Oceanforged 1: The Wicked Ship by Amelia Mellor
The wicked ship, the first book in Amelia Mellor’s brand-new Oceanforged series, launches readers into an unforgettable fantasy adventure brimming with action, danger and the spark of heroism. Mellor, the acclaimed Australian author of The grandest bookshop in the world and The bookseller’s apprentice, once again proves her gift for weaving imaginative settings with compelling characters.
The story follows Cori, a thirteen-year-old orphan from Nexus, a city within the magical realm of Aquinta. Once ruled by the legendary Champions during the celebrated “Days of Glory,” Aquinta has since fallen into decline; its government corrupt and failing its people. Cori, hardened by injustice and her harsh time aboard the wicked pirate ship, Harridan, has little faith in kindness or hope. Life under the cruel Captain Scrimshaw is a daily fight for survival, leaving Cori both disillusioned and determined to escape.
Her fate shifts dramatically when she is ordered to steal a treasure, only to uncover an ancient gauntlet once worn by the Champions themselves. In a moment of destiny, the gauntlet chooses Cori, locking onto her arm and granting her mysterious new powers. Thrust suddenly into a role she doesn’t understand and doesn’t yet trust, Cori knows she must flee the pirates who will stop at nothing to reclaim the artefact.
Shipwrecked during her escape, Cori is rescued by Tarn and his family, whose warmth and generosity clash with everything she has ever known. Wary but intrigued, she begins to glimpse the possibility of trust and friendship. Yet danger remains close behind, and Cori must summon both courage and cunning if she hopes to master her Champion’s legacy and rise against the forces pursuing her.
Mellor’s fast-paced adventure is cleverly crafted, and a riveting read. The mix of high-seas danger, magical powers and a heroine wrestling with her own mistrust creates a story that is as emotionally engaging as it is adventurous. Young readers who love fantasy, action, and tales of reluctant heroes, will find Oceanforged: The wicked ship impossible to resist..... and eagerly awaiting the sequel!
Themes: Treasure, Teamwork, Magic, Fantasy, Heroism.
Michelle O'Connell