In Arctic Star, Palmer has crafted an excellent and moving tale of three young men’s perilous journey during World War II. In 1939, the Royal Navy was the most powerful in the world with bases dotted all around the globe. It is sometimes easy to focus on the war happening on land rather than the equally as dangerous one also occurring at sea.

Palmer sheds light on what is dubbed the ‘worst journey in the world’ as we follow three young men, Frank, Joseph and Stephen in 1943. The young men grew up in Plymouth, a port city that was heavily bombed throughout WWII, and is home to the largest naval base in Western Europe. Living by the sea encouraged the young men to join the navy, where they are placed on HMS Forgetmenot.

Frank, Joseph and Stephen face gruelling and dangerous tasks as they each play a vital role in the running of the ship. While travelling through freezing temperatures, treacherous obstacles await them, and it seems unlikely that all boys will make it back. The book features many tense events including the climactic defeat of the Scharnhorst, the feared German vessel that could take out huge navy ships effortlessly. However, most importantly, the book maintains a level of humanity throughout. It focuses on friendship, brotherhood, and family in a way that makes the book just as sentimental as it is action-packed.

Palmer has written a real page-turner here because he delivers with a balance that can often be misjudged in a lot of war-based books. Based on real life accounts of what it was like to be aboard the naval vessel, the book offers a glimpse into what the ‘worst journey in the world’ looked like for these young men. It is brutal, moving and sometimes darkly humorous. I devoured the book in one sitting. Although honest in its account of the context, the book is perfect for younger readers and is one that I strongly recommend.

Tom Palmer is the author of D-Day Dog, Over the Line and After the War. Arctic Star is out now.