alexsiddall's review against another edition
4.0
Some longueurs, surprisingly, in this one, despite several of the most compelling actions in the whole Aubrey-Maturin series. The pursuit through ice from Halifax; the Ariel in Gripes Bay; the escape from the Temple. Although Diana Villiers is peripheral in this book, she is in the background of much of the action.
This is another O'Brian which I have re-rated with an extra star on third reading.
This is another O'Brian which I have re-rated with an extra star on third reading.
erundlett's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
aaronmjnoy's review against another edition
4.0
These last three have been one long voyage basically, with only a brief stop at home. The last half of this one was absolutely thrilling. A joy, as always with O'Brian.
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
4.0
Wanted to give it 5 stars just for Maturin's love life, but not as much fun as others in the series despite that. Financial woes are no fun to read about in any environment. That said still a great read. More geography explored and other facets of war examined.
siria's review against another edition
4.0
Far fewer sea battles—for which I am grateful, as my brain struggles to visualise such things—and a lot more plot, incident, and derring do. This is pretty much part two of [book: Fortunes of War], so this is not a place to start the series, but it's a good continuation of what comes before. Lots of good character work and a strong dollop of humour—the thoughts of Jack reminiscing of the time he spent playing Ophelia are also always enough to make me giggle.
shiradest's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent ending! Both unexpected, despite the title, and wholly entertaining to the very last word. The shifting third person once in a while made me wonder whose head we had just been in, but never interfered with the story, and gave a nice glimpse into the mind of each main character.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
madswag27's review against another edition
As always, picking up a Patrick O'Brian is like catching up with old friends. The one with: bad decisions made in Halifax; far too much Diana (I still don't love her, sorry Stephen); Stephen gives a disastrous science lecture and all anyone remembers is the "intromittent organ of the raven"; adventures in the Baltic ft. a very beautiful blond Lithuanian officer Jagiello who is SO clumsy on a ship and just has women throwing themselves at him everywhere he goes (and the Englishmen always in the background just like "wtf, why, what about this here fellow with the nice beard???" sdkdhskdh); groundings and wreckings and welp, prisoners again; a very funny sequence re: carriage drives and undercooked crayfish; "Bitche"; Stephen spends his time in prison being interrogated and also prescribing the resident prison mouse some cream for its pregnancy I CANNOT; and surprise, BABY BABBINGTON HAS BEEN PROMOTED! <3