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High Seas Adventures #3
The Buccaneers
"There’s pirates in the West Indies. Cannibals. They cook you alive," says Mr. Spencer to his son. These words will come to haunt 17-year-old John as he embarks on his first voyage to foreign lands. Carrying cargo destined for Jamaica, John and his crew of the Dragon set off for waters few of them have sailed before. So when they come upon a lifeboat adrift at sea, some are wary of the sailor aboard. Something about his story doesn’t quite make sense. Still, John respects the stranger’s awe-inspiring seamanship. With Horn on deck, he feels the Dragon is in the best of hands.
But is Horn to be trusted? The answer becomes muddled as the Dragon encounters a very real — and very dangerous — pirate ship. Now John starts to believe his father’s warnings, especially after he becomes stranded on an island reputed to have buried treasure. A place teeming with buccaneers!
But is Horn to be trusted? The answer becomes muddled as the Dragon encounters a very real — and very dangerous — pirate ship. Now John starts to believe his father’s warnings, especially after he becomes stranded on an island reputed to have buried treasure. A place teeming with buccaneers!
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2001
7 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 27, 2020
I had this by book on hold at the library since summer 2018 but was always second. I finally got the idea to read this an ebook, so even though I don't prefer them, I did. Finally done the series.
September 23, 2015
Disappointing
The Wreckers (Book 1)
I didn't expect to like the book. I did. How's that for a review in one sentence? ;-)
But seriously, Iain does a great job of keeping you guessing about what's REALLY going on with the wreckers. You sympathize with John's lack of trust and hesitate with him in making decisions. Some things I expected, but others were a surprise. The writing is easy to read, being appropriate for its intended audience, and while this isn't a story or series to get super wrapped up in, it's still an engaging, nice story.
Yes, there are nautical terms, but this doesn't detract from the story. Either you love nautical books and will be able to follow with no issue, or you can accept that they are talking about different parts of the ship - either you'll care and look them up, or you won't and you'll keep reading. Regardless, the story moves along fine without getting caught up in the terms, especially since this story largely takes place on land.
4 stars
The Smugglers (Book 2)
Even though this is book 2 in the High Seas Trilogy, it can absolutely stand alone. Actually, every book in the series stands alone. There may be a thing or two that ties over from a previous work, but nothing that affects the ease of reading the story or would cause confusion.
I didn't find this story as engaging as The Wreckers. Again, parts were obvious, but even what wasn't guess-able just wasn't as well executed. Still enjoyable and appropriate for the target audience.
3.5 stars
The Buccaneers (Book 3)
This is definitely my least favorite in the trilogy. The first book definitely feels like it could be a true story, the second book feels more like fiction, but this one seems almost fanciful. Too many coincidences or things just working out for my tastes. It's not a bad book, but its forgettable. If this was the first book in the trilogy, I probably wouldn't have read the sequels as it's just alright. As is, it's a weak way to end the series. Given the quality of the first book, and even the second to some extent, this book was disappointing.
3 stars.
The Wreckers (Book 1)
I didn't expect to like the book. I did. How's that for a review in one sentence? ;-)
But seriously, Iain does a great job of keeping you guessing about what's REALLY going on with the wreckers. You sympathize with John's lack of trust and hesitate with him in making decisions. Some things I expected, but others were a surprise. The writing is easy to read, being appropriate for its intended audience, and while this isn't a story or series to get super wrapped up in, it's still an engaging, nice story.
Yes, there are nautical terms, but this doesn't detract from the story. Either you love nautical books and will be able to follow with no issue, or you can accept that they are talking about different parts of the ship - either you'll care and look them up, or you won't and you'll keep reading. Regardless, the story moves along fine without getting caught up in the terms, especially since this story largely takes place on land.
4 stars
The Smugglers (Book 2)
Even though this is book 2 in the High Seas Trilogy, it can absolutely stand alone. Actually, every book in the series stands alone. There may be a thing or two that ties over from a previous work, but nothing that affects the ease of reading the story or would cause confusion.
I didn't find this story as engaging as The Wreckers. Again, parts were obvious, but even what wasn't guess-able just wasn't as well executed. Still enjoyable and appropriate for the target audience.
3.5 stars
The Buccaneers (Book 3)
This is definitely my least favorite in the trilogy. The first book definitely feels like it could be a true story, the second book feels more like fiction, but this one seems almost fanciful. Too many coincidences or things just working out for my tastes. It's not a bad book, but its forgettable. If this was the first book in the trilogy, I probably wouldn't have read the sequels as it's just alright. As is, it's a weak way to end the series. Given the quality of the first book, and even the second to some extent, this book was disappointing.
