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The Accidental Pirates #1
The Voyage to Magical North
A swashbuckling story of a girl and a boy, an evil magician, a merry band of pirates, and an unthinkable quest.
Twelve-year-old Brine Seaborne is a girl with a past―if only she could remember what it is. Found alone in a rowboat as a child, clutching a shard of the rare starshell needed for spell-casting, she's spent the past years keeping house for an irritable magician and his obnoxious apprentice, Peter.
When Brine and Peter get themselves into a load of trouble and flee, they blunder into the path of the legendary pirate ship, the Onion . Before you can say "pieces of eight," they're up to their necks in the pirates' quest to find Magical North, a place so shrouded in secrets and myth that most people don't even think it exists. If Brine is lucky, on this adventure, she’ll find her place in the world. And if she's unlucky, everyone on the ship will be eaten by sea monsters. It could really go either way in Claire Fayers' The Voyage to Magical North , a middle-grade fantasy that is just as magical as it is funny.
"A robust debut, well stocked with heroic exploits, monsters, pirates, explosions, magical transformations, and life-changing adventures, and a promising series starter." ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review
The Accidental Pirates
The Voyage to the Magical North
The Journey to Dragon Island
Twelve-year-old Brine Seaborne is a girl with a past―if only she could remember what it is. Found alone in a rowboat as a child, clutching a shard of the rare starshell needed for spell-casting, she's spent the past years keeping house for an irritable magician and his obnoxious apprentice, Peter.
When Brine and Peter get themselves into a load of trouble and flee, they blunder into the path of the legendary pirate ship, the Onion . Before you can say "pieces of eight," they're up to their necks in the pirates' quest to find Magical North, a place so shrouded in secrets and myth that most people don't even think it exists. If Brine is lucky, on this adventure, she’ll find her place in the world. And if she's unlucky, everyone on the ship will be eaten by sea monsters. It could really go either way in Claire Fayers' The Voyage to Magical North , a middle-grade fantasy that is just as magical as it is funny.
"A robust debut, well stocked with heroic exploits, monsters, pirates, explosions, magical transformations, and life-changing adventures, and a promising series starter." ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review
The Accidental Pirates
The Voyage to the Magical North
The Journey to Dragon Island
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2016
54 people are currently reading
3118 people want to read
About the author
Claire Fayers
10 books89 followersPlease note: I don't often visit Goodreads so I don't accept friend requests and I'm unlikely to see questions posted here. If you'd like to get in touch, please send me a message through my website.
Claire Fayers writes comic fantasy featuring swashbuckling pirates, evil magicians, heroic librarians and man-eating penguins. She grew up in South Wales, studied English in Canterbury, and is now back in Wales where she spends a lot of her free time tramping around castles in the rain, looking for dragons.
Claire Fayers writes comic fantasy featuring swashbuckling pirates, evil magicians, heroic librarians and man-eating penguins. She grew up in South Wales, studied English in Canterbury, and is now back in Wales where she spends a lot of her free time tramping around castles in the rain, looking for dragons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
June 16, 2017
This is my kind of book.
Just by reading the synopsis, I had the feeling this book would be awesome. And was it?
Was it, you ask?
Yes. Yes, it was.
Lovely Things:
- UM EVERYTHING??
- Okay, seriously. This book was so fun. It was whimsical and quirky and hilarious and action-packed...basically all the things I love in a book. I had a hard time believing this was Claire Fayers's first book, honestly. It was packed with creativity.
- The setting. This is a fantasy book, but it also has pirates and characters who are allergic to magic and invisible bears and sword-wielding librarians. IT'S JUST A FUN SETTING AND I LOVED IT. Literally everythingggg was up my alley.
- The humor. This book was quite amusing! The main character loves to use sarcasm (bless her), and the writing style is just naturally humorous. I looooooved how the author described things:
Case. In. Point.
- The characters. Ah, yes. The characters. They were a fun lot! I LOVED Brine and Tom and Cassie and Ewan AND ALL OF THEM. Because let's face it: pirates are just fun characters.
Not So Lovely Things:
- Not much, really. There was a very brief mention of evolution, a question about whether the afterlife existed (no answer was given), and a part where a character had to resuscitate another person (which they described as "kissing," but it obviously wasn't).
- I WANTED MORE LIBRARY SCENES. Because the library sounded amazing and I WANT TO KNOW MORE.
Overall? THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. If you like magical, whimsical middle-grade novels with pirates and sass...read this book.
5 stars!
Just by reading the synopsis, I had the feeling this book would be awesome. And was it?
Was it, you ask?
Yes. Yes, it was.
Lovely Things:
- UM EVERYTHING??
- Okay, seriously. This book was so fun. It was whimsical and quirky and hilarious and action-packed...basically all the things I love in a book. I had a hard time believing this was Claire Fayers's first book, honestly. It was packed with creativity.
- The setting. This is a fantasy book, but it also has pirates and characters who are allergic to magic and invisible bears and sword-wielding librarians. IT'S JUST A FUN SETTING AND I LOVED IT. Literally everythingggg was up my alley.
- The humor. This book was quite amusing! The main character loves to use sarcasm (bless her), and the writing style is just naturally humorous. I looooooved how the author described things:
Her name, improbably, was Trudi Storme. Short and sunburned, with a frizz of yellow hair and a figure that started going out at her neck and didn't return until her knees, she looked like a mushroom that had been struck by lightning.
Case. In. Point.
- The characters. Ah, yes. The characters. They were a fun lot! I LOVED Brine and Tom and Cassie and Ewan AND ALL OF THEM. Because let's face it: pirates are just fun characters.
Not So Lovely Things:
- Not much, really. There was a very brief mention of evolution, a question about whether the afterlife existed (no answer was given), and a part where a character had to resuscitate another person (which they described as "kissing," but it obviously wasn't).
- I WANTED MORE LIBRARY SCENES. Because the library sounded amazing and I WANT TO KNOW MORE.
Overall? THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. If you like magical, whimsical middle-grade novels with pirates and sass...read this book.
5 stars!
October 27, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Voyage to Magical North is a delightful read! It takes the reader on an exciting journey filled with fun, adventure, magic, and PIRATES. The characters are engaging and the world that Claire Fayers has created is amazing. It's one of those books that has quickly become a friend I will want to revisit time and time again.
The Voyage to Magical North is a delightful read! It takes the reader on an exciting journey filled with fun, adventure, magic, and PIRATES. The characters are engaging and the world that Claire Fayers has created is amazing. It's one of those books that has quickly become a friend I will want to revisit time and time again.
March 19, 2016
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I adored The Voyage to Magical North! Based on the title, I was expecting an exciting adventure filled with magic. This book very definitely delivers!
