THE VOYAGE OF THE ARCTIC TERN

Ghost ships, treachery, murder, pirates, treasure, and one man’s journey through time seeking redemption make this a richly satisfying high seas adventure. When Queen Elizabeth hires Lord Hunter to conduct a secret peace mission to the King of Spain, the man he hires as captain of his ship happens to be Bruno, a man who had betrayed his people many years before. He saved Lord Hunter’s life and still must perform two more acts of atonement for his sins. He must prevent a betrayal to balance his own betrayal, and he must find a way to give wealth back to the people. Standing in his way is his nemesis, pirate/merchant Mad Dog Morgan, who is out to poison the King of Spain and, thereby, consolidate his power. The story is told in verse that doesn’t exactly flow trippingly off the tongue, but the exciting plot, atmospheric pen-and-ink line drawings on every page, and the handsome design make this a tale to remember. The well-structured narrative, and action that moves seamlessly through the centuries, nicely anchor this story of fate and redemption. Fans of Iain Lawrence’s High Seas trilogy and Brian Jacques’s Castaways of the Flying Dutchman will love this. (Fiction. 9+)