Voyage of Ice

Chronicles of Courage #1

by Michele Torrey

All Nick ever wanted to be was a whaling captain, like his father before him. What could be more glorious than the life of a whaleman, battling mighty sperm whales and returning home rich as Midas? So when his older brother Dexter signs aboard the Sea Hawk , Nick won’t stand to be left behind.

But life at sea is very different from what either Dexter or Nick expected. They are mercilessly overworked by a cruel and dangerous captain. The officers think nothing of beating the crewmen within an inch of their lives. And that’s only the beginning. When an awful turn of fate leaves them stranded in the harsh Arctic winter, they encounter the toughest battle of all—and this one is for their very survival.

Genres: Historical Fiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Michele Torrey, author of chapter books for young readers and novels for middle grade, young adult, and adult, is a two-time Thurber House Residency in Children's Literature nominee, plus a two-time winner of PNWA's Zola Award. Among other honors, her books have received starred reviews from “Publisher’s Weekly” and “Kirkus,” been chosen by the Junior Library Guild, and been nominated for numerous state medals.

Torrey holds a degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Washington (’88), and a Master of Arts in Religion from Graceland University (’06). She currently lives on Fox Island, Washington, but has lived and traveled all over the world. She has three sons and five grandchildren. In addition to her writing and traveling, she is a director and co-founder of Orphans Africa, a 501 c 3 nonprofit charity (www.orphansafrica.org). Orphans Africa works primarily in Tanzania, building boarding schools for children orphaned by AIDS.

Reviews

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the bustling coastal town of New Bedford, Massachusetts, during the mid-1800s, it is every young boy’s dream to go to sea and to hunt the mighty whales. Every whaling ship coming to port brings stories of high seas adventure, the salty smell of the ocean, and the precious cargo of whale oil and blubber. This is the atmosphere that Nicholas Robbins, and his older brother Dexter, grow up in. Their own dreams of sea voyage are also enhanced by the fact that their father is a well-respected captain. Despite his untimely death at sea, Nicholas and Dexter are determined to sign up for service when they come of age. When that day arrives, the two boys join up as whalemen on the ship Sea Hawk, captained by the large and menacing Ebenezer Thorndike.

From the very first day, Nicholas realizes that serving on a whaling ship is not going to be easy, or fun. He is continually picked on because of his small size, his clumsiness, and his slowness in learning his job. Even Captain Thorndike takes part in harassing the fifteen year old. Just when it seems that things couldn’t get worse for Nicholas, he becomes friends with someone who can get him into a lot of trouble, Captain Thorndike’s daughter Elizabeth. Despite the warnings to stay away from her, Nicholas continues his secret relationship, and soon they fall in love. Captain Thorndike discovers the forbidden romance, but before he can punish the young whaleman, the Sea Hawk, which has been hunting whales in the Artic, hits ice and sinks. Only a handful of the crew survive and make it to land, including Nicholas, Dexter, Elizabeth, and the severely injured Captain Thorndike.

As the group struggles to survive an Artic winter with little food or hope for rescue, Nicholas demonstrates a courage and strength that few knew he had, but will it change the way Captain Thorndike feels about him and his relationship with Elizabeth? More importantly, will it be enough to keep everyone alive until the spring thaw?

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is well-researched as Torrey makes clear in the afterword in case there was any doubt after reading it. Maybe if a historical children's novel super-heavy on the historical was what I was looking for I would have liked it better. I was hoping for an exciting whaling ship / arctic survival adventure story about brothers, and while that is technically also an accurate description of this book, it did not satisfy me on an emotional level.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Read in middle school.

Having never read Moby-Dick, this was my first foray into ships and sea voyages. The romance was wonderful, and the adventure was full of twists and turns. I remember enjoying it and writing a little report for it in my reading group at school.

[Princess Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A read that just about had me on the edge of my seat in places. Good read.

[R Chronis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quick and easy read. It memorable in my childhood, and definitely is worth the read.

[Hunter Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgic, gritty, and descriptive storytelling is how I’d describe this book. I am still actively looking for another copy as I had donated mine to the school library.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading it for kid/adult book club at 826. Never would have read it as a child myself; I would have brushed it off as a "boy book" - all spewing whale guts and callused hands. Look how much I've grown.

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about two brothers who sign up to go whaling. They are trapped in an arctic winter and they have to survive.