Titles:
Book 1 - Demons of the Ocean
Book 2 - Tide of Terror
Book 3 - Blood Captain
Book 4 - Black Heart
Book 5 - Empire of the Night
Book 6 - Immortal War
Author: Justin Somper
Release Date: September 11, 2009
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Young Readers
Summary (Demons of the Ocean, Book 1):
"Twins, Connor and Grace, never dreamed that there was any truth to the Vampirate shanty their father sang to them before he died, but that was before the two were shipwrecked and separated from each other. For Connor, who is taken aboard a pirate ship, there''s the chance to learn to swordfight, but for Grace, aboard a mysterious ship of vampire pirates, the danger is great. What will it take for them to find each other" (http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Vampirates-Demons-of-the-Ocean-JUSTIN-SOMPER/9780316013734-item.html?ikwid=demons+of+the+ocean&ikwsec=Home)
About the Author:
"Justin Somper is an exciting creative talent in children’s book publishing. Beginning his career as a writer/editor for Usborne, he joined Puffin Books as a publicist in 1992 and moved to Random House as Children’s Publicity Director in 1996. In 1998, Justin broke free to become one of the UK’s first specialist children’s book publicists. He has since worked with Anthony Horowitz, Louise Rennison, the Roald Dahl literary estate and the Narnia literary estate amongst others.
Justin Somper is the bestselling author with the Vampirates sequence. The first title, Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean debuted in 2005 and has sold over 100,000 copies to date in the UK. Justin was dubbed “The Next Big Thing” by Sunday Times Magazine while, in Waterstone's "Harry Potter Report", the chain’s buyers selected Demons of the Ocean as their top recommendation for fans of Harry Potter. The Sunday Times said Vampirates “promises to be an addictive series”. The Evening Standard welcomed “a vivid and bloodthirsty debut”, whilst The Times acclaimed “a clever combination of two genres that could make it as popular as Pirates of the Caribbean”.
With Demons of the Ocean, Justin won the Birmingham KS3 “Explores” Book Award and the Solihull Children’s Book Award. He was runner-up in the North East Children’s Book Award and short-listed for the prestigious Red House Children’s Book Award. Justin’s work has also won praise from fellow children’s book authors including Darren Shan who calls it, "An intriguing mix of piracy and vampirism. Justin Somper has brought new terrors to the blood-drenched seas - bravo!!!""(http://www.vampirates.co.uk/captain-somper/)
Review:
There are not enough words to express my love for this series. It caught my eye a few years ago because it was something different and I did not know anyone who had read it/did not have customers come in and ask for it. I finally picked it up last year or the year before and I was hooked from the get-go. Man, addition to bucket list: become a vampirate!!!!! Haha. It is such a fun and creatively written series, there is something for everyone in it! And imagine my surprise, being a primatology major, to discover there was an aye-aye in it (for those of you who do not know what this is, look them up - they are horrible looking, but kind of cute lol)!!!!! I do not want to say too much about this series as I fear my lips may reveal some key events, but it is a MUST read! I am usually pretty happy when I end a series because it is another series done and the last book always gives you the closure you are looking for (well, most of the time.) But this time? Honestly? I miss the characters. I am not ashamed to admit that at 29 years old, I got emotionally involved with this series. I had tears in my eyes during some of the events that took place, and I actually yelled out loud at Grace in the last couple of books lol!!! It is fun, funny, adventurous, and quite frankly, amazing. So, to those of you who made fun of me for reading it (you know who you are, lol): I cannot express to you how glad I am that I read this series. I just finished Immortal War on March 5th (4 days ago) and I am already considering doing a re-read. Go out and try it! And if you don't enjoy reading kids books yourself (which is a shame), buy it for someone you know who does! I am holding out hope that Justin Somper will write a sequel or a side series, as I cannot get enough of this world he has created! THANK YOU Justin Somper! Happy Reading everyone!!!!!
Releated Links:
Vampirates Website http://www.vampirates.co.uk/
chapters.ca http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Vampirates-Demons-of-the-Ocean-JUSTIN-SOMPER/9780316013734-item.html?ikwid=demons+of+the+ocean&ikwsec=Home
amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca/Vampirates-Demons-Ocean-Justin-Somper/dp/0316013730/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331309377&sr=8-1
Wondrous Reads http://www.wondrousreads.com/2010/02/review-vampirates-demons-of-ocean-by.html
Vampirates has been turned into a play! Check out this link to Scene Productions! Would have LOVED to see this!!!!!
http://sceneproductions.co.uk/productions/vampirates/
Who doesn't love Pirates? And vampires? Real vampires?! This is the best idea EVER!!! I read the first book mostly because of you and as usual you did not steer me wrong. Not that we agree on everything but like Fablehaven and Rangers Apprentice, you have very good taste
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I love about this book was the way that it ended. It was not so much a cliffhanger but it made you REALLY crave the next book. I hope I am not giving anything away here. It was SO open-ended that you just have no idea what to expect next. LOVE this series.
Thanks Michelle!!! I am sooooo happy you like Vampirates!!! I can't wait to hear what you think of the rest!!!!
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