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Seaborne #1
The Lost Prince
Middle-grade adventure readers will love this fresh take on classic pirate tropes. Fans of Percy Jackson and The Chronicles of Egg will enjoy Dean Seaborne's adventures on the sea.
Dean Seaborne is thrown off his ship by the Pirate King and given one last chance to redeem himself before he meets Davy Jones's locker. He has to spy on the Pirate King's biggest rival, Gentleman Jack Harper, and find the treasure hidden on the mysterious island of Zenhala.
Once on Zenhala, Dean finds that the inhabitants of the island think he is the lost prince who went missing 13 year ago. In order to fulfill his mission for the Pirate King, Dean undergoes intense and fantastical trials to prove he is the lost prince. But the longer Dean stays on the island, the more he questions his mission.
Dean Seaborne is thrown off his ship by the Pirate King and given one last chance to redeem himself before he meets Davy Jones's locker. He has to spy on the Pirate King's biggest rival, Gentleman Jack Harper, and find the treasure hidden on the mysterious island of Zenhala.
Once on Zenhala, Dean finds that the inhabitants of the island think he is the lost prince who went missing 13 year ago. In order to fulfill his mission for the Pirate King, Dean undergoes intense and fantastical trials to prove he is the lost prince. But the longer Dean stays on the island, the more he questions his mission.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2015
26 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
Matt Myklusch
14 books283 followersMatt Myklusch is the author of 8 middle-grade novels, including the JACK BLANK, ORDER OF THE MAJESTIC, and the SEABORNE series. When he was a kid, he wanted to be a comic book penciller. That didn’t happen, but he never stopped drawing – and now he’s writing comic books! IMAGINE NATION, his new graphic novel series hits the shelves on January 7, 2025.
He lives in New Jersey with his wife and family, where he is always behind schedule on his next book.
He lives in New Jersey with his wife and family, where he is always behind schedule on his next book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 10, 2015
This action-packed pirate fantasy adventure for the middle grade set starts out with a bang: Dean Seaborne, a 13 year old self-described "pirate spy," is being dunked in a cage in the ocean . . . after the pirates have thrown chum in the water to attract sharks. The pirate captain, One-Eyed Jack, is bent out of shape because Dean tried to run away. After sufficient groveling and promise-making, One-Eyed Jack has Dean hauled back up, suitably chastened, and sends him off on another spy mission.
After a few more adventures, Dean is grabbed by an emissary of the mythical (or so everyone thinks) land of Zenhala and hailed as their long-lost prince, stolen from them as a baby. But is he really? And will he survive the three physical trials that Zenhala royalty must face to prove themselves? Especially when someone is doing their best to make sure he doesn't survive?
The story moves along quickly, with lots of action: shipwrecks, fighting scenes, mythical lost kingdoms with lots of gold, sea monsters, beautiful princesses, etc. Many middle grade books still appeal to me even as an adult, but this one didn't much. I thought the writing was a bit pedestrian, and some of the adventures, like when Dean "invents" a wheeled contraption (read "skateboard") and dodges through all the pirates trying to catch him, using his mad skillz, were real eye-rollers for me. There are lots of far-fetched coincidences and plot developments.
But I could see this book being quite appealing to kids in maybe the age 8-14 range. (I'm going to try to talk my 13 y/o son into reading it; if he does I'll post his comments.) It's not deep, but it's a fun adventure. There's lots of life-threatening action but it's mostly of the cartoonish type, not particularly grim or violent. Extra points for an ending that actually surprised me.
Free eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
After a few more adventures, Dean is grabbed by an emissary of the mythical (or so everyone thinks) land of Zenhala and hailed as their long-lost prince, stolen from them as a baby. But is he really? And will he survive the three physical trials that Zenhala royalty must face to prove themselves? Especially when someone is doing their best to make sure he doesn't survive?
The story moves along quickly, with lots of action: shipwrecks, fighting scenes, mythical lost kingdoms with lots of gold, sea monsters, beautiful princesses, etc. Many middle grade books still appeal to me even as an adult, but this one didn't much. I thought the writing was a bit pedestrian, and some of the adventures, like when Dean "invents" a wheeled contraption (read "skateboard") and dodges through all the pirates trying to catch him, using his mad skillz, were real eye-rollers for me. There are lots of far-fetched coincidences and plot developments.
But I could see this book being quite appealing to kids in maybe the age 8-14 range. (I'm going to try to talk my 13 y/o son into reading it; if he does I'll post his comments.) It's not deep, but it's a fun adventure. There's lots of life-threatening action but it's mostly of the cartoonish type, not particularly grim or violent. Extra points for an ending that actually surprised me.
Free eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
November 24, 2019
Don’t let the lurid cover fool you – this is a completely kid-friendly book!
This book is essentially Pirates of the Caribbean for tweens with a dash of Treasure Planet.
Is it over the top? Yes. Is it preposterous? Yes.
But the key phrase here is preposterously FUN. This book allows middle grade readers to unabashedly fulfill their swashbuckling imaginations to the fullest and does not hold back on heroics or adventures. While I was reading it, it was almost like I was a kid again, visualizing myself doing anything an adult could do, only better as I defied physics, gravity, and all other rules in imaginary exploits.
But what keeps this book from being corny is the excellent writing, and the solid characterization. The MC is also one of the most admirable and likable MC’s I’ve read in a long time. He is the proverbial diamond in the rough, the pirate with a heart of gold, and I was rooting for him through the entire book. And neither he nor the author disappointed.
If you need some guilty pleasure reading that involves treasure hunts, kid pirates, missing heirs and sea monsters – this book fits the bill.
This book is essentially Pirates of the Caribbean for tweens with a dash of Treasure Planet.
Is it over the top? Yes. Is it preposterous? Yes.
But the key phrase here is preposterously FUN. This book allows middle grade readers to unabashedly fulfill their swashbuckling imaginations to the fullest and does not hold back on heroics or adventures. While I was reading it, it was almost like I was a kid again, visualizing myself doing anything an adult could do, only better as I defied physics, gravity, and all other rules in imaginary exploits.
But what keeps this book from being corny is the excellent writing, and the solid characterization. The MC is also one of the most admirable and likable MC’s I’ve read in a long time. He is the proverbial diamond in the rough, the pirate with a heart of gold, and I was rooting for him through the entire book. And neither he nor the author disappointed.
If you need some guilty pleasure reading that involves treasure hunts, kid pirates, missing heirs and sea monsters – this book fits the bill.
February 26, 2015
This review will also be published on my blog on March 2nd for The Last List Blog Hop hosted by Cuddlebuggery's Book Blog. The Last List Blog Hop is an effort to support the authors and their books on the last Egmont USA list. By the way, if you want to join in on this blog hop, sign ups are open until 12pm EST, March 1st. I read an e-ARC of this title from Netgalley.
