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The Matty Graves Novels #1
No Quarter
This first book in the series introduces Matty Graves, midshipman in the early years of the United States Navy. In 1799, the young U.S. Navy faces France in an undeclared Quasi-War for the Caribbean. Matty Graves is caught up in escalating violence as he serves aboard the Rattle-Snake under his drunken cousin, Billy. Matty already knows how to handle the sails and fight a ship. Now, with the sarcastic Lieutenant Peter Wickett as his mentor and nemesis, he faces the ironies of a war where telling friend from foe is no mean trick.
261 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 12, 2016
A short, fun read. Interesting perspective about the fledgling US Navy in the 18th Century, not to mention the politics. The tales are centered around antics in the Caribbean. I will read the next two books in the series.
I'd give it three and a half stars, but you can't do that here.
I'd give it three and a half stars, but you can't do that here.
March 25, 2019
Unique setting for a sea story
Set in the early U.S. Navy this tale takes place in and around Haiti during its revolution. It tells of a young midshipman on the crew of his cousin, a drunkard and a coward who never quite rings true as a person who would hold such a post. The story is filled with detailed sea terminology and lore, perhaps too detailed in places for the general reader - or even those fairly familiar with sailing terms.
Set in the early U.S. Navy this tale takes place in and around Haiti during its revolution. It tells of a young midshipman on the crew of his cousin, a drunkard and a coward who never quite rings true as a person who would hold such a post. The story is filled with detailed sea terminology and lore, perhaps too detailed in places for the general reader - or even those fairly familiar with sailing terms.
June 10, 2018
An interesting read
Today we are very fortunate to have a history behind us that is far more different from the life we lead today. We must be aware of that story to appreciate the life we live today — to appreciate it, and to remember it’s cost.
Today we are very fortunate to have a history behind us that is far more different from the life we lead today. We must be aware of that story to appreciate the life we live today — to appreciate it, and to remember it’s cost.
November 13, 2019
A good read; a little more backstory on CAPT Trimble would have likely enhanced the experience. Overall, I enjoyed being taken back to a time of tall ships and men who made their fortune by their craftiness and ability.
December 6, 2020
Decent Book
God story and believable characters that mature as the story progresses. Plays well with history at the time which the story is set.
God story and believable characters that mature as the story progresses. Plays well with history at the time which the story is set.
January 26, 2021
Courage abound
A slow starter but when the action started it was hard to put down, I'm a fan of C S Forester and read the whole series
A slow starter but when the action started it was hard to put down, I'm a fan of C S Forester and read the whole series
Read
June 17, 2022A good story, and the writing is solid. I’ll certainly read the other two in the series.
December 14, 2024
Enjoyable.
December 12, 2009
Finding areas to write about in Nautical Fiction, or Age of Sail, that are new, or have not been explored seems at first not that easy. After all, you start down this path and you see hundreds of books in the period now. Forester does not stand alone any longer. And thankfully O'Brian has been eclipsed.
Campbell has decided to look at things through American eyes, which Nelson and others do also. (Even wayback with Hoyt, or further, Melville.)
When tackling this subject you make choices. How much plot and story over how much ambiance. Campbell gives our hero some handicaps at the beginning but by doing so exposes us to some obscure history of the period. How many people really know of the Whiskey Rebellion? And if so how many empathize with the rebels there. It is not like the Civil War.
We also see a rather stock figure in the Captain, who is the relation of our hero. It makes the life of our hero conflicted. But we overcome that and get into the story over what is Modern day Haiti. Back then it was a strife torn land, put into further turmoil by our stance to France and it's problems in coming to grips with the chances taking place because of the Revoloution (French Revolution.)
By the time we are done, we see that most of the book is more character study surrounded by the sea and the era in this opening to the series. We find that the heroes friend and mentor is by far more interesting then the cousin patron, and look forward to more books in the series, and further sea adventures.
Campbell has decided to look at things through American eyes, which Nelson and others do also. (Even wayback with Hoyt, or further, Melville.)
When tackling this subject you make choices. How much plot and story over how much ambiance. Campbell gives our hero some handicaps at the beginning but by doing so exposes us to some obscure history of the period. How many people really know of the Whiskey Rebellion? And if so how many empathize with the rebels there. It is not like the Civil War.
We also see a rather stock figure in the Captain, who is the relation of our hero. It makes the life of our hero conflicted. But we overcome that and get into the story over what is Modern day Haiti. Back then it was a strife torn land, put into further turmoil by our stance to France and it's problems in coming to grips with the chances taking place because of the Revoloution (French Revolution.)
By the time we are done, we see that most of the book is more character study surrounded by the sea and the era in this opening to the series. We find that the heroes friend and mentor is by far more interesting then the cousin patron, and look forward to more books in the series, and further sea adventures.
