Overall, I enjoyed the creativity of the story, but I did find it hard to follow at times because the storyline itself was a bit scattered and convoluted. Both of Max's parents go missing at different times, so he sets out to find them. At some points in the story, he's searching for his mother. Then, he shifts direction to search for his father instead. So, it feels a bit scattered at times. And then when we get into the explanations of how certain people came to be born and the sacrifices of magical power and lifeforce it took for that to happen, it seemed a bit convoluted.

There was also a discrepancy early on that left me confused for a bit. Initially, the main character, Max, says he's twelve, but then a few pages later, he says he's fourteen. Given his reaction to two young women he meets later, his age makes a bit of a difference. But more importantly, it just made it hard for me to settle into what age group the book was intended for.

That said, the story as a whole kept my attention, although it was slow to get into, and the characters were intriguing. Each had a bit of a secret beyond who or what they initially seemed to be, so we're continually reminded not to judge a book by its cover. I also appreciated the loyalty and commitment demonstrated by many of the characters.

Most of the questions raised in the book are answered by the end (although not all), and new ones are posed toward the end, which leads us into the next book in the series. I look forward to reading what happens next!

Rating: 3.5 stars

As an adult it's starting to become harder for me to enjoy certain middle grade books ; even though I still enjoy the genre immensely. Of course these books aren't written for me so it's understandable and my opinion really doesn't matter in long run for that reason alone. 

With that said there is just certain books that despite the age range that I absolutely love and some that might not appeal to me but that doesn't mean the kids won't enjoy them. This book unfortunately falls in the latter category.

It had all the things the demographic it's aimed for will enjoy like magic & adventure. It also had likeable characters and an interesting premise ; for me though it was missing that hook that got me invested and I just was never into the story enough to properly enjoy it.

Overall not a book for me but I do think others will enjoy it especially those belonging to the demographic it was written for.

Max and the Spice Thieves
eARC NetGalley Review

The Three Seas is a world of princes, pirates, witches, and magic. The people here don't trade in gold or jewels. Oh no. Instead, they use spices. But only the richest of the rich get to actually use these spices to season their food, and only the people in the Underground use the magic-laden, more nefarious spices. So that's where the pirates come in, also known as the Spice Thieves. They pull a little Robin Hood action; take spices from the rich to give to the poor. 
At the start of our story, Max Daybreaker is awoken by his mom and told that today they will be going on an adventure. But Max doesn't want to go anywhere. His dad has gone missing, and presumed dead. One of the only things Max has to remember him by is his favorite book, The Secrets of the Twilight Djinn. His mom doesn't take no for an answer, so they pack a few bags and begin their journey by sea to visit the island of Sanctus. Only, they never make it there. 
As the title suggests, Max gets swept away with some Spice Thieves. His one and only goal is to save his mom, and (hopefully!) find his dad alive. 

I enjoyed this book immensely! It pretty much had all the things I want in a middle-grade read: adventure, magic, fun side-kicks, and a likeable protagonist. I really think Max and the Spice Thieves had it all.  This story was left on a cliff-hinger, which I definitely figured would happen about half way through the book, and I plan on finishing off this series once published. 
Captain Cinn is probably my favorite character in the group. I mean, who doesn't like a pirate, right? But he was special because he was kind-hearted and endearing, dangerous, but also sweet. 
The part about the Snow Bears... so cool!! 

If you're like me, and you enjoy reading middle-grad books (a la Percy Jackson), and you like stories based on a magical adventure, then you have to read Max and the Spice Thieves.

Max and the Spice Thieves is an entertaining adventure story. Recommended for young readers, upper elementary and middle grades.

This one reminds me of a movie called Treasure Planet that came out awhile back. I would say it's that  addicting of a story meets Harry Potter in terms of a great villain (Voldemort). If you are an adult, you will still secretly enjoy it I think like I did.

Max finds himself lost at sea trying to find his mother who disappeared from the dock as he waited for her.  Captain Cinn, a spice pirate aboard the Saucy Pig, takes Max on a journey across the high seas looking for his mother.  Cinn knows some secretes about Max’s family, Max’s father’s death, and his mother’s disappearance.  The best part of being on Captain Cinn’s ship is the food.  Readers can almost smell and taste the delicious food being prepared.  After meeting the Witch Queen, Max is sent on a mission that is supposed to bring balance to a world on the brink of war.  Max needs the help of his friends to get there but on the journey he learns more about his family history and the power of his will to succeed.

