Book Review: The Island of Thieves by Josh Lacey

Stars: 4 out of 5

Pros: Fast paced, action packed story keeps the pages turning

Cons: Characters could use more development

The Bottom Line: 

Adventure calling

In this pulse pounding story

That your kids will love

Treasure Hunt in Peru

I seem to have been on more of a kid's book run this year than is normal for me.  So when The Island of Thieves crossed my path, I decided to give it a try.  The premise sounded intriguing, so why not?  I'm glad I did because I enjoyed it.

Tom Trelawney's parents are heading out for a week's vacation - that is if they can find a place for Tom to stay.  In desperation, they dump him with his uncle - a man he's only met a few times.

But Tom's just been dropped off when Uncle Harvey announces that he actually must go to Peru on urgent business.  That business is following up on a clue Harvey just got to a treasure.  Tom talks his way into the trip, but they've just landed when they cross paths with one of Peru's most notorious criminals.  Can they find the treasure, stay one step ahead of this villain, and return home alive?

The first few chapters set things in motion pretty quickly.  Once the duo lands in Peru, the story is really off and running, with plenty of action and twists and turns to keep things interesting.  The further I got into the book, the more I wasn't sure that Tom and Harvey would be able to make it home.  Yes, I know it's a kid's book, but that's how suspenseful the plot became.  It's full of enough action to keep anyone's attention.

Unfortunately, that means the characters suffer a bit.  They are developed enough that we care, but they aren't fully real, or at least didn't feel that way to me.  But when you consider all that happened in the roughly 220 pages of story, that's not too surprising.  Furthermore, the intended target age of upper elementary won't mind in the slightest.  They'll gobble the story up in no time.

I know I certainly did.  There is plenty of dialog and mostly short chapters, so the pages just fly by.  That will help even the most reluctant readers feel like they are making great progress.  And the writing is well polished, so there is nothing that will trip them up.

This kid's book is a fast, fun read that will please any audience.  Get The Island of Thieves today and enjoy.

NOTE: I received this book from Amazon's Vine program in exchange for an honest review.