Dianne Greenlay
iUniverse (2010)
ISBN 9781450233972
Reviewed by Ben Weldon (age 12) for Reader Views (11/10)
“Quintspinner: A Pirate’s Quest” by Dianne Greenlay is the story of two very different people: sixteen-year-old Tess who has a mysterious hidden power, and Will, a farmer’s son who was pressed into service by the British Navy. Through a strange twist of fate they found themselves on the same ship bound for danger at the hands of an insane pirate and a crazed, power-hungry English gentleman. Will they be able to escape?
When Will’s father disappeared one night, Will was stupefied. One day when searching for his father and brother, Will stumbled across his brother’s corpse and a pressing gang. The gang took him and forced him to serve on a ship tasked with escorting another ship carrying important cargo. Onboard the ship, Will found his father who had extensive brain damage and couldn’t speak. But when flaming pitch is spilled and lights the ship on fire Will was not sure if he could save both himself and his father. Will both Will and his father be able to survive the wreck and make it to the other ship? Is the other ship the haven of safety they are hoping for? What mysteries and challenges lurk there?
A long time ago an ancient race had managed to become very adept with the powers of the mind. These ancients created five spinner rings with different gems from many countries that would provide a focal point for the wearer thus enhancing one of five different powers of the mind, such as prophecy, healing, and persuasion. Over time, the secrets of how to make them were lost, and the rings separated. Tess was one of very few people who could harness the powers of the rings.
When Tess first went to the market, she did not expect to witness a murder. But when an old crone told her that she was a Quintspinner and invited her in for tea, Tess accepted. Soon after, two strangers burst in and tried to steal the crone’s spinner ring. After a short scuffle the crone fell and smashed her skull. With her dying breath she gave the ring to Tess. But this will not be the end of the stranger and his obsession with the rings. Soon after this event Tess and her family must leave England by ship bound for a royal colony. Will Tess be able to protect the spinner ring from evil powers who wish to posses it? What will happen on this long voyage?
I would recommend this book to people who like action and adventure. The book was packed with action and intrigue at every turn. “Quintspinner: A Pirate’s Quest” was a very fun read, but would probably be most appropriate and enjoyed by teen audiences.
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