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The World Duology #1
World Odyssey
Set in the nineteenth century, World Odyssey (The World Duology, #1) follows the fortunes of three young travelers as each embarks on an epic journey. Their dramatic adventures span sixteen years and see them engage with Native American Indians, Barbary Coast pirates, Aborigines, Maoris and Pacific Islanders as they travel around the world – from America to Africa, from England to the Canary Islands, to Australia, New Zealand and Samoa.
Ambitious American adventurer Nathan Johnson’s journey begins when he runs away to sea to escape a violent father. After surviving a shipwreck and enslavement by one of the indigenous tribes of America’s northwest, his stocks rise and he becomes a successful trader. When Nathan decides to visit Fiji to trade muskets to the natives, he doesn’t know it but his fortunes are about to change again.
Sheltered English missionary Susannah Drake’s journey begins after she agrees to accompany her clergyman father to Fiji to help him run a mission station there. They endure a nightmare voyage they’re lucky to survive. When Susannah finds herself sexually attracted to a young crewmember, she is forced to choose between her forbidden desires and the life her father has mapped out for her.
Irrepressible Cockney Jack Halliday’s journey begins when he steals hemp from an unscrupulous employer who owes him outstanding wages. For this he’s sentenced to seven years’ hard labor in the British penal colony of New South Wales. Jack escapes to Fiji only to be tracked down by a bounty hunter employed by the British Government to round up escaped convicts.
After traveling thousands of miles and experiencing the best and worst that life can offer, these three disparate individuals eventually end up in the remote archipelago of Fiji, in the South Pacific, where their lives intersect.
Ambitious American adventurer Nathan Johnson’s journey begins when he runs away to sea to escape a violent father. After surviving a shipwreck and enslavement by one of the indigenous tribes of America’s northwest, his stocks rise and he becomes a successful trader. When Nathan decides to visit Fiji to trade muskets to the natives, he doesn’t know it but his fortunes are about to change again.
Sheltered English missionary Susannah Drake’s journey begins after she agrees to accompany her clergyman father to Fiji to help him run a mission station there. They endure a nightmare voyage they’re lucky to survive. When Susannah finds herself sexually attracted to a young crewmember, she is forced to choose between her forbidden desires and the life her father has mapped out for her.
Irrepressible Cockney Jack Halliday’s journey begins when he steals hemp from an unscrupulous employer who owes him outstanding wages. For this he’s sentenced to seven years’ hard labor in the British penal colony of New South Wales. Jack escapes to Fiji only to be tracked down by a bounty hunter employed by the British Government to round up escaped convicts.
After traveling thousands of miles and experiencing the best and worst that life can offer, these three disparate individuals eventually end up in the remote archipelago of Fiji, in the South Pacific, where their lives intersect.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2013
106 people are currently reading
887 people want to read
About the author
Lance Morcan
37 books626 followersNew Zealand novelist and screenwriter Lance Morcan is a prolific author with more than 30 published fiction and non-fiction books to his credit as well as several screenplay adaptations of his work. A former journalist and newspaper editor, he regularly writes in collaboration with his son James Morcan, and their books are published by Sterling Gate Books.
The father-and-son team's published books include the crime thriller Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes) and the bestselling historical adventures White Spirit and Into the Americas.
They also have several series on the market including:
The Orphan Trilogy, an international thriller series.
The globetrotting action-romance series The World Duology.
And the controversial non-fiction franchise The Underground Knowledge Series.
The Morcans have adapted several of their novels as feature film screenplays and these are in early development.
An additional non-fiction title, Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, was written in collaboration with Holocaust survivors to document the genocide.
The Morcans' books have been translated into eight languages (Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, French, Afrikaans, German).
Lance's first solo-authored novel, an epic historical adventure titled New Zealand: A Novel was published in December 2024. A tale of conflict, lust and adventure, it spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Pacific Islanders and Europeans.
From the outset the two stories are interposed. It starts in the 1300’s with the departure of Islanders from Hawaiki in search of land far to the south. A land Maori will name Aotearoa.
Watch this space! https://morcanbooksandfilms.com/categ...
The father-and-son team's published books include the crime thriller Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes) and the bestselling historical adventures White Spirit and Into the Americas.
They also have several series on the market including:
The Orphan Trilogy, an international thriller series.
The globetrotting action-romance series The World Duology.
And the controversial non-fiction franchise The Underground Knowledge Series.
The Morcans have adapted several of their novels as feature film screenplays and these are in early development.
