School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-Golding sweeps readers up into a startling saga beginning when a bored Cat is a guest at the Duke's estate in London, but quickly taking her to the high seas. Kidnapped, she and her pals find themselves tossed aboard a boat, setting sail with the Royal British Navy for America. All the while, she must determine who is responsible for her situation, attempting to keep her friends safe, and keeping trouble at arm's length. Cat speaks to readers in asides, enabling them to be privy to her thoughts, fears, and concerns. This whirlwind adventure is action-packed. Readers interested in this episode in Cat's life might do well to become familiar with her earlier travails, but the story can stand alone as Golding often tosses in a bit of information about Cat's former life. Danger and new cultures await the protagonist, who finds herself in North America, betrothed to a Creek Indian. Heave ho and set sail with Cat, who will serve up mystery and suspense to readers who like exciting adventures.-Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
The fourth installment of this series is a little too long, the adventures a little too forced and Cat falls a little too easily into and out of scrapes. In December 1791, Cat's in Bath with her noble friend Frank's family and their collection of pals from Drury Lane. She's bored, but not for long, as the lot of them are press-ganged into the Navy on a ship with a mad captain and a vicious purser. Cat takes to male clothing again, is forced to goad her dear friend Syd into actually hitting her to preserve her disguise (a discomfiting scene), escapes on a Georgia island where she is adopted by the Creek Indians, flees into the hands of those who will take her to Frank's sister and spouse in Philadelphiaand so on. And on. Cat's always able to do whatever needs to be done. She's an impossibly talented tall-tale heroine, good at everythingexcept choosing among the bevy of boys who adore her. The once-fresh Cat's getting a bit stale. (Historical fiction. 10-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
There are no ordinary escapades for Cat, and this time our irrepressible heroine finds herself and her loyal gang kidnapped and adrift on the high seas. What happened? An elaborate plot to deprive Frank of his inheritance leads the old Drury Lane gang onto a ship bound for America, a voyage they are not supposed to survive. If there is anything Cat is born to do, however, it's survive, and so she does with dramatic flair and the help of some unlikely Creek Indians. The wit, action, and swashbuckling action never stall in this fourth installment in the Cat Royal Adventures series.--O'Malley, Anne Copyright 2009 Booklist
