A young boy named Max sets out on a trip with his mother after learning that his father was lost at sea. When they arrive at the port town, Max’s mother leaves him with the horse and cart to meet with the ship’s captain. Max wakes up from a nap to find that not only has his mother not returned, but two thieves are trying to steal his horse. The captain his mother was trying to meet, Captain Cinn, steps in to save young Max. The thieves admit that Max’s mother was stolen by a smoke creature, which they realize is a djinn.

Max' will discover that his adventures have only just begun after he joins Captain Cinn to find his mother with the help of the crew of Cinn’s ship, The Saucy Pig. He will make friends with royalty, thieves, seers, harpies, snow bears, and even the Witch Queen while battling the djinn and their army of dead.

This is an exciting high seas fantasy adventure perfect for middle school aged children or young readers who are ready to begin longer books with more complex plots. There are so many elements that can engage a young reader quickly and keep their interest: battles, mythical creatures, magic, daring escapes, and a determined young hero.

The book dives right into the excitement of the story and will draw in readers quickly, making this an enjoyable story that will engage the reader right away.

When Max Daybreaker’s mom goes missing, he must go on an adventure to try and rescue her. In order to survive and find his parents, Max gets help from a spice pirate, Captain Finn, a thief named Mesha, snow bears, a queen, and many others.

This story was such a fun middle grade read. It was unique and interesting, while also being a fast read. What’s not to enjoy? Magic, pirates, twilight army (dare I say zombies?), glass whales, kidnapping, rescues, mysterious shadow men, witches, and so much more. I’m glad I was able to read this story and will gladly recommend to others.

This book had way too many characters for me to keep up with and i found there waere very little captivating scenes so got bored easily. I struggled with the writing style and im not sure houw a younger reader who this book is aimed at would get on with it. Overall this book didn't interest me and it was a struggle to finish

This is an incredibly imaginative story about love, found families and good vs evil. Once I started reading about Max and all of the characters that he meets on his journey, I could not put this story down. The side characters are incredibly multifaceted and you can see the struggle inside of each of them to survive and to do the right thing, even if society wouldn't blame them for doing the wrong thing. This is a great world for middle grade readers to get lost in with a unique magic system.

Max and the Spice Thieves is a middle grade fantasy involving pirates, mythical beings, and bravery. When Max’s mother wakes him up to tell him they’re going on a trip, Max hopes they’ll be looking for his father, who was recently believed to have been lost at sea. Max continues to believe his father to be out there. Max is disappointed to hear that they’ll instead be going to Sanctus, but before the journey can commence, his mother disappears. Max sets off with pirate captain Cinn, and the spice pirates to attempt to find his parents. Along the way, additional members join the group to help Max in his quest. During their travels, Max begins to discover things about himself, including some previously unknown abilities.

In the interest of full transparency, I am clearly not the target audience for this book. I am much older (though I read a fair amount of middle grade), and not a frequent reader of fantasy. Some things that I struggled with reading this book I can easily attribute to these factors: it was hard for me to remember the rapidly changing cast of characters, and there was world-building and world-specific vocabulary that it took me a little bit of time to wrap my head around.

There were things I really enjoyed about this book. Max has a medical condition that, to completely oversimplify, is like an allergy to cold that presents in a rash and potentially life-threatening symptoms. I personally know people who experience this, and this condition is not widely represented in literature, so it's refreshing to see it represented here. I also appreciated that, though there is action and adventure, most of the characters Max encounters are kind and helpful. There are themes related to family, friendship, and love that are powerful. I also appreciated Max’s growing abilities related to self-regulation and self-control throughout the novel.

This is very much a plot-driven novel, and I struggled a little with the level of character development, especially with Max. I wish we had had more glimpses into the things that made him who he is, and I feel like not knowing the characters well made a brief love-triangle subplot feel uncomfortable. Because so much was happening in terms of the plot, this book utilizes a lot of exposition. Likely because it’s the first book in a series, characters would disappear at times and never reappear, and some plotlines were dropped and unresolved.

One thing that I did struggle with that I can't attribute to just my own reading preferences was characterization and discussion of skin color and disability. I have no reason to believe that these comments were intended as they were perceived, but I believe that this book may benefit from an additional edit, perhaps with input from a sensitivity reader. For me, personally, these factors had a significant impact on my reading experience, and are the primary reason I rated the book as I did.

