Wednesday 23 December 2009

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper (Children's, 11 years +, 10/10E)


2005, Simon and Schuster Children's
320 pages, Paperback
Personal Copy

10/10E

Summary from Simon and Schuster's website.

Connor and Grace are twins, recently orphaned after their widowed father's death. Rather than being adopted by the town's busy-bodies, they decide to set sail for new pastures in their father's last single possession, his sailing boat. But a vicious storm sees their boat capsize and the twins separated. Two mysterious ships sail to their rescue - each picking up one twin before disappearing into the mist. Connor wakes to find himself on a pirate ship and is soon being trained up with a cutlass. Meanwhile Grace finds herself locked in a darkened room, as the vampirates await nightfall... Determined to find each other, yet intrigued by their new shipmates, the twins are about to embark on the biggest adventure of their life...

One of my parents checked out this cover and went 'That's not a nice cover'. It was only then I really looked at it, and thought 'mmm, does look a bit scary, doesn't it?' I saw the cover, was taken by the idea of a tale about pirates (which is a new area for me, but one I like) combined with vampires (also a new area which I'm enjoying a lot) so I bought the book. I was hooked just by the concept alone. I figured out straight away Grace was on a vampirate ship - but it is incredibly creepy. My spine tingled every time something spooky happened. Although she is in danger, Grace proves that not all people given a bad reputation belong in the category of evil. Sometimes circumstances puts people in positions they wouldn't normally choose. Connor's life isn't all plain sailing - he desperately misses Grace, yet believes she's dead for most of the book, a blow which has him striving to be the best pirate ever.

You can be sure that I'll be grabbing all the books in this series when I can, and requesting the new ones as they are published. It's a fine blend of action, suspense, mild horror with a little humour thrown in.

Vampirates has its very own website!

Liked this? Try The Way of the Warrior by Chris Bradford

1 comment:

Gina said...

Your mini-reviews are reaking havoc with my wish list today! =0)
Again, another title I've seen but not managed to pick up....the small glimpse you gave was much appreciated....off to add ANOTHER to the wish list... =0)