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The Sunken Kingdom #1
Ghost Ship
EVER SINCE EMPEROR Flood drowned their kingdom and overthrew their parents, Asa and Rollo have been hiding out in Two Hills Keep. Then a mysterious stranger tells them their baby sister wasn’t killed along with their mother and father. Instead, she was kidnapped by Flood’s half-sister and secreted away in a castle to the north. If Una is still alive, there’s only one thing for Asa and Rollo to do. They must take Northseeker, an invisible ship built of mist and shadows, and cross the danger-filled sunken kingdom.
- GenresFantasyMiddle Grade
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
5 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 12, 2021
This is an installment type series, so you're basically getting the first couple chapters of a long novel rather than a short complete book. It was okay, but not interesting enough that I'll get the next one, nor will I pass it on to a kid. Something about the writing level/vocab felt a little off for the intended demographic, but I could be wrong.
Disappointing lack of ghosts.
Disappointing lack of ghosts.
December 5, 2012
I hope the rest of the series will be released as ebooks soon!
August 23, 2017
My name is Asa, and my brother Rollo and I must constantly be on the lookout for Emperor Flood's spies and patrols. He's already killed our parents, the king and queen, but we just found out our baby sister Una is still alive! Flood's sister hates him more than she hates us, and she secretly took Una away. A former jailer has given us supplies and a ghost ship called Northseeker to help us find our sister. In addition, we've been enchanted with some magic that allows me to fly and my brother to breathe underwater. The quest will be dangerous, but we must rescue Una!
This book is very short, about forty pages including pictures. I read an ebook version and didn't realize it was so short when I started. However, the plot moved quickly and had some interesting aspects to it. I think it would have been much better if it had been more fully developed. The kids didn't really use their powers for anything meaningful, so I assume their magic will be a bigger factor in the sequel. Despite the dangers, the kids found their sister fairly easily. It would have been more entertaining if they had done more than hide from Flood's patrols and spies. Let the kids use their powers, their intelligence, or their determination to escape danger. In addition, it was difficult to develop the personalities of the characters while developing a plot in only forty pages. It would have been nice to be able to get to know the kids. My review is short as was the book. This story was good, but it could have been so so much better.
This book is very short, about forty pages including pictures. I read an ebook version and didn't realize it was so short when I started. However, the plot moved quickly and had some interesting aspects to it. I think it would have been much better if it had been more fully developed. The kids didn't really use their powers for anything meaningful, so I assume their magic will be a bigger factor in the sequel. Despite the dangers, the kids found their sister fairly easily. It would have been more entertaining if they had done more than hide from Flood's patrols and spies. Let the kids use their powers, their intelligence, or their determination to escape danger. In addition, it was difficult to develop the personalities of the characters while developing a plot in only forty pages. It would have been nice to be able to get to know the kids. My review is short as was the book. This story was good, but it could have been so so much better.
May 23, 2021
In this first book of The Sunken Kingdom series, Asa and Rollo have been in hiding from Emperor Flood who killed their royal parents and used his evil magic to swell the seas and sink the Star Lands. Visited by Egil Cripplehand, the children learn that they have been given a magical ship and that their young sister, Una, may still be alive. Wilkins does a fine job setting the tone of the story and the angular illustrations peppered throughout the story add to the Nordic feel.
May 28, 2019
A great book about kids finding their little sister Una and has to face dangerous things
February 22, 2022
A quick and engaging read.
July 6, 2008
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
GHOST SHIP is the first book in THE SUNKEN KINGDOM series.
Asa and Rollo are orphans. Their parents were the King and Queen of the Star Lands. But Emperor Flood, the King's court sorcerer, has overthrown the kingdom and flooded the lands. He had taken the King and Queen and their youngest daughter, Una, prisoner. And as far as Asa and Rollo know, all have been murdered.
But one afternoon, while outside Two Hills Keep, their home now with their Aunt Katla, the infamous Sky Patrol invades the air space about their home. The two children run home to hide. Upon reaching Two Hills Keep, they encounter Egil Cripplehand.
