CAPT. HOOK: The Adventures of a Notorious Youth
J.V. Hart
illustrated by Brett Helquist
Laura Geringer Books/HarperCollins
Action & Adventure
ISBN: 0060002204
352 pages

Young James Matthew was not destined to have an easy life, much less a happy one. The illegitimate son of a prominent English lord and a mother he never knew, James is raised by his Aunt Emily and is given the sort of schooling that any young boy of an aristocratic background would be expected to learn --- including swordfighting --- which James naturally succeeds at.

When he is accepted into the famous Eton, it quickly becomes apparent from his shadowy past and unusual appearance that James is quite different from his high-collared peers. He becomes fierce rivals with a Colleger named Arthur L. Darling and strikes up an unlikely friendship with a fellow Oppidan named Roger Peter Davies, aka Jolly Roger. Through his undeniable brilliance, "mutant" traits and spine-tingling bond with pet spiders, James --- or King Jas --- lives up to being a notorious Eton Blue.

As a reward for his achievements, Jas finally receives acknowledgment that he secretly craved from his absent father, Lord B. Unfortunately, James realizes that old habits are hard to break and that his father's attention is not kind. When James causes an international scandal by falling in love with a spirited Sultana named Ananova, his beliefs are confirmed that he must forge a path for himself by any means necessary. While Jas dreams of becoming the king of his own magical island called Neverland, he soon spirals into a nightmare that could mean the end of the future Capt. Hook.

CAPT. HOOK is not the children's story it may first appear to be. It is a creative tale of the infamous villain of PETER PAN that is geared toward a slightly older audience. While readers may empathize with the charming anti-hero and enjoy the cast of familiar characters, they will be shocked to discover how violent James's world is --- from the hallowed halls of Eton to the high seas. With scenes of swordfights, poisonous spiders, and references to the French Revolution, younger readers may find this worthy prequel a little too scary for their taste.

Nonetheless, this is a riveting adventure. CAPT. HOOK is J. V. Hart's first novel, and like his screenplay for Hook, it is sure to be another memorable retelling of J. M. Barrie's classic story.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the world-famous Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity in London.

   --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle (SdarksideG@aol.com)

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