Demons of the Ocean

Vampirates #1

by Justin Somper

Twins, Connor and Grace, never dreamed that there was any truth to the Vampirate shanty their father sang to them before he died, but that was before the two were shipwrecked and separated from each other. For Connor, who is taken aboard a pirate ship, there's the chance to learn to swordfight, but for Grace, aboard a mysterious ship of vampire pirates, the danger is great. What will it take for them to find each other?

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires, Young Adult, Pirates, Adventure, Fiction, Middle Grade

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Justin Somper is a bestselling UK author whose Vampirates books have been translated into over twenty languages. Justin trained in sword-fighting to help him write the fight scenes in the Vampirates series.

Reviews

[Evan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a dumb book. The setting made no sense--they were supposed to be in the 26th century with 18th century technology, but that disjunction was never even hinted at. The characters weren't developed enough to even be caricatures and the book wasn't decent enough to have an ending. Quite literally, the author thought, "hmmm, vampires are cool and pirates are cool and 'vampirates' is witty!" And then he attempted the bare minimum needed to write a book that could be titled Vampirates. And failed.

[Whit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let it be stated for the record that this was purchased for me as a joke. I expected it to be bad. I went into it knowing it was going to be bad. What I didn't know was that it was so much worse than bad, I could never have adequately prepared myself.

First off, it's set in the future. This way, we can talk all about modern things, while still entertaining the thought that pirates still sail the seas in oldie-timey ships, fighting with cutlasses and other oldie-timey things while not having to do any historical research because, did you forget? We're set in the future, so it doesn't have to be accurate!

Then we'll make up a badly rhyming song about Vampire-Pirates to use as a lullaby! Although clearly we will find out later that they aren't as bad as they seem, because like most vampires these days, they are just misunderstood!

Just when you think it can't get any worse and you're actually reaching the climax of the book, around 10 pages from the end, the final battle is averted by a corrected mistaken identity, and it turns into a hug fest. I am not even kidding. Then it ends. That's it.

This had so much potential. I almost want to see someone competent write a book about Vampirates, because I think it could be really interesting. This book, however, is not. I gave it one star because I didn't see any spelling errors, so I guess there's at least one thing to be said for it.

[Asghar Abbas · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise alone is worth the price of admission. I mean, come on look at the title! How can I not read this ? Or. So I thought, so I thought. And. So he spoke, and so he spoke, that lord of Castamere. Sigh. Why won't life just be a very long composition by the ever sublime Sigur Rós?

This book though is not as deep as this song I am listening to, is making it out to be. But at its core, it is about a pair of twin siblings. I can't seem to escape my fascination with this concept. For, what is more tragic than an idea of twins? Is it not a tragedy to have another you that is just as fallible as you? Your reflection. Only better while you feel like a cracked mirror?

At the beginning, this story made me nostalgic for Song of the Sea. Probably because it shared similar themes; a melancholic lighthouse attendant taking care of his motherless children. And mostly because I saw that movie back in the June of last year. One of the reasons why I read this book around this June.

I've missed the Song of the Sea. Of course, in the Cartoon Saloon's animated feature, the not children of the forest's mother was a selkie ( can't help imagining Colin Farrell's character saying, What's a selkie in his Irish Brogue in the excellent movie Ondine ) and here, it is hinted the twins' mother might have been a Vampirate. That's a combination of a vampire and a pirate. Or rather a vampire who is also a pirate. You can laugh now. The thing is, the concept was unique but the execution very poor indeed.

Anyhow, that was the vibe I was getting before the book delved into the smorgasbord mess of things it just possibly couldn't be. It tried though. But the pacing was really terrible, the characters were all cardboard, cookie-cutter, one-dimensional nonpeople types. With the possible exception of the lovelorn Irish vampy. And like all the fellow victims, others who have suffered this book had pointed out, the vampires and the pirates were a little too friendly and not fiendish enough.

There was a LOT of telling, not enough showing in this one, lemme tell you. Look, I get it.
This is geared toward kids, it wasn't even a young adult novel, just a children's book, I understand that.

But honestly tell me, whatever happened to the charming children's books that educated the young as well the adults? The ones that enthralled the wee ones and helped grow up the grown-ups? The awesomeness likes of Stuart Little, The Iron Giant, Bridge to Terabithia (one of my favorite, favorite things in this Circle of the World), Secret Garden, The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Alice in freaking Wonderland. Whatever happened to those kinds of Books that were just, um, books?

I was reading this, vampires on a boat even though they didn't act like vampires, couldn't help but think of Fevre Dream, which all of my friends here on gr seem to be reading right now, haha. Then I came across a character named Nathaniel and of course that reminded me of Only Human, another fine novel.

I did however like the little skull logo at the head of each chapter, and all the skulls and crossbones did assuage my sudden bout of homesickness.

For one of the main reasons I picked this up in the first place was, that I got it in '13. And partly because gleefully stuck in this sweet sticky stasis, it reminded me of my not old but erstwhile room.

Oh, how I love what's to come. I do.

Do you?

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when I was about 10 years old. I know what you're thinking, 10 years old, yeah must be a great book *sarcasm* But honestly, I read the first four books in the series and then I was like wow these were AMAZING! I wish Justin Somper would've written more. And then four years later, I was fooling around on the internet looking up books and googling authors and I stumbled upon Justin's site. He had written 2 more books! I immediatly picked up the fifth book and I have been OBSSESSED with it! The characters in this series have such great personalities! The Vampirates; Lorcan, Darcy Flotsam, Sidiorio, have such vivid descriptions and are each likeable in their own way. The book starts off with Conner and Grace, who are brother and siter, living in a lighthouse with their father. When he dies, the two decide to take their dad's boat instead of going into foster care or being adopted and journey out into the high seas alone. When their boat gets destroyed in a violent storm, the two siblings are seperated and each partake in two very different destinies. One with pirates and one with Vampirates! Little do they know that there are many secrets to be revealed! And they have a past with the Vampirates that the two never could've expected! There are lots of sword fights, blood and battle as well as chilling scenes where Vampirates become blood thirsty savages. I still can't believe that this book is considered a children's book. I absolutely LOVE this series and I'm going to be 15 soon. It's one of those thrilling fantasy like books that you just can't put down! It's not like one of those dumb unoriginal vampire romances or anything like that, it's an adventurous fast-paced novel with lots of surprises and interesting twists. If you're looking to get away from your boring life then I would definitely suggest curling up with this book and letting Conner and Grace take you away to a world of pirates and vampires!

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love vampires. I love pirates. What's better than either one? BOTH!

I loved this first book: the story of a brother and sister, Connor and Grace Tempest, who face the death of their father, overcome the psychopaths that are their townsmen, and then seek adventure on the open sea, where they are separated due to a storm. Each knows the other is alive, but how will they find each other again? How will Connor cope? And how will Grace survive the odd ways of the vampirate ship?

Full of swashbuckling action (always wanted to use that term and it can only be used with pirates), this is a great series to relax with on the couch next to your favorite pooch.

[Nikoleta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Πολύ ωραίο για τις μικρότερες ηλικίες αναγνωστών.
3,5/5 αστεράκια

[Seltella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Całkiem spoko była. Lekka i przyjemna i bardzo szybko się czyta. Kończy się w takim momencie, że aż chciałoby się sięgnąć po tom drugi.

[Clawfoot · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm really not sure how to rate this book. It was uniformly awful, but highly enjoyable because of it. So long as you read it aloud with a bunch of snarky friends, it's a fantastic way to pass the time. Friendly, law-abiding pirates who don't want to hurt anyone? Pacifistic vampires who also don't want to hurt anyone? Angsty teens? Ninjas in vases (who don't manage to hurt anyone)? You'll hurt yourself laughing.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Totoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

معرفی این جذاب در یوتوب

https://youtu.be/dT2xhGTVivU?si=lWboQ...

[Summer · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are no words to describe how disappointed I am in this book. I figured I would be a sucker for it instantly since I have a mild obsession with pirates... alas, it is likely this obsession that makes me as disappointed as I am. This is such a great concept- merging pirates and vampires, but it is so poorly executed that this concept alone is the only redeeming factor of the book itself.

GR does a good job giving you a summary, so let me just get right down to the nitty gritty.

1) Where the hell is the plot?
- The plot of the book itself is none existant. "Two orphans get thrown overboard by a storm; one gets picked up by regular pirates and one gets picked up by vampirates..." -and that's the beginning of the joke. Literally, NOTHING OF IMPORTANCE happens in the book.

2) What the fuck kind of timeline is this?
- The vampire Lorcen mentions he was born in 1803 and Grace immediately says "So you're seven hundred and nine years old?" ... that means the year is 2512? Or is that when Lorcen turned into a vampire? Is it the current year? Nobody gives up any clarification on that. Also, Miss Flotsam, the talking figurehead of the vampirate ship, was aboard the Titanic once upon a time? Did the whole world just get trapped in the 1920s for 700 years?

3) What the fuck is a Pirate Academy?
- You heard me, there is an official government-sanctioned place that exists in this book where people train to become pirates and graduate and have ceremonies at. Last time I checked, pirates were criminals and pirates learn from the school of hard knocks.

4) Everybody flies the Jolly Roger
- Granted, that was a rather large crew back in the day, but seriously... seriously?!

5) Vampirates are boring as shit...
- They literally do NOTHING other than drag Grace aboard their ship and have dinner and warn her not to open the curtains during the daytime.

... the whole book is just a big slap in the face to everything that is pirates.

Excuse me while I go cry now.

[Samantha wickedshizuku Tolleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Pretties,

I know just the title sounds completely ridiculous, but this book had me completely stone-walled with shock. I wasn't expecting this to be as fantastic as it was. The action was stellar, and the fact that Vampires were pirates actually made a lot of sense once it was explained in a whole chapter by the captain of the Vampirates. Also to be honest this was 100 times better than the Twilight saga.
All the best,
shizuku

[Tarmia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had a great concept but only meh execution. Why are the pirates and vampires all so nice to each other? Neither of them want to hurt people?! I get that this book is aimed at younger audiences but there isn't even much fighting. And why is it based in the future when it could just as easily be based in the past; there is no inclusion of the idea that it's based in the future when the ice caps have melted and a new age of piracy has emerged except for in the blurb. And this is really unfortunate because that concept is so rad. The characterisation is not bad, and I like the main characters Conner and Grace. And even the secondary characters have good personalities but it's like the entire concept was watered down. It could have been something great but it honestly missed the mark. I still might foray into the second book just to see how the series progresses.

[PirateSteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good young adult series with enough story to hold most anyone's interest.

[Erin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is officially my new comfort read

[Qt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was quite a fun, easy read! I loved the cast of colorful characters and the intriguing concept, and I really liked how so many of the characters were friendly and nice to our heroes. I will definitely be reading more of this series.

There were a few minor things I wasn't crazy about. I would have liked to learn more about Grace and Connor's world, to get a better idea of what it was like, what "technology" was available, etc. And, maybe it was just me, but it seemed odd how quickly Connor, the hero, accepted the pirates' actions (that is, looting, stealing, and attacking people).
I had thought that he would have some qualms with what they were doing, and I guess he did--but that was only mentioned once, pretty late in the book. I mean, I expect looting and such from pirates and pirate stories ;-) and I really liked the pirates, but I just expected the morality of their actions to be addressed differently.
At the end, one plot thread is wrapped up, but others aren't. There are elements of mystery in the book, and I sometimes shared the frustration of Grace, the heroine, who kept getting riddle-like answers in response to her questions. I was hoping that everything--or at least, a lot--would be revealed by the end, but it seemed more like a lot of the answers and action are being saved for the sequel, and this first book just sets you up for it. (Which, of course, is not necessarily a bad thing!)

But those are all pretty minor problems, and of course, they aren't all going to bother everyone! I really enjoyed it, and am looking forward to more fun with the characters. The settings and costumes are nicely described and make for some vivid imagery, and I like how, in spite of the vampire and pirate themes, it isn't a gory book.

[Catherine Lefay · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Vampiratas fue uno de esos libros que leí muy pequeña y creo que por eso lo disfruté tanto y siempre me han provocado mucha nostalgia, recuerdo que en la enseñanza media lo releía un montón esperando que sacaran más libros.

Ahora, diez años más tarde, puedo ver las cosas diferentes, sigo pensando que la historia es original, pero debido a la corta extensión de cada libro los personajes no tienen tanto desarrollo, la simpleza de la trama también me sorprendió, pero creo que es de esas historias que es mejor mirar a nivel saga que por libro.

