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68 Knots: A Novel
After the sailing camp owner's suicide, eight teens find they have a boat to themselves. The 68 days of summer remaining are full of memorable events: encounters with wildlife and people, yacht races, pirate raids, a near fatal hunt for treasure, onboard parties, romance, and a call to heroism. Underlying the tale of adventures, however, is a subtle yet powerful story of awakening, of teens on the cusp of adulthood. They get to know that gap between who they are and who they want to be by experiencing tests of physical, emotional, and mental limits. A stirring debut, this novel examines issues of late adolescence with authenticity that will speak to YA readers.
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
350 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2007
8 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 31, 2012
When I first picked up the book several, several weeks ago, it was on a whim. I'm usually surprised by whim decisions when it comes to books, and it was no different for this book. However, the surprise factor was not a good one as I kept reading and reading until I got to the point where I was like, "Why am I bothering?" and skipped ahead a hundred pages.
Reading the inside flap of the book, and having seen it labeled by my library as a "Suspense" novel, I expected an edge-of-your-seat, surviving alone on the sea, thriller type novel. However, this was NOT the case. Frankly, it was about a bunch of stereotypical teenagers on a boat alone. I guess it was supposed to be about character development and learning about leadership and whatever, but the only real connections I felt to anyone was to Arthur, the main character, and even that was a stretch. I have a feeling I wouldn't like him much in real life, and I only barely liked him in the novel because I felt like I could kind of relate with him. The one girl I thought I might relate with, since she is a "Christian", I disliked because of her bad representation of our faith.
All of the characters were ridiculously petty and annoyed me to no end. Like I said, NO connection. They stole, and the novel glorified it by calling them "pirates" and providing "action" which I found kind of cheap. As far as I could tell, there were no good adults in the "adventure" at all, and the teens were perfectly content with floating around all on their own, stealing, drinking, skinny dipping, and who knows what else (since I skipped a huge chunk).
As I progressed into the book, I realized the only reason I kept going was because I wanted to see things end badly. I wanted to see someone die (and had several suggestions for the author), or see some authority getting them in trouble, or at least someone getting seriously injured. Instead, I was forced to sit through cheap romance, action, and character development that didn't feel natural or complex at all.
But I guess I'm being kind of harsh. There had to be some good points, right? Well, there's the fact I sat there and read it for over an hour--that's got to prove something. And the beginning was pretty good, once the captain commited suicide. (Wow, you know you've got a bad book when your favorite part was when a character commits suicide.) It got my attention, and kept me reading as I wondered how they'd solve the problems that arose on the ship. Unfortunately, I was no advocate for any of their solutions. Do these people feel no moral obligations at all?
One more thing I've got to say before I end this: that thing that kept me going, that hope to see some consequences for their actions? Even that didn't end up satisfied. All they ended up having to do was some community service--no payment, no JAIL (Which I'd seroiusly hoped they'd be forced into going to). I mean, it's not like they stole over 100,000 dollars worth of supplies off of people's yachts or anything. And it's not like they did anything ILLEGAL--you know like underage drinking, stealing lobsters out of sailors' nets, and trying to kill seals out of season or anything, right?
(That's sarcasm, in case you couldn't hear it~because they totally did all of those things and more.)
Alright, I'd better end this thing soon. How'd this end up so long, anyway? I doubt anybody's going to read through this whole thing, but whatever. Summary: It was an okay beginning, and the book kept me reading for a while there. But overall, it is not worth anyone's time. It makes teenagers look bad. It makes adults look bad. It makes Christianity look bad. Heck, the book's annoying characters and boring "action" makes itself look bad. But I think there was a treasure hunt in there somewhere, and definitely at least one sea storm, as well as some betrayal thrown into the mix, so if someone wants to try to prove me wrong, go for it. Good luck with that.
Reading the inside flap of the book, and having seen it labeled by my library as a "Suspense" novel, I expected an edge-of-your-seat, surviving alone on the sea, thriller type novel. However, this was NOT the case. Frankly, it was about a bunch of stereotypical teenagers on a boat alone. I guess it was supposed to be about character development and learning about leadership and whatever, but the only real connections I felt to anyone was to Arthur, the main character, and even that was a stretch. I have a feeling I wouldn't like him much in real life, and I only barely liked him in the novel because I felt like I could kind of relate with him. The one girl I thought I might relate with, since she is a "Christian", I disliked because of her bad representation of our faith.
All of the characters were ridiculously petty and annoyed me to no end. Like I said, NO connection. They stole, and the novel glorified it by calling them "pirates" and providing "action" which I found kind of cheap. As far as I could tell, there were no good adults in the "adventure" at all, and the teens were perfectly content with floating around all on their own, stealing, drinking, skinny dipping, and who knows what else (since I skipped a huge chunk).
As I progressed into the book, I realized the only reason I kept going was because I wanted to see things end badly. I wanted to see someone die (and had several suggestions for the author), or see some authority getting them in trouble, or at least someone getting seriously injured. Instead, I was forced to sit through cheap romance, action, and character development that didn't feel natural or complex at all.
But I guess I'm being kind of harsh. There had to be some good points, right? Well, there's the fact I sat there and read it for over an hour--that's got to prove something. And the beginning was pretty good, once the captain commited suicide. (Wow, you know you've got a bad book when your favorite part was when a character commits suicide.) It got my attention, and kept me reading as I wondered how they'd solve the problems that arose on the ship. Unfortunately, I was no advocate for any of their solutions. Do these people feel no moral obligations at all?
One more thing I've got to say before I end this: that thing that kept me going, that hope to see some consequences for their actions? Even that didn't end up satisfied. All they ended up having to do was some community service--no payment, no JAIL (Which I'd seroiusly hoped they'd be forced into going to). I mean, it's not like they stole over 100,000 dollars worth of supplies off of people's yachts or anything. And it's not like they did anything ILLEGAL--you know like underage drinking, stealing lobsters out of sailors' nets, and trying to kill seals out of season or anything, right?
(That's sarcasm, in case you couldn't hear it~because they totally did all of those things and more.)
Alright, I'd better end this thing soon. How'd this end up so long, anyway? I doubt anybody's going to read through this whole thing, but whatever. Summary: It was an okay beginning, and the book kept me reading for a while there. But overall, it is not worth anyone's time. It makes teenagers look bad. It makes adults look bad. It makes Christianity look bad. Heck, the book's annoying characters and boring "action" makes itself look bad. But I think there was a treasure hunt in there somewhere, and definitely at least one sea storm, as well as some betrayal thrown into the mix, so if someone wants to try to prove me wrong, go for it. Good luck with that.
January 30, 2010
This has been one of the most inspirational books I've read in a long time. This book is about kids becoming leaders. Sure there are some mishaps, but they are teenagers, what else is there to expect. The ending is just such a fantastic way to end it. The last bit just warms your heart and makes you wish that you had been apart of the crew of the Dreadnaught.
Over all a fantastic book. I'm not usually the person who likes books about the sea, or boats, but after I read the book it made me want to spend a summer at sea with 7 other teenagers and just really put your leadership skills to the test.
Over all a fantastic book. I'm not usually the person who likes books about the sea, or boats, but after I read the book it made me want to spend a summer at sea with 7 other teenagers and just really put your leadership skills to the test.
November 9, 2012
Reviewed by Andie Z. for TeensReadToo.com
Eight teenagers are ready for the summer of a lifetime - as part of a Leadership Cruise on board the schooner Dreadnought. But when the camp owner commits suicide just a few days into the cruise, rather than go back home, the teens decide to take charge of the ship themselves. They tie knots into a piece of rope, one knot for each day of summer remaining, and then set off to enjoy their 68 days of freedom.
The journey is not always easy, and they face many challenges along the way - including struggles for leadership, failed romances, storms, desertions, damages to the ship, and diminishing food supplies. But it's not all difficult, and they manage to have several fun adventures as well, such as trying to rescue a whale, searching for buried treasure, raiding yachts, racing other boats, and going hunting for seals.
The teens may not have had the summer experience they were expecting, but they are all undoubtedly changed by their time aboard the Dreadnought, as new friendships and relationships are formed, and they all begin to question their own futures.
68 KNOTS is a very fun read, and I really enjoyed it. The characters are interesting and diverse (although a couple of them have rather annoying habits), and the book is full of great details about sailing a ship. Even though the crew of the Dreadnought gets into some pretty sticky situations, anyone who reads this is bound to want to go out and experience the same summer at sea as these kids - I know I do!
Eight teenagers are ready for the summer of a lifetime - as part of a Leadership Cruise on board the schooner Dreadnought. But when the camp owner commits suicide just a few days into the cruise, rather than go back home, the teens decide to take charge of the ship themselves. They tie knots into a piece of rope, one knot for each day of summer remaining, and then set off to enjoy their 68 days of freedom.
The journey is not always easy, and they face many challenges along the way - including struggles for leadership, failed romances, storms, desertions, damages to the ship, and diminishing food supplies. But it's not all difficult, and they manage to have several fun adventures as well, such as trying to rescue a whale, searching for buried treasure, raiding yachts, racing other boats, and going hunting for seals.
The teens may not have had the summer experience they were expecting, but they are all undoubtedly changed by their time aboard the Dreadnought, as new friendships and relationships are formed, and they all begin to question their own futures.
68 KNOTS is a very fun read, and I really enjoyed it. The characters are interesting and diverse (although a couple of them have rather annoying habits), and the book is full of great details about sailing a ship. Even though the crew of the Dreadnought gets into some pretty sticky situations, anyone who reads this is bound to want to go out and experience the same summer at sea as these kids - I know I do!
July 28, 2008
OK this is not MY review, but my 14 yo son's. He, an avid sailor, couldn't put it down. The relationships were tangled and tempting, the stories of the sea and of sailing were well researched, accurate and suspenseful and the ending a killer!
May 30, 2011
2.5 stars
I hate to give a 2 star review. But this is a book that felt like it lacked direction. It jumped between all the characters POV. Arthur was the main character, but skipping around between 8 perspective left me feeling like I didn't know any of the characters.
Probably as a result the characters never felt real. The author tried to make them deep. He tried really hard and you could tell he was trying, but it never worked. They came across as one-note. Joy & Dawn are pretty much the same characters just thrown into different belief systems. Nobody developed enough of a personalty that I felt like I knew them.
This book kept telling me things. It would tell me about the characters, their backgrounds, what they thought, what they felt. But it never showed me anything that felt real.
There were times when I enjoyed the book. I love a story of summer camp. I've never sailed but I'm drawn to outdoorsy stories(well I've been on a tiny 4 person sailboat on a lake when I was 10, but I kept getting hit with the boom and that's all I remember). But it just meandered through their summer adventure telling me story after story. The problem was I couldn't make myself believe the stories or the characters so it just didn't work for me.
I hate to give a 2 star review. But this is a book that felt like it lacked direction. It jumped between all the characters POV. Arthur was the main character, but skipping around between 8 perspective left me feeling like I didn't know any of the characters.
Probably as a result the characters never felt real. The author tried to make them deep. He tried really hard and you could tell he was trying, but it never worked. They came across as one-note. Joy & Dawn are pretty much the same characters just thrown into different belief systems. Nobody developed enough of a personalty that I felt like I knew them.
This book kept telling me things. It would tell me about the characters, their backgrounds, what they thought, what they felt. But it never showed me anything that felt real.
There were times when I enjoyed the book. I love a story of summer camp. I've never sailed but I'm drawn to outdoorsy stories(well I've been on a tiny 4 person sailboat on a lake when I was 10, but I kept getting hit with the boom and that's all I remember). But it just meandered through their summer adventure telling me story after story. The problem was I couldn't make myself believe the stories or the characters so it just didn't work for me.
January 23, 2015
why, oh why did I even finish reading this? The plot's unbelievable, only some of the characters are even likable and there is next to no characterization. The book should be called The Unrealistic Story of a bunch of angsty teenagers who spend a summer doing stupid, stupid stuff.
Read
June 22, 2025DNF
June 15, 2020
When I started this book, I thought that the characters were abhorrent. The captain we’re introduced to early in the novel is an alcoholic swindler that degrades everyone through both physical and verbal abuse. Not only that, he unabashedly made inappropriate advancements on an underaged girl. The three counselors hired by the captain are also equally ridiculous. While their actions are understandable to an extent, it's infuriating that they never notify anyone about the group of minors who are trapped on a boat at sea under the supervision of an insufferable man. With opening characters like the ones described above, I didn't have high hopes for this book. Thankfully, the captain and counselors aren’t prominent in most of the novel.
In the beginning, the group of teenagers are as awful as the adults. Truly, the author pulled out every single terrible stereotype to design these kids. Even though this story is about the characters gaining self-awareness and perspective, a lot of their inappropriate actions are never addressed even after their individual growth.
It really bothers me that strong themes of alcoholism, animal abuse, body shaming, intense power dynamics that have a cult like feel to them, parental abandonment, sexual objectification, suicide, etc. are included in this novel haphazardly. There's very little discussion on the aforementioned issues, even amongst characters, despite them being prominent plot points. It seems the author didn't fully develop the direction he wanted to take with such strong themes.
This book was an interesting read, but I feel some of the character’s stories and some of the strong themes didn't come completely full circle despite the epic events of the summer at sea.
In the beginning, the group of teenagers are as awful as the adults. Truly, the author pulled out every single terrible stereotype to design these kids. Even though this story is about the characters gaining self-awareness and perspective, a lot of their inappropriate actions are never addressed even after their individual growth.
It really bothers me that strong themes of alcoholism, animal abuse, body shaming, intense power dynamics that have a cult like feel to them, parental abandonment, sexual objectification, suicide, etc. are included in this novel haphazardly. There's very little discussion on the aforementioned issues, even amongst characters, despite them being prominent plot points. It seems the author didn't fully develop the direction he wanted to take with such strong themes.
This book was an interesting read, but I feel some of the character’s stories and some of the strong themes didn't come completely full circle despite the epic events of the summer at sea.
June 13, 2021
I really enjoyed this book about teens coming together to learn about sailing, leadership and the lasting bonds of friendship.
November 17, 2012
This book a whole lot of different to me and I love it because the plot is different from other YA novels especially when it’s about sailing. I don’t have a one tidbit knowledge on sailing but this book gave the imagination or at least a bit of what’s all sailing about. Literally. And I got something out of it and just beyond sailing.
It’s about life. Finding yourself in a vast ocean – just you, making your own decisions. The characters—I feel them. I someway or another I understand them because they have not experience what’s like to be on your own, having an “alone and just-do-it yourself time”. I figured out that once in a while, we should really have our own time to ourselves so that we know and we have a better understanding of who we are and how are we able to make things work out.
In my opinion, that’s what’s almost all the character learned and how, no matter what, has somehow satisfied their summer days in the Dreadnought.
And also, they discovered that deep inside them, there is something they have yet to know about themselves. They have an ability that they didn’t think they had before and have not able to use them—not for revenge or anything that comes down to bad things but they come to think that it’s better if they are happy and comfortable, confident as ever. That all because of their voyage or a little adventure around the coasts.
Met people. Different kinds of people. Same for us in reality. They had stories we’ve never heard of and would want to share with us.
Tough decisions, one friend’s betrayal. Love. Beliefs. Being dauntless. This book has got it!! This book can be a life changing to others because as I turned each of the pages and read them, there’s always a hidden message in it that I also think the characters in the book has understood. I didn’t really regret reading this book even if it took me a while finish it. I even came back to read when I abandoned it once, thinking I could not be possibly finish this. But I had. It’s wonderful!!! Very inspirational book!
Continue to sail our boats and search our dreams in this beautiful journey, and let’s get through every storm we come across and always look over the horizon of tomorrow for always future holds good things for us!! Ahoy!!
The mates the characters met in their adventure in the ocean, I think it in life it says a lot too. For me, I think, meeting and communication with people is important and that always welcome good people aboard will bring something good back to us after our hospitality to them and for letting them enter our ship—in reality that’ll be called blessings in our life.
I was just thinking about The Cab’s song “Take My Hand” and this song reminds me of when the Dreadnought crew had to say their last words to each other, say their goodbyes before heading and surrendering the ship and meet Captain Fernandez and the rest on the shore. This reminds me of that. And – Arthur and Dawn together on shore saying goodbye to each other.
Take my hand and we will run away
Down to this place that I know
How did this night become the enemy?
It’s over, it’s over, it’s over
Another song that reminds me of Arthur and Dawn – “That 70′s Song”. It kinda reminds me of when Arthur and Dawn volunteered to stay the night on deck to do the look out.
You say the storm will pass, we’ll work it out
The road can get a little rough sometimes I’ll move it fast without a doubt
Our hearts will beat in separate rooms tonight, tonight
"The Way We Talk" by The Maine might be just the best song that fits for Arthur on Marietta the first time he saw her or maybe the time when Arthur rejected her offer to stay on board and dive in the chilly water with the others, haha!!
Oh she's fresh to death,
She'll be the death of you,
Seduction leads to destruction.
Yeah she's fresh to death,
She'll be the death of me,
She's fresh, she's fresh but not so clean.
It’s about life. Finding yourself in a vast ocean – just you, making your own decisions. The characters—I feel them. I someway or another I understand them because they have not experience what’s like to be on your own, having an “alone and just-do-it yourself time”. I figured out that once in a while, we should really have our own time to ourselves so that we know and we have a better understanding of who we are and how are we able to make things work out.
In my opinion, that’s what’s almost all the character learned and how, no matter what, has somehow satisfied their summer days in the Dreadnought.
And also, they discovered that deep inside them, there is something they have yet to know about themselves. They have an ability that they didn’t think they had before and have not able to use them—not for revenge or anything that comes down to bad things but they come to think that it’s better if they are happy and comfortable, confident as ever. That all because of their voyage or a little adventure around the coasts.
Met people. Different kinds of people. Same for us in reality. They had stories we’ve never heard of and would want to share with us.
Tough decisions, one friend’s betrayal. Love. Beliefs. Being dauntless. This book has got it!! This book can be a life changing to others because as I turned each of the pages and read them, there’s always a hidden message in it that I also think the characters in the book has understood. I didn’t really regret reading this book even if it took me a while finish it. I even came back to read when I abandoned it once, thinking I could not be possibly finish this. But I had. It’s wonderful!!! Very inspirational book!
Continue to sail our boats and search our dreams in this beautiful journey, and let’s get through every storm we come across and always look over the horizon of tomorrow for always future holds good things for us!! Ahoy!!
The mates the characters met in their adventure in the ocean, I think it in life it says a lot too. For me, I think, meeting and communication with people is important and that always welcome good people aboard will bring something good back to us after our hospitality to them and for letting them enter our ship—in reality that’ll be called blessings in our life.
I was just thinking about The Cab’s song “Take My Hand” and this song reminds me of when the Dreadnought crew had to say their last words to each other, say their goodbyes before heading and surrendering the ship and meet Captain Fernandez and the rest on the shore. This reminds me of that. And – Arthur and Dawn together on shore saying goodbye to each other.
Take my hand and we will run away
Down to this place that I know
How did this night become the enemy?
It’s over, it’s over, it’s over
Another song that reminds me of Arthur and Dawn – “That 70′s Song”. It kinda reminds me of when Arthur and Dawn volunteered to stay the night on deck to do the look out.
You say the storm will pass, we’ll work it out
The road can get a little rough sometimes I’ll move it fast without a doubt
Our hearts will beat in separate rooms tonight, tonight
"The Way We Talk" by The Maine might be just the best song that fits for Arthur on Marietta the first time he saw her or maybe the time when Arthur rejected her offer to stay on board and dive in the chilly water with the others, haha!!
Oh she's fresh to death,
She'll be the death of you,
Seduction leads to destruction.
