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Hook's Revenge #2
The Pirate Code
Fresh off a fearsome encounter with the Neverland crocodile, Jocelyn Hook decides the most practical plan is to hunt down her father's famous fortune. After all, she'll need the gold to fund her adventuring in the future. (And luckily, Hook left her the map.)
But the map proves to be a bit harder to crack than Jocelyn had hoped, and she's convinced that the horrible Peter Pan might be the only one with the answers. Of course, he doesn't really feel like helping her, so Jocelyn takes the only reasonable course of action left to her: she kidnaps his mother. Evie, though, is absolutely thrilled to be taken prisoner, so Jocelyn's daring ploy doesn't have quite the effect she'd planned for.
Along with the problem of her all-too-willing captive, Jocelyn must also contend with Captain Krueger, whose general policy is that no deed is too dastardly when it comes to stealing Hook's treasure. And with the ever-shifting Whens of the Neverland working against her as well, Jocelyn, Evie, Roger, and the rest of the Hook's Revenge crew have their work cut out for them.
In this rambunctious showdown between characters new and old, Jocelyn puts her own brand of pirating to the test in a quest to save her future and those she loves.
But the map proves to be a bit harder to crack than Jocelyn had hoped, and she's convinced that the horrible Peter Pan might be the only one with the answers. Of course, he doesn't really feel like helping her, so Jocelyn takes the only reasonable course of action left to her: she kidnaps his mother. Evie, though, is absolutely thrilled to be taken prisoner, so Jocelyn's daring ploy doesn't have quite the effect she'd planned for.
Along with the problem of her all-too-willing captive, Jocelyn must also contend with Captain Krueger, whose general policy is that no deed is too dastardly when it comes to stealing Hook's treasure. And with the ever-shifting Whens of the Neverland working against her as well, Jocelyn, Evie, Roger, and the rest of the Hook's Revenge crew have their work cut out for them.
In this rambunctious showdown between characters new and old, Jocelyn puts her own brand of pirating to the test in a quest to save her future and those she loves.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2015
11 people are currently reading
766 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Schulz
5books222followersNYT bestselling author Heidi Schulzlies to children for fun and profit. She is the author of Hook's Revenge, Hook's Revenge: The Pirate Code, and Giraffes Ruin Everything. Heidi lives in Oregon with her husband, their teen daughter, a terrible little dog, and dozens of dust bunnies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 19, 2015
Is it bad form to rate your own books? I'm doing it away. I do what I want.
GR says five stars means "It was amazing." Well, that's true. I'm amazed with how Jocelyn's adventure unfolded, how her relationships changed, and frankly, that this story came together in the end. Sometimes writing feels like a miracle.
This book, it was HARD to write. Really hard. For many drafts I wasn't sure if I would fall in love with it, so when I did—and fell hard—it was all the sweeter.
"It was amazing" sounds about right to me.
(Also amazing? John Hendrix's artwork. Did you all see the new cover? GORGEOUS!)
GR says five stars means "It was amazing." Well, that's true. I'm amazed with how Jocelyn's adventure unfolded, how her relationships changed, and frankly, that this story came together in the end. Sometimes writing feels like a miracle.
This book, it was HARD to write. Really hard. For many drafts I wasn't sure if I would fall in love with it, so when I did—and fell hard—it was all the sweeter.
"It was amazing" sounds about right to me.
(Also amazing? John Hendrix's artwork. Did you all see the new cover? GORGEOUS!)
September 20, 2015
This was a good middle grade read. I think if the cover was less cartoony, it might sell better - especially if the target audience is middle grade girls. It would make a good book to read together as a family at night.
I didn't read the first book in the series, but this does a decent job as a stand alone. The book is written as though someone is telling a child reader the story. He is snarky and acts like an old cranky pirate. His/(her?)asides tend to pop up at the "suspenseful" moments.
There are funny turns of phrase and silly puns throughout the book. There is a lot of imaginative Neverland features. I definitely became more engaged as the book progressed. There is adventure, treasure hunting, booby traps, and shipwrecks. You'll learn a bit about how Neverland time works and spend a little time with Peter Pan (though not much). There are themes of friendship, learning what is important in life, and a theme to follow your own plans for your life.
Thank you Netgalley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't read the first book in the series, but this does a decent job as a stand alone. The book is written as though someone is telling a child reader the story. He is snarky and acts like an old cranky pirate. His/(her?)asides tend to pop up at the "suspenseful" moments.
There are funny turns of phrase and silly puns throughout the book. There is a lot of imaginative Neverland features. I definitely became more engaged as the book progressed. There is adventure, treasure hunting, booby traps, and shipwrecks. You'll learn a bit about how Neverland time works and spend a little time with Peter Pan (though not much). There are themes of friendship, learning what is important in life, and a theme to follow your own plans for your life.
Thank you Netgalley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2021
4.5 stars
When I read last year, I had practically no expectations and got one of my favorite books of 2014. So to say that I was excited for the sequel would be a bit of an understatement. The Pirate Code is a brilliant follow-up to Hook's Revenge, cementing this as one of my favorite middle grade series of all time.
The Pirate Code has everything I love most about middle grade books. Jocelyn continues being awesome and adorable. This little girl takes charge of a pirate ship of adults who act like children, and she's on a mission. She's going to find her father's treasure, and no one's going to stand in her way. She's so strong and stubborn, wonderfully flawed, you just can't help but cheer her on. And her stories are still told by the best, most sarcastic narrator ever. He makes me so happy. And to those who have read the first book - yes, you will probably figure out who it is in this sequel.
The side characters are also completely adorable. Of course there's Roger, but we'll get to him. There's the crew, who are so hilariously immature, and Meriwether, Jocelyn's faerie friend who is too cute for words. But Jocelyn also meets Evie, who she has a bit of a surprise connection and tentative friendship with, and she encounters Tiger Lily on more than one occasion, who, in my opinion, wins all of the awards for taking absolutely no shit from Peter Pan. There are some other new allies and villains, and overall, what I love is that all of these characters are so distinct, quirky, and entertaining.
The plot of this book is mostly focused on this treasure hunt that Hook left behind. It has all the qualities of the best middle grade adventure stories. There are battles, betrayal, puzzles, and much exploration of Neverland. My absolute favorite part came right at the end, where there was a riddle that was totally reminiscent of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - the potions test to get to the stone. So much fun. I actually got out a pen and paper to solve it myself, so YEAH, I was very much entertained and engrossed by this story.
As to the ship, we are in the ocean of feels, yes sir. I mean, it's a middle grade ship - you can't really expect major kissing or whatever - but the feels are real. Every time Roger looks at Jocelyn with his "smile just for her", I died. And that happened a lot. Those two are absolutely adorable and perfect and they will have long and happy lives together. (How much would I give for a kiss between the two though? SO MUCH.)
