Blog Tour: Finding Treasure Island

Finding Treasure Island is not only a wonderfully captivating, action-packed adventure story, but is also a heart-warming story of family and friendship and of connection through storytelling. 

In the summer of 1881, young Sam Osborne leaves behind the boarding school he hates so much, in order to spend time in the village of Braemar in the Highlands with his mother, step-father, grandfather and grandmother.  His stepfather just so happens to be Robert Louis Stevenson who he affectionately calls Luly.

He soon meets Jen Hawkins, who works at the nearby Inn, and it is not long before the two become firm friends, united in their battle against the local bullies.  As trust develops between the pair, Jen shares a secret with Sam:  she is determined to find lost treasure which she believes has lain hidden in the woods for centuries.

When he tells Luly about the treasure, he sketches a detailed map for Sam, a treasure map which starts him writing a story – Treasure Island! Whilst Luly is writing and sharing his great adventure story with his family, Sam is taking part in a great adventure of his own … will he and Jen discover their own treasure?

This is a brilliantly layered story set in the stunning, wild Scottish Highlands with its rivers and glens, forests and wildlife.  I really enjoyed the mystical elements, the use of flashbacks, the links to past historical events, the connections made through storytelling and the strong bonds of family and friendship.

Both Sam and Jen are incredibly likeable characters. They have oodles of determination, courage and a sense of fairness, even if this can cause friction in their friendship.  Jen is feisty and strong-hearted, not letting the social norms of the time stop her from doing what she believes is fair, and always ready to stand up for herself and for her friend. I also adored Sam’s relationship with his stepfather which thrives on their shared joy in stories, adventure-making and playfulness.  Luly brings Treasure Island to life for Sam through sharing his storytelling which brings them closer together, especially as Luly is writing his story for Sam.  I really liked the authenticity of Sam’s relationships with others in this story.

I love the structure of this story from the foreword and afterword to the main adventure (the missing memoir of Sam Osborne), other information, photographs and author’s note – fascinating, intriguing and thought-provoking – and I couldn’t resist going on my own treasure hunt to find out more.

This is stunning story of the adventures to be had in seeking lost treasure, of the heart-warming bonds of family and friendship, and of the joy to be gained from the magic of storytelling.

Thank you so much to Anne at Cranachan Published for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour for this wonderful book, and for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour: