Pirates of Darksea
Catherine Doyle
Bloomsbury Children’s Books

One night Christopher writes a letter to Captain O’Malley, legendary pirate and ruler of Darksea, a secret kingdom deep in the Atlantic Ocean, begging for adventure for himself and his younger brother Max, but he receives no response. Two years later a parrot appears at Max’s bedroom window with a letter for Christopher – a letter from Captain O’Malley who is to embark on a perilous quest. But Christopher is now ill in hospital fighting for his life. What would you do if there was a possibility of a job with a reward that could help cure your brother? Max joins the parrot in a rowing boat heading for a rendezvous on the Stolen Sunrise.

Imagine the boy’s surprise when he discovers that the captain is a Pirate Queen. She offers him a deal if he’s willing to take the risk and join the crew right away, destination Darksea before the ‘Rogue Wave’ a powerful enemy comes. Of course, Max agrees. However it turns out that the Captain hasn’t told him the whole truth: the magic has dwindled drastically, this monstrous enemy is gobbling up the Darksea island of Maremaris, and the Captain needs a particular sword – the Curse Cutter. A bargain is struck: if Max helps the Captain acquire the sword, he can take some magic for his brother. A perilous task awaits.

What follows is a gripping adventure with mutiny, wraiths, fleeing mermaids and a monstrous shark man. Max’s bravery and love for his brother is the fuel that keeps him going as he faces at times, seemingly impossible challenges. After all he puts himself through though, is it even possible to save his Christopher? I just couldn’t put this down until I found out and I suspect many child readers will do the same. I love how Catherine Doyle ( a new writer to me) weaves humour and the importance of camaraderie into this thoughtful tale; the characters she’s created – human and otherwise – are truly memorable.

Interdimensional Explorers: Alien Apocalypse
Lorraine Gregory, illustrated by Jo Lindley
Farshore

At the start of this second adventure Danny’s Grandad does two things: he announces that he’s going on a cruise with Maureen, his ‘fancy woman’ as Danny’s Mum calls her. He also hands Danny a small package containing a key that means he’s now an official Apprentice Caretaker of the secret Interdimensional Lost Property Office.

Off goes Grandad leaving Danny, his best friend Modge and cousin Inaaya to cope with Returns Day in his absence. Very soon they discover that a very special star has been stolen from the vaults, it’s up to Danny and his team to expose a conspiracy and hopefully, save the whole universe. To do so they have to contend with Goregotha hordes and weird cult members: are they up to it? And who can be trusted? As this quirky intergalactic adventure twists and turns it will surely keep readers riveted as they are sucked into the fantastic world that Lorraine Gregory has created and Jo Lindley illustrated. What I enjoyed most though, was the strong bond between Danny, Inaaya and Modge who have each others’ backs no matter what.
Highly recommended.