Egil has a fantastic tale for the two children. Their baby sister, Una, is alive! The witch princess, Margritt, Flood's half sister, saved Una from certain death. She took her to live with her at her castle in the north. And that's not all. Both children were given magical powers by the previous court sorcerer, Ragni.
The children are excited and want to begin their quest to find their lost sister immediately. Egil gives the children one final gift before they begin their journey: a magical ship that is hidden from human eyes, the Northseeker. It haunts the mists with the ghosts and will protect them from Emperor Flood's minions.
The two set off on their journey to rescue Una. They encounter various obstacles along the way and are eager to be reunited with Una.
Ms. Wilkins writes a fun, imaginative story for children of all ages. For fans of Lemony Snicket, THE SUNKEN KINGDOM has a similar feel. With its shorter length, though, younger readers will surely be captivated by the story and the amazing illustrations.
GHOST SHIP is the first book in THE SUNKEN KINGDOM series.
Asa and Rollo are orphans. Their parents were the King and Queen of the Star Lands. But Emperor Flood, the King's court sorcerer, has overthrown the kingdom and flooded the lands. He had taken the King and Queen and their youngest daughter, Una, prisoner. And as far as Asa and Rollo know, all have been murdered.
But one afternoon, while outside Two Hills Keep, their home now with their Aunt Katla, the infamous Sky Patrol invades the air space about their home. The two children run home to hide. Upon reaching Two Hills Keep, they encounter Egil Cripplehand.
Egil has a fantastic tale for the two children. Their baby sister, Una, is alive! The witch princess, Margritt, Flood's half sister, saved Una from certain death. She took her to live with her at her castle in the north. And that's not all. Both children were given magical powers by the previous court sorcerer, Ragni.
The children are excited and want to begin their quest to find their lost sister immediately. Egil gives the children one final gift before they begin their journey: a magical ship that is hidden from human eyes, the Northseeker. It haunts the mists with the ghosts and will protect them from Emperor Flood's minions.
The two set off on their journey to rescue Una. They encounter various obstacles along the way and are eager to be reunited with Una.
Ms. Wilkins writes a fun, imaginative story for children of all ages. For fans of Lemony Snicket, THE SUNKEN KINGDOM has a similar feel. With its shorter length, though, younger readers will surely be captivated by the story and the amazing illustrations.
January 27, 2012
When Asa and Rollo’s kingdom is destroyed, their parents and baby sister disappear. As royal orphans they are left to hide from the evil magician who wants them dead. When a mysterious man informs them of their sister’s whereabouts, they must risk their lives to save her. Ghost ship is book one in the Sunken kingdom fantasy series. This fantasy novel is under 100 words, but includes a lot of adventure. Its brevity, high adventure, and position as part one of a four book series helps to make it a good choice for reluctant readers or those aged 8 to 12 years wanting a quick read. This book also stands out as a high/low novel that is part of the fantasy genre and as a book that appeals to boys and girls. Despite its strengths, strong readers may find the writing condescending for the repetition of basic plot elements.
April 7, 2012
I stumbled upon this series at the library and was immediately intrigued by the fabulous illustrations! The book was a quick, easy read with wonderful writing (Thank you Kim Wilkins for writing rich literature and not garbage just because it's a children's book). I look forward to reading the rest and want to check out the illustrator's book series he wrote and illustrated
October 13, 2008
illustrated by DM cornish i mean how could i pass it up... quick read, good for reluctant readers, boys, kids who like lemony snickets, though they would have to be youngish... 4-8th grade depending on ability.
September 12, 2008
A nice series of early chapter books. Boys should enjoy the adventure and magic.
July 1, 2014
The girlchild devoured this book in a day and wants more. Lots of action and danger. She really liked the world too.
August 3, 2011
very good
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January 19, 2015My Christmas present from my 8- year old! His favorite set. I'll have to share them!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews