The Dread Pirate Fleur and the Ruby Heart by Sara Starbuck
| The Dread Pirate Fleur and the Ruby Heart by Sara Starbuck | |
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| Category: Confident Readers | |
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Reviewer: John Lloyd
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| Summary: A real thriller for the young as a young girl must prove herself as a pirate on a quest for revenge. If it didn't go off the boil too much it would have been worthy of the highest recommendation. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 384 | Date: April 2009 |
| Publisher: Red Fox | |
| ISBN: 978-1862307025 | |
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The truth has been slow to catch up with Fleur. For many years she has thought herself the daughter of a Cornish taverner, but it appears her father is really a much-feared retired pirate in disguise. When some nasty types come and kill him with the first few pages - and this despite him using a very strange, bejewelled weapon - she appears to be left alone. But if truth was slow, then her uncle - an even more feared, and still active, pirate - is a lot quicker in rescuing her, dressing the already tomboyish Fleur as a male, and leading her into a saga of revenge.
The book is equally rapid from then on, at least for a good many pages, as Fleur leaves Cornwall, and sets sail on the brig the Libertine, headed for the Caribbean - and in search of the men who altered her life forever. Immediately she has to work out who her friends on deck might be, and learn to avoid the nastier enemies.
While on the whole there is a dearth of piratical goings-on there is a great pace to the drama, and we learn a lot about Fleur's personality, her fellow crew and the pirates' life, circa 1692. It'll fit in well among other pirate adventures on the shelves of the 8-13s, or be a great launch for such an interest. The balance between character and action is done very nicely, however, and this is not just a stereotyped, girl-thrown-in-the-deep-end story.
I did balk at the late introduction of another character, as I didn't feel it trustworthy at all, but it was just one further instance of the plot doing something a little unexpected, and above and beyond the call of duty. It's not a storyline I would care to reveal too much about, as it deserves your discovery. I do have to mention a great talky lull of speechifying before act three's drama hits us full throttle. Were it not for those minor stumbling blocks there would be a stronger Bookbag rating for this title - we still recommend it, but the evident sequels have some small scope for improvement.
We aim be on board for them, however - pun intended.
We at the Bookbag must thank the publishers for our review copy.
If this book appeals then we think that you might also enjoy The Mousehunter by Alex Milway.
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Dread Pirate Fleur and the Ruby Heart by Sara Starbuck at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy The Dread Pirate Fleur and the Ruby Heart by Sara Starbuck at Amazon.com.
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