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Bookworm Speaks! - The Wave Runners


Bookworm Speaks!

The Wave Runners

by Kai Meyer 

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Acquired: Bookstore in Kyoto Japan
Series: The Wave Runners Trilogy (Book 1)
Paperback: 384 Pages
Publisher: Egmont UK Limited (2007)
Language: English
Subject: Fantasy and Magic / Action and Adventure

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The Story: The pirates in the Caribbean have a name for children who walk on water - polliwiggles. Jolly and Munk are the only remaining polliwiggles. With a crew of pirates, ghosts, and dog-headed man, the polliwiggles sail across the Caribbean Sea, pursued by the plrate emperor, and a mysterious deadly force known only as the Maelstrom….

The Review: The main reason that this book works as well as it does is how the author is able to balance all the various elements that make this a fantasy adventure. For starters: it utilizes a familiar setting, the Caribbean Sea. Plot points take place and references are made to real life locations and historical figures: the Atlantic Ocean, the British Empire and more. The fantasy elements are also well done in that they are not particularly fantastical, save for a few monsters here and there. The magic feels grounded. 

One detail that Bookworm particularly likes is the trade of ghosts for labor and how they are superior to human slaves. Another is how the whole ‘walking on water’ thing works for Jolly and Munk. It is not as straight forward as the Book of Mathew would lead you to believe. 

What is straightforward is the portrayal of the characters. A recent trend in fiction, particularly genre fiction is the reversal of the traditional character dynamic between male and female characters. In the past, the male character would be the one who is the dashing hero or rogue to sweep the mild-mannered character, usually a female, of into the high stakes world of adventure. In this book, the female character holds the traditional masculine role. She is the daring rogue raised among the scurvy scalawags of pirate crews. Jolly is the one who breaks Munk out his mild-mannered life on his parent’s plantation. 

Mild-mannered save for the workers that are ghosts that is! The author deserves some credit for not shying away from the historical fact that slavery was practiced during the pirate age of the Caribbean Sea. 

This reversal of the norm is a promising direction for fantasy fiction and the author does well to make both characters memorable and believable. It may be too early to determine whether or not their is any romance to be had between these characters but we can already feel the friendship blossoming between them. 

The portrayal of the Maelstrom is very well done. Considering that this is a book about the ocean, weather phenomenon is a constant threat and factor to take in. While the characters do battle with various monsters and eldritch abominations, the Maelstrom feels more like Sauron from Lord of the Rings. A force more than an actual villain and it adds some gravitas to the story that is rarely seen in the realm of Pirate fiction. We get more straightforward fantasy later on but that is reserved for the final chapters. 

This is not a criticism directed at the quality of the story, which is the goal Bookworm aims for with these reviews, but rather at the very erratic way in which this book was published. Apparently the author is located in Germany and the first editions of this book are printed in the German language. The one Bookworm possess was bought in an english bookstore in Japan under the title “Wave Runners”. Finally, there is the American version called “Wave Walkers: Pirate Curse. Apparently, the edition in Bookworm’s library isn’t even in print anymore! It is all kind of confusing. Especially when one is trying to review it! It would not hurt to set the record straight. For the purposes of this review, Bookworm utilized the version that Bookworm purchased. 

On a final note, Bookworm will not dare to give it away but the ending of this book really sticks in Bookworm’s mind in spite of the span of time between readings. It is the best kind of cliffhanger with a bittersweet ending and makes the reader eager to get to the sequel!

The Final Verdict: The Wave Runners is an exciting and original take on high-seas fantasy, that while primarily aimed at younger readers, is still loaded with unique fantasy and action that will please older readers as well. 

Four Pollywiggles out of Five



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