Pirates of Breakaway Bay is a work of fiction in the steampunk, action, and adventure genres for the young adult reading audience to enjoy. Penned by author G.L. Garrett, the plot follows teenager Preston Cornsuckle's whirlwind adventure. In the span of a morning, he becomes a fugitive, discovers a mysterious trunk, travels to a distant galaxy, and is captured by steampunk pirates with grand ambitions of celestial domination. Amidst the chaos, Preston's journey unfolds with action-packed twists and turns, promising an exhilarating tale of mystery, adventure, and unexpected alliances.

Author G.L. Garrett has a keen sense of cinematic description and lively dialogue in crafting a truly electrifying adventure in a world of steampunk pirates and intrigue. Preston's journey is brilliantly paced to build up a strong introduction with great empathy for our hero, and the progression of fun steampunk events and interesting new friends is both thrilling and humorous. Garrett's world-building is rich and immersive, transporting YA fans to a realm of altered humans and steam-powered ships with vivid visual descriptions and bold attitudes. The dynamic characters have a suitable level of relatable dialogue for the teen audience, but they’re also intelligently penned to show the emotions beneath the surface and have us rooting for them all the way. I also found the pacing smooth and confident, and there was never a dull moment as there was always a new surprise in store for Preston. Overall, Pirates of Breakaway Bay was a rollicking adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end, and I would certainly recommend it to YA adventure fans everywhere.

Pirates of Breakaway Bay by G. L. Garrett, the first book in Crispus Rupina's Steampunk Trunk series, will appeal to young adult fans of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure. The missing owner of the curious Victorian house on Willowbush Court, Crispus Rupina, has left it to his nephew, Charles B. Cornsuckle. Charles, his wife, Anastasia, and their son, Preston, explore the house and find strange artifacts and globes of unknown planets in its hidden rooms. Preston's parents go on a trip, hoping to get more details of the house's secrets. But now the headmistress of Preston's school and a constable want to send him to a horrible orphanage called Iron Hills. He hides from them in a trunk equipped with gears and switches. The trunk takes Preston to another realm. The scared boy finds himself on Dragon's Curse, the ship led by the cruel steampunk pirate nicknamed Redbeard. His daughter, Savannah, keeps an eye on Preston, who does his best to return home. But Redbeard's terrifying intentions make Preston change his plans dramatically.

In Pirates of Breakaway Bay, G. L. Garrett does a meticulous job of creating a convincing villain, Redbeard, who is smart, ambitious, and dangerous. Garrett explores the darkest corners of the human soul and makes us wonder whether one chooses to be evil. Savannah is another profound character. She craves her father's love or, at least, his approval. She demonstrates how far a person will go because of loyalty. The curious and resourceful Preston loves a good adventure. In this coming-of-age novel, Preston learns how to survive in a hostile new world the hard way. The eccentric Crispus Rupina and the astute Amelia complement the impressive cast of well-developed characters. Garrett's beautiful writing style will instill a love for classic literature in young adult readers. The book has breathtaking imagery, like the steampunk pirates and their daunting ship with black sails. I appreciate that the author points out the injustice of child labor, one of the sad consequences of the Industrial Revolution. Thrilling adventures, solid world-building, and unpredictable twists make this blend of maritime novel and space opera a one-of-a-kind read.