Win a copy of The Pirates and The Nightmaker by James Norcliffe

A strange and mischievous story written with exceptional style, pace and grace - a true classic in the making.
It's 1740 . . .
The Firefly is taken in the night by pirates who sail the Caribbean. The ship's boy and a handful of men are set adrift in a jolly-boat. Without food or water the half-starved men eye up the young boy.
Astonishingly, a mysterious Mr Wicker saves the boy by turning him into an unearthly creature - an invisible flying boy with beautiful emerald-green wings.
When the boy is drawn to a ghost ship sailed by Captain Bass, he learns of the dangerous power of a magical astrolabe which Mr Wicker desperately seeks - and why Wicker must never find it.

The boy cannot trust Wicker . . . but is there anyone he can trust? Captain Bass? Sophie Blade, the pirate's daughter? And who can return him to himself?

Review
When I started reading this book I was unclear what age group the book was aimed at.
The story line, involving pirates (led by a woman captain) and magic seemed to be at about 9 plus, but the vocabulary, and some of the themes at a somewhat older age group.
Starting with the prologue there are three different starts to the story.
In the prologue we meet an unhappy boy travelling to take up an apprenticeship at a shop, when he encounters a strange, green being.
In chapter 1 we meet the loblolly boy, (surgeon's assistant) adrift in a jolly boat with some crew and a mysterious passenger, who had survived an attack on their ship. The crew are looking hungrily at the boy, sharpening their knives and beginning to think of him as food.
In chapter 2 the story starts again, with the background of the lobblolly boy, and how he came to be have that position on the HMS Firefly.
Chapter 3 takes the reader back to the jolly boat, and the story begins.
I felt that this could be somewhat confusing for younger readers.
The vocabulary used also seemed to indicate an older readship, probably of internediate school to early high school age.
After doing a little reseach I discovered that this book is a prequel to 'The Loblolly Boy' and 'The 'Loblolly Boy and The Scorcerer,' so readers who are familiar with these would have already met the loblobby boy and have an interest in his origins, which are described this book .
Historically the story is set in 1740, and incorporates the War of Jenkins Ear, and the relationship of England and Spain at that time. There is helpful diagram of an eighteenth centuary sailing ship in the front, and a useful glossary at the back.
As a class reader, there is plenty of material for a teacher to work with around history and geography, and with a twist in the tail (yes, I did mean to spell it that way, as it comes at the end) there is a potential jump to discovery of New Zealand.
Review by 9 year old Izobell
I read the first few chapters of the story and found some of the words difficult for me. It was confusing trying to settle into the book when I had to keep looking the words up.
I think the book would be better for someone older, maybe 12 years plus. I think my 14 year old friend would enjoy it. I also think it would help if I had read the other books first. Maybe when I am a bit older I might read it. I might have enjoyed it more if it was being read in class, by the teacher, who would explain things as they go along.