If you're after less humour and more serious adventure then this new pirate series is for you. Fast-paced with some cut-throat action, the story-telling is slick and you can tell the author knows this world inside and out...

Step into the future. The year is 2507, seas have risen and pirates rule the waves.

Jacoby and Jasmine are students at the elite Pirate Academy. Their teachers are pirate legends and they train their students to be the best. But when Jasmine receives news that her pirate parents are missing and new student, Neo Splice, turns up, tensions quickly rise. New students don't just turn up at the academy. Who is Neo really and what alarming news does he bring from the ocean? Suddenly, no one is safe...

I was taken by surprise by the fierceness of this story. The concept is both gripping and believable and the prologue sets the tone for the whole book. Unlike other school stories for this age-group, there is no messing about at pirate academy. Everyone means business and when danger comes a-calling, there's a whole lot of ruthlessness afoot. From kidnaps to swordfights to desperate chases across the ocean, every page is packed with action and adventure and yet it still remained appropriate for the age-group.

This is the perfect series for adrenaline junkies, pirate fans and those who just want to read a hard-hitting adventure. Although pirate stories are nothing new, this felt fresh, original and something you'd want to see on the big screen. Pirates of the Caribbean for kids - but a serious version. We LOVED it!

I've been a big fan of Justin since Demons of the Ocean was published way back in the day back when I was in school and I adored the series all the way through. So to get to go back into that world after so long was a wonderful treat. A great adventure, wonderful characters. I cannot wait for more!

I absolutely adored reading this book. It's been so long since I read a pirate adventure and it was such an exciting time whilst reading it. The author really immerse you in the world with their writing and you feel like you're sailing along with them. The characters are all loveable and you want the good guys to succeed. I really enjoyed reading an eARC of this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for their next pirate adventure.

Shiver our timbers, this new book from Justin Somper is a swashbucklingly good read for children age 7-10.

Set in 2507, Pirate Academy: New Kid on Deck follows a group of young pirates from legendary lineage as they navigate Year 5 at the Pirate Academy.

The Academy is where pirate apprentices go to study knots, combat and sailing with the best of the best so that when they become fully fledged pirates at 17, they can join their families in ruling the waves and keeping the oceans safe. The Pirate Federation has some of its finest at the helm of the school. The Barracudas (year 5)are a tight knit team who stick together come hell or high water!

When a mysterious young pirate called Neo appears in the night at the same time as another Barracuda's parents take them away. he meets resistance from some of the team. Jasmine Peacock is kind to him, even though she is dealing with the distressing news that her parents have disappeared on their ship, 'The Blue Marlin' and it seems to be associated with sinister happenings linked to a bunch of ruthless renegades known as the League of True Pirates.

We followed Neo and Jasmine's separate plights as they, with the rest of the Barracudas, work to uncover the truth, find Jasmine's parents, save the school from attack and defend the Pirate Federation honour. If you wound one Barracuda, you wound them all.

A rip roaring start to an adventure series fit for the high seas. Justin Somper's Vampirates series is a hit with older children and this is perfect for those who are younger.

Thank you to Net Galley and UCLan for sending this eBook for consideration. All opinions are our own.

A great mix of a post-apocalyptic world and kids being trained as pirates having an adventure, saving their school and families from rebels. Imaginative world-building and a good level of peril makes for action-packed reading. Stomper & Pirates is always a safe combination!

What a fantastic new series from Justin Somper. Aimed at the younger siblings of his Vampirates readers, it is full of adventure, swashbuckling and dark secrets. There are plenty of surprises and readers will love the cast of young future pirates. Definitely up to five star rating.