The older pirates, especially Barlow, laughed at her every time she mentioned the island, dismissing her as nothing more than a dreamer.

But Nessa didn’t mind. She had dreams, and dreams were what kept pirates like her alive on the endless sea.

One morning, as the mist started to thin just enough to reveal a sliver of sunlight, the crew was summoned to the main deck for a new task. Captain Blacktooth stood at the helm, his face grim and determined.

We’ve received word from a nearby island, he barked, his voice booming across the ship. The islanders claim they’ve seen a pirate ship from the Whispering Shadows faction lurking nearby. It’s a gang of cutthroats led by Captain Fang.

Nessa’s heart skipped a beat. Captain Fang. The name sent shivers down her spine. Fang was known across the seas as one of the most ruthless pirates alive, feared for his cunning and lack of mercy. He had been a thorn in Blacktooth’s side for years, always snatching