“Not entirely unlike an older James Bond film, this ninth book in the Alan Lewrie Naval Adventures starts out with a bang, or rather, the notable Battle of Cape St. Vincent (in 1797) where Lewrie is pretty much dragged along into glory with Nelson, winning him a nice shiny medal... but also, sadly, losing him the HMS Jester, which, after three years at sea needs a re-fitting and a new Commander, as Lewrie is slated to make Post Captain. Happily, Lewrie is reunited with his family after that long absence, but typically begins to chafe a bit at domestic life on the farm. When orders come from the Admiralty, he's guiltily anxious to get to sea again. He's assigned to a gorgeous new frigate, the Proteus, however, the ship has begun to have an odd history already--something worrisome to superstitious seamen, and Lewrie has to deal with an entirely new and untried crew. And then comes the mass mutinies in the Channel and the Nore and it looks as if things are starting out under a very unlucky star for the new Captain and the new ship...
After reading nine books, I (and others) would either have to be masochists or we'd have to be confirmed fans of this series, and I'm all for reading for pleasure, not pain! I love this series. Reading each book is like getting together with an old friend who is just too much fun to ignore. Lewrie remains very human and flawed and essentially likable, with a few truly admirable traits. His life is full of adventure and it reveals a glimpse of a fascinating period with many people and forces at work. And Lewrie's love of the sea and the Royal Navy shipboard life continues to come through to add to the pleasure. I can't wait to read more! ”
aprillee wrote this review Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
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