What do you think?
A Prequel to Treasure Island #2
Pieces Of Eight
Marooned on a remote Caribbean island with his loyal crew and a fortune in buried treasure, Silver awaits the return of the man who left him there. In order to defeat Silver and claim the island back as his, Flint will need to raise an army- no easy feat for the man most wanted by the Royal Navy. But with disease running rampant on the Island and the net closing on Flint, time is running out for both men. Who will survive - and who will get the gold?
464 pages, Hardcover
First published June 25, 2009
About the author
John Drake
27 books164 followersJust in case anyone's interested ... my latest Fletcher (Flying Machine) is up and running and selling well. Happy days.
I have just finished the third of my Londinium books (that's Roman London AD 100) and it should be out later this year: 'Gods in Londium'. My usual mixture of bloodstained savagery, plus authentic period detail.
Moving further on ...
'The Fletcher Companion' (all you need to know about Fletcher and his world), will also be available some time this year.
Beyond that, the next Fletcher for March 2023 (if the Lord spares me) will be 'Fletcher and the Constitution'. That's the US Constitution, and it's in deadly peril.
Mind how you go.
John Drake
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 6, 2017
In Pieces of Eight, the second book of the Flint and Silver trilogy, John Drake continues his prequel to Treasure Island. I thought the first book was a great read, and it was, but this next book was a fantastic read!
There were times when pivotal events happen in the span of two or three pages that totally took me by surprise. All the elements of a good pirate tale are found in this one novel: Pirates chasing merchant ships, naval ships chasing pirates, in-fighting among the brethren, a beautiful woman to add a little conflict and romance, cannon fire and casualties, stormy seas, and always the buried treasure to be secured.
For Flint and his crew, the action takes place heading to Charleston and then back to his island. Silver and his crew are on the island, taking steps to prepare and defend it from the vast number of fighters he expects Flint to return with. In this he guesses correctly, but even he never expects to fight the enemy his crew ends up facing. Flint returns with a vengeance and an army ready and able to do his bidding.
That’s as much substance as I’ll share. But I’ll tell you this: the cover of the book advertises “High Seas, High Adventure, Low Treachery.” All can be found in this one story, and you can never imagine how low the treachery will go!
The story culminates in more surprises and unresolved issues. I’m glad I have the third book, Skull and Bones, on hand to begin reading immediately!
Review Copyrighted ©2013 Irwin Bryan
Pirates & Privateers www.cindyvallar.com/pirates.html
There were times when pivotal events happen in the span of two or three pages that totally took me by surprise. All the elements of a good pirate tale are found in this one novel: Pirates chasing merchant ships, naval ships chasing pirates, in-fighting among the brethren, a beautiful woman to add a little conflict and romance, cannon fire and casualties, stormy seas, and always the buried treasure to be secured.
For Flint and his crew, the action takes place heading to Charleston and then back to his island. Silver and his crew are on the island, taking steps to prepare and defend it from the vast number of fighters he expects Flint to return with. In this he guesses correctly, but even he never expects to fight the enemy his crew ends up facing. Flint returns with a vengeance and an army ready and able to do his bidding.
That’s as much substance as I’ll share. But I’ll tell you this: the cover of the book advertises “High Seas, High Adventure, Low Treachery.” All can be found in this one story, and you can never imagine how low the treachery will go!
The story culminates in more surprises and unresolved issues. I’m glad I have the third book, Skull and Bones, on hand to begin reading immediately!
Review Copyrighted ©2013 Irwin Bryan
Pirates & Privateers www.cindyvallar.com/pirates.html
August 4, 2015
3.5 stars. It's an adventurous book and a fun read, although not quite as good as the first installment in the series: Flint and Silver. Still, a recommended read for anyone who enjoys the Treasure Island saga. I'm looking forward to the next chapter in Drake's trilogy: Skulls and Bones.
October 8, 2009
This is the second book in the prequel series to Treasure Island and I think this one is even better than the first.
Pieces of Eight picks up where Flint and Silver leaves off. Silver and his crew is marooned on the island with Flint's hidden treasure and Flint has made off with Selena. Silver, who knows they will have to face Flint again, rallies the crew against not only the threat of Flint but hidden dangers on the island. Meanwhile, Flint is trying to muster an army to take back his treasure and finds that the royal navy is after him.
The flow of this book is much better than the first. There's not so much jumping back and forth in time keeping you disoriented. We also get a little more back story on Flint and come to understand what has made him so evil. There are some side stories as well that are woven in nicely. At first you wonder what they have to do with anything but it all comes together in the end.
Overall, I enjoyed this book better than the first one. But you should read Flint and Silver before Pieces of Eight or you'll be lost at sea mateys. Aarg!! Nothing better than a good pirate adventure. Can't wait to continue with the third one.
