The Chronicles of Egg: "Deadweather and Sunrise" & "New Lands" by Geoff Rodkey

Deadweather and Sunrise by Geoff Rodkey

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Middle Grade


Book Description:  A stunning middle-grade debut--full of heart, humor, and nonstop action

It's tough to be thirteen, especially when somebody's trying to kill you.

Not that Egg's life was ever easy, growing up on sweaty, pirate-infested Deadweather Island with no company except an incompetent tutor and a pair of unusually violent siblings who hate his guts.

But when Egg's father hustles their family off on a mysterious errand to fabulously wealthy Sunrise Island, then disappears with the siblings in a freak accident, Egg finds himself a long-term guest at the mansion of the glamorous Pembroke family and their beautiful, sharp-tongued daughter Millicent. Finally, life seems perfect.

Until someone tries to throw him off a cliff.

Suddenly, Egg's running for his life in a bewildering world of cutthroat pirates, villainous businessmen, and strange Native legends. The only people who can help him sort out the mystery of why he's been marked for death are Millicent and a one-handed, possibly deranged cabin boy.

Come along for the ride. You'll be glad you did


Beka's Thoughts:  Deadweather and Sunrise is about a 13-year-old boy's struggle for survival.  He lives on an island that can only be described as bleak and inhabitable.  Surrounded by bloodthirsty pirates and an abusive family, Eggbert finds joy in books.  When his father and two older siblings disappear in a surprising fashion, Eggbert finds himself stranded with a rich family and their pretty daughter.  Things couldn't get any better in his mind.  But to every rose, there are always thorns.  And as Eggbert finds out, the rose he had picked has sharper and more deadly thorns than he thought.

After stowing away on a ship, Eggbert sets out on a journey to find out the real reason someone suddenly wants him dead.  

The story is wonderfully written, the details paint a perfect picture in your head and the dialogue sounds natural and not at all forced.  The main character, Eggbert (or Egg), is witty and charming.  The story is full of humor, yet it can be serious at times.  I give this book a four out of five star rating.

Book 2 is "New Lands".  It just came out this month!

Book description:  This highly anticipated sequel to Rodkey's much-praised debut is funny, heartfelt, and action-packed. Don't miss it! 
After a narrow escape from Deadweather Island, Egg and his slightly deranged partner Guts head for the remote New Lands. They’re in search of the lost Okalu tribe, who hold the key to the mysterious treasure map that Egg can't decipher. 
But the ruthless Roger Pembroke is hard on Egg's trail, and the New Lands are full of new enemies — against which our heroes only weapons are their brains, their courage...and the two dozen swear words Guts just memorized in the local tongue. 
They're going to need help. 
But who can they trust? 
Is Kira, the beautiful and heavily armed Okalu refugee, their ally…or their enemy? Is Pembroke's daughter Millicent on Egg's side…or her father's? Why on earth is the notorious pirate Burn Healy being so nice to them? And the biggest question of all: what shocking secret is Egg about to discover in the shadow of an ancient Okalu temple?