What do you think?
Rate this book
Calling All Stations
The Great War is over, but twelve-year-old Edward Hawkins's war has just begun. Imprisoned on a remote Scottish lighthouse by his veteran father, his only windows to the world a wireless set and a tattered copy of Treasure Island, he dreams of escaping to a life of adventure on the high seas.
But one day a mysterious radio signal launches Edward on a harrowing odyssey that takes him from the bleak shores of Scotland to the deserts of Morocco during the brutal Rif War - a treacherous world of rogues and bandits that takes all his cunning and courage to survive.
But one day a mysterious radio signal launches Edward on a harrowing odyssey that takes him from the bleak shores of Scotland to the deserts of Morocco during the brutal Rif War - a treacherous world of rogues and bandits that takes all his cunning and courage to survive.
Paperback
5 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 22, 2022
Book 65 out of my 75 book goal this year. Last year I felt in a bit of a book rut. I often resort to the same type of book – historical fiction, with the occasional murder mystery, classic, or top 20 book thrown in. In order to broaden my reading horizons, I’ve told my kids to pick my books for me when we visit the local library. No parameters. Just walk around, and pick any 5 books. Away they go, returning with an armful of random selections in a few minutes. It’s amazing the variety of books I’ve read this year; books I definitely would not have chosen if left up to my own devices. Anyways, this book was one of the books my 5 year old picked last week.
Set just after the Great War, our protagonist is 12 year old Edward Hawkins. Raised for the last few years by his veteran father, Edward has been living on a Scottish lighthouse after his father tore him away from his mother when the father returned, physically and psychologically damaged from the War. As there is not much for a child to do in this remote location, Edward voraciously reads every book in the lighthouse’s well-stocked library. Edward quickly become fluent in many different languages, as well as adept at using Morse Code on the lighthouse’s Vibroplex. To stave off his loneliness, Edward communicates with random individuals throughout the night via Morse code, for months on end, until he comes across a signal from a “Prince Pablo” a Spanish prince who has allegedly been kidnapped and held for ransom. Falling for this early version of the “Nigerian Prince” advance-fee scam, Edward steals money from his dad in order to “rescue” this prince, who promises him untold riches and treasures. When his dad discovers the missing money, Edward flees, thus beginning his adventure.
Strengths: I love the author’s vivid, and often humorous descriptions. I found Edward’s 12-year old naiveté to be accurate and endearing. His gullible nature often resulted in him making some not so great decisions, however I felt this made him a more believable character. This is often lacking in novels, where a younger protagonist often acts, speaks, and thinks in a more mature fashion than they should.
I honestly had no idea where this story was going – I often was not able to predict what would happen next, which made it all the more engaging and suspenseful. The brief blurb on the back of the book led me to believe that his adventure would include a trek through the Moroccan deserts during the Rif War, but his round-about means of getting there, and the adventure he had once there was well-written with pieces that nicely fit together.
Weaknesses: I had a bit of difficulty following the “why” for certain parts of the story, like why Edward would disguise himself as the missing consul’s son when visiting the consul, knowing full well that the consul would know that wasn’t his son. Or why did the crew of the Richelieu keep Pierre locked up below deck, or why Pierre built the radio in the desert in the first place. Although I suppose that the reasoning for some of these points may be more thoroughly explained or firmly tied to the story in a subsequent book. Also, could have used a good proof-reading/tech editing. There were quite a few typos, which did take away from the flow of the book.
Although this book involves a 12-year old protagonist, it is definitely intended for a more mature audience, with the references to rape, drug use, prostitution, child abuse, violent death scenes, etc.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. From what I understand, there will be 3 more books in this series. I look forward to a continuation of Edward’s adventures.
Set just after the Great War, our protagonist is 12 year old Edward Hawkins. Raised for the last few years by his veteran father, Edward has been living on a Scottish lighthouse after his father tore him away from his mother when the father returned, physically and psychologically damaged from the War. As there is not much for a child to do in this remote location, Edward voraciously reads every book in the lighthouse’s well-stocked library. Edward quickly become fluent in many different languages, as well as adept at using Morse Code on the lighthouse’s Vibroplex. To stave off his loneliness, Edward communicates with random individuals throughout the night via Morse code, for months on end, until he comes across a signal from a “Prince Pablo” a Spanish prince who has allegedly been kidnapped and held for ransom. Falling for this early version of the “Nigerian Prince” advance-fee scam, Edward steals money from his dad in order to “rescue” this prince, who promises him untold riches and treasures. When his dad discovers the missing money, Edward flees, thus beginning his adventure.
Strengths: I love the author’s vivid, and often humorous descriptions. I found Edward’s 12-year old naiveté to be accurate and endearing. His gullible nature often resulted in him making some not so great decisions, however I felt this made him a more believable character. This is often lacking in novels, where a younger protagonist often acts, speaks, and thinks in a more mature fashion than they should.
I honestly had no idea where this story was going – I often was not able to predict what would happen next, which made it all the more engaging and suspenseful. The brief blurb on the back of the book led me to believe that his adventure would include a trek through the Moroccan deserts during the Rif War, but his round-about means of getting there, and the adventure he had once there was well-written with pieces that nicely fit together.
Weaknesses: I had a bit of difficulty following the “why” for certain parts of the story, like why Edward would disguise himself as the missing consul’s son when visiting the consul, knowing full well that the consul would know that wasn’t his son. Or why did the crew of the Richelieu keep Pierre locked up below deck, or why Pierre built the radio in the desert in the first place. Although I suppose that the reasoning for some of these points may be more thoroughly explained or firmly tied to the story in a subsequent book. Also, could have used a good proof-reading/tech editing. There were quite a few typos, which did take away from the flow of the book.
Although this book involves a 12-year old protagonist, it is definitely intended for a more mature audience, with the references to rape, drug use, prostitution, child abuse, violent death scenes, etc.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. From what I understand, there will be 3 more books in this series. I look forward to a continuation of Edward’s adventures.
March 12, 2023
It's a fast-paced adventure novel with a wild cast of characters and overall I greatly enjoyed it. The protagonist is an 11-year-old boy, which was an interesting choice given that the target audience of the book is definitely adults, but it worked well for the novel. His desire to grow up and go on grand adventures paired with his penchant for making reckless decisions brought about much of the narrative force driving the story. It takes place right after the first world war, and I felt quite immersed in that time period throughout. The author clearly knows his stuff when it comes to the technology and geopolitical landscape of that era, and I'd say that's one of the biggest strengths of the book. The scope of the novel is impressive and the story draws you through multiple epic arcs spread across the world with more than a few very action-packed climaxes. I'd recommend it for fans of adventure novels and will personally be checking out the sequel.
November 23, 2024
Well, swash me buckles and fetch me Cutlass!
This isn't exactly literature, although R.L.Stevenson would have read it with delight (and some recognition). Instead, it's a classic Boy's Story romantic adventure featuring a hero, by whose weapon is a Morse Code key. The author knows his caps and coils and keys, but you don't have to be a brass-pounder to enjoy this tale. It's no less and no more than it seems -- a very enjoyable adventure story in the Treasure Island bloodline. Great work!
This isn't exactly literature, although R.L.Stevenson would have read it with delight (and some recognition). Instead, it's a classic Boy's Story romantic adventure featuring a hero, by whose weapon is a Morse Code key. The author knows his caps and coils and keys, but you don't have to be a brass-pounder to enjoy this tale. It's no less and no more than it seems -- a very enjoyable adventure story in the Treasure Island bloodline. Great work!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews