Official Review: Tales of Davy Jones by Carl Gundestrup

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any fantasy or science fiction books or series.
Post Reply
User avatar
Kelebogile Mbangi
Posts: 913
Joined: 28 May 2017, 05:20
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 123
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kelebogile-mbangi.html
Latest Review: At Day's End, I'll Always Be Me by Jerry A. Greenberg

Official Review: Tales of Davy Jones by Carl Gundestrup

Post by Kelebogile Mbangi »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Tales of Davy Jones" by Carl Gundestrup.]
Book Cover
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


Tales of Davy Jones - Garrett and the Feathered Serpent is a touching, imaginative fantasy book by Carl Gundestrup.

At thirteen years of age, Garrett Spencer has acquired more knowledge than the average grown man. Born with a bad leg, Garrett has few friends because boys his age shy away from him. And so, his solace has always been in reading. He has had a great many adventures through books and can only imagine the adventures he is yet to have in the future. His family is soon to move to Shiloh's Island - an island rumoured to have been a playground for pirates and mystical creatures. His excitement for the upcoming move is heightened when he stumbles upon the Gypsy Moth logbook. The Gypsy Moth was a ruthless pirate schooner. He finds a map within the logbook's cover. Little does Garrett realize that this exciting find has just put him on a deadly mercenary's radar.

Anyone with a taste for adventure and fantasy will enjoy this book. However, I think preteens will gain the most from reading this book. They could learn a lot from Garrett's love of reading, his perseverance, and determination. I loved his refusal to let his disability impede his zest for life. He uses the knowledge he has gained through years of reading to find ways around his disability and achieves momentous accomplishments, all for the good of others. In fact, we could all learn a thing or two from Garrett's unwavering spirit!

I love books with impressive, awe-inspiring villains, and Tales of Davy Jones is one such book. The mercenary, known only as “The Black Ghost” shows so much prowess and mastery in his dark operations that it sent chills upon my spine. He believes in careful planning and precision when carrying out a job. The way he corners and attacks his prey is nothing short of brilliant (if such a word can be used to describe evil). He even uses his appearance and poor hygiene to his advantage, purposefully letting fragments of food rot between his crooked teeth. He then uses this to repulse and scare his victims witless. And that, my friends, is just one of his countless tactics. I assure you, if you choose to read this book, you will be impressed by him.

The only thing I found a bit annoying was the amount of sentimentality in the book. The characters swell up with tears a number of times. Yes, it did fit in with the events they encountered, but I found it to be too mushy for my liking. Aside from this, I enjoyed this fantasy book immensely. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. It had very few errors and was a pleasure to read.

******
Tales of Davy Jones
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like Kelebogile Mbangi's review? Post a comment saying so!
"And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!" - Dr. Seuss
User avatar
Kibet Hillary
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 4276
Joined: 26 Jul 2017, 01:48
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 3541
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kibet-hillary.html
Latest Review: Sooner Secrets by Shelley L. Levisay

Post by Kibet Hillary »

This sounds exceedingly fascinating, enthralling and adventurous. I would personally like to read this book. Thanks for the review.
“It just hurts too much to admit what is wanted so badly when there’s no guarantee of its availability.”
- Dr. Larry Crabb
User avatar
Rachel Lea
Posts: 621
Joined: 25 Feb 2019, 19:29
Favorite Book: Adrift
Currently Reading: Man Mission
Bookshelf Size: 117
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rachel-lea.html
Latest Review: Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat by R.F. Kristi

Post by Rachel Lea »

This sounds like a charming, enthralling book with a great plot, an inspiring main character, and a truly unsettling villain. Even though as you say the book seems to be geared towards preteens in particular, I think I would enjoy reading it myself! Thanks for the review!
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies... The man who never reads lives only one." -- George R.R. Martin :techie-studyingbrown:
brown09
Posts: 53
Joined: 12 Jul 2018, 05:20
Currently Reading: The Fifth Season
Bookshelf Size: 18
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-brown09.html
Latest Review: Burn Zones by Jorge P. Newbery

Post by brown09 »

I love adventure stories with such a dynamic-sounding set of characters! Thanks for your review, you were very informative about the ins-and-outs of it.
User avatar
kandscreeley
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 11758
Joined: 31 Dec 2016, 20:31
Bookshelf Size: 495
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kandscreeley.html
Latest Review: The Elf Revelation by Jordan David

Post by kandscreeley »

This sounds like a lovely adventure with a well-rounded and fun protagonist. I'm curious how he gets out of the trouble he finds himself in after finding the logbook. Thanks so much for the review.
A book is a dream you hold in your hands.
—Neil Gaiman
User avatar
Prisallen
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 5678
Joined: 27 Feb 2019, 18:57
Favorite Book:
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 233
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-prisallen.html
Latest Review: Nirvatra by April Thomas

Post by Prisallen »

I love it that Garrett, born with a disability, does not let it hold him back and, in fact, uses the knowledge that he has gained in his books to gain accomplishments. That should be a lesson for everyone. Thank you for a wonderful review!
User avatar
Ellylion
Posts: 3249
Joined: 01 Mar 2019, 15:33
Favorite Book: The Altitude Journals
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 136
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ellylion.html
Latest Review: The Islands Tell Of It by Patty Fischer

Post by Ellylion »

Sounds like a really great adventurous book for young readers. I would like to give it a try even in spite of all the tears mentioned above :) Thank you so much for an excellent review!
User avatar
Radiant3
In It Together VIP
Posts: 434
Joined: 04 May 2018, 05:40
Favorite Book: Shanghai'd
Currently Reading: Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature
Bookshelf Size: 166
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-radiant3.html
Latest Review: Escape by Belle Ami

Post by Radiant3 »

I really enjoy adventure stories and this one sounds really interesting and exciting. Great review.
Latest Review: Escape by Belle Ami
kdstrack
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 6473
Joined: 10 May 2017, 19:49
Currently Reading: The Savior
Bookshelf Size: 530
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kdstrack.html
Latest Review: Kennedy's Revenge by Stephen L Rodenbeck

Post by kdstrack »

I love how the author highlights Garret's reading. He sounds like an amazing main character. This sounds like an interesting book. I think I could get past the swelling up with tears! Thanks.
User avatar
Lumos Nox21
Posts: 2
Joined: 02 May 2019, 20:18
Currently Reading: It Strikes Again
Bookshelf Size: 9

Post by Lumos Nox21 »

I really enjoy reading fiction books with kids as protagonists and this is a hell of a novel. Anyone who loves adventures will love this book. I love it but sorry to say Harry Potter still tops my list..
User avatar
Wriley
Posts: 281
Joined: 06 Jan 2019, 18:09
Favorite Book: Executive Hoodlum
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 80
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-wriley.html
Latest Review: Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat by R.F. Kristi

Post by Wriley »

This sounds like a book my twelve year old twin boys would like. I'm not sure about crying either. This book to me is geared toward boys yet preteen boys aren't much into sentimentality. I think boys would love The Black Ghost character.
Logic will get you from A to Z
But Imagination will get you
EVERYWHERE

Albert Einstein
User avatar
DogoMulla
Posts: 195
Joined: 10 Jan 2019, 00:42
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 23
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-dogomulla.html
Latest Review: The Fox by M. N. J. Butler

Post by DogoMulla »

Tales of Davy Jones seems like an interesting read. Garrett Spencer's character is unique as well. Only few books nowadays delve into the disability side. Thank you for such insightful review.
User avatar
TripToAfter
Posts: 21
Joined: 02 Mar 2019, 16:56
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 6
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-triptoafter.html
Latest Review: The Sparrow by Denna M. Davis

Post by TripToAfter »

Adventure stories are kind of my safety net, so already I think I can relate to the main character. And actually crafty villains can be hard to come by and are definitely welcome to dice up a story. This sounds like a good one. Thank you for the great review!
Find a fluffy corner somewhere and stick yourself there for a while. Don't forget to bring entertainment, preferably something with pages. And words. :wink:
amjohnson13mommy
Posts: 232
Joined: 04 Nov 2018, 14:37
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 31
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-amjohnson13mommy.html
Latest Review: The Right to Nominate by Thomas E Peterson

Post by amjohnson13mommy »

Gypsy Moth log book, never heard of it. And a mushy story that has anything do with pirates, sounds weird.
Good review but I will pass.
amjohnson13
LoisCHenderson
Posts: 140
Joined: 15 Mar 2018, 02:23
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 358
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-loischenderson.html
Latest Review: Idiom Attack Vol. 1 Everyday Living (German Edition) by Peter Liptak

Post by LoisCHenderson »

A follower in R.L. Stevenson's steps, it would seem, the book is a rich treasure trove of good old-fashioned delight. Your appreciation of such a wonderful text does you proud!
Post Reply

Return to “Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books”