And Then I Read: DRIFT HOUSE, THE FIRST VOYAGE by Dale Peck

Cover art © Martin Hargreaves.

In the aftermath of 9-11, three children living in New York City: Susan, Charles and Murray Oakenfeld, are sent to live with an uncle in Canada who they’ve never met. Uncle Farley’s new home there is a very unusual one shaped like a large ship, and not long after the children arrive there, it proves to be one, a magical ship that embarks with them on a voyage on the Sea of Time. Fortunately, the ship seems to provide all the needs of the children and their uncle. Unfortunately, Uncle Farley does not know how to steer or direct the ship, and he’s nearly as clueless about its origin and nature as the children, though he has been on one previous voyage in it.

Before long the four are deeply involved in a struggle for power on the high seas of Time between a group of powerful Mermaids, who want to stop time altogether to preserve their way of life (meaning no one would ever age or die or be born) and others, including pirates, who want to stop them. Each of the children undergoes unusual adventures and changes, danger is ever present, and so are amazing wonders and equally amazing creatures.

I enjoyed this inventive fantasy and its appealing characters and complex plot. My only caveat is that new ideas keep coming in to change things I thought I understood, ideas that seem to have occurred to the author as he wrote rather than being part of his plan all along. I could be wrong about that, and in any case, the creative world and its inhabitants make for entertaining reading. Recommended.