Vampirates: Tide of Terror [Hardcover]

Short Attention Span Summary (SASS) of book one:

1. Twins escape horrid fate
2. Fate decides to give it another shot
3. They get separated at sea
4. One gets to talk like a pirate every day
5. The other's with a crew that sucks
6. Reunited, and it feels so good

Following right on the heels of Demons of the Ocean, "Tide of Terror" opens with a night surfer aggressively riding the waves of a deserted cove until the very waves give up the fight, depositing him gently on the sandy shore. Within a few pages however, we learn that this is no ordinary surfer, as the unexpected appearance of a brilliant moonbeam sways him from his intended mission.

Meanwhile, back on The Diablo .....

"Sound the cannon!"
A pirate attack
By eights and by fours
Time to plunder and sack

Victory cries
Soon silenced for good
An error of judgment
The target withstood

Following this great debacle, Connor and Grace (who are both aboard the pirate ship "The Diablo") have to make a tough career decision. Connor needs little convincing, but Grace feels her heart tugging in another direction, towards the Vampirate ship and Lorcan, the vampire who sacrificed his future to protect her.

A temporary respite is granted as the twins are permitted a one week all-expenses-paid trip to the Pirate Academy, where they renew an acquaintance and make some new ones. Despite his early misconceptions, Connor adapts easily to the Academy way of life, and impresses the tutors with his piratical prowess.

Meanwhile, on the Vampirate ship ......

Things are NOT going well.

Although this is a continuation of the first book, there's enough background information to make it possible to enjoy this even if you haven't read the first (but you really SHOULD read it anyway). Book two is a little slower, and more predictable, but there are both page-turning moments and dramatic twists, setting the stage for book three, Blood Captain.

Recommended for swash-buckling, blood-thirsty readers from nine and up.

Amanda Richards, October 3, 2008

If you were a fan of 'Demons of the Ocean' - and I highly recommend reading that prior to digging into 'Tide of Terror' - there are a couple of things to keep in mind about this second installment in the series. First, this story definitely focuses on Connor; both twins are aboard the Diablo, and Connor is learning to live the pirate life. And while Grace adopts a happy front for her brother, she misses the vampirate captain and finds herself constantly thinking about Lorcan. For me, the emotional underpinning of 'Demons' was entirely wrapped up in Grace and Lorcan; the vampirate's absence in 'Tide of Terror' sucks a little of that emotion out, but there's enough to sustain the story, and there's certainly the promise of what is to come.

Now, because both twins are in the same place for the majority of the novel the narration doesn't swap between them; this, unfortunately, does not lend the story the same sense of tension and urgency, but it doesn't detract from the need to consume the book, either. One of the best things about the Vampirates series is that you come to care a great deal about the characters; you want to know more, to follow them on their journeys, no matter what. After I finished this one I couldn't wait for 'Blood Captain' - it's really, really good, by the way - and now the wait until the next installment will seem even longer.

I've had great success recommending this series to younger readers; each one came back and asked for the next, which is surely a benchmark of Somper's success.

My 10 year old son loved the fitst Vampirates book. He is thoroughly enjoing this the 2nd in the series.