The Terror of the Southlands

Gr 2–6—Former high-society girl Hilary Westfield is a pirate, recognized by the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates. She's happy to be accompanying her former governess, turned bookseller, Miss Greyson, and retired pirate Jasper to distribute magic pieces around the kingdom. Unfortunately, she is called to the crow's nest of the president of VNHLP, Rupert Blacktooth, and warned that she is not being daring or adventurous enough for a pirate. Instead of following Blacktooth's orders, Hilary, along with the trusty, if self-aggrandizing, Gargoyle, and her good friend Pirate Charlie, head off to find out what has happened to the Enchantress, overseer of magic in the kingdom and headmistress of a girl's finishing school (also known as Miss Pimm.) Hilary is determined to find out who kidnapped Miss Pimm. She finds herself avoiding the Queen's incompetent inspectors, interviewing distasteful members of high society, and visiting her father in the Dungeons. This book picks up where the first one ended, though readers can piece together the backstory through excerpts of Gargoyle's memoirs that are quoted throughout. This sequel is written with the same tongue-in-cheek tone and revisits this world in which pirates are polite, hold annual picnics, and do not tolerate villainous behavior. Carlson has once again written a light adventure with just the right amount of ridiculous mixed in. A solid choice for those who own the first installment.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA