Recent Reads: Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler

Source: From Librarything Early Reviewers program and Candlewick Press in exchange for review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler
Series: Emily Windsnap #8
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Publication Date:  March 12, 2019

 

Format:  Paperback ARC

Rating: 






Goodreads Synopsis: 

Emily Windsnap ends up surrounded by pirates — and on a life-changing adventure — in the eighth installment of the New York Times best-selling series.

Traveling home by cruise ship should be a relaxing break after Emily’s latest adventure, but things take a turn when the ship is overtaken by a pirate king and his crew. After the pirates collect everyone’s riches, they steal something even more valuable: Aaron. The pirate king’s eldest son takes Aaron captive, forcing him to help guide the pirates to the mythical Trident’s Treasure. So Emily dives into action and joins the younger son’s crew in hopes of saving Aaron. But while experiencing life on the waves, Emily is surprised to find herself not only enjoying the pirate life, but actually bonding with the crew — especially Sam, the pirate king’s son. Between helping Sam unravel riddles to beat his brother to the treasure and making sure that her friends are safe, Emily realizes that she needs to be true to herself. Will she cast aside her mermaid life to join her new friends, or will she find a way to follow her own path?

Review: 
Quick review disclaimer - I have not read the first 7 books in this series, nor did I realize that it was the 8th book in a series when I got it. 

Emily Windsnap is a teenager who also happens to be part mermaid. She can walk around like a human but when she gets in the water she can transform into her tail. In this story she is headed on a cruise ship on her way back home from her last adventure (this is where I figured out I was missing some context). Their relaxing trip home is soon spoiled by pirates and Emily must save the day. 

Even though I was not aware that this was the 8th book in a series, there was enough in the story to help me follow along well enough. Emily is an interesting main character and I was happy to follow her on an adventure with the pirates and her friends. I found the plot to be very fun, there were clues and riddles and really I love a good adventure anyway. The characters had to overcome issues with each other and become friends and really help one another and that was a very good message as well. 

Overall this was a great book, I am not sure how it compares to the rest of the series, but it was fun by itself. If you are looking for a new series for a middle grade reader, this one should be one you look into.