January 8, 2012
With this fast-paced launch of a new series, Broos Campbell offers a fresh perspective on the seafaring novel—a Napoleonic-era saga with an American, not English protagonist, 17-year-old midshipman Matty Graves. Campbell's period dialogue is expressive, succinct, and often damned funny. His characters are well-developed, he writes about shipboard life with authority, and he understands that history is as often made by weakness and blind, dumb chance as stout-hearted heroics. As for Matty, he's a complex, resourceful young fellow with a dry wit who'll be excellent company as the series progresses.
May 6, 2016
This was the first book by this author I have read. At first I wasn't sure if I would like this book, but the more I read the more I got into the story. My reason for only 4 stars was the character, who seemed to be the main antagonist turned out to a fairly decent character. Then the main character, Matty Graves, was kind of a whiner to begin with, but this changed also by the end of the book. The pacing was to me a little slow throughout the book for a book set in the age of sail. I hope that this is just because of a first story in a series and will improve in the future. Overall it was a good story but it was kind of slow and I like my sailing stories to move at a clip.
February 18, 2010
Possibly this book deserves as much as two stars, but I was very disappointed in it. A book about the age of sail has to have battles, and I was dozens of pages into this one before the guns were run out. First we had to be introduced to what seemed a pointlessly unsympathetic bunch of characters trading drinks and insults to prove to each other and us hapless readers what a scurvy lot they are. It was neither very convincing nor very interesting.
March 23, 2016
Irritating at best.
The author's names for the characters was so annoying I gave up after four chapters. Cousin Billy, Cousin Mathew, not at the introduction of the characters but every single time they were referred to. And Cousin Billy is the primary character Their must have been a thousand, no exaggeration, times the word cousin is used in this book. I never got to an action part as I couldn't take any more cousins.
The author's names for the characters was so annoying I gave up after four chapters. Cousin Billy, Cousin Mathew, not at the introduction of the characters but every single time they were referred to. And Cousin Billy is the primary character Their must have been a thousand, no exaggeration, times the word cousin is used in this book. I never got to an action part as I couldn't take any more cousins.
July 21, 2015
As a fan of 18th century naval historical fiction, I was a bit disappointed in this book. I found the story confusing and didn't seem gel overall. The few times the characters seem to click and connect just as quickly seemed to fall apart. I had to slog my way through the story.
That said, I liked the primary character, Matty Graves. I'm hoping the next story will be better.
That said, I liked the primary character, Matty Graves. I'm hoping the next story will be better.
September 21, 2009
The writing is vivid and well paced. Campbell has a good eye for idiosyncratic detail. From the inscription over a tavern door to the picaroon gunner twirling slow-match cord over his head to keep it burning in an open boat, his use of detail and jargon felt just right for advancing the story.
May 14, 2016
Entertaining
Pleasurable read. The story brings life aboard eighteenth century war ships to life, from the food to the fighting to the huge gap between the lives of officers and sailors. ***
Pleasurable read. The story brings life aboard eighteenth century war ships to life, from the food to the fighting to the huge gap between the lives of officers and sailors. ***
June 27, 2016
This wasn't a bad book. But to be honest I started this book and then stopped and read a different 11-book series AND read the first book in a second series and then went back and finished this one. So, not really gripping!
October 18, 2016
American Swashbuckler
Excellent sea yarn based in a US naval vessel. It is strange that the remarkable history of the fledgling American Navy doesn't get more attention in this genre. Campbell does journeyman work on this engaging sea story from the age of sail.
Excellent sea yarn based in a US naval vessel. It is strange that the remarkable history of the fledgling American Navy doesn't get more attention in this genre. Campbell does journeyman work on this engaging sea story from the age of sail.
April 14, 2009
interesting navel fiction of a small part of the American Navy in 1799. Good writing, one gets rapidly interested inthe characters
August 13, 2016
U.S. Navy historical fiction...!
Good story line, good characterization combined with accurate historical evenings all !make for an interesting yarn! Good read for sure!
Good story line, good characterization combined with accurate historical evenings all !make for an interesting yarn! Good read for sure!
April 14, 2016
A good story line and I was looking forward to reading it. Though kind of disappointed with the writing.
April 21, 2016
Fantastic!
I have always enjoyed stories set in the Age of Sail, and this is one of the best. I can't wait to read more of Mr. Graves' adventures.
I have always enjoyed stories set in the Age of Sail, and this is one of the best. I can't wait to read more of Mr. Graves' adventures.
May 12, 2016
Sail ho!
I gave this book high marks because it was an exciting and enjoyable read. I especially enjoyed the nautical terminology and the vivid descriptions of sailing a ship.
I gave this book high marks because it was an exciting and enjoyable read. I especially enjoyed the nautical terminology and the vivid descriptions of sailing a ship.
July 9, 2016
Realistic
Good geographical information and description, you could almost believe you were there. The action was believable, I never felt cheated by the author
Good geographical information and description, you could almost believe you were there. The action was believable, I never felt cheated by the author
May 8, 2016
Fantastic rollicking adventure, well told with a great period feel, and with strong characters.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews