Secrets of the Fearless

Definitely one of the best books I have read and no doubt the best book of 2005. From the looks of the ending there will probably be a follow-up, I can't wait for it. If you want to get a book that is as much a well-researched and educational history lesson as it is a great story then look no further. After a suspicious scam in a sleazy Edinburgh lawyer's office John Barr, along with his father, is press ganged into joining the Navy at the height of the Napoleonic wars. Both have been wrongfully accused of murder by some very nasty criminals and really have no choice. It's either the Navy or Jail. His dad joins the crew of the HMS Splendid and John joins the HMS Fearless. A life in the Navy is not a life he ever expected or ever wanted to know. But fate has a funny way of throwing stuff at you and he deals with it pretty well. At first he tortures himself with memories of his family estate in Fife but the harsh discipline and routine of the Navy slowly begins to make a man of him as he makes good pals with a fellow powder monkey (the kids who supply the cannons with gunpowder) Kit Smith. But a huge conspiracy seems to be brewing onboard the Fearless and John is right in the middle of it. Already an exciting book by this point, Secrets of the Fearless absolutely soars once the story gets back on land and loads of those titular secrets are revealed. You'll get addicted to turning the pages and will simply not be able to stop until the book is finished. And what an ending! At first it's gut-wrenching, then...well I can't spoil it for you. But let me just say it's great. It's good to know that there are kids books out there that prove to be so much better than 'grown-up' books. Secrets of the Fearless is way better than the so-called classic Treasure Island and has loads more drama, character and excitement than most others. I am pretty damn impressed! Elizabeth Laird has delivered a book you simply cannot turn down.