But I was not expecting a hilarious story centered on characters who stole my heart. Or a book that asks the all-important question: Can you be BOTH a librarian AND a pirate?
The Voyage to Magical North is a fun, funny, thrilling story full of emotion that I highly recommend to middle grade readers!
I adored The Voyage to Magical North! Based on the title, I was expecting an exciting adventure filled with magic. This book very definitely delivers!
But I was not expecting a hilarious story centered on characters who stole my heart. Or a book that asks the all-important question: Can you be BOTH a librarian AND a pirate?
The Voyage to Magical North is a fun, funny, thrilling story full of emotion that I highly recommend to middle grade readers!
July 17, 2016
Oh, what an absolutely delightful book this is! It is pure adventure from beginning to end, with lovable characters and fantastical dangers and pitch-perfect humor, and of course pirates and sea monsters and magic, everything an adventure story needs. It's the perfect way to be swept away to a magical, exciting place for a few hours in a warm, funny celebration of imagination and storytelling and adventure.
Brine and Peter are wonderful characters who go through a touching and believable process of slowly, reluctantly becoming friends, with all the right amount of confusion, jealousy, and uncertainty about the scary new circumstances they get themselves into. (They really are very good at getting themselves into trouble.) The pirate crew is a delight too--full of oddballs and eccentrics, just as it should be, under the lead of a captain who is a lot more complicated than she first appears--and the villain is a perfect combination of appealing and frightening.
And this world! The library island! The storms! The islands! The ships! It feels so rich and imagination and alive. I would say that I want to visit and travel around to see everything, except I think I'd be pretty useless on a pirate ship.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it ended. Seriously, I was not happy about that. I can't wait for the second one. I want to spend more time with these characters and this world.
Brine and Peter are wonderful characters who go through a touching and believable process of slowly, reluctantly becoming friends, with all the right amount of confusion, jealousy, and uncertainty about the scary new circumstances they get themselves into. (They really are very good at getting themselves into trouble.) The pirate crew is a delight too--full of oddballs and eccentrics, just as it should be, under the lead of a captain who is a lot more complicated than she first appears--and the villain is a perfect combination of appealing and frightening.
And this world! The library island! The storms! The islands! The ships! It feels so rich and imagination and alive. I would say that I want to visit and travel around to see everything, except I think I'd be pretty useless on a pirate ship.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it ended. Seriously, I was not happy about that. I can't wait for the second one. I want to spend more time with these characters and this world.
November 18, 2015
All aboard the Onion! The finest ship to sail the seas.
Wow! Let me count the ways I love this book.
1. Brine Seaborne is a fantastic heroine. I love her zest for adventure and her passion for books. (and what a GREAT name)
2. There's a merry band of pirates! They're on a ship called the Onion! How great is that?? (also, this book is an onion because there are so many awesome layers to the story!)
3. There are sea monsters! (really scary ones) There are creepy birds! (really creepy - also a few nice ones)
4. There is magic! And a bad magician. And a good magician named Peter. Did I mention there is magic??
5. It's a celebration of stories. And libraries. And books!
6. It's so funny! There are so many clever quips and play on words and different situations that had me laughing out loud.
The only downside to getting the chance to read an ARC of this charming, delightful book is that I have to wait even longer to read book two of Brine and Peter's adventures!
This is absolutely perfect for middle grade and I think it belongs in every kid's hands!
Wow! Let me count the ways I love this book.
1. Brine Seaborne is a fantastic heroine. I love her zest for adventure and her passion for books. (and what a GREAT name)
2. There's a merry band of pirates! They're on a ship called the Onion! How great is that?? (also, this book is an onion because there are so many awesome layers to the story!)
3. There are sea monsters! (really scary ones) There are creepy birds! (really creepy - also a few nice ones)
4. There is magic! And a bad magician. And a good magician named Peter. Did I mention there is magic??
5. It's a celebration of stories. And libraries. And books!
6. It's so funny! There are so many clever quips and play on words and different situations that had me laughing out loud.
The only downside to getting the chance to read an ARC of this charming, delightful book is that I have to wait even longer to read book two of Brine and Peter's adventures!
This is absolutely perfect for middle grade and I think it belongs in every kid's hands!
May 21, 2017
This book was fantastic! Seriously, I don't know how you could look at the cover of The Voyage to Magical North and not immediately want to add it to your reading list. Look at that cover! It screams danger, adventure, and pirates. What more could you want? Better still, it absolutely delivers on every single one of those promises. Are you looking for a wild and magical adventure, fraught with danger? Claire Fayers has you covered.
Brine and Peter quickly became two of my new favorite characters. Fayers wrote them so richly, that it was hard not to feel like I was right alongside them. These two couldn't be more different, but watching them learn how to navigate together and how to understand one another, was a wonderful experience. There was so much depth to everything that Brine and Peter did. They were flawed, they were young, they were human. Couple that with adventures that threw them straight into the tentacles of sea monsters? Well now, you have my attention.
Truly, this story is chock full of everything a Middle Grade reader could ever want. High seas shenanigans, wonderfully thought out magic, harrowing encounters, and so much hilarious snark that it's hard not to giggle while reading this. I loved that Claire Fayers walked that line between light and dark in The Voyage to Magical North. As good Fantasy books should, this story explores some of the scarier and darker places that one must go to in order to persevere. Those were always my favorite kinds of stories as a kid, and that's still true to this day.
Trust me, this book is a keeper! It's a must read for adventure lovers of all ages. Strap in, sit back, and prepare to go on a journey. Claire Fayers has you covered.
Brine and Peter quickly became two of my new favorite characters. Fayers wrote them so richly, that it was hard not to feel like I was right alongside them. These two couldn't be more different, but watching them learn how to navigate together and how to understand one another, was a wonderful experience. There was so much depth to everything that Brine and Peter did. They were flawed, they were young, they were human. Couple that with adventures that threw them straight into the tentacles of sea monsters? Well now, you have my attention.
Truly, this story is chock full of everything a Middle Grade reader could ever want. High seas shenanigans, wonderfully thought out magic, harrowing encounters, and so much hilarious snark that it's hard not to giggle while reading this. I loved that Claire Fayers walked that line between light and dark in The Voyage to Magical North. As good Fantasy books should, this story explores some of the scarier and darker places that one must go to in order to persevere. Those were always my favorite kinds of stories as a kid, and that's still true to this day.
Trust me, this book is a keeper! It's a must read for adventure lovers of all ages. Strap in, sit back, and prepare to go on a journey. Claire Fayers has you covered.
October 8, 2019
A funny adventurous middle grade read. A lot is happening (sometimes a bit too quickly) but I liked it nonetheless. Brine and Peter are great characters and had some nice character development. I will read the sequel for sure, I have a feeling I could like it even more - now that the roles/group dynamics are established. (++ for the short chapters intro info facts, songs and of course the recipes of a gourmet pirate :D)
June 16, 2016
First, my piddly complaint: If you're going to base some of your geography/fauna on real life, then make it real. Polar bears ("invisible bears") and penguins ("tuxedo birds") don't live together.
But, man, I loved this book. It was fun and meaningful, and all the characters were fantastic. I want to be Cassie O'Pia when I grow up.
This book is an adventure, but it's also about identity and how stories, the narrative, shapes our perception. It's about the importance of knowing who you are and being comfortable with that...and being uncomfortable with that and figuring out how and who to be.
Also: "The people who'd lived, the stories they'd created with their lives, the way they shaped the world, they all mattered."
How can you not want to read it after that sentence??
But, man, I loved this book. It was fun and meaningful, and all the characters were fantastic. I want to be Cassie O'Pia when I grow up.
This book is an adventure, but it's also about identity and how stories, the narrative, shapes our perception. It's about the importance of knowing who you are and being comfortable with that...and being uncomfortable with that and figuring out how and who to be.
Also: "The people who'd lived, the stories they'd created with their lives, the way they shaped the world, they all mattered."
How can you not want to read it after that sentence??
November 26, 2015
I was lucky to read an advanced copy of The Voyage to the Magical North.
I couldn't put it down! The characters are so much fun--Brine, Peter, Cassie, Ewan, Tom. I loved their complicated friendships and conflicting loyalties.
I can't wait to read more of their adventures!
I couldn't put it down! The characters are so much fun--Brine, Peter, Cassie, Ewan, Tom. I loved their complicated friendships and conflicting loyalties.
I can't wait to read more of their adventures!
April 24, 2023
I Read this a while ago but I’m pretty sure I remember loving this book, it’s like a cute fairy tale but with pirates
September 19, 2017
Brine was found at sea and she doesn't have any memories of what happened before that. The only possession she had was a piece of starshell, which is being used for spell casting, and that was taken from her. She's living with a magician and works for him as a housemaid. Brine is twelve years old and she's used to being treated badly, but her situation has an advantage too, she can read the books from his library. The magician has one apprentice, a boy Brine's age named Peter. He's arrogant and constantly blames Brine for his faults, but when things get tough they decide to escape together.
Brine and Peter are being taken in by Pirates on a boat called the Onion. The captain of the ship, a fierce woman called Cassie, is legendary. Together with Cassie, her scary prisoner and her loyal crew they begin their journey. It doesn't matter if Brine and Peter want to go there or not, but Cassie will take them to the Magical North, which is a mythical place filled with magic. They encounter all kinds of danger on their way. Will Brine and Peter survive this terrifying voyage?
The Voyage to Magical North is a beautiful story. Brine is a strong girl. She loves to read and she's ingenious, plus she can keep her head cool in a crisis. I immediately enjoyed reading about her. Peter has a lot to learn, he's a bit naïve, but he quickly discovers how to do things and he has a good heart. The crew of the Onion is fantastic. They are pirates, but while they're treacherous, they're not unkind. I loved reading about their adventures and the spectacular myths that are surrounding them. Together with a rogue magician they are the perfect main characters for an adventurous and entertaining story.
Claire Fayers has a brilliant vivid imagination. Her world building is fantastic. I was immediately enchanted by the secret surrounding Brine's heritage, the impressive ship, the use of magic and the mysterious North. I couldn't wait to find out what was really there and was pleasantly surprised by Claire Fayer's colorful descriptions. The ending is great and I hope there will be another story as it left me terribly curious as well. I loved this fantastic, original story and highly recommend it to anyone who likes to read about magic.
Brine and Peter are being taken in by Pirates on a boat called the Onion. The captain of the ship, a fierce woman called Cassie, is legendary. Together with Cassie, her scary prisoner and her loyal crew they begin their journey. It doesn't matter if Brine and Peter want to go there or not, but Cassie will take them to the Magical North, which is a mythical place filled with magic. They encounter all kinds of danger on their way. Will Brine and Peter survive this terrifying voyage?
The Voyage to Magical North is a beautiful story. Brine is a strong girl. She loves to read and she's ingenious, plus she can keep her head cool in a crisis. I immediately enjoyed reading about her. Peter has a lot to learn, he's a bit naïve, but he quickly discovers how to do things and he has a good heart. The crew of the Onion is fantastic. They are pirates, but while they're treacherous, they're not unkind. I loved reading about their adventures and the spectacular myths that are surrounding them. Together with a rogue magician they are the perfect main characters for an adventurous and entertaining story.
Claire Fayers has a brilliant vivid imagination. Her world building is fantastic. I was immediately enchanted by the secret surrounding Brine's heritage, the impressive ship, the use of magic and the mysterious North. I couldn't wait to find out what was really there and was pleasantly surprised by Claire Fayer's colorful descriptions. The ending is great and I hope there will be another story as it left me terribly curious as well. I loved this fantastic, original story and highly recommend it to anyone who likes to read about magic.
March 8, 2016
Brine doesn't remember where she came from, and Peter is an aspiring magician with a terrible mentor. They don't get along, but they're willing to help each other run away. Escaping their life with no prospects leads to misfit pirates, a great but cruel magician, and a fantastic adventure to the magical pole of the world. It's part Jules Verne, part Pirates of the Caribbean, and part Harry Potter--and all the best parts of each.
There's a lot to like in this story. The characters--even the villains and the off-page celebrities--are fully developed and vibrant actors in the tale. The open seas and clusters of islands make an ever-changing backdrop for the adventure. And the story marches forward with a direct, no-nonsense pace that still finds time for friendship and humor. It's a fun, satisfying read.
(Read as an ARC via NetGalley.)
There's a lot to like in this story. The characters--even the villains and the off-page celebrities--are fully developed and vibrant actors in the tale. The open seas and clusters of islands make an ever-changing backdrop for the adventure. And the story marches forward with a direct, no-nonsense pace that still finds time for friendship and humor. It's a fun, satisfying read.
(Read as an ARC via NetGalley.)
December 29, 2015
What a fun and engaging tale -- I loved all the characters, even the villian, and was totally captivated by the way magic worked in this wonderfully thought out world. Everyone from Brine, a would-be pirate girl with a mysterious past, to the strange librarians living on their own island, was compelling. There are also many great flashes of humor amid all the swashbuckling. Kids will love this story!
(I recieved an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review)
(I recieved an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review)
February 3, 2020
A magical pirate adventure - what's not to love? I was intrigued when I saw the cover... I was looking forward to a fun-filled voyage to Magical North. Alas, I got lost at sea.
I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this book. It was hard to connect with the characters and the story could not hold my attention, which is too bad. It would have been a fun-filled voyage across the sea with a band of merrymakers. Instead, I was lost at sea, stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this book. It was hard to connect with the characters and the story could not hold my attention, which is too bad. It would have been a fun-filled voyage across the sea with a band of merrymakers. Instead, I was lost at sea, stranded in the middle of nowhere.
August 11, 2017
Simply put, I ADORED this! The story is action-packed from start to finish, the world-building is beautifully carved within the plot, and the characters climb their way inside your heart and stay there. This middle grade adventure is now a personal favorite for sure, and I can't wait to read the sequel!
January 27, 2019
A fun middle-grade read. I actually laughed out loud when Tom shouted, "The seagulls! The seagulls are coming!" I see what you did there.... xD
July 22, 2016
Twelve-year-old Brine Seaborne is a girl with a past--if only she could remember what it is. Found alone in a rowboat as a child, clutching a shard of the rare starshell needed for spell-casting, she's spent the past years keeping house for an irritable magician and his obnoxious apprentice, Peter.
When Brine and Peter get themselves into a load of trouble and flee, they blunder into the path of the legendary pirate ship the Onion. Before you can say "pieces of eight," they're up to their necks in the pirates' quest to find Magical North, a place so shrouded in secrets and myth that most people don't even think it exists. If Brine is lucky, she may find out who her parents are. And if she's unlucky, everyone on the ship will be eaten by sea monsters. It could really go either way.
Rating: 4/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: well first and most importantly, there are magical zombie flesh-eating penguins in this book!; awesome action/adventure story mixed with oral narratives and sea folklore; terrifying, creatively unique world-building; spine-chilling villains; great coming-of-age narrative with some heart-bending, wise moments; this was such a fun read!
HUGE thanks to Claire Fayers, Henry Holt and Co Publishing, Netgalley and The Fantastic Flying Book Club for setting me up with an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.
Cassie O'Pia, the keeper of secrets. It suited her, Brine thought. Stories were just secrets in reverse, really. You hid something important inside a load of words where no one could ever find it.
First things first: THAT COVER! Penguins, is that cover gorgeous! I mean seriously, just LOOK at it--you get the gist of this story without even having to crack open the cover, and I just adore when book designers manage to do that so beautifully. I knew, before I even read the synopsis, that I needed to read this book--and I am so so pleased to say I wasn't wrong.
This mid-grade novel is at turns darkly humorous and incredibly terrifying. There's so much snark being flung between the pages, I feared I might drown in it if I weren't careful--and yet each character, in turn, is brought into a darker, scarier light...before finding that middle ground I so love in character development. That moment where the lightbulb blinks on, and I realize I know them exactly as I should. Basically, these characters are hilarious, and witty, and SO full of vibrant life I found myself wanting to be them throughout the read--or, at the very least, to know them.
They say there are three kinds of people in the world: those who listen to stories, those who tell them, and those who make them. Barnard's Reach is home to a fourth kind: those who keep them.
This book is also filled with realistic relationships and wholly natural, completely HUMAN doubts/fears. Each character is 3D--crafted and molded with the story, instead of feeling like paper dolls shoved in for entertainment purposes. No character is "just" anything--each is individualized, equally important, and entertaining or terrifying in their own rights. Each character is COMPLEX...and I appreciated that so, so much. In a book such as this, sometimes character development falls to the wayside to give emphasis to the adventure. Claire Fayers, instead, made each equally weighted and important, giving readers a well-rounded, awesomely enthralling book!
The plot is, also, not lacking on the action/adventure front. This book begins with a bang, and doesn't let up until the very end. Claire Fayers took well-known sea folklore and molded it with (and around!) the magic of this world. Her narrative is both convincingly real and utterly fantastic, leaving little room for readers to question the story or become lost in the details. The world is both very similar to our own...and yet, somehow, still vastly different. Well-known animals (I mentioned the flesh-eating penguins above!) are both very easy to "see" as their realistic counterparts...and terrifyingly, drastically changed to suit the story.
Holding Zen steady, Ewan strode across the frosty deck. A little man in a dinner suit loitered on a nearby plate of ice. Ewan blinked, and it turned into one of the black-and-white birds. "What's it doing?" asked Ewan. "And why don't its feet freeze?"
Trudi scratched her head. "Maybe they're pretend feet."
This was, overall, a fantastically magical and entertaining read, and I cannot WAIT for you guys to pick it up! Not only is the cover beautiful--the story, the characters, the snark and the wisdom all come together to make a cohesive, enthralling journey. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of magical realism, sea voyages, and coming-of-age narratives. If those things appeal to you, or if this review sounds like your type of book, PICK IT UP!
August 31, 2016
I wasn't sure what to rate this one. It was a good book, had lots of good elements, but....
There was Peter. At first I didn't quite see why I was struggling with this book so much, it took me almost 4 days to get through the book. And then I saw why. Peter. Always Peter. I have decided to stick to a 4 star rating, -1 for Peter. 4 stars because it was still a good story, but it could have been so much better if the story focused solely on Brine. Or maybe even Tom (Girl). I loved both those characters, I loved Cassie, I loved the crew. But Peter? Never.
Why did I hate Peter so? Because of how he acted, his attitude, how he never cared to listen, how he always judged people, but then expected them to accept him. How rude he was to various people. And really, he never cared to listen. If only he had listened a whole of stuff wouldn't have happened. But why listen when you think you are so good at stuff, right? Just go with it, and oh well, it was a great lesson for him.
Sometimes with characters I find them nicer, I like them more, as the story continues. With Peter however I didn't have that at all. Even with what happens near the end I just disliked him too much.
Sadly, one can't just skip the Peter POV chapters because he also told a story, he also showed what happened on board, on various parts. Then again, I am also not one to just skip all the chapters of one character.
Enough about Peter, now about all the other stuff that was GOOD! That was GREAT! That was AWESOME!
Brine. Brine was a great character, sure, she had some moments I wanted to toss her overboard, but those moments were short and not often. She was a brave, sweet, wonderful girl, who fought hard, who showed everyone what she could do, who didn't stop, who learned, who made friends, who opened herself up to people. Who instead of not doing anything, did her best to earn her keep on the boat. She was quickly one of the crew and I was so happy for her. She, who was found a long time ago in a boat, alone. She, who spend up to now as a servant for a magician. She finally found a home. She finally found something she liked.
Yes, Brine was amazing. Add to that the fact she was a bookworm, sneaking in reading during her servant years, and even on board was delighted when she found out they had to go to an island full of libraries, full of history.
Cassie. Our Pirate Captain, at times I didn't like her decisions, at times I wondered why she didn't stop and just think for a bit before diving into something. But mostly she was a great captain and she did her best to understand the kids on her ship and to make them feel at home. She did her best and she was really kick-ass as well.
Tom. They quickly became my favourite. I felt sorry for them though, having to go through that for all those years. It must have been difficult, so I was really proud each time they opened up more and more, and became braver with each page. If you see Tom at first and then at the last pages you will see an amazing chance. I loved it!
The world-building was just perfection, I could so imagine myself in that world. Discovering the Minutes island, Morning, Magical North. The vivid descriptions put me on the boat, put me in that world, I just wished I could truly go there. I would also have loved to see a map at the beginning of the book so we could see how it actually looked and also what more there was in the world next to the stuff that was mentioned.
The Magical North was a beautiful, but dangerous, and also creepy, place. Though I would definitely go there if I had a chance. Even if I had to brave the monsters, the animals, the dangers, I would so risk it. I would bring a crew and go on a trip.
The story was magnificent, and I wasn't that bothered that it took ages to find out a bit more about Brine. What we do find out later was interesting, and it really peaked my interest for the next book (though again, it will have Peter so I will have to think if it is all worth it).
The villain was a proper and awesome villain. It was a delight to see everything unfold, and see what his plans were.
What more? Ah yes, I definitely need to mention the little parts with each new chapter, before the characters talk. They are little titbits about the world, recipes, song verses, and much more. I looked forward to those each time I came close to a new chapter. What would we get now, a recipe? Or a verse about Cassie? Or something else entirely. These little parts definitely deserve their own book. :D
All in all, I would still highly recommend this book, even though Peter sucked, but everything else was just pure magic, pure perfection. <3
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
There was Peter. At first I didn't quite see why I was struggling with this book so much, it took me almost 4 days to get through the book. And then I saw why. Peter. Always Peter. I have decided to stick to a 4 star rating, -1 for Peter. 4 stars because it was still a good story, but it could have been so much better if the story focused solely on Brine. Or maybe even Tom (Girl). I loved both those characters, I loved Cassie, I loved the crew. But Peter? Never.
Why did I hate Peter so? Because of how he acted, his attitude, how he never cared to listen, how he always judged people, but then expected them to accept him. How rude he was to various people. And really, he never cared to listen. If only he had listened a whole of stuff wouldn't have happened. But why listen when you think you are so good at stuff, right? Just go with it, and oh well, it was a great lesson for him.
Sometimes with characters I find them nicer, I like them more, as the story continues. With Peter however I didn't have that at all. Even with what happens near the end I just disliked him too much.
Sadly, one can't just skip the Peter POV chapters because he also told a story, he also showed what happened on board, on various parts. Then again, I am also not one to just skip all the chapters of one character.
Enough about Peter, now about all the other stuff that was GOOD! That was GREAT! That was AWESOME!
Brine. Brine was a great character, sure, she had some moments I wanted to toss her overboard, but those moments were short and not often. She was a brave, sweet, wonderful girl, who fought hard, who showed everyone what she could do, who didn't stop, who learned, who made friends, who opened herself up to people. Who instead of not doing anything, did her best to earn her keep on the boat. She was quickly one of the crew and I was so happy for her. She, who was found a long time ago in a boat, alone. She, who spend up to now as a servant for a magician. She finally found a home. She finally found something she liked.
Yes, Brine was amazing. Add to that the fact she was a bookworm, sneaking in reading during her servant years, and even on board was delighted when she found out they had to go to an island full of libraries, full of history.
Cassie. Our Pirate Captain, at times I didn't like her decisions, at times I wondered why she didn't stop and just think for a bit before diving into something. But mostly she was a great captain and she did her best to understand the kids on her ship and to make them feel at home. She did her best and she was really kick-ass as well.
Tom. They quickly became my favourite. I felt sorry for them though, having to go through that for all those years. It must have been difficult, so I was really proud each time they opened up more and more, and became braver with each page. If you see Tom at first and then at the last pages you will see an amazing chance. I loved it!
The world-building was just perfection, I could so imagine myself in that world. Discovering the Minutes island, Morning, Magical North. The vivid descriptions put me on the boat, put me in that world, I just wished I could truly go there. I would also have loved to see a map at the beginning of the book so we could see how it actually looked and also what more there was in the world next to the stuff that was mentioned.
The Magical North was a beautiful, but dangerous, and also creepy, place. Though I would definitely go there if I had a chance. Even if I had to brave the monsters, the animals, the dangers, I would so risk it. I would bring a crew and go on a trip.
The story was magnificent, and I wasn't that bothered that it took ages to find out a bit more about Brine. What we do find out later was interesting, and it really peaked my interest for the next book (though again, it will have Peter so I will have to think if it is all worth it).
The villain was a proper and awesome villain. It was a delight to see everything unfold, and see what his plans were.
What more? Ah yes, I definitely need to mention the little parts with each new chapter, before the characters talk. They are little titbits about the world, recipes, song verses, and much more. I looked forward to those each time I came close to a new chapter. What would we get now, a recipe? Or a verse about Cassie? Or something else entirely. These little parts definitely deserve their own book. :D
All in all, I would still highly recommend this book, even though Peter sucked, but everything else was just pure magic, pure perfection. <3
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
May 16, 2017
I'm unsure how to describe this book. I wrote a little bit in my preview review, but trying now to write even more. I'm pretty glad that I decided to read this book. Because I fell in love with Brine and Peter. And I liked the writing in this book a whole bunch. It is a fast read. I do wish it had been longer, though. But oh, it was pretty exciting. A bit dark too, which I loved. While I had some issues with the beginning, I grew to like this book a whole bunch. Still, a three star for me, but I liked it oh so much. Gosh, isn't it so pretty?
This book tells the story of twelve year of Brine. She was found on the ocean three years ago, and she doesn't remember anything about her life before. Which I found to be pretty interesting. And I am dying to know about her life before, as we didn't get to know much in this book at all. Hmph. But in book two, I'm sure it will happen. And I cannot wait. Brine was an awesome girl to read about. I loved reading about her life now, though I felt pretty bad about her having to be a servant. Sigh. But it also made sense. Sort of.
Brine was an awesome girl to read about. I didn't fully love her, but I really liked reading about her. And ah, Peter. I'm pretty sure he is twelve too. And I simply adored him so much. Reading about him was so much fun. Also because he can do magic. Which I loved very much. Eee. So exciting. At first, he and Brine are not friends. They just live together in the same house. But things go badly, and they are forced to leave. And they start getting to know each other better. And I loved their growing friendship so much.
There is a lot of characters in this book. I liked reading about them all. Though, lol, I did find the villain to be a bit silly. Shrugs. But still interesting to read about. I adored the cat that is on the ship. I loved getting to know the new younger boy, Tom, as well. He was pretty sweet. I liked the crew of the ship a whole bunch too. I'm a bit unsure about the character Cassie, aka the captain. I didn't like her in the beginning. Sigh. She forced them to work a lot at first, then she tried to sell them. Hmph. She got better, though.
This book is full of magic. Which I adored so much. I love reading about magic. And I liked that not so many people have magic. And Brine does not have any magic, and she's the main character. That made me happy too. I loved that Peter had it. But ugh. Yeah, I do feel like Brine will end up having magic in book two. Hmph. But anyway. This book was so exciting. So many dangerous creatures. There is actually a lot of death happening. Which I'm glad for. But it was a bit brutal too, lol. Like killer penguins. Shudders.
There is one thing I can't stop thinking about. There wasn't any romance in this one, which made me a bit sad, but I didn't mind that much. But yeah, I do ship Brine and Peter a whole bunch, lol. They would be so cute together. And I feel like they got so much closer near the end of the book. But then. Then Brine was thinking, and she mentioned that Peter was the closest thing she has to a brother. And ugh. I guess that means all my hopes of them starting to have feelings for each other are not worth it. But gah. I still want.
I don't really have anything negative to say about this book. I know, it is a three star for me. Usually that would mean that I had a lot of issues with a book. But not when it comes to this one. I just didn't love it like I wanted to. It had a slow beginning for me. It took a while for it to make me care. But I grew to like it a whole bunch. Still not above three stars, but a very strong one. Because I liked it a whole bunch. And I found the ending to be so awesome. But.. well. There wasn't a hug on page. That bothers me so much.
But yeah. I'm pretty glad that I read this book. Because I did end up liking it lots. And I'm glad I own this gorgeous hardcover. The cover is so pretty. Eee. Love. I saw on goodreads that there will be a second book. It didn't say what it will be about, but from the title, I'm pretty sure it is a direct sequel. Which makes me very excited, because I really wish to read more about Brine and Peter. And about the creature that showed up at the end of the book. Ack. So excited and curious. Anyway. You should all read this one.
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This review was posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2016/0...
Preview review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2016/0...
This book tells the story of twelve year of Brine. She was found on the ocean three years ago, and she doesn't remember anything about her life before. Which I found to be pretty interesting. And I am dying to know about her life before, as we didn't get to know much in this book at all. Hmph. But in book two, I'm sure it will happen. And I cannot wait. Brine was an awesome girl to read about. I loved reading about her life now, though I felt pretty bad about her having to be a servant. Sigh. But it also made sense. Sort of.
Brine was an awesome girl to read about. I didn't fully love her, but I really liked reading about her. And ah, Peter. I'm pretty sure he is twelve too. And I simply adored him so much. Reading about him was so much fun. Also because he can do magic. Which I loved very much. Eee. So exciting. At first, he and Brine are not friends. They just live together in the same house. But things go badly, and they are forced to leave. And they start getting to know each other better. And I loved their growing friendship so much.
There is a lot of characters in this book. I liked reading about them all. Though, lol, I did find the villain to be a bit silly. Shrugs. But still interesting to read about. I adored the cat that is on the ship. I loved getting to know the new younger boy, Tom, as well. He was pretty sweet. I liked the crew of the ship a whole bunch too. I'm a bit unsure about the character Cassie, aka the captain. I didn't like her in the beginning. Sigh. She forced them to work a lot at first, then she tried to sell them. Hmph. She got better, though.
This book is full of magic. Which I adored so much. I love reading about magic. And I liked that not so many people have magic. And Brine does not have any magic, and she's the main character. That made me happy too. I loved that Peter had it. But ugh. Yeah, I do feel like Brine will end up having magic in book two. Hmph. But anyway. This book was so exciting. So many dangerous creatures. There is actually a lot of death happening. Which I'm glad for. But it was a bit brutal too, lol. Like killer penguins. Shudders.
There is one thing I can't stop thinking about. There wasn't any romance in this one, which made me a bit sad, but I didn't mind that much. But yeah, I do ship Brine and Peter a whole bunch, lol. They would be so cute together. And I feel like they got so much closer near the end of the book. But then. Then Brine was thinking, and she mentioned that Peter was the closest thing she has to a brother. And ugh. I guess that means all my hopes of them starting to have feelings for each other are not worth it. But gah. I still want.
I don't really have anything negative to say about this book. I know, it is a three star for me. Usually that would mean that I had a lot of issues with a book. But not when it comes to this one. I just didn't love it like I wanted to. It had a slow beginning for me. It took a while for it to make me care. But I grew to like it a whole bunch. Still not above three stars, but a very strong one. Because I liked it a whole bunch. And I found the ending to be so awesome. But.. well. There wasn't a hug on page. That bothers me so much.
But yeah. I'm pretty glad that I read this book. Because I did end up liking it lots. And I'm glad I own this gorgeous hardcover. The cover is so pretty. Eee. Love. I saw on goodreads that there will be a second book. It didn't say what it will be about, but from the title, I'm pretty sure it is a direct sequel. Which makes me very excited, because I really wish to read more about Brine and Peter. And about the creature that showed up at the end of the book. Ack. So excited and curious. Anyway. You should all read this one.
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This review was posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2016/0...
Preview review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2016/0...
April 27, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I feel so honored to have been able to read this amazing book before it hits shelves in July!
VOYAGE is amazing - it is fast-paced, fun, with vibrant characters that get themselves into some truly unique pickles. Brine and and Peter are two children who escape from Tallis, an cruel magician. When they take his boat, they find themselves on the high seas, soon rescued by Cassie Pia, whose reputation as a fearsome and lovely pirate captain precedes her. Through a series of events, they find themselves en route to the Magical North, banking on the word of Marfak West, the world's most powerful (and evil) magician that: 1) it exists; and 2) he'll actually take them there.
This book is so imaginative and clever! Here are just a few things that happen: a character is eaten by a whale, another turns into a worm, penguin-like creatures attack the pirate ship, a magician transforms fish into carbon copies of the pirate ship's crew. . . all toward the end of not just finding the Magical North, but also toward the two main characters (Brine, an orphan who doesn't know her origins; and Peter, a magician apprentice) figuring out where they truly belong.