I think the only thing that really saddens me here is that this is the end of the series for now. I mean, the series might go on, and Schulz has said she has ideas about where it could go, but for now this is the last book contracted for the series. For the record, I could read more about these characters and this world forever. This could be a 20 book series and I would still want more. So, Disney. Take note, please. This series is a winner and it deserves more.
Summing Up
The Pirate Code is a delight, and Heidi Schulz is a storytelling master. I love her sarcastic narrator, her wonderfully quirky characters, and all of their entertaining adventures. This is a brilliant series if you want to relax and just have some genuine fun. It's one that I'll probably go back to quite often. ROGER AND JOCELYN 4 LYFE.
GIF it to me straight!
Recommended To:
Anyone who has ever liked any kind of middle grade story ever.
(Fans of Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket, and Rick Riordan in particular.)
*An electronic advance review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of the review.
When I read last year, I had practically no expectations and got one of my favorite books of 2014. So to say that I was excited for the sequel would be a bit of an understatement. The Pirate Code is a brilliant follow-up to Hook's Revenge, cementing this as one of my favorite middle grade series of all time.
The Pirate Code has everything I love most about middle grade books. Jocelyn continues being awesome and adorable. This little girl takes charge of a pirate ship of adults who act like children, and she's on a mission. She's going to find her father's treasure, and no one's going to stand in her way. She's so strong and stubborn, wonderfully flawed, you just can't help but cheer her on. And her stories are still told by the best, most sarcastic narrator ever. He makes me so happy. And to those who have read the first book - yes, you will probably figure out who it is in this sequel.
The side characters are also completely adorable. Of course there's Roger, but we'll get to him. There's the crew, who are so hilariously immature, and Meriwether, Jocelyn's faerie friend who is too cute for words. But Jocelyn also meets Evie, who she has a bit of a surprise connection and tentative friendship with, and she encounters Tiger Lily on more than one occasion, who, in my opinion, wins all of the awards for taking absolutely no shit from Peter Pan. There are some other new allies and villains, and overall, what I love is that all of these characters are so distinct, quirky, and entertaining.
The plot of this book is mostly focused on this treasure hunt that Hook left behind. It has all the qualities of the best middle grade adventure stories. There are battles, betrayal, puzzles, and much exploration of Neverland. My absolute favorite part came right at the end, where there was a riddle that was totally reminiscent of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - the potions test to get to the stone. So much fun. I actually got out a pen and paper to solve it myself, so YEAH, I was very much entertained and engrossed by this story.
As to the ship, we are in the ocean of feels, yes sir. I mean, it's a middle grade ship - you can't really expect major kissing or whatever - but the feels are real. Every time Roger looks at Jocelyn with his "smile just for her", I died. And that happened a lot. Those two are absolutely adorable and perfect and they will have long and happy lives together. (How much would I give for a kiss between the two though? SO MUCH.)
I think the only thing that really saddens me here is that this is the end of the series for now. I mean, the series might go on, and Schulz has said she has ideas about where it could go, but for now this is the last book contracted for the series. For the record, I could read more about these characters and this world forever. This could be a 20 book series and I would still want more. So, Disney. Take note, please. This series is a winner and it deserves more.
Summing Up
The Pirate Code is a delight, and Heidi Schulz is a storytelling master. I love her sarcastic narrator, her wonderfully quirky characters, and all of their entertaining adventures. This is a brilliant series if you want to relax and just have some genuine fun. It's one that I'll probably go back to quite often. ROGER AND JOCELYN 4 LYFE.
GIF it to me straight!
Recommended To:
Anyone who has ever liked any kind of middle grade story ever.
(Fans of Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket, and Rick Riordan in particular.)
*An electronic advance review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of the review.
April 29, 2022
Light. Easy. Fun! That's what this book is. I was gonna be sitting a long time, so I brought two books with me, this one and Cloud Cuckoo Land. I knew I wanted to bring the latter, but since I knew it'd be a bit heavier, I decided at the last minute to grab this one too. And I'm so glad I did, because after a few hours of reading Cloud Cuckoo Land, even though I loved it, my brain was getting tired, so it was perfect that I had this to just mindlessly read. Sometimes you just need a fourth grade reading level book.
It was a fun, cute end to the series, and I'm happy with how Jocelyn resolved everything at the end. Satisfying ending! Also I love Roger still. At the end, I was thinking that it'd be nice to have another book with these same characters that was YA in like 5 years to see how it's going. Honestly I would have been happy with just an epilogue. But I guess I'll just have to imagine it for myself.
It was a fun, cute end to the series, and I'm happy with how Jocelyn resolved everything at the end. Satisfying ending! Also I love Roger still. At the end, I was thinking that it'd be nice to have another book with these same characters that was YA in like 5 years to see how it's going. Honestly I would have been happy with just an epilogue. But I guess I'll just have to imagine it for myself.
August 17, 2023
Just as enchanting and action-packed as the first book. The plot was absolutely enthralling (did anyone else see that big twist at the beginning? :D)!
Little content to speak of - there are a lot of mentions of violence and Jocelyn will occasionally mistreat her crew. (We can probably chalk that up to the fact that she's a 12-year-old tomboy, but still.) But overall, a pretty clean read.
Overall, this sequel to Hook's Revenge lives up to the hype. I would totally recommend this for ages 10 and up. :)
Little content to speak of - there are a lot of mentions of violence and Jocelyn will occasionally mistreat her crew. (We can probably chalk that up to the fact that she's a 12-year-old tomboy, but still.) But overall, a pretty clean read.
Overall, this sequel to Hook's Revenge lives up to the hype. I would totally recommend this for ages 10 and up. :)
September 30, 2015
As seen on
Reading Hook’s Revenge might have been the best decision I ever made. At the time, I didn’t really give Middle Grade a chance but I saw some friends sharing quotes from the book on ŷ and it sounded so much like a ME book that I found a copy and started reading it almost immediately. And OMG it was one of the most entertaining books I have EVER read. Naturally, the sequel was then at the top of my 2015 most wanted list. And I am happy to report that it was every bit as enjoyable as the first book. In fact, I might have even enjoyed it more, if that is possible.
For starters, the narration is simply genius. It’s told in 2nd person by an absolute grump of a man who is both hilarious and unpredictable. It’s so good that I’m not just IN LOVE with this series but I’m OBSESSED with it. Just start reading and you’ll immediately see what I mean and I promise you that you won’t want to put the book down again. It is a delight.
Jocelyn wants nothing more than to be a pirate and go on adventures just like her dear old dad (although in a slightly less fear-inducing way). In Hook’s Revenge, she traveled to Neverland to defeat the crocodile who claimed her father’s life. Now, with that nasty business taken care of, she’s on the hunt for her father’s famed treasure trove. But her journey is fraught with obstacles - the infuriating Peter Pan and his lost boys who are anything but helpful, a couple face offs with the terrifying Captain Krueger, and the unexpected (but not unwelcome) arrival of her Mother from a different When - and more. Not to mention, Jocelyn is still trying to figure out how to be a good Captain at the ripe age of 12. And her crew is made up of the poorest excuses for pirates. They are 100% endearing but 100% dysfunctional. And yet I wouldn’t have it any other way. I loved the dynamic between all of the characters in this story.
I love the unique perspective on Neverland and all of the characters we’ve grown familiar with through other stories. I loved the adventure of it all with its unlimited possibilities. It’s fun, cute, charming, hilarious, exciting and more. This is easily one of my favorite series and a must read!
Reading Hook’s Revenge might have been the best decision I ever made. At the time, I didn’t really give Middle Grade a chance but I saw some friends sharing quotes from the book on ŷ and it sounded so much like a ME book that I found a copy and started reading it almost immediately. And OMG it was one of the most entertaining books I have EVER read. Naturally, the sequel was then at the top of my 2015 most wanted list. And I am happy to report that it was every bit as enjoyable as the first book. In fact, I might have even enjoyed it more, if that is possible.
For starters, the narration is simply genius. It’s told in 2nd person by an absolute grump of a man who is both hilarious and unpredictable. It’s so good that I’m not just IN LOVE with this series but I’m OBSESSED with it. Just start reading and you’ll immediately see what I mean and I promise you that you won’t want to put the book down again. It is a delight.
Jocelyn wants nothing more than to be a pirate and go on adventures just like her dear old dad (although in a slightly less fear-inducing way). In Hook’s Revenge, she traveled to Neverland to defeat the crocodile who claimed her father’s life. Now, with that nasty business taken care of, she’s on the hunt for her father’s famed treasure trove. But her journey is fraught with obstacles - the infuriating Peter Pan and his lost boys who are anything but helpful, a couple face offs with the terrifying Captain Krueger, and the unexpected (but not unwelcome) arrival of her Mother from a different When - and more. Not to mention, Jocelyn is still trying to figure out how to be a good Captain at the ripe age of 12. And her crew is made up of the poorest excuses for pirates. They are 100% endearing but 100% dysfunctional. And yet I wouldn’t have it any other way. I loved the dynamic between all of the characters in this story.
I love the unique perspective on Neverland and all of the characters we’ve grown familiar with through other stories. I loved the adventure of it all with its unlimited possibilities. It’s fun, cute, charming, hilarious, exciting and more. This is easily one of my favorite series and a must read!
September 29, 2015
This review (and others) can be seen in all its properly formatted glory on my blog .
A solid 4 star read (though I feel like it should maybe be a bit higher) with two hooks up.
I have such a soft spot for Peter Pan retellings. It's not even my favorite fairy tale--I mean, seriously, my blog is called Beauty and the Bookshelf, not Second Shelf to the Right. But there's something about stories based on that story that just pull me in like a pirate to treasure (or rum). Heidi Schulz's spin on the tale is no exception. It started last year with Hook's Revenge, which I absolutely adored, and continued this year with, The Pirate Code, the finale to the duology (though might there be more?). And this sequel does not disappoint. (So you can put your plank away, ya scallywag.)
The Pirate Code starts not long after Hook's Revenge left off (aye, there be spoilers for book one ahead): Jocelyn & Co. defeated the Neverland crocodile, rightfully avenging the death of dear old Captain Hook, and now Jocelyn is left with a coded map that leads to her father's treasure--because if you didn't know, this series tells the swashbuckling tale of Captain Hook's daughter Jocelyn. What's nice about these books is that they--and Heidi Schulz--do a lot of things well. Neverland is interesting, there are adventures upon adventures, the characters are dimensional and fun, Jocelyn is a fantastically stubborn little thing, and her voice, coupled with that of the narrator's, helps complete the whole thing. It's all just such fun, and something I believe readers of any age will enjoy, and that just makes a book more magical.
I adore Jocelyn. She's a tough cookie who still has some dough in her heart, and her mouth tends to be more spicy than sugary. A la Ramona Quimby and Junie B. Jones, Jocelyn is a sassy, witty, delightful character who's quite memorable. And it doesn't hurt that she has a ragtag crew of awesomeness (#squadgoals) to help her in her adventures. There's Mr. Smee, who I can perfectly picture like the Smee from the Disney animated film, and I love him. And there's Meriwether, the jealous little fairy who likes to hide in Jocelyn's hair. He's one of my favorites. There's something very successful about a character who can be so likable and dimensional but doesn't really utter a word. There are some new characters, too, who I won't mention because of spoilers, but let's just say that I rather liked them. And last but not least is Roger. Now, I know this is Middle Grade, but I ship Jocelyn and Roger so hard. And Roger is an extra great character because he's a such a good friend and a generally good person--and pirate, for that matter--and you just can't help but like him. So the characters--ugly-faced evil enemy pirates included--get an A+++.
I don't want to say too much about The Pirate Code for fear of giving away the story, but I want to take a second to discuss the writing and narrator. Now, if I had to come up with some point of criticism for this book--just because I had to, not because it's worth mentioning (because it's not)--I would say that there were a few scenes I wanted more from, or that were just a little too quick. But I think that's also kind of how Middle Grade works--like, a fight scene probably won't go on for ten pages, like it might for YA. So it's not really a complaint. Because really, seriously, honestly--Heidi Schulz can write. Certain novels call for certain kinds of voices, depending on the story and tone and mood and all that, and the one for this series fits perfectly. It's light and witty and full of such charm that's hard to resist. And the narrator--really, this is Jocelyn's story, but every once in a while the narrator will delve into first person point of view, and you remember that you're in two people's heads (sort of), not one, and you can't help but love that narrator, who is also one of my favorite characters. Such wit in this book, such fun, and it goes together like bacon and my mouth. I love it.
Perhaps you, dear reader, are wondering if you should read this book. If you are (and even if you aren't), the answer is yes: you absolutely, positively should. (But read Hook's Revenge first, obviously.) I mean, who needs to fly away to Neverland with Peter Pan when they can hang out with Jocelyn Hook and her fierce pirate crew on the Jolly Roger? This is a refreshing, utterly unique spin on a tale we've heard many, many times, yet it still keeps pretty true to those bits of Neverland we know and love so well. (There's also a conversation in here between Peter Pan and Jocelyn about thimbles, and it's more golden than any pirate or king's treasure, I swear it.) I hope you're ready for a story spun with effortlessly wonderful writing, a colorful cast of characters who are sure to rub off on you in all the best ways (except for nasty pirates who think they're more piratey than you), and that will make you smile from ear to ear...and possibly cry. Because that's what you're getting with this series. And to read it would be an awfully big adventure.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A solid 4 star read (though I feel like it should maybe be a bit higher) with two hooks up.
