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peters_book_nook's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book by Jess Kidd. It's based on the true events of the Batavia wreck that occurred in 1629. Many people sadly died on board, only for some of the survivors to be murdered by some of the corrupt passengers. This part of history was unknown to me until I read this book.
The story follows the stories of two fictional characters, alongside real-life ones, which made this book even more emotional to read. The character Mayken, from 1629, who was aboard the Batavia when it sank, is a young child who sadly just lost her mother and is on her way to her father. While on board, she sadly loses her nursemaid. You can't help but grow attached to her.
Our other character is a young boy named Gill. His story is set in the 1980s and is again quite emotional to read. He has lost his mother and has gone to the same island that Mayken was shipwrecked on to stay with his grandfather. The characters Gill and Mayken are linked through a supernatural element that works well.
The Night Ship is a spellbinding story of friendship and the evil side of humanity.
The story follows the stories of two fictional characters, alongside real-life ones, which made this book even more emotional to read. The character Mayken, from 1629, who was aboard the Batavia when it sank, is a young child who sadly just lost her mother and is on her way to her father. While on board, she sadly loses her nursemaid. You can't help but grow attached to her.
Our other character is a young boy named Gill. His story is set in the 1980s and is again quite emotional to read. He has lost his mother and has gone to the same island that Mayken was shipwrecked on to stay with his grandfather. The characters Gill and Mayken are linked through a supernatural element that works well.
The Night Ship is a spellbinding story of friendship and the evil side of humanity.
larissa18's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kali76's review against another edition
5.0
I am honestly gobsmacked that this book was written by a non-Aussie. I'm from Geraldton, and Kidd captures the local setting and dialect almost perfectly ("swimmers" instead of "bathers" jarred each time...). I enjoyed the author's previous novels with ghost characters and was looking forward to more of the same. Instead there are other kinds of ghosts, ones that need to be given proper burials.
This is a stunning dual timeline novel, set on the ill-fated Batavia voyage and wreck on the Abrolhos Islands off Geraldton, and in 1989 among the rival crayfishing families living on one of the islands. Each is told through the POV of a child character. There's a lovely part where each looks through a hag stone and sees a child's eye. I thought this a poignant metaphor for the child's eye view of tragic events in both timelines.
This is a stunning dual timeline novel, set on the ill-fated Batavia voyage and wreck on the Abrolhos Islands off Geraldton, and in 1989 among the rival crayfishing families living on one of the islands. Each is told through the POV of a child character. There's a lovely part where each looks through a hag stone and sees a child's eye. I thought this a poignant metaphor for the child's eye view of tragic events in both timelines.
marieplatts's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I've read by Jess King. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of her books. I was interested o discover that this was based on real events. It's a dual timeline, alternating between Maykin in 1629 and Gil in 1989. I usually like dual timeline books, but I felt that the alternating ever other chapter made it hard to get into each story. Both stories are intertwined. Maykin is setting sailing from Holland to the Spice Islands and Gil is living on that Island. Both children are recently orphaned. The book is haunting and sad with a touch of magical realism.
ohsovalentine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
karlma's review against another edition
5.0
The shipwreck of the Batavia is all new to me but the story on top of the history is what shines brightest. I finished the book in record time as the two stories of Gil and Mayken easily became one soon after I started the book. I loved both characters for their own sakes and then together for their ferocity; it’s their true selves we experience- even if they aren’t aware of their strengths themselves throughout their experiences.
Jess Kidd has a way of creating people whose words make them so true as independent characters; it’s seamless storytelling that delights and moves emotionally page after page. I wanted so much to hug Gil as I closed the book.
Jess Kidd has a way of creating people whose words make them so true as independent characters; it’s seamless storytelling that delights and moves emotionally page after page. I wanted so much to hug Gil as I closed the book.
mkelso's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
kwoolsey's review against another edition
4.0
This author's writing voice is engaging and sharp. The story and characters in this book are vivid and alive.