I am so glad this is a series, because so much can be done with it! And has, with this first book. This isn't just a "magical" story with smoke and mirrors - there are characters to love and root for, adventures on the high seas, and a few subtle lessons. Like a Simpsons episode, kids will love the book now, but when they get older they'll also find the different layers (which is appropriate, given that the name of the pirates' boat is The Onion).
VOYAGE is amazing - it is fast-paced, fun, with vibrant characters that get themselves into some truly unique pickles. Brine and and Peter are two children who escape from Tallis, an cruel magician. When they take his boat, they find themselves on the high seas, soon rescued by Cassie Pia, whose reputation as a fearsome and lovely pirate captain precedes her. Through a series of events, they find themselves en route to the Magical North, banking on the word of Marfak West, the world's most powerful (and evil) magician that: 1) it exists; and 2) he'll actually take them there.
This book is so imaginative and clever! Here are just a few things that happen: a character is eaten by a whale, another turns into a worm, penguin-like creatures attack the pirate ship, a magician transforms fish into carbon copies of the pirate ship's crew. . . all toward the end of not just finding the Magical North, but also toward the two main characters (Brine, an orphan who doesn't know her origins; and Peter, a magician apprentice) figuring out where they truly belong.
I am so glad this is a series, because so much can be done with it! And has, with this first book. This isn't just a "magical" story with smoke and mirrors - there are characters to love and root for, adventures on the high seas, and a few subtle lessons. Like a Simpsons episode, kids will love the book now, but when they get older they'll also find the different layers (which is appropriate, given that the name of the pirates' boat is The Onion).
October 13, 2016
4.5 stars. An energetic adventure with magic and pirates, following a boy and a girl trying to build a new life.
Brine is a magician's servant. When he wants to trade her, she decides to run away, accompanied by the magician's apprentice, even if she doesn't like him at all. At sea, they encounter a pirate ship and are accepted on board. They'll have a big adventure in icy waters, with magic, books and dangerous creatures.
I picked the book after reading the first chapter that felt nice but nothing more, so it was a surprise to see the depth that came after that. Destined to the older young readers, the story was well developed with many events and a good world building around sea and magic. The cast offered some variety, with kids and adults, and gave a very balanced role to both genders (the captain is a woman!). The characterization lacked development for an adult reader, the relationship between Peter and Brine at the beginning didn't really make sense and the villain felt often childish, but it was interesting to see Peter struggling with his fears and doubts. There was a real evolution for several characters and relationships, giving a good coming of age feeling to the book. I totally enjoyed how the magic was used and it was fun to see how it affected animals or transformed them. On this side, the book played nicely with humor and seriousness, helping to picture easily the atmosphere and the scenery. Overall, it's a strong debut, well developed and one of the nicer middle grade releases that I read this year. I'm looking forward to the next adventure!
Little rumble: whales aren't fish so don't use fish for them!
Brine is a magician's servant. When he wants to trade her, she decides to run away, accompanied by the magician's apprentice, even if she doesn't like him at all. At sea, they encounter a pirate ship and are accepted on board. They'll have a big adventure in icy waters, with magic, books and dangerous creatures.
I picked the book after reading the first chapter that felt nice but nothing more, so it was a surprise to see the depth that came after that. Destined to the older young readers, the story was well developed with many events and a good world building around sea and magic. The cast offered some variety, with kids and adults, and gave a very balanced role to both genders (the captain is a woman!). The characterization lacked development for an adult reader, the relationship between Peter and Brine at the beginning didn't really make sense and the villain felt often childish, but it was interesting to see Peter struggling with his fears and doubts. There was a real evolution for several characters and relationships, giving a good coming of age feeling to the book. I totally enjoyed how the magic was used and it was fun to see how it affected animals or transformed them. On this side, the book played nicely with humor and seriousness, helping to picture easily the atmosphere and the scenery. Overall, it's a strong debut, well developed and one of the nicer middle grade releases that I read this year. I'm looking forward to the next adventure!
Little rumble: whales aren't fish so don't use fish for them!
June 28, 2016
This is a wonderful, inventive, uproariously funny adventure story that reminded me of a cross between a Hollywood pirate blockbuster, the fantasy novels of Diana Wynne Jones, and The Phantom Tollbooth. The world is cleverly drawn, the characters have depth and growth, the magical system is unique and compelling, and, most importantly, it's FUN.
That's not to say this is a light, wacky fantasy overall. In fact, I was surprised and impressed by how high the stakes rose by the end — far higher than they do in many of those aforementioned blockbusters. Because I cared about Peter, Brine, and the crew of the Onion, the very real threats to them kept me on the edge of my seat. Things do get very serious here, but never heavy-handed. Pirate captain Cassie O'Pia is always there, with her irrepressible energy, to keep things swashbuckling along.
Which leads me to two final thoughts: (1) Why were there no daring, devil-may-care adult female characters like Cassie O'Pia in the books I read growing up? And (2) Can she have her own movie series, like Jack Sparrow? Please?
I'm guessing that kids who love jokes, adventures, magic, and pirates (and really, who doesn't?) are going to devour this book in one salt-watery gulp.
That's not to say this is a light, wacky fantasy overall. In fact, I was surprised and impressed by how high the stakes rose by the end — far higher than they do in many of those aforementioned blockbusters. Because I cared about Peter, Brine, and the crew of the Onion, the very real threats to them kept me on the edge of my seat. Things do get very serious here, but never heavy-handed. Pirate captain Cassie O'Pia is always there, with her irrepressible energy, to keep things swashbuckling along.
Which leads me to two final thoughts: (1) Why were there no daring, devil-may-care adult female characters like Cassie O'Pia in the books I read growing up? And (2) Can she have her own movie series, like Jack Sparrow? Please?
I'm guessing that kids who love jokes, adventures, magic, and pirates (and really, who doesn't?) are going to devour this book in one salt-watery gulp.
June 2, 2016
The Voyage to Magical North will be loved by all adventurous kids everywhere! Brine Seaborne is an amazing and amusing heroine with no memory of her past. She was taken in by a grumpy magician to work as his servant, but she dreams of escaping to find the answers to her past. When she and the magician's apprentice, Peter, run away to escape a life with another irritable old man, they get into more trouble than they ever expected--pirates, evil magicians, invisible bears, and even a dragon! This is such a fun story with lots of layers to all of the characters(no pun intended). I can't wait for the next book.
The Voyage to Magical North is a great middle grade book: Brine is described as having dark skin, which is a nice break from the whitewash of the average fantasy book. While there is violence, it isn't gory or gratuitous. The characters are allowed to be friends(most of the time) instead of future girlfriend and boyfriend. I will definitely be buying this for my middle school library!
The Voyage to Magical North is a great middle grade book: Brine is described as having dark skin, which is a nice break from the whitewash of the average fantasy book. While there is violence, it isn't gory or gratuitous. The characters are allowed to be friends(most of the time) instead of future girlfriend and boyfriend. I will definitely be buying this for my middle school library!
June 7, 2016
I absolutely ADORED this book.
THE VOYAGE TO MAGICAL NORTH is perhaps one of the best MG fantasies I have read in a good long while. From the first chapter, no wait...from the first chapter header, which reads: LAWS OF MOTION, NUMBER ONE: A moving object will continue in a straight line unless something happens to knock it off its course. Some say this is also true of stories. I was charmed and hooked.
This is a story about Brine Seaborne, a girl who cannot remember her past, and Peter, a magician-in-training, who wind up on The Onion , a pirate ship bound for all sorts of adventure.
The characters not only have the best names ever, they are endearing and flawed and heroic. The magic in the story is unique and fresh (I am still thinking about the starshell and spellshapes). Our villain is totally questionable but still human.
Do yourself a favor and pick this one up when it hits the shelves next month.
I was extremely fortunate to read an ARC.
THE VOYAGE TO MAGICAL NORTH is perhaps one of the best MG fantasies I have read in a good long while. From the first chapter, no wait...from the first chapter header, which reads: LAWS OF MOTION, NUMBER ONE: A moving object will continue in a straight line unless something happens to knock it off its course. Some say this is also true of stories. I was charmed and hooked.
This is a story about Brine Seaborne, a girl who cannot remember her past, and Peter, a magician-in-training, who wind up on The Onion , a pirate ship bound for all sorts of adventure.
The characters not only have the best names ever, they are endearing and flawed and heroic. The magic in the story is unique and fresh (I am still thinking about the starshell and spellshapes). Our villain is totally questionable but still human.
Do yourself a favor and pick this one up when it hits the shelves next month.
I was extremely fortunate to read an ARC.
April 4, 2017
This is such a cute middle-grade book! I loved the adventure, which is not only exciting and original but also FUNNY (middle-grade funny, but still funny!). Plus there's pirates.
This is very much a story about the importance of stories, which I am such a sucker for. Fayer's world is fun and whimsical and overall just such a delight to read.
Definitely recommend this for young readers!
This is very much a story about the importance of stories, which I am such a sucker for. Fayer's world is fun and whimsical and overall just such a delight to read.
Definitely recommend this for young readers!
July 21, 2016
Holy crap! I had forgotten what reading an
excellent
book was like!
June 4, 2018
Okay first of all, what a kicker of a plot and worldbuilding and hook for the next book, amirite?
Second of all, this is doing some fascinating things with character growth. When it started out, everyone was selfish and didn't know how to work with each other (for good reason, to be fair), while still being quite likeable, so any time anyone extended a hand to another person I was there waving flags and cheering.
Third of all, the adults were Also selfish and likeable, but it's a bit different when it's adults who are showing themselves to be wildly untrustworthy. That's a necessary part of growing up, but I don't think I've read a book for a while (outside of Series of Unfortunate Events) that so clearly expressed how much you can't depend on adults to save you, sometimes you have to do it yourself, and SoUE are not exactly what you'd call subtle about it, this is. It's not even so much "adults are untrustworthy" as much as it is "everyone is playing their own game and has their own interior life, your goals and theirs don't always align, keep your eyes open".
Fourth of all, those penguins are FREAKIN CREEPY and I will never go see them in an aquarium for fear of my life.
Second of all, this is doing some fascinating things with character growth. When it started out, everyone was selfish and didn't know how to work with each other (for good reason, to be fair), while still being quite likeable, so any time anyone extended a hand to another person I was there waving flags and cheering.
Third of all, the adults were Also selfish and likeable, but it's a bit different when it's adults who are showing themselves to be wildly untrustworthy. That's a necessary part of growing up, but I don't think I've read a book for a while (outside of Series of Unfortunate Events) that so clearly expressed how much you can't depend on adults to save you, sometimes you have to do it yourself, and SoUE are not exactly what you'd call subtle about it, this is. It's not even so much "adults are untrustworthy" as much as it is "everyone is playing their own game and has their own interior life, your goals and theirs don't always align, keep your eyes open".
Fourth of all, those penguins are FREAKIN CREEPY and I will never go see them in an aquarium for fear of my life.
November 27, 2017
Fun! More fun now that I see it's billed as #1, which implies there are more to come, right?
A fun new take on magic. A cast of lovable characters and a villain who, while definitely evil, is fun in his own way. Surprising turns of event and conversation. This book has all the makings of a fun! read. It was indeed fun. You should read it.
What's working against this book for me is that I first heard it in the context of Newbery buzz. I don't think this book will win a Newbery. I don't actually know, since my Newbery tracking is limited to reading the books once they awards have been doled out, but compared to the winner and honorees of last year, this book can't hang. It's also unfair of me to read this book in the context of other books and draw comparisons to them when they're doing different things, obviously.
Again, it was fun! You should read it. You'll have fun!
A fun new take on magic. A cast of lovable characters and a villain who, while definitely evil, is fun in his own way. Surprising turns of event and conversation. This book has all the makings of a fun! read. It was indeed fun. You should read it.
What's working against this book for me is that I first heard it in the context of Newbery buzz. I don't think this book will win a Newbery. I don't actually know, since my Newbery tracking is limited to reading the books once they awards have been doled out, but compared to the winner and honorees of last year, this book can't hang. It's also unfair of me to read this book in the context of other books and draw comparisons to them when they're doing different things, obviously.
Again, it was fun! You should read it. You'll have fun!
April 29, 2019
Two orphans run away from their employer, only to be captured by pirates. Magical shells and apprentice magicians. Messenger gulls and gourmet pirates. Famous explorers and infamous villains. Friendly rivalry and the Ballad of Cassiopeia.
How lovely to discover a story that seems to include all of my favorite things! Fanciful world-building and little comedic twists. An ensemble cast who are vividly themselves. And just enough temptation and peril to keep the voyage zinging long nicely. I especially enjoyed the frequent use of star and constellation names (and misspellings) for the people and places. I'll be adding this series to the home shelf.
How lovely to discover a story that seems to include all of my favorite things! Fanciful world-building and little comedic twists. An ensemble cast who are vividly themselves. And just enough temptation and peril to keep the voyage zinging long nicely. I especially enjoyed the frequent use of star and constellation names (and misspellings) for the people and places. I'll be adding this series to the home shelf.
August 17, 2017
Appropriate for: age 11+
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