Castle in the Sea

I think I read this book a million times when I was a pre-teen. It has a little more drama than some other Scott O'Dell books, such as "Island of the Blue Dolphins," which was a rather quiet book. The main character, Lucinda, lives on a remote island with her widowed and wealthy but insane father. He insists that everyone live as if it is the 19th century -- no electricity, no automobiles.When he dies, Lucinda is left alone, with very few people she can trust.

The Castle in the Sea by Scott O'Dell is a unusually wonderful book. For the most part it kept you hanging and you had to read on. In this story Lucinda de Cabrillo y Benivides is a 17 year old girl whose mad, although very wealthy father just has died. In her father's will she is left all his riches, including his private island, Isla del Oro. There is only one problem, her father's best friend, Ricardo Villaverde is her legal guardian until Lucinda is 18. When the will is approved Senor Villaverde will control the island and Lucinda. Just when Lucinda thinks things can't get any worse, her arrogant fiance, Porfirio, and his neurotic mother arrive. Lucinda's father and Porfirio's mother arranged the marraige. Porfirio begins to take control of the gold mines on the island, which causes the superintendent of the mines, Zoyo, to get angry with Lucinda. Then strange things begin to happen, someone is trying to kill Lucinda. Is it one of the servants, Villaverde, Zoyo, or another of the island folk? This book is very intriguing. Scott O'Dell described the characters and the setting precisely so it was easy for the reader to picture. He kept me into the story with surprising events that enticed me to keep reading. However, the book was a bit confusing. I also thought that it slowed down sometimes, but when an exciting part came it was a real gripper. If you're looking for a fabulous, yet challenging read I'm sure you will enjoy The Castle in the Sea.