mwikswokalok's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Gore, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
alfierose66's review
5.0
This was actually the first book I read in the Courtney series, when I was a teenager taking it from my mum's bookshelf. I remember loving it, and re-reading it more than a decade later I still love it. It's one of his best that I've read so far, with well written characters and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
gormley57's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
tararoediger's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
shahrun's review
4.0
Mr Smith certainly give his readers good value for money. This is one epic chunk of tree! It has everything, action, adventure, romance and exotic locations. I did enjoy this, even tho it took me ages to read (but only because I just haven't had much time to spend on reading recently). Still, this book will be traveling to a new reader tomorrow and I will be reading the next installment in the series ... Monsoon!
srreid's review
5.0
Three days of annual leave well spent deep in the pages of this epic adventure on the high seas. Thoroughly enjoyable.
secre's review against another edition
3.0
Whilst I certainly enjoyed this novel, it has a definite tendancy to veer into the two dimensional at times and I found the descriptions of our young leads virile manhood tiring by the end. For a virgin, he certainly goes through his share of women. Maybe it's the sign of a 18 year old who grew up in male company, but it could certainly stand to be reduced.
The pacing though is well done, and whilst nautical terms are frequently used, Smith successfully avoids becoming didactic in his approach. He puts his characters through absolute hell and you can't help but feel for them. He certainly writes a mean set of bad guys and there are characters here you will truly loathe.
The pacing though is well done, and whilst nautical terms are frequently used, Smith successfully avoids becoming didactic in his approach. He puts his characters through absolute hell and you can't help but feel for them. He certainly writes a mean set of bad guys and there are characters here you will truly loathe.
canada_matt's review against another edition
3.0
Smith begins the final collection of Courtney novels with an interesting historical journey. Transporting readers back to 1667, the Anglo-Dutch naval war is at its zenith as Sir Francis Courtney and his son, Henry (Hal), sail off the coast of southern Africa. They await the Dutch ships, full of riches, headed back from faraway lands. As they hold letters of permission from Charles II, both Courtney men seek to act as privateers at a time when playing pirates on the high seas was completely permissible with 'rape and pillage' an accepted means of overpowering the enemy. After being double-crossed, Francis and his entire crew are captured by the Dutch and the elder Courtney is executed before his son. After being sentenced to a prison camp, the entire crew find a means escape, but only after learning the extent to the Dutch punitive measures. The crew choose Hal to lead them back on the seas. With loose connections to the Knights Templar, Hal sails the seas to avenge his father's death and uphold the Templar traditions. Hal soon learns that leading a crew is more complex than he first thought and that protecting the innocent, particularly his fellow Christians, is death-defying. As Hal Courtney finds himself protecting Ethiopia from Arab invaders, the man's true mettle comes to light, which has previously been exemplified by subsequent generations of Courtney men. Smith opens this collection of adventures in exciting fashion, leaving nothing to chance as he entertains his readers.
While this was not the most exciting of Smith's novels, I must offer him much praise for this wonderful spin. He moves the Courtney name to its earlier ancestors, tracing their strength and determination through the skills Hal exemplifies throughout the novel. Races and swashbuckling on the high seas differs greatly from some of the past narratives, but it is this unique approach that keeps readers coming back. The attentive reader will enjoy a character or two, in hopes of their reemergence in subsequent novels. One can only hope Hal makes as indelible a mark as the likes of Sean and Centaine Courtney have in earlier novels.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for your diligence and attention to detail. I am eager to tackle more of Hal's adventures and learn of those who followed him, as South Africa became so important to this family.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
While this was not the most exciting of Smith's novels, I must offer him much praise for this wonderful spin. He moves the Courtney name to its earlier ancestors, tracing their strength and determination through the skills Hal exemplifies throughout the novel. Races and swashbuckling on the high seas differs greatly from some of the past narratives, but it is this unique approach that keeps readers coming back. The attentive reader will enjoy a character or two, in hopes of their reemergence in subsequent novels. One can only hope Hal makes as indelible a mark as the likes of Sean and Centaine Courtney have in earlier novels.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for your diligence and attention to detail. I am eager to tackle more of Hal's adventures and learn of those who followed him, as South Africa became so important to this family.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/