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Napoleonic Wars #1
Sails on the Horizon
“Inspired by the salty tales of seasoned maritime novelists C. S. Forester and Patrick O’Brian, [Worrall] delicately balances action and adventure with introspection. . . . Fans of seafaring military sagas will welcome [Sails on the Horizon].”— Booklist
The year is 1797. Napoleon Buonaparte is racking up impressive wins in the field against the enemies of revolutionary France, while on the seas England is putting up a staunch resistance. Twenty-five-year-old Charles Edgemont is second lieutenant aboard the British ship Argonaut. When orders come for the Argonaut to engage in an all-but-suicidal maneuver to prevent the escape of Spanish ships off the coast of Portugal, he leads his gun crews bravely—until the deaths of the captain and first lieutenant elevate him to commander.
For refusing to yield to enemy fire, Charles is permanently promoted and generously rewarded by the Admiralty, becoming wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. Yet upon his return home, his newfound riches prove no help when it comes to winning the heart of Penelope Brown, who regards war as sinful and soldiers as little better than murderers. Changing Penelope’s mind may just be the hardest battle Charles has ever fought—at least until fresh orders send him back to sea, where he faces a formidable adversary in a series of stirring battles of will and might.
“Well executed . . . demonstrating Worrall’s expertise in ship and sea warfare history . . . Readers will root for [Charles Edgemont]. . . . He handily defeats veteran seamen, takes enormous chances and is always rewarded.”— Publishers Weekly
The year is 1797. Napoleon Buonaparte is racking up impressive wins in the field against the enemies of revolutionary France, while on the seas England is putting up a staunch resistance. Twenty-five-year-old Charles Edgemont is second lieutenant aboard the British ship Argonaut. When orders come for the Argonaut to engage in an all-but-suicidal maneuver to prevent the escape of Spanish ships off the coast of Portugal, he leads his gun crews bravely—until the deaths of the captain and first lieutenant elevate him to commander.
For refusing to yield to enemy fire, Charles is permanently promoted and generously rewarded by the Admiralty, becoming wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. Yet upon his return home, his newfound riches prove no help when it comes to winning the heart of Penelope Brown, who regards war as sinful and soldiers as little better than murderers. Changing Penelope’s mind may just be the hardest battle Charles has ever fought—at least until fresh orders send him back to sea, where he faces a formidable adversary in a series of stirring battles of will and might.
“Well executed . . . demonstrating Worrall’s expertise in ship and sea warfare history . . . Readers will root for [Charles Edgemont]. . . . He handily defeats veteran seamen, takes enormous chances and is always rewarded.”— Publishers Weekly
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 19, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
December 14, 2011
This book sets off at a cracking pace, throwing the reader immediately into the heart of a major naval battle, of the sort that traditionally forms the climax of many books in this genre. That's fine, but the problem with loosing all your big guns in Chapter One is, can you sustain the momentum thereafter? Sadly not in this case for the early promise is not carried forward into the rest of the book.
A particular problem with this novel is an almost fatal split personality; on the one hand you have a fairly traditional naval action story and on the other a land-based love story. Now I'm quite partial to both C S Forester and Jane Austen, but NOT in the same novel! That's not to say that a naval adventure story cannot accommodate any love interest, but it needs to fit in seamlessly and appropriately. Here, a rather uninspired romance constantly interupts the flow of the story (or, if you are more into chic-lit, the scenes at sea keep interupting the romance!) When on land (and far too much of the book is set on land) the storyline meanders along in an unconvincing, rather tiresome fashion and neither plot nor characters really engaged this reader. The book comes more to life when at sea, although even here characters and storyline are fragmented and under developed. I was particularly frustrated by a plot line involving dockyard corruption which had a lot of potential. Forester used a similar theme for a brilliant little cameo in one of his Hornblower books, but here it just sort of fizzles out with no real tension or resolution. The plot is also a trifle implausible at times; I'm not going to insert any spoilers but it's hard to imagine some of the main character's antics escaping severe censure from his naval superiors!
In fairness, the writing is of a quite readable standard, and as a piece of undemanding holiday reading it passes time pleasantly enough. However, in a genre where there's plenty of top rate competition, this novel doesn't stand out as anything remarkable.
A particular problem with this novel is an almost fatal split personality; on the one hand you have a fairly traditional naval action story and on the other a land-based love story. Now I'm quite partial to both C S Forester and Jane Austen, but NOT in the same novel! That's not to say that a naval adventure story cannot accommodate any love interest, but it needs to fit in seamlessly and appropriately. Here, a rather uninspired romance constantly interupts the flow of the story (or, if you are more into chic-lit, the scenes at sea keep interupting the romance!) When on land (and far too much of the book is set on land) the storyline meanders along in an unconvincing, rather tiresome fashion and neither plot nor characters really engaged this reader. The book comes more to life when at sea, although even here characters and storyline are fragmented and under developed. I was particularly frustrated by a plot line involving dockyard corruption which had a lot of potential. Forester used a similar theme for a brilliant little cameo in one of his Hornblower books, but here it just sort of fizzles out with no real tension or resolution. The plot is also a trifle implausible at times; I'm not going to insert any spoilers but it's hard to imagine some of the main character's antics escaping severe censure from his naval superiors!
In fairness, the writing is of a quite readable standard, and as a piece of undemanding holiday reading it passes time pleasantly enough. However, in a genre where there's plenty of top rate competition, this novel doesn't stand out as anything remarkable.
August 15, 2007
This is the first naval historical novel series I've read that comes close to capturing the pleasure of the Hornblower books. While they're still Forster lite (they don't have the seriousness of the Jack Aubrey books, which I could never get into), they have something of the thoughtfulness and humanity that other attempts to capture the magic have failed at. Worrall adds an interesting twist with a Quaker heroine, whose skeptical attitude clashes with the war-faring mindset of young Captain Edgemont. It's a brilliant decision, because it allows for a strong-willed woman to be a major character in the novels without spoiling the historical accuracy; she's able to voice many of the doubts modern readers would have with the 18th century mores in the novels. Worrall also includes beautiful nods to the Forster books and the Aubrey novels by having Captain Edgemont run into both Hornblower and Aubrey (in the second book of the series) at various points in his adventures. Sheer delight.
July 12, 2020
Excellent Napoleonic navy tale. Enjoyed the slight historic fiction crossover. Love with a Quaker lady an unusual and character-formative twist.
November 28, 2007
It is very good book for the short trips or waitning for the plane, the format is handy so it can be slipped in to the handbag without any damage. The hero is larger than life and whiter than snow. Captain Charles Edgemont is natural born hero who is so shy and modest as it pains. He was hero form battle of st. Vincent, where he managed to get promoted and got nice pile of prize money, which are always good and made him independent. The naval action was nicely depicted, but very naturalistic. Our captain suffered little war trauma, in his times nothing problematic,in our time he would be at shirk. Instead he did what was natural for man coffined for month among unwashed sailor, he found a girl and a top of quaker one. The novel is dripping with sugar and it is so rmantic and so shovinistic that it pains. I think author had some personal issues with women and wrote his hero and mastrubation fantasy. Author has also strange fetish to fill his book with Nelsons, Collingwoods and yes there is also guest appearance of Horatio Hornblower. Yay.
January 16, 2021
I really enjoyed the start of this series. Looking forward to the other books. It starts right in the middle of a battle, so no laying about waiting for action. The story on shore is good, but if there is a fault to the book that is where it is for me. The love interest, although I think an unusual choice considering the period, I’m hoping will add to the story in future books. It is not that it’s bad, but more of “I wonder where this is going to go.”. Really good read.
March 10, 2010
Genuinely good. Broadsides firing into the rigging, maneuvering with the wind, navigating the vicissitudes of the British naval hierarchy, provisioning and purchasing, wives and sweethearts, swords and salutes.... the forms are fulfilled without feeling like formula. Very well done, Mr. Worrall. I look forward to reading the sequel and hope there may be many more.
June 22, 2017
Satisfactory at best
The story is good. However I felt that the author spent too much time in describing the warfare scenes. The first one was interesting but later ones became boring. Also the storyline was quite predictable.
The story is good. However I felt that the author spent too much time in describing the warfare scenes. The first one was interesting but later ones became boring. Also the storyline was quite predictable.
September 26, 2021
Spoilers ahead.
Probably the best Hornblower clone out of the ones I read so far (Lewrie, Kidd, Ramage, Drinkwater). The writing is easy to read and flows easily. Coming off the Drinkwater (ND) series, probably the best thing about this book is the lack of a recurring evil antagonist or multiple calamities. Woodman's (author of Drinkwater) writing style is to throw major elements of conflicts into ND's life that he has to overcome. As a reader you feel terrible because you identify with the protagonist only to see him keep suffering and after a while it gets real repetitive.
The complete opposite tack isn't great either. Ramage and most of the others all got through their elements of conflict in easy mode and strained credulity. Thank goodness I didn't feel this way about this book.
Summary:
The book starts in the middle of the Battle of Cape St. Vincent where Lt. Edgemont is the 2nd on a 64 SOL Argonaut. Admiral Jervis orders the Argonaut to stop the van of the Spanish line of battle from getting away. As a result the Argonaut is battered by 1st rates and is almost completely destroyed but stops the Spanish van from getting away. Both the captain and 1st Lt. are killed and Edgemont is left in command (shades of Ramage). Jervis gives him full credit after the battle and he is promoted to commander into a 28 gun frigate.
He is also given the captain's share of 3 prizes that are captured which is a very substantial amount. He goes back home to find his father dead and his eldest brother in severe debt. He saves the family property with his prize money and also buys 2 neighboring properties making him a substantial landowner. He meets a Quaker young lady and falls in love. His midshipman/acting lieutenant Winchester comes to stay and falls in love with his younger sister.
To be honest I find the romance of this couple a bit superfluous, gratuitous and strains belief. Both pairs fall in love and decide to marry after meeting one or two times. The love side story takes up about 25% of the book and doesn't add to the naval action that I came here to read. The only thing it adds for me is knowledge of the Quakers.
While his frigate Louisa is getting fitted out he is given temporary command of a small brig that is to look for French privateers and smugglers in the Irish sea. This is actually a pleasant side-story that showcases Edgemont's first real command and leadership style. Everything ends hunky dory.
He gets back to the Louisa and we are given a short account of corruption of the dockyard that Hornblower and the clones have covered. Apparently it was very bad and actually quite outrageous that it could occur with such impunity.
Eventually Edgemont gets his ship squared away and he leaves for the Mediterranean fleet under Jervis. His good friend from the Argonaut Bevan is his 1st luff and his soon to be brother-in-law Winchester is his second Lt.
His orders from Jervis are to defeat or hamstring a large 40 gun Spanish frigate operating out of Ferrol. Here he also meets a very incompetent English post-captain who leaves the spot as soon as he gets there. He gets into a fight with the Spanish frigate but it's inconclusive and he has to go back to Portsmouth to get refitted as a large number of his men are killed or injured and his frigate is damaged on the reef that he tried to lure the Spaniard on to.
When he comes back, there is an interesting cross-book incident where he is the captain who saves Hornblower (HH). In the last story of Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, HH is a prisoner in Ferrol. A Spanish ship was chased into the reefs by a British frigate and HH gathers a small group of fisherman to go out and save the survivors. After taking the survivors off the reef they are in turn saved by the British frigate. The captain offers to take HH into his ship but HH refuses since he was on parole.
In this book, Edgemont is the captain who saves HH however this book is incorrect since Mr. Midshipman Hornblower states the name of the captain and the frigate which are George Crome and HMS Syrtis but still it was a nice touch. It would have been a better touch had this book not named the British lieutenant on the life saving mission out of Ferrol.
Anyway the Louisa meets the Spanish frigate again for another battle and this time he captures her after a devastating fight. It was highly satisfying to Edgemont because the Spanish frigate was the ship that blasted the Argonaut when she was helpless at the Battle of St. Vincent.
This is a simple book, almost like a young adult book. I guess I like it more than I should after having suffered through all the negatives of the other HH clones I read: poor writing, long boring dialogs recounting history, cringy hero worship, repetitive description of series history, recurring antagonists and bad luck for the main character. Now on to the next book.
Probably the best Hornblower clone out of the ones I read so far (Lewrie, Kidd, Ramage, Drinkwater). The writing is easy to read and flows easily. Coming off the Drinkwater (ND) series, probably the best thing about this book is the lack of a recurring evil antagonist or multiple calamities. Woodman's (author of Drinkwater) writing style is to throw major elements of conflicts into ND's life that he has to overcome. As a reader you feel terrible because you identify with the protagonist only to see him keep suffering and after a while it gets real repetitive.
The complete opposite tack isn't great either. Ramage and most of the others all got through their elements of conflict in easy mode and strained credulity. Thank goodness I didn't feel this way about this book.
Summary:
The book starts in the middle of the Battle of Cape St. Vincent where Lt. Edgemont is the 2nd on a 64 SOL Argonaut. Admiral Jervis orders the Argonaut to stop the van of the Spanish line of battle from getting away. As a result the Argonaut is battered by 1st rates and is almost completely destroyed but stops the Spanish van from getting away. Both the captain and 1st Lt. are killed and Edgemont is left in command (shades of Ramage). Jervis gives him full credit after the battle and he is promoted to commander into a 28 gun frigate.
He is also given the captain's share of 3 prizes that are captured which is a very substantial amount. He goes back home to find his father dead and his eldest brother in severe debt. He saves the family property with his prize money and also buys 2 neighboring properties making him a substantial landowner. He meets a Quaker young lady and falls in love. His midshipman/acting lieutenant Winchester comes to stay and falls in love with his younger sister.
To be honest I find the romance of this couple a bit superfluous, gratuitous and strains belief. Both pairs fall in love and decide to marry after meeting one or two times. The love side story takes up about 25% of the book and doesn't add to the naval action that I came here to read. The only thing it adds for me is knowledge of the Quakers.
While his frigate Louisa is getting fitted out he is given temporary command of a small brig that is to look for French privateers and smugglers in the Irish sea. This is actually a pleasant side-story that showcases Edgemont's first real command and leadership style. Everything ends hunky dory.
He gets back to the Louisa and we are given a short account of corruption of the dockyard that Hornblower and the clones have covered. Apparently it was very bad and actually quite outrageous that it could occur with such impunity.
Eventually Edgemont gets his ship squared away and he leaves for the Mediterranean fleet under Jervis. His good friend from the Argonaut Bevan is his 1st luff and his soon to be brother-in-law Winchester is his second Lt.
His orders from Jervis are to defeat or hamstring a large 40 gun Spanish frigate operating out of Ferrol. Here he also meets a very incompetent English post-captain who leaves the spot as soon as he gets there. He gets into a fight with the Spanish frigate but it's inconclusive and he has to go back to Portsmouth to get refitted as a large number of his men are killed or injured and his frigate is damaged on the reef that he tried to lure the Spaniard on to.
When he comes back, there is an interesting cross-book incident where he is the captain who saves Hornblower (HH). In the last story of Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, HH is a prisoner in Ferrol. A Spanish ship was chased into the reefs by a British frigate and HH gathers a small group of fisherman to go out and save the survivors. After taking the survivors off the reef they are in turn saved by the British frigate. The captain offers to take HH into his ship but HH refuses since he was on parole.
In this book, Edgemont is the captain who saves HH however this book is incorrect since Mr. Midshipman Hornblower states the name of the captain and the frigate which are George Crome and HMS Syrtis but still it was a nice touch. It would have been a better touch had this book not named the British lieutenant on the life saving mission out of Ferrol.
Anyway the Louisa meets the Spanish frigate again for another battle and this time he captures her after a devastating fight. It was highly satisfying to Edgemont because the Spanish frigate was the ship that blasted the Argonaut when she was helpless at the Battle of St. Vincent.
This is a simple book, almost like a young adult book. I guess I like it more than I should after having suffered through all the negatives of the other HH clones I read: poor writing, long boring dialogs recounting history, cringy hero worship, repetitive description of series history, recurring antagonists and bad luck for the main character. Now on to the next book.
February 2, 2026
In 1797, a young second lieutenant named Charles Edgemont finds himself in command of a ship when the captain and first lieutenant are killed in battle. This results in a promotion and command of a small frigate. This leads to a series of adventures fighting the French and Spanish, including two brutal battles against a larger Spanish frigate.
The novel is obviously inspired by Hornblower (and a young Hornblower has a fun cameo in the book). Edgemont is a strong and likeable protagonist--a clever tactician and good leader. The battle scenes are quite good.
My nitpick with the book involves how much time Edgemont spends ashore in England, where meets a Quaker woman who disapproves of his profession as a warrior. The two fall in love despite this and there's a will they/won't they get married subplot. It's well-written, the girl is a good character in her own right, and the author injects a fair amount of humor into the situation.
But, gee whiz, it takes up so much of the book! We come to a book like this expecting cannon balls crashing into ships, gunpowder smoke blowing in the wind, blood in the scuppers and life-or-death decisions to be made! Hornblower, for instance, gets engaged in the last chapter of one book, married in the first chapter of the next book, then barely ever sees his wife again--because he's as sea fighting the French. THIS is where Edgemont needs to be. I like his Quaker gal, but I'm here for the cannon fire. The heck with romance.
I want to be fair: The romance plot is well-written, with the characters acting believable and everything is nicely balanced with drama and humor. Another fan of Napoleonic naval fiction might have no problem with it at all. For me, though, I often found myself wishing Edgemont would just get back out to sea where he belongs.
The novel is obviously inspired by Hornblower (and a young Hornblower has a fun cameo in the book). Edgemont is a strong and likeable protagonist--a clever tactician and good leader. The battle scenes are quite good.
My nitpick with the book involves how much time Edgemont spends ashore in England, where meets a Quaker woman who disapproves of his profession as a warrior. The two fall in love despite this and there's a will they/won't they get married subplot. It's well-written, the girl is a good character in her own right, and the author injects a fair amount of humor into the situation.
But, gee whiz, it takes up so much of the book! We come to a book like this expecting cannon balls crashing into ships, gunpowder smoke blowing in the wind, blood in the scuppers and life-or-death decisions to be made! Hornblower, for instance, gets engaged in the last chapter of one book, married in the first chapter of the next book, then barely ever sees his wife again--because he's as sea fighting the French. THIS is where Edgemont needs to be. I like his Quaker gal, but I'm here for the cannon fire. The heck with romance.
I want to be fair: The romance plot is well-written, with the characters acting believable and everything is nicely balanced with drama and humor. Another fan of Napoleonic naval fiction might have no problem with it at all. For me, though, I often found myself wishing Edgemont would just get back out to sea where he belongs.
June 4, 2019
Action at Sea
For fans of naval ship action during the Napoleonic war period, Sails on the Horizon fills the bill with action, suspense, and bravery at sea. At a time men went to sea in ships of wood, the details produced here in the story are full of the bad food, water, and disease that plagued these men. And, yet, they fought with bravery and distinction that reflects on the British Navy today.
As for the rest of the story, I was entertained, but, I am not a fan. Our hero, Captain Charles Edgemont is a worthy hero for this series. His background story, as produced here, presents a good picture of rural England. That picture of his home village, and, of his family vividly lays out the conditions in England at that time. Other aspects of the story are less successful. The substory of the courtship of his wife and her Quaker beliefs just doesn't work for me. The walk-thru of Horatio Hornblower in the middle of the story was awkward. A good story editor could have helped here.
Sails on the Horizon is a fun read. The sea action scenes are well done, and, are the best parts of the book.
4 stars for a good story with rousing sea action.
Minus one star for all of the unnecessary stuff.
3 stars
For fans of naval ship action during the Napoleonic war period, Sails on the Horizon fills the bill with action, suspense, and bravery at sea. At a time men went to sea in ships of wood, the details produced here in the story are full of the bad food, water, and disease that plagued these men. And, yet, they fought with bravery and distinction that reflects on the British Navy today.
As for the rest of the story, I was entertained, but, I am not a fan. Our hero, Captain Charles Edgemont is a worthy hero for this series. His background story, as produced here, presents a good picture of rural England. That picture of his home village, and, of his family vividly lays out the conditions in England at that time. Other aspects of the story are less successful. The substory of the courtship of his wife and her Quaker beliefs just doesn't work for me. The walk-thru of Horatio Hornblower in the middle of the story was awkward. A good story editor could have helped here.
Sails on the Horizon is a fun read. The sea action scenes are well done, and, are the best parts of the book.
4 stars for a good story with rousing sea action.
Minus one star for all of the unnecessary stuff.
