The Ship-Thief was one of two books I picked up in a charity bookshop in Norfolk, first in a related series. The first one I reviewed in November, Hunting Gumnor.

This is another post joining in Marvellous Middle Grade Mondays, run by Greg Pattridge at Always in the Middle. I had a load of MG reads to review, so I’ll see how long it takes me to get through them if I post on the third Monday of the month.I

The Ship-Thief

by Stephen Potts

The Unicorn ship is home to Zannah and Gideon – at least, the only home they have ever known. So when the crew are left stranded on the Aleutian islands, their ship stolen, the twins decide there is nothing and no one will stop them getting their ship back!

Part of THE RUNNING TIDE series – three interconnected books for children aged 10-12 and upwards. The other volumes are COMPASS MURPHY and HUNTING GUMNOR. The books can be read individually, or as part of a series, and in any order. (Goodreads)

My Review

The Ship-Thief is an old-fashioned sort of story, reminding me of the rich scene-setting of the likes of Moonfleet. The twins, Gideon and Zannah, are an engaging pair, and their antics in nearly getting left behind as their ship leaves Tahiti are great fun. It takes a while to translate into my head that we’re talking saiiing ships of the eighteen or early nineteenth centuries. We roam at an appropriate pace for a wind-drieen ship until we get to somewhere near Alaska. By this time, life on board is becoming tedious, and not just for the characters. However much the reader likes sailing yarns, this is a skein in the telling. Finding some sailors adrift in a dinghy, shooting the albatross, getting caught in a storm and running aground… All exciting things happening in a somewhat sedate fashion, and the bursts of excitement burst quickly.

I may be getting jaded, but I didn’t find this caught my attention like Hunting Gumnor did. Was I expecting too much? The writing is elegant, and the tale sound enough. I’m not sure I’ll bother to hunt down a copy of the elusive third in the ‘series’. It is really a loose collection of sea stories, as far as I can see.

Recommended for lovers of Pacific tales, especially with First Nation connections: suitable for 8 yr-old good readers, and 9 to 15 age group.

Book Review | The Ship-Thief #MMGM
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12 thoughts on “Book Review | The Ship-Thief #MMGM

  • 20 January, 2025 at 1:43 pm
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    Thanks for sharing this book with us for MMGM. From the description, I’m not sure it would keep my attention enough either.

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  • 20 January, 2025 at 3:28 pm
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    One can’t help but note that the blurb is all about the quest to get the ship back—but sounds like the book spends too much time building up to losing it. Such an easy mistake to make, but maybe the author lacked the good advice I get! 😉

    Reply
  • 20 January, 2025 at 5:16 pm
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    I still have Hunting Gumnor on my TBR list thanks to your previous review. I’m not a sea story fanatic so this second story will have to wait for a future decision. Great to have you in MMGM this week.

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  • 20 January, 2025 at 11:41 pm
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    Thanks for your honest review. I bet First Nations readers will enjoy these stories.

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  • 21 January, 2025 at 12:08 am
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    Enjoyed your straightforward review. I do like stories that involve sailing, but can only imagine how exciting it would be for young people. Thanks for sharing!

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  • 21 January, 2025 at 1:37 am
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    I appreciate your very honest review. This sounds like it had the right pieces, but not the right structure;

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  • 21 January, 2025 at 2:40 pm
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    This one caught my eye some time ago, but I just never got around to reading it. It sounds like a fun one! A pity that it didn’t meet your expectations. Thanks for sharing!

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  • 22 January, 2025 at 1:12 pm
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    Sailing stories are never my favourite genre but it sounds like it has interesting elements and the right audience would love it! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂

    Reply

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