An additional non-fiction title, Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, was written in collaboration with Holocaust survivors to document the genocide.
The Morcans' books have been translated into eight languages (Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, French, Afrikaans, German).
Lance's first solo-authored novel, an epic historical adventure titled New Zealand: A Novel was published in December 2024. A tale of conflict, lust and adventure, it spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Pacific Islanders and Europeans.
From the outset the two stories are interposed. It starts in the 1300’s with the departure of Islanders from Hawaiki in search of land far to the south. A land Maori will name Aotearoa.
Watch this space! https://morcanbooksandfilms.com/categ...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 18, 2017
Great Story!
I love how the Authors blend the characters around each other. A very entertaining story and well written as always.
I love how the Authors blend the characters around each other. A very entertaining story and well written as always.
December 30, 2013
World Odyssey (The World Duology, #1) by Lance Morcan
Set in the 19th century, Nathan Johnson, Jack Halliday & Missionary Susannah Drake each for their own reasons are set to sea. Nathan the only American is off on an adventure of his life, Jack Halliday is sentenced by the british government for stealing hemp, and Susannah Drake, sets off on a mission with her Minister father. They all end up on the island of Fiji.
Along the way they face danger, pirates, murder, death and interesting and (some) dangerous people, as they sail around the globe. Well written with great detail, I felt as if I were a passenger, watching and setting port in exotic locales. Susannah with her naive ways is likable, Nathan has character and Jack has likable traits as well.
I feel adventure readers will enjoy World Odyssey.
Set in the 19th century, Nathan Johnson, Jack Halliday & Missionary Susannah Drake each for their own reasons are set to sea. Nathan the only American is off on an adventure of his life, Jack Halliday is sentenced by the british government for stealing hemp, and Susannah Drake, sets off on a mission with her Minister father. They all end up on the island of Fiji.
Along the way they face danger, pirates, murder, death and interesting and (some) dangerous people, as they sail around the globe. Well written with great detail, I felt as if I were a passenger, watching and setting port in exotic locales. Susannah with her naive ways is likable, Nathan has character and Jack has likable traits as well.
I feel adventure readers will enjoy World Odyssey.
December 21, 2014
This is a great prequel to Fiji It's really great to read what happened to the main character before they reached their destination in the Pacific Ocean. I read this book at a slow pace, because I loved the way how the stories of their lives were told. I read Fiji before this one, so I know how their lives intertwine and what's going to happen next.
January 28, 2016
I received the book from the author for an honest review.
Since I have read Fiji: A novel first, it was interesting to learn how the three main characters within the book came together, which made Fiji and incredible book. How their experiences have shaped them into the people they have become, and the choices they have made from an early age that had set them up for their journey together.
In this book you are introduced to Nathan, Jack and Susanna as very young children. Each in their own world with their own troubles, which played a tremendous role in their destiny. Nathan who grew up in America, and Susanna and Jack that grew up in England but on different sides of the coin; so to speak.
Nathan who had an abusive father but yet instilled within the young child a love for traveling and adventure; and at the tender age of twelve ran away to escape from one life to find his own way. With a sharp mind and an eye for making money he flourished where ever he went. Receiving favor, learning hard lessons and trust only one person; himself.
Jack who had made choices to better himself was willing to learn a trade and worked hard to do what it takes. To get away from poverty that was part of most of his younger years; but at the end making a wrong decision, which caused him to serve seven years of hard labor in New South Wales. A new British colony at the end of the world; as it was known during the late nineteen hundreds. Always a loner that defended himself becoming strong and independent on this difficult path.
Susanna who grew up vastly different the two men, protective and secure under the watchful eye of her father Reverend Drake. But yet she also had to deal with the loss of her mother at a very young age, falling in love with a chimney-sweeper, and almost made a grave mistake. Her father stepping in to rectify it with any means possible.
Following her father when he received the call for mission work on the Island of Fiji. A brave and courageous young woman that stepped up to any challenge that came on her way.
Determined to do what was needed and supporting her father unconditionally.
Most of the story is written with their adventures in mind on the seas. Their journeys, as they traveled to different parts of the world on different vessels, each learning their lessons from life on these ships. We meet different and interesting characters that helped to shape them into the grown-up we get to know in Book 2.
During Nathan's travels he met a young man Tatoosh, who would play an great role in his life. Shipwrecked and abandon on an Island, he was caught by the native tribe and had to work as a slave, doing all sorts of things as the chief demanded from him. Here he also learned the pleasures of women, since they found the young white American extremely handsome, he was never without a lover.