Yeah she's fresh to death,
She'll be the death of me,
She's fresh, she's fresh but not so clean.
May 17, 2011
My Thoughts: 68 Knots is full of adventure. There were twists and turns around every corner - a definite page turner. Whenever I thought nothing more could go wrong, something else did, and I had to keep reading to see how the teens would handle the situation. I pulled for the characters throughout the action. I wanted them to not only survive their summer on the sailboat, but also learn about themselves and end up okay on the other side.
Characters: This kind of mashes with my review of the writing style, but I was not a huge fan of the point of view. Though much of the story was focused on Arthur, I didn't identify with him (or any of the other characters) as the main character. I guess I prefer close narration, which this book did not have.
I did enjoy the fact that the cast of characters is so varied and unique. Several of the characters stuck with me even after I finished reading, especially Jesse with his marker tattoos and Joy with her unfailing faith. All of the characters were interesting and well-developed, but I kept wondering what the book would be like if it were told strictly from Arthur or one of the other teens' point of view.
Setting: The best part about the setting in 68 Knots is that even though I have never stepped foot on a sailboat in my life, I felt like I was there. Evans did a great job with the nautical terms - I didn't need to know what they meant to be able to picture them in my mind. Most of the book takes place out in the middle of the ocean, and I wanted to be there!
Ending (Spoiler-Free!): The ending sold me on this book and caused me to give it a higher rating that I might have before I got to the end. First of all, I liked the way the teens got out of some of the legal and financial trouble they'd gotten in. I didn't see that coming, but it made perfect sense! Also, I also loved, loved, loved the way the story ended for the two foster kids, Jesse and BillFi. So perfect.
Definitely a well-written ending that left me satisfied.
Writing Style: Besides the POV, there was one other thing I didn't like about the writing style. There were a few tangents scattered throughout the book that could have been removed. Especially the stories from the alcohol-loving guy on another boat (the fact that I can't remember his name probably shows just how important he was to the story). There were two or three places where I skimmed the text instead of reading it, and I never do that!
The best part of the writing style was the careful way the story was crafted. The plot points flowed together nicely. The coming of age was subtle but well-done.
Stars: 3.5 out of 5. It was good.
Characters: This kind of mashes with my review of the writing style, but I was not a huge fan of the point of view. Though much of the story was focused on Arthur, I didn't identify with him (or any of the other characters) as the main character. I guess I prefer close narration, which this book did not have.
I did enjoy the fact that the cast of characters is so varied and unique. Several of the characters stuck with me even after I finished reading, especially Jesse with his marker tattoos and Joy with her unfailing faith. All of the characters were interesting and well-developed, but I kept wondering what the book would be like if it were told strictly from Arthur or one of the other teens' point of view.
Setting: The best part about the setting in 68 Knots is that even though I have never stepped foot on a sailboat in my life, I felt like I was there. Evans did a great job with the nautical terms - I didn't need to know what they meant to be able to picture them in my mind. Most of the book takes place out in the middle of the ocean, and I wanted to be there!
Ending (Spoiler-Free!): The ending sold me on this book and caused me to give it a higher rating that I might have before I got to the end. First of all, I liked the way the teens got out of some of the legal and financial trouble they'd gotten in. I didn't see that coming, but it made perfect sense! Also, I also loved, loved, loved the way the story ended for the two foster kids, Jesse and BillFi. So perfect.
Definitely a well-written ending that left me satisfied.
Writing Style: Besides the POV, there was one other thing I didn't like about the writing style. There were a few tangents scattered throughout the book that could have been removed. Especially the stories from the alcohol-loving guy on another boat (the fact that I can't remember his name probably shows just how important he was to the story). There were two or three places where I skimmed the text instead of reading it, and I never do that!
The best part of the writing style was the careful way the story was crafted. The plot points flowed together nicely. The coming of age was subtle but well-done.
Stars: 3.5 out of 5. It was good.
December 10, 2014
68 Knots is a novel about eight very different teenagers who end up on their own for a summer, sailing in a tall ship around Maine coast.
The good:
I found the novel very absorbing. It had a very palatable feeling of the sun and wind and water and of a whole summer of absolute freedom stretching out in front of you. The kids gain in confidence and competence and there is an almost dreamlike, zen-like aura surrounding their adventures. But there is a practical edge, too, as they deal with everyday necessities like navigating storms, finding food, making repairs, and quarreling. Throughout the summer, the crew members grow as people and bond with each other and learn lessons about life and leadership and… well, they think they do, anyway.
The middling:
There are heavy spoonfuls of wish fulfillment mixed throughout the story. These teens are doing the things that other teens dream about. They are very (and almost instantly) adept at running an old-fashioned sailing vessel. They find a pirate’s treasure cave – with a surprisingly legible old diary still intact! They rescue a rich man. They never call or write their parents and their parents never seem to realize that their kids are suddenly incommunicado. Even Joy’s beloved boyfriend gets nary a postcard. In the end, they go home without any real consequences at all. Some of the parents even approve of what they’ve done.
The bad:
Which leads to the curiously amoral tone to the proceedings, which is somewhat troubling. While the teens acknowledge that some of the actions were, perhaps, wrong they don’t seem all that concerned about it and they end their summer with no regrets at all. Their “piracy” is justified because their victims were all rich and how else are they supposed to sail all summer without supplies? In other words, the stealing was okay because they really, really wanted it. Also, bonding with your friends and “growing” as a person is more important than any arbitrary moral code. What an odd/attractive/ dangerous lesson.
September 17, 2011
Originally posted on my blog here.
Even though this book took me a little while to get used to and to finish, overall it was 4 stars. At first it was a little difficult for me get a handle on the point of views changing with now warning. About every 5 paragraphs or so it changes perspective and I wasn't used to this style of writing. After the first 50 pages or so I didn't notice it any longer and it became the most obvious way of making sure the story was told in a full of a way as possible.
Again, it took me a little while to get used to the crew and to tell them all apart, but by the end I felt that I had spent the fun, dangerous, and enlightening summer along with the rest of them. What first drew me to this book was the fact that I myself have been sailing on a schooner before and reading the experience of these kids doing the same thing was nostalgic and invigorating at the same time. None of them were perfect but they all were able to grow and learn more about themselves and about how to interact with others. Not sure if I would have had the same guts to do the things that they did, but it was great to read about.
One kind of irrational fear I had that kind of prevented me from reading this book was that someone was going to die. Not a minor character, mind you, but one of the main kids. I don't think I'm giving too much away when I say that no one does. I hate it when books are unnecessarily morose and such, trying to be 'realistic'. This book achieved that realism through the characters, their choices and decisions, and how they eventually spend their summer. It was a read that I wasn't expecting to like as much as I did, but am now glad I read it through. It gains momentum and I recommend it to those who have sailed before, who want to sail eventually, and for those who want a good read.
Even though this book took me a little while to get used to and to finish, overall it was 4 stars. At first it was a little difficult for me get a handle on the point of views changing with now warning. About every 5 paragraphs or so it changes perspective and I wasn't used to this style of writing. After the first 50 pages or so I didn't notice it any longer and it became the most obvious way of making sure the story was told in a full of a way as possible.
Again, it took me a little while to get used to the crew and to tell them all apart, but by the end I felt that I had spent the fun, dangerous, and enlightening summer along with the rest of them. What first drew me to this book was the fact that I myself have been sailing on a schooner before and reading the experience of these kids doing the same thing was nostalgic and invigorating at the same time. None of them were perfect but they all were able to grow and learn more about themselves and about how to interact with others. Not sure if I would have had the same guts to do the things that they did, but it was great to read about.
One kind of irrational fear I had that kind of prevented me from reading this book was that someone was going to die. Not a minor character, mind you, but one of the main kids. I don't think I'm giving too much away when I say that no one does. I hate it when books are unnecessarily morose and such, trying to be 'realistic'. This book achieved that realism through the characters, their choices and decisions, and how they eventually spend their summer. It was a read that I wasn't expecting to like as much as I did, but am now glad I read it through. It gains momentum and I recommend it to those who have sailed before, who want to sail eventually, and for those who want a good read.
September 20, 2022
Reviewed for TeensReadToo
Eight teenagers are ready for the summer of a lifetime – as part of a Leadership Cruise on board the schooner Dreadnought. But when the camp owner commits suicide just a few days into the cruise, rather than go back home, the teens decide to take charge of the ship themselves. They tie knots into a piece of rope, one knot for each day of summer remaining, and then set off to enjoy their 68 days of freedom.
The journey is not always easy, and they face many challenges along the way – including struggles for leadership, failed romances, storms, desertions, damages to the ship, and diminishing food supplies. But it’s not all difficult, and they manage to have several fun adventures as well, such as trying to rescue a whale, searching for buried treasure, raiding yachts, racing other boats, and going hunting for seals.
The teens may not have had the summer experience they were expecting, but they are all undoubtedly changed by their time aboard the Dreadnought, as new friendships and relationships are formed, and they all begin to question their own futures.
68 KNOTS is a very fun read, and I really enjoyed it. The characters are interesting and diverse (although a couple of them have rather annoying habits), and the book is full of great details about sailing a ship. Even though the crew of the Dreadnought gets into some pretty sticky situations, anyone who reads this is bound to want to go out and experience the same summer at sea as these kids – I know I do!
Eight teenagers are ready for the summer of a lifetime – as part of a Leadership Cruise on board the schooner Dreadnought. But when the camp owner commits suicide just a few days into the cruise, rather than go back home, the teens decide to take charge of the ship themselves. They tie knots into a piece of rope, one knot for each day of summer remaining, and then set off to enjoy their 68 days of freedom.
The journey is not always easy, and they face many challenges along the way – including struggles for leadership, failed romances, storms, desertions, damages to the ship, and diminishing food supplies. But it’s not all difficult, and they manage to have several fun adventures as well, such as trying to rescue a whale, searching for buried treasure, raiding yachts, racing other boats, and going hunting for seals.
The teens may not have had the summer experience they were expecting, but they are all undoubtedly changed by their time aboard the Dreadnought, as new friendships and relationships are formed, and they all begin to question their own futures.
68 KNOTS is a very fun read, and I really enjoyed it. The characters are interesting and diverse (although a couple of them have rather annoying habits), and the book is full of great details about sailing a ship. Even though the crew of the Dreadnought gets into some pretty sticky situations, anyone who reads this is bound to want to go out and experience the same summer at sea as these kids – I know I do!
April 14, 2011
Posted on Book Chelle.
Each parent only wants the best for their child. When their child is ending their teen years and about to graduate high school, they would hope that they, as a parent, have prepared them enough. Some, though, need a little extra push. Enter McKinley and his promise to take their child into the seven seas and bring them back as an adult.
What starts as a voyage with and agenda quickly turns into a sail by the seat of your pants adventure. With eight kids, what are the chances for survival out on the dangerous waters? Throughout this book, that's what we find out. Each one of the members of the schooner Dreadnaught go through their own test of adulthood.
It was a coming-of-age that disguised itself as an adventure story. See how sneaky the author was? At first, I didn't think I would like it. Some of the characters were not appealing to me. The scenarios were hard to accept. There was something about the beginning that I could not connect with. Naturally, I was resisting accepting the story. As the story continued, and the adventure unfolded, I slowly learned to like each character. By about halfway through the book, I was hooked. It was full speed ahead, and an hour later, book finished. But isn't that the nature of a good author? They write the characters well enough that the progression of character development is enough for you to hate them, then love them? Good book for the young adult population.
Each parent only wants the best for their child. When their child is ending their teen years and about to graduate high school, they would hope that they, as a parent, have prepared them enough. Some, though, need a little extra push. Enter McKinley and his promise to take their child into the seven seas and bring them back as an adult.
What starts as a voyage with and agenda quickly turns into a sail by the seat of your pants adventure. With eight kids, what are the chances for survival out on the dangerous waters? Throughout this book, that's what we find out. Each one of the members of the schooner Dreadnaught go through their own test of adulthood.
It was a coming-of-age that disguised itself as an adventure story. See how sneaky the author was? At first, I didn't think I would like it. Some of the characters were not appealing to me. The scenarios were hard to accept. There was something about the beginning that I could not connect with. Naturally, I was resisting accepting the story. As the story continued, and the adventure unfolded, I slowly learned to like each character. By about halfway through the book, I was hooked. It was full speed ahead, and an hour later, book finished. But isn't that the nature of a good author? They write the characters well enough that the progression of character development is enough for you to hate them, then love them? Good book for the young adult population.
October 29, 2015
I picked this book up because the prospect of seeing a bunch of teenagers run around by themselves in a boat was too tempting to pass up. Unfortunately, this book had major flaws that kept me from enjoying it as much as I'd hoped.
Firstly, I disliked all of the characters. There were two characters I think I could have liked if they'd gotten more screentime, but the book focused more on these four: Arthur, a straitlaced guy with a hardass dad, a girl so unmemorable I don't remember her name or anything about her except that she was slightly better than the others, Joy, a super religious girl who only talks about the church she's going to set up someday, and a guy probably named Chuck who is apparently very funny but seems to rely mostly on offensive jokes and imitations. Hilarious.
Also, it was kind of boring. It picked up for me in the second half but I probably would have put this book down and avoided picking it back up if I hadn't been trapped in a cabin in a forest in northern Quebec in the winter at the time.
Finally, these kids suffer basically no repercussions for everything they did? There's some talk of punishment but to that all the kids are like, "I knew that despite my parents' anger, I would never want to have this experience any other way," or something. These kids did some pretty serious stuff. Is there no one who thinks that maybe they shouldn't be getting away with that?
Basically, it was a decent concept that was badly executed.
Firstly, I disliked all of the characters. There were two characters I think I could have liked if they'd gotten more screentime, but the book focused more on these four: Arthur, a straitlaced guy with a hardass dad, a girl so unmemorable I don't remember her name or anything about her except that she was slightly better than the others, Joy, a super religious girl who only talks about the church she's going to set up someday, and a guy probably named Chuck who is apparently very funny but seems to rely mostly on offensive jokes and imitations. Hilarious.
Also, it was kind of boring. It picked up for me in the second half but I probably would have put this book down and avoided picking it back up if I hadn't been trapped in a cabin in a forest in northern Quebec in the winter at the time.
Finally, these kids suffer basically no repercussions for everything they did? There's some talk of punishment but to that all the kids are like, "I knew that despite my parents' anger, I would never want to have this experience any other way," or something. These kids did some pretty serious stuff. Is there no one who thinks that maybe they shouldn't be getting away with that?
Basically, it was a decent concept that was badly executed.
