Ship Kings #1 The Coming of the Whirlpool by Andrew McGahan

One of the things you should know about me is that I can be a tad obsessive.
When I get it into my head that I haven't read enough fantasy titles to provide a balance of genres on here I tend to jump in wholeheartedly.

So let me present fantasy title #4 Ship Kings by Andrew McGahan.

I was fortunate enough to score a signed reading proof. Allen and Unwin are still being a little coy about this book (click here to see what I mean) so I wont give away too much of the plot.

Even though this book is classified as fantasy, I would call it a coming of age story with lots of boats and marine metaphors.
The fantasy is very light. We have a made up world - New Island -complete with maps (I love a good map!) and descriptive names like The Claw and The Rip. But we have no fantastical creatures (so far) or magical powers to contend with.

Dow Amber is the young man in question. Born into a wood cutters family high up in the mountains. As the eldest son he is destined to follow his father into the woods. But on his first outing Dow spies the sea from the top of a plateau...and so begins his quest.

I confess that I adored this book from start to finish (but then I'm one of the few people I know who has actually read ALL the Patrick O'Brien Master and Commander books).

McGahan has created a world and place you feel like you've been to before. His characters, especially Dow are well-drawn and believable. My only concern was the pace of the book. I'm happy to take my time with a book to savour the language and lose myself in the world. But I know that a lot of modern, younger readers demand more obvious action.

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product in hardcover with more detailed maps and illustrations. Due out in Australia Nov 2011.