This was my first book by Jess Kidd. It is a beautifully written novel that vividly shows the harsh life on a ship and the subsequent struggle for survival on remote islands. Kidd’s prose is immersive; her descriptions of the ship, the harrowing journey, and the brutal fight to survive after the wreck are masterfully done. The reader can almost feel the salt spray, hear the creak of the ship’s timbers, and experience the desperation of those stranded on the islands.

„An epic and imaginative historical novel, based on the true story of the wrecked Batavia. 1628. Embarking on a journey in search of her father, a young girl called Mayken boards the Batavia, the most impressive sea vessel of the age. During the long voyage, this curious and resourceful child must find her place in the ships busy world, and she soon uncovers shadowy secrets above and below deck. As tensions spiral, the fate of the ship and all on board becomes increasingly uncertain. 1989. Gil, a boy mourning the death of his mother, is placed in the care of his irritable and reclusive grandfather. Their home is a shack on a tiny fishing island off the Australian coast, notable only for its reefs and wrecked boats. This is no place for a child struggling with a dark past and Gils actions soon get him noticed by the wrong people.“

Blurb

However, despite the novel’s atmospheric richness, it falls short in other areas. The parallel storylines of Mayken, a young girl aboard the Batavia in 1629, and Gil, a boy living on the same island in 1989, feel disconnected. While both characters are compelling in their own way, there’s little meaningful interaction or thematic resonance between their stories. They simply share the same location, separated by over three centuries. The potential for a deeper connection or revelation between the two timelines is left unfulfilled, leaving the reader wondering about the purpose of this dual narrative structure.

Additionally, Gil’s story is particularly frustrating. His life is filled with unfairness and mistreatment, and while that could have added to the novel’s emotional depth, it often feels more like the protagonists didn‘t talk to each other which led to missunderstandings.

Eventually this book excels at its descriptive writing and atmospheric detail but stumbles when it comes to weaving its dual narratives into a cohesive and satisfying whole. For readers who enjoy richly drawn settings and historical fiction, there is much to appreciate. However, the disjointed connection between the two timelines and the frustrating elements of Gil’s story prevent it from being a truly great read. So I won‘t recommend it to everyone. 😕👎🏻

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️