Hook's Revenge by Heidi Schulz Series: Hook's Revenge #1
Published by Disney, Hyperion on September 16th 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Retelling
Goodreads
Captain Hook's feisty daughter hits the high seas to avenge her father's death at the jaws of the Neverland crocodile in Heidi Schulz's spirited middle-grade debut.
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?
When I first saw the cover reveal for Hook’s Revenge, I knew I had to get this in my hands. I am not a huge fan of Peter Pan (I’m sorry) but I am a giant sucker for new retellings! Especially ones that sounds so fun!
Jocelyn is the daughter of the infamous Captain Hook and when the savage Neverland crocodile kills him, she takes up the challenge to avenge her father and get her revenge! Basically, this book is pure magic. Jocelyn is probably one of the most refreshing characters I’ve read about in a while. Everyone is always telling her she can’t be a pirate because she’s too young and especially because she is a girl. But as a great heroine should, she doesn’t let that stop her. She takes those comments and uses them to fuel her motivation to become a pirate.
The plot and setting of Hook’s Revenge was just plain awesome. Everything was just so well-written and I couldn’t imagine a more fitting setting or plot if I dare to tried. I was constantly amazed by the plot and the overall world-building, it was just phenomenal.
Overall, Hook’s Revenge is a phenomenal MG novel that is super fun to read and very interesting. The illustrations are also just amazing and really add to the story. I highly recommend this one for everyone looking for a fun and awesome retelling!
