The Chronicles of Egg series has been described by Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan as Lemony Snicket meets Pirates of the Caribbean, and what tween wouldn’t love that? Right now (as of 1/19/15) the first two books in the trilogy are being offered at the discount price of $5.99, so it’s a great time to give this rip-roaring series a try!
Deadweather and Sunrise: The Chronicles of Egg, Book 1 (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $5.99) – from Amazon:
A stunning middle-grade debut–full of heart, humor, and nonstop action.
It’s tough to be thirteen, especially when somebody’s trying to kill you.
Not that Egg’s life was ever easy, growing up on sweaty, pirate-infested Deadweather Island with no company except an incompetent tutor and a pair of unusually violent siblings who hate his guts. But when Egg’s father hustles their family off on a mysterious errand to fabulously wealthy Sunrise Island, then disappears with the siblings in a freak accident, Egg finds himself a long-term guest at the mansion of the glamorous Pembroke family and their beautiful, sharp-tongued daughter Millicent. Finally, life seems perfect.
Until someone tries to throw him off a cliff. Suddenly, Egg’s running for his life in a bewildering world of cutthroat pirates, villainous businessmen, and strange Native legends. The only people who can help him sort out the mystery of why he’s been marked for death are Millicent and a one-handed, possibly deranged cabin boy.
Come along for the ride. You’ll be glad you did.
Amazon Best Middle Grade Book of the Month, June 2012: Deadweather and Sunrise is an action-packed debut novel of adventure, friendship, and self-discovery–oh, and did I mention there are pirates? Thirteen year old Egbert Masterson–Egg–is a book loving, intelligent 13-year-old with a big heart and a nose for hidden treasure. While Egg’s life has a lot of reason for despair, he takes his lumps in stride and discovers that “…not everyone who lives on a pretty street is a good person, and that in even the rottenest places you might find someone you can trust with your life.” With suitably gruesome pirate bits, endearing characters, surprising twists, and a delightful quirkiness, Deadweather and Sunrise has all the makings of a breakout new middle grade series.
–Seira Wilson
Other Reviews:
“In this rip-roaring debut . . . Lemony Snicket meets Pirates of the Caribbean, with a sprinkling of Tom Sawyer for good measure.” —Rick Riordan, bestselling author of the Percy Jackson series
“The fast-paced swashbuckling will surely satisfy fans of adventure, but it’s really Egg’s narration that makes this pirate story rise above its counterparts . . . Colorful dialogue (including plenty of piratespeak) and a fully realized setting that will have readers wiping the sea spray from their brows round out this delightful nautical yarn.” —BCCB, starred review
“…Rodkey combines humor and adventure in a story full of cruise ships, wild pigs, treasure maps, and constant peril.” —Publishers Weekly
“This introduction to the Chronicles of Egg series is pure fun.” —Booklist
“This promising new series starts out strong with a story filled to brim with pirates, treasure, intrigue and swashbuckling suspense . . . Egg’s first-person account is compelling, and the dialogue and vivid setting, as well as the full cast of quirky characters, make it easy to get lost in this adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews
New Lands: The Chronicles of Egg, Book 2 (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $5.99) – From Amazon:
This highly anticipated sequel to Rodkey’s much-praised debut is funny, heartfelt, and action-packed. Don’t miss it!
After a narrow escape from Deadweather Island, Egg and his slightly deranged partner Guts head for the remote New Lands. They’re in search of the lost Okalu tribe, who hold the key to the mysterious treasure map that Egg can’t decipher. But the ruthless Roger Pembroke is hard on Egg’s trail, and the New Lands are full of new enemies—against which our heroes’ only weapons are their brains, their courage…and the two dozen swear words Guts just memorized in the local tongue.
They’re going to need help. But who can they trust? Is Kira, the beautiful and heavily armed Okalu refugee, their ally…or their enemy? Is Pembroke’s daughter Millicent on Egg’s side…or her father’s? Why on earth is the notorious pirate Burn Healy being so nice to them? And the biggest question of all: what shocking secret is Egg about to discover in the shadow of an ancient Okalu temple?
Blue Sea Burning: The Chronicles of Egg, Book 3 (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $9.78) – from Amazon:
After narrowly escaping the New Lands, Egg is determined to take down ruthless slave trader Roger Pembroke. But war is brewing among the Blue Sea’s pirate gangs—and Egg, Guts, and Kira are running out of time to find the Fire King’s treasure and free the Okalu slaves from the silver mine on Sunrise.
Can they save Kira’s people before Sunrise is plundered by Ripper Jones’s pirates?
Will Burn Healy save the day, or has the legendary captain finally met his match?
And will Egg ever win back Millicent from the annoyingly handsome Cyril?
This explosive conclusion to Egg’s journey delivers the ultimate combination of humor, heart, and white-knuckle adventure.
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