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dotorsojak's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is not one of the best of the series, but I would say above middling, which means I liked it a lot.
Two important deaths in this novel, which perhaps indicate that POB knew the series was drawing to a close. My favorite part was when Stephen journeyed into the Atlas Mountains and there met the Grand Vizier and the Dey of Morrocco. Stephen and the Dey go Lion hunting. Some great stuff in there.
Two important deaths in this novel, which perhaps indicate that POB knew the series was drawing to a close. My favorite part was when Stephen journeyed into the Atlas Mountains and there met the Grand Vizier and the Dey of Morrocco. Stephen and the Dey go Lion hunting. Some great stuff in there.
jeffreyk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
juliasilge's review against another edition
4.0
I can't believe I am getting so close to the end of this series! This is the 19th book in this series of naval adventure novels set during the Napoleonic wars, and it is such a pleasure to come back to Aubrey and Maturin and all that they are up to. Taken as a whole, these novels are so stylish, so full of heart, so compelling. This isn't one of the absolute best in the series (I felt iffy about the handling of Maturin's loss of Diana, for example) but O'Brian not at his best is still pretty darn amazing. What he has created here with Aubrey and Maturin is so deeply satisfying that I would probably read a book that consists entirely of them sitting around having their toasted cheese and coffee. Not that this book is without its delights: Napoleon escaping Elba, sea battles, lions, a poisonous island!
wearsteel's review
4.0
This instalment missed the energy normally found in all the prior instalments. I would not recommend this as a entry point for the collection. Additionally a number of deaths occur that should have had greater weight but while lamented failed to sting as they could and should.
leesmyth's review against another edition
3.0
It was good, though not my favorite.
Interesting interactions with a culture marked by double-crossing, ruthless violence, and slavery.
"There was not a hand aboard who had not seen one of the rowers – slave or unransomable captive – thrown screaming into the sea, the bloody sea, and there was not one who did not hate and loathe those that did it." (p. 269)
Certainly, by the time they gain the upper hand (thereby inducing the enemy to slay their leader and surrender), they are more than wary enough to sniff out opportunities for betrayal. Dr Jacob won't give himself away by appearing or translating, so the enemy send forward several British subjects as go-betweens. Those men's status is a little ambiguous, perhaps – they were captured and bear whip marks, but were still "in" enough not to be jettisoned with the slaves – but they recognize an opportunity for redemption and escape and do their part to disarm the rest.
There's also something interesting about Lady Clifford's immediate refusal, in Algiers, to take in two Irish children Stephen has purchased to send home to their families, ostensibly because her husband the consul could not abide children. This is contrasted with Lady Keith's near-immediate decision to put them up with with her chief gardener's family.
Interesting interactions with a culture marked by double-crossing, ruthless violence, and slavery.
"There was not a hand aboard who had not seen one of the rowers – slave or unransomable captive – thrown screaming into the sea, the bloody sea, and there was not one who did not hate and loathe those that did it." (p. 269)
Certainly, by the time they gain the upper hand (thereby inducing the enemy to slay their leader and surrender), they are more than wary enough to sniff out opportunities for betrayal. Dr Jacob won't give himself away by appearing or translating, so the enemy send forward several British subjects as go-betweens. Those men's status is a little ambiguous, perhaps – they were captured and bear whip marks, but were still "in" enough not to be jettisoned with the slaves – but they recognize an opportunity for redemption and escape and do their part to disarm the rest.
There's also something interesting about Lady Clifford's immediate refusal, in Algiers, to take in two Irish children Stephen has purchased to send home to their families, ostensibly because her husband the consul could not abide children. This is contrasted with Lady Keith's near-immediate decision to put them up with with her chief gardener's family.
mordshunger's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Unremarkable. Huge mistake on Diana, what a way to sabotage a series painfully short on relevant or interesting women. Jack gets even richer. One has to wonder how real this is - how many men in history did all and everything in their life for a flimsy thing like status?
sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this entry better than the previous but the series is definitely on the downswing though it was still fun to catch up with Captain Jack and Stephen. After a one book hiatus I was able to find an audio read by Patrick Tull who really is the voice of this series.
fflf's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0