Book of Oceans (Diadem Series) [Paperback]

John Peel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2005 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Diadem Series (Book 8)

Born into nobility, Helaine can't get over the fact that Jenna, a mere peasant on their home world, is her equal. Their constant bickering convinces the four magic-users to take a much-needed vacation. Hoping for a relaxing time at the beach, they go to Brine, a water-filled world with floating islands and telepathic sea creatures.

What's supposed to be a relaxing holiday turns into chaos when pirates attack the helpless natives and capture Jenna and Pixel. Using magic is difficult on this outer-rim planet and Pixel's fate becomes grim when he is thrown overboard to a bloodthirsty sea monster. Meanwhile, Jenna-inexperienced in battle and separated from her friends-must rely on innovation and instinct to outwit the pirates, who are forcing her and the other captives to tunnel dangerously close to the sweltering core of an active volcano.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Peel was born in 1954 in Nottingham, England. He attended Nottingham University and began his writing career as the editorial assistant for England's Apparel Production and Marketing. He later worked as a comic-strip writer for Marvel Comics in London, and was until recently the overseas television critic for England's Starburst magazine. Since immigrating to the U.S.A. in 1981, John Peel has worked as a contributing writer and editor for numerous media-based magazines. He now writes novels full-time from his home on Long Island, where he resides with his wife, Nan, their wirehair fox terrier, Dashiell, their orange, spotted tabby, Amika, and their miniature pinschers, Loki (aptly named after the Norse god of mischief and destruction), Bartleby, Shadow, Reggie, Tievel, Rocky, Anubis Princess and Lady Penelope.

He has just sold his first film script, Haunting Adrian, which is expected to commence shooting in the near future.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; First Thus edition (September 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738707481
• ISBN-13: 978-0738707488
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,081,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "It's different, but it still rocks", February 18, 2006

By 

Kitty Douglas "Kitty =^.^=" (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Book of Oceans (Diadem Series) (Paperback)

Certainly, this new set of books is different from the original six. Helaine is reportedly a brunette when she used to be a blonde, they add a new character, and everyone does a few very uncharacteristic things. But then, as time changes, people change.
Another thing to take into account is the writing style of this new set. It certainly uses more interesting language than the original series and appears to be geared more toward teenage leaders, possibly as a way to draw more people in from the Harry Potter crowd.
Regardless of the change of style, this book, as well as The Book of War, pretty much rocked my world. It's a lot of fun to read, and it kept me captivated the entire time. Sidenote: I'm 18 years old and in college. It takes a LOT to keep me captivated.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Get to Know the Characters, May 18, 2007

By 

Karl Shook (Chicago Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Book of Oceans (Diadem Series) (Paperback)

Helaine is having trouble getting along with Jenna, the new member of the team, and it's driving Pixel and Score crazy. Oracle suggests they take a vacation on Brine, a world that is almost entirely covered by water. But when they arrive they find themselves in a battle for their lives against pirates. This book shows the relationship between Helaine and Score growing. And there is an exchange between Oracle and Shanara which shows that the biggest threat to the original trio might be from the people they trust the most.

4.0 out of 5 stars Diadem 8: Book of Oceans, February 22, 2010

By 

Leeanna Chetsko (OH, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Book of Oceans (Diadem Series) (Paperback)

Diadem #8: Book of Oceans, by John Peel

Score and Pixel are two boys trapped between feuding females, and they definitely need a break. With Oracle's help, they convince Helaine and Jenna that it's time to take a vacation, and the four set off for Brine. A planet made up of mostly oceans, Brine seems like the perfect world for a peaceful getaway...until their vacation is interrupted by pirates!

When Pixel and Jenna taken captive, Score must work with Helaine to rescue the other magic users. But Helaine isn't a fan of Jenna, since Helaine was a noble and Jenna a peasant on their old homeworld. Peel uses the the girls to get young readers to think about social class prejudices. With an interesting mix of species, including living flames and human-shaped dolphins, "Book of Oceans" is another fun installment in the Diadem series, and one I rather enjoyed.

Finally, readers are clued into the method behind Oracle's madness. Always popping up to send the friends into trouble, Oracle is actually trying to prevent the three from becoming the evil forms of themselves they defeated in previous Diadem books. The author adds to Oracle's mystery, and I'm eager to learn more. I also liked Jenna more in this book, and didn't begrudge Peel adding in another main character so far into the series.

4/5.