Entries Categorized as 'Adventure'
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Mysteries, Older Readers, Review
Tags:city, Cornelia Funke, detective, Venice
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Prosper and Bo are orphans. Their aunt Esther wants to adopt Bo, but not Prosper, so the boys run away to Venice to escape being separated. There they join a gang of other orphaned children, led by a boy who calls himself The Thief Lord. Things get interesting when a strange man commissions the kids to steal a wooden wing for him, and Esther hires a detective to track down her nephews.
At first glance this story is quite simplistic. But wait until you get about a hundred pages in, and you have a very complex book in your hands. Nothing is really as it seems here. Unfortunately, near the end the story takes a completely unexpected turn toward fantasy, which while interesting and clever, is also confusing without any foreshadowing. Other than that, though, The Thief Lord is worth reading.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Long Read, Pirate Adventures, pirates, Scary, Seafaring, Wayne Thomas Batson
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Declan Ross and his daughter Anne have left piracy behind and now work for the Royal Navy as pirate hunters. Their former, amnesic crew mate, Cat, has stayed behind in a monastery of treasure-guarding monks. All seems somewhat peaceful, now that Bartholomew Thorne is dead—or is he? A devious scheme to attack England takes shape, drawing Cat, Anne, and Ross into a battle that could change the course of history.
There’s no doubt about it. Wayne Thomas Batson was born to write pirate books. Most of the characters are quite deep, especially Cat, who was very well done. In the style of Brian Jacques, Batson writes a powerful story that zips along faster than a merchant clipper. My only real problem is with the possible historical inaccuracy of an attack on England, but this is fiction, after all. Although I preferred Isle of Swords, this is definitely a worthy successor.
Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Dogs, Johann Wyss, Seafaring
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On their way to a new life in a young colony, this family of six is shipwrecked off the coast of an unknown island. Of the entire ship’s crew and company, they are the only ones to make it to the safety of the island. There they find themselves confronted with a thousand problems, and, taking them on one by one, use ingenuity and common sense to conquer. From their lofty tree-dwelling of Falconhurst, to their impregnable fortress of Rockburg, Father, Mother, Fritz, Jack, Ernest, and Franz carve out a life for themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading this book. The Father has a very strong faith in God and is the leader of his family. The four boys get along well and respect their parents. Not to mention they break the mold of “typical teens.” The eldest, Fritz, is fifteen years old, but he is completely capable of handling a gun to defend the family, keep a clear head in sudden danger, and look after the younger ones. You might expect this book to be dreary, as there are so many building projects described, but there are several funny parts, and lots of adventure. Not the swinging from a rope with a knife between your teeth kind of adventure, but the nice, steady kind. I put it under older readers because it is written in the older style, but I remember having it read to me when I was much younger.
Posted by Sarah
Categories: Adventure, All Ages, Fantasy, Fiction, Incredibook!, Review
Tags:Award Winner, Carol Kendall, Minnipins
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Years ago the hero Gammage had led the Minnipin people to safety in The-Land-Between-The-Mountains. Now the Minnipins have grown soft and won’t listen when five of the villagers tell of seeing campfires on the supposedly impassable mountains. One thing leads to another, and the five are finally outlawed from the village. It is up to Muggles, Mingy, Gummy, Curley Green, and Walter the Earl to save the very ones who have cast them out.
I very much enjoy this book. The characters are well-portrayed, and the story itself makes you pause and reflect. There is not much adventure until the end, but it doesn’t come across as slow. Overall it is an excellent read.
Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Advanced Readers, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Review
Tags:Animals, Horses, Long Read, Walter Scott
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Sir Wilfried of Ivanhoe returns from France with his friend, King Richard, in the hopes of re-winning his father’s favor and securing the hand of the lovely Rowena. But danger is quick to follow him. Richard’s brother, John of Anjou, is scheming to rebel against Richard, and Ivanhoe soon finds himself embroiled in the feudal battles of merry England. Chases, escapes (some closer than others), plots, renegade knights, and a surprise appearance by Robin of Locksley give this book more than a dash of adventure.
Sounds good, right? But before you rush off and buy it, let me warn you. It has misplaced romance out the ears. One whole subplot is a knight trying to win a Jewess by fair means (at first), then foul. Unless you don’t consider kidnapping her and and letting her father almost be tortured foul . . . Nothing inappropriate actually happens, but it’s up to you whether you want to wade through all the long talks between them.
Now, on a happier note, there’s some rip-snorting adventure in here. Well-written, edge of your chair, “What’s going to happen next?” adventure. With enough comedy to keep things from getting too heavy. True, it’s written in the older style, but there are very few classics that aren’t, and it lends so much to the story.
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