Dean Seaborne is kicked off his ship by One-Eyed Jack, the vicious Pirate King, with one last chance to prove himself. Dean's mission is to see if Gentlemen Jim Harper, a rival pirate captain, is skimming any treasure off the top of the booty they've pirated that's meant to be tribute for One-Eyed Jack. And, Dean is also supposed to find the gold from the legendary and mysterious island of Zenhala, a place Dean doesn't believe actually exists, once he gets himself fully wormed into Gentlemen Jim's Pirate Youth crew. However, once they do stumble upon the island, Dean realizes the island inhabitants believe him to be the lost prince, who was kidnapped as a baby by pirates thirteen years ago. Although, Deans knows he's no prince, but he has no choice but to fulfill One-Eyed Jack's mission. Dean is pushed by the islanders into undergoing intense trials to prove his lineage as prince, but the longer Dean stays the more he begins to question his mission.
This middle-grade adventure is an incredibly fun and fast-paced story. Dean is a great leading character and is immensely likable right from the get-go. I loved to hate One-Eyed Jack, the ruthless Pirate King. Gentlemen Jim, although a pirate captain, is actually quite likable as he's not the same kind of pirate as One-Eyed Jack. Everyone is clearly fleshed out with a back story and motive for their actions. As for the plot itself, it's quite solid and it has a few really good twists that really kept me turning the pages. The descriptions are quite vivid and the auther does a fantastic job of showing instead of telling, from ships to islands we get a good look at them. The action scenes are also well-done and it's easy to get a sense of exactly what's going on when. I could easily see this being adapted for the big screen. I'm eagerly awaiting Seaborne #2!
If you like The Pirates of the Caribbean, The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Robin Hood, Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry, and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, you will love Seaborne #1: The Lost Prince by Matt Myklusch.
Dean Seaborne is kicked off his ship by One-Eyed Jack, the vicious Pirate King, with one last chance to prove himself. Dean's mission is to see if Gentlemen Jim Harper, a rival pirate captain, is skimming any treasure off the top of the booty they've pirated that's meant to be tribute for One-Eyed Jack. And, Dean is also supposed to find the gold from the legendary and mysterious island of Zenhala, a place Dean doesn't believe actually exists, once he gets himself fully wormed into Gentlemen Jim's Pirate Youth crew. However, once they do stumble upon the island, Dean realizes the island inhabitants believe him to be the lost prince, who was kidnapped as a baby by pirates thirteen years ago. Although, Deans knows he's no prince, but he has no choice but to fulfill One-Eyed Jack's mission. Dean is pushed by the islanders into undergoing intense trials to prove his lineage as prince, but the longer Dean stays the more he begins to question his mission.
This middle-grade adventure is an incredibly fun and fast-paced story. Dean is a great leading character and is immensely likable right from the get-go. I loved to hate One-Eyed Jack, the ruthless Pirate King. Gentlemen Jim, although a pirate captain, is actually quite likable as he's not the same kind of pirate as One-Eyed Jack. Everyone is clearly fleshed out with a back story and motive for their actions. As for the plot itself, it's quite solid and it has a few really good twists that really kept me turning the pages. The descriptions are quite vivid and the auther does a fantastic job of showing instead of telling, from ships to islands we get a good look at them. The action scenes are also well-done and it's easy to get a sense of exactly what's going on when. I could easily see this being adapted for the big screen. I'm eagerly awaiting Seaborne #2!
If you like The Pirates of the Caribbean, The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Robin Hood, Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry, and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, you will love Seaborne #1: The Lost Prince by Matt Myklusch.
August 27, 2014
I devoured this book. I didn’t want to put it down, and whenever I wasn’t reading it, I wanted to get back to it. It’s been a while since a book has affected me like that. I finished it the day I began it, staying up as late as necessary to get to the end. In a word, the book is fun. It’s got monsters, villains, and some pretty cool action scenes, but underneath all the tropes you think you’ve seen before, plot twists to keep pulling you along through the book. It’s marketed as middle grade, but it will work for all ages.
The characters were vivid and punchy. Dean, the main character, was immediately engaging and likable, the villain immediately the opposite. The author introduced just the right blend of friends and foes, with a dash of friendly foes and foe-ish friends. The character conflicts never stopped, yet pushed exactly the right buttons to pace giant reveals and emotional turn-arounds. In this area, I think the author works best— nearly everything was perfect for both the plot and the middle-grade genre.
Speaking of the plot, it was fantastic. The author has always done a great job of introducing a character to a wonderful new world, then showing off that world without making it boring. The trials were expertly handled, edge-of-your-seat scenes that made you love the main character, but nevertheless had you wondering how he was ever going to get out alive. While some reveals and plot twists were half-expected, what came after was just as surprising. Except for one plot twist at the end, where the author should have explained things a little better, he handled things perfectly. (For that one, I think I have to go back and figure out why it was plausible— with a little thought I can accept it, but it’s just not smooth.) The ending tied up all the loose ends to satisfaction, fulfilling each promise and putting neat little bows on top. The fun never stopped.
And the setting? As I said, the author showed it off perfectly. The descriptions were vivid, the places unique. Even though it’s supposed to be a perfect island in the middle of the Caribbean with gold growing on trees, Zenhala had slums too, which was pretty cool. The subversion of paradise was a perfect touch in hating some of the characters. The aforementioned monsters were really fun to see in action, and the weather— it’s not often when weather is a part of the setting, but when it is, it’s spectacular. (See The Way of Kings.) All in all, it was a fun version of the classic pirate world.
The last three paragraphs were about characters, plot, and setting respectively, but as you can see, each element interacted inextricably with the others. The characters influenced the plot, the plot showed off the setting, the setting cast new light on the characters. Everything conspired to make a whole that was, as I have said several times, a lot of fun.
And on the prose side? The descriptions were good, everything seemed quite clear, and I really enjoyed seeing both the facade Dean puts up as a spy as well as his thoughts on making sure everyone is tricked. The emotions were clear and understandable. The only comment I would make is the sentence structure. Even though the author showed things instead of telling them, it felt slightly… off, straight from the first page. It didn’t affect the story, but there were times when I would sit back and look at the prose, looking for problems. (I’m pretty sure I know what went wrong and how to fix it, but that’s unnecessary to say here.) Other than those times, I thought the book was well-written.
