mordshunger's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It's not my favourite, but "She was a happy ship." will always be a joy to read. At least Maturin can now feel something more complex than "I am sad about Diana.".
juliule's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
lewismd's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
heritage's review against another edition
3.0
Picking up after the events of book 5, Desolation Island, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are told to return with all haste from the East Indies to England for Jack to receive his new commission. However, at Cape Town they receive word of the long-awaited war with the Americans, and then nothing goes according to plan.
Once again, the Aubrey-Maturin machine is in motion. This time, Dr. Maturin takes more of a role as Aubrey sustains an injury and is unable to do much, and also because a fair bit of the story takes place on land and deals with Maturin's spying. Sadly, neither land nor espionage are Patrick O'Brian's forte, and the novel suffers for it. It's amazing how his language can be so engaging and vivacious when talking about seafaring, and yet can become so bland and ho-hum when dealing with landlubbers.
Unfortunately, the first one-fifth of the novel is mainly just a mundane recap of the events of book 5 to bring people up to speed for when the story of book 6 finally sets sail. The setting at sea on a ship of the Royal Navy is still top-notch, though. The language is rich and period appropriate, the atmosphere is thick, and he really knows how to ramp up the tension of a battle and vividly describe the actions of the sailors and the maneuvers of the ships. Definitely Historical Fiction par excellence, even if the plot is insignificant.
Once again, the Aubrey-Maturin machine is in motion. This time, Dr. Maturin takes more of a role as Aubrey sustains an injury and is unable to do much, and also because a fair bit of the story takes place on land and deals with Maturin's spying. Sadly, neither land nor espionage are Patrick O'Brian's forte, and the novel suffers for it. It's amazing how his language can be so engaging and vivacious when talking about seafaring, and yet can become so bland and ho-hum when dealing with landlubbers.
Unfortunately, the first one-fifth of the novel is mainly just a mundane recap of the events of book 5 to bring people up to speed for when the story of book 6 finally sets sail. The setting at sea on a ship of the Royal Navy is still top-notch, though. The language is rich and period appropriate, the atmosphere is thick, and he really knows how to ramp up the tension of a battle and vividly describe the actions of the sailors and the maneuvers of the ships. Definitely Historical Fiction par excellence, even if the plot is insignificant.
ielerol's review against another edition
4.0
Is Jack Aubrey hanging with the "lunatics" in a Boston hospital my favorite thing yet to happen in this series? Possibly! The wombats might have been number 1 if they'd gotten more screen time, as it were.
I can't decide what I think of the current state of Stephen's relationship with Diana, but at least it's more complex than "Stephen is miserable over Diana", so, that's something.
I can't decide what I think of the current state of Stephen's relationship with Diana, but at least it's more complex than "Stephen is miserable over Diana", so, that's something.
peterthelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best in the series. Jack and Stephen get involved in two historical actions--USS Constitution vs. HMS Java, and USS Chesapeake vs. HMS Shannon--and Jack and Stephen make a thrilling escape from Boston; plus one of my favorite quotes, "gluppit the prawling strangles." Always makes me laugh.
armchair_vibes's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
Due to the time period there are some characters that unfortunately use racial slurs and one instance of suggested black face as a disguise.mbondlamberty's review against another edition
5.0
Another page-turner. Not a lot of suspense for those that know their history, but even so there is suspense in terms of the lives of the main characters. In the US and the War of 1812, which is interesting to view with the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars which really impresses one with the naval might of the Brits.
Less naval action than some might like, but again far reaching geographically and more details on Maturin, who again is one my favorite characters.
Less naval action than some might like, but again far reaching geographically and more details on Maturin, who again is one my favorite characters.