Quintspinner: A Pirate’s Quest

Dianne Greenlay
iUniverse (2010)
ISBN 9781450233972
Reviewed by Marty Shaw for Reader Views (10/10)

 

William is a simple farm boy who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and ends up as a reluctant recruit on the Navy ship, HMS Argus. The need to survive forces him to adapt to his new situation and he soon finds himself making a few friends and excelling at the seafaring way of life. The Argus is providing escort to the Mary Jane, a merchant ship that happens to be carrying a very special passenger. Tess is the teenaged daughter of a doctor, but she’s recently learned that she’s more than that. A not so coincidental meeting with an old woman known as the Crone has revealed that Tess is a Quintspinner, a person chosen by fate to wear one of the five rings of the Spinners. The Crone gives Tess a ring of prophecy and tells her that she will be drawn to the remaining rings, and those rings will likewise be drawn to her. A battle at sea soon throws Tess and William into each other’s arms and her quest becomes his as passions ignite between the two.

“Quintspinner: A Pirate’s Quest” is an exciting, fast-paced adventure that had me anxiously turning the pages to see what was coming next. Greenlay’s detailed descriptions of actions and places had me almost believing that I could feel the salt spray of the ocean against my face as William was thrust into his new life aboard the Argus. The research that went into this book was readily apparent as I read about “press” gangs roaming the countryside looking for Navy ‘recruits’ and the 18th century version of the practice of medicine had me shaking my head in disbelief as I watched Tess assist her father while he performed archaic medical procedures that were considered commonplace during that time. Both Tess and William are compelling characters with detailed histories and I found myself caring for them and practically sitting on the edge of my seat whenever they faced danger, and the fast-paced plot provides plenty of action and tension throughout the entire book. Greenlay doesn’t sacrifice the supporting characters in an attempt to draw extra attention to Tess and William. William’s friends, Mr. Smith, Mr. Lancaster, and a man the crew refers to as the Gimp, all come to life within the pages and each plays an integral part at various points in the story. Likewise, Tess’ sister, Cassie, and her housekeeper, Mrs. Hanley, are much more than just props for Tess to move around, with each one taking their turn in the spotlight when the story calls for it.

While the Spinner rings are an important part of the story of “Quintspinner: A Pirate’s Quest,” their role is primarily kept in the background. The jewelry provides the wearer with special gifts but there are no making things better by simply waving a magic wand or reciting a few words. The characters and their adventures have the taste of real life and the magic is wisely kept to a minimum, allowing Tess and William to carry the story forward in a believable and realistic way that has me looking forward to rejoining them in a second “Quintspinner” novel.

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