Rob grew up on Engle Island. It was home, but it wasn’t enough to hold his interest. He learned about other islands from his teacher and wanted to travel like his mentor had. When the opportunity to acquire a boat presented itself, he made a daring step to talk to his parents about leaving the family farm, which starts an adventure for himself and five other young adults.The Voyage of the Entdecker by B.A. Simmons is the first book in the Archipelago Series. The story takes place in our future on another world. I was given a copy of The Voyage of the Entdecker at the League of Utah Writers (website) Spring into Books 2018 Event for review purposes.
The Voyage of the Entdecker is nice blend of science fiction and fantasy. I was reminded of tales I read in my youth about colonized planets that had to adapt to a world that technology couldn’t conquer. Simmons weaves in words and phrases, which are now slightly off, showing the world of Archipelago once had ties to Earth. The ties are no longer and the lost technology isn’t understood, but used when possible. Since science fiction does include new creatures, The Voyage of the Entdecker could be considered purely a work in that genre. I’ve included it in both due to the regression of technology.
We are introduced to the world of Archipelago. The name by itself gives so much. A place of open seas and scattered islands. We learn the seas are dangerous because of the creatures calling it their home. There are kingdoms across many islands, but there are also independent places as well.
Rob, Mark (his brother), Tom and Pete (cousins), and Anna and Edwin (brother and sister from another family of Engle Island) set off together on a small sailing craft they name the Entdecker. It is from an ancient human language (German) they are told means explorer. Rob is looking for the adventure the new name of their boat is portending. His brother is going along as he promised his parents, to keep his younger brother safe. Their cousins are familiar with boats and are joining the early part of the journey to teach the others how to sail. Anna and Edwin are running away from their father and the goals he has for them.
The grand adventure begins across a sea that is full of monsters that have taken on names most of us can easily recognize even though, again, they are slightly altered. They find there are many things to be afraid of, most of which are other people, who believe in different things.
The Voyage of the Entdecker is a good young adult book. There are heroes and heroines working together to overcome the struggles they face as a group and within themselves. There is coming of age and rites of passage. And, there is hope the young adventures are able to move forward into the future to help themselves and the people they care about. The tale includes moral struggles and how to deal with them. But, none are at the level of being pushy or in your face. It all comes together in a story of adventure.
It is clear there is more story to be told even early on in the book. This is a world to explore with a past as deep as the ocean they are sailing across. The foreshadowing of the greater story starts early without overpowering the current tale being told. As this tale ended I found myself wondering about the next part of the journey and what would happen without the author having to tell me there was going to be more.
Overall
The Voyage of the Entdecker is a good read and a fun adventure tale.
It is appropriate for young adult or even a middle grader readers. The strongest sexual content is suggested nudity, with no description. The violence is told in general terms without specifics. There is no magic, just the lost understanding of some technology.
The Voyage of the Entdecker by B.A. Simmons (Facebook) is published by Glass Spider Publishing (website).
I give The Voyage of the Entdecker 4 out of 5.
The Voyage of the Entdecker is available on Amazon (link).
The Voyage of the Entdecker is available on Amazon (link).
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| B. A. Simmons |
About the Author (From the Book)
B.A. Simmons grew up roaming the mountains of the western United States. He still finds time to explore the outdoors, mainly by running the trails. He started writing when only 11 years old and hasn’t stopped since. His love of science fiction is only rivaled by his love of history... or perhaps food.
He attended Utah State University from which he graduated with a degree in English Education in 2011.
He teaches junior high school English and social studies. He is a self-described sesquipedalian ludditish renaissance man.
He currently resides in Ogden, Utah with his amazing wife and kids, two dogs, a cat, and myriad imaginary worlds.
If you have a comment, suggestion, or critique please leave a comment here or send an email to guildmastergaming@gmail.com.
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