The plot is quite complex as Max learns more about the world by meeting a wide range of characters.  Each time the Saucy Pig find a new port, the cast grows and it is a little challenging to keep up.  Some of the characters aren’t as memorable as others.  The magical adventures includes beasts, monsters, harpies, and more.  The world is well described for its vastness and diversity.  It will be easy for readers to hold an image in their mind.  Younger readers will enjoy the traps, mishaps, and peril; however, some might feel overwhelmed by the fast-paced plot, complicated world building, and large number of characters.  It takes a little while to get to the main conflict and the ending intentionally sets up a second book.  At the end, the reader will feel some closure and happiness but also know there will be continued tension.

Thanks #netgalley for the ARC!

DNF at 40%

This book had potential to be really good. Considering I'm not in the age range of this book (though I still love middle grade), it wasn't interesting enough for me. I wasn't invested in the characters enough, and often found myself drifting off mentally because of this.

That being said, I enjoyed the aspect of the food and spices. It made my mouth water multiple times. I enjoyed learning more about Max and what exactly was happening in his life. He was probably one of my favourite  characters in the book. 
I think this would be an enjoyable read for a lot of people, especially in the demographic this was written for. 

Regardless, there could have been more to hook the reader, and make me want to continue reading, but I'd say give it a try anyways and test it out yourself.

Max and the Spice Thieves is a magical adventure sure to appease those who thirst for a fast-paced story set on the high seas.  Young Max yearns for his father, who he refuses to believe has died as everyone else believes.  His mother takes him to see a sinister pirate only to disappear, leaving Max to search for secrets of his past and a path to reunite with his mother.
Facing challenges against various foes, Max navigates new territories and conquers his fears.  In the process, he finds inner strength and superpowers that aid his new band of friends to defeat the dark forces threatening their area. Max must also overcome his severe physical ailment, which keeps him from the cold.  This becomes a problem when their trail leads to a land of ice and snow filled with mystical and fierce snow bears.
This story is an entertaining jaunt and hard to put down.  Max and the Spice Thieves has vibrant characters that delight and thrill at every juncture. Max ends up in a ragtag band of misfits, each with a mystery and goal of their own. Can Max determine who can help him figure out the codes left to him by his father in time to save their world from an undefeatable army? Can he find his mother before anything harms her? Join Max as he learns that some pirates would rather sauté than swab the deck and staying true to oneself can help one accomplish monumental tasks.  
I received Max and the Spice Thieves in exchange for an honest review and am pleased to share this fun young adult book perfect for tweens to adults young at heart.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this fantastic journey from author, John Peragine for an honest review. Max and the Spice Thieves, a tale of a boy trying to save his family, is an engaging story—difficult   to put down. I could clearly see the mind movie as I read which is what I look for in a story. I can’t wait to read future installments in Max’s journey. I recommend Max and the Spice Thieves for Middle School and beyond.

A Spectacular Journey of Fantastical Proportion: A review by Angela Amberden
Max and the Spice Thieves was given to me by its exceptionally talented author, John Peragine in the hopes that I would give it an honest review.  As I am unable to do anything else, I hope that other’s find it useful and heed my warning. Do not pick up this hefty tomb unless you have some free time because you are not going to want to put it down!  From it’s first pages you are drafted into Max’s exciting journey and promised an adventure in no uncertain terms.  Strap in!
	While the promise of wild ride is evident, what develops along the way is a deep connection and affection for Max and his family.  The main characters, as well those in supporting roles are beautifully written and multifaceted. You care about the peril they find themselves in and root for their triumphs. 
	As a mother of a young but avid reader I was excited to share this novel with my son and thoroughly enjoyed seeing his face light up with camaraderie, seeing Max’s escapade’s through his eyes.  A perfect balance of danger and excitement, without pandering to its younger readers, I would recommend Spice Thieves to readers nine and above.
	The heart that this story was written with is evident in the relationships that Max has and makes with others in the story.  It is those connections that carry the reader along, the quest richer and more exciting because of them, instead of distracting.  I would recommend this book to anyone who has a heart for adventure, you will be greatly rewarded, but the soul of this story will stay with you long after the last page.

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!