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Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate's Portolano
A daring mission, a sister turned pirate and a sea full of secrets…
In a world of water where land is a legend, 11-year-old Kittiwake Stormhaven dreams of adventure aboard the Amazon Princess. When a vital mission takes the ship into dangerous waters, Kittiwake discovers shocking news - her long-lost sister, Petrel, is now a feared pirate queen.
Kittiwake must outsmart pirates, outmanoeuvre storms and face ghostly captains to save her ship, her mischievous monkey Caboodle and her friends. But in a high-stakes showdown, family loyalty collides with survival, and Kittiwake learns the ocean hides more secrets than she ever imagined.
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fast-paced, sea-swept adventure filled with daring rescues, thrilling discoveries and the magic of friendship.
In a world of water where land is a legend, 11-year-old Kittiwake Stormhaven dreams of adventure aboard the Amazon Princess. When a vital mission takes the ship into dangerous waters, Kittiwake discovers shocking news - her long-lost sister, Petrel, is now a feared pirate queen.
Kittiwake must outsmart pirates, outmanoeuvre storms and face ghostly captains to save her ship, her mischievous monkey Caboodle and her friends. But in a high-stakes showdown, family loyalty collides with survival, and Kittiwake learns the ocean hides more secrets than she ever imagined.
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fast-paced, sea-swept adventure filled with daring rescues, thrilling discoveries and the magic of friendship.
174 pages, Paperback
Published October 23, 2025
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Williamson
32 books82 followersA lifelong storyteller and daydreamer, Victoria Williamson is an author and teacher who has lived and worked in Africa, China, America and the UK.
Victoria grew up in Kirkintilloch, north Glasgow, surrounded by hills on the edge of a forest estate where many of her early ghost stories and fantasy tales were born amid the magical trees and spooky old ruined buildings.
After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real life adventures, which included teaching Maths and Science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with special needs in the UK.
A qualified primary school teacher with a degree in Mandarin Chinese from Yunnan University and a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education, Victoria is passionate about creating inclusive worlds in her novels where all children can see a reflection of themselves in a heroic role.
Victoria’s experiences of teaching young children in a deprived area of Glasgow, many of whom were asylum seekers, inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of friendship between Glasgow girl Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.
Victoria writes fantasy, adventure, science fiction and contemporary issue novels for Middle Grade (9-12), Teen, and Young Adult readers. Many of her books have been inspired by children she has met on her travels, both abroad and in the UK. She is currently working on a Middle Grade novel exploring the issues faced by a boy with ADHD who is struggling to fit in with his new step-family, and a spooky adventure novel for Teens, centred around a cast of characters with special needs including deafness, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
Twenty percent of her author royalties for The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle are donated to the Scottish Refugee Council.
You can find out more about Victoria's books, school visits and upcoming events on her website: www.strangelymagical.com
Victoria grew up in Kirkintilloch, north Glasgow, surrounded by hills on the edge of a forest estate where many of her early ghost stories and fantasy tales were born amid the magical trees and spooky old ruined buildings.
After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real life adventures, which included teaching Maths and Science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with special needs in the UK.
A qualified primary school teacher with a degree in Mandarin Chinese from Yunnan University and a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education, Victoria is passionate about creating inclusive worlds in her novels where all children can see a reflection of themselves in a heroic role.
Victoria’s experiences of teaching young children in a deprived area of Glasgow, many of whom were asylum seekers, inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of friendship between Glasgow girl Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.
Victoria writes fantasy, adventure, science fiction and contemporary issue novels for Middle Grade (9-12), Teen, and Young Adult readers. Many of her books have been inspired by children she has met on her travels, both abroad and in the UK. She is currently working on a Middle Grade novel exploring the issues faced by a boy with ADHD who is struggling to fit in with his new step-family, and a spooky adventure novel for Teens, centred around a cast of characters with special needs including deafness, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
Twenty percent of her author royalties for The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle are donated to the Scottish Refugee Council.
You can find out more about Victoria's books, school visits and upcoming events on her website: www.strangelymagical.com
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 10, 2025
Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate's Portolano by Victoria Williamson
4/5 stars
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fun, exciting, engaging and visceral children's pirate story that I enjoyed thoroughly. Kitti is aboard the Amazon Princess. People live on big ships and the fuel for these ships is running out. Captains are facing battles with pirates who also hunt for marinium, the rock that fuels their engines.
Kittiwake's best friend is Scally, a stowaway on the Amazon Princes. He was falsely branded as a pirate and she has been taking care of him ever since. Cadoodle, her monkey, is another companion and the three of them are mischievous, curious and have the biggest hearts.
Kitti's mother Mollymawk is high placed and is in search for her husband Kestral and her older daughter Petrel. Kestrel's ship sank and his body was never recovered. Molly hasn't given up hope and still searches for him wherever she can. And her daughter Petrel is rumored to be the new pirate captain of the Sea Witch ship.
When curious Kitty overhears information about her sister Petrel she and Scally go and search for her. And that is exactly what pushes this story forwards. Who's information is accurate and who truly knows where her sister and father are? Shocking revelations come to light and hard choices have to be made.
This book is thrilling and I can see young children loving this story to pieces. I also love how vibrant the secondary characters are. The ship's cook Madame Wurzelwick sees food in every nook and cranny. In every creature. She isn't ashamed to ask if she can cook certain things. She is loud, shouty, bold and fun character overall. I also loved Dr. Elango Gobin. He is dramatic, loud, fearful, fun, cranky and just utterly unique.
The book does conclude a part of the story but the ending also sets up an exciting tale for the second book. New revelations have come to light and I am dying to know where that will lead these fun and enjoyable characters.
