While the first book had hints of Dickens in it, in a most subtle way I see hints of Hugo's Les Misérables in this book. Not the story per se, but the Ideas propelling it. Like Fate & injustice. I was already thinking this and then near the end when Mullock tells his story & it includes being sentenced to 7yrs for stealing a loaf of bread, you gotta think "Jean Valjean!"I can't remember ever being so emotionally attached to a fictional character as I've become re Midgely. He's so loveable!And the poor baby is only 9yrs old and has already spent 3yrs. locked away as a convict & been blinded in a brutal attack by one of the punks you keep hoping WOULD be bumped off but keeps popping back up--rotten as ever. I read that Iain Lawrence originally planned to have little Midge be killed off early on in the story but that he became so fond of him he kept him on. Everyone loves him as shown on p.4: "Like every sailor on the brig, he (Tom's father) adored little Midge. My friend might have been the ship's cat for all the pats and treats that came his way." IMO, not only did Lawrence keep Midge on, but he's the real hero of the story, not Tom who is telling it. It was Midgely's book & his dream of seeing the South Islands that is unfolding as this 2nd installment unfolds.And it is the friendship with Midge that is beginning to change Tom from being a completely selfish boy to becoming a mature young man who cares about not just himself. Being that this is the 2nd in a trilogy, I can't wait to read the final book. I keep hoping the rotten kids in the story will meet with justice but thus far it seems they'll be sticking around harassing Tom & Midgely to the end.I highly recommend reading this quite enjoyable story. Beware, it's not a "cozy" though. LOL
tI just got done reading a book called “The Cannibals”. I like this one, it has a different kind of plot to it. It isn’t like most books. This book author is Iain Lawrence. The book stands out from the rest and very interesting to read. I do recommend this book to my peers and other people around me. It has surprising, shocking, gross parts to do it. Those are the kind of books I like reading about. This book is in my top 20 of books. tThis boy Tom Tin gets accused of murder by someone in London. Tom was scared and didn’t know what to do. So what happen Tom makes his family move out of the city just in case someone comes looking for them. In the british law in the 1820’s convicts are shipped out on ship and they go to Australia. Tom is one of the people that are going to be shipped. This is called the “The seven years in chains” Tom’s father became his jailer and was soon caught. tThis book makes you feel like you are with the character you sorta get attached to him, so if something dramatic happens you would feel it. I do recommend this to my peers around me. It’s a mystery, action pack, ETC. I like this book because it has a great plot to it and it makes you feel like you are with them. It’s really nothing what the title of the book says. Even the title alone grabs your attention. tThere are also some things in the book I also didn’t like, but that is okay as well. Everyone has different taste in books. movies, games, ETC. The book gets a little confusing at times and you have to reread it a couple times just to understand it. I don’t like doing that. Also the book gets a little boring. But after that boring part of the book I am always wanting to know what happens more.
What do You think about The Cannibals (2005)?
drives you crazy with the worst and most hated characters which you want dead but don't die.continuous actionlike how the language used is of an authentic accent/pronunciation. not that i'm one to know.uses real ship and sailor terminology.quick page turner, not one you'll leave and come back to later. although sadly i read the first book a very long time ago and forgot most of it.has it's illogical pieces, like why didn't they do this or why not that. some scenes i didn't fully capture in my head, maybe lack of spatial imagination.this book was a full subway read.
—Yousef
I didn't like it as much as the first book because of the sad ending and that there were just so many sailor words. All I'm thinking is "That sounds like a torture device?!" I think that the overall message of this book was don't trust anyone.
—Maddy Kobs