As with Book 2 the authors mixed the sexual adventures of the characters and the believes of Christianity into the book without being offensive, vulgar or preachy. The normal desires and the temptations of a human and life became part of their lives, wrestling with the quilt at times, but never willing to let it influence them negatively. It was just part of the adventure.
Especially where Susanna was concerned; who grew up in a very loving but religious home. Her struggles was more in focus as she met young men, falling in love; her dreams filled with sexual encounters with them. At times she believed God punished her for these thoughts throwing herself wholeheartedly into her studies. Deeply devoted to God and the mission.
The two men of course enjoyed every opportunity given to them with no shortage of exploring a woman's body to become good lovers themselves.
Jack's travels showed the brutal ways of the slave masters aka servants of Her Majesty's Crown to get in line with the law as they saw it. People who did time for meaningless things, suffering under these cruel task masters. Causing Jack to escape on several occasions, each with their own adventures and repercussions.
Life on the ship on Jack's first trip was very harsh with many of the convicts dead by the time they landed at their destination. Jack himself had barely survived but his will to live and his tenacity made him to overcome these hardships almost in a stride. Here he showed his strength and agility to overcome no matter the odds stacked against him.
The many storms and deaths they all had to face were part of the story line emphasizing their own struggles as human beings. There were obnoxious characters and lovable characters that all played a part to make this a wonderful read filled with adventure, tragedy, hope, struggles and overcoming the odds.
A coming of age book as three people learn to deal with the hand handed out to them, making the best of every situation the authors could throw at them.
Personally I will recommend that you read this book first to better understand the plot in Book 2, the three characters and how they came together to give us a wonderful, in-depth and descriptive story of the Islands and the time they lived in.
Since I have read Fiji: A novel first, it was interesting to learn how the three main characters within the book came together, which made Fiji and incredible book. How their experiences have shaped them into the people they have become, and the choices they have made from an early age that had set them up for their journey together.
In this book you are introduced to Nathan, Jack and Susanna as very young children. Each in their own world with their own troubles, which played a tremendous role in their destiny. Nathan who grew up in America, and Susanna and Jack that grew up in England but on different sides of the coin; so to speak.
Nathan who had an abusive father but yet instilled within the young child a love for traveling and adventure; and at the tender age of twelve ran away to escape from one life to find his own way. With a sharp mind and an eye for making money he flourished where ever he went. Receiving favor, learning hard lessons and trust only one person; himself.
Jack who had made choices to better himself was willing to learn a trade and worked hard to do what it takes. To get away from poverty that was part of most of his younger years; but at the end making a wrong decision, which caused him to serve seven years of hard labor in New South Wales. A new British colony at the end of the world; as it was known during the late nineteen hundreds. Always a loner that defended himself becoming strong and independent on this difficult path.
Susanna who grew up vastly different the two men, protective and secure under the watchful eye of her father Reverend Drake. But yet she also had to deal with the loss of her mother at a very young age, falling in love with a chimney-sweeper, and almost made a grave mistake. Her father stepping in to rectify it with any means possible.
Following her father when he received the call for mission work on the Island of Fiji. A brave and courageous young woman that stepped up to any challenge that came on her way.
Determined to do what was needed and supporting her father unconditionally.
Most of the story is written with their adventures in mind on the seas. Their journeys, as they traveled to different parts of the world on different vessels, each learning their lessons from life on these ships. We meet different and interesting characters that helped to shape them into the grown-up we get to know in Book 2.
During Nathan's travels he met a young man Tatoosh, who would play an great role in his life. Shipwrecked and abandon on an Island, he was caught by the native tribe and had to work as a slave, doing all sorts of things as the chief demanded from him. Here he also learned the pleasures of women, since they found the young white American extremely handsome, he was never without a lover.
As with Book 2 the authors mixed the sexual adventures of the characters and the believes of Christianity into the book without being offensive, vulgar or preachy. The normal desires and the temptations of a human and life became part of their lives, wrestling with the quilt at times, but never willing to let it influence them negatively. It was just part of the adventure.
Especially where Susanna was concerned; who grew up in a very loving but religious home. Her struggles was more in focus as she met young men, falling in love; her dreams filled with sexual encounters with them. At times she believed God punished her for these thoughts throwing herself wholeheartedly into her studies. Deeply devoted to God and the mission.
The two men of course enjoyed every opportunity given to them with no shortage of exploring a woman's body to become good lovers themselves.
Jack's travels showed the brutal ways of the slave masters aka servants of Her Majesty's Crown to get in line with the law as they saw it. People who did time for meaningless things, suffering under these cruel task masters. Causing Jack to escape on several occasions, each with their own adventures and repercussions.
Life on the ship on Jack's first trip was very harsh with many of the convicts dead by the time they landed at their destination. Jack himself had barely survived but his will to live and his tenacity made him to overcome these hardships almost in a stride. Here he showed his strength and agility to overcome no matter the odds stacked against him.
The many storms and deaths they all had to face were part of the story line emphasizing their own struggles as human beings. There were obnoxious characters and lovable characters that all played a part to make this a wonderful read filled with adventure, tragedy, hope, struggles and overcoming the odds.
A coming of age book as three people learn to deal with the hand handed out to them, making the best of every situation the authors could throw at them.
Personally I will recommend that you read this book first to better understand the plot in Book 2, the three characters and how they came together to give us a wonderful, in-depth and descriptive story of the Islands and the time they lived in.
July 2, 2014
World Osyssey: Book One in the World Duology is by Lance and James Morcan. This novel takes one from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the Northwest territory of Oregon; from Kensington in London, England to New Zealand; and from London, England to the penal colony in Australia to New Zealand. Three characters, Nathan Johnson, Susannah Drake, and Jack Halliday, leave their homes to make a new home in the Fiji Islands. Little do they know that their paths will cross in that new land.
Nathan Johnson is the son of a sea captain. His father was a brutal and seemingly uncaring man who continually harassed Nathan to shape up and meet his standards. Nathan never could and ended up running away from home. His first job on a ship was for his uncle (his mother’s brother) who traded along the west coast of the United States. Nathan’s first voyage was to be very unlucky as he was the only survivor of his ship which went down in a storm. Nathan was taken into the Makah tribe first as a slave and then as a son to the chief. Over the years, Nathan only wanted one thing, to escape. When the time came, he managed to escape and then continue his adventures which would take him to the Fuji Islands.
Susannah Drake is the daughter of a minister who is called to be a missionary in Fuji. She cajoles her father into taking her with him. Reluctantly, he agrees. The ocean voyage is very taxing. Boredom, seasickness, death, pirates, wounded father, all combine to make her voyage exciting. What will she find when they reach their destination?
Jack Halliday is forced to go to work early to help his family survive in London. Jack works for a blacksmith and works long and hard hours. He is owed some overtime but the owner refuses to pay him. Jack breaks into the offices one night and takes some hemp for his back pay. He is caught and sentenced to years in the penal colony in Australia. He escapes and ends up in New Zealand. He has a native wife and four children and is a trader. What will he find when he goes into the inland in search of plantation owners to buy the rights to cutting trees? What will happen when he, Nathan, and Susannah meet?
It will be interesting to read the sequel Fiji: A Novel (The World Duology #2.
Nathan Johnson is the son of a sea captain. His father was a brutal and seemingly uncaring man who continually harassed Nathan to shape up and meet his standards. Nathan never could and ended up running away from home. His first job on a ship was for his uncle (his mother’s brother) who traded along the west coast of the United States. Nathan’s first voyage was to be very unlucky as he was the only survivor of his ship which went down in a storm. Nathan was taken into the Makah tribe first as a slave and then as a son to the chief. Over the years, Nathan only wanted one thing, to escape. When the time came, he managed to escape and then continue his adventures which would take him to the Fuji Islands.
Susannah Drake is the daughter of a minister who is called to be a missionary in Fuji. She cajoles her father into taking her with him. Reluctantly, he agrees. The ocean voyage is very taxing. Boredom, seasickness, death, pirates, wounded father, all combine to make her voyage exciting. What will she find when they reach their destination?
Jack Halliday is forced to go to work early to help his family survive in London. Jack works for a blacksmith and works long and hard hours. He is owed some overtime but the owner refuses to pay him. Jack breaks into the offices one night and takes some hemp for his back pay. He is caught and sentenced to years in the penal colony in Australia. He escapes and ends up in New Zealand. He has a native wife and four children and is a trader. What will he find when he goes into the inland in search of plantation owners to buy the rights to cutting trees? What will happen when he, Nathan, and Susannah meet?
It will be interesting to read the sequel Fiji: A Novel (The World Duology #2.
January 8, 2015
“Word Odyssey” peaked my curiosity; it travels back to when the characters—Nathan Johnson, Susanna Drake and Jack Halliday—were youths and how their paths came to cross as they reached adulthood.
The story is historic fiction that occurs in the 19th century. The whole storyline was well-written and the set-up was descriptive which made it very easy to visualize the scenes in my head. The book is filled with abundant scenarios of Indians, being at sea, the daily trial and errors of earning a living and trying to keep a roof over ones head, with even a little bit of romance thrown in too.
In their own way, each character has a special uniqueness; and in reading this sequel, I gained a better understanding to each of their persona. In one way or another, each experienced some type of hardship that helped to individual mold him/her into the person that they portray in another book of the series, “Fiji: A Novel”, which I read prior to this one. There is one thing I did find surprising in the entire book was Nathan’s background. After reading this I saw that his relationship with his father played a key role and could have majorly changed the overall direction of Nathan’s life and the path he followed.
Overall “World Odyssey” was a good book to cuddle up with and read.
The story is historic fiction that occurs in the 19th century. The whole storyline was well-written and the set-up was descriptive which made it very easy to visualize the scenes in my head. The book is filled with abundant scenarios of Indians, being at sea, the daily trial and errors of earning a living and trying to keep a roof over ones head, with even a little bit of romance thrown in too.
In their own way, each character has a special uniqueness; and in reading this sequel, I gained a better understanding to each of their persona. In one way or another, each experienced some type of hardship that helped to individual mold him/her into the person that they portray in another book of the series, “Fiji: A Novel”, which I read prior to this one. There is one thing I did find surprising in the entire book was Nathan’s background. After reading this I saw that his relationship with his father played a key role and could have majorly changed the overall direction of Nathan’s life and the path he followed.
Overall “World Odyssey” was a good book to cuddle up with and read.
June 4, 2014
World Odyssey by Lance and James Morcan is the epic tale of three completely different characters, set in the mid 1800’s it follows their tumultuous and often dangerous exploits as they journey across continents to eventually arrive in the South Pacific island of Fiji.
Nathan Johnson lives in Philadelphia. He’s the son of a wealthy but violent father and after running away at 12 he ends up working on his uncle’s boat which is shipwrecked and he is captured and enslaved by members of the Makah Tribe.
Susannah Drake lives in England. The much loved daughter of a Methodist minister and his wife. Life will drastically change when at 22 she accompanies her father on a long and perilous voyage to Fiji to open a mission station.
Jack Halliday is a loveable, engaging and cheeky Cockney lad but after stealing from his unsavoury employer he is arrested and sent to serve time in a penal colony in New South Wales.
Three very different lives, three very different journeys ahead but destiny has decreed that eventually their paths will cross.
A great read, I loved this book and certainly recommend it- happy reading everyone!
Nathan Johnson lives in Philadelphia. He’s the son of a wealthy but violent father and after running away at 12 he ends up working on his uncle’s boat which is shipwrecked and he is captured and enslaved by members of the Makah Tribe.
Susannah Drake lives in England. The much loved daughter of a Methodist minister and his wife. Life will drastically change when at 22 she accompanies her father on a long and perilous voyage to Fiji to open a mission station.
Jack Halliday is a loveable, engaging and cheeky Cockney lad but after stealing from his unsavoury employer he is arrested and sent to serve time in a penal colony in New South Wales.
Three very different lives, three very different journeys ahead but destiny has decreed that eventually their paths will cross.
A great read, I loved this book and certainly recommend it- happy reading everyone!
March 17, 2014
World Odyssey is an epic, a story that follows the tumultuous lives of three different people – Nathan, Jack, and Susanna. In this first novel, their lives are separate from each other, and by the end of the novel, they arrive in Fiji, though their paths have yet to cross.
Lance and James Morcan have a wonderfully easy style of writing, simple but descriptive, fast paced yet detailed. It is a comfortable book that one can fully relax into because of its steady flow and lovely prose. It is a prequel to their first book, Fiji, but each book stands alone and you don’t have to read them in the order they were written in. For the three main characters, there is change and danger at every turn. From travel on land and then on the high seas, I was intrigued and completely pulled into the story from the start to the end of this book. I loved reading it as much as I loved Fiji. I highly recommend that you get both of these fabulous epics!
Lance and James Morcan have a wonderfully easy style of writing, simple but descriptive, fast paced yet detailed. It is a comfortable book that one can fully relax into because of its steady flow and lovely prose. It is a prequel to their first book, Fiji, but each book stands alone and you don’t have to read them in the order they were written in. For the three main characters, there is change and danger at every turn. From travel on land and then on the high seas, I was intrigued and completely pulled into the story from the start to the end of this book. I loved reading it as much as I loved Fiji. I highly recommend that you get both of these fabulous epics!
December 28, 2014
Set in the 19th century, Susanna, Nathan, and Jack begin as children. Each one in completely different settings. Two grow up in England, and one in America. They journey to different parts of the continent in vessels - Susanna lives in England and is the daughter of a minister, her life changes in her early 20's. Nathan lives in America and the son of a rich but despicable and very aggressive father, he runs away at a young age and eventually works on his Uncles boat. Jack lives in London, a thief who does time for his actions. All three characters lead very different lives who's paths will come to cross in this epic journey through an entangling gripping escapade of battles and pirates that span over three decades.
Dangerous twists and turns arise as murder is a passenger aboard this enthralling exotic voyage... So set sail and join Lance and James Morcan in "World Odyssey" (Book 1) a great start to another new series by these talented authors.
Dangerous twists and turns arise as murder is a passenger aboard this enthralling exotic voyage... So set sail and join Lance and James Morcan in "World Odyssey" (Book 1) a great start to another new series by these talented authors.
October 8, 2014
Awesome travel book, beautiful imagery. Find the world from the words in a page!
Travel along with three separate people around the world. Ending up in breathtaking Fiji, in southeastern Oceania. 1800's. A beautiful place of coral reefs, a bounty hunter named Sparrow, travel, and adventure. Jack Halliday stuck out to me as an interesting character. Shipped to Australia as part of a colony of criminals, Jack adjusts to the new world and hopes to escape. His escapades are quite intriguing along with Susannah and Nathan. Nathan who lives in Oregon Country for a while, and Susannah who's daddy is a reverend, both add to the exciting writing of the Morcans by giving multiple angles with which to not only see the world socially, etc., but also to see its beauty, its wonder, its love, its people. Great read!
Travel along with three separate people around the world. Ending up in breathtaking Fiji, in southeastern Oceania. 1800's. A beautiful place of coral reefs, a bounty hunter named Sparrow, travel, and adventure. Jack Halliday stuck out to me as an interesting character. Shipped to Australia as part of a colony of criminals, Jack adjusts to the new world and hopes to escape. His escapades are quite intriguing along with Susannah and Nathan. Nathan who lives in Oregon Country for a while, and Susannah who's daddy is a reverend, both add to the exciting writing of the Morcans by giving multiple angles with which to not only see the world socially, etc., but also to see its beauty, its wonder, its love, its people. Great read!
July 27, 2015
The World Odyssey ( The World Duology #1) is set in the 19th cantury, Nathan Johnson, Jack Halliday and Susannah Drake a missionary are set to sea each has their own reasons. Nathan is off on the adventure of his life he is the only American, Jack Halliday was sentenced by the British Government for stealing Hemp, and Susannah Drake is on the mission with her Father a minister.They all end up on the island of Fiji. They face danger along the way. Pirates, murder, death and (some) dangerous people as they sail around the world. A very well written story with beautiful details. I felt i was there on the ship setting port in the exotic locales. Susannah is naive but very likeable, Nathan has character, and Jack has some likeable traits. If you enjoy adventure books i highly recommend you read World Odyssey
April 19, 2015
The characters are engaging and the plots are evenly paced. Amidst the untamed sea, jealousy and conflicts give rise to unscrupulous deeds. But when pushed to the brink, they found strength as they learn to endure each other weaknesses and imperfections.
I’ve read two previous books by the father-and-son team and enjoyed their books immensely so I decided to follow up with another book. After reading World Odyssey, I have to say that this book is by far their best work. Needless to say, I am becoming a big fan of Lance & James Morcan.
I’ve read two previous books by the father-and-son team and enjoyed their books immensely so I decided to follow up with another book. After reading World Odyssey, I have to say that this book is by far their best work. Needless to say, I am becoming a big fan of Lance & James Morcan.
February 28, 2014
World Odyssey is a sweeping historical saga. Nathan Johnson, Susannah Drake and Jake Halliday sail to the South Pacific, in the mid-1800s, each for their own reasons.
The author creates a cast of intriguing characters who are motivated by their own dreams and the reader follows their physical journey, but also their psychological one throughout the book.
