Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Incredibook!, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Jules Verne, Seafaring
2 Comments »
Our rating: 
On October 2nd 1872, Phileas Fogg, an English gentlemen who lives a life of clock-like regularity, makes a 20,000 pound bet with his friends at the reform club that it is possible to travel around the world in eighty days. Phileas leaves at once, barely giving Passepartout, his valet, time to pack their bags. Everything seems fine, but soon Phileas Fogg is followed by a detective named Fix, who has reason to believe that Fogg is a bank robber. Will Phileas Fogg be able to win his wager? And will he be arrested by Fix? This is a classic Jules Verne with a surprising ending.
Great book! Phileas is so irritatingly calm that you may find yourself panicking more than usual just to make up for it. I have seen the movie starring David Niven and there are quite a few differences from the book. But, it still is enjoyable. (Can you guess what I’m going to say next?) Close! First I’m going to say that the ending surprised me (in a good way). Okay, now I’ll say it: Read this book! It’s one of Jules Verne’s best.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Advanced Readers, Adventure, Fiction, Mysteries, Review
Tags:Long Read, Seafaring, Stephen R. Lawhead
3 Comments »
Our rating: 
Aidan is a monk in Ireland during the last years of Ancient Rome. Chosen to go on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Byzantium, Aidan is overjoyed to be chosen, until a dream foretells his death in the city. Captured on the way by Sea Wolves, Aidan becomes the slave of Gunnar. The Sea Wolves set off, taking Aidan with them, to a rich city of gold, where even the slaves lounge about in idleness. The city turns out to be Byzantium, and there Aidan decides that God has forsaken him, because he does not die. Through a series of evil events surrounding a plot of extent that no one imagines, Aidan is led deeper into the belief that he has been abandoned by God. Convinced that he must shape his own future, Aidan sets out to solve the mystery before it’s too late.
I thoroughly enjoyed Byzantium, but must say that it is not to be read by the faint of heart. There are some very depressing portions, and evil is displayed as evil and acts very…well…evil. (Did you expect any different?) Certain battles are a bit graphic at points, but very well described. The evildoers use some language, and there are some references to worldly pleasures. That being said, I would highly recommend Byzantium to anybody who could handle it. Lawhead writes in a way that you will feel that you are actually following Aidan on his journey. 870 very rewarding pages of mystery, excitement, daring deeds, evil plots and a story about finding true peace.
Posted by Ruth
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Older Readers, Review, Science Fiction
Tags:Animals, Jules Verne, Long Read, Seafaring
3 Comments »
Our rating: 
When Professor Aronnax is asked his opinion on a number of shipwrecks that have been caused by something a great deal larger than a whale, he comes to the conclusion that the mysterious creature must be a narwhale of gigantic proportions, due to the strangely shaped holes inflicted upon the wrecked vessels. Soon, he is invited aboard the Abraham Lincoln, a frigate preparing to track down and destroy the unknown creature. But, when the ship is struck itself, Professor Aronnax is thrown overboard only to discover a great secret that would change the scientific world forever.
I think I like this book best of all of Jules Verne’s that I have read. He captures the magic of the underwater world with great ease. The only warning I have is that, on occasion, the plot becomes a bit bogged down with a veritable encyclopedia of scientific names, which are usually unpronounceable and rather meaningless unless you have a great knowledge of marine classification. However, the rest of the book is very enjoyable and I recommend it highly.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Incredibook!, Mysteries, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Brian Jacques, Dogs, Funny, Long Read, Scary, Seafaring
5 Comments »
Our rating:
Brain Jacques continues the saga of Castaways of the Flying Dutchman in this stirring sequel. Going back to three years after they escape from the Flying Dutchman, Ben and Ned end up in a Spanish city, and go back to sea with a pirate captain, who plans to reform when he gets back to his hometown. The adventure that follows includes fast-paced sea chases, shipwrecks, and a mysterious tribe of evildoers.
Even more hauntingly vivid than Castaways of the Flying Dutchman, this one is a favorite of mine. Portions are funny, and others are sad. A page turner, with a lot of edge of your seat action, The Angel’s Command should be read by all Redwall fans.
Posted by Ruth
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Incredibook!, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Brian Jacques, Dogs, Long Read, Scary, Seafaring
4 Comments »
Our rating:
A boy, unable to speak since birth, while fleeing from his tormentors, hides onboard a ship, not knowing that it will sail at dawn. He is taken as a galley boy and for months is witness to the greed and cruelty of the entire crew. His only friend is a black labrador. At last, when the Flying Dutchman reaches the dreaded Cape Horn in the worst of midwinter, all of Captain Vanderdecken’s wickedness brings the curse of the Lord upon him and all aboard—dooming them to sail the waters of the world for eternity. But because of the boy and the dog’s innocence of heart, they are granted life, boundless youth, understanding, and the ability to communicate. They are destined to roam the world forever, giving aid and comfort wherever it’s needed. Ben and Ned set out on their eternal journey, and their travels lead them to Chapelvale, a small town in England whose very existence is at stake. There are clues to be solved, but time is running out.
Brian Jacques took an existing legend about “a ship that was doomed to sail the world forever” and made that the basis for this wonderful book. He gives new meaning to the legend and the emotional impact is unforgettable. It makes for a very fascinating story, and there’s also a good balance. I mean, despite the intensity of the first part, the majority of the book is about the village and the adventures there.
Written on the side between Redwall books,Castaways of the Flying Dutchman also has a sequel: The Angel’s Command. And more recently, a third book: Voyage of Slaves.
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