Rafe Pennington has grown up in the shadow of his young white master - a master who is also his half-brother. But when clever Rafe is discovered secretly learning his brother's lessons, he faces cruel punishment. So Rafe stows away aboard a ship bound for Boston. When a howling nor-easter smashes the ship near Savage Island, Rafe is found by 15-year-old Molly Savage.

Molly has every incentive to betray Rafe. Her father's gambling habit means they are reduced to servitude in their own home, and the cruel widow Pruitt has her sights set on Molly's father as a new husband. The money from Rafe's sale would ease all of Molly's worries. On top of these problems, picaroon pirates land on the island intent on plunder - and the search for a treasure rumored to be stashed somewhere in Molly's home.

Contrary to my expectations based on the title and the cover, this novel wasn't really an adventure story. There was no map and very little puzzling out where a treasure might be hidden. The pirates didn't even make an appearance until near the end. Instead the story was about the relationship between Rafe and Molly - the fragile trust that grows between them, and the ambivalence their friendship causes. It's never once taken for granted that either Rafe or Molly will do the right thing. They each have compelling reasons not to help the other, but each risks a considerable amount despite their upbringing.

The setting on an isolated island without any slave-holders certainly aids the believability of the tale. Not having spent much time around slaves, or around blacks in general, Molly manages to remain relatively (though not anachronistically) free of prejudices, although her conscience still struggles with the need to steal and even break the law to help her new-found friend.

The development of both characters is well-done. It's not rubbed in anyone's face, but Molly has undeniably grown through her adventures. She begins to see her father and even the widow in a less child-like black and white. Despite their flaws, she feels compassion for and even begins to understand them by the end of the book - at least she makes an attempt. The coming-of-age is unobtrusive, and it just feels right.

An interesting look at growing trust in relationships and overcoming prejudice (although that was a tad heavy-handed towards the end), a bit of an adventure story, and a fine coming of age tale. Overall a good read.

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