The Stern Chase (The Brotherband Chronicles 9) by John Flanagan

What worked:

Hal is the skirl of the Heron, the fastest Skandian ship on the seas. He is a technological genius, as he’s modified the shape of the hull, the shape of the sails, and the innovative steering system. He’s also a master tactician and mathematician, and can analyze any situation to lead his crew to success. Hal has had the same crew since the series began, and they’re fiercely loyal to him. Twins Ulf and Wulf add levity to the story, and Lydia is surprised when they offer to be her bridesmaids, or bridesmen.

Iberian pirates disable all of the Skandian ships except for two. The Heron is kept in an area away from the other ships, so it's not discovered. Erak is Oberjal of the Skandians, and his wolfship is taken by the Iberians. The Skandians don’t initially know who committed the attack, but Hal slowly deduces that the Iberians are behind it. Most of the plot describes the Heron’s efforts to find the pirates, and it takes quite a while to locate anything in the ocean. Readers follow Hal’s logic, trial-and-error decisions, and strategy to finally exact some revenge against the Iberians. The author adds a twist to the mission by having Erak and his dog Kloof accompany Hal aboard the Heron. Erak is the leader of the Skandians, but Hal makes it clear that he’s the captain of his ship. Besides being a large, fierce protector, Kloof constantly has his eye on Erak’s staff. There’s an amusing cat-and-mouse game between them, as Kloof watches for an opportunity to steal and chew up the Oberjal’s symbol of authority.

What didn’t work as well:

Sailing is a large part of this book, and some young readers might not appreciate the author’s detailed descriptions of the skills and techniques required. A glossary of terms is presented before the first chapter, which is very helpful for understanding the explanations. The story includes some action and fight scenes, but most of the plot builds anticipation for a dramatic climax.

The final verdict:

This book can be read independently, but I recommend you start with the first one, The Outcasts. The technical sailing language and the story's mature nature make this book more appropriate for upper-middle-grade readers. There’s nothing inappropriate, and the violence isn’t graphic, but all of the characters are young adults or adults. Overall, I always enjoy Flanagan’s books, and I recommend you give this one a shot.