Scarlet Morning
N.D.Stevenson
Harper 360

Since their bad-tempered caretaker, Hestur, disappeared, Viola (fourteen) and Wilmur (fifteen) have lived alone, scavenging, reading The Book and making up games on a dead island in Dickerson’s Sea. Hestur told the children about how the land was ravaged by salt after a terrible event – the Great Blow. This happened after Scarlet Morning, a bloodthirsty pirate had murdered the much-loved queen, Hail Meridian and taken her crown, so it was said.

When a pirate ship, the Calamary Rose arrives, its Captain, Cadence Chase, is searching for The Book that Viola and Wilmur have, they offer it in exchange for being allowed to go along with her.
Thus begins an epic, enormously dramatic adventure involving secret puzzles, revelry with a crew of pirates; possibly even the appearance of the aforementioned Scarlet Morning, and most challenging for the two youngsters, separation from one another.

The author’s cleverly constructed world building is superb and the story highly entertaining and sometimes creepy, made all the more so by his black and white illustrations, the diverse characters, and the cliff-hanger ending that leaves readers eager for what’s to follow.

Highly recommended for older readers who love enthralling magical fantasy adventures. Buy for individuals and for school collections.