Reviewed by George Ivanoff

Fleur is a young girl living a quiet life in Cornwall in 1692 with her inn-keeper father, John Morgan. But one night, her world is shattered as the inn is attacked by ruthless pirates. Moments before he is murdered, her father reveals to Fleur a terrible secret. His real name is Henry Hart, the feared pirate known as Henry the Heartless. Pirating is in the Hart blood and in the family, who have been pirates for generations. But Henry had retired, giving it all up when his daughter was born. Now his past has caught up with him… and his daughter. Hidden away, Fleur watches helplessly as her father is murdered and she becomes an orphan. With the arrival of her pirate uncle, William Hart, Fleur embarks on a sea-faring adventure in pursuit of her father’s killers and the Hart staff which they have stolen. The Dread Pirate Fleur and the Ruby Heart is a fast-paced adventure that should enthral readers from about ten-years and up. Sara Starbuck's adventure is filled with action, fights, mutiny, revenge, a mysterious prophecy, and lots of piratical doings. But it also has character development, moments of pathos, and real heart.

This novel is a great introduction to pirates and their lifestyle circa-1692, a topic that seems to have enthralled kids for many generations. While she does not shy away from the ruthlessness of pirates, Starbuck does keep those elements in check, never becoming lingering or gratuitous; so parents can rest easy giving her book to younger readers.

Fleur makes a feisty, likeable heroine who works well as the primary character. Girls are sure to feel for her as they follow her adventures and development. There is also a character for the boys to identify with, in the form of Tom, the cabin boy. But the secondary characters—the pirates—really capture the imagination, particularly Fleur’s uncle, William the Heartless, who has the greatest development and most interesting character arc. This ruthless pirate is not happy about having to baby-sit his niece, and yet he reluctantly finds himself affected by her presence.

Sara Starbuck has a clear and descriptive style, and the book is certainly well-researched. It’s an extremely good debut novel. Her title—The Dread Pirate Fleur and the Ruby Heart—implies that there will be more than one book. And sure enough, the end of this book has Fleur and the pirate crew heading for a new adventure as they set off for the witch trials in Penance Bay. I think there’s real potential here for a long-running series. The characters are certainly up for it, and the setting of a pirate ship allows them to travel anywhere in the world.

Adam Relf provides the striking cover and the simple but effective internal illustrations. My only complaint is that Fleur appears older in the illustrations than her supposed eleven-years. That aside, this is a pretty good read. Kids will love it and there is much in the text for adults to enjoy as well.

The Dread Pirate Fleur and the Ruby Heart
(2009)

by Sara Starbuck
Random House
ISBN: 9781862307025
375pp AUD$17.95