Andrew Newton reviews The Red Seas Book One: Under the Banner of King Death…
When pirate captain Jack Dancer and the crew of The Red Wench raid a Spanish Galleon they little realise that within their plunder lies the missing chapter of a feared occult tome sought after by the sinister Dr Orlando Doyle. Confronting the sorcerer and his zombie crew triggers a chain of events that will lead Dancer and his men on the adventure of a lifetime – from treasure-hunting on the legendary floating island of Laputa to becoming embroiled in a subterranean war – with all of Creation at stake!
There is something about Pirates, despite the inhumane acts that they performed in real life they have become synonymous with bravery, daring and romance. Such has been the effect of this imagery that pirates have influenced books, films, music and even computer games (who remembers Secret of Monkey Island?). The Red Seas by Ian Edginton is a book that has taken many years to be published and one that owes its creation (in part) to Errol Flynn and the romantic view of pirates portrayed in the film Sea Hawk.
The Red Seas Book One introduces us to our dashing pirate captain, Jack Dancer, and his crew of the pirate ship The Red Wench. After a successful raid on a Spanish galleon bound for Spain on ‘church’ business they find themselves hunted by the evil Dr Orlando Doyle and his undead crew. Jack Dancer’s encounter with the undead pirates leads to an adventure never dreamed of by Hollywood nor thought possible by the reader.
It is obvious from the story that this is a genre that Ian Edginton is very passionate about and he’s obviously carried out some research to fill in the necessary historical facts of the time. It’s a very well put together story that keeps you reading till the finish. Steve Yeowell’s artwork compliments the story brilliantly. His style reminds me of the adventure stories in old comic books such as Victor Book for Boys which is no bad thing.
All in all, The Red Seas Book One is a great read and well deserving of a space on your book shelf.
Andrew Newton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ONsp_bmDYXc&list=PL18yMRIfoszFLSgML6ddazw180SXMvMz5
Originally published March 21, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
