Alexander Bunyip Book

3 1/2 stars

Read this book if:

You love young, honest lads from humble beginnings who are nonetheless destined for great things.

You love high-seas adventures featuring acts of derring-do, bands of murderous pirates with creative names, shipwrecks on tropical islands, overachieving cabin boys, and smarty-pants rich girls.

You grew up with Treasure Island, Mutiny on the Bounty, Horatio Hornblower, Aubrey and Maturin, or even Jacky Faber.

You like the younger side of YA.

You find the idea of a moody Eastern European chef named Vlad who loves fish and only understands English when it's convenient amusing.

You're willing to accept that in this world there's a gas that's lighter than Hydrogen, is completely inert, and smells like mangoes.

You'd like an excuse to say, "holy flying cats!!" a few times.

Don't read this book if:

You think the above sounds incredibly juvenile.