In 1629 Mayken and her nursemaid Imke set out on the Batavia, the most glorious vessel of the age.
But sinister things are happening on board both on the upper decks and in the underbelly.
This breeds tension and is liable to endanger the lives of all those on board.
Is this voyage heading into disaster?
In 1989 Gil has just lost his mother and is sent to live with his hermit like, fisherman grandfather, Joss on a tiny island off the Australian coast.
Gil is troubled, missing his mother, trying to fit in when he is so very different to the local bullying kids and already hampered by the fact his grandfather is disliked.
These children seem linked across time where their fates led them both to that island and Gil slowly learns the fate of the Batavia and its passengers.
A beautifully written, historical adventure / fantasy cleverly woven with the present and incorporating historical fact also this was a great read.
Marking it down though on the extensive use of animal cruelty and not just from the period aspect either.
That sickens me and affects my enjoyment of what I read, hence the slightly lower score as its a personal trigger for me.
But sinister things are happening on board both on the upper decks and in the underbelly.
This breeds tension and is liable to endanger the lives of all those on board.
Is this voyage heading into disaster?
In 1989 Gil has just lost his mother and is sent to live with his hermit like, fisherman grandfather, Joss on a tiny island off the Australian coast.
Gil is troubled, missing his mother, trying to fit in when he is so very different to the local bullying kids and already hampered by the fact his grandfather is disliked.
These children seem linked across time where their fates led them both to that island and Gil slowly learns the fate of the Batavia and its passengers.
A beautifully written, historical adventure / fantasy cleverly woven with the present and incorporating historical fact also this was a great read.
Marking it down though on the extensive use of animal cruelty and not just from the period aspect either.
That sickens me and affects my enjoyment of what I read, hence the slightly lower score as its a personal trigger for me.