Pirates & Privateers: A. C. Allanby's Books

A star falls to earth and a playful Great Dog appears on a rocky island. When someone pleads for help, he rescues a battered old man from the stormy sea. Captain Antonio befriends the dog who saves his life and names him Max. They play and frolic on the beach, but when no one else washes ashore, they build a raft and sail away in hopes of reaching a town where Captain Antonio can report the loss of his ship.

Captain Antonio is sad because he’s lost everything, but Max won’t let him stay sad for long. The harbormaster brings Captain Antonio a telegram, which reveals that his ship isn’t lost and that the crew claims they killed their captain on orders from the Evil Emperor’s nasty sidekick, Master Yeken. With spies everywhere, the harbormaster knows Captain Antonio needs help, so he contacts a friend. This friend has the perfect ship for Captain Antonio to sail, and Transom soon arrives. All he needs is a crew, so he and Max set sail for foreign ports in search of crew members and adventure.

Humor, magic, and fun abound in this ten-chapter book that is written for children but will be enjoyed by anyone who is a kid at heart. Pirates, slaves, princesses, gold, a fish talker, a mermaid, ninja swordfish, seagulls, and a special secret populate this delightful fantasy. Each new member of the crew adds his and her own special talents to thwart the Evil Emperor, restore harmony to the land and sea, and return the true Emperor and Empress to the throne. The Adventures of Captain Antonio is the first book in The Transom Trilogy, and reading this one is kind of like trying to eat just one potato chip. Once tasted, you’re hooked and will eagerly look forward to the next adventure.