I have been a great fan of both pirate stories and of Justin Somper for quite a few years.  I remember meeting him at a book launch, not long after the first of his “Vampirates” books was published and I have watched his career with interest ever since.  This new series about the “Pirate Academy” is aimed at an audience around the 8-12 age group and this is the second book in the series.

This really is a rip roaring adventure about a class of young pirates at the Pirate Academy, all of whom are in the Barracuda Class and about to face the first great test of their abilities; this is known as the Oceans Bound weekend and the class is divided into five teams, who are following clues to test how well they have learnt the skills of a pirate.  However things are not quite that simple; in the first story there were a range of catastrophes and then the sudden appearance of a group called the ‘League of True Pirates’, who are trying to change the ways of the pirates and not in a good way.

The three central characters, Jasmine, Jacoby and Neo, together with their classmates find themselves facing unexpected dangers as they are manipulated by members of the LOT P, including Jasmine’s own uncle.  The pace of this tale is fast and furious and  it would not be an enterprise for those who suffer sea-sickness.  However, the main lesson we get from this is about the meaning of friendship and team work.  The children are only about 11 years old and they are having to cope with some major issues in their lives, so the support  that they give each other is vitally important.

As always, Justin Somper has us on the edge of our seats as we follow the action, but he manages to include several swerves in the plot, which really shocks the reader.  I can’t wait to follow the adventures of these young protagonists in the next titles.  I get the feeling that we have got some very exciting times ahead as Jasmine, Jacoby and Neo try and unravel the secrets that have been kept from them in the past.

The author  Justin Somper

Justin Somper, author of Vampirates, introduces his brand new pirate series, Pirate Academy!

Justin grew up in St Albans and worked as a publicist for Puffin and Random House Children’s Books, before setting up a PR consultancy of his own in North London.  Vampirates was his debut series of children’s books. Then, after 30 years in North London, he and his Aussie husband moved to Perth, Western Australia, where Justin is now writing the Pirate Academy adventures.  (From Readingzone)