3 stars.
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November 2, 2009Mike bocchieri
3-4
The Buccaneers
Iain Lawrence
Pages:238
10-31-09
10 out of 10
In my book The Bucaneers, Horn is a minor character who is found floating at sea by the main character(John Spencer) and his crew. As they sail the west indies the crew believes that Horn has brought bad luck to the ship upon the death of the ships engineer, Mr. Abbey. When the ship encounters A ruthless pirate lord Horn kills the captain saving John Spencer. Throughout the book Horn barely talks but his presence is a great factor through the story because he is the reason the pirate lord tries to kill them.
3-4
The Buccaneers
Iain Lawrence
Pages:238
10-31-09
10 out of 10
In my book The Bucaneers, Horn is a minor character who is found floating at sea by the main character(John Spencer) and his crew. As they sail the west indies the crew believes that Horn has brought bad luck to the ship upon the death of the ships engineer, Mr. Abbey. When the ship encounters A ruthless pirate lord Horn kills the captain saving John Spencer. Throughout the book Horn barely talks but his presence is a great factor through the story because he is the reason the pirate lord tries to kill them.
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October 28, 2020The book I read was The Buccaneers by Iain Lawrence. The lexile level is 720L. The book is about a 17 year old boy named John Spencer and his first voyage to foreign lands on a ship named the “Dragon”. He meets a mysterious stranger named “Horn”, and ends up encountering a real pirate ship and getting stranded on an island that is full of buccaneers.
The central theme of this book is about a boy's journey into adulthood despite his father’s warnings about the dangers and learning to trust your instincts. He first meets “Horn”, who John has to trust to help him. Everyone else believes that “Horn is an albatross or a Jonah”. Then “Horn” saves him by killing a pirate lord and saving John. “Bartholomew Grace still had the pistol in his hand” as “Horn, no longer tied, clutched the pirate’s coat”. “They fell together into the sea”. In the end, he decides that he belongs on the sea, Mary said “you have to stay with the ship. Edn’t that the way it is?” “Yes”, John said.
I like pirates and liked this book very much. My favorite part was when they found Horn. I also like treasure chests and like that Horn had one, even though it only had clothes. I also like the idea of buried treasure. This book covered everything I like. I would recommend this book.
The central theme of this book is about a boy's journey into adulthood despite his father’s warnings about the dangers and learning to trust your instincts. He first meets “Horn”, who John has to trust to help him. Everyone else believes that “Horn is an albatross or a Jonah”. Then “Horn” saves him by killing a pirate lord and saving John. “Bartholomew Grace still had the pistol in his hand” as “Horn, no longer tied, clutched the pirate’s coat”. “They fell together into the sea”. In the end, he decides that he belongs on the sea, Mary said “you have to stay with the ship. Edn’t that the way it is?” “Yes”, John said.
I like pirates and liked this book very much. My favorite part was when they found Horn. I also like treasure chests and like that Horn had one, even though it only had clothes. I also like the idea of buried treasure. This book covered everything I like. I would recommend this book.
February 28, 2025
This was a great conclusion to the trilogy. There is more action and suspense in this quick and fun pirate adventure than the previous tale. John comes into his own a bit more and takes more charge. There is still a lot of technicality because of all of the nautical terminology, but it doesn’t take away from the story. The characters are more vibrant and a the little twists were fun. I love that several characters were brought back and it tied everything together nicely.
December 8, 2017
Pirates are pretty cool, y'know.
December 17, 2017
Loved the ending to this trilogy.
February 4, 2018
This one is pretty much non stop action and a follow on to the book "The Smugglers". A great read from the days of high seas adventures with the lore of smugglers, pirates and swashbuckling days.
October 14, 2020
I love Lawrence’s work, though I found this one a bit confusing with a few minor plot gaps. I was also listening to it on tape, so that might have something to do with it.
September 14, 2025
Not as good as Book 1, but still enjoyable.
November 3, 2025
Another exciting book!
November 9, 2014
In the book called "The Buccaneers". It is about a group of Buccaneers that are on a ship, that is sailing around in the ocean. Then they come across some mysterious objects in the ocean, and on land. It takes place in the ocean. Then it also takes place some what on a island too. Also this is about the Buccaneers trying to find a treasure too. The plot of the story is a ship of Buccaneers that are on a ship floating around in the ocean and come across mysterious thing in the ocean, and on land too. The conflict is the Buccaneers finding mysterious things and try to decide weather this is good, or bad. Then the characters are all of the Buccaneers. This is what the book of "The Buccaneers" is all about.
