Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
Art Blastside in her third daring adventure upon the high seas. It's been eighteen months since Art's baby was born: a pretty child called Africa, with Felix's dark hair and Art's grey eyes. Now Art, who dreamed of being like her own loving, wonderful Ma, must face up to the fact that she has absolutely no warm feeling for her child. In fact -- Art can't stand her! What's wrong with her? Beyond the family lies an unsettled world too. The French are still waging war, and England has fallen out of love with pirates. Piratomania has been suppressed by the government and Art and Felix are evicted from their cliff-top mansion. The return of Ebad and the new and improved Unwelcome Stranger prompts Art to regroup her ragtag crew and sail once again across the oceans, through wild weather, bizarre places and riotous sea battles, to return to the Treasured Isle and learn the ultimate true secret behind the treasure and the mystery of why Art can't love her child.
Is The Family Sea appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
This YA fantasy adventure features sea battles and pirate action with moderate violence, plus mature themes including postpartum depression and maternal ambivalence. The protagonist struggles with not loving her baby, which may resonate with or trouble young readers.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include postpartum depression, pregnancy, and war (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens who love high-seas adventure and complex heroines will enjoy Art's journey to rediscover herself and solve the mystery of her feelings.