Lintang and the Pirate Queen – Tamara Moss – Lintang #1 – Penguin Random House Australia – Published 31 July 2017

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Synopsis

Lintang dreams of escaping her island home and having adventures on the high seas. She gets her chance when she and her best friend, Bayani, face a deadly mythie and survive, attracting the attention of the infamous Captain Shafira. Lintang’s bravery earns her an invitation onto the ship of the pirate queen, who is on her way to hunt down a nest of vicious sirens.

But they’ve barely left the island when Lintang discovers that Bayani has risked his life to stow away. Worse, he won’t tell her why. Lintang must choose whether to be loyal to Captain Shafira and continue with her adventures, or be loyal to her best friend and lose everything she’s ever wanted.

My thoughts

Lintang and the Pirate Queen is a book of epic quests, mystical creatures, and a brave young girl who dreams of exploring. It is the perfect book for middle-grade readers who enjoy a touch of magic mixed with plenty of adventure.

Lintang has always wanted to explore beyond the borders of her island home. At home, she can never seem to do the right thing and is constantly getting in trouble for her wild storytelling and epic sword fights. But when the infamous Captain Shafira saves Lintang’s life, Lintang is granted the opportunity to accompany the pirate queen on her voyage. When Lintang discovers her best friend, Bayani, has joined them as a stowaway, Lintang is determined to discover the secrets he is keeping from her, even if it means putting at risk her chance to fight sea monsters and sail the oceans.

Lintang and The Pirate Queen is a well-written book that is easy to sink into. Lintang and her trouble-creating ways bring much fun and mischief to the story. She is a strong character, eager to please but more often distracted by her wild imagination and fierce bravery. The other characters, from secretive and supportive Bayani to the legendary pirate queen and her vibrant and diverse crew, all bring much liveliness and humour to the story. Yet, touching on themes such as belonging, loyalty, acceptance, and honesty, Lintang and the Pirate Queen gently shares these important lessons that young readers will learn alongside Lintang.

The magic creatures Lintang faces on her journey are familiar and yet unique to this book’s imaginative world. Throughout the chapters are scattered pages and illustrations from the Mythie Guidebook, which helps to describe the wondrous beings that inhabit and sometimes threaten Lintang’s world.

Stowaways, sword fighting, dragons, pirates, great sea battles, sirens, and secrets – Lintang and the Pirate Queen has all the makings of an epic adventure. The sequel, Lintang and the Forbidden Island, promises to continue Lintang’s exciting quest.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

More information

Category: Children’s fiction – Middle-grade fiction.

Genre: Adventure.

Themes: Adventure, pirates, friendships, mythical creatures, exploration, honesty, loyalty, trust.

Reading age guide: Ages 9 to 14.

Advisory: Mild fantasy violence, fighting mythical creatures, sword fighting and the use of weapons such as swords and darts.

Published:  31 July 2017 by Penguin Random House Australia.

Format: Paperback, ebook. 336 pages.

ISBN: 9780143783435

Find it on Goodreads