"This action-packed blend of magical fantasy with classic kids’ adventuring is a swashbuckling read, peppered with soft line-drawings and propelled by a strong sense of urgency. "
This action-packed blend of magical fantasy with classic kids’ adventuring is a swashbuckling read for 8+ year-olds, peppered with soft line-drawings and propelled by a strong sense of urgency.
Siblings Finn (the narrator) and Aria, and their smuggler dad are undertaking a voyage aboard their home, a boat called Alcina. Their dad has to pick up a parcel, but this time they’re charting an unknown course. “This new route is dangerous”, Finn observes and, what’s more, they’re journeying to New London, a place that’s been “enclosed by the high stone city walls since the Last War”, a place “strangers are forbidden to enter”. And they are strangers…
When they reach a port and Dad heads off to collect the parcel, Finn and Aria also go ashore (against Dad’s wishes) to explore the bustling bazaar where a mysterious vendor issues them with a grave warning. Then, soon after, Finn learns the shocking truth of his true identity as “a child born with the clan magic in their blood”, as a Sea-tamer, and so an elemental tale of ancient lore and magic unfolds as the family are pursued by a warlord with the weight of saving civilisation on their shoulders.
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This is a must-read book for all adventure enthusiasts.
I read this as an E-book and it is one of the most easy-to-follow e-books I have read to date. It is written in short chapters which makes it easier to read for young adults and does not contain long boring chapters as found in some books. The book itself is well-written and very descriptive and keeps the reader's attention at all times.... Read Full Review
