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Sea of the Dead

by Julia Durango
136p. 978-1-41695-778-2.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4-6 Kehl is the son of Prince Amatec, a powerful warrior who is determined to conquer Temoc, the Fallen King, who sails the neighboring waters of the Carillon. Kidnapped by Temoc and taken aboard his ship, Kehl eventually discovers that Temoc is not the real villain. Durango's writing mimics that of traditional warrior tales with a measured cadence and muscular descriptions. She occasionally throws in a bit of low-brow vocabulary and innuendo that will likely catch readers' attention yet doesn't quite fit the narrative tone. In the last quarter of the book, an adequate plot and decent style crumbles into battlefield clichés and cloying emotion, and the climactic scene is rather maudlin. Much of this book is fairly entertaining, making it an adequate additional purchase, but Durango doesn't quite have her sea legs in this one."Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
Unable to live up to his warrior father's expectations, thirteen-year-old Kehl instead develops his skills as a cartographer. After being kidnapped by pirates and forced to map the uncharted waters surrounding the Empire, Kehl learns that his future depends on breaking from his past. Detailed evocation of setting makes this story an enjoyable read. An author's note describes the tale's inspiration.
An involving adventure with an unusual and interesting setting. Kehl is a sympathetic main character with a believable voice. As Xipi, Temoc, and the rest of the Fallen gain Kehl’s—and the reader’s—sympathy, they become more likable. A good choice for those who like adventure stories and for reluctant readers.

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