Review: Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schulz

Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schulz
Series: Hook’s Revenge #1
Published: September 16th, 2014
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
300 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Acquired this book: From the library
Warning: May contain spoilers
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Twelve-year-old Jocelyn dreams of becoming every bit as daring as her infamous father, Captain James Hook. Her grandfather, on the other hand, intends to see her starched and pressed into a fine society lady. When she's sent to Miss Eliza Crumb-Biddlecomb's Finishing School for Young Ladies, Jocelyn's hopes of following in her father's fearsome footsteps are lost in a heap of dance lessons, white gloves, and way too much pink.

So when Jocelyn receives a letter from her father challenging her to avenge his untimely demise at the jaws of the Neverland crocodile, she doesn't hesitate-here at last is the adventure she has been waiting for. But Jocelyn finds that being a pirate is a bit more difficult than she'd bargained for. As if attempting to defeat the Neverland's most fearsome beast isn't enough to deal with, she's tasked with captaining a crew of woefully untrained pirates, outwitting cannibals wild for English cuisine, and rescuing her best friend from a certain pack of lost children, not to mention that pesky Peter Pan who keeps barging in uninvited.

The crocodile's clock is always ticking in Heidi Schulz's debut novel, a story told by an irascible narrator who is both dazzlingly witty and sharp as a sword. Will Jocelyn find the courage to beat the incessant monster before time runs out?

I haven’t read many Middle Grade books, but since I love anything related to Peter Pan and Captain Hook, I was curious about Hook’s Revenge (plus, the amazing cover definitely grabbed my attention). I’m so glad I picked this one up. This unique story about the only child of Captain James Hook was fun, original, hilarious, and full of adventure.

Jocelyn was a fantastic character. She was clever and witty, and her smart mouth and antics kept me amused throughout the book. Being the daughter of a well-known and much-feared pirate, she had a lot to live up to. Having never met Captain Hook, Jocelyn only knew what she’d heard and been told, but she was eager for a life like he had, full of adventure, danger, and excitement. Her misadventures were a lot of fun to read about, and I appreciated how she learned some tough lessons along the way. I wasn’t expecting her to be so complex, so I was pleasantly surprised by her depth and her growth, and how she was relatable and easy to connect with.

Hook’s Revenge is full of vivid, memorable characters, from Jocelyn herself to the sassy narrator to Jocelyn's new-found friend Roger to her misfit band of pirates. It’s a great example of a story where the heroine doesn’t need saving because she’s more than capable of saving herself. Hook’s Revenge is highly entertaining, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, light read that will make you laugh out loud while rooting for the characters. I’m eager to read more about Jocelyn’s adventures in the next book, The Pirate Code.

Have you read Hook's Revenge? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Do you have a favourite Peter Pan inspired story? Do you read Middle Grade? Let's talk here or on Twitter!

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