Voyage of Slaves: A Tale from Castaways of the Flying Dutchman

Brian Jaques
Philomel Books (2006)
ISBN 0399245499
Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (1/07)

Ben and his dog, Ned, survived the destruction of the Flying Dutchman years ago. Spared the doom of the ill-fated crew, these castaways were still affected by the avenging angel’s curse—they live forever without growing a day older. Constantly on the move so no one detects their ageless nature, they roam the earth together. Due to the angel’s benevolence, Ben and Ned can communicate with each other through thoughts.

In “Voyage of Slaves”—the third book of the series—Ben and Ned are adrift in the Mediterranean Sea when they are accosted by pirates. The cruel men toss the black Labrador into the ocean and take Ben to Al Misurata, a slave trader feared along the Barbary Coast. He keeps Ben for his knowledge of languages.

Meanwhile a traveling troupe of performers finds Ned and nurses him back to health. They make him a part of their traveling show. When Al Misurata drafts them to entertain, Ben and Ned are reunited. But their happiness is short-lived. Al Misurata takes them all to sea, and they soon realize that the Rizzoli troupe have been tricked and will be sold as slaves.

Ben wants to save his new friends, especially the beautiful girl, Serafina. But Al Misurata and his ruffians remain determined to succeed. The rest of the story ranges from seafaring adventures to perils on land where Ben and Ned encounter benefactors and villains. They must use their wits to survive and pray for good fortune as they try to outsmart their adversary and free the entertainers from a horrible fate.

“Voyage of Slaves” provides rough and tumble adventure for young adult males, though girls will enjoy the story, too. Set in the early 1700s, Jacques brings the nautical past to life with its harshness, dangers and glories. The bond between Ben and Ned resounds with poignancy and humor and will be appreciated by anyone who ever wished they could communicate with their four-legged childhood friend.

In “Voyage of Slaves,” Jacques’s cast of characters who befriend Ben and Ned is well-developed and diverse. The antagonists are intriguing and evil, yet believable. The author provides a compelling yarn where good triumphs over evil. Young adult “Redwall” fans will want to read this series, too.

Make comment on weblog