The Wreckers

Title: The Wreckers
Author: Iain Lawrence
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Year of Publication: 1998
Series: The High Seas Trilogy

About the Book:
John Spencer barely survives when his father's ship the Isle of Skye is shipwrecked. He thinks himself lucked to have survived but soon realises that the village that took him in is much more sinister than it appears. The village of Pendennis thrives through the practice of 'wrecking' - lighting false beacons and luring ships to crash on the coast's jagged rocks, and taking anything salvaged from the wreckage for their village.
John finds out that his father survived the shipwrecked but is held prisoner in the village. Jack must use his wits rescue his father, and also try not to get killed by the townspeople.
For those who like their books on the creepier side, this is a perfect read. Lawrence masterfully crafts a thrilling suspenseful tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
This book tends towards the more gruesome and violent side, with some scenes that could potentially scare the more sensitive readers.

Pirate Curse

Title: Pirate Curse
Author: Kai Meyer
Publisher: Margaret McElderry Books
Year of Publication: 2006
Series: The Wave Walkers

About the Book:
The first book in the Wave Walker series, this novel follows 14-year-old Jolly, named for pirate flag the Jolly Roger, who lives aboard a ship with a crew of pirates who adopted her. What makes Jolly so special (and also what makes her a valuable asset to her Captain) is that she is a Polliwog - a human with the ability to walk on water, and she believes she's the only one left.
Enter 14-year-old Munk, a Polliwog who also believes he's the last one left. The son to scared parents, Munk has led an isolated life on a secluded island, his parents fearing for him as pirates would kill to possess a Polliwog.
When Jolly washes up on his island after her ship is attacked, she and Munk are thrown together and join the crew of a ghost ship called the Ghost Trader. They discover that their world is threatened by the return of the mysterious Maelstrom, and they are the only ones who can stop it.

If you enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean and also enjoy some magic with your pirates, then you will love this book. This fast-paced, action packed adventure will leave you on the edge of your seat and will leave you wanting more.

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).

The Pirate's Son

 

Title: The Pirate's Son
Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year of Publication: 1998


About the book:
Fourteen-year-old Nathan Gull is thrown out of his English boarding school when his father dies and is left unable to pay his fees.
Having read about and dreamt of a pirate’s life, he joins his schoolmate Tamo White (the son of a pirate and a Madagascar queen) and his sister Maud aboard Tamo’s guardian’s ship as it sails to his homeland, Madagascar.

The novels three main protagonists each come into their own. Nathan’s little sister Maud is easily the most sympathetic and interesting of the three, who easily adapted to life in Madagascar.

The point of view switches between the three characters (with the occasional point of view from the villains) which can be confusing at times. However, the novel is a gripping and engaging read, full of pirate lore, heroics, deceptions and adventure that will leave you wanting more.

The Price of Freedom

Title: The Price of Freedom (Pirates of the Caribbean)
Author: A. C. Crispin
Publisher: Disney Editions
Year of Publication: 2011

About the Book:
Yet another prequel, but this time exploring the backstory of one of our favourite pirates, Captain Jack Sparrow.

Being the son of infamous pirate Captain Edward Teague, it's only natural that 25-year-old Jack Sparrow rebels by  making an honest living as a merchant seaman for the East India Trading Company.
Sure, he remembers his childhood pirating days, but he also remembers the ever-present fear of the noose and being under the ever watchful eye of his father. It's not like he can return either. He broke the code, and now he's no longer welcome at Shipwreck Cove.

Essentially a story about how Jack got his beloved Black Pearl, it also explores how 25-year-old Jack Sparrow became the Captain Jack we are familiar with. Crispin keeps true to the Johnny Depp's portrayal of Jack, while also giving her own spin on the character. Her research is well shown, with details about life on the sea, 18th century ships, weapons, and tactics well scattered amongst the misadventure, romance and humour of the novel.

At a whopping 653 pages, it might be a bit of a stretch for those who don't like their novels on the long side. However, it's Crispin's attention to detail, her faithful rendering of characters we know and love, and her skillful storytelling that make The Price of Freedom seem nowhere near long enough.

Treasure Island

Title: Treasure Island
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Publisher: Kingfisher
Year of Publication: 2001

About the Book:
One of the first titles you'd think of when you think of pirate stories, Treasure Island  is a classic.
Jim Hawkins lives with is mother and father at Admiral Bow Inn and all is well, until an old sea man stays at their inn. When the man dies, Jim goes through his possessions and finds an treasure map. Jim get thrown into an adventure filled with pirates, mutiny and swashbuckling as he sails with the iconic pirate Long John Silver on his search for riches on the mythical Treasure Island.

The quintessential pirate novel, and the one that popularised many of the pirate characteristics and cliches now found in most pirate fiction, Treasure Island is a must-read.

Peter and the Starcatchers

Title: Peter and the Starcatchers
Authors: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Publisher: Disney Editions
Year of Publication: 2006
Series: Peter and the Starcatchers

About the Book:
If you ever wondered how Peter Pan ended up in Neverland, how Hook lost his hand, how Tink came into being (laughing baby, not withstanding), then be prepared to find a comfy chair and dive into Peter and the Starcatchers.
A softer and lighter prequel (at least, compared to Capt. Hook: adventures of a notorious youth) to Peter Pan, orphan Peter and his band of boys are taken aboard the ship Never Land to be sent off as servants for an evil king. The Never Land is also holding mysterious cargo, a strange trunk whose magical contents is only known to Molly, one of the passengers aboard the ship. In pursuit of the cargo is the pirate Black Stache, whose character is strangely familiar. Filled with magic, sea battles and shipwrecks, Dave Barry explores the origin story of Peter and his Lost Boys, and how they got to Neverland.

A fast-paced, fun, if sometimes slightly absurd (Molly speaks Porpoise...really.) pirate adventure, this story is a great re-imagining of the Peter Pan mythos while still paying respect to the original. Barry's writing is humourous and witty, with plenty of small shoutouts and references to the original Barrie story, and his characters well fleshed out. Peter is very much in character of the original, if a bit more likable. New character and female lead Molly Aster is despite being the token female, brave, intelligent and a bit stubborn, and gets her own share of the action. She can also speak Porpoise.

The magic elements of the plot can be a bit of a stretch (one word, Porpoise), but overall it is a very fun book which has an engaging narrative that makes it very hard to put down. A popular novel, it is also the first of the Peter and the Starcatchers series, which so far spans four books.