4 huge stars from me for Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate's Portolano!
4/5 stars
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fun, exciting, engaging and visceral children's pirate story that I enjoyed thoroughly. Kitti is aboard the Amazon Princess. People live on big ships and the fuel for these ships is running out. Captains are facing battles with pirates who also hunt for marinium, the rock that fuels their engines.
Kittiwake's best friend is Scally, a stowaway on the Amazon Princes. He was falsely branded as a pirate and she has been taking care of him ever since. Cadoodle, her monkey, is another companion and the three of them are mischievous, curious and have the biggest hearts.
Kitti's mother Mollymawk is high placed and is in search for her husband Kestral and her older daughter Petrel. Kestrel's ship sank and his body was never recovered. Molly hasn't given up hope and still searches for him wherever she can. And her daughter Petrel is rumored to be the new pirate captain of the Sea Witch ship.
When curious Kitty overhears information about her sister Petrel she and Scally go and search for her. And that is exactly what pushes this story forwards. Who's information is accurate and who truly knows where her sister and father are? Shocking revelations come to light and hard choices have to be made.
This book is thrilling and I can see young children loving this story to pieces. I also love how vibrant the secondary characters are. The ship's cook Madame Wurzelwick sees food in every nook and cranny. In every creature. She isn't ashamed to ask if she can cook certain things. She is loud, shouty, bold and fun character overall. I also loved Dr. Elango Gobin. He is dramatic, loud, fearful, fun, cranky and just utterly unique.
The book does conclude a part of the story but the ending also sets up an exciting tale for the second book. New revelations have come to light and I am dying to know where that will lead these fun and enjoyable characters.
4 huge stars from me for Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate's Portolano!
November 17, 2025
If you've been following my reviews for a few years now, you might know that I've read nearly all of Victoria Williamson's books and enjoyed them. Victoria can write anything, from contemporary middle grade to dystopian young adult to gothic/witchy adult horror, which has been why she's an autobuy author. My reviews might have that bias in them, so just thought I'd put that out there.
Kittiwake Stormhaven has the typical elements of Victoria's MG books: an action-packed adventure with a female lead and her male friend. Even if things happen to those characters because of the adults around them, the children (particularly the FMC) always worm themselves into the thick of trouble by their own volition. In this book's case, Kittiwake wants answers and does whatever she needs to get it: sneak into other ships, wander off unsupervised, make deals with pirates, disobey her mother. It's okay, she pulls through and nothing bad happens to her. Might that be concerning for some parents, that maybe their children would emulate her? It makes for a good discussion between parent and child, I think.
The book also feels like a spiritual sibling to Victoria's other book, Skyfleet: Rise of the Mutabugs — there are wonderful illustrations and snippets of worldbuilding in between the chapters. (I even joked on Twitter that her next book should be about cars or buses or trains; you know, air, water and land transport?)
All in all, this was a fun read. Don't dismiss it just because it's MG: there are surprises to the plot, the worldbuilding is great for a short book, the characters are delightful, and there's humor and drama (but without the sometimes annoying romantic drama of some YA titles). Absolutely looking forward to the sequel. S'wot I sed!
Kittiwake Stormhaven has the typical elements of Victoria's MG books: an action-packed adventure with a female lead and her male friend. Even if things happen to those characters because of the adults around them, the children (particularly the FMC) always worm themselves into the thick of trouble by their own volition. In this book's case, Kittiwake wants answers and does whatever she needs to get it: sneak into other ships, wander off unsupervised, make deals with pirates, disobey her mother. It's okay, she pulls through and nothing bad happens to her. Might that be concerning for some parents, that maybe their children would emulate her? It makes for a good discussion between parent and child, I think.
The book also feels like a spiritual sibling to Victoria's other book, Skyfleet: Rise of the Mutabugs — there are wonderful illustrations and snippets of worldbuilding in between the chapters. (I even joked on Twitter that her next book should be about cars or buses or trains; you know, air, water and land transport?)
All in all, this was a fun read. Don't dismiss it just because it's MG: there are surprises to the plot, the worldbuilding is great for a short book, the characters are delightful, and there's humor and drama (but without the sometimes annoying romantic drama of some YA titles). Absolutely looking forward to the sequel. S'wot I sed!
November 11, 2025
A dangerous, daring and mischievous adventure on the high seas for middle school readers. Set in a world of vast oceans, where land is something belonging to a myrhical past, people are living sea swept lives on board ship, facing hardhsips, such as storms, shortages of food and fuel, having to barter for goods, protect themselves against pirates and avoid onboaed fevers and illnesses. There are strict rules on board, which are impossible for Kittiwake Stormhaven to abide by, since she is friends with Scully, a forbidden stowaway amd a rascal monkey. Kittiwake discovers that her sister who has been missing at sea is rumoured to be a feared pirate queen and is launched into the midst of a pirate war for fuel that sees her facing down her sister and unearthing family secrets. This is a thrilling fast paced adventure story with a wily teen girl filled with fierce friendships, quesrions over family loyalty and lots of high seas adventure. #kittiwakestormhavenandthepiratesportolano #thewritereads #victoriawilliamson #jamesbrownilkustrations #tinytreebooks
November 16, 2025
Blurb:
A daring mission, a sister turned pirate and a sea full of secrets…
In a world of water where land is a legend, 11-year-old Kittiwake Stormhaven dreams of adventure aboard the Amazon Princess. When a vital mission takes the ship into dangerous waters, Kittiwake discovers shocking news - her long-lost sister, Petrel, is now a feared pirate queen.
Kittiwake must outsmart pirates, outmanoeuvre storms and face ghostly captains to save her ship, her mischievous monkey Caboodle and her friends. But in a high-stakes showdown, family loyalty collides with survival, and Kittiwake learns the ocean hides more secrets than she ever imagined.
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fast-paced, sea-swept adventure filled with daring rescues, thrilling discoveries and the magic of friendship.
Review
This is a truly delightful adventure fantasy story, where the author has created a great world and adds to this throughout the book with the opening to many chapters where she produces sections from the Pirate’s Portalano, making this book a mixture of story with some factual sections for the world she has created.
Who doesn’t love a seafaring adventure involving pirates and a hunt for treasure, although admittedly not the sort of treasure you would normally think of but parts of a meteorite that is essential for their way of life. Kittiwake is a really wonderful character that children will quickly relate to and she is helped along the way by a stowaway, Scally, and her mischievous monkey Caboodle. It is really Scally who steals the show in this book, and I love his way of talking which would make for some great discussion for any children reading the story. Always good to read books where a girl is the lead character, and there are still too few of these.
Kittiwake is from a rather broken family situation with both her sister having gone missing, and her father having subsequently gone missing when looking for her, but early in the book she finds out some new information on her sister that may well end up testing family loyalties. Will she meet them during her travels?
The book moves along at a good pace and there are a range of eccentric and great supporting characters, none better than Madame Wurzlewick, the cook. Throughout the book there are a range of adventures that Kittiwake and friends get involved in with some rather unique solutions along the way. The book also raises a number of ethical questions and I think this would be an excellent class reader. The author has a good supporting website with free resources and does do school visits in the UK.
I thoroughly recommend this fun and engaging book, and I hope to see a sequel soon of the book given the intriguing ending to the book. This would make a good Christmas present.
Thanks to the author, publisher and The Write Reads for an ARC of this book, and I leave this open and honest review freely.
Book Details
Genre: Middle Grade/Adventure/Fantasy
Published: 23rd October 2025 by Tiny Tree Books
Length: 174 pages
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kittiwake-St...
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Kittiwake-Stor...
About The Author
Victoria Williamson is an award-winning author from Glasgow, Scotland, who loved reading books and writing adventure stories from an early age. After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real-life adventures, which included teaching maths and science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with additional support needs in the UK.
Her previous novels include The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, The Boy with the Butterfly Mind, Hag Storm, War of the Wind, The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams, Norah’s Ark, The Whistlers in the Dark, Feast of Ashes, and Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs. Her books have won the RED Book Award 2024, YA-aldi Glasgow Secondary School Libraries Book Award 2023 and the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award 2020/2021, and have been short-listed and long-listed for numerous other awards. War of the Wind and Norah’s Ark were also both nominated for the 2024 Yoto Carnegie Medals.
Victoria writes and edits Key Stage 2 books for the education company Twinkl. She spends the rest of her time writing novels and visiting schools, libraries and literary festivals to give author talks and run creative writing workshops. Her latest novel, Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate’s Portolano, channels her love of pirates and swashbuckling adventure to create a steampunk world set on the seven seas, and is illustrated by the very talented James Brown.
You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and free resources for schools on her website: www.strangelymagical.com
A daring mission, a sister turned pirate and a sea full of secrets…
In a world of water where land is a legend, 11-year-old Kittiwake Stormhaven dreams of adventure aboard the Amazon Princess. When a vital mission takes the ship into dangerous waters, Kittiwake discovers shocking news - her long-lost sister, Petrel, is now a feared pirate queen.
Kittiwake must outsmart pirates, outmanoeuvre storms and face ghostly captains to save her ship, her mischievous monkey Caboodle and her friends. But in a high-stakes showdown, family loyalty collides with survival, and Kittiwake learns the ocean hides more secrets than she ever imagined.
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fast-paced, sea-swept adventure filled with daring rescues, thrilling discoveries and the magic of friendship.
Review
This is a truly delightful adventure fantasy story, where the author has created a great world and adds to this throughout the book with the opening to many chapters where she produces sections from the Pirate’s Portalano, making this book a mixture of story with some factual sections for the world she has created.
Who doesn’t love a seafaring adventure involving pirates and a hunt for treasure, although admittedly not the sort of treasure you would normally think of but parts of a meteorite that is essential for their way of life. Kittiwake is a really wonderful character that children will quickly relate to and she is helped along the way by a stowaway, Scally, and her mischievous monkey Caboodle. It is really Scally who steals the show in this book, and I love his way of talking which would make for some great discussion for any children reading the story. Always good to read books where a girl is the lead character, and there are still too few of these.
Kittiwake is from a rather broken family situation with both her sister having gone missing, and her father having subsequently gone missing when looking for her, but early in the book she finds out some new information on her sister that may well end up testing family loyalties. Will she meet them during her travels?
The book moves along at a good pace and there are a range of eccentric and great supporting characters, none better than Madame Wurzlewick, the cook. Throughout the book there are a range of adventures that Kittiwake and friends get involved in with some rather unique solutions along the way. The book also raises a number of ethical questions and I think this would be an excellent class reader. The author has a good supporting website with free resources and does do school visits in the UK.
I thoroughly recommend this fun and engaging book, and I hope to see a sequel soon of the book given the intriguing ending to the book. This would make a good Christmas present.
Thanks to the author, publisher and The Write Reads for an ARC of this book, and I leave this open and honest review freely.
Book Details
Genre: Middle Grade/Adventure/Fantasy
Published: 23rd October 2025 by Tiny Tree Books
Length: 174 pages
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kittiwake-St...
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Kittiwake-Stor...
About The Author
Victoria Williamson is an award-winning author from Glasgow, Scotland, who loved reading books and writing adventure stories from an early age. After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real-life adventures, which included teaching maths and science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with additional support needs in the UK.
Her previous novels include The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, The Boy with the Butterfly Mind, Hag Storm, War of the Wind, The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams, Norah’s Ark, The Whistlers in the Dark, Feast of Ashes, and Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs. Her books have won the RED Book Award 2024, YA-aldi Glasgow Secondary School Libraries Book Award 2023 and the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award 2020/2021, and have been short-listed and long-listed for numerous other awards. War of the Wind and Norah’s Ark were also both nominated for the 2024 Yoto Carnegie Medals.
Victoria writes and edits Key Stage 2 books for the education company Twinkl. She spends the rest of her time writing novels and visiting schools, libraries and literary festivals to give author talks and run creative writing workshops. Her latest novel, Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate’s Portolano, channels her love of pirates and swashbuckling adventure to create a steampunk world set on the seven seas, and is illustrated by the very talented James Brown.
You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and free resources for schools on her website: www.strangelymagical.com
November 21, 2025
Aboard the formidable Amazon Princess traverses Kittiwake Stormhaven, who brings along her pet monkey “Boo,” and stowaway pirate Scally. She has a caring yet quirky and rebellious streak, engaging in comical thievery for Scally, making sure Boo is safe, while also trying to save the ship. I’ve previously read Victoria Williamson’s other books that are part of the gothic horror genre (Red Runs the Witches’ Thread and The Haunting Scent of Poppies), so I was curious how this middle-grade book would handle potentially dark and adventurous topics.
And I was not disappointed by it; this is a fun blend of high stakes and genuinely fascinating trivia about various ships, fantastical creatures like Grampus and the history of the dark waters that the Amazon Princess is exposed to — essentially the pirate’s portolano. It gives us context of the perils and makes us anticipate and understand them. The characters also provide further depth to Kittiwake’s, seeing as she struggles with her family’s dynamics. Some of them naturally feel a little cartoonish or archetypal, albeit not in a way that feels overbearing or ruins the pacing. I also love the exploration of the concept of a pirate and what it means. It’s an identity that the characters internalize, rather than an objective descriptor used to demonize people like the Authorities perhaps do.
Coupled with the beautiful illustrations by James Brown, Victoria Williamson’s prose shines beautifully and still has that descriptive, immersive style that I’m familiar with, this time in an apt register for the young ones. It’s a gripping book about the meaning of friendship and how it extends beyond blood (and even species), and I can imagine that it would be an awesome gift for kids with Christmas coming up!
Quote: “The Amazon Princess shuddered once more, then shutters flew up, hatches burst open, and out of every hole rolled the barrel of a massive cannon. In a few brief moments the ship’s smooth sides had become a porcupine’s back, guns sprouting out like angry spines.”
Disclaimer: Thank you to TheWriteReads, Tiny Tree Books, and Victoria Williamson for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
And I was not disappointed by it; this is a fun blend of high stakes and genuinely fascinating trivia about various ships, fantastical creatures like Grampus and the history of the dark waters that the Amazon Princess is exposed to — essentially the pirate’s portolano. It gives us context of the perils and makes us anticipate and understand them. The characters also provide further depth to Kittiwake’s, seeing as she struggles with her family’s dynamics. Some of them naturally feel a little cartoonish or archetypal, albeit not in a way that feels overbearing or ruins the pacing. I also love the exploration of the concept of a pirate and what it means. It’s an identity that the characters internalize, rather than an objective descriptor used to demonize people like the Authorities perhaps do.
Coupled with the beautiful illustrations by James Brown, Victoria Williamson’s prose shines beautifully and still has that descriptive, immersive style that I’m familiar with, this time in an apt register for the young ones. It’s a gripping book about the meaning of friendship and how it extends beyond blood (and even species), and I can imagine that it would be an awesome gift for kids with Christmas coming up!
Quote: “The Amazon Princess shuddered once more, then shutters flew up, hatches burst open, and out of every hole rolled the barrel of a massive cannon. In a few brief moments the ship’s smooth sides had become a porcupine’s back, guns sprouting out like angry spines.”
Disclaimer: Thank you to TheWriteReads, Tiny Tree Books, and Victoria Williamson for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Read
November 15, 2025A fun book for younger middle grade readers that made me wish I was still teaching speech and drama. The hilarious scenes, multiple accents, and dynamic writing screams to be read out loud and performed.
Victoria Williamson is a must read author for me. I love how all her books are different. This book reminded me a little bit of Skyfleet - March of the Mutabugs because of the excerpts from the pirate’s portolano. Each excerpt of secret pirate knowledge is accompanied by a lovely illustration by James Brown. Unfortunately the print is so dark in the paperback that a lot of the details in the pictures are lost, but they look fantastic in the ebook.
My favorite character was Scally, the stowaway. He is sweet and loyal and his constant malapropisms are amusing.
The world is intriguing and I wish it was geared to an older audience so that I could really get to know it. I loved the albatross messenger birds, especially the night glider Inkpot.
Thank you to the author, Tiny Tree, and the Write Reads for providing me with an ARC. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Victoria Williamson is a must read author for me. I love how all her books are different. This book reminded me a little bit of Skyfleet - March of the Mutabugs because of the excerpts from the pirate’s portolano. Each excerpt of secret pirate knowledge is accompanied by a lovely illustration by James Brown. Unfortunately the print is so dark in the paperback that a lot of the details in the pictures are lost, but they look fantastic in the ebook.
My favorite character was Scally, the stowaway. He is sweet and loyal and his constant malapropisms are amusing.
The world is intriguing and I wish it was geared to an older audience so that I could really get to know it. I loved the albatross messenger birds, especially the night glider Inkpot.
Thank you to the author, Tiny Tree, and the Write Reads for providing me with an ARC. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 28, 2025
Kittiwake Stormhaven And The Pirate’s Portolano plunges readers into the thrilling world of 11-year-old Kittiwake (Kit), a spirited and curious young adventurer, and Scully, her clever stowaway friend. Their journey takes them across treacherous seas and into mysterious ports as they unravel the disappearance of Kit’s beloved sister, Petrel. Vivid descriptions of storm-lashed decks, secret hideouts, and bustling pirate markets immerse readers in every twist of their quest, while Kit’s discoveries reveal not only hidden truths about her sister but also about her family.
This is a brilliantly crafted middle-grade adventure brimming with fast-paced action, daring escapades, and atmospheric high-seas drama. Every page is packed with suspense and excitement, making it impossible to put down.
The book’s format stood out to me. Page inserts from The Pirate’s Portolano at the start of each chapter offered useful details, while the illustrations brought the story to life and made each moment more vivid.
Turning to the characters, I thought they were well done. Although I enjoyed them all, the doctor and the cook were my favourites. Their quirkiness and antics proved highly entertaining. Additionally, the friendship between Kit and Scully was also a highlight for me.
I can’t go without mentioning the superbly detailed illustrations and front cover by James Brown.
This is another great read from this talented author, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.
This is a brilliantly crafted middle-grade adventure brimming with fast-paced action, daring escapades, and atmospheric high-seas drama. Every page is packed with suspense and excitement, making it impossible to put down.
The book’s format stood out to me. Page inserts from The Pirate’s Portolano at the start of each chapter offered useful details, while the illustrations brought the story to life and made each moment more vivid.
Turning to the characters, I thought they were well done. Although I enjoyed them all, the doctor and the cook were my favourites. Their quirkiness and antics proved highly entertaining. Additionally, the friendship between Kit and Scully was also a highlight for me.
I can’t go without mentioning the superbly detailed illustrations and front cover by James Brown.
This is another great read from this talented author, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.
November 18, 2025
Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pieate’s Portolano is a lively and engaging children’s story that sweeps you straight into a pirate’s world and on a daring high-seas adventure. This is an easy to read and easy to get into story, with information, description and a plot that keeps you interested throughout. I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the story, and being able to read the portolano pages and learn more about the world, the ships, and the creatures was brilliant and added a fresh and informative element to the narrative.
The friendship between Kittiwake and Scally was the treasure of this tale, with a warm dynamic highlighting their closeness and the bond that shows them heading straight in to danger for each other. They are incredibly comedic, giving the story a lot of heart alongside the quest narrative that I think younger readers would connect with immediately.
While the book is enjoyable overall, I just wish that it dug a little deeper! I think a bit more could be made from the story, to flesh it out a little bit more! This story is perfect for anyone who loves an adventure, and it is a great beginning to what I hope will be a series!
The friendship between Kittiwake and Scally was the treasure of this tale, with a warm dynamic highlighting their closeness and the bond that shows them heading straight in to danger for each other. They are incredibly comedic, giving the story a lot of heart alongside the quest narrative that I think younger readers would connect with immediately.
While the book is enjoyable overall, I just wish that it dug a little deeper! I think a bit more could be made from the story, to flesh it out a little bit more! This story is perfect for anyone who loves an adventure, and it is a great beginning to what I hope will be a series!
November 18, 2025
I think this might be my favourite of Victoria's books so far. It's definitely the most fun with high speed chases on the ocean, hideaways in an old astronomy tower, giant food cooked by the quirkiest chef I've ever heard of and an extremely mischievous monkey.
This is a wonderfully intriguing world of huge city ships and pirate vessels, on a globe completely covered by the sea. Though it does make me wonder if this could be in our future!
Kitti spends her days getting into trouble with her monkey Caboodle and best friend (and stowaway) Scally. But all she really wants is her family back, which seems alternately impossible and just in reach. She is constantly trying to find out what happened to her sister, and her father who went in search.
There is a very satisfying ending, but it is definitely seems open for a sequel. I'm hoping it will be soon!
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
This is a wonderfully intriguing world of huge city ships and pirate vessels, on a globe completely covered by the sea. Though it does make me wonder if this could be in our future!
Kitti spends her days getting into trouble with her monkey Caboodle and best friend (and stowaway) Scally. But all she really wants is her family back, which seems alternately impossible and just in reach. She is constantly trying to find out what happened to her sister, and her father who went in search.
There is a very satisfying ending, but it is definitely seems open for a sequel. I'm hoping it will be soon!
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
November 15, 2025
“A Daring mission, a sister turned pirate, and a sea full of secrets” what more could we ask for?
In a world of water where land is a legend, we followed 11 year old Kittiwake aboard the Amazon Princess, in search of her lost sister Petrel- now a feared pirate queen.
Full of non-stop action and adventure, this book was a real hit for Henry and Alexandra. It’s written in a really easy to read but engaging style and has illustrations of the different pirate ships as well as keys facts which were super fun to read together.
Henry loved Caboodle, Kittiwake’s mischievous monkey sidekick, often laughing out loud and the mystery element kept Alexandra wanting to read more.
It’s full of the magic of friendship, and I would highly recommend for any budding adventurer wanting to discover a new fantastical tale.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy for review
In a world of water where land is a legend, we followed 11 year old Kittiwake aboard the Amazon Princess, in search of her lost sister Petrel- now a feared pirate queen.
Full of non-stop action and adventure, this book was a real hit for Henry and Alexandra. It’s written in a really easy to read but engaging style and has illustrations of the different pirate ships as well as keys facts which were super fun to read together.
Henry loved Caboodle, Kittiwake’s mischievous monkey sidekick, often laughing out loud and the mystery element kept Alexandra wanting to read more.
It’s full of the magic of friendship, and I would highly recommend for any budding adventurer wanting to discover a new fantastical tale.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy for review
November 19, 2025
When I saw that Victoria had written a Pirate Novel I was like hell yeah where do i sign up. I was not disappointed we had one of my absolutely fave things in a book which is a book within a book which Victoria does so well. I loved Kittiwake and Scally but the character was Madame Wurzelwick the cook and her crazy recipes did make me chuckle.
This is all I am saying about the book as if i talk about the main plotline I will spoil the story and I don't do spoilers but I will say if you pick up this wonderful book you will have a great time I know I did and that's why I am giving Kittwake Stormhaven and the Pirate's Portolano 4 stars.
This is all I am saying about the book as if i talk about the main plotline I will spoil the story and I don't do spoilers but I will say if you pick up this wonderful book you will have a great time I know I did and that's why I am giving Kittwake Stormhaven and the Pirate's Portolano 4 stars.
November 14, 2025
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a swashbuckling story of pirates, shenanigans, and long lost family.
For an eleven year old girl Kittiwake was quite the daring character, determined and adventurous. The relationship between her and Caboodle (her monkey) was delightful, bringing comfort and fun to the tale.
It's a thoroughly enjoyable little read that will delight those of any age. I'm fifty-four and I loved it!
For an eleven year old girl Kittiwake was quite the daring character, determined and adventurous. The relationship between her and Caboodle (her monkey) was delightful, bringing comfort and fun to the tale.
It's a thoroughly enjoyable little read that will delight those of any age. I'm fifty-four and I loved it!
November 11, 2025
The first thing that struck me about Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate's Portolano was that it was very much reminiscent of the 90's Kevin Costner film, Waterworld, which had the same premise, "dry land's a myth", being a phrase used heavily in the film. The film didn't get great reviews at the time, but I really enjoyed it, and still watch it every now and then if it happens to be on T.V.
So here we follow Kittiwake Stormhaven, who dreams of adventure and derring do aboard the ship, Amazon Princess. People live on big ships, constantly sailing the seas, but fuel for them is running out, and so captains must battle pirates in order to obtain previous mariunium, the rock that is used for fuel.
Following a dangerous mission on the Amazon Princess that didn't go exactly to plan, Kittiwake discovers that her long-lost Sister, Petrel, wasn't lost at all, but is now a fearsome pirate queen, and so she and her best friend, Scally, go in search of her.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, a really wholesome, fun, exciting book that I read with our youngest Daughter over about a week of bedtime stories. It's packed to the brim with seafaring adventure that holds your attention from beginning to end.
The cast of characters is just so brilliantly colourful and vibrant, from the monkey, Caboodle, to the ship's cook, Madame Wurzelwick. All are entirely believable and feel real.
Such a fun, entertaing read for my Daughter and I.
5 stars from us.
So here we follow Kittiwake Stormhaven, who dreams of adventure and derring do aboard the ship, Amazon Princess. People live on big ships, constantly sailing the seas, but fuel for them is running out, and so captains must battle pirates in order to obtain previous mariunium, the rock that is used for fuel.
Following a dangerous mission on the Amazon Princess that didn't go exactly to plan, Kittiwake discovers that her long-lost Sister, Petrel, wasn't lost at all, but is now a fearsome pirate queen, and so she and her best friend, Scally, go in search of her.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, a really wholesome, fun, exciting book that I read with our youngest Daughter over about a week of bedtime stories. It's packed to the brim with seafaring adventure that holds your attention from beginning to end.
The cast of characters is just so brilliantly colourful and vibrant, from the monkey, Caboodle, to the ship's cook, Madame Wurzelwick. All are entirely believable and feel real.
Such a fun, entertaing read for my Daughter and I.
5 stars from us.
November 16, 2025
From the Blurb
A daring mission, a sister turned pirate and a sea full of secrets…
In a world of water where land is a legend, 11-year-old Kittiwake Stormhaven dreams of adventure aboard the Amazon Princess. When a vital mission takes the ship into dangerous waters, Kittiwake discovers shocking news - her long-lost sister, Petrel, is now a feared pirate queen.
Kittiwake must outsmart pirates, outmanoeuvre storms and face ghostly captains to save her ship, her mischievous monkey Caboodle and her friends. But in a high-stakes showdown, family loyalty collides with survival, and Kittiwake learns the ocean hides more secrets than she ever imagined.
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fast-paced, sea-swept adventure filled with daring rescues, thrilling discoveries and the magic of friendship.
A new book by Victoria Williamson always makes my reader heart sing, and this is such a read. Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fantastical and superbly engaging page-turner. Absolutely wonderfully imaginative with engine ignition one arm bandits, a fleet of fantastical ships: from the magnificent Amazon Princess for scientific research and discovery to the Dreadnought prison ship, this book is filled to the brim with daring adventurers and thrilling discoveries. A fast-paced read, that is sure to engage and enthrall even the most reluctant of readers. A triumphant tale and I am eagerly awaiting more from Kittiwake Stormhaven.
A daring mission, a sister turned pirate and a sea full of secrets…
In a world of water where land is a legend, 11-year-old Kittiwake Stormhaven dreams of adventure aboard the Amazon Princess. When a vital mission takes the ship into dangerous waters, Kittiwake discovers shocking news - her long-lost sister, Petrel, is now a feared pirate queen.
Kittiwake must outsmart pirates, outmanoeuvre storms and face ghostly captains to save her ship, her mischievous monkey Caboodle and her friends. But in a high-stakes showdown, family loyalty collides with survival, and Kittiwake learns the ocean hides more secrets than she ever imagined.
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fast-paced, sea-swept adventure filled with daring rescues, thrilling discoveries and the magic of friendship.
A new book by Victoria Williamson always makes my reader heart sing, and this is such a read. Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fantastical and superbly engaging page-turner. Absolutely wonderfully imaginative with engine ignition one arm bandits, a fleet of fantastical ships: from the magnificent Amazon Princess for scientific research and discovery to the Dreadnought prison ship, this book is filled to the brim with daring adventurers and thrilling discoveries. A fast-paced read, that is sure to engage and enthrall even the most reluctant of readers. A triumphant tale and I am eagerly awaiting more from Kittiwake Stormhaven.
November 10, 2025
Ahoy, mateys! If ye be craving a swashbuckling tale that sweeps you off your feet and straight into the heart of a raging sea storm, look no further than Victoria Williamson's Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate's Portolano!
This latest gem from Tiny Tree Books is a rollicking middle-grade adventure that's equal parts heart-pounding excitement and heartfelt magic, its basically Pirates of the Caribbean meets the whimsical wonder of a child's wildest dream, and its all wrapped in Williamson's beautiful prose.
Our plucky heroine, Kittiwake Stormhaven, is a fearless young captain with a ship full of secrets, a loyal (and hilariously mischievous) monkey sidekick named Caboodle, and a crew of unlikely friends. When shadowy buccaneers from the enigmatic Portolano harbor threaten to plunder everything she holds dear, Kittiwake must navigate treacherous waters, outwit cunning foes, and unravel ghostly mysteries that blur the line between legend and nightmare.
I’ve read some of Williamson’s previous works so I had high expectations and once again she didn’t let me down! A great cast of characters, well written and super fun. Fab read!
This latest gem from Tiny Tree Books is a rollicking middle-grade adventure that's equal parts heart-pounding excitement and heartfelt magic, its basically Pirates of the Caribbean meets the whimsical wonder of a child's wildest dream, and its all wrapped in Williamson's beautiful prose.
Our plucky heroine, Kittiwake Stormhaven, is a fearless young captain with a ship full of secrets, a loyal (and hilariously mischievous) monkey sidekick named Caboodle, and a crew of unlikely friends. When shadowy buccaneers from the enigmatic Portolano harbor threaten to plunder everything she holds dear, Kittiwake must navigate treacherous waters, outwit cunning foes, and unravel ghostly mysteries that blur the line between legend and nightmare.
I’ve read some of Williamson’s previous works so I had high expectations and once again she didn’t let me down! A great cast of characters, well written and super fun. Fab read!
November 24, 2025
Today I’m shouting out about a new page-turning pirate’s adventure. Kittiwake Stonehaven and the Pirate’s Portolano . I found this adventure story highly funny. Kittiwake Stormhaven dreams of adventure on the Amazon Princess ship, that is an Ocean City Liner. It is one of the biggest strongest ships on the ocean. It’s not advisable to take her on a fair flight. I can hear children laughing at the cheeky monkey dressed in a red waistcoat, who is full of mischief. Kittiwake Stormhaven has hair braids, wears red high knee boots. She has been named a mischievous little minx. Kittiwake was four when her sister Petrel disappeared, there’s talk that Petrel is the new captain of the Seawitch, a Class Battleship. The Seawitch is the Queen of pirate raiders, any attempt to board her rogue groups or mercenaries will be punished by the pirate fleet. Then there is The Deadnought Prison Ship that stalks the ocean world. The Dreadnought is the most feared, least sighted of all the floating fortresses.
November 12, 2025
A swashbuckling, steampunk pirate adventure story.
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a young girl who lives on the Amazon Princess ship that her mother captains. Kittiwake's sister, Petrel, disappeared several years ago and her father went missing shortly after. Rumour has it that Petrel is now the captain of the feared pirate ship Seawitch.
Kittiwake and her friend Scally get tangled up in a dangerous mission of trying to uncover the truth and rescue Kitty's monkey companion.
This was really fun and exciting to read. The characters were great and I loved how exciting the adventure was. Kittiwake was a wonderful, feisty female character and I liked how she worked together with her friend Scally.
The illustrations were beautiful and detailed. The extracts from the Pirate's Portolano were interesting too and added to the wonderful world-building.
Kittiwake Stormhaven is a young girl who lives on the Amazon Princess ship that her mother captains. Kittiwake's sister, Petrel, disappeared several years ago and her father went missing shortly after. Rumour has it that Petrel is now the captain of the feared pirate ship Seawitch.
Kittiwake and her friend Scally get tangled up in a dangerous mission of trying to uncover the truth and rescue Kitty's monkey companion.
This was really fun and exciting to read. The characters were great and I loved how exciting the adventure was. Kittiwake was a wonderful, feisty female character and I liked how she worked together with her friend Scally.
The illustrations were beautiful and detailed. The extracts from the Pirate's Portolano were interesting too and added to the wonderful world-building.
November 8, 2025
I loved this fast paced adventure book! We follow Kittiwake and her friends Scally and monkey Caboodle into the high seas. Full of shenanigans, Kittiwake is mischievous and normally found eavesdropping on conversations she shouldn't be.
I like the cat and mouse aspect to this, looking for her long lost sister and her father, both thought to be d*ead but she's got a gut feeling about them both. The pirate side of this book made me think of the film Hook, with Peter Pan but without the flying!
I liked Scally, his way with words shows his age but I understood him most of the time. I enjoyed reading of Scally and Kittiwake's friendship.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
I like the cat and mouse aspect to this, looking for her long lost sister and her father, both thought to be d*ead but she's got a gut feeling about them both. The pirate side of this book made me think of the film Hook, with Peter Pan but without the flying!
I liked Scally, his way with words shows his age but I understood him most of the time. I enjoyed reading of Scally and Kittiwake's friendship.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
November 12, 2025
🌊 A swashbuckling sea quest full of heart and secrets 🌊
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A sister turned pirate, a ship full of secrets, and a sea that never sleeps.”
Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate’s Portolano is a rollicking adventure brimming with danger, discovery, and the fierce pull of family. Victoria Williamson whisks readers into a vividly imagined ocean world where and loyalty is tested with every wave. Kittiwake is a bright, brave heroine—headstrong, curious, and wonderfully real. Her friendship with stowaway Scally and her bond with her mischievous monkey Caboodle add warmth and humour amid the storms.
Williamson's writing sparkles with energy and atmosphere, the pace rarely lets up, and the sense of wonder is ever-present. The emotional through-line—of bonds, courage, and finding your place when the tides keep shifting—anchors the story beautifully, making this a spirited and cinematic read for young adventurers who dream of the sea.
Verdict: Bold, big-hearted, and buoyant with imagination—an oceanic adventure worth setting sail for.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A sister turned pirate, a ship full of secrets, and a sea that never sleeps.”
Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate’s Portolano is a rollicking adventure brimming with danger, discovery, and the fierce pull of family. Victoria Williamson whisks readers into a vividly imagined ocean world where and loyalty is tested with every wave. Kittiwake is a bright, brave heroine—headstrong, curious, and wonderfully real. Her friendship with stowaway Scally and her bond with her mischievous monkey Caboodle add warmth and humour amid the storms.
Williamson's writing sparkles with energy and atmosphere, the pace rarely lets up, and the sense of wonder is ever-present. The emotional through-line—of bonds, courage, and finding your place when the tides keep shifting—anchors the story beautifully, making this a spirited and cinematic read for young adventurers who dream of the sea.
Verdict: Bold, big-hearted, and buoyant with imagination—an oceanic adventure worth setting sail for.
November 14, 2025
This was a really fun middle grade adventure. It reminded me a bit of waterworld in some ways. Vast oceans, no land in sight, people living their lives at sea. Kittiwake herself makes for a great lead, plucky, but vulnerable she has a knack for trouble. Its fast paced with a lot of action and some great banter between characters. Older readers may find a few parts a bit contrived or convenient, but all in all its a fun read and perfect for younger book lovers
November 13, 2025
Another really entertaining novel from Victoria Williamson. The plucky protagonist Kittiwake is the beating heart of this one. She is both cheeky and vulnerable and kept me engaged throughout. If you are looking for a fun middle grade pirate adventure then you won't go wrong with this
November 16, 2025
Another super fun read from Victoria Williamson. Great characters and well written
November 18, 2025
4 stars review to follow - tour
January 27, 2026
Book source ~ TWR Tour
What a fascinating world! Made entirely of water, the people inhabiting it live on ships. Huge ships. I mean, you thought Carnival and Royal Caribbean were big? They are tiny toddlers compared to the main ships of the Monarch Line. Then there are lots of other ships of varying sizes, both legitimate and not. Pirate ships!
Kittiwake turns 11 as the ships on her world start running out of the Marinium (from falling meteors) used to power them. Her ship, the Amazon Princess, is dangerously low, but manages to get a few tiny pieces to keep them afloat long enough to go after a meteor that has dropped down. However, everyone else in the world needs that Marinium, too. And the most famous pirate ship, the Sea Witch, is going after it with all possible speed.
This is a rollicking (and dangerous) adventure for Kittiwake, her friend Scally, and her pet monkey Caboodle on a unique world. Full of wondrous sights and dangerous people as well as uncomfortable truths revealed, this book is an exciting addition to anyone’s bookshelf.
What a fascinating world! Made entirely of water, the people inhabiting it live on ships. Huge ships. I mean, you thought Carnival and Royal Caribbean were big? They are tiny toddlers compared to the main ships of the Monarch Line. Then there are lots of other ships of varying sizes, both legitimate and not. Pirate ships!
Kittiwake turns 11 as the ships on her world start running out of the Marinium (from falling meteors) used to power them. Her ship, the Amazon Princess, is dangerously low, but manages to get a few tiny pieces to keep them afloat long enough to go after a meteor that has dropped down. However, everyone else in the world needs that Marinium, too. And the most famous pirate ship, the Sea Witch, is going after it with all possible speed.
This is a rollicking (and dangerous) adventure for Kittiwake, her friend Scally, and her pet monkey Caboodle on a unique world. Full of wondrous sights and dangerous people as well as uncomfortable truths revealed, this book is an exciting addition to anyone’s bookshelf.
November 11, 2025
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with The Write Reads.
I've enjoyed every book that I've read by this author, and this was no exception. From the moment I started reading, everything about the story started coming to life in my mind; the colours, the sounds, the scents. I felt as though I was on the ship with Kit, following her adventure, and I enjoyed myself.
Most of the characters made me smile, even Madame Wurzelwick, and I kind of fell in love with Kit’s monkey, Caboodle. The journey was an eventful one, but it was fun and heartwarming to follow, until the very last page.
Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
I've enjoyed every book that I've read by this author, and this was no exception. From the moment I started reading, everything about the story started coming to life in my mind; the colours, the sounds, the scents. I felt as though I was on the ship with Kit, following her adventure, and I enjoyed myself.
Most of the characters made me smile, even Madame Wurzelwick, and I kind of fell in love with Kit’s monkey, Caboodle. The journey was an eventful one, but it was fun and heartwarming to follow, until the very last page.
Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
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