3 stars
August 9, 2021
Watch out Aubrey and Lewrie, Hornblower too---there's a new captain in town! Enter Charles Edgemont.
I was happy with Captains Aubrey and Lewrie (O'Brian and Lambdin) but I must say it was getting harder to find an unread book amongst their volumes.
Lo and behold a new captain becomes available, this Charles fellow. Whatever the formula for maritime historical fiction is, Jay Worrall knows it because his captain, Charles Edgemont, fits the mold, though with less slap and tickle than Lewrie. Is Charles different enough to be interesting? There is one promising winkle that may develop nicely over subsequent books. His forthright Quaker wife is a different foil compared to those other two captains' wives. That could be interesting.
Anyway, it was refreshing and i find myself looking forward to the next in the series.
I was happy with Captains Aubrey and Lewrie (O'Brian and Lambdin) but I must say it was getting harder to find an unread book amongst their volumes.
Lo and behold a new captain becomes available, this Charles fellow. Whatever the formula for maritime historical fiction is, Jay Worrall knows it because his captain, Charles Edgemont, fits the mold, though with less slap and tickle than Lewrie. Is Charles different enough to be interesting? There is one promising winkle that may develop nicely over subsequent books. His forthright Quaker wife is a different foil compared to those other two captains' wives. That could be interesting.
Anyway, it was refreshing and i find myself looking forward to the next in the series.
October 9, 2017
Man! How did the Napoleonic wars last so long? Charles Edgemont, Protagonist of this tale, should have single-handedly successfully ended this conflict in three or four years. Seems like all he does is set sail and two pages later he’s laying on some major hurt to the enemies of the queen! Like Shaft, he’s one bad.......
I guess those of us who earned our sea legs With CS Forester’s Horatio Hornblower tales are more accustomed to page after page of the Drudgery of sea life in the age of the wooden ship and just a tad of action at the end. And don’t forget, Horatio Hornblower had to anguish over every decision he ever made, sometimes for volumes.
This is a “nice little” story. Success in his professional life, success in his love life. Ho hum!
I guess those of us who earned our sea legs With CS Forester’s Horatio Hornblower tales are more accustomed to page after page of the Drudgery of sea life in the age of the wooden ship and just a tad of action at the end. And don’t forget, Horatio Hornblower had to anguish over every decision he ever made, sometimes for volumes.
This is a “nice little” story. Success in his professional life, success in his love life. Ho hum!
September 11, 2017
This is a very well written story.
The author really did his research on this story. The characters are well developed you fell like you know
Them personally I look forward to reading more of Commander Edgemont and his crew of Louisa. You will not be disappointed in reading this novel. I would like to have read more about the Quakers and their involvement in the history of England I guess that would be in future novels.
The author really did his research on this story. The characters are well developed you fell like you know
Them personally I look forward to reading more of Commander Edgemont and his crew of Louisa. You will not be disappointed in reading this novel. I would like to have read more about the Quakers and their involvement in the history of England I guess that would be in future novels.
January 11, 2018
This novel just didn't work for me -- it unsuccessfully seeks to combine naval action in the tradition of Forester/O'Brian with country house study of manners in the tradition of Jane Austen. The result is a novel that is second rate in two genres. The characters are weak and display a modern sensibility that is alien to their environment. A pleasant afternoon's reading, but not something I would return to read again
January 13, 2022
The battle scenes were engaging, but once the novel slows down banalities like this become more glaring:
His father would have been pleased that Charles had participated in a major sea battle and been raised in rank because of it. He'd looked forward to telling him about his adventures and luck. He had wanted his father to see him as a success, and now he couldn't (56).DNF
February 21, 2018
A very human read
I am an avid reader of stories about the American and British navy’s of the late 1700s and early 1800s. Jay Worrall adds a twist. In addition to the battle scenes, you have a young officer who actively seeks revenge for the actions of an enemy ship, all the while being in love with a Quaker who abhors war.
I am an avid reader of stories about the American and British navy’s of the late 1700s and early 1800s. Jay Worrall adds a twist. In addition to the battle scenes, you have a young officer who actively seeks revenge for the actions of an enemy ship, all the while being in love with a Quaker who abhors war.
July 22, 2019
Authentic dialog and interesting sea-going action make this a good book in my estimation. There is a land-based romance that is not as much a drag on the story as some that I've read. It features a Quaker woman and her naval officer beau which makes for some sparks, but results in the usual conclusion. Overall a good page-turning yarn and I'd like to read more of this author's works.
March 8, 2022
Seit längerem mal wieder etwas marinehistorisches. Es ist kein Patrick O'Brian (wie könnte es auch! ) aber auch kein Pulp wie die Seewölfe. Eher auf der leichten Seite, aber mit dem interessanten Detail, dass Edgemont in eine Quaker-Familie einheiratet (der Autor ist selber Quaker).
Nicht ganz 4 Punkte, aber fast.
Nicht ganz 4 Punkte, aber fast.
April 7, 2025
Surrendered
This was pretty much an effortless relaxing cruise with a steady predictable story line that held its course and took me along for a pleasantly familiar jaunt. Although the sails luffed a bit when the ship was at port and the seaworthy Charles stumbles over love. But I am ready for the next voyage.
This was pretty much an effortless relaxing cruise with a steady predictable story line that held its course and took me along for a pleasantly familiar jaunt. Although the sails luffed a bit when the ship was at port and the seaworthy Charles stumbles over love. But I am ready for the next voyage.
August 22, 2017
An authentic look into the victories and tragedies of the Napoleonic Wars from an English Admiral's point of view. But not only the war brings challenges to Edgemont's life. . .so does a feisty Quaker Girl he literally runs into back home.
May 2, 2019
Lite-on battle but still rich enough in flavor to satisfy those of us that read all of the Patrick O'Brian books. The smartest thing the author might have done (or his publisher) was to get John Lee to narrate. Alone he added a star to this book.
June 2, 2019
I don’t know if this book is better for the naval adventure, or for the relationship between Charles and Penny and the tensions his military career creates for them. And that’s pretty awesome.
Ballsy of the author to have a Hornblower cameo. I think I actually gasped.
Ballsy of the author to have a Hornblower cameo. I think I actually gasped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2019
Author paints vivid life at sea, matches Quaker girl with deserving heroic Captain, who makes life better for those around him, except enemies. I hope to read more on this subject by Worrall. His touch is deft.
May 12, 2020
Fun story
I'm a sucker for a good Napoleonic War tale and a romantic at heart. This book deftly checks both boxes. If this is your kind of thing then you'll probably enjoy the book. My advice is ignore the negative reviews and give it a try.
I'm a sucker for a good Napoleonic War tale and a romantic at heart. This book deftly checks both boxes. If this is your kind of thing then you'll probably enjoy the book. My advice is ignore the negative reviews and give it a try.
June 3, 2021
A really good read!
Less history than other authors but a quicker storyline. Had to smile when Hornblower appears after rescuing sailors. Nicely written and it has started Le off on the series whilst waiting for the next Lewrie to be published.
Less history than other authors but a quicker storyline. Had to smile when Hornblower appears after rescuing sailors. Nicely written and it has started Le off on the series whilst waiting for the next Lewrie to be published.
September 21, 2021
good story
Good story, well written. Very good technical description of ships,weather,tides etc
Action writing very accurate and well written.
Dockyard scenes are probably about correct.
Good story, well written. Very good technical description of ships,weather,tides etc
Action writing very accurate and well written.
Dockyard scenes are probably about correct.
February 22, 2019
Enjoyable
A bit too much love interest in land, but exciting life and battles aboard ship. Like the reference to Forrestor's Hornblower.
A bit too much love interest in land, but exciting life and battles aboard ship. Like the reference to Forrestor's Hornblower.
December 30, 2019
In the vein of Hornblower
Excellent read, tad far fetched, but a well written tale. Looking forward to more adventure in the next book soon.
Excellent read, tad far fetched, but a well written tale. Looking forward to more adventure in the next book soon.
June 29, 2021
An exciting read.
The story keeps on the move and continues to keep you involved.
The characters are believable and well portrayed. Good read.
The story keeps on the move and continues to keep you involved.
The characters are believable and well portrayed. Good read.
September 22, 2023
Cracking
Just the right balance of action historical fact shore life and characters to make this a superb story, enjoyed every word.
Just the right balance of action historical fact shore life and characters to make this a superb story, enjoyed every word.
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