I’d like to round out the review on the subject of seagoing terms. As a sailor and an avid reader of sea stories, I knew most of the terms already— to me, the author didn’t introduce anything I didn’t know, and I can’t comment on the terminology learning curve. However, he was accurate on pretty much every sailing term he used. I’m glad he did his research for this. But the one term he didn’t get (and this bugged me through the whole book), was “league”. A league, in distance, is about three miles. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea means 60,000 miles beneath the surface (which is implausible for a completely different reason). Seven-league boots, found in several fairy tales, can take the wearer 21 miles in a single step. However, the author used league as meaning something much shorter, I’m guessing around 25 feet. That’s about 600 times shorter than it ought to be, and thus when he says two ships are about 15 leagues apart and one starts firing its cannons, the original definition of league makes that a lot less of a problem. That said, that one term did not ruin the book for me. I temporarily redefined the word for the duration of the book, and now it’s back to being three miles. I still enjoyed the book.
Here’s the quotable section of the review, for convincing your friends to buy the book when it comes out: The Lost Prince was thrilling, vivid, and a whole lot of fun to read. I heartily recommend it for all ages.
Thanks again to Egmont USA and Matt Myklusch for the ARC. I will nevertheless buy the real thing when it arrives, because this is worthy of a reread.
The characters were vivid and punchy. Dean, the main character, was immediately engaging and likable, the villain immediately the opposite. The author introduced just the right blend of friends and foes, with a dash of friendly foes and foe-ish friends. The character conflicts never stopped, yet pushed exactly the right buttons to pace giant reveals and emotional turn-arounds. In this area, I think the author works best— nearly everything was perfect for both the plot and the middle-grade genre.
Speaking of the plot, it was fantastic. The author has always done a great job of introducing a character to a wonderful new world, then showing off that world without making it boring. The trials were expertly handled, edge-of-your-seat scenes that made you love the main character, but nevertheless had you wondering how he was ever going to get out alive. While some reveals and plot twists were half-expected, what came after was just as surprising. Except for one plot twist at the end, where the author should have explained things a little better, he handled things perfectly. (For that one, I think I have to go back and figure out why it was plausible— with a little thought I can accept it, but it’s just not smooth.) The ending tied up all the loose ends to satisfaction, fulfilling each promise and putting neat little bows on top. The fun never stopped.
And the setting? As I said, the author showed it off perfectly. The descriptions were vivid, the places unique. Even though it’s supposed to be a perfect island in the middle of the Caribbean with gold growing on trees, Zenhala had slums too, which was pretty cool. The subversion of paradise was a perfect touch in hating some of the characters. The aforementioned monsters were really fun to see in action, and the weather— it’s not often when weather is a part of the setting, but when it is, it’s spectacular. (See The Way of Kings.) All in all, it was a fun version of the classic pirate world.
The last three paragraphs were about characters, plot, and setting respectively, but as you can see, each element interacted inextricably with the others. The characters influenced the plot, the plot showed off the setting, the setting cast new light on the characters. Everything conspired to make a whole that was, as I have said several times, a lot of fun.
And on the prose side? The descriptions were good, everything seemed quite clear, and I really enjoyed seeing both the facade Dean puts up as a spy as well as his thoughts on making sure everyone is tricked. The emotions were clear and understandable. The only comment I would make is the sentence structure. Even though the author showed things instead of telling them, it felt slightly… off, straight from the first page. It didn’t affect the story, but there were times when I would sit back and look at the prose, looking for problems. (I’m pretty sure I know what went wrong and how to fix it, but that’s unnecessary to say here.) Other than those times, I thought the book was well-written.
I’d like to round out the review on the subject of seagoing terms. As a sailor and an avid reader of sea stories, I knew most of the terms already— to me, the author didn’t introduce anything I didn’t know, and I can’t comment on the terminology learning curve. However, he was accurate on pretty much every sailing term he used. I’m glad he did his research for this. But the one term he didn’t get (and this bugged me through the whole book), was “league”. A league, in distance, is about three miles. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea means 60,000 miles beneath the surface (which is implausible for a completely different reason). Seven-league boots, found in several fairy tales, can take the wearer 21 miles in a single step. However, the author used league as meaning something much shorter, I’m guessing around 25 feet. That’s about 600 times shorter than it ought to be, and thus when he says two ships are about 15 leagues apart and one starts firing its cannons, the original definition of league makes that a lot less of a problem. That said, that one term did not ruin the book for me. I temporarily redefined the word for the duration of the book, and now it’s back to being three miles. I still enjoyed the book.
Here’s the quotable section of the review, for convincing your friends to buy the book when it comes out: The Lost Prince was thrilling, vivid, and a whole lot of fun to read. I heartily recommend it for all ages.
Thanks again to Egmont USA and Matt Myklusch for the ARC. I will nevertheless buy the real thing when it arrives, because this is worthy of a reread.
July 9, 2015
Reviewing this later
August 15, 2017
An unforgettable adventure on the high seas. Packed with humor, some danger, action, and a 13 year old hero you won't soon forget. This is the perfect beginning for a series you'll definitely want to read.
4.5 stars FULL REVIEW http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2017/0...
4.5 stars FULL REVIEW http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2017/0...
April 11, 2015
Received as an e-galley from Net Galley.
A pirate adventure fantasy with a 13-year old hero, this new series is intended for tween readers. Dean Seaborne (the last name signals he's an orphan), has been raised to be One-Eyed Jack's spy: He joins the crews of sailing ships in order to identify those carrying rich cargo for the pirate king to raid.
Until he is sent to spy on Gentleman Jim, captain of one of Jack's 19 other pirate ships, Dean doesn't understand his moral responsibility for the deaths of the crews of the ships he has betrayed. Gentleman Jim is a pirate in the model of Robin Hood, an honest thief who steals from those he believes to be deserving of theft, and he doesn't scuttle the ships he robs. His crew are all teenage boys, the Pirate Youth. On Dean's first boarding with the Pirate Youth, things go badly wrong. Dean awakes to find that he has been taken aboard a merchant vessel from the island kingdom of Zenhala located in the Bermuda Triangle. The captain of the Zenhalan ship believes Dean to be the prince of Zenhala, abducted by pirates 13 years ago. Dean escapes from the Zenhalan ship, but One-Eyed Jack orders him to return to it: Dean is to lead Jack to the fabled island where gold grows on trees.
The swift-moving narrative puts Dean into dangerous situations from beginning to end. Dean is up to them all because he has honed considerable athletic and problem-solving skills in his piratical life. Tween readers will enjoy Dean's escapade on a vehicle he has fashioned that is clearly meant to be a skateboard (before the invention of skates) and the kiteboards The Pirate Youth use to launch sneak attacks on the ships they plunder.
Dean's new understanding of his responsibility toward others creates further challenges as he can no longer allow himself to get out of situations by doing harm. Dean's angst over the dilemma calls forth greater creativity and suspense as he constantly stumbles over his new-found feet of clay.
The reader is carried along on the ride in this engaging read but may notice some inconsistencies. For one thing, the author doesn't seem to know the difference between a boat and ship or between a kayak and a canoe, as he toggles between the members of these two sets of terms in places where the differences are crucial. Sometimes the adults in the tale notice that Dean is a boy and at other times they treat him as an adult. Well, this is a fantasy, after all.
A pirate adventure fantasy with a 13-year old hero, this new series is intended for tween readers. Dean Seaborne (the last name signals he's an orphan), has been raised to be One-Eyed Jack's spy: He joins the crews of sailing ships in order to identify those carrying rich cargo for the pirate king to raid.
Until he is sent to spy on Gentleman Jim, captain of one of Jack's 19 other pirate ships, Dean doesn't understand his moral responsibility for the deaths of the crews of the ships he has betrayed. Gentleman Jim is a pirate in the model of Robin Hood, an honest thief who steals from those he believes to be deserving of theft, and he doesn't scuttle the ships he robs. His crew are all teenage boys, the Pirate Youth. On Dean's first boarding with the Pirate Youth, things go badly wrong. Dean awakes to find that he has been taken aboard a merchant vessel from the island kingdom of Zenhala located in the Bermuda Triangle. The captain of the Zenhalan ship believes Dean to be the prince of Zenhala, abducted by pirates 13 years ago. Dean escapes from the Zenhalan ship, but One-Eyed Jack orders him to return to it: Dean is to lead Jack to the fabled island where gold grows on trees.
The swift-moving narrative puts Dean into dangerous situations from beginning to end. Dean is up to them all because he has honed considerable athletic and problem-solving skills in his piratical life. Tween readers will enjoy Dean's escapade on a vehicle he has fashioned that is clearly meant to be a skateboard (before the invention of skates) and the kiteboards The Pirate Youth use to launch sneak attacks on the ships they plunder.
Dean's new understanding of his responsibility toward others creates further challenges as he can no longer allow himself to get out of situations by doing harm. Dean's angst over the dilemma calls forth greater creativity and suspense as he constantly stumbles over his new-found feet of clay.
The reader is carried along on the ride in this engaging read but may notice some inconsistencies. For one thing, the author doesn't seem to know the difference between a boat and ship or between a kayak and a canoe, as he toggles between the members of these two sets of terms in places where the differences are crucial. Sometimes the adults in the tale notice that Dean is a boy and at other times they treat him as an adult. Well, this is a fantasy, after all.
March 3, 2015
What I liked: I loved that the characters were given clear motivations for how they act, as well as a background that I could understand and connect with the characters actions. The Pirate King, also known as One-Eyed Jack, was a character who I loved to hate because, while having a clear motivation to himself and not just being the flat antagonist of the story, One-Eyed Jack was a nasty character who was ruthless to those who crossed him. I really liked that because the way it was done it was pulled off just right! Dean himself was a character I loved to follow, his story made for a fun one. I liked learning more about him and watching him do what he knew he must to be able to get back in the good graces of One-Eyed Jack. Or well, as much as in good graces with One-Eyed Jack as once can get. Yet, along the way he begins to question everything, and we see Jack change even more. The plot in of itself was well-paced and had twist and reveals that kept me guessing in several places, though some of them were obvious in knowing they were going to happen.
What I didn't like: While most of the terminology used in this book was rather accurate and I only had a few things I had to figure out the meaning to (I've done my fair share of researching nautical terms in the name of understanding more of what's being said in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies) the term "league" was used inaccurately. In nautical terms each league is the equivalent to about 5.556 kilometers, or about three and a half miles. So if your fire a cannon at a ship fifteen leagues from you, you're definitely not going to hit it because that fifty-two, maybe fifty-three miles apart. That's quite a bit farther than any cannon can shoot, so it messed with me when league was used like that.
Overall Review: I love pirates, so knowing this book had pirates in it was what made me glad I was able to read it. The settings for the story were well planned out and fun to read about as the story continued on. While there was one error that messed with me throughout the story I did find the rest of the story to be quite entertaining and fun in the way that it played out and how each of the characters interacted.
Recommend?: Surely I do! It was a lot of fun and I'm certain people who like Middle Grade books will enjoy this one!
What I didn't like: While most of the terminology used in this book was rather accurate and I only had a few things I had to figure out the meaning to (I've done my fair share of researching nautical terms in the name of understanding more of what's being said in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies) the term "league" was used inaccurately. In nautical terms each league is the equivalent to about 5.556 kilometers, or about three and a half miles. So if your fire a cannon at a ship fifteen leagues from you, you're definitely not going to hit it because that fifty-two, maybe fifty-three miles apart. That's quite a bit farther than any cannon can shoot, so it messed with me when league was used like that.
Overall Review: I love pirates, so knowing this book had pirates in it was what made me glad I was able to read it. The settings for the story were well planned out and fun to read about as the story continued on. While there was one error that messed with me throughout the story I did find the rest of the story to be quite entertaining and fun in the way that it played out and how each of the characters interacted.
Recommend?: Surely I do! It was a lot of fun and I'm certain people who like Middle Grade books will enjoy this one!
March 6, 2016
Read my full review on my blog: http://tamaraniac.com/post/1108155817...
The Lost Prince by Matt Myklusch was really, really, really, REALLY good. The premise was great. The plot was great and well executed. The main character was great and the perfect blend of awkward teenager and overly confident idiot.
But, I have to say the greatest part was (what else) the setting. The pirate ships. The magical island of Zenhala. All of it was very cool, well described and so, so imaginative and wonderful.
I also loved all of the backstory that was woven through out the story. All the characters had histories and motives. They had reasons to hate each other or fend for each other. All of the characters were fully fleshed out and great in their own way.
I really liked this first book of the Seaborne series. It ended up not quite being what I expected and in many ways that made it even better. I highly recommend you read this book after it is released on April 14th!
Mini-Review: The pirate life is the only life that Dean Seabourne has ever known, and he desperately wants out. After attempting escape, Dean is given an ultimatum by the pirate king that ultimately leads him to the mythical island of Zenlhala, whose people believe he is their long lost prince and whose gold he is supposed to steal. This book is fantastic. It is filled with great characters, great adventure and many twists and turns, all set in a very imaginative world. If you like middle grade fantasy or the works of Rick Riordan or Derek Landy, you should definitely read The Lost Prince!
The Lost Prince by Matt Myklusch was really, really, really, REALLY good. The premise was great. The plot was great and well executed. The main character was great and the perfect blend of awkward teenager and overly confident idiot.
But, I have to say the greatest part was (what else) the setting. The pirate ships. The magical island of Zenhala. All of it was very cool, well described and so, so imaginative and wonderful.
I also loved all of the backstory that was woven through out the story. All the characters had histories and motives. They had reasons to hate each other or fend for each other. All of the characters were fully fleshed out and great in their own way.
I really liked this first book of the Seaborne series. It ended up not quite being what I expected and in many ways that made it even better. I highly recommend you read this book after it is released on April 14th!
Mini-Review: The pirate life is the only life that Dean Seabourne has ever known, and he desperately wants out. After attempting escape, Dean is given an ultimatum by the pirate king that ultimately leads him to the mythical island of Zenlhala, whose people believe he is their long lost prince and whose gold he is supposed to steal. This book is fantastic. It is filled with great characters, great adventure and many twists and turns, all set in a very imaginative world. If you like middle grade fantasy or the works of Rick Riordan or Derek Landy, you should definitely read The Lost Prince!
July 20, 2015
*dances out of joy*
PIRATE BOOK. PIRATE BOOK. PIRATE BOOK. What a fantastic and interesting book! I love pirates. Love them. There are not enough pirates in the book world and I am SO happy that readers now have this novel to appease the pirate genre!
I loved the pacing in this book. It's super fast and there's never a dull moment. Lots of shipwrecks and fighting and gold, everything that I wanted to see in this book. I also loved the characters. Right away you're rooting for them and you want to see them succeed. There's nothing better than a likable MC.
It kind of reminded me of The Goonies meets MG pirates and for that, I loved it. I had seem some people complaining about some of the scenes they deem "far-fetched" but with imagination and pirate-enthusiasm, I loved those scenes!
This is absolutely a fun middle grade book but I devoured it, even as an adult.
Read it.
PIRATE BOOK. PIRATE BOOK. PIRATE BOOK. What a fantastic and interesting book! I love pirates. Love them. There are not enough pirates in the book world and I am SO happy that readers now have this novel to appease the pirate genre!
I loved the pacing in this book. It's super fast and there's never a dull moment. Lots of shipwrecks and fighting and gold, everything that I wanted to see in this book. I also loved the characters. Right away you're rooting for them and you want to see them succeed. There's nothing better than a likable MC.
It kind of reminded me of The Goonies meets MG pirates and for that, I loved it. I had seem some people complaining about some of the scenes they deem "far-fetched" but with imagination and pirate-enthusiasm, I loved those scenes!
This is absolutely a fun middle grade book but I devoured it, even as an adult.
Read it.
October 6, 2014
I loved this book. It was so much fun. I am going to send one to every child in our family. It is that good. That said this book is truly for all ages and I am off to read the next one. Great job.
January 24, 2021
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Very good, an adventure that I wished I had the pleasure of reading when I was younger for bigger effects but for now I am still amazed. Definitely would encourage kids to read this. An adventure of a lifetime!
PROS
-Excellent hook to lure in the readers. The first chapter gives your the thoughts of "oh this is going to be a pirate adventure and a good one at that" and "omg the main character is already going to die?" The first chapter alone makes you want to read the whole book there and now.
-Great character development. Even at the start you can tell the Dean is not a normal pirate and actually has morals. These morals were developed under pirates and is suprising that he isn't some ruthless pirate yet. Then later in the book, you got those supporting characters who start to make Dean question if his morals are the best?
-Generally a great action book with lots of adventure, you got people trying to use the main character for their own gain, people who think this guy is some lost monarch, people who doubt his new identity and of course what kind of pirate story would this be without people trying to kill the main character!
CONS
-ERROR... could not find your query
ME BEING TOO CRITICAL
-Honestly didn't like the ending and wish it was written different. I am not saying it's a bad ending I'm just saying personally I don't like it. I also wish there was a deeper connection between the main character and the supporting ones.
Very good, an adventure that I wished I had the pleasure of reading when I was younger for bigger effects but for now I am still amazed. Definitely would encourage kids to read this. An adventure of a lifetime!
PROS
-Excellent hook to lure in the readers. The first chapter gives your the thoughts of "oh this is going to be a pirate adventure and a good one at that" and "omg the main character is already going to die?" The first chapter alone makes you want to read the whole book there and now.
-Great character development. Even at the start you can tell the Dean is not a normal pirate and actually has morals. These morals were developed under pirates and is suprising that he isn't some ruthless pirate yet. Then later in the book, you got those supporting characters who start to make Dean question if his morals are the best?
-Generally a great action book with lots of adventure, you got people trying to use the main character for their own gain, people who think this guy is some lost monarch, people who doubt his new identity and of course what kind of pirate story would this be without people trying to kill the main character!
CONS
-ERROR... could not find your query
ME BEING TOO CRITICAL
-Honestly didn't like the ending and wish it was written different. I am not saying it's a bad ending I'm just saying personally I don't like it. I also wish there was a deeper connection between the main character and the supporting ones.
August 22, 2018
I read this one with my kids. Overall, the writing was pretty good. There are a variety of action scenes that my kids really enjoyed, though I thought one or two dragged. Dean Seaborne is a character who is trying hard to do the best he can with the poor hand that life dealt him. That makes him easy to root for. Ronan takes some warming up to but is loyal to those he feels he can trust. Waverly, however, was a disappointment. I think she's supposed to be a "cool princess." But she has no personality except that she is a good liar and enjoys risking her life. These are the reasons that Dean admires her, and those are not admirable qualities. Especially in a children's book. At one point, Dean compliments her skill at deceiving others and she replies that of course she is good at lying, that's the only way to have any fun.
December 25, 2018
It was a fun middle grade piratical book. Lots of high seas action, pirates with and without morals, and great friendships. Dean is a great character. He gets stomped on pretty often, but he always gets back up with a bang.
My only issue with this book, was that for the entire world, there was only one female character. And she, of course, was the damsel in distress. Mothers never survive past giving birth, I suppose, since she's pretty much the only girl who gets any screen time. Aside from that, it was a great book.
My only issue with this book, was that for the entire world, there was only one female character. And she, of course, was the damsel in distress. Mothers never survive past giving birth, I suppose, since she's pretty much the only girl who gets any screen time. Aside from that, it was a great book.
January 24, 2022
Captivating and addicting, this book was such an adventure and had me hooked the whole way. It was such a wild and fun ride, with a fee solid moments of both humor and tension. Dean was such an adorable character and Waverly was a solid presence. Even Ronan, while terribly aggressive holds true to his convictions. I loved this book, from start to finish, and I would definitely re-read this again and again.
April 12, 2019
This was action-packed and really drew me in. I liked it better than Myklusch's Jack Blank series. Dean was a complex character and the complexity of the other characters, especially the various types of pirates involved was interesting. The moral dilemmas faced by Dean and his friends are intriguing and the character development is authentic. I look forward to the rest of the series.
