Pirates: The Midnight Passage

by James R. Hannibal, James Clamp (Reading)

The Midnight Passage debuts the chronicles of Jim Thatcher and the intrepid crew of the sloop Adventure. Pirates, puzzles, and peril await the privateer crew as they seek to recover the vast treasure of Morgan's Lost Gold from the mysterious Aztec underworld of the Midnight Passage. Betrayal! A treaty is signed, and suddenly the British privateers are named pirates by the very Crown they serve. Some embrace the new title and the bloody life that comes with it; others, like Captain Jim Thatcher, are not so eager to turn against the world they love. Exiled from Port Royal, Thatcher and the crew of the Adventure set out on a new mission. They seek to recover a vast fortune in gold and emeralds that disappeared a half-century before, hoping it will be enough to buy their pardons. But Thatcher soon learns that the Adventure is not the only ship on the hunt for the treasure. An Indiaman pursues them across the Windward Passage; it is the Havoc, captained by Thatcher's long-time nemesis, Edward Teach, the infamous Blackbeard. Fleeing the powerful pirate ship and following a questionable treasure map, the crew takes refuge at the mouth of an underground river system, the ancient Aztec underworld. They are trapped by the Havoc; there is nowhere to go but forward, but there are worse things than pirates in the Caribbean. Deadly puzzles, booby traps, and something even more sinister await the crew in the darkness of the Midnight Passage.

Genres: Young Adult, Audiobook, Adventure

Audio CD

First published May 11, 2010

About the author

James R. Hannibal an award-winning author of kids fiction, spy and military thrillers, and young adult fantasy. As a former stealth bomber pilot and drone pilot James is no stranger to action or secrets. He has been shot at, locked up by a surface to air missile system, and aided the capture of High Value Targets.

Reviews

[J.D. Sutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this short book. Great historical fiction with lots of action and adventure.

[Xpc Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story! Also, well done to the narrator, James Clamp, who really brought the story to life. I thought the developing love/hate relationship between Thatcher and Kate was both hilarious and endearing (was she named Kate as an hommage to Taming of the Shrew?). The action is non-stop. The dialogue is witty, even between Thatcher and the villain. The visuals are simply fantastic. Hannibal created a whole new world of liquid fire, roaring waters, and black stone with his underground Aztec river system. Bravo!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for all ages. No bad language and plenty of edge of your seat action! The audio recording kept our whole family engaged for hours!

[Florence Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Audio version was great.

[Jenny Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirates: The Midnight Passage by James R. Hannibal. It is a good old fashioned adventure that changed my view of pirates. When I thought of pirates, I thought of swashbuckling sword fights and murderous captains. No more. I have since discovered that Long John Silver didn't enjoy killing. Even Blackbeard asked permission before commanding a ship and its crew.

Jim Thatcher was different still. He valued life far above gold doubloons. He only killed for self-defense and when no other option was available. His first loyalty was to the crown of England, though that loyalty was shaken when the crown refused to recognize the letters of marque of the privateers. It was then that the lost treasure of Captain Morgan appealed to Captain Thatchr so that he and his men could buy their pardons and redeem their reputations before the crown.

Obtaining the map to the lost treasure was only the beginning of many deadly dangers that Jim Thatcher and the crew of the Adventure must survive. Underground water ways, strange gases, ancient puzzles, strange riddles, and forgotten civilizations await this band of pirates.

James R. Hannibal does a great job of describing the action. You'll swear you can see the gold glitter, hear the wind and water, feel the fire, and smell the ... you'll have to read it for yourself. What a thrill ride! Incredible! Suspenseful, vivid, humorous ... Pirates : The Midnight Passage is like a cross between National Treasure and Pirates of the Caribbean.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio version of this YA historical fantasy is phenomenal. The new 2014 edition has been fleshed out significantly since the original 2010 novella, with great success. The addition of a new dynamic between Lady Kate and Thatcher really makes the tale, with plenty of romantic tension and witty dialogue. She makes for a strong and insightful female lead. Narrator James Clamp does a masterful job, though his Welsh characters sound so authentic that I had to listen very carefully to understand them at times. All in all, it is a tremendously fun story that I felt safe listening to on a road trip with the kids (they loved it too - the seven-year-old shouted, "Why doesn't he just kiss her already!")

[Roxann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the audio and print versions of this book through First Reads. The author asked to review the audio since the story had been enhanced since the book went out of print. I did read the book first and enjoyed it. Then I listened to the audio. What a great story. I really enjoyed the audio version that added in a possible love interest for Captain Thatcher. I can’t write it enough, it was just a fun story. I enjoyed all the sounds and dialogue.

I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe this is meant fora younger audience, but the supernatural creatures, ridiculous underground passage through Panama from the Caribbean to the Pacific and random loose ends left untied (not going to spoil the story) left me thinking this is at best a book for teens. And maybe it is. I picked up the audiobook cheap.

[Bill Donhiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written story. I did not enjoy it as much as his other books it was however entertaining and fun