Pieces of Eight picks up where Flint and Silver leaves off. Silver and his crew is marooned on the island with Flint's hidden treasure and Flint has made off with Selena. Silver, who knows they will have to face Flint again, rallies the crew against not only the threat of Flint but hidden dangers on the island. Meanwhile, Flint is trying to muster an army to take back his treasure and finds that the royal navy is after him.
The flow of this book is much better than the first. There's not so much jumping back and forth in time keeping you disoriented. We also get a little more back story on Flint and come to understand what has made him so evil. There are some side stories as well that are woven in nicely. At first you wonder what they have to do with anything but it all comes together in the end.
Overall, I enjoyed this book better than the first one. But you should read Flint and Silver before Pieces of Eight or you'll be lost at sea mateys. Aarg!! Nothing better than a good pirate adventure. Can't wait to continue with the third one.
May 1, 2018
An entertaining sequel to Flint and Silver that brings us closer to the events of Treasure Island. The first half of the book takes a while to get going with a few subplots that in hindsight just feel like filler but the second half makes up for this when all the characters return to the titular island for another face off with exciting moves and countermoves as Flint and Silver struggle to get the upper hand over each other. I gave it 3 stars because part of me feels that this book is kind of unnecessary as not a whole lot changes over its course. Some things do of course but just not enough to justify an entire book. I feel that these prequels may have been better as just two books or maybe even one. With that being said this is still a very entertaining read if nothing else and is still worth looking at, especially for fans of Treasure Island.
July 8, 2011
THIS IS A SERIES OF BOOKS WRITTEN AS A PRECLUDE TO TREASURE ISLAND BY THE AUTHOR JOHN DRAKE. FLINT AND SILVER WAS THE FIRST BOOK, PIECES OF EIGHT IS THE SECOND, WITH SKULLS AND BONES FINISHING THE SERIES. THIS SERIES OF BOOKS IS WRITTEN FOR ADULTS AND NOT CHILDREN BOOKS AS WAS TREASURE ISLAND. PIECES OF EIGHT IS VERY EASY TO READ AND WILL KEEP YOU CAPTIVATED TO THE POINT WHERE YOU WILL NOT WANT TO PUT THE BOOK DOWN. THERE IS ACTION, ROMANCE AND A SURPRISE ENDING THAT WILL LEAVE YOU TOTALLY SURPRISED AND WANTING FOR THE NEXT BOOK. THE AUTHOR DID AN EXCELLENT JOB KEEPING THE HOLDING THE READERS ATTENTION. THE BOOKS ARE OUT OF PRINT, BUT CAN BE FOUND ONLINE.
February 17, 2016
The second book in the prequel series of Flint and Silver, and I must say I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first. Fast paced action that keeps you interested throughout. The shorter chapters and constant jumping from vessel to vessel, ship to shore, person to person were in my opinion perfectly executed. Now looking forward to starting the third book and if it follows the same style as the first two I'm sure it will be a good read. Thus far John Drake has a new fan.
July 22, 2020
4.6
I actually enjoyed this one better than the first book in the series. Maybe I was just more in the mood. I particularly liked the constant back and forth between Flint and Silver, trying to outsmart one another. Being the second book in a trilogy is always difficult, since many times you end up feeling that it's just an excuse to set the stage for the third instalment. Not at all here, the story is pretty solid on its own.
I actually enjoyed this one better than the first book in the series. Maybe I was just more in the mood. I particularly liked the constant back and forth between Flint and Silver, trying to outsmart one another. Being the second book in a trilogy is always difficult, since many times you end up feeling that it's just an excuse to set the stage for the third instalment. Not at all here, the story is pretty solid on its own.
March 9, 2019
Carrying on the story from the first book in this trilogy, we see how once again Flint and Silver battle and how each handles their crew in their own special way! In fact I’m really liking Long John Silver right now! Less sexual content in this book which was refreshing and more action, which I loved!!!! Can’t wait to read the third, and final, book!
January 20, 2019
I've not read a pirate story before and just picked this book on holiday. I really enjoyed it. Story is written as if the story of Treasure Island continued.
Reminded me of the great TV series 'Pirates'. Book explores greed, American Indians, slavery and battles at sea.
Reminded me of the great TV series 'Pirates'. Book explores greed, American Indians, slavery and battles at sea.
October 27, 2020
Great Adventure
Has a lot of everything from hidden treasures, sailing the high seas and extraordinary characters with human frailties the cause and effect of all outcomes with most conversations having seaman like vocabulary. Shiver me timbers.
Has a lot of everything from hidden treasures, sailing the high seas and extraordinary characters with human frailties the cause and effect of all outcomes with most conversations having seaman like vocabulary. Shiver me timbers.
July 18, 2010
Great book!! On to teh next one...
April 20, 2012
Pirates, adventure and lots of blood. Very refreshing after too much Jake and the Neverland Pirates!
July 30, 2013
I really liked this book, there's nothing like a good pirate book.
May 12, 2016
Thank you John Drake, you did it again!
Although some chapters were a bit slow, all in all - just brilliant!
On to "Skull and Bones" :D
Although some chapters were a bit slow, all in all - just brilliant!
On to "Skull and Bones" :D
June 29, 2020
Exciting and fast paced. I could smell the sea.
July 21, 2026
Piraaditriloogia teine osa sõuab sama koha pealt edasi, kus esimene pooleli jäi. Peategelased on ka samad, kuid John Silver – erinevalt Flintist – ei pääsegi tollelt jubedalt Kariibi saarelt minema.
Esimese osaga võrreldes kulgeb lugu sujuvamalt ning ajas/kohas edasi-tagasi hüplemist on vähem. Märkimisväärne osa Flintiga seotud möllust toimub juba kuival maal (täpsemalt öeldes Charlestonis) ja need kohad polnud enam nii huvitavad. Samas tuli ka selles osas mitu ootamatut pööret ette ja selgus, et autor polnud esimeses osas kõiki oma trumpe välja ladunud. Paar uut tegevusliini saavad lõpus korraliku lahenduse.
Esimeses osas üritas John Drake kokku arvutada, kui palju aarete saare varandus võiks praeguses vääringus maksta. Teises osas on sama sorti mõtteharjutus, kui Ben Gunn murrab lahti igivana haua, mille omanik oli surnud rõugetesse. Sealt lahtipääsenud tõvesse nakatuvad esmalt saarel elavad ahvid ja neilt kandub see haigus üle inimestele. Drake tunnistab ise ka, et päriselus pole selline stsenaarium võimalik, aga näe, lugu on kirjutatud enne koroonat!
Esimese osaga võrreldes kulgeb lugu sujuvamalt ning ajas/kohas edasi-tagasi hüplemist on vähem. Märkimisväärne osa Flintiga seotud möllust toimub juba kuival maal (täpsemalt öeldes Charlestonis) ja need kohad polnud enam nii huvitavad. Samas tuli ka selles osas mitu ootamatut pööret ette ja selgus, et autor polnud esimeses osas kõiki oma trumpe välja ladunud. Paar uut tegevusliini saavad lõpus korraliku lahenduse.
Esimeses osas üritas John Drake kokku arvutada, kui palju aarete saare varandus võiks praeguses vääringus maksta. Teises osas on sama sorti mõtteharjutus, kui Ben Gunn murrab lahti igivana haua, mille omanik oli surnud rõugetesse. Sealt lahtipääsenud tõvesse nakatuvad esmalt saarel elavad ahvid ja neilt kandub see haigus üle inimestele. Drake tunnistab ise ka, et päriselus pole selline stsenaarium võimalik, aga näe, lugu on kirjutatud enne koroonat!
March 16, 2023
An adult sequel to treasure island, part of a series.
June 25, 2023
I loved Treasure Island, but this prequel was a slog.
September 9, 2024
Great book
December 13, 2024
3.5. Fun read, but too long. Lose a bout 50-75 pages and would be better.
Still enjoyed the book, pirate stories are always fun!
Still enjoyed the book, pirate stories are always fun!
August 14, 2011
Second book in the Treasure Island Prequels. Another continuation of Flint and Silvers rivalry. Ones got the treasure and is marooned, the other is raising an army to come get it. Looking forward to the third book!
October 2, 2019
DNF after 6 chapters
Did Not Finish
May 28, 2017I hate doing this. But for now, I am giving up on this book. It is the second book in a series (of which I have not read the first), it is suffering from a series dose of second book syndrome (in other words it is slow and dead boring), and I can't be bothered to care about anyone because I don't know who they are, and this book does not offer any hints or clues about anything that preceded it.
I must admit, that I am really miffed that I got caught in the trap of buying a 2nd book. I wish publishers would actually have it on the blasted cover that this is book 2. Books are ridiculously expensive here, and either I must now fork out for book 1, or I just write this off. I can't say that I am impressed enough to go on a hunt for book 1. Here's to hoping the 2nd hand bookshop up the road will buy it from me. At least then it won't be a complete waste.
I must admit, that I am really miffed that I got caught in the trap of buying a 2nd book. I wish publishers would actually have it on the blasted cover that this is book 2. Books are ridiculously expensive here, and either I must now fork out for book 1, or I just write this off. I can't say that I am impressed enough to go on a hunt for book 1. Here's to hoping the 2nd hand bookshop up the road will buy it from me. At least then it won't be a complete waste.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews