In Max and the Spice Thieves, John Peragine has woven a magical, thrilling adventure tale that will have readers staying up way past their bedtimes. You will love the extraordinary (and utterly charming) Max, and be swept away to a vividly-created fantasy world. Adults and kids alike will thoroughly enjoy this story. I certainly did! The book calls to mind the best of classic adventure tales like Treasure Island, while feeling completely fresh and new. Promises to be a new beloved YA series, in the vein of the His Dark Materials series. I can’t wait to see where Max goes next!

An action-packed adventure that will delight Middle Grade readers. Max is on an epic journey to save his family with the help of some quirky characters, human and otherwise….. The author’s mechanism for constructing magical powers is very well done, and adds to the attraction of young Max, as well as to his credibility. My only very slight disappointment was a bit of a ‘rabbit out of the hat’ climax with an unexpected character popping out of nowhere, but otherwise a great page turner. The seeds are planted for an exciting sequel.

I LOVED this book! I could see it in my mind's eye as clearly as if I was watching a Hollywood blockbuster. It had some fantastical elements but they weren't overdone; it operated well within its own 'universe' of how things work. Definitely a book I will recommend to others and one I can't wait to read the next installment of. Having said that, it isn't a typical cliffhanger where one is frustrated with the author. This one does wrap up nicely for the adventure it starts. Do I care how the rest of the story will play out? Yes, absolutely!! But do I feel I was left high and dry waiting for an indeterminate amount of time before the next installment will arrive? no. Well done, John. And thank you for writing something worth reading.

Fantastic adventure with a great group of fun characters! Max is on quite an adventure with some amazing new friends... or are they??

I really enjoyed this story. It had all the makings of a great fantasy: adventure, pirates, shape-shifters and friendship. I was pleasantly surprised with how into I was. I found it difficult to put down. I needed to find out if Max found his mom, and what was going on with him. It was such a great read, and I can't wait to see what is in store for Max and friends in the next installment.

Before the Saucy Pig's anchor is up and it leaves port to set sail on a journey of a lifetime for untold riches of the material and most important kind in "Max and the Spice Thieves" we're already rooting for Max and his quest for his mother and father and the adventure of discovery he is about to embark on.
With nods to Moby Dick's Captain Ahab, Telemachus searching for his father Odysseus on his odyssey mixed with a daring Disney rite of passage, the sensitive Max with sensitive skin certainly toughens up during his journey to manhood through exciting trials and rough seas. From roping the necks of kelpies to helping battle the twilight army, Max transforms to a wild hungry predator and back then to his sweet self-for mom and dad and everybody he loves.
This is a beautiful story that pulls you on board "when men boiled up from the decks below like someone had poked a stick into an anthill" and doesn't let you disembark until you're back in port.
Bravo John Peragine!

Joe Beck
Author

Max and the Spice Thieves is an action-packed middle grade fantasy book with plenty of adventure, mystery and magic! Set in a rich fantasy world with a large cast of interesting and engaging characters, this first book in the series is sure to be a hit with middle grade fantasy readers.

I really loved this book. It is true middle grade, which I feel like is a struggle to find. I think this series could honestly be the next Percy Jackson or Harry Potter, just because the writing and the storyline is just so good! I am really curious to see if this holds up in the rest of the series! I recommend it to really anyone between the ages of 9-14 because I think that age range could appreciate it best!