After reading World Odyssey, I couldn't wait to read the sequel.
The author creates a cast of intriguing characters who are motivated by their own dreams and the reader follows their physical journey, but also their psychological one throughout the book.
After reading World Odyssey, I couldn't wait to read the sequel.
October 3, 2014
Morcan gives the reader a book crafted with care and skill. The story is set in the days of ships powered by sail, and men celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria. The reader will follow the adventures recounted by Morcan with interest. The world pictured was a better time than our own. Morcan has produced a skillful and literate text. He also has the ability to keep the interest of the reader. Good work!
April 2, 2014
High seas, exotic ports of call and three very different people have a destiny to meet.
I highly recommend both books.
I highly recommend both books.
May 12, 2015
Set in the 19th century, the epic follows the ups/downs trails of 3 different travelers; Susannah Drake (English), Jack Halliday (Cockney) & Nathan Johnson (Johnson Traders).
Their personal adventure spans a 16 yr. time span (1832-1848).
Their encounters range from engagement with NA Indians, Barbary Coast pirates, Aborigines, Maoris & Pacific Islanders.
The 3 travels actually 4 individuals; Reverend Brian Drake (Susannah’s father) take them around the globe on several ships: (Seven Seas, Rainmaker, Southern Cross, Minstrel, Sea Mistress) from America to Africa, to England, the Canary Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa & finally Fiji Island.
1 of my many favorite beers; Guinness.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written fascinating 19th century life’s journey book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great adventure movie, or mini TV series. 4 different lives & their exciting, adventurous stories going on all at once. Fabulous book, I can’t say enough about it, kidding I could. Wow again, to be continued. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Sterling Gate Books; Making Connections group; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Their personal adventure spans a 16 yr. time span (1832-1848).
Their encounters range from engagement with NA Indians, Barbary Coast pirates, Aborigines, Maoris & Pacific Islanders.
The 3 travels actually 4 individuals; Reverend Brian Drake (Susannah’s father) take them around the globe on several ships: (Seven Seas, Rainmaker, Southern Cross, Minstrel, Sea Mistress) from America to Africa, to England, the Canary Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa & finally Fiji Island.
1 of my many favorite beers; Guinness.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written fascinating 19th century life’s journey book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great adventure movie, or mini TV series. 4 different lives & their exciting, adventurous stories going on all at once. Fabulous book, I can’t say enough about it, kidding I could. Wow again, to be continued. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Sterling Gate Books; Making Connections group; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
July 16, 2015
The talented Morcan duo of father Lance and James son certainly know how to write an epic tale with a knack for seeking out historic fiction and breathing life into it. Time and again their meticulous research and far reaching curiosity comes through as they carefully craft the story around their central characters
This series evokes memories for me as a New Zealander who spent five years of her childhood in Fiji, had an Irish ancestor who was sent to Australia's penal colony in Queensland and upon completion set sail for New Zealand with his wife to carve out a new life in the another British Colony.
A book for those who love high adventure on the high seas and how our ancestors set forth to make better lives for themselves and their descendants.
We owe them much for their courage and determination.
This series evokes memories for me as a New Zealander who spent five years of her childhood in Fiji, had an Irish ancestor who was sent to Australia's penal colony in Queensland and upon completion set sail for New Zealand with his wife to carve out a new life in the another British Colony.
A book for those who love high adventure on the high seas and how our ancestors set forth to make better lives for themselves and their descendants.
We owe them much for their courage and determination.
December 16, 2015
Did not like at all. Plot ok, story could have been good, but so much of it was unbelievable. A heroine whose head was turned by anything that wore trousers, who was also a missionary and clergyman daughter. So called intelligent with man like lust in her loins. Too silly.
August 21, 2019
Neither was aware of the other's presence and neither knew what the future held, but it excited them and filled them with some trepidation at the same time for they were very soon to venture into the unknown.
November 1, 2014
This book is exactly how historical adventures ought to be written! It’s a tale of high seas, pirates and far-away Islands, and as I read it while away on holiday, it very much reminded me of a happy childhood spent reading things like Treasure Island and Jules Verne. If you liked those, you’ll love this book. The prose flows really well, and the characterisation is perfectly done.
The pacing is very good, and the adventure is written in a way that is both believable and very humanising. The plot interweaves the stories of three very different 19th century people, who for various reasons have boarded a ship and ended up in remote Fiji. There’s Nathan, whose life is the closest to the sort of adventure novels I read as a child. He run away to sea and survives a shipwreck, before going into trade. Jack is on the run, and Susannah has to decide between the respectable life she has always known she’d have – and the life her heart really wants.
I have never been to Fiji, but the setting, as well as all the sight and dangers they encounter along the way, were brought beautifully to life in my imagination.
Highly recommended!
The pacing is very good, and the adventure is written in a way that is both believable and very humanising. The plot interweaves the stories of three very different 19th century people, who for various reasons have boarded a ship and ended up in remote Fiji. There’s Nathan, whose life is the closest to the sort of adventure novels I read as a child. He run away to sea and survives a shipwreck, before going into trade. Jack is on the run, and Susannah has to decide between the respectable life she has always known she’d have – and the life her heart really wants.
I have never been to Fiji, but the setting, as well as all the sight and dangers they encounter along the way, were brought beautifully to life in my imagination.
Highly recommended!
September 11, 2014
I have read this book with pleasure. Let that be clear. But in my opinion everything remains too much at the surface. This epic book describes two to three decades in the lives of three very different people, who end up at the same place eventually. This is an interesting idea, but the events are too great and too much for one book. Maybe it would have been better to work out all this in three books. There are so many events in the lives of the leading characters and so many misfortunes during their travels! Because everything is written in one book, even the most serious problems are solved in just a few pages. The psychology of the main characters could also have been worked in more detail. This having been said, my rating is three stars. It is a good read, but to me a bit too "smooth".
August 8, 2014
NB: This review is from the publisher.
November 7, 2016
This is a fabulous story that had me hooked from the beginning. Lance & James Morcan certainly know how to write a story that not only has a great plot, but also has a very diverse and interesting range of characters. I really enjoyed the way this book is written, moving around each characters story and background. It’s almost like reading three wonderful stories in one. Nathan Johnson couldn’t get away from his violent father fast enough. Being sent to boarding school at the age of 12 was a blessing, even though he didn’t stick around. Nathan left school and became a sailor, and he was lucky enough that his uncle was a Captain of a ship, and he was also a good and fair man. Life was quite good for him on board the Intrepid until they upset a tribe of Indians in North America. The crew only just managed to escape before being overrun and killed, and then to top it off they sailed into the storm from hell. The ship was ripped to pieces and somehow Nathan survived, to only end up back with the Indians as their slave. He would need to bide his time until he found the opportunity to escape. Jack Halliday getting kicked out of home at the age of 16 was quite tough, especially not having a job or any money to buy food. So landing a job as an apprentice blacksmith was a piece of luck, it’s just unfortunate that he had a terrible boss. Jack was owed pay for overtime, and since his boss Mr Sullivan wasn’t paying up, Jack decided to break into work after hours to steal something he could sell. Unluckily for him Sullivan just happened to come back and caught him in the act. So before Jack knew what had hit him, he was on his way to Australia for a seven year sentence in the Parramatta Penal Colony. Initially life wasn’t too bad as a convict in the “bottom of the world”, as they were paid a small amount and then had a little bit of freedom around the settlement after work until lights out. Unfortunately Jack thought it would be a good idea to escape, and he was doing alright until he was caught. However he wasn’t going to be deterred and he would certainly be trying again. Susannah Drake was devastated as she watched her mother slowly fade away from an unknown illness. The Doctors couldn’t work out what was wrong with her before she passed away. Her father agrees to let her join him in moving to Fiji for his mission, and it’s going to be a hell of a journey in getting there. This is my third book that I’ve read from these Authors, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each one of them. Easily worth the 5 star rating.
January 5, 2019
It was ok
I was a little disappointed with this .After reading "White Spirit," this is no where close .I didn't like the main characters , they appeared to be amoral with a superior attitude .I also didn't like the constant switching between each characters story.A chapter each ,by turn , marred the flow for me .
I was a little disappointed with this .After reading "White Spirit," this is no where close .I didn't like the main characters , they appeared to be amoral with a superior attitude .I also didn't like the constant switching between each characters story.A chapter each ,by turn , marred the flow for me .
October 23, 2016
Very good book
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was just my kind of a book..excitement, adventure, hardship,but very well written and great details..thanks for writing a good book.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was just my kind of a book..excitement, adventure, hardship,but very well written and great details..thanks for writing a good book.
September 5, 2024
Great read. I look forward to reading more works by the Morcan team. Well done! Unfortunately, Amazon is making it hard to leave a review!
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