My opinion on the book of "The Buccaneers" so far is it is ok but it is kind of difficult to understand. A thing that I like about the book is it had a nice cover that caught my attention. Also why it is difficult to understand, and I would not recommend for others to read. Now the words are some what complicated in the story. Then also it seems like a long book to read. Then it doesn't seem to catch my attention in the beginning of the story too. These's are the three reason I just gave to you about the story being boring and you should not read it. My review on this story is I enjoyed reading the book and I thank the author for taking the time to think it out and write it too. Also I hope the author of this book comes out with more books like this that are a littler easier to understand. This is my review for this book.
My opinion on the book of "The Buccaneers" so far is it is ok but it is kind of difficult to understand. A thing that I like about the book is it had a nice cover that caught my attention. Also why it is difficult to understand, and I would not recommend for others to read. Now the words are some what complicated in the story. Then also it seems like a long book to read. Then it doesn't seem to catch my attention in the beginning of the story too. These's are the three reason I just gave to you about the story being boring and you should not read it. My review on this story is I enjoyed reading the book and I thank the author for taking the time to think it out and write it too. Also I hope the author of this book comes out with more books like this that are a littler easier to understand. This is my review for this book.
April 3, 2012
The Buccaneers
Iain Lawrence
I overall thought this was a good book, the chapters weren't very long which I prefer. The character (Horn) had a suspensful backround that that can keep the reader wondering what is going to happen next. If you like pirates, ships, suspense, non fiction, and the sea than this book would be good for you to read. If your not in high school, this book IS NOT for you because it has a children's base of writing; I'm not saying you can't read it obviously but I wouldn't think mature readers would want to read this. The whole book has a pirate slang to it when the characters speak, there is also quite a bit of talk about ships and ship parts. I gave this book 3 stars because the book moves slow (events) but it also keeps the reader curious of whats going on or what is to happen next.
Iain Lawrence
I overall thought this was a good book, the chapters weren't very long which I prefer. The character (Horn) had a suspensful backround that that can keep the reader wondering what is going to happen next. If you like pirates, ships, suspense, non fiction, and the sea than this book would be good for you to read. If your not in high school, this book IS NOT for you because it has a children's base of writing; I'm not saying you can't read it obviously but I wouldn't think mature readers would want to read this. The whole book has a pirate slang to it when the characters speak, there is also quite a bit of talk about ships and ship parts. I gave this book 3 stars because the book moves slow (events) but it also keeps the reader curious of whats going on or what is to happen next.
July 26, 2016
The final installment in the High Seas Trilogy finds John Spencer on the Dragon headed for Jamaica on a trading venture. On the way they pick up a man drifting in a boat. There is something about Horn and his story that seems odd. Can he be trusted? Then the Dragon runs into a real pirate ship and the answers to the questions about Horn become even more important. A wonderful tale with a surprise ending. Another gem from Lawrence for boys.
March 6, 2015
gr 5-8 238 pgs
1803, The ship "The Dragon". 17 year old John Spencer is looking to gain some experience as a sailor on one of his father's ships. Mysterious things begin happening after they take aboard Horn, found along on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Could he be a "Jonah" and bring back luck to the ship?
Great adventure story. Readers do not need to have read the other two books in order to appreciate it. If they enjoy this book, the would also enjoy "The Wreckers".
1803, The ship "The Dragon". 17 year old John Spencer is looking to gain some experience as a sailor on one of his father's ships. Mysterious things begin happening after they take aboard Horn, found along on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Could he be a "Jonah" and bring back luck to the ship?
Great adventure story. Readers do not need to have read the other two books in order to appreciate it. If they enjoy this book, the would also enjoy "The Wreckers".
August 10, 2011
I enjoyed this story of adventure on the high seas. It was the third in a trilogy, but I didn't read the previous books. It wasn't really necessary to read the other books to enjoy this one, but it would have helped a little with the ending, I think. Also, it would have been better to have a chart of ships, naming the parts. I was confused sometimes.
June 7, 2013
I read this story out of order, but the way Lawrence writes, keeping in order is not an imperative. This story, like his others, starts out in a bang. The voice and setting is so strong, that I was immediately transported back in time. I can imagine how a story like this would inspire boys to go to sea. I loved it.
July 25, 2007
Fun read.
July 24, 2009
A look into piracy during the late 1700's and very early 1800's. England and France want an end to the buccaneers but have no problem with a little illigitamate tactics here and there.
March 6, 2014
I really enjoyed this. It may be a kids book but i still liked it !
June 14, 2017
A really wonderful ending to the series! Beautifully written!
January 4, 2016
This was a good, very light, read. I enjoyed the diversion.
February 9, 2012
A wonderful tale of the sea, buccaneers and honest seamen.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews