Scan barcode
fountain_ken's review against another edition
Bought the book for 3 quid and tbh I'm glad I didn't spend much more. Not for me!
Bought it also because I want to write my own pirate fantasy, but this was a lot of cannon fire without any cannon balls if you catch my drift. A lot of words, no substance imo but also much more gruesome than I expected for what I bought as a midgrade.
Bought it also because I want to write my own pirate fantasy, but this was a lot of cannon fire without any cannon balls if you catch my drift. A lot of words, no substance imo but also much more gruesome than I expected for what I bought as a midgrade.
basil_touche's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I can appreciate that this book covers dark themes about death and grief in a way that doesn't talk down to it's main demographic of ten year olds (I was surprised by how genuinely graphic it got at points) but outside of that I found it difficult to stay engaged.
For an Adventure novel, I was expecting more adventure.I couldn't really care about Merrick's death or his relationship with Fidelia's aunt and the way it all ended off really felt anticlimatic
This would be a great book to introduce themes of death to younger readers but for me it's just not what I'm looking for.
For an Adventure novel, I was expecting more adventure.
This would be a great book to introduce themes of death to younger readers but for me it's just not what I'm looking for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit, Murder, and Suicide
hayleybeale's review against another edition
3.0
31/2 stars.
11 year-old Fidelia Quail, bereft from the death of her parents for which she blames herself, is captured by a pirate, Merrick the Monstrous, in order to help him reclaim his treasure which is buried in a cave at the bottom of the sea. See my full review here.
11 year-old Fidelia Quail, bereft from the death of her parents for which she blames herself, is captured by a pirate, Merrick the Monstrous, in order to help him reclaim his treasure which is buried in a cave at the bottom of the sea. See my full review here.
charlottexx1234123's review against another edition
4.0
I feel bad giving it only a 3 stars but honestly I just liked it. I struggled through a few parts but the pay off was pretty great. I got attached to the characters but in like two months I probably couldn't tell you two of the characters. And the sums up the book. Really good but not a lasting impression.
Spoiler below
(SPOILER ALERT) the "shocking reveal" about the aunt was pretty predictable but really cool to see play out. Super sad
Spoiler below
(SPOILER ALERT) the "shocking reveal" about the aunt was pretty predictable but really cool to see play out. Super sad
tyson_and_rainbow's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
No. this book doesn't make any sense and it was not enjoyable to read.
geo_curler's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful story. The life lessons and motifs in this book are numerous and very thought provoking. With a similar writing style as Eagar's first novel, Hour of the Bees, this issues another new take on death and how certain people handle it. Another beautifully crafted story from Lindsey Eagar.
kawarwick's review against another edition
4.0
Who knew that a book full of pirates and sharks could also have a love story. What a good read!!
fallingletters's review against another edition
4.0
Brief thoughts originally published 9 November 2017 at Falling Letters.
- Not quite sure where to start with this book. It turned out to be a lot more mature, and fairly dark, than I expected.
- The details of Fidelia’s parents’ death alarmed me a bit. I had expected them to have died prior to the start of the story. The fact that the Fidelia had invented the submarine in which they died was tough enough. But then add the fact that she decided to ignore an incoming storm, when her mom explicitly asked if they needed to head in for safety… ouch.
- I generally enjoy having adult characters interact equally with the younger main characters in middle grade novels. However, all the characters aside from Fidelia are adults, and most of the story is really their story. I often felt like Fidelia was just along for the ride. For her part of the story, she does learn to be herself again after the death of her parents, but the plot is driven by the actions of the adults.
- My opinion of this book isn’t as bad as you might think! There are a lot of fun elements that made this an entertaining read – pirates, ocean faring, sea creatures, and Fidelia’s inventions.
- The Bottom Line: Another fun read, but darker and more mature than I anticipated. Not recommended for sensitive readers.
- Not quite sure where to start with this book. It turned out to be a lot more mature, and fairly dark, than I expected.
- The details of Fidelia’s parents’ death alarmed me a bit. I had expected them to have died prior to the start of the story. The fact that the Fidelia had invented the submarine in which they died was tough enough. But then add the fact that she decided to ignore an incoming storm, when her mom explicitly asked if they needed to head in for safety… ouch.
- I generally enjoy having adult characters interact equally with the younger main characters in middle grade novels. However, all the characters aside from Fidelia are adults, and most of the story is really their story. I often felt like Fidelia was just along for the ride. For her part of the story, she does learn to be herself again after the death of her parents, but the plot is driven by the actions of the adults.
- My opinion of this book isn’t as bad as you might think! There are a lot of fun elements that made this an entertaining read – pirates, ocean faring, sea creatures, and Fidelia’s inventions.
- The Bottom Line: Another fun read, but darker and more mature than I anticipated. Not recommended for sensitive readers.
melissabeth's review against another edition
4.0
I read it as part of a challenge, used it for Steampunk prompt.