Author(s): Ken Catran

NZ Children's

Historical teen fiction that focuses on the character of 18-year-old John Hallet, who sailed on the ill-fated Bounty when Christian and others staged the mutiny against Captain Bligh. Cast adrift in a small boat in wild and dangerous seas, Hallet tells the remarkable story of how Bligh led these sailors to safety.

This story is interspersed with a fictionalised account of the events that led up to the mutiny on the Bounty.

Historically accurate and well-researched, this is a revisionist look at Bligh who has gone down in histroy as sadistic and cruel. Instead, this book portrays Bligh as a victim of the British class system and his own flawed decison making.

At the same time as being a fascinating historical read, this is an exciting plot-driven novel about massive sea voyages in treacherous conditions upon overcrowded, overladen ships. This is classic Ken Catran fare.