Written by Justin Somper
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| ©Image copyright |
An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.
Hello, and welcome to my latest Book Review featuring this week a Adventure in Middle Grade Fiction.
Without further ado, and with my trusty housekeeper, Mrs H, casting off what looks like her knitting rather than the bow and stern ropes – though her cable knit sweater has been known to look similar, let's set sail on another awesome adventure….
AUTHOR: Justin Somper
Illustrations by: TEO SKAFFA
Published by: UCLan Publishing
Publication date Paperback: 30 May 2025 – OUT NOW!
Paperback 13 digit ISBN: 978-1916 747 579
UK Cover price for Paperback: £7.99
Amazon KINDLE price: 3.99
Pages: 293
Age range: 8+
SPOILER ALERT
Yes, as to books 1 & 2 and some as to plot direction and characters in book 3.
Thank you to...
We are exceedingly grateful to publicist, Graeme Williams, and UCLan Publishers for offering us a chance to Read & Review this story.
As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, received as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review.
First and foremost, the books we review are those we select to read, like, and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their family, friends and students will enjoy.
Meantime, Neo Splice is on a mission with Captain December Wilde and her pet boar, Pickle. He is following a trail left by his late mother and hopes it will lead to an amazing treasure. Where it does lead eventually is to another pirate academy. In the wall safe of the headmaster Neo finds his mother’s gift to him, a falcata sword. But not just any sword as Neo later finds out when he returns home. This is the Sword of Echoes, and he is a Sword Reader. The sword holds memories of his family and allows Neo to see these echoes, memories of his family line. But the reason he can see them is that he has the power to do so. It is a very rare gift. The memories reveal Neo as the one his family has been waiting for. The power to change the tide of events unfolding around about him. How and when, he has yet to discover. But as the sword is one of three that belonged to his kin, there is a lot more adventure in the pipeline. And he is ready to wield his sword and new talent to find out. But the reader will glean others are interested in the sword, too!
Jasmine has a map, and this one leads to a different sort of treasure. Given by a fellow student who supposedly defected to LoTP but actually is under cover, it will lead Jasmine to the location of her father who she desperately wishes to see again. What Jasmine discovers is that he is undercover for the Pirate Federation to discover LoTP’s plans. The latest plan is called Operation Kraken, and involves amazing new and deadly pirate ships. Jasmine’s mother however remains a high ranking and dedicated LoTP follower and will stop at nothing to overthrow the Federation.
Jacoby and Jasmine go off on a reconnaissance mission at the LoTP boat building yard where the new pirate ships are being built and the first is just about to be launched. With them is a teacher and Cheng Li, a senior student. But things go badly off course, and all thanks to Jacoby whose cocky attitude ends up getting Cheng and himself signed up as members of LoTP!
Complications aplenty ensue as the Pirate Federation launches a deadly bombardment of the ship and yard. As to the outcome, which is far from what even we expected, you will just have to set sail with the Pirate Academy.
So, what did we think?
Pirating for the future age, with academies for the kids of the world’s most famous and notorious pirating families. In some school adventures we have clear definitions as to who is good and bad from the outset, Harry Potter is the obvious example. Here though the author has let the tale and circumstances create and also change the divisions and loyalties as we read along with our three primary protagonists, Jasmine, Jacoby, and Neo.
Initially in the series the characters are competing with their classmates to show who is best, to find their place and to show them, and us, their strengths, and weaknesses. But quickly this changes, and as outside influences from the adult world of pirate politics comes into play so the lives of all the students at the school change.
It is a smart move, provides realism, and creates an amazing seat of the pants ride through stormy waters of life, relationships, choices, and priorities. None of which are easy for any eleven-year-old.
This adventure series has been building from the off. Books one and two brought together our cast and then sowed the seeds for tearing them apart by the end of book two. In book three, we see each of the three find something they have sought, be it family, memories, belonging and truth. But it doesn’t stop there and brings fresh challenges also. They have, as all kids must, found within themselves greater confidence. In some cases, they are also discovering to not be overly confident, to temper wild enthusiasm and arrogance. That is a big ask for Jacoby.
LoTP provides the perfect baddie vibe. The big dangerous organisation that contains both good, those fighting it from within and without, and the bad, those bent on the power and treasure it promises.
It would be easy for this to become a heavy read, and in fact most adults will see many parallels through human history past and present. But it is far from weighed down by this. It is a hearty kids adventure, with growing hints of magic, as well as more than a little but well-placed humour along the way. I can’t help but think of this as Mission Impossible meets Pirates of the Caribbean, done kids style.
So . . . . Crunch time.
An excellent, entertaining, inclusive, swashbuckling adventure that even adults can be excused for joining in with. The perfect series read, or stand-alone read thanks to the marvellous summary of the adventure thus far.
Want to buy a copy?
To get a copy, please sail or saunter down to your local independent bookshop. No particular dress code is needed, but please do remember to leave cutlasses and boars at home!
Justin Somper's Vampirates web page can be found HERE or type this: https://www.vampirates.co.uk/captain-somper/justin-somper/
UCLan Publishing's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://uclanpublishing.com/
Teo Skaffa's author page web page can be found HERE or type this: https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/authors/Teo-Skaffa/179183401
For those that just want a selfie on a Sunday, here's one of me posing in a bit of a crater. Let me assure you that this was neither left by Me or Mrs H. Ol' Ned the gardener had been in for a cup of tea and sat here and his weight caused a lasting impression. It was however rather warm, and thankfully compost free, so I jumped up to settle down for a new nap.
I hope you enjoyed that adventure.
Till laters!
ERin
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