Two boys meet on a voyage that transforms their lives.Madu, a young African, is captured by the English slave-trader, Sir John Hawkins. Tom Oakley is a young sailor in charge of the slaves. At first the two boys hate each other. Madu wants freedom, Tom seeks revenge for his cousin whom the Africans killed. But when their ship is sunk in a battle with the Spaniards, their roles are reversed, and … are reversed, and Madu gains power over Tom. But both boys are enslaved, thousands of miles from home. Only by combining their efforts do they have any chance of freedom.
This book is a WINNER of the Kindle Book Award 2014
A fast-moving drama based on real historical events. History as you never learned it in school!
‘I read this book in one sitting. I could NOT put it down! I felt like I was watching a movie unfold that kept me absolutely riveted from beginning to end.’ Jesse Norman.
‘I could not put this book down. It should definitely be part of the American School curriculum. I learned so much and it filled me with a new passion for historical fiction. The author has created a sensory rich atmosphere filled with characters and locations that come to life. The book enables us to put ourselves into the skin of a young African boy and see, smell, hear and feel all his incredible adventures and horrors as clearly as if we were there.’ Michelle M, Amazon reviewer.
‘Marvellous … I almost think that this book should be taught in the high schools as it gives such a human “face” to slavery in Africa at the hands of the English. Highly recommended.’ Brenda Maxwell.
‘A literary epic adventure … an EXCELLENT story.’ Samantha Ryan.
‘A fast-paced tale of danger, adventure and drama … deeply steeped in historical fact, and with real characters from the past.’ Mark Williams.
‘Tim Vicary’s clear and fluent style is, as always, a delight to read and his research is impeccable. The world he presents is utterly believable, his characters live and breathe. An emotional roller-coaster of a book.’Author Jenny Twist.
‘Definitely recommended to fans of historical fiction, or anyone who enjoys and intense and fulfilling read.’Stacy Decker.
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A fictional story based on very real events. The book really grabbed my attention from page one and kept me interested throughout. While the story is fictional it is based on very real events of mid to late 16th century slave trade between Africa and the Spanish in the Caribbean. It’s main characters is an African and an English slave ship …
WOW! Got sucked right in and loved this book! Great story and learned a lot at the same time since, from what I’ve read, it is also historically accurate.
Good reading
I liked reading about the interaction between the slaves and the slavers. It is a relationship that is usually not developed .
This is not a book I would normally choose to read but I found it informative and engaging. I am glad I broke off my path and read it.
While this book certainly chronicles voyages of slave trading, it also gives a voice to the various participants: seamen, traders, Africans, slaves, English, Spanish, men, women, and youth. I liked particularly the appendix information that clarified what was real versus what was poetic license. A good read about the interactions between worlds …
A good read but it made me sad for all the slavery going on in Europe and on all continents.
slow and dull
I find it an interesting read, but only can read a chapter at time because it is so real for what happened in that time period. I will eventually read the entire book because of its historical topic and I am curious to known what happens to the two boys.
Great book! Very interesting perspectives from both sides of slavery.
He is an excellent writer. I liked the two perspectives of the characters. I would rcommend this book.
Not my usual medieval time travel reading….However any history lover will enjoy this book. You actually need a day after you finish it to let it absorb into you.
Good ending. Not as much character development as I had hoped. Good for middle schoolers.
Very moving
Good read that was informative and entertaining.
a good story told from the outlook of a couple of young boys picked up for the slave trading in South America
I enjoyed the book but would not consider it a favorite.
This book gave a different aspect of the slave trade looking at it from the slaves point of view. The story never reaches the American coast but I believe it was realistic.
Historical without being dry, people were made to be human. Not sugar coated too much.
Well-written, creative scenario based on a historical event.