November 4, 2010
Two words describe this novel perfectly: summer fun. I loved this book, though it was deep or thought-provoking in any way. I got the feeling that with the way she made Dawn, the spiritual girl, and Joy, the Christian, have their discussions about faith and whatnot, the author was going for something a little more deep than the end result was, but I didn't like the novel any less for it. While the beginning is a little too convenient, it was just the right amount of ridiculousness to keep it from being stupid, and to keep it interesting at the Arthur, while I loved him, got a little annoying, but by the second half of the book, he had loosened up and was just as funny and fun to read about as all the rest of the cast. Crystal was my favorite, and it doesn't take long to figure out why--she's most definitely the most smart-ass-like of all the Dreadnought crew. While every story has to have its villains, Marrieta I found to be a little overdone, though I didn't hate her as much by the end. Overall a great read, and it most definitely had me anxious for my own summer adventures. By the way, I loved the general concept of the knots of freedom, and how each chapter stated how many were left.
4.5 stars, and a recommendation to pirate fans, along with adventurous types.
4.5 stars, and a recommendation to pirate fans, along with adventurous types.
May 23, 2011
I enjoyed the plot and characters put forth in this novel. It is, first and foremost, a coming of age adventure story. There are characters that will appeal to many different teens making the audience widespread. The setting is wonderfully captured and the trials the group must go through are well crafted as well. I did have some difficult with the writing style - it was full of tightly drawn sentences and very matter-of-fact. This will appeal to many younger readers and those looking for a quick read but it caused me to disengage from the story on several occassions. Overall, a nice summer read for those who like adventure stories and anyone who was a fan of the movie White Squall.
(ARC edition)
(ARC edition)
August 10, 2010
68 Knots begins with eight teenagers setting out to sea on a leadership cruise. The summer didn’t kick off to a great start, but when the captain is discovered dead in his quarters, the “Plunder Dogs” decide to work together and make this the best summer they’ve ever had. All the pirate raids, treasure-hunting, and boat-racing added up to create the experience of a lifetime, and each one of them learned a little about themselves and others in the process. The novel, although not very gripping, tells a wonderful story about friends, responsibility, morality, and expectations.
June 12, 2011
I absolutely loved 68 Knots despite it being rather unreal. I loved the setting
and the characters, and I loved how everything panned out in the end. The
writing was really good, and the characters personality shone out. You could see
all of them growing closer through each good thing and bad thing that happened.
The ending was beautifully done in it's simplicity, but I would have loved to
see the aftershocks of what they did and if they kept in contact with each
other. The only thing that really upset me was the death of the cute little
kitten which I thought was unnecessary I nearly cried when he died.
Overall I give this book 5 stars.
and the characters, and I loved how everything panned out in the end. The
writing was really good, and the characters personality shone out. You could see
all of them growing closer through each good thing and bad thing that happened.
The ending was beautifully done in it's simplicity, but I would have loved to
see the aftershocks of what they did and if they kept in contact with each
other. The only thing that really upset me was the death of the cute little
kitten which I thought was unnecessary I nearly cried when he died.
Overall I give this book 5 stars.
July 7, 2011
This book was not only a summer sailing adventure, but a novel filled with life lessons for the group of young adults who signed up for a Leadership Sailing Cruise--not all of them by choice! They dealt with storms, sailing mishaps, the death of the Captain and the decision to continue the cruise on their own. I enjoyed the book, but felt it moved a little slow. It seemed like they sailed much longer than what the length of camp should be. Maybe if the chapter heading included dates, I would have had a better sense of time. I am very visual and would have loved to have a map of their adventure to refer to.
ARC from Netgalley.
ARC from Netgalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2007
This was one of a bunch of free books I received and I was pleasantly surprised. It's a bout a group of teenagers who sign up for a Leadership Sailing Cruise for the summer and end up with a Captain who commits suicide, counselors who flee the ship and treasures to be discovered. Instead of turning around and going home this group decides to become leaders and continue the trip as planned. It's a great story about learning to lead, becoming mature and realizing your own potential. It's an easy read and one which I throroughly enjoyed and am now giving to my 13 year old son to read as well.
June 22, 2011
The setting and plot information concerning sailing and the location were spot on, but I was not entirely convinced when it came to the characters and the timespan of the fantastical events. I was left with a mild sense of distaste and how easily things wrapped up for the teens in the end, but I'm sure this will appeal to the teen readers rather than turn them off.
March 16, 2009
I was only going to give this book 4 stars to start with but then I started getting into it and really liked it by the end. I was expecting more survival action-adventure than was in it but it still turned out to be a good book.
October 13, 2010
Personally, I found the book a little slow. It took me a really long time to read because I would stop reading it and read something else.
I liked the idea of the book and how the view changed with each character.
I liked the idea of the book and how the view changed with each character.
October 19, 2010
Summer sailing adventure with life lessons. I liked this book. I really liked the storyline but I thought there was so much more that could have been done with it. I never quite connected with the characters. However, if you like sailing you would probably love this book.
May 7, 2008
A fun, different read.
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May 10, 2011
I absolutely LOVE this book so far...
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September 8, 2010Amazing book. I loved it from the first to the last page. Awesome read. I would def reccomend it!
June 19, 2011
Great book, original,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews