The Treasure of Peril Island
Young Adult; General Fiction (including literary and historical); (Market)
Young, penniless Jack Drayton lives on a barge, anchored in the Thames River in 1903 London.
One night, Jack comes to the assistance of an old man, who claims to be the infamous pirate Black Juan Gaskara, on the run from several men who want him dead. Jack finds that hard to believe, since the real Gaskara would have to be over 100 years old, but he can’t help but be curious.
Black Juan tells Jack that he has millions in treasure hidden on the secret Peril Island. The problem is that know one knows how to locate Peril Island except Black Juan himself. Before Juan is murdered by his old enemies, he gives Jack a cryptogram that reveals the treasure’s location.
With his best friend Hector, Jack sets out to claim the treasure before Gaskara’s enemies do – that is, if he can stay alive long enough.
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 10 out of 10
Overall: 9.00 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: The author has crafted a fun and engaging story line that will hold readers' interest from beginning to end. The story unfolds at a quick and steady pace, sustaining intrigue throughout.
Prose: The author is clearly a gifted writer who is able to craft an engrossing narrative using age-appropriate language. Here is a perfect balance of action, description, and dialogue that captures the timeless spirit of swashbuckling adventure.
Originality: Pirate stories are hardly novel, but James puts a fresh spin on a familiar genre. This is a fun and unique work that allows readers to return to the perilous days when pirates ruled the seas.
Character/Execution: The author excels at creating lively, substantive, and memorable characters. Particularly noteworthy is Jack, a sympathetic and smart protagonist that the reader roots for from the start.
Date Submitted: June 21, 2021
