The Lighthouse Land (Lighthouse Trilogy) [Paperback]

Adrian McKinty (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 7 and up | Series: Lighthouse Trilogy

The start of an epic sci-fi trilogy with an unforgettable hero

In the first book of this series from acclaimed crime fiction writer Adrian McKinty, Jamie O’Neill and his mother set out for a new home on an island off the coast of Ireland, a windswept place inherited from a long-lost relative. It’s a chance to start again after the cancer that took one of Jamie’s arms. But Muck Island is no sanctuary. Many strange surprises await the O’Neills there, the strangest being the one locked in the top of its ancient lighthouse. Discovering it will send Jamie on an interstellar mission that could change the course of his life, and the universe, forever.

Praise for The Lighthouse Land

“McKinty, previously known for adult crime novels, brings an attuned ear for dialogue and a taut pacing to his first YA outing, the launch title in the Lighthouse Trilogy.” —Publishers Weekly

“This thought-provoking sci-fi adventure offers universal appeal, excitement, and a one-of-a-kind hero whose courage and compassion will inspire any reader.” —Children’s Literature

“Few readers will be able to resist . . . teens will enjoy this first book in a planned trilogy.” —VOYA

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–9—Thirteen-year-old Jamie O'Neill and his mother leave New York City's Harlem for an island off the coast of Ireland, where Jamie discovers that he's a lord, a descendant of the Irish Kings. Despite his muteness after losing his left arm to bone cancer, he befriends talkative, clever Ramsay. While exploring a 1000-year-old lighthouse, the boys find an ancient gold object that lets them travel to an alien planet light-years away. On Altair, a pointed-eared, eight-fingered girl named Wishaway is awaiting the return of Lord Ui Neill, whom she believes will save her world from invaders from the Alkhavans, who travel in iceships and enslave the people they conquer. Jamie finds that on Altair he still has his arm and can speak. The planet is technologically stuck in 1607 due to a scarcity of natural resources, so Jamie and Ramsay use their knowledge of chemistry to show the citizens how to make "Greek Fire" (sulfur, quicklime, and petroleum) to burn their enemies' iceships. Before they can begin to fight, everyone on the planet starts getting ill. Will they find a cure and can they defeat the Alkhavans? This science-fiction adventure story has an interesting setting. However, the plot lacks a sense of real conflict, the ending is resolved too neatly, and all but the main characters lack depth.—Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

An inheritance changes the fortunes of 13-year-old Jamie and his mother in the first installment of an sf trilogy by crime novelist McKinty. They move from Harlem to a lighthouse in Ireland, where Jamie is Laird of Muck Island. Having recently lost an arm to bone cancer, Jamie has become selectively mute, but a new friend, Ramsay, and a computer tablet that speaks for him boost Jamie's confidence. An artifact found in the lighthouse teleports the boys to and from a distant planet, where they help the Aldanese people fend off invaders. Jaime's arm becomes whole there, and he finds his voice again. The boys' friendship and banter is delightful, although the world building and some of the alien characters, including the love interest, a girl named Wishaway, need more substance. There's also plenty of action, as well as the potential of Irish legends playing into the sequels. Jamie's struggles with self-worth and his difficulty deciding whether to stay or to go home may remind readers of books in Mary Hoffman's Stravaganza series. Cindy Dobrez
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810993619
• ISBN-13: 978-0810993617
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #914,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DOnt see what they are talking about! Great book!, September 30, 2008

By 

Taylor Brownlow "K1LL3r" (Ga.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lighthouse Land (Lighthouse Trilogy) (Paperback)

This book is great. i love to see the chemistry between the two friends (no spoil) and that "romance" sort of. recommended for people who like sci-fi and or fantasy!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, very exciting, well developed book!, March 17, 2008

By 

Heidi (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Lighthouse Land (Lighthouse Trilogy) (Paperback)

So many fantasy/adventure books these days focus more on the drama and less on the characters. As a result, many books feel shallow and thin.

Adrian McKinty has done an excellent job of character development. Each character is well fleshed out, with the lead character having the most depth. Just as in life, sometimes I disliked the characters and sometimes (and more often than not) I rooted for them. Too many books make their heroes perfect and that's just not realistic.

I'm looking forward to reading the next two in the series. I hope the series wraps up well, since the end is where most books just flat out fail.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Ideas! Lacking a bit in pace management., February 22, 2008

By 

J. Keane (Your House) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lighthouse Land (Lighthouse Trilogy) (Paperback)

This book is a fun and adventurous book for many ages. I think that is has some very original ideas such as the floating ice ships, and the salmon of knowledge and has a cool parallel to both worlds. Only problem with this book is pacing, and the character development.