By Catherine Doyle (author)
"Can new recruit Max save the secret pirate kingdom of Darksea and his brother?"
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The award-winning author of The Storm Keeper's Island series brings us yet another fantastic magical adventure, full of strong characters, difficult moral choices and challenging quests. With a satisfying amount of piratical swashbuckling, pirate kings, treachery and sea monsters, it also addresses more serious questions about sibling rivalry, loyalty, responsibility, the impact of illness on a family and the nature of attachment and affection. Pirate King, Captain O Malley, needs help to save the secret kingdom of Darksea, which is being terrorised by a fearsome monster intent on its destruction.
On the opposite side of the horizon, in our world, Max is fighting his own monsters. His big brother Christopher is seriously ill and needs a miracle to save him. Squawk, an outrageously funny parrot with serious attitude, appears one night and recruits Max to save Darksea in return for the promise of the miracle that Max needs for Christoper.
The writing is absolutely immersive, with descriptions so vivid you can picture exactly where the adventure takes place. The author’s real strength however is characterisation, the memorable characters reveal both their strengths and their flaws which ensures the reader cares about the dangers and predicaments in which they find themselves. A fantastic page-turning, compulsive and highly enjoyable read.
From the award-winning author of The Storm Keeper's Island, set sail on Catherine Doyle's latest perilous adventure to the magical islands of Darksea Deep in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, where the full moon rests on the horizon, lies a secret kingdom called Darksea.
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From the award-winning author of The Storm Keeper's Island , set sail on Catherine Doyle's latest perilous adventure to the magical islands of Darksea Deep in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, where the full moon rests on the horizon, lies a secret kingdom called Darksea.
Ruled by the Pirate King, Captain O’Malley, Darksea’s tranquil waters have, of late, been haunted by an invisible and deadly monster – a monster that is eating the once-beautiful islands in gigantic bites. On the other side of the horizon, at his home in Galway, Max Reid and his family are battling a different monster.
His big brother Christopher is in hospital and getting sicker – and his parents have begun to talk of miracles. Then one night a loud, bright red parrot taps on Max’s bedroom window, carrying an invitation from the pirate king. Captain O’Malley needs a new crew member for a dangerous quest; and the reward is everything Max has been hoping for.
But in Darksea, not everyone is as they seem. When Captain O’Malley’s secret threatens to upend their mission and destroy Max’s chance to help his family, Max realises he's going to have to navigate much more than he bargained for…
Utterly brilliant. Sensationally swashbuckling. Completely magical. Doyle perfectly balances thrilling adventure, huge amounts of heart and a truly hilarious parrot in this piratical triumph - A.F Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
Like being swept away by the sea - Katherine Rundell, author of The Explorer
Praise for The Lost Girl King;
A thrilling adventure — loveable characters, magical folklore and a seriously scary villain. Truly one of the best fantasy stories I’ve ever read. - A.F. Steadman
Few do page-turning, high-stakes, and warm and witty adventure as well as Catherine Doyle, and The Lost Girl King is a writer at the height of her powers. You won’t want to put it down! - Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Catherine Doyle lives in the West of Ireland. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Publishing. Her award-winning and internationally bestselling work, which includes middle grade and young adult fiction, has been published in 30 languages. Her No.1 Sunday Times and New York Times Bestselling YA novel, THE DAGGER & THE FLAME , published in September 2024. Her bestselling YA trilogy, which includes TWIN CROWNS, CURSED CROWNS and BURNING CROWNS , is co-authored with Katherine Webber. A further solo standalone spin-off, KING OF BEASTS , will follow in January, 2026. She also writes the Blood for Blood mafia romance trilogy, which includes VENDETTA, INFERNO & MAFIOSA . Her children's fiction includes the STORM KEEPER trilogy, which is set on the magical island of Arranmore, where her grandparents grew up; THE MIRACLE ON EBENEZER STREET , a modern reimagining of A Christmas Carol; THE LOST GIRL KING , a magical adventure inspired by Irish mythology; and PIRATES OF DARKSEA , a swashbuckling tale of bravery and brotherhood.
Photo credit Julia Dunin
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From the award-winning author of The Storm Keeper's Island, set sail on Catherine Doyle's latest perilous adventure to the magical islands of Darksea Deep in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, where the full moon rests on the horizon, lies a secret kingdom called Darksea. Ruled by the Pirate King, Captain O’Malley, Darksea’s tranquil waters have, of late, been haunted by an invisible and deadly monster – a monster that is eating the once-beautiful islands in gigantic bites.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Pirates of Darksea and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Pirates of Darksea features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Fantasy / Magical, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Pirates of Darksea was written by Catherine Doyle and published by Bloomsbury Childrens Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Pirates of Darksea has 281 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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