lilacs_book_bower's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is the last Hornblower book (a series I started reading over twenty years ago). In this book, we follow Hornblower through 5 adventures in the West Indies, while he battles slavers, pirates, revolutionaries, politics, and a hurricane. Throughout it all, we see his self-doubt and agonizing over the hard decisions he must make, even at the cost of his personal honor, his career, or his life. Hornblower is such a fascinating character, full of self-doubt and decisive action. People respect and look up to him, while he often despises and sneers at himself. I would not rate this book as anywhere near the best of the series, and some of the stories were a bit slower, but it was still an enjoyable and satisfying read. Be aware of the issues that this setting will bring up for people, as we see the British Navy and hear discussions from the characters about colonies and slavery.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Colonisation
ugoglen's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
thisotherbookaccount's review
4.0
My journey with CS Forester's Hornblower series began in 2015 (thanks, Goodreads). At the time, I was looking for a naval-based historical fiction to read, and Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander series proved to be too technical for my taste (I promise to come round to it again). So then I went with the alternative, and it has been an amazing journey with Horatio Hornblower over the last three years.
The Hornblower series always delivers. While none of the books ever made it into the five-star region, the first eight books were all four-star reads. They were consistently entertaining, and my favourite part about the series is the variety of adventures that Forester puts Hornblower through. Every book has a different mission, from battling French naval forces on the high seas and punishing hurricanes to unreasonable admirals and sinking funeral boats, there's always a different challenge for Hornblower. Even though the quality of the story did dip a little towards the end, with Hornblower spending way too much time on land in Book 9 and much of the action happening off screen in Book 10, I am happy to say that Book 11, Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies, ends on a high if not bittersweet note.
This book is a collection of four short stories, and each is a return to form for Forester. My personal favourite is probably The Star of the South, where Hornblower's crew has to chase down a slave ship in peacetime. It has all the little nuggets of gems that make this story a quintessential Hornblower tale. With that said, other stories are just as good as well. Barbara once again proves herself to be one of the best characters in the series, even if she doesn't feature very prominently in the story. I sort of wished that there was a series of books told from Barbara's perspective, in a strange way.
To be honest, I am a little sad that my journey with Hornblower has come to an end. There are other naval-based historical fiction out there, of course, but there is something endearing about Hornblower as a character. It's being a good ride!
The Hornblower series always delivers. While none of the books ever made it into the five-star region, the first eight books were all four-star reads. They were consistently entertaining, and my favourite part about the series is the variety of adventures that Forester puts Hornblower through. Every book has a different mission, from battling French naval forces on the high seas and punishing hurricanes to unreasonable admirals and sinking funeral boats, there's always a different challenge for Hornblower. Even though the quality of the story did dip a little towards the end, with Hornblower spending way too much time on land in Book 9 and much of the action happening off screen in Book 10, I am happy to say that Book 11, Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies, ends on a high if not bittersweet note.
This book is a collection of four short stories, and each is a return to form for Forester. My personal favourite is probably The Star of the South, where Hornblower's crew has to chase down a slave ship in peacetime. It has all the little nuggets of gems that make this story a quintessential Hornblower tale. With that said, other stories are just as good as well. Barbara once again proves herself to be one of the best characters in the series, even if she doesn't feature very prominently in the story. I sort of wished that there was a series of books told from Barbara's perspective, in a strange way.
To be honest, I am a little sad that my journey with Hornblower has come to an end. There are other naval-based historical fiction out there, of course, but there is something endearing about Hornblower as a character. It's being a good ride!
missmelia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mbondlamberty's review
4.0
A nice ending to the series (though technically you get one more glimpse of Hornblower).
Not great and a little contrived at times (really a hurricane?) but I enjoyed it.
Could have done without an 18 year old girl swooning over Hornblower, but dealing with the pirates and the Spanish last little laugh was pleasing. Fast read as always.
Not great and a little contrived at times (really a hurricane?) but I enjoyed it.
Could have done without an 18 year old girl swooning over Hornblower, but dealing with the pirates and the Spanish last little laugh was pleasing. Fast read as always.
siria's review
1.0
The last book in the Hornblower series. Thank heavens. I can now retreat back to the miniseries, safe in the knowledge that I have done my duty and made it through the source canon. Now all I have to do is focus on Ioan Gruffudd!Horatio and tell myself that there is no way he could ever end up like this. *nods firmly*
(Can you tell that I really didn't like this series? I know I'm subtle)
(Can you tell that I really didn't like this series? I know I'm subtle)
jvanwagoner's review against another edition
adventurous
4.0
A series of short stories
I finally made it through the series. This last book is a series of short stories similar to Midshipman Hornblower. It was during peacetime, so there was less wartime action, but Forester did come up with some interesting problems for Hornblower to solve. I generally enjoyed the book but would not consider it among the best of the series.
I do recommend the series as a good-thinking man action-adventure tale. I liked Hornblower's problems solving skills, and he came up with solutions to issues that I didn't think of but did make sense. In addition, his character was complex enough to be interesting.
I originally wrote this review on 1/7/2011.
I do recommend the series as a good-thinking man action-adventure tale. I liked Hornblower's problems solving skills, and he came up with solutions to issues that I didn't think of but did make sense. In addition, his character was complex enough to be interesting.
I originally wrote this review on 1/7/2011.
iainkelly_writing's review against another edition
4.0
The war is over, Hornblower is an Admiral. A collection of short adventures that lack the excitement of the earlier books, but still entertain.
tweiland's review
3.0
Last of the series and the story winds down too much. The least interesting of the series.