Friday Fiction Fix: "Isle of Swords"

The Short:

Isle of Swords

By: Wayne Thomas Batson

5/5 Stars

What: A pirate searches for a lost treasure to get out of the sweet trade; his daughter wants nothing more than to become a captain in her own right; a man awakes on a beach with no memories.

Recommended to those who like: Christian-centered fiction, pirates, sailing, somewhat historical setting, adventure.

Not recommended to those who dislike: Some gruesome scenes (akin to PG 13 rating at times)

The Long:

                In recent years, Wayne Thomas Batson has become one of my favorite Christian speculative fiction authors. Not one to shy away from some darker plotlines, his stories are colorful and rich. Isle of Swords is no exception.

                If you liked The Pirates of the Caribbean, this book would probably suit your tastes. The book does have a Christian element to it, but is fairly realistic and does not overwhelm the plot. The story is not set in a separate universe, but rather at an unspecified point in the past. It does not bear the hallmarks of a traditional historical novel (if you like adventure stories, you’ll still like this one).

                Throughout the story, we follow the adventures of Captain Declan Ross and his daughter, Anne, who seek the treasure of Constantine to be free from piracy—a profession the captain was forced into by circumstances. Anne, however, is perfectly content to be a pirate and often clashes over this with her father. They must also avoid Captain Bartholomew Thorne, a ruthless pirate who will stop at nothing to gain the treasure for himself and to get revenge on Captain Ross.

                The story is filled with colorful side characters fitting a pirate book, as well as “Cat”, a young man who awakes on an island with no memories. The writing is great and well-paced, making this book a nice read for an afternoon or two. I’m excited to be starting the sequel soon!

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Batson and his work, as well as other commentators. I also welcome comments on what you would like to see included in the reviews. I reserve the right to remove vulgar, hateful, or rude remarks from the comments. Thanks for sharing!