Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Language:  (3 ½) There are a handful of references to Diety.  H*** and D*** are used at least a dozen times.  There are some crude words used such as bastard, whore, and crap.

Violence:  (4) There are sword fights which include blood and the dying of some people.  There are slaves bloodied from being in chains.  A duel takes place with pistols.  Daggers to the throat…men died.  An evil man sacrificed his child.

Sexual Content:  (1) Jill kisses Henry.

Adult Themes:  (4) Jill’s mother drinks fruity alcoholic drinks.  Pirate laws against theft, murder and rape are mentioned.  Jill (a teenager) drinks rum and beer with the other pirates.  Slaves are in chains having been taken from their homes to be sold as slaves.

Synopsis

Following a fencing tournament, sixteen-year-old Jill goes on a vacation to the Caribbean with her family.  While walking along the sandy beaches she discovers an old sword piece which somehow transports her to a pirate ship from another time.  There she is forced to learn the ways of a pirate’s life which is to take up a sword or die.  Action and adventure are at every turn as she risks her life to do whatever it takes to get back home.

This story was okay.  The characters and the setting were interesting.  I could envision what life would be like on a pirate ship.  Jill was able to put to use all her years of fencing experience.  I would recommend this book for grades 7th and up.