This middle-grade series isn’t Christian — but that doesn’t mean it’s not good. On the whole, it was clean and enjoyable, the only issue being one mention of a possible lesbian relationship (only hinted at in two sentences.) It was funny and lighthearted, and quite enjoyable.
Adventure, magic, and hilarity collide in New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis’s first book in a fantastical series.
To Master Thief Fin, an orphan from the murky pirate world of the Khaznot Quay, the Map is the key to finding his mother. To suburban schoolgirl Marrill, it’s her only way home after getting stranded on the Pirate Stream, the magical waterway that connects every world in creation. With the help of a bumbling wizard and his crew, they must scour the many worlds of the Pirate Stream to gather the pieces of the Map to Everywhere–but they aren’t the only ones looking. A sinister figure is hot on their tail, and if they can’t beat his ghostly ship to find the Map, it could mean the destruction of everything they hold dear!
Heart-pounding escapades and a colorful cast of characters will have readers setting sail through this wholly original and unforgettable tale.
Amazon Blurb
I love a good pirate story. I also love wacky, unpredictable, goofy magic. As such, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though the future time travel bits were a bit mind-bendy. (spoiler alert.) As Ryan and Davis aren’t Christian, there are underlying hints of wizardry, magic, and religion that don’t quite align with the Biblical worldview. However, they in no way distract from the sweet, innocent message of friendship and family. The series’ humor was the best part, in my opinion, as well as the fantastic worldbuilding of a variety of colorful, creative locations along the Pirate Stream, (which comes with its own fun quirks.)
Violence, short of a little hand-to-hand and bad guys with swords, is hardly featured, and of course, non-gory. It is my policy that gore should remain out of middle-grade and I would not hand a child or tween such material.
Overall, if you’re looking for a funny read featuring pirates and adventure, this could be perfect for you or your kid. If you want a book where the middle-grade heroine actually has a good relationship with her parents, here’s one. If you like the found-family trope, pirate stories, and maybe a few puns, give this series a whirl.
That’s all for now, folks! As always, feel free to drop a comment, and if there are any books you think I should review, let me know!
Adios!
If you like goofy magic, I think you’d like Sanderson’s Alcatraz series. I’ve never laughed so hard at a book series.
I’ve heard it’s good — it’s on the to-read list!