To illustrate, despite the large cast of characters, only three have their skin color described. One is described as having "ivory" skin and appearing "too perfect." Of the other two, one is described as having skin “the color of moonless midnight," and another, skin “the color of fireplace ash." These characters do not receive much other character development, but elicit fear in Max. Vague depictions of Piers, particularly, because there isn't much additional context or clarity (the witch queen's questions to him when discussing his loyalty, as an example) come across as potentially microaggressive. Additionally, though the protagonist has a disability, the way that other differences and disabilities were characterized was also of concern. Cinn reacts in disgust when he learns of Sally’s third eye, citing his previous romantic relationship with her. When a blind character is introduced, Max assumes his blindness is fake and tests it, the character's eyes are described as “strange,” and a character later makes a joke about someone “needin’ a good walkin’ stick the rest of their lives” if they don’t seek a healer after being temporarily blinded.

As an aside: I know that this is an uncorrected proof and I'm here to review, not edit, but a couple of quick notes for the author as he thinks about final edits just in case they were missed: at the beginning of the book, Max’s age jumps from 12 to “almost 14” over the course of a couple pages. In chapter 16, Linzy states that she is Queen of Sanctus rather than Arctus.

It’s obvious that this book was written as a project of passion and love, and I hope that Max and his spice pirate friends find their audience when this book debuts.

Ugh, this one was tough to get through.

While this is a good middle-grade, and will easily be enjoyed by that age group, it was tough for someone like me, as a young adult, to get through. I like Middle-Grades but this one was not my cup of tea.

From the very beginning, you are instantly immersed into a magical story that has a lot of layers to it. The author does an exceptional job at world building, and creating this atmosphere that is magical, dangerous, and fun. There are sooooo many different parts of this world and so many characters that we are introduced to that it can become very hard to keep track of. I had to re-read several character introductions just to remember their role and part in Max's story, but they were all very devoted to Max.

Max was unlikeable. He was arrogant and naive. I get it, he's 12 and should be naive but he was just annoying. It bothered me how he was always saying that he is a man. Dude, you are 12 and going through puberty... you are not a man yet! His loyalty to his family and friends though was admirable and he was absolutely brave. I just felt like his personality was dull and his character just overall annoyed me.

I loved learning about the complex past of our characters and seeing how they all intertwined with one another as the story progressed.

I looked forward to reading this book. With 2 middle grade readers at home I am always on the lookout for new books or series for us to enjoy. Unfortunately this book fell somewhat short for me. There was plenty of action and lots of potential for adventure. However, I found the pace of the book to move almost too fast, without fully fleshing out the scene or the characters- and there were a lot of interesting ones; pirates, witches, mythical demons, shape shifting animals, and an evil sultan, to name a few. I did not feel I was experiencing the adventure along with Max, rather, hearing about it second hand. With Max moving so quickly through a wide variety of scenarios I found myself questioning 'who was that again?' or 'which parent 'is Max looking for at the moment?'. Younger children may enjoy Max's escapades and adventures, but I would have enjoyed this book more if the narrative was more descriptive, showing me what was happening instead of telling me about it.

Max and the Spice Thieves is a middle-grade story about a young boy Max and how he gets involved in a fantasy adventure on a pirate ship called Saucy Pig. His company includes pirates, spies, and warriors. On this journey, he learns the truth about his parents and himself.

I felt that sometimes Max is a bit too mature for his age. But this didn't spoil the story for me. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book a lot, even though it is for the younger audience. It kept me engaged, and I could clearly see this as a movie. I can't wait for part two of the series!

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this! All opinions are my own.

Max and the Spice Thieves is a story about Max Daybreaker and his journey to find his parents. When Max’s mother goes missing, he encounters a Spice Pirate named Cinn who offers to embark on his travels with him. Along the way, he creates long-lasting friendships and discovers new things about himself. Although this is a middle-grade book, I thoroughly enjoyed it!! I love magic and fantasy, and I believe this book will be enjoyable for people of all ages.

Max is a sheltered young boy who gets thrust into an adventure taking him throughout the land of the three seas in search of who has kidnapped his mother and discovering why he and his family are integral pieces in defeating the Djinn and it’s growing army. In trying to find his mother and hopefully the truth about his father Max goes on many adventures, comes across many creatures and makes new friends. Through this coming of age story Max stays true to his kind, loving nature and learns how to wield the power within himself which helps guide him through difficult and dangerous situations. All throughout he discovers who he is, the power of bravery and what matters most of all – the love of family and friends. This is a story full of pirates, beasts, magic, friendship and overall the power of love.
I enjoyed the story of Max and the development of the core characters. At times there were too many side stories or situations thrown in that clouded the overall story. I was transported into the world of the three seas and there was great imagery with Cinn and the pirates and the magical world of the three seas, all bringing the story to life. The story had some abrupt endings including the actual end of the book. I was waiting for a climatic ending and found it to be too quickly finished. It would be a great book for a MG reader with plenty of interesting creatures and exciting adventures. This a great first installment to a book series that any fantasy loving middle grader could get swallowed up into.

Overall, I really loved this book. Reading as an adult, I was still thrown into the magic that is Max and the Spice Thieves. It reminded me of the magical world like that of the Harry Potter novels and caused me to reminisce about staying up all night to finish the newest novel in the series. I could see myself as a middle grade kid doing the same with this series!

It has an overall theme of family, love, friendship and loyalty. When the main character, Max loses his parents, he embarks on an adventure of a lifetime to find them-full of magic, adventure and entertainment. I really loved how the author integrated the magical creatures in the different realms and how they were described to the reader. This action packed adventure will leave you wanting more.

Max and the Spice Thieves is the first installment of a fast paced adventure perfect for Middle Grade readers. The hero of the story, Max, sets off on his first real adventure after a life of seclusion due to a medical condition, and finds much more than he was looking for as he meets friends, encounters dangers, and learns more about himself along the way. It is easy to see how middle grade readers will identify not only with Max but with many of the cast of characters that are met along the way. With universal themes throughout, this is a thrilling book with something for everyone to enjoy.

Full of magic, mystery, an a world very much unlike our own, Max and the Spice Thieves has thrilling twists around every corner which makes the book hard to put down! The mix of characters - including a pirate captain, a witch queen, an assassin spy, and shape shifting snow bears - are not only like-able, but such fun to be around.

Though this is just the first installment of a series, it ends satisfyingly - with the reader looking for what's to come next!

A middle school book that tells the fantasy adventure of Max as he travels with Spice Pirates. Adventures await ranging from shape-shifting Snow Bears, Witch Queens, magical wizards. The reader travels across the seas to help Max find his parents. Stay attentive as the language used by the author to describe places, people, actions and feelings is part of the story itself. Captain Cinn is a master chef, perhaps a play on the word cinnamon; the family lives in Paradisi, certainly a paradise; Max is called Little Bear at the beginning of the tale reflective of his later shift to become a Snow Bear. These subtle clues compliment the story line. And also there is a “tale” within the story that mirrors the travels of Max and his pirate and other magical companions.
This is a complex tale filled with magic, dynamic characters and plot twists. It ends with a set-up for another volume of adventure for Max which young readers will be eager to read.

First sentence: “Max,” Mom said, gently stroking my arm. “Come on, Little Bear, it’s time to get up.” I cracked one eye open—it was still dark. I sighed loud and long. “It’s too early. The sun isn’t even up. Besides, what’s the point?”

Premise/plot: Max and the Spice Thieves is a middle grade fantasy novel by John Peragine. Max, our unlikely hero, stars in this coming-of-age fantasy novel. His father is missing, believed, dead; his mother is missing, possibly dead. All he knows has been turned upside down and shaken. He's keeping company with Captain Cinn, a spice pirate (not to be confused with a space pirate) and his crew...but not for long. Because Cinn is a wanted man. What he didn't expect is that he's WANTED to. But why? Who were his parents? Who is he? How much has been kept secret from him?

Max and the Spice Thieves has plenty of action, magic, and, well, fantasy. It stars plenty of supernatural beings. It might have more than its fair share of coincidences.

My thoughts: This one gets a definite three stars for me. It requires a certain suspension of disbelief. (Which isn't all that unusual for a fantasy novel--children's or adult).

Essentially what you see is what you get. Expect a children's fantasy novel starring a child who meets an assorted and varied cast of helpmates who set out on a mission/quest together. The mission/quest is challenging, as all quests are in fantasy, but the fate of the world depends on it. Fortunately the hero is stronger and smarter and braver than he knows.

If that kind of formula works for you--as an adult or as a child--this book may prove satisfying. I do think children have probably read less fantasy than adults so perhaps they never come across books that feel formulaic? Or maybe the secret is that they just don't care or even love that about a book?

I think we all as individual readers have our own favorite formulas that we just love and adore and can't get enough of.

This book is a super fun adventure story that consists of pirates, witches, princes and a 12 year old boy. There is so much "good stuff" happening in this book. It is a bit complicated with everything that is thrown at you at once but I am sure that it has the makings to become a much loved middle grade series.

When Max Daybreaker’s mother disappears, he joins a band of Spice Pirates to try to find her. During his adventures, he encounters many fantastical beings and worlds he believed were only a part of a storybook given to him by his missing father. Max’s journey through different lands takes him from the high seas to desert kingdoms, to arctic lands with ice palaces and shape shifting polar bears. All the while, Max is discovering more about his own mysterious powers.
Middle grade readers who enjoy fantasy adventures will enjoy this book.

A fun adventure story for all ages, and perfect for a family read.

After Max’s mom goes missing, and with his father already presumed dead at sea, Max teams up with an unusual band of new friends to search for his parents. Together, spice pirates, a warrior queen, a runaway, a seer, and an assassin thief, along with Max who is discovering hidden powers within himself, face many dangers along the way including the prince and his army, the Spice Guild’s captain, an old and powerful witch, harpies, snow bears, and the evil djinn that have recently been released back unto the world.

This first book of the new Twilight Djinn series is action packed and held my attention from the very beginning. The novel is filled with exciting and lovable characters like the kind hearted Captain Cinn, who was probably one of my favorite characters in this book. One of the best things about this book, though, was its beautiful sense of family. The author did an excellent job at showing the strong family bond, love, and closeness between Max and his parents.

Although part of a series, the book could be read as a standalone. I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Max and the Spice Thieves is wonderful! Even the most reluctant middle grade readers will be drawn into the story and want to keep turning the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

It was a really cute read. It was written for a younger audience than what I am used to. I did still enjoy the story. I wasn’t a huge fan of it being the first in a series. I wish I would have known that going into it-especially considering I am going to have to wait for the next book to be released to find out what happens! Max is such a love-able character with a wide array of instant friends! I did find it really refreshing that Max was portrayed as an emotional character. It talked about him crying more than once in the novel- I think it is a good example to the targeted age range that emotions are meant to be embrace. I wish there were more books about this. I think the whole concept is a really creative idea. I would recommend it to my nephews or anyone who wants to sail the sea with pirates and use your power to save the realm.

Young Max Daybreaker, bored with his humdrum life, dreamt of adventures in far-off ports spurred on by the last book he received from his father two years prior, The Secrets of the Twilight Djinn. His dad had been missing since he left for his latest voyage. Max read and re-read that book, convinced that his father was still alive, and he longed for the impossible – the day he could be a man and go searching for his dad. When Max’s mom wakes him one morning, surprising him with preparations for a journey they will undertake, he thinks she’s finally given in and is willing to travel with Max to find his dad. Though Max is unsure of her reasons or exact plans, she reminds him that his father is gone, but assures him they will be traveling, instead, on a pirate ship to an island where they will be safe – a place called Sanctus.

Before they even make it to the pirate ship, Max becomes separated from his mom, and has to be rescued from a couple of thieves by none other than spice thief, Captain Cinn of the Saucy Pig – the pirate ship they were supposed to travel to Sanctus on. Now, with both parents missing, Max has no choice but to accept the help of this spice pirate to discover what happened to his mom, and to find his dad who has been lost at sea and is presumed dead. Along the way they encounter mysterious creatures, unexpected allies, and gourmet meals prepared by the captain himself using a variety of exotic spices.

This action-packed fantasy adventure will keep preteens and middle grade students on the edge of their seats, fully engaged in the story from beginning to end. Just when the reader thinks that the tension is winding down, another unexpected turn takes the reader in a new direction. Instead of finding answers, Max stumbles upon more questions, each more puzzling than the last. The reader follows Max through each adventure, learning more about the Spice Islands, his parents, and an unknown force that Max never knew existed. While running from the Spice Guild, Max and the pirates of The Saucy Pig, along with other new-found allies, will encounter three-eyed seers, mysterious aquatic creatures, a witch queen, a zombie army and snow bears who can shapeshift into human beings. He quickly recalls all of these fantastical beings from his book, The Secrets of the Twilight Djinn, which becomes more of a guide to survive and maneuver through the many twists and turns of his adventure.

Will Max find his mom in time to save her from the Twilight Army? What is this Midnight Jewel that everyone seems to be after? Is Max’s dad really alive out there somewhere in the Three Seas or on one of the fifty Spice Islands, as he hopes? Are Max’s new-found allies truly friends or are they foes setting him up to fail?

Peragine does an excellent job creating this fantasy world with all of its sights and sounds and smells. I highly recommend Max and the Spice Thieves for the young and the young at heart. Available April 2021 - Preorder your copy today!
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I received a complimentary copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Max and the Spice Thieves by John Peragine
Young Adult Fiction | Action & Adventure | Pirates
274 pages
Crumblebee Books
L’Oste Vineyard Press