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A Crusoe Adventure #1
Dawn of Spies
Rescued from a deserted Caribbean island, 17-year-old Robinson Crusoe and his female friend, Friday, find themselves in late 1600s London, a bustling city that proves as treacherous for them to navigate as the remote island they just left behind. Thanks to their honed survival skills, Crusoe and Friday are recruited by a young writer named Daniel Defoe to work as agents for Segment W, a covert spy group that reports directly to the Crown.
Crusoe, Friday, and Defoe must rescue the Countess of Lichfield from a kidnapping plot. They discover that a mystical and mysterious organization known as the Circle of Thirteen is plotting to destroy Segment W and change the course of history through a royal kidnapping.
With an illustrious cast of historical characters including King Charles II and Sir Isaac Newton, Dawn of Spies is the first installment of a series that thrusts a young Robinson Crusoe into a new world of espionage, intrigue, and peril.
Crusoe, Friday, and Defoe must rescue the Countess of Lichfield from a kidnapping plot. They discover that a mystical and mysterious organization known as the Circle of Thirteen is plotting to destroy Segment W and change the course of history through a royal kidnapping.
With an illustrious cast of historical characters including King Charles II and Sir Isaac Newton, Dawn of Spies is the first installment of a series that thrusts a young Robinson Crusoe into a new world of espionage, intrigue, and peril.
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2016
About the author
Andrew Lane
56 books46 followersSee also work published as Andy Lane
During 2009, Macmillan Books announced that Lane would be writing a series of books focusing on the early life of Sherlock Holmes. The series was developed in conjunction with the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Lane had already shown an extensive knowledge of the Holmes character and continuity in his Virgin Books novel All-Consuming Fire in which he created The Library of St. John the Beheaded as a meeting place for the worlds of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who.
The first book in the 'Young Sherlock Holmes' series – Death Cloud – was published in the United Kingdom in June 2010 (February 2011 in the United States), with the second – Red Leech – published in the United Kingdom in November of that year (with a United States publication date under the title Rebel Fire of February 2012). The third book – Black Ice – was published in June 2011 in the UK while the fourth book – Fire Storm – was published originally in hardback in October 2011 with a paperback publication in March 2012. The fifth book, Snake Bite was published in hardback in October 2012 and the sixth book, Knife Edge was published in September 2013. Death Cloud was short-listed for both the 2010 North East Book Award. (coming second by three votes) and the 2011 Southampton's Favourite Book Award. Black Ice won the 2012 Centurion Book Award.
Early in 2012, Macmillan Children's Books announced that they would be publishing a new series by Lane, beginning in 2013. The Lost World books will follow disabled 15-year-old Calum Challenger, who is co-ordinating a search from his London bedroom to find creatures considered so rare that many do not believe they exist. Calum's intention is to use the creatures' DNA to help protect the species, but also to search for a cure for his own paralysis. His team comprises a computer hacker, a free runner, an ex-marine and a pathological liar.
During 2009, Macmillan Books announced that Lane would be writing a series of books focusing on the early life of Sherlock Holmes. The series was developed in conjunction with the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Lane had already shown an extensive knowledge of the Holmes character and continuity in his Virgin Books novel All-Consuming Fire in which he created The Library of St. John the Beheaded as a meeting place for the worlds of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who.
The first book in the 'Young Sherlock Holmes' series – Death Cloud – was published in the United Kingdom in June 2010 (February 2011 in the United States), with the second – Red Leech – published in the United Kingdom in November of that year (with a United States publication date under the title Rebel Fire of February 2012). The third book – Black Ice – was published in June 2011 in the UK while the fourth book – Fire Storm – was published originally in hardback in October 2011 with a paperback publication in March 2012. The fifth book, Snake Bite was published in hardback in October 2012 and the sixth book, Knife Edge was published in September 2013. Death Cloud was short-listed for both the 2010 North East Book Award. (coming second by three votes) and the 2011 Southampton's Favourite Book Award. Black Ice won the 2012 Centurion Book Award.
Early in 2012, Macmillan Children's Books announced that they would be publishing a new series by Lane, beginning in 2013. The Lost World books will follow disabled 15-year-old Calum Challenger, who is co-ordinating a search from his London bedroom to find creatures considered so rare that many do not believe they exist. Calum's intention is to use the creatures' DNA to help protect the species, but also to search for a cure for his own paralysis. His team comprises a computer hacker, a free runner, an ex-marine and a pathological liar.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 26, 2017
Robinson Crusoe and his best friend Friday are rescued from a deserted island and brought back to London in the 16th century they are sent to Segment W were the whole rest of the story unfolds. This book is an adventurous fiction book with some historical elements put into it. It’s easy to lose yourself in this book as it is a real page turner.
