Helpful Score: 3
I pre-read this for my 8 year old, and was glad I did. I'd save it for when she's maybe 12. The language and concepts weren't difficult, but the subject matter got a little gruesome. I thought it was a good read, for older kids and adults.
Helpful Score: 2
Written for younger readers, not too gorey or scary. It's a fun read.
Helpful Score: 2
This was a pretty good introduction to a series for youths. It was fun to read aloud as a family.
Helpful Score: 2
I'm NOT into vampire books but the first page caught me and I was hooked. It is done in a NOT classic version of what we have come to expect of Vampires but rather in a mystery, historical and culture style of writing that made this a book a great read for both children and adults. It starts with a boy who escapes the wrath of an evil vampire god and is befriended by a homeless boy who is streetsmart and also a thief. They become friends and then the homeless boy finds out the boy he helped escape comes from a wealthy family and together they go in search of a way to kill this vampire god and rescue his father who was left behind on an island in Mexico---very very good reading. A quick-read but great on mystery and cultures and I was hooked and had to by the sequals [Paris, Mexico], and ended up wishing this were made into a movie--it is THAT good.
Helpful Score: 1
My son really enjoyed this series. RL4
Helpful Score: 1
the book was okay, but it was a little childish in a sense, but if you absolutely love vampyre books, you can get into it easily
From the back cover:
An ancient evil.A doomed expedition. The heart of the British Empire is about to fall prey to an unspeakable curse...
12 yr old Jack Harkett is a street urchin living on the London docks.So when a merchant ship sails into port at twilight,Jack recognizes it for what it is:an opportunity.But he's never seen a ship quite like this one. Aside from a flock of enormous black bats that flies from its hull, there's only one living soul on board....
An ancient evil.A doomed expedition. The heart of the British Empire is about to fall prey to an unspeakable curse...
12 yr old Jack Harkett is a street urchin living on the London docks.So when a merchant ship sails into port at twilight,Jack recognizes it for what it is:an opportunity.But he's never seen a ship quite like this one. Aside from a flock of enormous black bats that flies from its hull, there's only one living soul on board....
Kimberly N. (kimberlyrav) -
A very enjoyable and unique start to a YA-Vampire series.
In this, book one, twelve year old Jack, street urchin living on the London docks watches one night as a merchant ship sails into port. The ship is surrounded above by huge flying bats. Only one living soul on board and that is Ben. A young stowaway. Jack and Ben meet up and you learn just what small Ben has been through before boarding the "ghost ship" and what occurred while being stowed away.
Through part of the story you see Ben's experiences through his journal, which he writes in each day. He forms alliances with Jack and together they vow to stop the evil that has come to London. Jack, Ben and Emily, Ben's sister all work hard to banish the vampire and his followers. Many adventures await the trio.
I really liked this book. We have heard it all when it comes to Vampires but I do find this went into it all with a very unique twist.
I found Ben's travels from Mexico, across the ocean and into London very reader satisfying. The geography, the descriptions, the way the story is written is a great adult read too. I have ordered books 2 and 3 and am eager to start them. The series at present is up to book 5. These are excellent novels not just for kids but for adults as well.
In this, book one, twelve year old Jack, street urchin living on the London docks watches one night as a merchant ship sails into port. The ship is surrounded above by huge flying bats. Only one living soul on board and that is Ben. A young stowaway. Jack and Ben meet up and you learn just what small Ben has been through before boarding the "ghost ship" and what occurred while being stowed away.
Through part of the story you see Ben's experiences through his journal, which he writes in each day. He forms alliances with Jack and together they vow to stop the evil that has come to London. Jack, Ben and Emily, Ben's sister all work hard to banish the vampire and his followers. Many adventures await the trio.
I really liked this book. We have heard it all when it comes to Vampires but I do find this went into it all with a very unique twist.
I found Ben's travels from Mexico, across the ocean and into London very reader satisfying. The geography, the descriptions, the way the story is written is a great adult read too. I have ordered books 2 and 3 and am eager to start them. The series at present is up to book 5. These are excellent novels not just for kids but for adults as well.
