A review by dmtcer
The Pirate Code by Heidi Schulz, John Hendrix
4.0
Neverland tales, to me, are the greatest adventure stories. What began with J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan as the boy who never grew up so long ago has branched out into fun, rollicking tales of magic, mystery, adventure and extended childhood. Heidi Schultz wonderful tale of the adventures of Captain Hook's daughter Jocelyn and her quest to avenge her fathers death (via the ticking Crocodile) and in this story, to retrieve her inheritance; Hook's Treasure do not disappoint. I love the character of Smee - he is just as I imagined him to be from the original story. I really appreciate Jocelyn herself - a young girl trying to live her own brand of "A Pirate's Life". These stories are a unique look at the villainous Captain Hook, who somehow, with the appearance of an unknown likeable daughter now seems more misunderstood and less villainous!
I do wonder, on a personal note, if young readers will appreciate these tales as much as grown-up readers will? The vocabulary is beautiful, and the characters themselves are rich in ..well, character. As a school librarian, I am not certain that my own particular students will appreciate the sometimes snarky-aside humor. That said, this story is captivating and great fun. I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for a review, and I glad to have been given the opportunity to read it. I have already recommended the Hook's Revenge book(s) to several of my higher reading former students.
I do wonder, on a personal note, if young readers will appreciate these tales as much as grown-up readers will? The vocabulary is beautiful, and the characters themselves are rich in ..well, character. As a school librarian, I am not certain that my own particular students will appreciate the sometimes snarky-aside humor. That said, this story is captivating and great fun. I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for a review, and I glad to have been given the opportunity to read it. I have already recommended the Hook's Revenge book(s) to several of my higher reading former students.