Erika LawrenceLawrence, Iain. (1999). The Smugglers. New York, NY: Random House Inc.AdventurePrintSelection Process: Something About the Author. Detroit: Gale ResearchReviewThe Smuggler’s is the second novel within a series of books about sixteen-year old John Spencer’s adventure within the ship the Dragon. This story takes place in late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. John and his father are warned about the Dragon’s dangerous past by a man named Larson but they do not heed his warning. John’s father purchases the Dragon and because of this investment they cannot fail. John is entrusted by his father to care for the ships first journey to London but they need a captain. They meet Crowe a hot-tempered yet experienced captain to sail the Dragon. Little do they know that he shares a past with the ship. The plan arranged by John’s father begins to fall apart when the Dragon sets sail with Captain Crowe directing the ships journey. John is responsible to keep his word to his father to keep the Dragon seaworthy as well as carry out the plans of his father to deliver the cargo of wool to London. John plans to see the journey to its completion no matter how far off course they venture. This journey challenges John through the threat of danger and death which are not uncommon to find aboard the Dragon. This book is recommended for all those that enjoy an exciting high sea adventure.
I was perusing the used section at the book store when I came across this one. I was hit with a memory burst and was like "OMG! I read The WreckersThe Wreckers when I was a kid and loved it!" So, obviously, I had to buy this book. It reminded me a bit of Treasure Island for a moment, but it was a good pirate-like story of it's own. It's packed full of ship sailing shenanigans, adventure, evildoers, and more. It's a great, fast-paced story for younger readers who crave excitement. One thing I would have liked to see was information on why the smugglers were smuggling. Making money off of it was clear, but why and how do they make money from smuggling items from France to England. Are the items illegal goods not found in the country? Is it cheaper to purchase it illegally rather than legally? We learn a lot about ship smuggling in the story, but the reader is never given the why, just the how. That point bugs me and I can see it bugging others. It's a big piece of the history left out. Other than that, this was an entertaining read full of adventure on the seas.
What do You think about The Smugglers (2000)?
The second book in the High Seas Trilogy. John Spencer and his merchant father buy a ship called The Dragon. It was once used to smuggle goods between England and France. They want to use the boat for honest trade, but as soon as they purchase The Dragon, they seem to be touched by its curse: someone murders the captain they've hired; his replacement, Captain Crowe, turns out to be a scoundrel who hires a crew of criminals. During the first leg of the voyage, John receives a cryptic warning to "beware the one who seems least likely" to harm him. But which man could it be? A great follow-up tale.
—Dayna Smith
