Dead Reckoning: A Pirate Voyage with Captain Drake

by Laurie Lawlor

After the death of his foster father, young Emmet is invited by a previously unknown cousin, explorer Francis Drake, to be a servant aboard the Pelican for a trading expedition. Emmet soon learns how a thirst for wealth can turn men into monsters--including himself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Pirates, Young Adult, Coming Of Age

322 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Laurie Lawlor grew up in a family enamored with the theater. Along with her five brothers and sisters she spent summers in a summer stock repertory company in a small mountain town in Colorado that was run by their mother (costumer, cook, accountant, and resident psychiatrist) and their father (artistic director).

Reviews

[Denise Kawaii · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sailor's tale that shows how one inherently good teenager became a ruthless pirate. When Emmet is pushed from the life of a scholar's apprentice into service as page to his cousin aboard the Pelican, he's frightened and uncertain of how to survive. An excellent fiction novel for anyone interested in nautical history.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Amber Gibson for TeensReadToo.com

DEAD RECKONING is a journey into the real pirate lifestyle. Based on the true story of Sir Francis Drake, an English pirate from the sixteenth century, this is the tale of life aboard a pirate ship from the eyes of Emmet, Drake's young cousin who serves as his page. Laurie Lawlor incorporates her research effortlessly into the novel, creating a thrilling yet realistic adventure story.

Emmet begins the story as an innocent young boy, the apprentice to Father Parfoothe, the village priest. When Father Parfoothe dies, suddenly Emmet's skills of reading Latin and playing the lute aren't quite as useful as before. Just in time to save Emmet from the villagers who have turned on him is his cousin, Captain Francis Drake. Drake invites Emmet to join him in a maritime voyage as his servant. Young Emmet has no choice but to accept.

Life at sea is beyond anything Emmet could have imagined. The crew doesn't seem to know where they are headed, and it isn't long before Emmet realizes that he is sailing on a pirate ship! Soon, Emmet is as caught up in the greedy pursuit of treasure and glory as the rest of the crew. Emmet is forced to grow up quickly as he sees firsthand the low regard for human life that pirates have. He learns the hard way that wealth is power, and power corrupts.

In the end, all he wants is to escape from the life he is now trapped in, and to be a free man once more. With this darker pirate tale, Laurie Lawlor proves that the life of a pirate really isn't as glamorous and lighthearted as Captain Jack Sparrow of Pirates of the Caribbean would lead you to believe.

[Duane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This pirate story is based on the life of Sir Frances Drake that enjoyed a life of priviledge even though he was a cold blooded pirate. We see Drake through the eyes of young Emmett who becomes Drake's page during the many adventures they take. A good read of behind the scenes pirate life and sea-man ship.

[Goldie Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated it, it was not enjoyable at all and I hated it. It was just really dull and dry and boring and the neding was anything, but favorable.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good pirate book about a privateer. I had never heard of this pirate till now, but I know a lot about this voyage he went on now. An overall good book.