The Time Cave - Spanish Main

Reviews / Votes

Review of The Time Cave - Spanish Main Many boys dream of great adventures where they show great courage, fight bad guys and emerge as heroes. In Trevor Anderson's book, "The Time Cave - Spanish Main," two boys experience adventures they never even dreamed of. Jack and Tom are best friends and live on the north coast of Cornwall, in southwest England. They are both twelve years old and typical 21st-century boys. They love spending time fishing and snorkelling. On the first day of their holiday, they row their skiff to their favourite fishing spot, but a strong current forces them into Mennan Cave, a place they always avoid. Tom and Jack end up in the 18th-century Caribbean Sea. Pirates roamed the area known as the Spanish Main at the time. One of the most feared pirate captains, Edward Boyle, kidnaps them and forces them to become part of his crew on the Pelican. The boys meet Jasper and Kate, brother and sister, captured by the pirates a year earlier. The pirates captured the children for ransom but failed to release Jasper and Kate once their father had met the demands. Together, the children plan to escape, but many obstacles exist. Ralph is the Pelican's cook and one of my favourite characters. He is always happy, has pride in his work and shows kindness to the boys. Although some meals are inedible, Tom and Jack appreciate Ralph's kindness and help him when they can. The story includes a vicious battle at sea, storms, shipwrecks, escape, ingenious survival skills and the loyalty of friends. Will Jack and Tom be able to return to their parents in the twenty-first century? The boys are consistently brave and clever but fear they will be stuck in the eighteenth century forever. Read this entertaining novel to determine the fate of the two protagonists. I loved how the author explored the boys' feelings when faced with traumatic occurrences. Despite their scary situation and uncertainty about their future, they retained their moral standards and sense of humour. I disliked nothing in the book. It is a wonderful book for children aged 9 to 13, jumping from one adventure to the next. Many adults will enjoy it as well. It is action-packed, entertaining, and educational. (Reviewed by Alida Spies)