Sigo amando la historia y los recuerdos que tengo de ella, pero ahora les pondré una puntuación más realista.

[Roni · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5⭐️
Honestly I don’t know how I feel about it

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a mess and I love it. Vampirates manages to be one of those books that you’re only able to passively read. You get curious over how much is left because nothing has happened yet, and it turns out you’ve finished the book.

Obviously aimed at illiterate 8 year olds, this book is a national treasure. I never did figure out if the pirate academy was literal or not. Either way, this book has no subtlety whatsoever with its ‘tell not show’ mentality. Complete with a built in vampirates chanty that Grace and Connor sing every other chapter, that isn’t even foreshadowing??? Either way everyone should know it by heart. If you don’t, get out.

In short, 10/10. best book ever. Must read.

Can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the 6 book series.

[Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly the worst thing I have read. Nonsensical, contrived, and plain bizzarre at points. Based on a rubbish portmanteau that Somper came up with on the toilet. Would rather read the side of a cereal packet (printed below for comparative purposes).

Cereal Flours(Wholewheat{40%}, Wheat, Rice, Wholeoat{5%}), Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, , Flavourings, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Antioxidant (Ascorbyl Palmitate, Alpha Tocopherol). Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) , Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up to read for the afterschool Book club. I needed a book about pirates and found this one on the shelves. Like Hunger Games, the cover was really holding me up, but I went onward and really liked it. The book is about a set of misfit twins that never seemed to fit in in their small town. Thier father is the Lighthouse keeper and dies suddenly, leaving the twins, Grace and Connor orphaned. The two take their father's boat out to escape foreclosure and the orphange, to sail down to the coast. But a storm brews up and the ship sinks seperating the twins. Grace is rescued by a mysterious ship which she discovers is the Vampirate ship her father sung about to her and her brother when they were scared. Connor is rescued by a Pirate ship and somehow he believes his sister is alive and on the Vampirate ship from the old sea shanty he knows. The book continues of the twins adventures and experiences on the different boats and end with a reunion and opening for the next book. Very quick and intense read! Loved it!

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun little book!

I don't really like vampires, but I love pirates! So it made up for it, and the mix was actually really interesting. The setting is pretty crazy, and the characters are captivating! (I specially liked Molucco Wrathe, such a weird and funny guy! I like weird characters lol)

It may seem like a silly book, as some people pointed out, but that's okay for me. After all, it seems to be directed to kids, and I love books for kids...so I enjoy it as it is supposed to be enjoyed, silly and kinda nonsensical! (I hope this makes sense!)

The only complaint I have is that the end was kinda rushed, but since this part of a series, I'll forgive it for that. I look forward to reading the next books!

[Jaydee Faire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pirates who are vampires! Sounds like the best book ever, right?

WRONG.

This book is so awful, so poorly written, so full of badfic cliches and cookie-cutter characters that I'm positively shocked that it ever made it out of the slush pile, much less spawned two equally lackluster sequels.

I read this book while I was working in the children's section at a large chain bookstore, along with a kid of about ten to encourage him to read. I wouldn't be surprised if this book put him off reading for life.

Vampirates: Epic Fail.

[Flavia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chyba nigdy nie czytałam książki w której tak mało się dzieje... (Co jest śmieszne, bo czy to nie jest fantastyka??) Brak tu wiodącej linii fabularnej, zdaje się, że kluczowe wydarzenia to raczej miniquesty służące do wypełnienia przestrzeni między bardzo oczywistym zakończeniem, a początek był naprawdę okropnie napisany. Czy będę czytać kolejne? Nie. Czy warto było przeczytać tę część? Nieszczególnie, ale przyznaję, że momentami byłam zaabsorbowana, także 5[z zastrzeżeniem] /10

Zostawię was natomiast z jednym cytatem z książki
MARTWE DZIEWCZYNKI NIE JEDZĄ OWSIANKI
/capslock to dodatek ode mnie
<333

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting start to the series. I couldn't tell when it was supposed to be set, since there are pirates that fight with swords, but also mentions of cars. I found out it's actually supposed to be set in the future, even though there isn't technology. Maybe it's more dystopian? Either way, the plot is pretty easy to follow and though it may be silly, I thought it was a fun story with plenty of action.

[Emily Woodbeck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes a ridiculous idea, if well executed, can make for an interesting book. That is unfortunately not the case with Vampirates. It seems the author spent too much time researching how to write sword fights and not enough developing the setting or characters for this story.

[TheVampireBookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, this is a book for young teens so don't expect it to be mindblowing if you are an adult. But even as an adult you can appreciate vampires and pirates, eh?
The story puts twins apart. One winds up on a pirate ship and the other on a vampirate ship. Both have a goal to find each other and surprisingly both captains of the respective ships are game. On the way they learn a lot about the curious pirates on the ships. The cool thing is that in the future (it's set in the place where the sea rose a bit) pirates are welcoming and even take women aboard. It's about merits, not gender. And you can even study piracy at school. :-D
What's not so cool on the other hand, is how nice everyone is. You'd say that a ship full of people who spend their time stealing would have more crooked and bloodthirsty characters but obviously the captains are super awesome at choosing their crew and therefore there is only one or no troublemaker. So, the twisty turns aren't really happening in the plot.
The plot is very straightforward and because we're talking about two ships with two crews, we actually end up with very vague ideas. See, the book would have to be much longer if it were to give more detais on the chracters. Instead, you know they are there and that should suffice. Which, of course, it doesn't.
And now for the vampires. What do we know about them from the book? The captain suffered a terrible injury and probably ran to hide at sea. He is cloaked so he's the only one who can walk in sunlight. He recruited a bunch of outcasts, took some blood donors who he treats respectfully on a weekly feast and everything is nice and dandy. But we don't really know if those people are there willingly because they are fed something which has the same effect as turkey (he said it's not drugged) so they are sleepy most of the time. He has some superpowers- can move objects, speak in one's head and see others' thoughts, too. He also has some cool objects (like mirrors that can show you people far away). But that's all we know. Other vampires have duties on board which they have to manage between dusk and dawn but since our twin wasn't allowed to go out when the vamps were out, it's difficult to know who does what. There is only one other character who was briefly introduced but that's gonna be a future love interest, I'm sure.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found my new fave middle grade series.

In all honesty... I picked up this book because it has a really cool title. I KNOW. I know... Don't judge a book by it's cover... But... VAMPIRATES?! Like, seriously. Vampires + Pirates? I just had to judge! And I was right!

So, forgive me followers and fellow readers.... Judging by a cover tends to work out in my favour. I find so many new and cool books!

This is book one in a series following twins Connor and Grace, and their adventures to find the truth about the Vampirates. Connor and Grace face a tragedy, and decide to run away from home, or what was left of their home. Unfortunately, the two get separated and need to find their way back. And both learn a lot about what it takes to be a pirate on the forbidden seas....

This book is a riot! Fast paced, lots of fun, and makes you wonder what's going on. I need the sequel as soon as possible. Seriously. Finding middle grade books this good can be tough! Justin Somper has a hit on his hand. Why are there only 832 reviews right now?! This feels like it could have been as Pirates of the Carribean or Narnia or other middle grade books and pirate media I'm blanking on... This book deserves more love. Way more love. Give it a read! Read it in your classroom. Honestly, it's a riot.

Five out of five stars.

[fleurette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read this book when I was still a teenager and quite liked it. Now I had a possibility to read the next books in the series, so I decided to read this one again since I didn't remember a lot from the previous time.

Usually, I don't like young adult stories, they are too immature for me. However, this one is not bad. Not as silly as I was afraid it would be. Reading this now, as an adult, is not a bad experience.

Though I decided not to read the next books in this series. I liked this story but I'm not that interested in the next ones. If I was younger I would probably do it. But now it's too late. Still, I'm glad it wasn't a total disappointment.

[Iulia]

is it bad? absolutely. is it also a big part of my early childhood? a huge one :) I don’t think it’s my place to judge a book that isn’t meant for me by current standards so I won’t rate this. I still have so much love for this series and for the Tempest siblings (and I couldn’t care less if the books don’t make much sense). The joy I felt when my mother would finally buy me the next volume in the series is such a fond memory, as is the feeling of satisfaction I’d get after finishing one of the more ‘gargantuan’ volumes at that young age :)