May 17, 2017
Actual rating: 3/3.5
It's the story of a young pirate spy who has to come back with gold in order to gain his freedom from the Pirate King.
Overall, it was an okay story. Most of it read like a kids movie and was about as predictable, but for a fun pirate story, it was okay.
It's the story of a young pirate spy who has to come back with gold in order to gain his freedom from the Pirate King.
Overall, it was an okay story. Most of it read like a kids movie and was about as predictable, but for a fun pirate story, it was okay.
May 16, 2018
Well, first of all, the book was quite good (for the most part)
The story begins with our protagonist Dean Seaborne, a 13 year old pirate spy who works
for the infamous (for histemper patience and kind heart) pirate king “One-Eyed Jack”. One-Eyed Jack, is in one of his tempers because Dean tried (unsuccessfully) to run away (well I don't blame him).
Moving on, Dean is given a second chance to redeem himself. Dean's mission is to find out why Gentlemen Jim, a pirate captain who works for "One-Eyed Jack", isn't paying his tribute. After a series of events Dean ends up stranded in the sea and is later saved by the captain of a ship, which he
claims came from the legendary island of Zenhala. The captain believes that Dean is the
legendary long-lost prince, stolen from them as a baby when pirates attacked their island.
With one last chance to prove himself Dean is supposed to find the gold from the legendary
island of Zenhala, will he? With someone trying to kill him and " One-Eyed Jack" on his tail what will happen to Dean and the rest of his crew?
My problem with this book was that as a middle-grade book it was pretty easy to figure out what would happen, but that issue apart I really loved it, it was an incredibly fun story.
The story begins with our protagonist Dean Seaborne, a 13 year old pirate spy who works
for the infamous (for his
Moving on, Dean is given a second chance to redeem himself. Dean's mission is to find out why Gentlemen Jim, a pirate captain who works for "One-Eyed Jack", isn't paying his tribute. After a series of events Dean ends up stranded in the sea and is later saved by the captain of a ship, which he
claims came from the legendary island of Zenhala. The captain believes that Dean is the
legendary long-lost prince, stolen from them as a baby when pirates attacked their island.
With one last chance to prove himself Dean is supposed to find the gold from the legendary
island of Zenhala, will he? With someone trying to kill him and " One-Eyed Jack" on his tail what will happen to Dean and the rest of his crew?
My problem with this book was that as a middle-grade book it was pretty easy to figure out what would happen, but that issue apart I really loved it, it was an incredibly fun story.
August 29, 2017
Asher (11yo) read.
July 12, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and since it held my attention and was interesting, I would definitely recommend it
Want to read
April 14, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 26, 2022
FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC!
It’s been a while since I eagerly read a book from cover to cover! I simple loved this book. The excitement, the characters, the adventure…everything! Superb!!
It’s been a while since I eagerly read a book from cover to cover! I simple loved this book. The excitement, the characters, the adventure…everything! Superb!!
June 9, 2024
Don't let the weirdish cover fool you, this aint a little kids book! i mean, they could read it, but teens and tweens should be able to find this book awesome like I did.
February 20, 2019
This is seriously one of the best books I've read in a while, I will totally recommend this to everyone!
August 30, 2015
This is an exciting and well-written novel that the entire family can enjoy. Matt Myklusch crafts a boy-friendly plot with a lot of action and one conflict after another. The twists in the story will keep adults as well as older readers engaged. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could and will be using excerpts in my literacy programs for children plus using the plot structure as a stellar example in my writing workshops.
Dean Seaborne is a boy pirate. Though he would give anything to have a normal life, he is a pirate spy for Old-Eyed Jack, king of the pirates. His attempt to leave the pirate life has caused him to be sent to the ship of Gentleman Jim whose crew is all children. Dean is tasked with finding out why Gentleman Jim is so well liked and why he is behind on his cut to the king of pirates. Dean dreads being a spy this time, especially when he wishes he could remain on Jim's ship. Jim truly IS a gentleman pirate. He governs his crew through a code of conduct and fairness AND he has given Dean a second chance after he tries to talk his way on board by claiming to be the prince of Zenhala. Jim is too wise to believe the fable of a "hidden" country within the Bermuda Triangle that lives in peace and harmony and whose ships come and go only once a year, trading their goods and the gold that grows on tress. Legend has it that nearly 13 years ago one pirate broke through and stole all the gold plus kidnapped the prince after killing the queen and leaving the king a broken man through grief. Rumor has it that Zenhalan ships are scouting for the prince and that they have zeroed in on his whereabouts.
Dean quickly learns that Gentleman Jim's pirate code is the reason for Dean being sent to spy on him. But the longer Dean works with the child-crew the more he desires to stay. Unfortunately, Dean is not the only pirate spy on board and soon Gentleman Jim and their ship is in danger. As the ship sinks, Dean takes leadership and struggles against the sabotage of the other spy even when they are all rescued by a Zahalan ship that claims Dean truly IS the missing prince.
This sets into motion new task as a spy for the pirate king, but as events unfold, and Dean must prove himself as the prince/heir it seems his wish to be free of One-Eyed Jack can come true and that he IS the missing prince. But is he really? Or is he some sort of decoy? IF he is, can he survive the tests and scheming of the Zahalans who wish him to remain lost? Whether he is or he isn't, can he have the future he has always dreamed of?
The high-action plot will keep readers guessing as to the outcome AND entertained the entire way. The first in a new series, I cannot wait to read Dean's next adventure. I also cannot wait to see the reaction to SEABORNE 1: THE LOST PRINCE in my workshops. Thank you Matt Myklusch for an excellent example of engaging writing for middle grade readers
Dean Seaborne is a boy pirate. Though he would give anything to have a normal life, he is a pirate spy for Old-Eyed Jack, king of the pirates. His attempt to leave the pirate life has caused him to be sent to the ship of Gentleman Jim whose crew is all children. Dean is tasked with finding out why Gentleman Jim is so well liked and why he is behind on his cut to the king of pirates. Dean dreads being a spy this time, especially when he wishes he could remain on Jim's ship. Jim truly IS a gentleman pirate. He governs his crew through a code of conduct and fairness AND he has given Dean a second chance after he tries to talk his way on board by claiming to be the prince of Zenhala. Jim is too wise to believe the fable of a "hidden" country within the Bermuda Triangle that lives in peace and harmony and whose ships come and go only once a year, trading their goods and the gold that grows on tress. Legend has it that nearly 13 years ago one pirate broke through and stole all the gold plus kidnapped the prince after killing the queen and leaving the king a broken man through grief. Rumor has it that Zenhalan ships are scouting for the prince and that they have zeroed in on his whereabouts.
