Pirates of Darksea
This book is pure adventure from page one. Equal parts explosive danger and stealthy thievery, this captivating story of high-seas magic is the perfect escape.
Carrying the hope for Darksea and, in turn, his brother’s survival in a Galway hospital, our hero, Max, plunges into danger at a pace that will keep readers enthralled. Max is a wonderfully formed character, desperately attempting to save his older brother. Catherine Doyle cleverly weaves his feelings of fear and sorrow into the story, but also his hopes. We never falter in our knowledge of what motivates Max, and he is joined by a cast of characters who have their own motivations, including a very snarky parrot!
There isn’t a moment to lose in this story, and Doyle expertly keeps time with her readers as we traverse a world so foreign. The author never allows us to feel lost in the wholly imaginative world she has crafted, and just when we think we might be, she reminds us Galway is only a horizon away. As wild and magical as Darksea is, Doyle keeps us grounded, with our compasses pointing us in the right direction.
More than a book about stardust, magic and pirates, this story takes on themes of bravery, childhood illness and the lengths we go to to save those we love. Highly recommended for readers who like fast-paced adventure and a world like you have never seen before.
