Review: Saving Moby Dick by L.L. Samson

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

For ages 9-12
This Character Could Be One Whale of a Problem
In Saving Moby Dick, Linus, Ophelia, and their friend Walter think they can control the powers of the Enchanted Attic, and they plan to bring Captain Ahab from Book World into Real World-on their own terms. But even the best-laid plans go awry sometimes, and their adventures take a wild turn. Captain Ahab is far crazier than they realized, and bookstores aren't really the best places to find whales, white or otherwise.

MY TAKE:
I read the first book in this series so I was definitely interested in seeing what Linus, Ophelia and Walter would do next.

In Saving Moby Dick, Linus, Ophelia and Walter have brought over Captain Ahab from Moby Dick into the real world. They didn't anticipate just how obsessed Captain Ahab is with Moby Dick, though, and a series of misadventures begin.

I actually enjoyed this book more than the first one. Captain Ahab seemed more likable to me than Quasimodo. Also, as the kids are older now, they are more mature with their decisions and so the book moves along at faster clip and there are less moments when the main characters annoy you.

The real star of this book, though, is Captain Ahab. He is humanized here, and you get to see how his mind works and why he does what he does. He becomes less a man who is obsessed with revenge so much as a man who feels emasculated and empty.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. The characters have matured since the last one.
2. You get to see what Captain Ahab is like beyond what you see in Moby Dick.
3. The concept is interesting.

THE BAD:

1. The narrator's style of always interjecting with his thoughts or the definition of words could be distracting to some.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Corn. Summer squash. Yukon Gold potatoes. Macaroni and cheese.

READ IT IF:

1. You liked the first book.
2. You've wondered what it would be like if you could talk to your favorite book characters.
3. You liked Moby Dick.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?