Beware of Pirates

Benjamin Manry and the Curse of Blood Bones
Author: Owen Palmiotti

A dusty old wine bottle, a map filled with clues and a note that states where, what do all three have in common, they help create the mystery and intrigue for those seafaring people who want to know just how the man called Blood Bones was able to fool an entire ship filled with marines and sailors and took over the ship called the Courtesy to find gold, treasures and more. Three young men find a map and a dusty old wine bottle in the cellar of their home while cleaning and throwing things out. These curious young men research the time period, 1763 and the place, St Augustine, Florida and decide to find this mysterious egg-shaped island that is pictured in this map. What happens will surprise you and lead this men on a journey back in time and meet some dangerous pirates, a mysterious man named Blood Bones who manages to dupe a British Captain and boards his ship and takes it over, in Owen Palmiotti’s breakthrough novel, Benjamin Manry and the Curse of the Blood Bones.

Ben, Harris and their friend Sal find this dusty old wine bottle dating back in time to their ancestors before the revolutionary war. As they read the clues and learn more about the treasure and its whereabouts, they set off for Roosevelt Island in St. Augustine Florida to find the treasure belonging to Blood Bones. What does a box without hinges; a key or lid and a golden treasure have in common? You’ll find out as you join these three young men on a journey of a lifetime into a world that has past but would now be their present.

Alternating between the past and the present, Blood Bones manages to pit two British vessels into battle and a third, which was manned by his cousin, leading the crews of all three fiery deaths but not before they put up a fight. Tricking the Governor to come and pay heavy ransom for his captured men, Blood Bones wins yet another battle and kills Governor Elliot, his men and allows his nephew, his message to leave and relate the events to his replacement. But, what has become of the 150 men that Blood Bones captures and what will happen next?

As the three young explorers anchor their canoe and the island they forge deeper and deeper within its realm, they face some obstacles and leading to a cave where the skeleton of Blood Bones is sitting at a desk facing them along with the fabled treasure.


Now, you would think all that they had to do was take some of the jewels, rings, and other things that they found and bring them home, not so. Finding some writing under a chart in the room, written by Blood Bones, and telling them that they have found his treasure they also realize that it is cursed. What happens next you will not believe, as these three young men, experience a reverse in time and wind up as captives of Captain Arthur F. Nelson in 1763? What was Blood Bones after and what was his goal: To get all of the gold tax money that the British took from the colonists and more destroying and killing anyone in his wake. But, our three adventurers wind up joining in the fight and an overnight fishing trip turns out to be the excitement of a lifetime. Without any thought to their own danger these three young men join with the Captain and crew of the ship and fight off the pirates, leaving many dead including their leader.

As Ben, Harris and Sal become an integral part of the crew, the captain teaches them many lessons in navigation, fighting a proper battle, creating weapons, and knots. Using a sextant he teaches them how to take speed, distance and time readings and if anyone who wants to become a navigator, like our author, then this book has invaluable information that the characters learn in an easy and interesting way. But, what is the real reason behind Nelson’s mission we have yet to learn and reveal.

The camaraderie among the characters and how well they assimilate into the 18th century and learn survival skills so quickly renews your faith in good old 21st century kids and the fact that these three definitely make us proud. Quick thinking skills save them during many battles and Ben’s common sense and wisdom helps them when they get captured looking for food on an unchartered island by a tribe needing their help to combat their enemy to survive. Making a deal with their leader, Ben and the crew of his ship, help them fight their enemy with the promise of a new ship and riches as payment.

What does happen next will surprise the reader. As the Ben and the members of the crew of the Frendrich go in search of the deadly pirate Blood Bones, they encounter trouble on the seas, fighting to help the people of the Irajan village defeat their enemy and finally deal with Blood Bones and his pirates. What will happen and how much blood will be spilled? Who will come out the victor: the crew of the Frendrich or the pirates? What parts will Ben, Harris and Sal play in this battle and what will be their final destiny? You have to read this action packed, suspenseful, humorous and exciting novel to find out. What will be the fate of the pirates and what is the plan to take them down? This is a story of loyalty, friendship, persistence, perseverance, understanding, fear, sadness and more. Remember, that they disappeared without a trace and their parents continued to search for them and learned the truth. Did they return to their time period or will they remain in the past? Read this novel that is not only for young adults, those who want to learn navigation skills, and adults who are teenagers at heart and love to read a great adventure. Take the journey into the past with Ben, Sal and Harris and you decide which time period you would prefer to live in.

Author Owen Palmiotti is a merchant marine and spends much of his time at sea. Read this novel and you decide which of the characters you think is really our author or is a part of him in Ben, Harris and Sal? I won’t tell you but after meeting him I have a pretty good idea. A definite must read and my first pick for best YA book for 2010.

I give this book Five Chests of Gold

Fran Lewis: Reviewer and author of the Bertha Series of Books and Memories are Precious