meagan_kay's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting, unique time travel read! Not only was this book a great read with fantastic characters, but it taught me a bit of history which is always a good thing (to me at least). I'd definitely recommend it!
bookshop_b's review against another edition
2.0
I thought this book would have everything I could ever ask for in a book. Tall ships, time travel, 1800s fashion, parties, a heist, a tragic love story, a dragon - I mean, I was so keen for this book.
But somehow this book book failed to impress me. Towards the end I had to force myself to finish it because I had made it so far. But the question that is still rattling around my head is - why did I not love this book?
And I still can't find the answer. I think this book and I just didn't click in the way I thought we would. I had imagined a dramatic love story between the two of us but all I ended up with was an unhappy marriage. Like we had fallen in love too quickly without getting to know each other well enough before spending our lives together.
Nevertheless, the book wasn't awful and did make me smile (it was mainly the pearl-eating dragon) but I don't think I'll be reading the second one in a hurry.
But somehow this book book failed to impress me. Towards the end I had to force myself to finish it because I had made it so far. But the question that is still rattling around my head is - why did I not love this book?
And I still can't find the answer. I think this book and I just didn't click in the way I thought we would. I had imagined a dramatic love story between the two of us but all I ended up with was an unhappy marriage. Like we had fallen in love too quickly without getting to know each other well enough before spending our lives together.
Nevertheless, the book wasn't awful and did make me smile (it was mainly the pearl-eating dragon) but I don't think I'll be reading the second one in a hurry.
ttfa's review against another edition
3.0
[3.5 stars]
The difference between my expectation of what I wanted from this book vs what it actually was actually not too bad? I admit I thought the book would have a lot more adventure and travel to a variety of places with the time travel aspect, but I still enjoyed it for the most part, though I do wish it had capitalised on the time travel aspect more.
I think the book was slow at times but it also gave it a nice kind of rhythmn? I quite liked the description as well.
Really, the fact that I continued to read this even though there was a [shudder] love triangle says something. I think there was a 'spark' in this book that kept me going, enough to make me curious about the next book.
The difference between my expectation of what I wanted from this book vs what it actually was actually not too bad? I admit I thought the book would have a lot more adventure and travel to a variety of places with the time travel aspect, but I still enjoyed it for the most part, though I do wish it had capitalised on the time travel aspect more.
I think the book was slow at times but it also gave it a nice kind of rhythmn? I quite liked the description as well.
Really, the fact that I continued to read this even though there was a [shudder] love triangle says something. I think there was a 'spark' in this book that kept me going, enough to make me curious about the next book.
artemistheactivist's review against another edition
5.0
Such a well thought of, thrilling, and loving story. Heidi continued to surprise me with the coolest mixtures of documented history, tales, myths, and legends! I was deeply touched by the thread throughout the book showing the devastating results of colonialist - and human in general - influences and greed on lands, cultures, people, understandings and beliefs, and NATURE....
cjbjork's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
megancrews's review against another edition
3.0
Time-traveling pirates? Count me in. Heidi Helig has offered up just such delicious fare withthe first installment in her new teen series.
Nix, whose father is the captain of The Temptation, has grown up on the ship traveling to any far flung place in time they happen to have a map for, including magical and mythological locales. The eccentric crew members are the closest thing she has to family. But, one place always beckons her father back, the place where he lost Nix’s mother. If he could get back, perhaps he could save her.
Time travel has rules, however. The crew can never use the same map twice, and the map must be an original reflection of the place in time it was created. While the captain would do anything to get his hands on a usable map of 1868 Honolulu, it is hard to find one that will actually work.
To acquire a potentially usable map, the crew will have to pull of more than one major heist. Since piracy is never as simple as it sounds, they must also deal with unforeseen obstacles along the way.
Nix’s complex relationship with her father is especially compelling, though there are also hints of romance. Nix best friend aboard the ship may have deeper feelings, and she also meets an enigmatic stranger who will test her loyalties to the ship and the crew.
Helig’s, a native Hawaiian, ties in a surprising amount of actual history concerning the island at this pivotal time in its history and her descriptions of the place, the people, and the food are magical.
Nix, whose father is the captain of The Temptation, has grown up on the ship traveling to any far flung place in time they happen to have a map for, including magical and mythological locales. The eccentric crew members are the closest thing she has to family. But, one place always beckons her father back, the place where he lost Nix’s mother. If he could get back, perhaps he could save her.
Time travel has rules, however. The crew can never use the same map twice, and the map must be an original reflection of the place in time it was created. While the captain would do anything to get his hands on a usable map of 1868 Honolulu, it is hard to find one that will actually work.
To acquire a potentially usable map, the crew will have to pull of more than one major heist. Since piracy is never as simple as it sounds, they must also deal with unforeseen obstacles along the way.
Nix’s complex relationship with her father is especially compelling, though there are also hints of romance. Nix best friend aboard the ship may have deeper feelings, and she also meets an enigmatic stranger who will test her loyalties to the ship and the crew.
Helig’s, a native Hawaiian, ties in a surprising amount of actual history concerning the island at this pivotal time in its history and her descriptions of the place, the people, and the food are magical.
internationalkris's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed joining Nix and her shipmates for some Navigation through time and space. Even better were the forays into the mystical worlds. If I had the power to travel into any map which destinations would I pick? What a fabulous question for a fictional journey! Interestingly some of our favorite winter vacation movies connected strongly to the themes in this book, namely The Arrival with its holistic understanding of time, La La Land with its alternative ending, and even Rogue One in which the characters pursue their mission despite the cost. Thanks for the great rec NPR!
gwynne104's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
5.0
I've read so many 'meh' books lately that I was starting to worry I might need a break from reading. Not so. This book was refreshingly original. The plot was as complicated as it should be (time travel!) and everything was rooted in real history, myth, and legend. Rich literary references and likable but intensely flawed characters were a welcome break from the oversimplified YA I've been picking up lately.
kaitlynredwing's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY liked this book, and it was so close to being 4 stars for me.
So here's what I LOVED and what also fell flat for me below. I won't give away too much either.
Because who doesn't love a book about pirates and time-travel!? No one.
The Time Traveling
Okay, so I LOVE this concept. And I haven't read very many books on time traveling, if any, but this was a very, very neat concept. So basically, Nix and her father can take any map--with a sea border-- when they are on their ship and travel to that time. However, you can't go to a place where you currently exist, and you can only use a map once. You can also travel on foot, but you can't take a bunch of people with you, so it's easier to sail a ship to ports. If that makes sense. Now, there might be some more technicalities; and this was one of the parts I didn't love about the book--it was confusing to understand at times. It was also confusing when there was a lot of action, I felt like I got lost at times but eventually found my way back. It wasn't terrible, but enough to knock a star off for.
Pirates
Well, not REAL pirates. But the author explains in the end that the story is based off a pirate heist on Hawaii in the 1700s? (I don't have the book next to me but I think it was around then) And Nix and her dads crew are basically the best group of "Pirates" you could imagine. I really hope we get more into their lives in the second book. Especially Kashmir. (hot damn I love him)
The Characters
Not only were the characters layered and flawed, they were diverse. Nix is Chinese, but born on Hawaii. Kashmir is Persian(Also inspired from stories in A Thousand Nights) who speaks Arabic, French, English, and Persian. (I could be missing one) One of the crew mates was a lesbian, Bee, who is also African and used to be married but her wife has since passed. Though she still talks and "interacts" with her wife even though no one else can see or hear her. Like, I can't tell you how great it was to read about a bunch of diverse characters who lived these lives in different time periods and are now all time traveling on a SHIP. Incredible
Ugh, let me have my romantic trope okay. Except he's not any basic trope you're used to. He's a thief who has a sketchy moral compass, witty, entertaining, and I bet his smirk would kill you. And he loves Nix. It's evident from the very beginning, and not in a romantic sense. In a, I will kill for this person without question and also throw myself in front of any danger to save this person, type way. He also speaks a thousand languages and understands Nix and is there for her when her father isn't. I just love his character, okay?
Okay, so that's just a little of what I loved about this book. Really though, what bothered me the most was the climax didn't feel very climatic. It wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't great and It felt rushed to me. That's okay, I will still read the next book, which as I understand is the last. So yay for Duologies! There was also some love triangle stuff going on. But it didn't bother me that much, it isn't too serious and it makes sense to me. Most of the time I want to put a book down when I sense a love triangle, but not with this one. I know who the end game is, if it happens, and I'm okay with this character growth. That's what I'm calling it. And if it doesn't happen, that's okay. Because Nix and Kash are friends and always will be friends first. No matter what. They're relationship is so much more than just romance, and I really enjoyed them.
So if you love time travel and spirited, witty pirates, give this a go. You won't be disappointed. My 3 stars is merely a "head with caution" and don't expect a perfect book. But you shouldn't NOT read it for the problems I state, because it truly is a fun read that only took me a day to read. Like, I couldn't put it down. I might change my rating to 4 stars after I've thought about it for awhile.
So here's what I LOVED and what also fell flat for me below. I won't give away too much either.
Because who doesn't love a book about pirates and time-travel!? No one.
The Time Traveling
Okay, so I LOVE this concept. And I haven't read very many books on time traveling, if any, but this was a very, very neat concept. So basically, Nix and her father can take any map--with a sea border-- when they are on their ship and travel to that time. However, you can't go to a place where you currently exist, and you can only use a map once. You can also travel on foot, but you can't take a bunch of people with you, so it's easier to sail a ship to ports. If that makes sense. Now, there might be some more technicalities; and this was one of the parts I didn't love about the book--it was confusing to understand at times. It was also confusing when there was a lot of action, I felt like I got lost at times but eventually found my way back. It wasn't terrible, but enough to knock a star off for.
Pirates
Well, not REAL pirates. But the author explains in the end that the story is based off a pirate heist on Hawaii in the 1700s? (I don't have the book next to me but I think it was around then) And Nix and her dads crew are basically the best group of "Pirates" you could imagine. I really hope we get more into their lives in the second book. Especially Kashmir. (hot damn I love him)
The Characters
Not only were the characters layered and flawed, they were diverse. Nix is Chinese, but born on Hawaii. Kashmir is Persian(Also inspired from stories in A Thousand Nights) who speaks Arabic, French, English, and Persian. (I could be missing one) One of the crew mates was a lesbian, Bee, who is also African and used to be married but her wife has since passed. Though she still talks and "interacts" with her wife even though no one else can see or hear her. Like, I can't tell you how great it was to read about a bunch of diverse characters who lived these lives in different time periods and are now all time traveling on a SHIP. Incredible
Ugh, let me have my romantic trope okay. Except he's not any basic trope you're used to. He's a thief who has a sketchy moral compass, witty, entertaining, and I bet his smirk would kill you. And he loves Nix. It's evident from the very beginning, and not in a romantic sense. In a, I will kill for this person without question and also throw myself in front of any danger to save this person, type way. He also speaks a thousand languages and understands Nix and is there for her when her father isn't. I just love his character, okay?
Okay, so that's just a little of what I loved about this book. Really though, what bothered me the most was the climax didn't feel very climatic. It wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't great and It felt rushed to me. That's okay, I will still read the next book, which as I understand is the last. So yay for Duologies! There was also some love triangle stuff going on. But it didn't bother me that much, it isn't too serious and it makes sense to me. Most of the time I want to put a book down when I sense a love triangle, but not with this one. I know who the end game is, if it happens, and I'm okay with this character growth. That's what I'm calling it. And if it doesn't happen, that's okay. Because Nix and Kash are friends and always will be friends first. No matter what. They're relationship is so much more than just romance, and I really enjoyed them.
So if you love time travel and spirited, witty pirates, give this a go. You won't be disappointed. My 3 stars is merely a "head with caution" and don't expect a perfect book. But you shouldn't NOT read it for the problems I state, because it truly is a fun read that only took me a day to read. Like, I couldn't put it down. I might change my rating to 4 stars after I've thought about it for awhile.