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On Stranger Tides

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What to expect

The novel that inspired Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

On Stranger Tides is Tim Powers’ great Disneyland ride through pirates, puppeteers, treasure, and thrill-a-minute action that carries on from the start. It follows the exploits of John “Jack Shandy” Chandagnac, who travels to the new world after the death of his puppeteer father to confront his uncle, who has apparently made off with the family fortune. During the voyage, he befriends Beth Hurwood and her father Benjamin Hurwood, an Oxford professor. Before they arrive at their destination, their ship is waylaid by Blackbeard and his band of pirates. With the help of the professor and his assistant, the captain is killed and Chandagnac is pressed into piracy and sorcery as Blackbeard searches for the Fountain of Lost Youth. Chandagnac, newly dubbed “Jack Shandy,” must stop the evil plot and save Beth.

Critics Review

“Powers writes in a clean, elegant style that illuminates without slowing down the tale. The story promises marvels and horrors, and delivers them all. You’ll love the characters, you’ll stay awake all night reading it, and when you finally do sleep, you’ll find this story playing through your dreams.”

Orson Scott Card, from Hatrack.comu00a0

u201cImmediately hooks you and drags you along in sympathy with one central characteru2019s appalling misfortunes on the Spanish Main, [and] escalates from there to closing mega-thrills so determinedly spiced that your palate is left almost jaded.u201d

David Lanford, author, editor, and critic

u201cTim Powers has further refertilized the Sabatiniu00a0swashbuckler, [a] high seas adventure with sorcery and black magic.u201d

Jack Adrian, author

“World Fantasy Award-winner Powers demonstrates a precise control of complex narratives…This dark fantasy tale will appeal not just to pirate fans but also to anyone who appreciates Powers’ talent for blending the most unlikely elements into a brilliantly cohesive whole.”

Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Author Tim Powers
Narrator Bronson Pinchot
Duration 12 hours and 2 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781483058979
Format Audiobook
Publisher Blackstone Publishing
Genre Fantasy
Availability AU, GB, IE, US

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