A review by quadruploni
The Ionian Mission by Patrick O'Brian

adventurous informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I initially liked this a bit less than most of the installments so far; there seemed to be more re-introduction of characters and subplots than usual; but once the specificity of this book emerged—Jack's loneliness, the titular mission, Jack's overcompensation vis-à-vis Graham and feeling unsupported by Stephen, the stay in Kutali—I was more or less fully on board.