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I did not enjoy this book. It is a lengthy good that spans a huge stretch of the world but the characters are narrow and flat. This is the first book in this series that I have read. I think it stands on its own just fine. The author goes to some lengths to highlight the connections between previous novels. I will say that it is pretty obvious where future books will build from.
The novel primarily focuses on the eastern shores of Africa in the 17th century. The main characters are Englishmen participating in privateering and trade. I was excited to read about a part of world that attracts my interest, but sadly the story did not engage me. It is written in the romantic style and glorifies England, which simply doesn't appeal to me. As with some romantic work the characters are flat, they are quite black or white. Bad characters are not simply bad, they tend to be hideous and conniving and dishonourable and abusers of the innocent. The heroes are likewise perfect standards of virtue, and at worst, lovable rogues. In addition smart characters are often seem as devious and cloying as compared to the rugged and honest warriors.
I am not sure if it is the author's attempt to catch the spirit of the time or if the author himself is writing in the Orientalist frame. The "East" is depicted in the typical exotic, mystical fashion. The female characters leave much to be desired. Most of the women in the story are introduced as children and simply serve as love interests for the male protagonists.
The plot is predictable and by the end I was just burning through the pages to get to the end. I am confident some will read this book with great enthusiasm but it did not work its magic on me at all.
The novel primarily focuses on the eastern shores of Africa in the 17th century. The main characters are Englishmen participating in privateering and trade. I was excited to read about a part of world that attracts my interest, but sadly the story did not engage me. It is written in the romantic style and glorifies England, which simply doesn't appeal to me. As with some romantic work the characters are flat, they are quite black or white. Bad characters are not simply bad, they tend to be hideous and conniving and dishonourable and abusers of the innocent. The heroes are likewise perfect standards of virtue, and at worst, lovable rogues. In addition smart characters are often seem as devious and cloying as compared to the rugged and honest warriors.
I am not sure if it is the author's attempt to catch the spirit of the time or if the author himself is writing in the Orientalist frame. The "East" is depicted in the typical exotic, mystical fashion. The female characters leave much to be desired. Most of the women in the story are introduced as children and simply serve as love interests for the male protagonists.
The plot is predictable and by the end I was just burning through the pages to get to the end. I am confident some will read this book with great enthusiasm but it did not work its magic on me at all.