Starcross

Art and Myrtle Mumby are reunited with Jack Havock and his gang of alien-pirates-turned-spies under more sinister circumstances.  The sea at their resort abruptly disappears and appears, and strange top hats in their closets begin to call to them.

Myrtle grew faintly more likeable in this book.  Perhaps this was because she did more.  (See my other review for the explanation of Myrtle in the previous book in this series.)  Myrtle in Starcross starts ships with alchemy, uses her bathing dress to escape a . . . erm . . . starfish (yes, well, it was giant and carnivorous), hosts a friendly Moob (in the form of a hair cloth and a bonnet), rescues her brother Art and Mrs. Spinnaker, and more.

The randomness was a bit improved.  I appreciated it.  Brainwashing top hats?  Simply brilliant.


Stars:  6 because Myrtle was better, the plot was more random . . . in essence, just see above.

Violence:  5 for non-serious violence.

Romance:   6.  It was mostly avoided (since our narrator is a brave British boy not courageous enough to face this topic at most times - ha ha).  But Myrtle still likes Jack, and so does Ssil.  Jack tries to persuade Myrtle that they aren't right together, but Myrtle turns stubborn and refuses to listen.  Jack didn't answer Myrtle's letters (and Art finds a book on how to write love letters in Jack's cabin).  And finally, Myrtle thinks Jack likes Delphine instead of her.

Language:  5 because of some swear words with only the first letter printed.

Appropriate for:  9-11