City of Ships

Title: City of Ships
Author: Mary Hoffman
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year of Publication: 2010
Series: Stravanganza

About the Book:
While this novel is part of the Stravanganza series, it is can also be read as a stand alone.
The general premise of the series is teens from modern day England find items or 'talismans' that send them back in time to Talia (a place like 16th century Italy but isn't) where only they can do a certain task or quest to help Talia.

Isabel is the younger twin and has spent her whole life in her twin Charlie's shadow. When her talisman transports her to the Talian town of Classe, a city about to be invaded by the Gate People. Isabel befriends a female merchant Flavia, whose son Andrea is an outcast and a pirate. As the city prepares for war, Isabel must help save the city before it falls into ruin.

This book is perfect for those who like a little fantasy with their historical fiction, with pirates thrown into the mix! Don't let the fact that this is part of a series deter you from reading it, it might even convince you to explore the rest of the Stravaganza series.

Isabel is a very likable character, with the potential to come off as whiny as she plays second fiddle to her brother, it's refreshing to have her perspective not being that of the stereotypical jealous sibling. She does come into her own throughout the book and grows to become a stronger character towards the end.

Hoffman's worldbuilding has been praised throughout her previous books, and this book is no exception. This book is richly detailed with Hoffman's masterfully written plot intricately woven thoughout. Her characters are engaging and likable, and her story is filled with adventure, suspense and unexpected twists and turns that will leave you wanting to explore the rest of the Stravanganza series (even if the rest of the books don't include pirates).