Flint and Silver: A Prequel to Treasure Island

I couldn't read this anymore. The way it jumped from one year back to another, forward to a different year and back again to a completely different year was too much to follow.

First off I want to say that I, horror of horrors, I have not read TREASURE ISLAND and I'm not going to, not now, not after I've read FLINT AND SILVER and I won't read it until I've read PIECES OF EIGHT and SKULL AND BONES. Only after I've completed the trilogy. After the prequels are all under my belt, then I'll read TREASURE ISLAND. Unlike others who have commented on this story I didn't have Mr. Stevenson's book to compare it with, so I was a virgin when I opened the book. I first met Silver in battle and liked him. When I met Flint I didn't like him at all. I liked Selena and I loved the story. In my mind Johnny Depp was Silver, because I loved all three "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies and Alan Rickman of "Bottle Shock" fame, because he can be such a delicious bad guy, was Flint. I've read this book three times now, that's how much I liked this action packed swashbuckler. I know there is a movie here, probably three if the next two books are as good as this one. If you're looking for action and are not put off by descriptive violence, look no further, this is a book for you. If you've ever sailed the Caribbean or ever wanted to, this is a book for you. If you've ever secretly admired men who lived dangerously, fought hard and took what they wanted, without looking back, this is a book for you.

Wow! This book satisfied my gold fever. I had always wanted more of the story after watching Disney' movie and reading the book several times in my youth. I recently revisted the literary world of Treasure Island and watched my favorite video version with Heston giving his affy davey. But that wasn't enough to stop me wanting more pirates, more gold, more booming cannons so I started to search for more pirate books and videos and then I found this book. It wasn't released yet, so I waited and purchased it hot of the press, and I again say "Wow!" Get ready for a powder flashing, steel clanging, [...], flint striking ride that will satisfy your gold fever and leave you thirsting for more. Drake's storytelling offers up such vivid imagery, like Israel and the Spanish 9, or Englands enrollment of Silver as a Gentlmen o Fortune. I reccomend this book to all adventure seekers who aren't afraid of musket fire and spilt blood. Think Treasure Island meets Braveheart. I will admit that I didn't like the jumping around in time from the early chapters as I prefer a straight told story and was pleased that the second half of the book took that course. But that's not enouhg of a con to take away a star as this book will stay in my collection and I can't wait to read the next 2 and then Treasure Island again. And lastly, the contrast of Silver and Flint is to a tee. Silver needs to have good to balance the blood thirsty Flint so I don't agree with the other reviews on Drake's Silver being too "Good" Order this book today, you won't be dissapointed.

Flint and Silver by John Drake is a prequel to Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. It serves as the backstory for the central figures (John Silver and Joseph Flint) of Stevenson's classic. Trying to add on to a classic is risky business, but Drake manages to do so with a high degree of success. However, Drake's novel is a different style than Stevenson's. While Stevenson wrote for children, Drake's includes violence, language, and sex. So don't expect to read this to your children as a bedtime story. Drake begins his tale prior to Silver and Flint's becoming acquainted. If a linear plot is a requirement for you, then you should probably skip this one as time skips around significantly from one chapter to the next as a matter of course for about the first half of the book. To help the reader along, though, the author essentially starts each chapter like a captain's log with a date and location so you at least have a reference point starting out. The story revolves around three main characters: John Silver, Joseph Flint, and the runaway slave girl Selena. We learn about the mighty John Silver who is the last man standing aboard his ship after being attacked by pirates. After taking out six pirates before being surrounded, Captain England decides to offer Silver a chance to join the crew as a "gentleman o' fortune" rather than losing his life. Silver chooses life and begins his life of piracy. Meanwhile, Joseph Flint is on a ship of the English Navy sailing under the command of Captain Springer. However, Flint executes a slowing planned mutiny whereby taking the ship and crew for himself to use for the gathering of other people's riches. In an unlikely turn of events, Silver and his ship come to the rescue of Flint and his crew as they are all but beaten. The two join forces under Captain Flint's leadership and enjoy great success as pirates. Along the way they make port in Savannah, Georgia. It is here that both men meet Selena with Flint bringing her aboard ship when they depart. The rest of the story deals with the breakdown of Silver and Flint's friendship and the burying of the treasure that they have amassed. Drake does a great job of developing his main characters. Silver is the natural leader who even as a pirate operates under a strict moral code. His men follow him out of great respect for his natural leadership abilities and the way that he treats his men. Flint, however, rules his men by fear. Even before he led his mutiny, he kept his ship in order through cruel physical punishments. He is also a master manipulator of the simpleminded and is capable of elaborate and devious plans. The contrast of Silver and Flint creates a thick tension that propels the compelling story up to its conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Flint and Silver. In addition to the great story, the author actually enters into the book as well. Told in the first person omniscient point of view, he occasionally adds commentary