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Pirates of the Caribbean (The Junior Novelization) #5
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Captain Jack Sparrow and pirate Hector Barbossa both return to claim the Black Pearl, and find Poseidon's powerful trident. The son of Will Turner, now 17, has vowed to save his father from the sea with the same trident. Carina, an astronomer charged with witchcraft, believes her unknown father's diary has clues to their destination. Everyone cooperates and clashes in the struggle for power and those they love.
260 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
124 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Rudnick
77 books338 followershis is the part I'm always the worst at—talking about myself! So as you've figured out, my name is Elizabeth Rudnick and I'm a young adult author. I'm also a Senior Editor at Disney Press in New York City. I've edited books based on movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Prince of Persia as well as Miley Cyrus's memoir, Miles to Go, which was a New York Times bestseller (imagine if Tweet Heart was too!) and a total blast to work on.
When I'm not working, I live in Connecticut with a big mutt named Jack Dyson (because he has the ability to suck up anything in his way) and have a habit of watching hours of mindless television. I like to think of it as research!
When I'm not working, I live in Connecticut with a big mutt named Jack Dyson (because he has the ability to suck up anything in his way) and have a habit of watching hours of mindless television. I like to think of it as research!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 15, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book, whose prequel (BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE NORTH) I reviewed a few weeks ago. There is quite a bit of overlap between the two books, starting from the point where Carina Smyth meets up with Captain Jack Sparrow on the island of St. Martin. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing this film, as I'm a longtime fan of the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN franchise.
The narrative was well-paced, and passing references to previous Disney pirates adventures were very helpful as reminders of how the action for this story fits into the bigger pictures of the overall story arc. However, I would like to note the same concerns that I had about historical and astronomical inaccuracies in BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE NORTH. (See my review of that book for details.) Yes, this is a work of fantasy adventure, and no, the historical and astronomical inaccuracies don't detract from an otherwise engaging book -- but it would be nice if the editors at Disney Press would insist on a bit more realism to anchor their fantasy novels. :)
Highly recommended -- I can't wait for the film later this month!
The narrative was well-paced, and passing references to previous Disney pirates adventures were very helpful as reminders of how the action for this story fits into the bigger pictures of the overall story arc. However, I would like to note the same concerns that I had about historical and astronomical inaccuracies in BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE NORTH. (See my review of that book for details.) Yes, this is a work of fantasy adventure, and no, the historical and astronomical inaccuracies don't detract from an otherwise engaging book -- but it would be nice if the editors at Disney Press would insist on a bit more realism to anchor their fantasy novels. :)
Highly recommended -- I can't wait for the film later this month!
April 19, 2020
Let's just say that the movie is better than the book and that I wasn't extremely impressed with any of these movies, although my kids liked them. Add to the fact that I have heard the piano reduction of the score a gazillion times from when my son was taking piano lessons and you can say I've had my fill. The movies are 3 stars for me.
So, if you haven't seen the films, this is a sequel both on screen and in print. While you could read this without reading the first and have some fun, it certainly helps to know what happened before.
Captain Jack Sparrow--if you live in the States or Canada you have probably see pictures of him
--is back along with pirate Hector Barbossa. Will Turner's son is here as a teen as well, along with the beautiful astronomer Carina who has been accused of being a witch. The four of them are all questing to find the trident of Poseidon, and, as you can imagine, there are enemies pursuing them.
So, if you haven't seen the films, this is a sequel both on screen and in print. While you could read this without reading the first and have some fun, it certainly helps to know what happened before.
Captain Jack Sparrow--if you live in the States or Canada you have probably see pictures of him
--is back along with pirate Hector Barbossa. Will Turner's son is here as a teen as well, along with the beautiful astronomer Carina who has been accused of being a witch. The four of them are all questing to find the trident of Poseidon, and, as you can imagine, there are enemies pursuing them.
December 25, 2017
This book reminds me a lot about the rest of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, and how Jack Sparrow always would find a way to elude his enemies. I rated this book 5/5 because of the adventures that the characters take. As well as the humor that Jack Sparrow put in. Like when he announced to the public that he was robbing the bank.(Although that was supposed to be a blunder). Another reason why I gave this book a high rating was because I loved the movie from the start, and never enjoyed it more. I also had a very emotional time since captain Barbossa, my favorite character, had sacrificed himself for the rest of his team. Overall, I had a great time with the story plot, however, my environment wasn't that pleasant. I read the book on my journey to Japan, through a lot of turbulence, it was very hard to keep the book in my hand. Especially when I was eating. In the end, that caused my book to drop into my meal 😔. I also was sitting next to my brother and friend. They were fighting and being very annoying. To sum it up, I enjoyed the book a lot, and I will definitely recommend this book to all of you!!!!
June 19, 2017
Твърде много дупки в сюжета има, че да получи повече звезди. Някак си историята е по-наивна от предишните, по-претупана, без задълбоченост (като изключим битката на морското дъно, която е задълбочена в друг смисъл).
August 6, 2022
I can not descibe just how amazing it is to finally read my favorite movie, and I am not talking about reading the script. There are descriptions and thoughts of my favourite characters of all time! An amazing addition to my Pirates of the Carribbean addiction
February 1, 2022
Iterations and adaptations are interesting. The process of wrangling a first draft into a finished product, a novel into a screenplay, or a film into a novelization is complex and fascinating. Choices are made for better or worse. Bad ideas can be ironed out or become deeper ingrained. Flawed material can be made seaworthy or good stories and characters cast adrift.
In the second draft of Jeff Nathanson's script, Jack Sparrow is the Jack Sparrow we know and love: the clever trickster who can extricate himself from any situation, the sporadic genius disguised as a drunken fool. But like an unfortunate game of Chinese whispers, something got lost in the rewrites and what we ended up with was Dead Men Tell No Tales.
The book works better than the lacklustre film it's based on. It's a simple, competent, and faithful adaptation improved by some additional dialogue and access to characters' thoughts and motivations. This Jack Sparrow feels less of an imposter than the one in the film, though he's still dumber, less likeable and more apathetic than he should be. The painful moments where the writers chose to throw their protagonist under a bus for cheap laughs rather then risk pathos are still there, but they're a little less painful in the book.
Capitan Salazar (the only character I liked in the film - oh how I wanted him to skewer Imposter Jack with that Trident!) is given more backstory which makes him less sympathetic than the slightly tragic character in the movie. Some of his dialogue is improved, but without Javier Bardem's performance we get less sense of the suffering behind his rage and vengeance. He's more of a martinet, keeping his undead crew shipshape during their purgatory rather than banging off the walls in despair. I like the movie version better.
The young couple are just as dull as their screen counterparts though the plot feels less silly on the page.
There was a good story to be had somewhere in Dead Men Tell No Tales (with better writing Salazar could have had the complexity of Davy Jones, a Darth Vader of the Caribbean) but time spent in the Devil's Triangle of development hell did it no favours.
Main takeaway: Whether you're writing a serious drama or a silly comedy adventure with zombie pirates, always respect your characters. They're what people remember long after the details of the plot are forgotten. If you take care to make your characters sufficiently believable to emotionally invest in, even if the situations are ridiculous or impossible, people will care about your story. To sacrifice your characters for cheap laughs or plot convenience is to trade treasure for trash.
In the second draft of Jeff Nathanson's script, Jack Sparrow is the Jack Sparrow we know and love: the clever trickster who can extricate himself from any situation, the sporadic genius disguised as a drunken fool. But like an unfortunate game of Chinese whispers, something got lost in the rewrites and what we ended up with was Dead Men Tell No Tales.
The book works better than the lacklustre film it's based on. It's a simple, competent, and faithful adaptation improved by some additional dialogue and access to characters' thoughts and motivations. This Jack Sparrow feels less of an imposter than the one in the film, though he's still dumber, less likeable and more apathetic than he should be. The painful moments where the writers chose to throw their protagonist under a bus for cheap laughs rather then risk pathos are still there, but they're a little less painful in the book.
Capitan Salazar (the only character I liked in the film - oh how I wanted him to skewer Imposter Jack with that Trident!) is given more backstory which makes him less sympathetic than the slightly tragic character in the movie. Some of his dialogue is improved, but without Javier Bardem's performance we get less sense of the suffering behind his rage and vengeance. He's more of a martinet, keeping his undead crew shipshape during their purgatory rather than banging off the walls in despair. I like the movie version better.
The young couple are just as dull as their screen counterparts though the plot feels less silly on the page.
There was a good story to be had somewhere in Dead Men Tell No Tales (with better writing Salazar could have had the complexity of Davy Jones, a Darth Vader of the Caribbean) but time spent in the Devil's Triangle of development hell did it no favours.
Main takeaway: Whether you're writing a serious drama or a silly comedy adventure with zombie pirates, always respect your characters. They're what people remember long after the details of the plot are forgotten. If you take care to make your characters sufficiently believable to emotionally invest in, even if the situations are ridiculous or impossible, people will care about your story. To sacrifice your characters for cheap laughs or plot convenience is to trade treasure for trash.
April 28, 2017
This book was so good (4.5)
My only gripe with it was that at times I felt it lacked enough detail of what was happening around the central plot. The rest of it was brilliant though!
My only gripe with it was that at times I felt it lacked enough detail of what was happening around the central plot. The rest of it was brilliant though!
August 11, 2021
Why am I reviewing this of all books? Because it fixes Jack Sparrow. In the film, he's a pale imitation of himself from the prior four films. In Rudnick's surprisingly good novelisation, his inner workings are laid bare - he's more heroic, smarter, better. Somehow, this book takes a disappointing film and makes it work.
December 1, 2017
I am a long time fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. I remember watching the movies in theaters as a child since I was in elementary school when the films released. When I first watched Curse of the Black Pearl, I immediately fell in love with the story, the characters, and the world of pirates. Sure, Captain Hook from Peter Pan existed way before the Disney franchise, but he was too cartoonish for my liking. Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann will be my forever favorite power couple. I mean what better romance than two people that fall in love at first sight only to become pirates by the end? Definitely beats the romance of Bella Swann and Edward Cullen.
Even though I've already watched the film, I really wanted to read the novelization of the story. I still laughed at the vulgar jokes and scenes and my heart raced towards the end when . However, there was one major event missing in the end that I was so disappointed with. My assumption is that this book was written with the original script and ending. . But, it was really neat to read the actual ending the writers intended.
I highly suggest for Disney Press to novelize all the films in the franchise. Die hard fans of the franchise will certainly buy the books, me included. Who wouldn't want to read their favorite pirate on the pages of a book or indulge the passionate romance between Will and Elizabeth in poetic prose format? I don't know why they didn't think of novelizing the films earlier. Plus the cover of the book is pure eye candy on my shelf.
Even though I've already watched the film, I really wanted to read the novelization of the story. I still laughed at the vulgar jokes and scenes and my heart raced towards the end when . However, there was one major event missing in the end that I was so disappointed with. My assumption is that this book was written with the original script and ending. . But, it was really neat to read the actual ending the writers intended.
I highly suggest for Disney Press to novelize all the films in the franchise. Die hard fans of the franchise will certainly buy the books, me included. Who wouldn't want to read their favorite pirate on the pages of a book or indulge the passionate romance between Will and Elizabeth in poetic prose format? I don't know why they didn't think of novelizing the films earlier. Plus the cover of the book is pure eye candy on my shelf.
June 30, 2017
Rudnick, Elizabeth Dead Men Tell No Tales (Pirates of the Caribbean), 260 pages. Disney Press, 2017. $17. Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (ghosts and fighting)
Captain Jack Sparrow has lost almost everything. When he schemes to steal an entire bank vault, he stumbles into Carina Smyth, a young woman who happens to looking for the same thing Jack is – the Trident of Poseidon. Along with Henry, the son of Will Turner, they will brave the wrath of the ghost Captain Salazar and all of the other dangers of the Caribbean.
Rudnick writes a pretty faithful adaptation of the movie, including details that will allow anyone to relive the movie in their head over and over again.
EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
Captain Jack Sparrow has lost almost everything. When he schemes to steal an entire bank vault, he stumbles into Carina Smyth, a young woman who happens to looking for the same thing Jack is – the Trident of Poseidon. Along with Henry, the son of Will Turner, they will brave the wrath of the ghost Captain Salazar and all of the other dangers of the Caribbean.
Rudnick writes a pretty faithful adaptation of the movie, including details that will allow anyone to relive the movie in their head over and over again.
EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
July 18, 2017
Vždy sa mi ľahšie čítali knihy podľa filmu, než pozerať film podľa knihy. V tomto prípade kniha nebola zlá, opäť som sa zasmiala tak ako aj pri filme....Film mal avšak veľkú výhodu v tom, že pokiaľ ste príliš o filme nezisťovali nebolo skazené prekvapenie kto vlastne Henry bol. V knihe vám ho skazili hneď na začiatku. Takže nevýhoda pre tých čo siahli najprv po knihe. Takisto ma zarazilo, že na konci knihy bola vynechaná scéna, ktorá vo filme nebola síce tou z najlepších, a možno bola presladená, ale bola to scéna s osobami, ktoré nás sprevádzali celé tie roky počas filmov. A jednoducho tu, ju autorka vynechala. Každopádne príjemné čítanie, trošku kratšie ale bolo fajn si film pripomenúť takto knižne.
June 12, 2017
За пети пореден (и за сега последен) път ще се носим по вълните с „Карибски пирати”. Стари познайници и нови злодеи, скрити съкровища и кодирани карти! Залозите са високи, а опасностите – безчет! Но ако все пак ви стиска, то скачайте на борда! Отплаваме с „Карибски пирати 5: Отмъщението на Салазар” (изд. "Егмонт България")! Прочетете интервюто на "Книжни Криле":
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
April 20, 2018
Thrilling. I do like a good pirate tale, and Jack Sparrow always amuses. I read this as if I never saw the film. One key role sacrifices themselves, others are set for a better life.
Captain Jack Sparrow and pirate Hector Barbossa both return to claim the Black Pearl, and find Poseidon's powerful trident. The son of Will Turner, now 17, has vowed to save his father from the sea with the same trident. Carina, an astronomer charged with witchcraft, believes her unknown father's diary has clues to their destination. Everyone cooperates and clashes in the struggle for power and those they love.
Captain Jack Sparrow and pirate Hector Barbossa both return to claim the Black Pearl, and find Poseidon's powerful trident. The son of Will Turner, now 17, has vowed to save his father from the sea with the same trident. Carina, an astronomer charged with witchcraft, believes her unknown father's diary has clues to their destination. Everyone cooperates and clashes in the struggle for power and those they love.
June 7, 2017
V kinách premietajú nových Pirátov Karibiku. Jupíí. Ale keď patríme medzi smoliarov – ako ja -, ktorí musia na film čakať, zatiaľ si prečítajte knihu. Neoľutujete. Ešte sa budete viac tešiť.
Neviem vám poradiť, kedy si knihu máte prečítať. Pred alebo po filme? Rozhodnite sa sami. Jedno je isté; mňa veľmi nalákala a teraz som nahnevaná, že som nebola v kine. Táto milá jednohubka mala známe postavy, ktoré sa ani po rokoch nemenia, takže čitateľ nadobudol pocit, že číta niečo blízke jeho srdcu. Zbožňovala som to.
Neviem vám poradiť, kedy si knihu máte prečítať. Pred alebo po filme? Rozhodnite sa sami. Jedno je isté; mňa veľmi nalákala a teraz som nahnevaná, že som nebola v kine. Táto milá jednohubka mala známe postavy, ktoré sa ani po rokoch nemenia, takže čitateľ nadobudol pocit, že číta niečo blízke jeho srdcu. Zbožňovala som to.
June 24, 2017
Джак Спароу отново е тук и лошия късмет продължава да е по петите му. Впуска се в търсене на Тризъбеца на Посейдон, а след него е испанския капитан Салазар, който търси мъст за сполетялата го съдба, която е по вина на Спароу, а Тризъбеца е единственото му спасение. Дали ще успее Джак отново да се измъкне ще разберете в 184-те страници, които ви очакват в новата книга от поредицата на Егмонт.
Приятна романизация следваща почти на 100% филма.
Приятна романизация следваща почти на 100% филма.
June 2, 2018
I don't know what kinds of permissions go into writing a movie novelization so this may be a naive review. But this was basically the film with a couple extra sentences thrown in, straightforward from sentence to sentence. Told in a direct manner, with little embellishment or layers to the story. In short: fun but simple.
October 30, 2023
It was fun finally getting to read this book. Took me longer than expected, but so glad I read this regardless. I enjoyed every second of it for sure. Brought me memories when I watched the movie years ago too! There were a few things I remembered. Most were refreshers.
Can't wait to read more of these!
Can't wait to read more of these!
May 27, 2017
Very good read and now looking forward to seeing the movie!
June 1, 2017
The book wasn't anything special.. just the movie in watered down book form.. But I love all things Pirates of the Caribbean so it is 5 stars for me 😍
June 30, 2017
A very good little novelization of the film.
August 2, 2017
Fairly simple novelization that at least managed to make Jack seem simply down on his luck instead of like a drunken fool (which is all the movie managed to do). Quick and fun to read.
September 4, 2017
This was an amazing book that kept me at the edge of my chair the whole ride.
June 4, 2018
I loved reading this! It was just like the movie, but had more details and thoughts of the characters.
April 12, 2020
It was fine, basically a retelling of the movie. Not sure what I expected!
July 14, 2020
I enjoyed this a lot. If you love pirates and The Pirates Of The Caribbean movies, then check this out.
October 16, 2020
I mean anything with Pirates of the Caribbean + Jack Sparrow is great for me! I know that this book is based on the movie, still I really liked it.
August 19, 2021
Really great, not everything from the movie and there were different lines as usual, but it was still really great. One of the few movie novelizations that didn't disappoint me.
February 26, 2023
Nice novelization. There were some facts I didnt notice in the movie.
March 31, 2024
An enjoyable installment in the lives of familiar characters (Jack is still his usual self) with a new adventure, new villain, and a few twists that you may (or may not) see coming.
February 22, 2025
Kinda expected it to be a book to the movie but I'm not complaining.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews