Cindy Vallar's Blog - Posts Tagged "jd-davies"

Armada's Wake by J.D. Davies

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Twenty years have passed since the tragic expedition to the Caribbean that abandoned Jack Stannard and other Englishmen to the whims of the Spanish. Now, all of England fearfully awaits word of the arrival of King Philip’s Armada. Peter Stannard, one of Jack’s grandsons, has the honor of delivering that fateful news during the middle of a theater performance. He, himself, has no intention of fighting, but his brothers and father are already on ships of the Navy Royal, determined to stop the invaders.

Disquiet and disappointment swirl within John Stannard, who finds himself aboard Sir Francis Drake’s Revenge. Being in the Navy Royal is where he wants to be, but not serving as the deputy purser. He’s an accomplished sailor and fighter, but the vice admiral bestowed this job upon him because he possesses a rare skill: the ability to do math. Nor does it help that one of the gentleman volunteers, a man named Nicholas Fitzranulf, has taken an instant dislike of John. Time and again they butt heads, until John finally discovers the arrogant popinjay engaged in an activity for which the punishment might well mean death and dishonor. While Fitzranulf takes the out John offers him, their mutual dislike only worsens.

Meanwhile his father, Tom, and oldest brother, Adam, are with the Narrow Seas fleet, England’s last hope should the rest of the Navy Royal fail to stop Spain’s Armada. While Tom’s lifeblood is the sea, he hasn’t a clue as to why Adam wished to join his crew. Adam’s religious zeal makes the men uneasy and only worsens when he witnesses a forbidden act. In fact, this knowledge tips the balance of Adam’s sanity and only Tom’s standing within the fleet and the community allow him to rescue Adam. It isn’t until after the admiral asks Tom to make a sacrifice for the good of the fleet that he discovers the price asked is far greater than he initially thinks.

Peter’s determination to remain outside the fight proves futile. Besotted with a scullery maid, he tangles with the bishop’s steward, who has been taking liberties in spite of her protests. In the aftermath, Peter has no other option than to elude pursuit by assuming another identity and enlisting in the militia. His stage experience proves handy not only as a soldier but also in thwarting the law.

With Spanish hysteria and fear rousing the countryside, Meg de Andrade (nee Stannard) is arrested on charges of witchcraft. The face of her prosecutor might be the justice of the peace, but Meg knows her true enemy is her half-sister. Ill blood has existed between them since her father married Mary’s mother, and with brother Tom and her nephews at sea, there is no one to help her escape this predicament. She must keep her wits about her, but fears that Mary’s enlistment of the family’s nemesis may tip the balance and result in Meg being hanged.

Known as “the man who will live forever,” Juan Estandar has longed dreamed of returning to his family, but never thought to see England again. But his homeland lies not far from the Girona, the Spanish ship that is both his home and his prison. He has been a galley slave for longer than he wishes to remember. Although Juan practices the true faith, his past association with Spain’s heretical enemies, the pirates Drake and Hawkins, guarantee that he will burn in the fires of hell according to Fra Gordillo. One day, the malevolent priest goes too far and Juan lashes out. The consequences are dire, but fail to quench his dream.

Have you ever read a book that pulls you deeper and deeper into the story, that makes you want to toss aside all obligations and just read? Armada’s Wake is one such story. It is the last entry in the Jack Stannard of the Navy Royal trilogy and, while it encompasses only a brief span of time in July 1588, it recounts events in the lives of three generations and is, by far, the best of the three books. The depth and breadth of the characters draw readers into the midst of the sixteenth century, whether it be at sea or in England or Ireland. Davies weaves a web of many threads that are intricately spun together to provide a riveting tale that allows readers to experience a wide gamut of emotions. This is historical adventure at its finest and the portrayal from both sides of the battle makes for a poignant and memorable account that vividly portrays the perils of the Spanish Armada’s invasion of England.




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