The Dagger X (The Dagger Chronicles) by Brian Eames

The Dagger Chronicles #2

by Brian Eames

Kitto’s adventure continues in the suspenseful sequel to The Dagger Quick, which School Library Journal called a “quest perfect for landlubbers and pirate aficionados alike.”On the high seas of the Caribbean in the 1600s, a twelve-year-old boy, Kitto, stands wrongly accused of his father’s murder and is forced into adulthood too quickly as he tries to prove his innocence. After a brutal shark attack, Kitto must take refuge on a forsaken island that holds a store of valuable nutmeg, with its power to make men as rich as kings.When he encounters the notorious Alexandre Exquemelin, known as X, he discovers a dark secret about his own past and identity. Will the events of Kitto’s past determine his fate, or will he have the courage to forge his own destiny?A tale of friends and fiends, good and evil, pirates and predators, and the thrill of the high seas, The Dagger X is an exciting adventure and classic story of the search for manhood and identity.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Pirates

Paperback

First published June 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it's just because this didn't start well, but this book felt "off" from the first one. The tone at the beginning is very different, almost environmentalist, and it just doesn't fit a sequel to a Caribbean pirate story that didn't have that tone to start with. So if you're going to glory in the beauty of a sea turtle den (among other things), that won't fit stylistically when you later toss a crocodile in there too (spolier: the crocodile has a good time, the sea turtles don't).

Also, the author is messing with different ways to refer back to the important events of the previous book to catch up those who may have started with this one, such as reliving some of the events in a compressed dream. It's okay, but this is why I have a pet peeve about books that don't stand on their own. Trying to connect these two books which should probably have been one book is messy, even if the author was more creative than usual about trying to tie them together. If you're not going to make your books complete stories on their own, you should probably just admit they don't and you shouldn't bother trying to help someone who is starting with this one.

Unfortunately, this one also doesn't end in a completed manner. I didn't realize there should be more (no placeholders exist for them on Goodreads), so I've violated my Jordan-Martin-Rothfuss policy of not starting a series until it's completed. This is exactly why I have that policy!

Once the rough beginning is over the story is quite good again, very much like the first one. There's action, piracy (of course), and the revealing of yet more dark secrets. I could have sworn the X of the title was modeled after Blackbeard, but apparently he's an actual (different) historical figure.

So it's good; I just wish the story were complete.

[Nathaniel]

good book but read the first one first

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A traditional tale of quirky pirates, hangings, hidden treasure, crocodiles, lost limbs and a deserted island. This fast paced adventure takes place in the Caribbean in the 1600's and is a sequel to the dagger Quick. Stranded on a deserted island with a First Nations girl, a motherless African baby she rescued from slavers, and newly reunited with his step-mother, Kitto Quick tries to recover from losing his leg (deformed from birth) to a shark and plans their escape in order to find his brother who is enroute to Jamaica in a wooden barrel with a monkey. A band of pirates arrive after their ship sinks and together they plan a caper to get the treasure and save Duck (Kittos half brother).Morgan and the Maroons of Jamaica play a role in the storyline of this series.

Grades 4 +
Adventure, historical adventure

[Ms. Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally was able to finish this one after starting it a month ago. I had to put it down, waiting on another copy, because the one I had was missing about 30 pages in a printing error. I am glad that I did go back and finish, because it's an excellent, fast-paced, pirate adventure. My only caution -- be sure and read The Dagger Quick first, because The Dagger X continues Kitto's adventures. Otherwise, you're dropped right in the middle of the story, with very little known about the characters.

[Mrs. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing pirate book based on a historical period and some factual persons such as Henry Morgan. While this is the 2nd in at least 3 planned books, I was able to pick up the book without having read the first book. The cover looks more juvenile than the book reads. The book will appeal more to male readers, however anyone who likes a great pirate adventure will like reading this book.

[Margo Tanenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good sequel to Dagger Quick--great for pirate fans, fans of historical adventure books. I recommend reading Dagger Quick first to better appreciate this sequel. A third volume will complete the trilogy.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even better than the first book, but I hate that I now must wait for the 3rd book to see Kit's adventures to completion.

[Kelly Eggleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good! Very impressed as a great example of a middle grades action packed story that treats the reader with intelligence and respect on some big topics.