Robin and Friday are the main characters in this book, and they are both flat but in a good way. They don’t change from who they were in the beginning but who they already were made the story interesting enough to keep you turning the page. The central theme that can be found in this book is never trusting anybody you just meet. This theme makes the book so much more interesting because it leads the characters to meet so many new people that would either turn their back on them or stand with them.
At the beginning of this book I almost put it down because it takes a long time to start up, but once it does, it's very hard to put it down. I have to say it’s a different kind of book it goes back into the past and still can have action and a great plot. Andrew Lanes usage of descriptive words was so efficient throughout the book you could get a mental image of what these characters were seeing and also how they were feeling. I think the book was great even with the slow start it drew me in and I recommend it to anyone who likes a good action and adventure book.
Robin and Friday are the main characters in this book, and they are both flat but in a good way. They don’t change from who they were in the beginning but who they already were made the story interesting enough to keep you turning the page. The central theme that can be found in this book is never trusting anybody you just meet. This theme makes the book so much more interesting because it leads the characters to meet so many new people that would either turn their back on them or stand with them.
At the beginning of this book I almost put it down because it takes a long time to start up, but once it does, it's very hard to put it down. I have to say it’s a different kind of book it goes back into the past and still can have action and a great plot. Andrew Lanes usage of descriptive words was so efficient throughout the book you could get a mental image of what these characters were seeing and also how they were feeling. I think the book was great even with the slow start it drew me in and I recommend it to anyone who likes a good action and adventure book.
October 5, 2018
While reading the novel Dawn of Spies by Andrew Lane, it made me wish that I could part-take in adventures like the one that the protagonists experienced. While reading I experienced a rush of excitement action occurred. Fighting scenes added a taste of violence, which seems to be always needed in adventure stories. Also, the book contained a secret base location which was used as a headquarters for the secret spy organization throughout the story-line. Also, the book made me tap into my childhood when I would try to create a “secret base” out of pillows, making a password that only trusted people would know to enter the “headquarters”. By reminding me of a memory, I feel like I really related to the novel. By noticing the connection I started to enjoy the book more. I started to think of it as something I want to do, and stop thinking of it as a chore that must be done.
By reading Dawn of Spies, I realized that people will do anything to overcome hardships that they face. During the novel there were two main characters, Friday, the daughter of a well-known pirate who traveled the Caribbean. The second main character is Crusoe, the son of an English family who ends up being one of the few survivors of a ship wreck. Throughout the novel there is a motif that says the two protagonists will not stop. For example, when the two first arrive to England they are robbed by two thieves who take all the money they had owned. Other than giving up and going back to the ship they had just left, the two decided that they should try to find a job on land that could aid them throughout their stay on land. By not giving up they find a man who is interested in their adventures. Ironically, the mysterious man ends up leading the two protagonists on the adventure of a lifetime.
This book made me wonder about how the England of the past differentiates from the present. The city seemed to be much more harsh and dangerous for those without wealth. However, I am not surprised because that seems to be implied about every location from the past. I inferred this because of the events that were described by the author inside the novel. It also made me wonder about how people who were in the lower classes lived back then. It must have been very difficult for them to live in a society where wealth was the only factor that would guarantee safety. In the novel Andrew Lane explains how Friday is scrutinized and judged by people when she walks past them due to her dark complexion. From this detail I wondered how the people of dark skin were treated in England, however, I would assume that they were thought of as lower class due to their race.
This writing piece made me see that with perseverance, anything could be accomplished. When Friday and Crusoe were stuck on the island they had been confronted with many obstacles. Yet, they did not flee from the dangers that they knew were waiting for them. Instead, they pushed straight through them without hesitation. Without their hope and strength, they would not have made it off of the island with their lives. When they did not have tools that were needed to survive they made the tools using natural resources. Even though the two main characters were complete strangers when they had first washed up on the island, they had somehow created a bond that was impossible to break. With Friday’s knowledge and Crusoe’s strength the companions made it off the island with their lives.
This book made me believe that anything is possible, even though the book is complete fiction, it still gave me hope. This book reminds me of my first ever time playing lacrosse, I had started off as the worst player on my team, and I was also the only African American on the team. However, by not giving up on my dreams to become a superb player at the sport, I reached my goal and now I am a started. I relate to Friday and how people stared at her when she passed them on the street, they were wondering why she was there, as if she wasn’t the same as others. By her ignoring the glares she received she became a very valuable factor during the spy mission. Same as how I became an important role on my team.
This book made me feel like I was one of the main characters, Friday, in the novel. She was an outcast when she was in England, always a sore thumb sticking out in the crowd. I have been experiencing the same thing throughout my whole life. Being that I live in Pelham Manor, I went to Prospect Elementary school where I was one of the two African Americans in my class. At times I felt like I didn’t belong because I was different from everyone else. Even now, when I walk my dog around the neighborhood, I’m constantly scrutinized by people who pass me. Same as how Friday was glared at by the people of London. By Andrew Lane adding in this information, the book became very relatable for me. Causing me to appreciate the novel even more.
This book made me want that more books should be written the way Andrew Lane wrote this novel. He used the perfect amount of action and calm rest to detail the novel correctly. Without his superb organization, the story would be a must consisting of action being thrown at the reader out of nowhere. At times, authors use too much detail when trying to inform the reader, and they end up ruining the text. However, that doesn't occur within the the novel, making it a very well done novel.
To conclude, the novel Dawn of Spies is a phenomenal book that I would definitely recommend for anyone interested in reading an amazing novel.
By reading Dawn of Spies, I realized that people will do anything to overcome hardships that they face. During the novel there were two main characters, Friday, the daughter of a well-known pirate who traveled the Caribbean. The second main character is Crusoe, the son of an English family who ends up being one of the few survivors of a ship wreck. Throughout the novel there is a motif that says the two protagonists will not stop. For example, when the two first arrive to England they are robbed by two thieves who take all the money they had owned. Other than giving up and going back to the ship they had just left, the two decided that they should try to find a job on land that could aid them throughout their stay on land. By not giving up they find a man who is interested in their adventures. Ironically, the mysterious man ends up leading the two protagonists on the adventure of a lifetime.
This book made me wonder about how the England of the past differentiates from the present. The city seemed to be much more harsh and dangerous for those without wealth. However, I am not surprised because that seems to be implied about every location from the past. I inferred this because of the events that were described by the author inside the novel. It also made me wonder about how people who were in the lower classes lived back then. It must have been very difficult for them to live in a society where wealth was the only factor that would guarantee safety. In the novel Andrew Lane explains how Friday is scrutinized and judged by people when she walks past them due to her dark complexion. From this detail I wondered how the people of dark skin were treated in England, however, I would assume that they were thought of as lower class due to their race.
This writing piece made me see that with perseverance, anything could be accomplished. When Friday and Crusoe were stuck on the island they had been confronted with many obstacles. Yet, they did not flee from the dangers that they knew were waiting for them. Instead, they pushed straight through them without hesitation. Without their hope and strength, they would not have made it off of the island with their lives. When they did not have tools that were needed to survive they made the tools using natural resources. Even though the two main characters were complete strangers when they had first washed up on the island, they had somehow created a bond that was impossible to break. With Friday’s knowledge and Crusoe’s strength the companions made it off the island with their lives.
This book made me believe that anything is possible, even though the book is complete fiction, it still gave me hope. This book reminds me of my first ever time playing lacrosse, I had started off as the worst player on my team, and I was also the only African American on the team. However, by not giving up on my dreams to become a superb player at the sport, I reached my goal and now I am a started. I relate to Friday and how people stared at her when she passed them on the street, they were wondering why she was there, as if she wasn’t the same as others. By her ignoring the glares she received she became a very valuable factor during the spy mission. Same as how I became an important role on my team.
This book made me feel like I was one of the main characters, Friday, in the novel. She was an outcast when she was in England, always a sore thumb sticking out in the crowd. I have been experiencing the same thing throughout my whole life. Being that I live in Pelham Manor, I went to Prospect Elementary school where I was one of the two African Americans in my class. At times I felt like I didn’t belong because I was different from everyone else. Even now, when I walk my dog around the neighborhood, I’m constantly scrutinized by people who pass me. Same as how Friday was glared at by the people of London. By Andrew Lane adding in this information, the book became very relatable for me. Causing me to appreciate the novel even more.
This book made me want that more books should be written the way Andrew Lane wrote this novel. He used the perfect amount of action and calm rest to detail the novel correctly. Without his superb organization, the story would be a must consisting of action being thrown at the reader out of nowhere. At times, authors use too much detail when trying to inform the reader, and they end up ruining the text. However, that doesn't occur within the the novel, making it a very well done novel.
To conclude, the novel Dawn of Spies is a phenomenal book that I would definitely recommend for anyone interested in reading an amazing novel.
April 4, 2017
Dawn of Spies
If you’ve ever wanted to read an adventurous book between two kids, then Dawn of Spies is the right choice. Andrew Lane, the author, writes a storytelling fiction about two kids who were rescued off an island and their missions working for a secret spy agency late in the 1600’s of London. This story is filled with action packed scenes, familiar names in history, and fluid flashbacks of the island they called home for five years.
The books main characters are Robinson Crusoe, and Friday who are recruited by a secret spy organization powered with the kings’ wealth and seek to destroy all threat towards the city London. In the latter half of the book, Robin and Friday find the enemies secret base and Robin singlehandedly destroys the fort as it slides down the slopes of the cliff its set on. “The entire earth seemed to rise up beneath him. He sprawled to the ground, twisting so that his back hit first, taking the impact. His sword and crossbow flew away from him. He could see people flying through the air, pushed by the expanded gases, their arms and legs waving wildly. There was a sullen red glow, a fireball tinged all around with black smoke, incinerating everything that it touched.” That was just one of many of the marvelous details put into every action sequence in Dawn of Spies.
Although Dawn of Spies may be fiction, it still has some real life locations and people in the book. Fans of the beloved Isaac Newton shall rejoice as he plays a key role inside the secret spies organization that’s goes by “Segment W.” He is called a “natural philosopher” for the team who has a secret gem called “The Scrying Orb” which can predict the future. It also features King Charles of London who funds the organization in its missions.
The flashbacks are crucial to the story which provides a backstory for both Robin and Friday. Starting with Robin being shipwrecked as the only survivor, and then two years later Friday shows up and we see her origins story. “Before any of the crew beneath him could realize what he had done and pull him away, he used their heads as a springboard to propel himself through the hatch and out into the open air. Into chaos.” However, Fridays origins were a complete 180 of Robins. “And the pirates, of course. And then there is the whole story of how Mr. Crusoe here rescued you from your pirate father. ‘Red Tiberius” The flashbacks revolve around Robins shipwreck and Fridays escape of her dads’ pirate ship as they survive on the island for five year.
In conclusion, the story is fantastically written with many secrets to unlock and discover.
The story revolves around the real world and has some flashbacks as well. If you like adventures, this is the book for you.
If you’ve ever wanted to read an adventurous book between two kids, then Dawn of Spies is the right choice. Andrew Lane, the author, writes a storytelling fiction about two kids who were rescued off an island and their missions working for a secret spy agency late in the 1600’s of London. This story is filled with action packed scenes, familiar names in history, and fluid flashbacks of the island they called home for five years.
The books main characters are Robinson Crusoe, and Friday who are recruited by a secret spy organization powered with the kings’ wealth and seek to destroy all threat towards the city London. In the latter half of the book, Robin and Friday find the enemies secret base and Robin singlehandedly destroys the fort as it slides down the slopes of the cliff its set on. “The entire earth seemed to rise up beneath him. He sprawled to the ground, twisting so that his back hit first, taking the impact. His sword and crossbow flew away from him. He could see people flying through the air, pushed by the expanded gases, their arms and legs waving wildly. There was a sullen red glow, a fireball tinged all around with black smoke, incinerating everything that it touched.” That was just one of many of the marvelous details put into every action sequence in Dawn of Spies.
Although Dawn of Spies may be fiction, it still has some real life locations and people in the book. Fans of the beloved Isaac Newton shall rejoice as he plays a key role inside the secret spies organization that’s goes by “Segment W.” He is called a “natural philosopher” for the team who has a secret gem called “The Scrying Orb” which can predict the future. It also features King Charles of London who funds the organization in its missions.
The flashbacks are crucial to the story which provides a backstory for both Robin and Friday. Starting with Robin being shipwrecked as the only survivor, and then two years later Friday shows up and we see her origins story. “Before any of the crew beneath him could realize what he had done and pull him away, he used their heads as a springboard to propel himself through the hatch and out into the open air. Into chaos.” However, Fridays origins were a complete 180 of Robins. “And the pirates, of course. And then there is the whole story of how Mr. Crusoe here rescued you from your pirate father. ‘Red Tiberius” The flashbacks revolve around Robins shipwreck and Fridays escape of her dads’ pirate ship as they survive on the island for five year.
In conclusion, the story is fantastically written with many secrets to unlock and discover.
The story revolves around the real world and has some flashbacks as well. If you like adventures, this is the book for you.
August 11, 2016
Robinson Crusoe boards a ship with his father(11)and the ship crashes and he washes up onto a deserted island(12). 3 years later, pirates are prowling the island and they have a girl prisoner. She doesn't speak his language and he doesn't know her, but he helps her to escape them. They run and hide from the pirates and live in caves. Robins' knowledge of the island helps him form a plan to fake their deaths. When they finally get off of the island, Robin and 'Friday'(she wanted to start over with a new name. They met on a Friday and she started her new life, hence the name)work as sailors until arriving in London. The Captain gave them money and said that they could come back to him for a job in a few days. They declined and went into London. They were both robbed, nearly beaten, and meet a mysterious man, Daniel Defoe(who saves them from the beating. Aristocrats are just so loving.) He tells them that he will pay for their story and is particularly keen on Friday's. They decline and end up following him. They do not make a deal with him, but with the society he works with, Segment W. They are from that moment on running around London as bodyguards and rescuers. Let the fun begin.
recommended for those into: adventure, literary adaptations, good old fashioned banter, teens not controlled by hormones and who know loyalty.
recommended for those into: adventure, literary adaptations, good old fashioned banter, teens not controlled by hormones and who know loyalty.
March 8, 2018
2.5
OK *sighs*
I probably did that around 50 times while reading this book.
Things I didn’t like:
- The really horny Friday and Crusoe. We get it OK, you love each other. Just stop. Please. For my sanity.
- Writing style was super weird. I though it was going to be very fast and action-packed, but it had an old-timey and slow feel. I didn’t like it.
- Lord Sebastos is an idiot. YOU HAD SO MANY CHANCES TO CAPTURE THEM JUST DO IT ALREADY .
Overall, great concept and idea, just slow and too romantic for me. Not sure about finishing the series yet.
OK *sighs*
I probably did that around 50 times while reading this book.
Things I didn’t like:
- The really horny Friday and Crusoe. We get it OK, you love each other. Just stop. Please. For my sanity.
- Writing style was super weird. I though it was going to be very fast and action-packed, but it had an old-timey and slow feel. I didn’t like it.
- Lord Sebastos is an idiot. YOU HAD SO MANY CHANCES TO CAPTURE THEM JUST DO IT ALREADY .
Overall, great concept and idea, just slow and too romantic for me. Not sure about finishing the series yet.
October 28, 2018
Ok, its not that this was a bad book. Because it wasn't, it was actually pretty good.
I just... didn't like it as much as I expected.
This book had a lot of elements that I love.
People stranded on an island? Check.
Spies and action? Check.
The thing is, I don't feel like this book is really for the YA section. It seems more like a book for middle schoolers.
Now, if I had found this book 8 years ago, I would have loved it so much and likely bought every single book in the series. As a college student, though? There were a lot of things that happened that I couldn't help but question.
If you were injured on an island, could you really use ants to bite a would closed and then just leave them there, pinching the wound shut?
If you caught a bunch of invaders landing on the roof for an attack, would both sides really stand there looking at each other for two pages, and then let you run down to warn the others even though they have weapons and you don't, plus there's more of them then there are of you?
You mentioned using some of your old clothes to set a trap, but if both of you are abandoned on an island and unprepared, from one of you being shipwrecked and the other randomly deciding to run away, where do you get the extra pair of clothes? Don't you only have the clothes on your backs?
If the two of you are so close that you can basically read each others minds, why can't you tell that the other person likes you? I mean, you were literally able to pick each other out of a crowd jut by looking at their back while they were disguised, but you can't tell that they blush whenever they look at you?
Overall, none of my questions really mattered to the story, and I admit I was a bit skeptical about just about everything. I feel like if I was younger, I would have loved this book.
Don't get me wrong, the story was good. There were even some iconic characters in it, such as Sir Isaac Newton. The concept was interesting, and the author did a pretty good job at delivering.
If you're on the younger side, say around late elementary school to early high school, I think you could really enjoy this book. It has high ratings for a reason. But if you're older, and pay a lot of attention to detail, then maybe this isn't the book for you. There were a lot of things that I questioned, that I doubt I would have thought of a few years ago.
I just... didn't like it as much as I expected.
This book had a lot of elements that I love.
People stranded on an island? Check.
Spies and action? Check.
The thing is, I don't feel like this book is really for the YA section. It seems more like a book for middle schoolers.
Now, if I had found this book 8 years ago, I would have loved it so much and likely bought every single book in the series. As a college student, though? There were a lot of things that happened that I couldn't help but question.
If you were injured on an island, could you really use ants to bite a would closed and then just leave them there, pinching the wound shut?
If you caught a bunch of invaders landing on the roof for an attack, would both sides really stand there looking at each other for two pages, and then let you run down to warn the others even though they have weapons and you don't, plus there's more of them then there are of you?
You mentioned using some of your old clothes to set a trap, but if both of you are abandoned on an island and unprepared, from one of you being shipwrecked and the other randomly deciding to run away, where do you get the extra pair of clothes? Don't you only have the clothes on your backs?
If the two of you are so close that you can basically read each others minds, why can't you tell that the other person likes you? I mean, you were literally able to pick each other out of a crowd jut by looking at their back while they were disguised, but you can't tell that they blush whenever they look at you?
Overall, none of my questions really mattered to the story, and I admit I was a bit skeptical about just about everything. I feel like if I was younger, I would have loved this book.
Don't get me wrong, the story was good. There were even some iconic characters in it, such as Sir Isaac Newton. The concept was interesting, and the author did a pretty good job at delivering.
If you're on the younger side, say around late elementary school to early high school, I think you could really enjoy this book. It has high ratings for a reason. But if you're older, and pay a lot of attention to detail, then maybe this isn't the book for you. There were a lot of things that I questioned, that I doubt I would have thought of a few years ago.
January 7, 2018
A cracking start to a new series, focusing on Robinson Crusoe like we’ve never seen him before.
In this novel Crusoe is a young boy when he finds himself shipwrecked on an island. He survives two years, showing remarkable skill. When he rescues pirate’s daughter, Friday, he finds someone with whom he shares a strong bond. Together the two teenagers find themselves travelling to London.
Determined to find a way to survive in his home town, Crusoe is surprised by the unwelcome reception they receive. However, they find themselves helped by one Daniel Defoe, a pamphleteer who also seems to have other jobs.
Quickly we find ourselves caught up in a secretive organisation, which Crusoe is convinced has a link to his father. There is also the small matter of the shadowy Circle of 13, a group who seem to be closer to those in power than people realised.
In this first in the series we are introduced to key characters and their role as agents of espionage. A little odd to imagine these characters in such different scenarios to those we might be familiar with, but I can see this catching the attention of younger readers.
In this novel Crusoe is a young boy when he finds himself shipwrecked on an island. He survives two years, showing remarkable skill. When he rescues pirate’s daughter, Friday, he finds someone with whom he shares a strong bond. Together the two teenagers find themselves travelling to London.
Determined to find a way to survive in his home town, Crusoe is surprised by the unwelcome reception they receive. However, they find themselves helped by one Daniel Defoe, a pamphleteer who also seems to have other jobs.
Quickly we find ourselves caught up in a secretive organisation, which Crusoe is convinced has a link to his father. There is also the small matter of the shadowy Circle of 13, a group who seem to be closer to those in power than people realised.
In this first in the series we are introduced to key characters and their role as agents of espionage. A little odd to imagine these characters in such different scenarios to those we might be familiar with, but I can see this catching the attention of younger readers.
July 22, 2018
I read this book because I'm writing a book set during the 17th century and I was curious about how the author treated the spying and fraught political situation during the Restoration. Instead I got a rather light-hearted caper story about Robinson Crusoe and Friday (a girl Friday, the daughter of a pirate king!) who have been rescued from a desert island and taken to England where in two days they meet Daniel Defoe, become part of a secret organization spying for the King, fight several battles with a mysterious cabal of 13 villains, hang out in a secret headquarters, and end up blowing up a fort. It's all clearly a setup for a series of books wherein these good guys fight the bad guys. The actual sense of the period is pretty thin, though I get it that if you are going to feature hot air balloons (not invented until 1783) and upside-down ships as hideouts, you are not so concerned about being historically accurate. It was a fast read.
June 3, 2017
In this reimagined Robinson Crusoe, a teenage Crusoe and female companion Friday have been rescued from the island and returned to London. The two young people meet Daniel Defoe who offers to buy the story of their adventures. They refuse Defoe’s offer, but follow him out of curiosity. This leads them to the headquarters of Segment W, a spy operation that reports to the crown. Crusoe and Friday find themselves drawn into a life of intrigue as dangerous as the island they escaped.
Lane’s creative retelling of the Robinson Crusoe story will capture the attention of adventure loving readers. The characterization doesn’t really hold with the intended time period, but the story is entertaining. Whether or not readers are familiar with the original Crusoe story, Dawn of Spies is an adventurous tale of intrigue.
Recommended ages--12 and up
Lane’s creative retelling of the Robinson Crusoe story will capture the attention of adventure loving readers. The characterization doesn’t really hold with the intended time period, but the story is entertaining. Whether or not readers are familiar with the original Crusoe story, Dawn of Spies is an adventurous tale of intrigue.
Recommended ages--12 and up
June 18, 2020
I enjoyed this novel. I have never read Robinson Crusoe, but this may have inspired me to! This book is about Robin AFTER he is rescued from.the island. He returns to London, and is recruited as a spy. His survival skills make him the perfect spy. There are all kinds of twists and turns and lots of action. The description of the action got boring at points and I found myself glossing over so many details to get to the point. But, there are a couple of bid surprises right at the end. And this book shared Chapter One of the next novel in the series called Day of Ice.
June 3, 2017
More than I expected and didn't fail to deliver. I enjoyed the storyline and character development. There was just enough of intrigue to keep you turning the pages.
The feel of the book in an odd comparison reminded me somewhat of a hybrid of The Three Musketeers and Sherlock Holmes.
Overall the story was pretty entertaining and I would recommend the book to a friend. I just bought the second one today to continue the series.
The feel of the book in an odd comparison reminded me somewhat of a hybrid of The Three Musketeers and Sherlock Holmes.
Overall the story was pretty entertaining and I would recommend the book to a friend. I just bought the second one today to continue the series.
June 3, 2019
This was a really cute story. I wouldn't mind reading more in the series. I don't know much about the Robinson Crusoe story written by Daniel Defoe in the 1700s as I've never read it. I liked them as a group of spies and that one of Defoe's many covers is as an author (or a pamphleteer as he is called in the book).
April 29, 2018
I really wanted to love this book, but it just didn’t grab me. I felt no attachment to the characters and the story was written so slow I honestly felt bored for a good chunk of it. It was a cute concept and I did like parts of it but overall, there are better books to read.
June 3, 2019
I expected the Dawn of Spies to be a short read that kept me engaged but it really took longer than I expected to finish. Although the story was interesting, the writing style was something that I didn't particularly like. My person rating would probably be an 3.7 or a 3.8.
August 5, 2017
Good action spy novel at times a little too much discription and telling the reader instead of relying on inferencing.
December 26, 2017
Excellent book with well-thought out and intriguing characters. Great plot!
March 14, 2019
An enjoyable adventure tale
May 25, 2019
LOVED IT. Just very unexpectedly great.
June 16, 2019
It just didn't keep my interest.
Read
October 18, 2019It was an interesting book I didn't really get board of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 15, 2020It was a very interesting book that surprised me with it's great story telling and thought out characters. I consider this a must read for any fantasy or realistic fiction readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2020
If you like pages of action sequences, Dawn of Spies is your read.
July 7, 2021
I thought this was a pretty cool book. I love action/adventure and this has it full-tilt! I also love the innuendo adding a bit of spice.
July 6, 2025
Rated it 2.25
February 24, 2017
Received through a Goodreads Giveaway.
There is a lot going on in this book as it is obviously being used to set up a much longer series. In this book alone, we have Robinson Crusoe and Friday arriving in London, setting up their relationship, two secret societies with potential or confirmed ties to different characters past, a number of supernatural flourishes, and three different attacks on various groups' homes or bases. All while being interspersed with passages relating Crusoe's and Friday's experiences while stranded on the island, not revealed in chronological order. And it's not even that long of a book.
I will say that I was quite skeptical of the use of the Robinson Crusoe character names and premise when they changed the characters so much, and I can see how it could easily be a deal breaker for someone, but by adding Defoe into the story and him writing a fictionalized version, the book gets away with it for me because I can imagine the actual book is the one written by the Defoe character in this story with changes to help the book sell or protect the privacy of the Crusoe and Friday characters presented here.
With all the moving parts, the story did seemed to go by fairly quickly once the main areas of the plot were set up, and I had a good time reading it. However, if this were a stand alone novel, I probably would have liked it even more/given it a higher rating. As it is so obviously setting up sequels, the last couple scenes are almost purposefully unsatisfying to tease future conflict and hook you in. I'm not sure I'm hooked though. I may eventually come back to this series if they cross my path, but it wasn't one that I will be rushing out to read immediately when the new one comes out so the revelations at the end sort of soured an enjoyable experience instead of exciting me.
There is a lot going on in this book as it is obviously being used to set up a much longer series. In this book alone, we have Robinson Crusoe and Friday arriving in London, setting up their relationship, two secret societies with potential or confirmed ties to different characters past, a number of supernatural flourishes, and three different attacks on various groups' homes or bases. All while being interspersed with passages relating Crusoe's and Friday's experiences while stranded on the island, not revealed in chronological order. And it's not even that long of a book.
I will say that I was quite skeptical of the use of the Robinson Crusoe character names and premise when they changed the characters so much, and I can see how it could easily be a deal breaker for someone, but by adding Defoe into the story and him writing a fictionalized version, the book gets away with it for me because I can imagine the actual book is the one written by the Defoe character in this story with changes to help the book sell or protect the privacy of the Crusoe and Friday characters presented here.
With all the moving parts, the story did seemed to go by fairly quickly once the main areas of the plot were set up, and I had a good time reading it. However, if this were a stand alone novel, I probably would have liked it even more/given it a higher rating. As it is so obviously setting up sequels, the last couple scenes are almost purposefully unsatisfying to tease future conflict and hook you in. I'm not sure I'm hooked though. I may eventually come back to this series if they cross my path, but it wasn't one that I will be rushing out to read immediately when the new one comes out so the revelations at the end sort of soured an enjoyable experience instead of exciting me.
May 12, 2020
This was a good book, not amazing, but a solid read. I loved the dynamic between the two main characters. Their friendship and ability to work together is a main focus throughout the book and seems very believable. I loved the flashback to the time being stranded on an island. However, nothing in this book was totally developed but it was a fun narrative. My main complaint was the several times where things just seemed to go the heroes way when they need it too. Overall, if you pick up this book I think you'll enjoy it even if it isn't one that will change your life.
February 23, 2016
I received this ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
I have never read Robin Crusoe, but this book still intrigued me. I loved the premise of people getting rescued from a deserted island and then joining a covert spy mission. The problem with the story was that it was a bit boring. It started with Friday and Crusoe landing in London on the ship they had been working on. Crusoe does flash back to his times on the island with Friday. The flashbacks show his meeting with her and the years spent together, trying to survive. I actually enjoyed that bit of it more than the spy part. I think Friday was my favorite character. I loved her relationship with Crusoe. They were friends who had went through a lot together. Her father is a pirate who finds the island that Crusoe happens to be stranded on. Crusoe rescues her and they spend years hiding from him and trying to outsmart him so that he'll leave. I guess eventually another boat comes to rescue them and they end up working on that one until they get to London, but they never really explain the rescue or anything.
I think my issue with this book was just more about personal preference and not the book itself. Maybe I am not an adventure book type of girl and that's what this was. There was very little in the way of character development or even plot, but there was a lot of action. The action was just super unbelievable and I sometimes got confused on how they got from point A to point B. I didn't understand why so many people were interested in these two teenagers rescued from an island and I still don't. But this is supposed to be a series, so maybe I'm not supposed to understand that yet. And it seemed like Crusoe and Friday were just geniuses and really, really good at fighting people. It was crazy how many dangerous exploits they managed to survive throughout this book. Another character I liked, but didn't get nearly enough book time, was Isaac Newton. He was a very quirky character. All of the other characters, like the Countess and Daniel Defoe and Sir William, were just bland.
This was an okay book and there were some thrilling parts. But all in all, I was more bored than anything.
I have never read Robin Crusoe, but this book still intrigued me. I loved the premise of people getting rescued from a deserted island and then joining a covert spy mission. The problem with the story was that it was a bit boring. It started with Friday and Crusoe landing in London on the ship they had been working on. Crusoe does flash back to his times on the island with Friday. The flashbacks show his meeting with her and the years spent together, trying to survive. I actually enjoyed that bit of it more than the spy part. I think Friday was my favorite character. I loved her relationship with Crusoe. They were friends who had went through a lot together. Her father is a pirate who finds the island that Crusoe happens to be stranded on. Crusoe rescues her and they spend years hiding from him and trying to outsmart him so that he'll leave. I guess eventually another boat comes to rescue them and they end up working on that one until they get to London, but they never really explain the rescue or anything.
I think my issue with this book was just more about personal preference and not the book itself. Maybe I am not an adventure book type of girl and that's what this was. There was very little in the way of character development or even plot, but there was a lot of action. The action was just super unbelievable and I sometimes got confused on how they got from point A to point B. I didn't understand why so many people were interested in these two teenagers rescued from an island and I still don't. But this is supposed to be a series, so maybe I'm not supposed to understand that yet. And it seemed like Crusoe and Friday were just geniuses and really, really good at fighting people. It was crazy how many dangerous exploits they managed to survive throughout this book. Another character I liked, but didn't get nearly enough book time, was Isaac Newton. He was a very quirky character. All of the other characters, like the Countess and Daniel Defoe and Sir William, were just bland.
This was an okay book and there were some thrilling parts. But all in all, I was more bored than anything.
December 10, 2016
In this reimagining of Daniel Defoe’s 18th century classic of shipwreck and survival, Robinson “Robin” Crusoe, a merchant’s son, and Friday, the daughter of a pirate king, are finally rescued from a desert island after three long years as living as castaways. Shortly after they arrive in London, the writer Daniel Defoe offers to buy the rights to their amazing story. In normal circumstances, this close-knit pair of friends would be reluctant to open up to a stranger—however, circumstances have rendered them penniless, and they see no other choice but to agree to a meeting. Imagine their surprise when Defoe later reveals himself to be a spy for the government. He thinks their unique experiences will make them perfect spies, and wants to recruit them for service under King Charles II. Their first mission is to protect the king’s daughter, the Countess of Lichfield, from kidnapping by enemies of the Crown. Of course, despite the valiant efforts of Robin, Friday, and other members of the king’s spy ring, the Countess is kidnapped by masked men, and carried away in a hot air balloon. Things get even more tense when its discovered that she’s been taken by the Circle of Thirteen, an organization dedicated to taking down the entire empire at any cost.
Having already cut his teeth on the “reinvented classic” genre with his Young Sherlock Holmes series, Andrew Lane—for the most part—executes his premise well. I especially like what he did with the role of Friday. In the classical text, Friday is Crusoe’s male servant who swears subservience to the Englishman after the latter saves him from cannibals. In Lane’s work, Friday is Crusoe’s friend and equal, a strong and capable young black woman who is more than capable of holding her own. Although the fast-paced nature of the tale leaves little room for character development (which would have, in my opinion, made it a much better novel), its interesting premise and swashbuckling action sequences make this a good choice for fans of action/adventure. Recommended for Ages 13-15.
Having already cut his teeth on the “reinvented classic” genre with his Young Sherlock Holmes series, Andrew Lane—for the most part—executes his premise well. I especially like what he did with the role of Friday. In the classical text, Friday is Crusoe’s male servant who swears subservience to the Englishman after the latter saves him from cannibals. In Lane’s work, Friday is Crusoe’s friend and equal, a strong and capable young black woman who is more than capable of holding her own. Although the fast-paced nature of the tale leaves little room for character development (which would have, in my opinion, made it a much better novel), its interesting premise and swashbuckling action sequences make this a good choice for fans of action/adventure. Recommended for Ages 13-15.
May 19, 2016
Clever spin-off from the Robinson Crusoe novel, but overall just ok. I liked the flashbacks of Robinson and Friday on the island better than their present "present-day" adventures. I don't think I'll continue the series.
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