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.