Here is an Reveiw on the Isle of Swords by Wayn thomas Batson. Enjoy!
A sea storm and mysterious boy with no memory is how Batson launches the story. With relatively short chapters, the story flows very nicely as we are introduced to Anne and Declan. While Declan is a pirate, he still has honor – he is true to his crew and does not kill. What he really wants; however, is to put the life of piracy behind him. A chance run in with the notorious pirate Bartholemew Thorne may put him on the course to a less larcenous life. After Ross engages one of Thorne’s lieutenants in a sea battle, he ends up on island which may hold the map to a treasure which will allow Ross to be free of piracy. Unfortunately, Thorne is hot on his heels and soon tries to find his way towards this Holy Grail of a treasure.
While the thought of two pirates hunting for the same treasure may prove fertile enough ground for a good swashbuckler, Batson plants more seeds. Ross’s daughter Anne plays the role of headstrong plucky youth who won’t listen to her father. Yes this might be a clichéd character type but Batson makes these things work very well in his favor. Anne’s headstrong nature is further complicated by the mysterious young man her father and crew find washed ashore; a young boy they come to call Cat. Anne and Cat make a nice duo and young readers in particular will probably find themselves sailing along with both or either character as the story moves along.
Cat knows very little of his past and Batson reveals hints over the course of the story bit by bit. This mystery is part of what makes him an intriguing character. That and the strange voices he hears directing him provide a larger cloud of mystery. What works all the more in the favor of both the character and the story is that readers learn about Cat just as Cat learns about himself.