Cindy Vallar's Blog - Posts Tagged "nathan-peake"

The Sea of Silence: A Nathan Peake Novel by Seth Hunter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Twice before the man facing Nathan Peake has tried to kill him, yet now he offers what Nathan craves – command of a ship in time of peace. Even so, experience has taught him not to trust Gilbert Imlay, especially since what he reveals is often only a portion of what is necessary to know. His plan may seem to advance the interests of the Americans and the British, but their previous encounters have taught Nathan that, in reality, it promotes Imlay’s own. Trusting a spy is rarely a good thing. Imlay has the support of the First Lord of the Admiralty and Admiral Lord Nelson, who brings the two together. Instinct warns Nathan to refuse, but out of courtesy to his former commander, he listens to Imlay.

The current cessation of hostilities between England and France after many years of fighting is merely an interlude. Napoleon Bonaparte still rules, which means he has plans to expand his domain. Since the Royal Navy no longer enforces its blockade of the French coast, a French fleet of eighty ships carrying 20,000 troops has sailed for the West Indies. They intend to put down the slave rebellion on Saint-Domingue, using whatever means are necessary. Once peace is restored the island will be the staging grounds to launch an invasion on Louisiana, where Napoleon intends to establish a second empire. Imlay proposes, with Nathan’s help, to throw a wrench in those plans by running guns to Toussaint Louverture, the rebel leader. The longer he and his men can delay French forces, the less likely Napoleon’s grand scheme will come to fruition.

Rather than refuse outright, Nathan agrees to view the captured French corvette. She’s relatively new and well-manned. The sea calls and Nathan is torn. Better to think things through overnight. As he places greater distance between him and the vessel, Nathan resolves to decline the invitation . . . until a trusted friend visits him with news. One of their acquaintances has been arrested – an unforeseen complication with a resolution that alters Nathan’s decision to work with Imlay. What could possibly go wrong?

This is the seventh novel in the Nathan Peake series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. It takes place early in the first decade of the nineteenth century and combines intrigue with smuggling, a sea chase and sea battle, mass murder, and treachery. It features two of Napoleon’s siblings, as well as General Charles Victor-Emmanuel Leclerc and Touissant Louverture. Several other historical personages make cameo appearances. Fans of Peake will enjoy this addition to the series. Several scenes involve thrilling action or unbelievable horrors, while the tidbits about the past may entice new readers to discover the earlier titles of Nathan Peake’s adventures.




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The Force of Fate by Seth Hunter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Anthony Merry is something of a diplomatic Jonah and he’s not pleased to be the British envoy to Washington City. When an imaginary slight from the president occurs, Merry is determined to get his vengeance. That seems entirely likely after his wife introduces him to Aaron Burr, who has a plan to secede the western territories from the infant United States and create a new country. This sounds like a plan that his superiors back in London can get behind, and so Merry immediately outlines how backing Burr is the way to go.

Captain Nathan Peake has his own problems. His fiancée – his word, not hers since she refuses to marry – is with child and he may or may not be the father. Plus, he must appear before a court of inquiry that is determined to discover why he was aboard the French ship responsible for killing Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar and whether Peake colluded with the enemy. Not to mention the fact that he does have ties to the Bonaparte family, as does his fiancée, which may or may not be known to the court. Then, there’s the fact that both his mother and his fiancée are in imminent danger of arrest on charges of espionage.

Fate intervenes when the death of William Pitt brings about a change of government and those in power believe Peake will be more useful elsewhere. As a result, he is promoted to commodore of a squadron, which reunites him with old friends. He is also charged with a diplomatic mission to Washington City where the current envoy will be led to believe one thing while President Jefferson is reassured of the opposite. Fate, of course, is always accompanied by consequences. This time around Peake reunites with his nemesis, Gilbert Imlay, and must abet an escape from the Tower of London. Everyone has their own agendas, even President Jefferson, and a French fleet lurks off the coast of the Carolinas. Its representatives collude with Americans opposed to the current negotiations between the United States and Great Britain to bring about an end to the slave trade.

The Force of Fate takes place during the middle of the first decade of the 19th century and culminates with the 1806 Battle of the Atlantic between the British and French navies. It’s a facet of the Napoleonic Wars that is rarely depicted, which makes for an interesting interlude, especially when tied in with Burr’s scheming and early attempts to suppress slavery. Those who have never read a Nathan Peake novel may find this one a bit challenging to comprehend all of the story’s nuances, but fans of the series will enjoy this ninth entry. As always, Hunter excels at his depiction of sea battles, keeping readers on the edges of their seats as Peake and his men fight not only the enemy but also Mother Nature.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...)



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