Dean quickly learns that Gentleman Jim's pirate code is the reason for Dean being sent to spy on him. But the longer Dean works with the child-crew the more he desires to stay. Unfortunately, Dean is not the only pirate spy on board and soon Gentleman Jim and their ship is in danger. As the ship sinks, Dean takes leadership and struggles against the sabotage of the other spy even when they are all rescued by a Zahalan ship that claims Dean truly IS the missing prince.
This sets into motion new task as a spy for the pirate king, but as events unfold, and Dean must prove himself as the prince/heir it seems his wish to be free of One-Eyed Jack can come true and that he IS the missing prince. But is he really? Or is he some sort of decoy? IF he is, can he survive the tests and scheming of the Zahalans who wish him to remain lost? Whether he is or he isn't, can he have the future he has always dreamed of?
The high-action plot will keep readers guessing as to the outcome AND entertained the entire way. The first in a new series, I cannot wait to read Dean's next adventure. I also cannot wait to see the reaction to SEABORNE 1: THE LOST PRINCE in my workshops. Thank you Matt Myklusch for an excellent example of engaging writing for middle grade readers
April 12, 2015
Shiver me timbers! I really liked this book a lot! No, actually, my two sons and I loved Dean Seaborne, the Lost Prince! This swashbuckling first book in the Seaborne series by Matt Myklusch had us gripped from page one. Yep, right from the start, the excitement and thrill had begun. And it didn't end until on the last page.
Imagine 13-year old Dean Seaborne, a pirate, er, a spy working for Pirate King One-Eyed Jack. He was taken by the Black Fleet, branded by Scurvy Gill and had worked with the rest of the crew. He longed to have his freedom, he attempted to run for it, but One-Eyed Jack caught him. Soon, he found himself inside a cage, being lowered to the vast ocean, about to be fed to the sharks. Oh dear, there was even the Great White shark with its snappy sharp teeth.
One-Eyed Jack spared his life eventually, (thank goodness!) and Dean was tasked to spy on Gentleman Jim Harper of the Reckless fleet., to know why his monthly share was diminishing. After a quite impressive and dramatic act, (stealing a bag of coins right under the Gentleman's nose), Dean earned the respect of the Captain and soon became part of the Pirate Youth. He learned Jim's good-natured ways, his compassion to the needy and strict implementation of the Pirate rules, thanks to Ronan, Jim's first mate and trusted right hand.
We were just sad when tragedy befell the Reckless. But when a new stranger arrived and told Dean that he may be the one that Zenhala was waiting for, the tides have turned and more daunting adventures followed Seaborne and the rest of his crew.
Waverly was an interesting love interest too, but my kids weren't much impressed with her. I liked, however, that she was free-spirited, courageous and unpredictable. She's a good match for Dean, in my opinion. (Although my kids kept telling me she'd just be on Dean's way.. I tried to keep an open mind, after all, my sons aren't really into girls lately. They insist they're still too young to fall in love. Ha ha ha)
Overall, we all agreed that this story was brilliant! Blimey! The book was very hard to put down once we got started. We know there's still a lot in store for Dean and we can't wait to read about it!
Imagine 13-year old Dean Seaborne, a pirate, er, a spy working for Pirate King One-Eyed Jack. He was taken by the Black Fleet, branded by Scurvy Gill and had worked with the rest of the crew. He longed to have his freedom, he attempted to run for it, but One-Eyed Jack caught him. Soon, he found himself inside a cage, being lowered to the vast ocean, about to be fed to the sharks. Oh dear, there was even the Great White shark with its snappy sharp teeth.
One-Eyed Jack spared his life eventually, (thank goodness!) and Dean was tasked to spy on Gentleman Jim Harper of the Reckless fleet., to know why his monthly share was diminishing. After a quite impressive and dramatic act, (stealing a bag of coins right under the Gentleman's nose), Dean earned the respect of the Captain and soon became part of the Pirate Youth. He learned Jim's good-natured ways, his compassion to the needy and strict implementation of the Pirate rules, thanks to Ronan, Jim's first mate and trusted right hand.
We were just sad when tragedy befell the Reckless. But when a new stranger arrived and told Dean that he may be the one that Zenhala was waiting for, the tides have turned and more daunting adventures followed Seaborne and the rest of his crew.
Waverly was an interesting love interest too, but my kids weren't much impressed with her. I liked, however, that she was free-spirited, courageous and unpredictable. She's a good match for Dean, in my opinion. (Although my kids kept telling me she'd just be on Dean's way.. I tried to keep an open mind, after all, my sons aren't really into girls lately. They insist they're still too young to fall in love. Ha ha ha)
Overall, we all agreed that this story was brilliant! Blimey! The book was very hard to put down once we got started. We know there's still a lot in store for Dean and we can't wait to read about it!
May 6, 2015
5 STARS
This is a exciting adventure, with pirates, a fabled island where gold grows on trees, trials to prove worthiness of royal, and pirate battle. You don't want to stop reading. You can never guess where the story is going to go next. It is also a clean read.
The characters are a good mix of bad guys you hate, bad guys that you love to root for and some you just love. Dean Seaborne is the main character that the story centers around.
Dean is 13 year old. He tried running away from the Pirate King. He is almost fed to the sharks.
He is given one more chance to find out why Gentleman Jim has been sending less money to him.
Dean gets taken on with Gentleman Jim. He is only their a short time but his ways rub off on Dean.
One-Eyed Jack the Pirate king. He is feared by plenty. The pirates pay him a tithe. He does not care who he hurts or kills.
Gentleman Jim Harper captain of the Reckless. He only robs those who can afford it. His crew are all children. He does not harm anyone if he can help it. They scare them. Most of his crew are loyal.
Ronan is first mate on the Reckless. He is smart, big and does not give up.
The setting for this book is the Caribbean and Bermuda Triangle.
The adventure draws you in from the first chapter. The story is fast paced. It is creative. I liked the sea monsters or at least one of them.
Dean's life is at risk for most of the book. Some of his enemies are known others you are not sure of till they are revealed.
The target audience is 8 to 12 years old. I think a lot more will like it. I loved it and I am a lot older. My 23 year old daughter loved it too. I think fans of Ranger Apprentice, Percy Jackson, Brotherband, and Harry Potter will like it too.
I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Egmont USA. In return I agreed to give honest review of it.
July 27, 2015
I loved this book. Adventure, swashbuckling, and a mysterious island. All the best of pirate lore along with young Dean Seaborne, a pirate spy. Wait a minute, a pirate spy. My first thought was, what the heck is a pirate spy. Simply put, it`s a pirate who spies on other pirates.
Dean has been a pirate for as long as he can remember, and that`s not all that long considering that he`s only thirteen. He doesn`t like how he`s forced to live, but can`t imagine a way out. His newest job is to infiltrate the crew of the Reckless, which is captained by Gentleman Jim Harper and to find out why that ship`s profits as so low. During it`s short voyage, he learns far more than he could have imagined. What he learns changes his life.