I have such a soft spot for Peter Pan retellings. It's not even my favorite fairy tale--I mean, seriously, my blog is called Beauty and the Bookshelf, not Second Shelf to the Right. But there's something about stories based on that story that just pull me in like a pirate to treasure (or rum). Heidi Schulz's spin on the tale is no exception. It started last year with Hook's Revenge, which I absolutely adored, and continued this year with, The Pirate Code, the finale to the duology (though might there be more?). And this sequel does not disappoint. (So you can put your plank away, ya scallywag.)
The Pirate Code starts not long after Hook's Revenge left off (aye, there be spoilers for book one ahead): Jocelyn & Co. defeated the Neverland crocodile, rightfully avenging the death of dear old Captain Hook, and now Jocelyn is left with a coded map that leads to her father's treasure--because if you didn't know, this series tells the swashbuckling tale of Captain Hook's daughter Jocelyn. What's nice about these books is that they--and Heidi Schulz--do a lot of things well. Neverland is interesting, there are adventures upon adventures, the characters are dimensional and fun, Jocelyn is a fantastically stubborn little thing, and her voice, coupled with that of the narrator's, helps complete the whole thing. It's all just such fun, and something I believe readers of any age will enjoy, and that just makes a book more magical.
I adore Jocelyn. She's a tough cookie who still has some dough in her heart, and her mouth tends to be more spicy than sugary. A la Ramona Quimby and Junie B. Jones, Jocelyn is a sassy, witty, delightful character who's quite memorable. And it doesn't hurt that she has a ragtag crew of awesomeness (#squadgoals) to help her in her adventures. There's Mr. Smee, who I can perfectly picture like the Smee from the Disney animated film, and I love him. And there's Meriwether, the jealous little fairy who likes to hide in Jocelyn's hair. He's one of my favorites. There's something very successful about a character who can be so likable and dimensional but doesn't really utter a word. There are some new characters, too, who I won't mention because of spoilers, but let's just say that I rather liked them. And last but not least is Roger. Now, I know this is Middle Grade, but I ship Jocelyn and Roger so hard. And Roger is an extra great character because he's a such a good friend and a generally good person--and pirate, for that matter--and you just can't help but like him. So the characters--ugly-faced evil enemy pirates included--get an A+++.
I don't want to say too much about The Pirate Code for fear of giving away the story, but I want to take a second to discuss the writing and narrator. Now, if I had to come up with some point of criticism for this book--just because I had to, not because it's worth mentioning (because it's not)--I would say that there were a few scenes I wanted more from, or that were just a little too quick. But I think that's also kind of how Middle Grade works--like, a fight scene probably won't go on for ten pages, like it might for YA. So it's not really a complaint. Because really, seriously, honestly--Heidi Schulz can write. Certain novels call for certain kinds of voices, depending on the story and tone and mood and all that, and the one for this series fits perfectly. It's light and witty and full of such charm that's hard to resist. And the narrator--really, this is Jocelyn's story, but every once in a while the narrator will delve into first person point of view, and you remember that you're in two people's heads (sort of), not one, and you can't help but love that narrator, who is also one of my favorite characters. Such wit in this book, such fun, and it goes together like bacon and my mouth. I love it.
Perhaps you, dear reader, are wondering if you should read this book. If you are (and even if you aren't), the answer is yes: you absolutely, positively should. (But read Hook's Revenge first, obviously.) I mean, who needs to fly away to Neverland with Peter Pan when they can hang out with Jocelyn Hook and her fierce pirate crew on the Jolly Roger? This is a refreshing, utterly unique spin on a tale we've heard many, many times, yet it still keeps pretty true to those bits of Neverland we know and love so well. (There's also a conversation in here between Peter Pan and Jocelyn about thimbles, and it's more golden than any pirate or king's treasure, I swear it.) I hope you're ready for a story spun with effortlessly wonderful writing, a colorful cast of characters who are sure to rub off on you in all the best ways (except for nasty pirates who think they're more piratey than you), and that will make you smile from ear to ear...and possibly cry. Because that's what you're getting with this series. And to read it would be an awfully big adventure.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
April 15, 2015I could never do the narrator justice in an attempt to imitate his biting wit and droll humor in writing this review--he said so himself. So I'll simply say this book is SO. MUCH. FUN. The humor and one-liners and fantastical details of Neverland are just as good (dare I say, better?) as in HOOK'S REVENGE. And, as in the previous book, this one is full of heart as well. The girl characters are fantastic--fun, powerful, smart, and generally full of awesome. And Jocelyn's friendship with new girl Evie...no spoilers but have a handkerchief ready (or, more likely, your sleeve, you scalliwags). Plus, TREASURE! I know I need say no more, but I will because I can. I <3 this book and so will you! (Or you'll walk the plank, you filthy dogs.)
July 8, 2017
I really did enjoy both this and the book that preceeded it. I liked the MC quite a bit and was rather invested in Evie and James. Plus, Meriweather amuses me.
If the author decides to write a third book I will definitely be reading it
If the author decides to write a third book I will definitely be reading it
May 25, 2017
Rambunctious and Breezy
This is an odd but oddly appealing book. Our heroine is Jocelyn Hook, daughter of the Captain Hook of Peter Pan fame. She is now captain of her own ship, has avenged her family honor against the Neverland crocodile, and is on a quest to find her father's legendary treasure.
Part of the odd feeling is that Hook is now a hero, his crew, (Smee and the gang), is now Jocelyn's crew, and the good guys and bad guys are a bit upside down. That's not that new, I guess. There have been at least a dozen Peter Pan and Neverland reimaginings published just within the past year, and Hook comes off better in almost all of them.
But the tone here is a bit odd too. Sometimes Jocelyn is "nice" and gushy. Sometimes she's a pirate captain. Sometimes she's resolute and sometimes she's naive and indecisive. She orders the crew around, but she's also intimidated by them. At first I struggled with the changes in tone, but once I got used to it I realized that this vacillation made Jocelyn interesting and kept the tale from just being a by-the-numbers pirate treasure hunt story. Indeed, I also began to appreciate that the author hadn't simply "appropriated" the Hook name, (the way people throw "Sherlock Holmes" around). There's a real effort to tie this adventure into what we all know and remember of Peter Pan and Neverland, and to expand instead of just cash in on the Pan franchise.
It helps that Jocelyn gets a fresh group of companions. If she was stuck with Tinkerbell and Peter Pan and the other original characters, well this might have felt more like a knock-off. But here we get a better sidekick, a better mischievous fairy, a new bad guy, and a quest that isn't solely centered on Neverland. Doing that was a gutsy call by the author, but it's one of the things that kept me interested.
So, we get a layered and interesting heroine who commands the stage, a nice adventure, brisk story-telling, some humorous narration, and high energy. That's all good by me.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This is an odd but oddly appealing book. Our heroine is Jocelyn Hook, daughter of the Captain Hook of Peter Pan fame. She is now captain of her own ship, has avenged her family honor against the Neverland crocodile, and is on a quest to find her father's legendary treasure.
Part of the odd feeling is that Hook is now a hero, his crew, (Smee and the gang), is now Jocelyn's crew, and the good guys and bad guys are a bit upside down. That's not that new, I guess. There have been at least a dozen Peter Pan and Neverland reimaginings published just within the past year, and Hook comes off better in almost all of them.
But the tone here is a bit odd too. Sometimes Jocelyn is "nice" and gushy. Sometimes she's a pirate captain. Sometimes she's resolute and sometimes she's naive and indecisive. She orders the crew around, but she's also intimidated by them. At first I struggled with the changes in tone, but once I got used to it I realized that this vacillation made Jocelyn interesting and kept the tale from just being a by-the-numbers pirate treasure hunt story. Indeed, I also began to appreciate that the author hadn't simply "appropriated" the Hook name, (the way people throw "Sherlock Holmes" around). There's a real effort to tie this adventure into what we all know and remember of Peter Pan and Neverland, and to expand instead of just cash in on the Pan franchise.
It helps that Jocelyn gets a fresh group of companions. If she was stuck with Tinkerbell and Peter Pan and the other original characters, well this might have felt more like a knock-off. But here we get a better sidekick, a better mischievous fairy, a new bad guy, and a quest that isn't solely centered on Neverland. Doing that was a gutsy call by the author, but it's one of the things that kept me interested.
So, we get a layered and interesting heroine who commands the stage, a nice adventure, brisk story-telling, some humorous narration, and high energy. That's all good by me.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
April 4, 2016
3.5 stars
Review also featurured on my blog,
This is a book I started reading the ebook but I just couldn't handle the way the illustrations were and the formatting so I decided I had to just preorder it and then I put it aside and waited for my copy to come (which it did because it was like a day before it came out).
Especially because I had the eARC book I felt like I needed to physically own both. They're such adorable books, really. The ebook form just doesn't give you the same colorful shiny cover with the illustrations as cute and adorable that you can just stare at, it's a different medium and for those of you who know what I mean when I say it's a treasure to own--if you're considering buying it do it. It's delightful and I am certain I will be rereading this series
I like how the middle grade books have gotten more sophisticated like if you want to read this out loud to a kiddo (without calling them kiddo to their face, probably) -- you totally could!
I actually think I want to start reading books out loud to people who don't read much. I think it can be really gratifying because listening to a story is really fun, and for me I usually these days don't have a lot of time to read unless I want to give up my social time (which is hard to give up!) Lol so maybe I'll read this one out loud to some unsuspecting friend next Friday night. haha, maybe Game of Thrones 2 would be better for that...
Anyway, I digress! This was a fantastic book. Full of adventure and I seriously think it was JUST AS GOOD AS THE FIRST BOOK. yeah, no "second book syndrome" here.
Go read it. Now.
I received an advanced electronic copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Remember to check out my review of book one:
Review also featurured on my blog,
This is a book I started reading the ebook but I just couldn't handle the way the illustrations were and the formatting so I decided I had to just preorder it and then I put it aside and waited for my copy to come (which it did because it was like a day before it came out).
Especially because I had the eARC book I felt like I needed to physically own both. They're such adorable books, really. The ebook form just doesn't give you the same colorful shiny cover with the illustrations as cute and adorable that you can just stare at, it's a different medium and for those of you who know what I mean when I say it's a treasure to own--if you're considering buying it do it. It's delightful and I am certain I will be rereading this series
I like how the middle grade books have gotten more sophisticated like if you want to read this out loud to a kiddo (without calling them kiddo to their face, probably) -- you totally could!
I actually think I want to start reading books out loud to people who don't read much. I think it can be really gratifying because listening to a story is really fun, and for me I usually these days don't have a lot of time to read unless I want to give up my social time (which is hard to give up!) Lol so maybe I'll read this one out loud to some unsuspecting friend next Friday night. haha, maybe Game of Thrones 2 would be better for that...
Anyway, I digress! This was a fantastic book. Full of adventure and I seriously think it was JUST AS GOOD AS THE FIRST BOOK. yeah, no "second book syndrome" here.
Go read it. Now.
I received an advanced electronic copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Remember to check out my review of book one:
March 12, 2016
I don't know how to write this review without fangirling all over the place, so instead of flailing about how much cool stuff is in this book (a treasure avalanche! a real avalanche! fairy-dust-related codes!) I'm going to tell you how much I enjoyed reading this book with my kid.
My oldest is 9 years old. I still read to him at night, even though he's perfectly capable of reading novels on his own.
At the end of EVERY chapter, he was begging for more, and more than once I obliged because the story is just that good. At the end of an Artemis Fowl chapter??? NO WAY. I'm DONE, I can't handle more. But this? This I can keep reading.
When the book was supposed to be funny, he was cracking up. One night, we both laughed so hard we couldn't breathe. (It involved nose-picking... and you had to be there)
When a big surprise was revealed, he laugh-cried, his eyes open wide because he couldn't handle it.
When the book was supposed to be sad and touching, he sobbed. Actual, legit tears, sobbing. It didn't help that I was openly weeping, I'm sure, but it's rare that a book can touch us both in exactly the same way.
I know this is one of those things that you just can't say, but I'm going to say it anyway. This book, and this series as a whole, has earned a spot on the shelf with all the books that are meant for my kids but I love and will re-read with them until the end of time. The other series on that shelf? Narnia and Harry Potter.
My oldest is 9 years old. I still read to him at night, even though he's perfectly capable of reading novels on his own.
At the end of EVERY chapter, he was begging for more, and more than once I obliged because the story is just that good. At the end of an Artemis Fowl chapter??? NO WAY. I'm DONE, I can't handle more. But this? This I can keep reading.
When the book was supposed to be funny, he was cracking up. One night, we both laughed so hard we couldn't breathe. (It involved nose-picking... and you had to be there)
When a big surprise was revealed, he laugh-cried, his eyes open wide because he couldn't handle it.
When the book was supposed to be sad and touching, he sobbed. Actual, legit tears, sobbing. It didn't help that I was openly weeping, I'm sure, but it's rare that a book can touch us both in exactly the same way.
I know this is one of those things that you just can't say, but I'm going to say it anyway. This book, and this series as a whole, has earned a spot on the shelf with all the books that are meant for my kids but I love and will re-read with them until the end of time. The other series on that shelf? Narnia and Harry Potter.
September 5, 2015
Writing a sequel can be a tricky prospect. So can writing a sophomore novel after the success of the first. Heidi Schulz can breathe easy knowing she has mastered both.
I want to do this book justice, because it is a truly beautiful story wrapped in adventure and hilarity. Schulz respects the intelligence and emotions of young people, and that respect shines through each character in this book. It is full of truly brave, good, courageous people.
I also love that she has turned Neverland into a mythic place, authentic to the original, but so much bigger now with endless possibilities. I'm not sure how she did that, but I don't feel like Neverland is just JM Barrie's anymore. It's like he glimpsed part of it, and she glimpsed another part of the same place. She didn't expand his vision--they somehow share the same vision.
I am trying to write this without spoilers, which limits what I can say about my favorite part. Let's just say that Schulz thought of a brilliant way to both deepen and enrich Jocelyn's character. Her efforts have embedded this series firmly into the Peter Pan universe.
I want to do this book justice, because it is a truly beautiful story wrapped in adventure and hilarity. Schulz respects the intelligence and emotions of young people, and that respect shines through each character in this book. It is full of truly brave, good, courageous people.
I also love that she has turned Neverland into a mythic place, authentic to the original, but so much bigger now with endless possibilities. I'm not sure how she did that, but I don't feel like Neverland is just JM Barrie's anymore. It's like he glimpsed part of it, and she glimpsed another part of the same place. She didn't expand his vision--they somehow share the same vision.
I am trying to write this without spoilers, which limits what I can say about my favorite part. Let's just say that Schulz thought of a brilliant way to both deepen and enrich Jocelyn's character. Her efforts have embedded this series firmly into the Peter Pan universe.
September 28, 2015
It would be an understatement to say this book is "charming". It is an expertly crafted adventure in one of the most beloved fantasy lands of all time.
The voice of the narrator (whose identity I am almost certain of) not only lends Jocelyn's continued story humor, but also weight.
It has the feel of a middle-grade fantasy classic without taking itself too seriously.
The plot moves quickly and effortlessly, and shirks predictability. There were a couple of places I thought I had what was going to happen pinned down then found myself pleasantly surprised and even more engaged.
I want to avoid spoilers so I'll just say that the storyline between Jocelyn and Evie is enchanting and absolutely brilliant.
Also the subtle, youthful wisdom woven into Jocelyn's character makes her a creation I'll treasure for ages to come.
If you have kids - this is what they should be reading. Same goes if you're young at heart. This is the adventure for you :-)
The voice of the narrator (whose identity I am almost certain of) not only lends Jocelyn's continued story humor, but also weight.
It has the feel of a middle-grade fantasy classic without taking itself too seriously.
The plot moves quickly and effortlessly, and shirks predictability. There were a couple of places I thought I had what was going to happen pinned down then found myself pleasantly surprised and even more engaged.
I want to avoid spoilers so I'll just say that the storyline between Jocelyn and Evie is enchanting and absolutely brilliant.
Also the subtle, youthful wisdom woven into Jocelyn's character makes her a creation I'll treasure for ages to come.
If you have kids - this is what they should be reading. Same goes if you're young at heart. This is the adventure for you :-)
March 15, 2015
MARRRRRRRRVELOUS!
I didn't think I could like the sequel as much as the first... but I loved it EVEN MORE! This book has all the elements that made the first book so special: adventure, action, silly pirates, a cantankerous narrator, and humor in spades. Plus, it has the added bonus of: more amazingly kick-butt female characters (Tiger Lily and Evie), a scary villain with sharks' teeth, wonderful world-building of Neverland's weird time-sphere, and a heart-wrenching internal conflict involving a family dilemma. I would loyally follow Captain Jocelyn anywhere--across the seas of Neverland and beyond--and I am crossing my fingers for more Hook books!
Bonus points to The Pirate Code for allowing me to figure out who the crabby narrator is!
Bottom line: Be a smARRRRRRRty and read this book! :-)
I didn't think I could like the sequel as much as the first... but I loved it EVEN MORE! This book has all the elements that made the first book so special: adventure, action, silly pirates, a cantankerous narrator, and humor in spades. Plus, it has the added bonus of: more amazingly kick-butt female characters (Tiger Lily and Evie), a scary villain with sharks' teeth, wonderful world-building of Neverland's weird time-sphere, and a heart-wrenching internal conflict involving a family dilemma. I would loyally follow Captain Jocelyn anywhere--across the seas of Neverland and beyond--and I am crossing my fingers for more Hook books!
Bonus points to The Pirate Code for allowing me to figure out who the crabby narrator is!
Bottom line: Be a smARRRRRRRty and read this book! :-)
September 9, 2015
I've loved the Peter Pan/Hook stories ever since I was little. My mother thought I wanted to be Tinkerbell but in reality I wanted to be a pirate. Pirating seemed much more fun than flying around.
I read this book totally unaware of book one or what it was about. I liked the blurb and decided to request it from the publisher. Boy, am I glad I did! I have only a few words for you:
Run to your favorite retailer and pick up this book RIGHT NOW!!!
It's a fast-paced adventure that every age will adore. Filled with action, adventure and a main character after my own heart (Hook's daughter). I read it in one sitting. The author wove a fantastic story so real I wanted to jump aboard the ship. Shiver me timbers!
My Rating: 5+ stars
I read this book totally unaware of book one or what it was about. I liked the blurb and decided to request it from the publisher. Boy, am I glad I did! I have only a few words for you:
Run to your favorite retailer and pick up this book RIGHT NOW!!!
It's a fast-paced adventure that every age will adore. Filled with action, adventure and a main character after my own heart (Hook's daughter). I read it in one sitting. The author wove a fantastic story so real I wanted to jump aboard the ship. Shiver me timbers!
My Rating: 5+ stars
August 27, 2015
The Pirate Code is magnificent--the perfect combination of hilariousness, cleverness, and heart. There's a new character in this book that I absolutely adored. In fact, overall, I think that I loved this sequel even more than the first book in the series. Hat's off to Heidi Schulz for sucking me into her version of Neverland all over again. I won't soon forget my time there.
October 23, 2019
The whole family has been aching to return to the Neverland and now what a ride! All the joy and wonder of a childhood adventure in a fairy tale mixed with gritty, emotional struggles not seen often enough in books for young readers. May the series continue to grow and take its rightful place in the pantheon of great works for families to read together!
March 21, 2016
Once again Ms. Heidi Schulz hits the spot. I love her ability to draw in her readers (especially the reluctant ones). She is fun and wise and everything in between. Reading The Pirate Code was a joy! READ IT! I don't care how old you are.
November 13, 2015
4.5 stars.
SO MUCH FUN.
SO MUCH FUN.
November 6, 2015
Cute story! My kids (12, 11, 9) and I all enjoyed reading this!
February 22, 2018
This review originally published in . Rated 3.0 of 5
I'll admit right from the start that I was really disappointed when the rights to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan finally expired and suddenly there were a lot (in my opinion) of books set in the Pan universe. There are some stories that lend themselves to further adventures with additional characters and there are other stories that should probably just remain 'sacred' and left alone.
So why did I request and read this book? The Disney company certainly has a stake in maintaining the Pan series and 'doing it right' since their animated film remains pretty iconic, so if I was going to read any new Pan story, going through Disney publishing seemed the safest route.
In The Pirate Code (which is the second book in the Hook's Revenge series by Heidi Schulz), the story revolves around Jocelyn Hook, the daughter of the (in)famous Captain Hook who squared off against Peter Pan. She has taken after her father and commands her own the crew pirates (including Smee and Starkey). She decides to search for her father's fortune, which should be pretty easy since he left her a map, but Jocelyn discovers that being a pirate commander is challenging work (which includes fighting off other pirates), and that just because she has a map doesn't mean understanding and following it will be easy.
I liked that this story wasn't about Peter Pan or Wendy or any of the 'obvious' heroes from Barrie's story, but that we could still recognize Neverland through some of the locations, situations, and supporting characters. This definitely made the read more enjoyable for me. It is, of course, a little bit brilliant to feature a young girl in a strong role. The Peter Pan tale will bring in a number of readers, likely many of them young boys, but the strong girl will hopefully bring new readers into Neverland.
And I also liked the character of Jocelyn. Strong, driven, but young and flawed. She's nothing like her buffoonish father, and she's a lot like him at the same time.
What I didn't care for was that this was set in Neverland at all. Really, there's nothing here that couldn't have been set in its own unique world. But we're clearly trying to draw on the Peter Pan/Neverland names.
I'm also not a fan of romanticizing villains in children's literature. Pirates are not cute and clumsy characters and we do a disservice to paint them as such.
While I enjoyed the character of Jocelyn (despite being a pirate), I felt the book lacked a tight focus. The narrative asides really took me out of the story rather than making things clearer.
All things considered, this was a pretty average read. Hard to recommend but just as hard to dissuade anyone from reading it.
Looking for a good book? Hook's Revenge: The Pirate Code by Heidi Schulz is a book set in Neverland but featuring the daughter of Captain Hook, now commanding her own pirate crew. The development of a strong female in a known setting makes this exciting, but the telling of the story doesn't always live up to that excitement.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I'll admit right from the start that I was really disappointed when the rights to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan finally expired and suddenly there were a lot (in my opinion) of books set in the Pan universe. There are some stories that lend themselves to further adventures with additional characters and there are other stories that should probably just remain 'sacred' and left alone.
So why did I request and read this book? The Disney company certainly has a stake in maintaining the Pan series and 'doing it right' since their animated film remains pretty iconic, so if I was going to read any new Pan story, going through Disney publishing seemed the safest route.
In The Pirate Code (which is the second book in the Hook's Revenge series by Heidi Schulz), the story revolves around Jocelyn Hook, the daughter of the (in)famous Captain Hook who squared off against Peter Pan. She has taken after her father and commands her own the crew pirates (including Smee and Starkey). She decides to search for her father's fortune, which should be pretty easy since he left her a map, but Jocelyn discovers that being a pirate commander is challenging work (which includes fighting off other pirates), and that just because she has a map doesn't mean understanding and following it will be easy.
I liked that this story wasn't about Peter Pan or Wendy or any of the 'obvious' heroes from Barrie's story, but that we could still recognize Neverland through some of the locations, situations, and supporting characters. This definitely made the read more enjoyable for me. It is, of course, a little bit brilliant to feature a young girl in a strong role. The Peter Pan tale will bring in a number of readers, likely many of them young boys, but the strong girl will hopefully bring new readers into Neverland.
And I also liked the character of Jocelyn. Strong, driven, but young and flawed. She's nothing like her buffoonish father, and she's a lot like him at the same time.
What I didn't care for was that this was set in Neverland at all. Really, there's nothing here that couldn't have been set in its own unique world. But we're clearly trying to draw on the Peter Pan/Neverland names.
I'm also not a fan of romanticizing villains in children's literature. Pirates are not cute and clumsy characters and we do a disservice to paint them as such.
While I enjoyed the character of Jocelyn (despite being a pirate), I felt the book lacked a tight focus. The narrative asides really took me out of the story rather than making things clearer.
All things considered, this was a pretty average read. Hard to recommend but just as hard to dissuade anyone from reading it.
Looking for a good book? Hook's Revenge: The Pirate Code by Heidi Schulz is a book set in Neverland but featuring the daughter of Captain Hook, now commanding her own pirate crew. The development of a strong female in a known setting makes this exciting, but the telling of the story doesn't always live up to that excitement.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2021
Jocelyn Hook, Captain Hook’s daughter, isn’t much of a pirate. She won’t attack other ships for their treasure; she’s a little too trusting, with a Manichean view of the world and she’s usually involved in losing battles against the villainous Captain Krueger. Her plights go from bad to worse—at one point she loses ship, crew, her fairy friend and the treasure map left to her by her father.
Her crew isn’t a particularly competent bunch, either. As it turns out, they’re largely a bunch of lost boys Peter Pan kicked out when they got too old. As a result, they’re just a bunch of jejeune morons and their ineptitude is matched only by their foolish antics.
Speaking of Pan, Jocelyn has a couple of encounters with him in which he proves as exasperating, annoying, forgetful and pompous as modern reinterpretations often make him out to be. He serves mainly as a plot device to unite Jocelyn with a member of her family.
Jocelyn flounders through parts of the story without a plan while putting on a brave face for her witless crew. She often barges ahead without heeding advice until you want to bang your head on the planks. After being told that the whole crew will be on half rations before too long, she and others waste porridge in a ridiculous, gratuitous food fight, a section of the novel I felt could have been happily omitted. Of course, Jocelyn is only 13 and this book is clearly meant for younger readers near her age who presumably won’t be as critical of its failings.
I grudgingly concede that it makes its moralistic points about the benefits of family, friends and honor in a jovial, light-hearted fashion. Hey, if you want to admire its concession to girl power, I’m willing to hoist that flag as well.
=
Her crew isn’t a particularly competent bunch, either. As it turns out, they’re largely a bunch of lost boys Peter Pan kicked out when they got too old. As a result, they’re just a bunch of jejeune morons and their ineptitude is matched only by their foolish antics.
Speaking of Pan, Jocelyn has a couple of encounters with him in which he proves as exasperating, annoying, forgetful and pompous as modern reinterpretations often make him out to be. He serves mainly as a plot device to unite Jocelyn with a member of her family.
Jocelyn flounders through parts of the story without a plan while putting on a brave face for her witless crew. She often barges ahead without heeding advice until you want to bang your head on the planks. After being told that the whole crew will be on half rations before too long, she and others waste porridge in a ridiculous, gratuitous food fight, a section of the novel I felt could have been happily omitted. Of course, Jocelyn is only 13 and this book is clearly meant for younger readers near her age who presumably won’t be as critical of its failings.
I grudgingly concede that it makes its moralistic points about the benefits of family, friends and honor in a jovial, light-hearted fashion. Hey, if you want to admire its concession to girl power, I’m willing to hoist that flag as well.
=
February 25, 2021
Honestly, who doesn't love some good old treasure hunting and piracy?
Jocelyn sets out on an adventure to find her father's hidden treasure. She must decode the map and face Krueger - a gruesome pirate who is eager to get his hands on Hook's gold.
As the story unfolds we are introduced to new characters such as Tiger Lily and Evie, who become Jocelyn's friends and help her out on her journey.
What I find really interesting about the Neverland in these books is that the people who come to visit may come from different time periods, which leads to Jocelyn meeting someone from her past. And it turns out that Jocelyn must convince Evie to go back home, despite Evie's protests, before she can finally set out to find the treasure. Her life depends on Evie's decision.
I adore the narrator in both books. Jocelyn's story is told from an old, grumpy man's point of view, which definitely adds a lot of humour throughout the book. The book is full of unexpected twists - even for a children's book! It even made me tear up - at one point Jocelyn has to choose between staying in Neverland forever with Evie or letting her go back to her own life and never see her again.
Sometimes the story reminded me of Disney's Treasure Planet - but that's only a plus!
Jocelyn sets out on an adventure to find her father's hidden treasure. She must decode the map and face Krueger - a gruesome pirate who is eager to get his hands on Hook's gold.
As the story unfolds we are introduced to new characters such as Tiger Lily and Evie, who become Jocelyn's friends and help her out on her journey.
What I find really interesting about the Neverland in these books is that the people who come to visit may come from different time periods, which leads to Jocelyn meeting someone from her past. And it turns out that Jocelyn must convince Evie to go back home, despite Evie's protests, before she can finally set out to find the treasure. Her life depends on Evie's decision.
I adore the narrator in both books. Jocelyn's story is told from an old, grumpy man's point of view, which definitely adds a lot of humour throughout the book. The book is full of unexpected twists - even for a children's book! It even made me tear up - at one point Jocelyn has to choose between staying in Neverland forever with Evie or letting her go back to her own life and never see her again.
Sometimes the story reminded me of Disney's Treasure Planet - but that's only a plus!
August 30, 2018
Jocelyn Hook is back and looking for her father's treasure. She has the map but not the key to decoding it. Captain Krueger is hot on her trail also after the treasure. Jocelyn decides they need to find the Jolly Roger in order to break the code. To do that they need Peter Pan's help. So they kidnap his new "mother" Evie. Turns out Evie is not just any 14 year old girl. She is Jocelyn's very own mother and she is having the time of her life in Neverland. Jocelyn has to find a way to convince Evie to go back to her "when" so that Jocelyn isn't stuck in Neverland forever.
This story had just as much heart and fun as Jocelyn's first adventure. Jocelyn was forced to do a bit of growing up when faced with her mom as a young woman. I really enjoyed the fact that Jocelyn developed her own pirate code and still doesn't conform to what society (even pirate society) says she has to be. I think that is a great message for readers. You can be who you want to be and you don't have to give in to societal pressure.
This story had just as much heart and fun as Jocelyn's first adventure. Jocelyn was forced to do a bit of growing up when faced with her mom as a young woman. I really enjoyed the fact that Jocelyn developed her own pirate code and still doesn't conform to what society (even pirate society) says she has to be. I think that is a great message for readers. You can be who you want to be and you don't have to give in to societal pressure.
September 20, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, even more than the first one actually. It read so much more like an adventure book, and I loved that. As soon as the treasure hunt began, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
I was glad to see Jocelyn evolve and grow up, how she interacted with Evie and Roger... Aaaah Roger, sweet, sweet Roger. I know it's middle grade but my ship will definitely sail, we just won't be there to see it (alas)(unless the author planned a book 3 but I don't think so).
The narrator was as arrogant and sarcastic as in book 1, and the narrator is my #1 reason for loving this saga so I was really happy to have his snarky comments back!
The ending was clearly inspired from Harry Potter but it had its own twists, and I appreciated the references. It was a great duology and I will keep fond memories about it.
I was glad to see Jocelyn evolve and grow up, how she interacted with Evie and Roger... Aaaah Roger, sweet, sweet Roger. I know it's middle grade but my ship will definitely sail, we just won't be there to see it (alas)(unless the author planned a book 3 but I don't think so).
The narrator was as arrogant and sarcastic as in book 1, and the narrator is my #1 reason for loving this saga so I was really happy to have his snarky comments back!
The ending was clearly inspired from Harry Potter but it had its own twists, and I appreciated the references. It was a great duology and I will keep fond memories about it.
August 1, 2017
A good sequel, one with plenty of plot twists and surprises. The only thing that bothers me is the main characters desire to be a pirate, without robbing ships. That seems like wanting to be a baseball player but not swing a bat. True, pirates are murderers and robbers, and they certainly aren't role models, but when the whole character is set up to be Hook's daughter and fed up with polite society, you'd think she'd have SOME inclination to piracy. The pirate life is not all buried treasure, and even if it were, it would be treasure buried by previous murderers and robbers! The author resolves this conflict well within the story, I'll admit, but it's more adventure-comedy than a pirate tale. Still, a good, fun, fast-paced story.
April 14, 2020
The Pirate Code (Hook's Revenge #2)
benefitted greatly from the set up that took place in the earlier book of this series.
Jocelyn and her fellow pirate Roger once again set out for adventures. A few small moments were woven in from the realm of Peter Pan, but it did not take away from these characters having their own universe in the When.
Certainly the eccentricities of Jocelyn's crew of pirates and their adversaries were drawn more clearly this time around, and there were additional activities and enemies afoot.
Just a fun book that would be great for young readers who like going on a mission...
Jocelyn and her fellow pirate Roger once again set out for adventures. A few small moments were woven in from the realm of Peter Pan, but it did not take away from these characters having their own universe in the When.
Certainly the eccentricities of Jocelyn's crew of pirates and their adversaries were drawn more clearly this time around, and there were additional activities and enemies afoot.
Just a fun book that would be great for young readers who like going on a mission...
June 12, 2018
Just like the first book this one captured me and maybe it's because my own mother passed just a few months back but this story holds deep in my heart as one of the second best books around with the first being, well in first.
I love the story, characters and theme.
If you have not read this, I beg you and plead for you to do so.
I love the story, characters and theme.
If you have not read this, I beg you and plead for you to do so.
August 21, 2020
I loved all the snark and humor that carried over from the first book. Unfortunately, I felt that the plot of this one lagged now and then. It never really held my attention. That being said, it was still a fun ride with great characters and wit, and I still think it’s a worthy extension of the Peter Pan universe
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