Pirates and Privateers

Grace and Connor Tempest are twins. They live with their father, Dexter Tempest, in a lighthouse at Crescent Moon Bay on the East Coast of Australia. Whenever they are upset, he sings them this sea shanty:

I’ll tell you a tale of Vampirates,
A tale as old as true.
Yea, I’ll sing you a song of an ancient ship,
And its mighty fearsome crew.
Yea, I’ll sing you a song of an ancient ship,
That sails the oceans blue . . .
That haunts the oceans blue.

In 2512, Dexter suddenly dies, leaving the children with no family and no home. Polly Pagett, who runs the orphanage, fixes a room in expectation of the twins’ arrival. Lachlan Busby, the banker, and his wife want to adopt Grace and Connor, an idea neither twin dares contemplate. Instead, they abscond with their father’s boat, which the bank now owns. No sooner have they departed Crescent Moon Bay than a fierce storm dumps the children into the sea and destroys their vessel.

In the dark tempest, the twins become separated. While struggling to survive, Connor sees an old galleon sail away into the mist. Then Cheng Li, the Deputy Captain of The Diablo pulls him to safety. It isn’t long before he learns that his rescuers are pirates! With the exception of Mistress Li, everyone aboard, including Captain Molucco Wrathe and his pet snake, agree that Grace died and Connor must move on. He can’t do that, and to calm himself, he sings his father’s song. Suddenly, Connor realizes what ship he saw and what happened to his sister – the Vampirates have her. He vows to find her; in the meanwhile, there’s plenty to do and learn about pirate life and ships. Soon he must decide whether he will become a pirate or not.

Grace awakens aboard a strange ship. Lorcan, the Irish cabin boy who rescues her, appears when she least expects it. Hot food awaits her, even though no one enters the locked cabin. The candles never melt, yet they burn all day and night. A curtain covers her window, and the note pinned to the fabric says not to open it ever! Grace is curious and strives to learn whatever she can. Lorcan assures her she is safe, as is her brother, but Lorcan evades answering any other questions. Eventually, she realizes she’s aboard the vampirate ship! But why?

When I was first approached to review this book, I hesitated. I tend not to read vampire stories since they usually involve lots of blood and gore. Since the Vampirates series is written for children ages eight to twelve, I thought I’d be on safe ground this time. The story fascinated me, and I yearned to read more about Grace and the vampirates than about Connor and the pirates. Perhaps because I know one group well, but the other remains a mystery.

Just as Dexter Tempest’s sea shanty spins a web for his children, so does Somper weave a tale that captivates the reader. He rouses your curiosity and compels you to turn the page. Grace’s introduction into the world of vampirates is slow and casual, almost mesmerizing. There are warning signs that hint of blood and danger, but Somper makes certain nothing is overtly gruesome. Connor encounters far more violence as a pirate than Grace does during her stay with the vampirates.

Many years have passed since I read about vampires, but from what I remember, Somper portrays them accurately and dispels some myths surrounding them. His knowledge about pirates and life at sea are quite evident as you read the story. Demons of the Ocean is a great read for fans who like pirates, vampires, and fantasy. Contrary to what the publisher says, young and old alike will crave to read this book. For those too timid to try, perhaps the last verse of the shanty will help:

Well, if pirates are bad,
And vampires are worse,
Then I pray that as long as I be
That though I sing of Vampirates
I never one shall see.
Yea, if pirates are danger
And vampires are death,
I’ll extend my prayer for thee –
That thine eyes never see a Vampirate . . .

. . . and they never lay a hand on thee.

Review Copyright ©2006 Cindy Vallar




Tide of Terror
by Justin Somper
Little, Brown and Company, 2007, ISBN 978-0-316-01374-1, US $15.99 / CAN $19.99

The Tempest twins sail aboard Captain Molucco Wrathe’s pirate ship. Connor has become one of the Three Buccaneers, and together with Jez Stukeley and Bart Pearce, they make a formidable trio of swordsmen. Their encounter with a merchant ship – really another pirate ship in disguise – proves chilling and deadly, for not only are they defeated, but Jez is also slain in a duel. Connor must come to grips with the loss of his friend and the realization that death is always a possibility.

Grace’s primary concern is Connor’s safety and to that end, she convinces him to visit the Pirate Academy with the possibility of enrolling full-time. Her other obsession is the Vampirates, for she visits their ship in her dreams and discovers that Lorcan sacrificed his eyesight, and possibly his “life,” so Grace could be with her brother.

The Pirate Academy spins a web around Connor, and he wants to attend, but he did sign Molucco’s articles of agreement. Will his captain release him from that commitment? Is everything as wonderful as it appears? Or are forces working behind the scenes to entrap Connor in a scheme he knows nothing about? And what of Grace’s fascination with the Vampirates? Where will that lead her? While the twins struggle to unravel the mysteries surrounding them, evil forces are at work that inevitably lead to a confrontation none of them expect.

Despite my reticence to read vampire stories, I so enjoyed the first book in the Vampirate series that I looked forward to reading this one. Unfortunately, my journey wasn’t nearly as exciting and enjoyable as I expected. When authors create their characters and stories, a backstory evolves that explains what happens to lead the characters to the point in time when the story begins. This is what I felt while reading Tide of Terror. The information is important for the reader, but it’s essentially backstory for the next book in the series. The first few chapters and the last several are edge-of-your-seat action and adventure, but the rest of the story seems to sit on the page, failing to entice the reader. I also found the chapters on the evolution of a vampire distracting, in part because they unfold from an unfamiliar point of view. The twins do mature as the story progresses, and devoted fans of the series will probably enjoy how Connor and Grace work through the paths they must follow.

Meet the author

Review Copyright ©2008 Cindy Vallar




New Kid on Deck
by Justin Somper
UCLan Publishing, 2024, ISBN 978-1915235886, US $8.96 / UK £7.99
Available in other formats in UK

The Barracudas eagerly await the arrival of their parents for Captains’ Evening at the Pirate Federation’s Academy at Coral Sea Province. One by one their ships anchor, but not Jasmine Peacock’s. Her mom and dad usually arrive first. The later the hour grows, the more Jasmine worries but there is little she can do.

Jacoby Blunt’s anticipation is quickly doused when he and his father are summoned to the commodore’s office. Rather than putting his all into his studies, Jacoby has been coasting through his classes. If this continues, he will be expelled. This alarming news causes him to change his ways. It will be hard, since his best friend and roommate, Wing, has to withdraw. The only reason given is: “These are dangerous times to be a pirate.” (32)

Later that night, the crew of a dilapidated ship smuggles ashore a young boy. Neo Splice has fears and secrets, but there is nowhere else safe to go. He will become the newest Barracuda. The longer he stays, the more he finds himself looking over his shoulder and wondering whether the demons that haunt him are real or imagined.

Jacoby hurts from losing his friend and blames Neo. Best way to deal with the situation? Hazing. Doctoring the chalk used during sword practice doesn’t get the reaction Jacoby expects. Instead, Neo calls them all “privileged princes” who haven’t a clue as to what dangers lurk around them.

When Neo and another Barracuda go missing and masked pirates invade the academy, Jasmine, Jacoby, and the other Barracudas remember their motto: “If you wound one, you wound us all.” Together is the only way to save Neo and discover the true nature of the invaders and the perils they unleash.

New Kid on Deck is the first book in Somper’s new Pirate Academy series. Set in the year 2057, the story is spellbinding. The characters’ emotions and individuality draw readers into the action and tension, while the words and Teo Skaffa’s pictures breathe life into them in ways that make the characters real people. This may be written for children, but adults will also find themselves captivated. The villains are dastardly and just a bit creepy. The piratical elements are realistic and well-researched. Pirate apprentices and their parents will enjoy this voyage to a fantastic school where adventure awaits and they will eagerly look forward to the second book, Missing at Sea.

Meet the author

Review Copyright ©2025 Cindy Vallar




Missing at Sea
by Justin Somper
UCLan Publishing, 2023, ISBN 978-1-916747-03-6, US $14.50 / UK £7.99
Also available in other formats

Four weeks after the discovery of a traitor and the rescue of Neo Splice, the fifteen Barracudas gather for the Oceans Bound Weekend. Captained by members of their class, they will venture out to sea on their own with specific scavenging goals that test their mettle and skills to one day become leaders of other pirates. Jacoby Blunt is certain he will be one of the five chosen to be a captain. Instead, Jasmine Peacock and others are selected and Jacoby doesn’t take the letdown well.

While Jasmine and the other captains figure out who they want to crew their yachts, the leader of the rebel Lot P pirates escapes from the maximum-security prison. Then Jasmine finds a threatening note slipped under her door. She’s determined to let nothing get in the way of this challenging weekend, but it takes some good leadership abilities to stay on track and to convince Jacoby and Neo to join her as her crew.

Initially, all goes well and the various crews have friendly competitions along the way. Trouble comes when upperclassmen who provide supplies and clues to the Barracudas are infiltrated, and the clues left for Jasmine and her crew take them far from the path laid out by the Pirate Academy leaders. The trio is forced to conquer personal fears, while striving to work as a united team to successfully navigate the deadly challenges they now face. But at what point should they decide enough is enough and summon help?

Book 2 in the Pirate Academy series is rife with danger: rebel pirates, poisonous spiders, venomous vipers, and sharks separating the Barracudas from their yacht to name a few. Readers meet some unique characters, including a rainbow-haired woman with a pet boar, and tantalizing hints eventually lead our heroes to unforeseen reunions and friends in unexpected places. Somper spins a tale that is chock-full of twists and turns that keep pirate apprentices, as well as older sea dogs, riveted until the end. Even then, he hints at the intrigue and dangers that lay ahead for Jasmine, Jacoby, Neo, and all the other Barracudas and their classmates at the Pirate Academy.

Review Copyright ©2025 Cindy Vallar

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