This is where the mysterious island with the golden trees enters the story. Oh wait, I can`t tell you any more, don`t want to spoil the surprises.
For all his life, Dean has been told what to do and now he is placed in difficult situations where he has to make important choices. This is the chance for him to choose what kind of man he will grow up to be, a cut throat pirate, or will he follow in the steps of Gentleman Jim.
I totally enjoyed this book. It was a refreshing take on the usual ruthless pirate story. It had all the action and adventure that I expected, yet it also had surprising twists and turns.
This book would appeal to pre-teens both male and female. Dean and Princess Waverly are good role models, though for different reasons. Parents beware, if you give this book to your child, be prepared for him or her to want to read it straight through in one sitting and then start all over again.
Dean has been a pirate for as long as he can remember, and that`s not all that long considering that he`s only thirteen. He doesn`t like how he`s forced to live, but can`t imagine a way out. His newest job is to infiltrate the crew of the Reckless, which is captained by Gentleman Jim Harper and to find out why that ship`s profits as so low. During it`s short voyage, he learns far more than he could have imagined. What he learns changes his life.
This is where the mysterious island with the golden trees enters the story. Oh wait, I can`t tell you any more, don`t want to spoil the surprises.
For all his life, Dean has been told what to do and now he is placed in difficult situations where he has to make important choices. This is the chance for him to choose what kind of man he will grow up to be, a cut throat pirate, or will he follow in the steps of Gentleman Jim.
I totally enjoyed this book. It was a refreshing take on the usual ruthless pirate story. It had all the action and adventure that I expected, yet it also had surprising twists and turns.
This book would appeal to pre-teens both male and female. Dean and Princess Waverly are good role models, though for different reasons. Parents beware, if you give this book to your child, be prepared for him or her to want to read it straight through in one sitting and then start all over again.
September 1, 2015
Dean Seaborne has spent all his thirteen years with pirates. Under the orders of One-Eyed Jack, he infiltrates ships and then rats them out to pirate crews.
This time promises to be no different. One-Eyed Jack has a pirate who isn't paying his full dues, so Dean goes in to figure out why (and to make sure he delivers). But things go from bad to worse when Dean ends up on the legendary island of Zenhala, about to pull off the scam of his life. If he can survive long enough to collect his freedom from One-Eyed Jack.
I don't usually go for pirate stories, but I was curious about this one since I enjoyed Matt Myklusch's last trilogy so much. This one hits many of the same notes: an endearing main character, wild adventures, and inventive solutions for terrible problems. I also liked Dean's unfolding realizations not only about the island but himself, culminating in his ultimate speech to One-Eyed Jack.
Dean's situation on the island is compounded by his allies (if you can call them that). One rogue who would happily stab him in the back, one probably-trustworthy except for the fact he hates Dean. And, of course, Waverly---the first girl Dean's ever really had a chance to see up close, and fated to be his wife (as long as he's really the lost prince). Dean finds himself warming to the idea quickly, but she has other plans.
All in all this was a good read. I liked the kiteboards best; this is a very visual novel with some great action scenes. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
This time promises to be no different. One-Eyed Jack has a pirate who isn't paying his full dues, so Dean goes in to figure out why (and to make sure he delivers). But things go from bad to worse when Dean ends up on the legendary island of Zenhala, about to pull off the scam of his life. If he can survive long enough to collect his freedom from One-Eyed Jack.
I don't usually go for pirate stories, but I was curious about this one since I enjoyed Matt Myklusch's last trilogy so much. This one hits many of the same notes: an endearing main character, wild adventures, and inventive solutions for terrible problems. I also liked Dean's unfolding realizations not only about the island but himself, culminating in his ultimate speech to One-Eyed Jack.
Dean's situation on the island is compounded by his allies (if you can call them that). One rogue who would happily stab him in the back, one probably-trustworthy except for the fact he hates Dean. And, of course, Waverly---the first girl Dean's ever really had a chance to see up close, and fated to be his wife (as long as he's really the lost prince). Dean finds himself warming to the idea quickly, but she has other plans.
All in all this was a good read. I liked the kiteboards best; this is a very visual novel with some great action scenes. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
April 18, 2015
SEABORNE: THE LOST PRINCE by Matt Myklusch is the first book in a new adventure series featuring a teen boy pirate.
More of a spy than a pirate, young Dean Seaborne is forced to work for the evil pirate king One-Eyed Jack. As an orphan, Seaborne becomes caught between two worlds as he tries to decide whether to continue his pirating ways or side with a beautiful girl from a mythical island.
The fast-paced, swashbuckling action will appeal to the tween audience. The addition of a sea dragon will expand the audience to include those who enjoy fantasy elements. The bright book cover and exciting first chapter (our hero almost gets eaten by sharks) will be a draw for reluctant readers.
Myklusch knows how to write for the tween crowd. He effectively balances description with dialogue for an engaging story. The vocabulary is rich while still being age-appropriate. The action is non-stop and the characters are also on target for youth readers. This fun adventure at sea is a great starting point for readers who enjoy the imaginative world of pirates.
Pirate adventures are a popular sub-genre with endless library promotion possibilities. Plan now for next fall’s “Take Like a Pirate Day” on September 19th. Check out the website at http://www.talklikeapirate.com. They even have a pirate-to-English translator!
To learn more about the author, go to http://mattmyklusch.com/.
Published by Egmont USA on April 14, 2015. Reviewed through NetGalley.
More of a spy than a pirate, young Dean Seaborne is forced to work for the evil pirate king One-Eyed Jack. As an orphan, Seaborne becomes caught between two worlds as he tries to decide whether to continue his pirating ways or side with a beautiful girl from a mythical island.
The fast-paced, swashbuckling action will appeal to the tween audience. The addition of a sea dragon will expand the audience to include those who enjoy fantasy elements. The bright book cover and exciting first chapter (our hero almost gets eaten by sharks) will be a draw for reluctant readers.
Myklusch knows how to write for the tween crowd. He effectively balances description with dialogue for an engaging story. The vocabulary is rich while still being age-appropriate. The action is non-stop and the characters are also on target for youth readers. This fun adventure at sea is a great starting point for readers who enjoy the imaginative world of pirates.
Pirate adventures are a popular sub-genre with endless library promotion possibilities. Plan now for next fall’s “Take Like a Pirate Day” on September 19th. Check out the website at http://www.talklikeapirate.com. They even have a pirate-to-English translator!
To learn more about the author, go to http://mattmyklusch.com/.
Published by Egmont USA on April 14, 2015. Reviewed through NetGalley.
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