Very much a wizard meets Horatio Hornblower book. This book like Harry Potter details the training for a young man who is an officer in training or midshipman, but he also has magical abilities so he holds the rank of midshipwizard. The usage of "quotes" of the articles of war on each chapter is nice touch.

The character of Halcyon is not perfect, but he is an exceptional young man just like Hornblower. He has red eyes that show his demonic heritage, but he is honorable, and holds rare talents not to mention that he inspires his men. Ward though does write the Arcanian navy much on the 18th and early 19th century model of the British navy, and combined with the fantastic elements of magic, dragons who have ships constructed atop of them, and fantastic races such as shapechangers and half-giants makes a new type of story.

His writing style fits in well with the old Forester novels, and the only current writer who writes in a similar vein is Naomi Novik.

If you like sea-faring yarns, and fantasy you'll like this book. If you like militaristic fantasy--sea or not--you'll also like this book.