Review by Booklist Review
"Save the rum." This entertaining nautical tale is the first in a new series by Coles (March of War, 2017), himself a former officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. He demonstrates a talent for refreshing the familiar tale of a navy ship in search of a pirate base. Subcommander Liam Blackwood signs on as executive officer of the HMSS Daring and recruits quartermaster Amelia Virtue to join the crew under Commander Sophia Riverton as they hope to locate and destroy the pirate threat ahead of an impending war with the bug-like Sectoid race. The crew of the Daring sails solar winds under cover on a top-secret mission as Blackwood deftly navigates the dangers of nefarious traders, the strict protocols of naval discipline (and frowned-upon fraternization), and the impediments of noble privilege. Fans of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, military sf, or swashbuckling tales will find something to enjoy amid the interplanetary travel, black powder cannons, and close quarter cutlass duels with members of the brutish Theropods and their mighty tail swords.--Terrence Miltner Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
His Imperial Majesty's solar sailors take on space pirates in this fizzy, unstable mix of retro and future naval adventures. Liam Blackwood is an experienced second-in-command frustrated at being passed over for a promotion to captain of an interstellar vessel powered by solar sails. He must mediate between a competent but distant new captain and a crew excited by the prospect of prize money for taking down pirates. Tasked with an unorthodox, undercover mission to root out a hidden pirate base that threatens to interfere with a possible war against the buglike Sectoids, Blackwood needs to please his commander, Lady Sophia Riverton, and keep her hastily assembled crew-including his former commander's privileged protAcgAc, Cadet James Highcastle-on task. His affection for sailor Amelia Virtue, whom he promoted to petty officer, also complicates his precarious position. Coles's setting is a mishmash of sails on towering masts that are manipulated by hand, pistols in braces, and artificial gravity; in mixed-gender crews, lacy-sleeved officers receive forehead-knuckle salutes from the common swabbies. Science fiction fans of the Hornblower or Aubrey/Maturin sailing sagas will likely thrill as the cannons are run out for battles in space. Agent: Howard Morhaim, Morhaim Literary. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
This is a swashbuckling tale of the first order, set in a Regency-era world where social class dictates everything and ships sail among the planets on solar winds and currents. Liam Blackwood is second in command to a typical reckless lord who's willing to risk ship and crew in a petty and dangerous race. Blackwood eagerly accepts the opportunity to leave the regular navy and join a clandestine ship, captained by Commander Sophia Riverton, operating under a letter of marque to seek out and eliminate a scourge of vicious space pirates. Riverton and Blackwood set sail for the dark of space with a handpicked and dauntless crew on the HMSS Daring, and soon they have their first bloody confrontation. Replete with pirates, full-bore battles, enigmatic aliens, and traitors, this fast-paced tale never lets up. The characters are well defined and engaging, and there is the requisite forbidden romance and plenty of byzantine political intrigue. VERDICT Buy this diverting nautical, steampunk, and sci-fi mash-up for those who enjoy Philip Reeve's "Larklight" novels and Jim Butcher's "Cinder Spires" series.-Gretchen Crowley, formerly at Alexandria City Public Libraries, VA © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
With solar sails hoisted and war with the Sectoids imminent, Imperial Navy Subcmdr. Liam Blackwood, enigmatic quartermaster Amelia Virtue, and the crew of the HMSS Daring must stop space pirates from disrupting human supply lines in the outer sectors in the first book in a new series.Unable to catch the pirates outright, they pose as opportunistic space merchants to gather intelligence. Any booty they take from the pirates remains their prize, but sailing the system under a false flag comes with great risk: Fail, and the emperor will disavow all knowledge of the mission. Every member of the crew will be dishonorably discharged and made destitute. When Daring commander Sophia Riverton's orders jeopardize the mission, that threat becomes all too real, and the crew slips closer and closer toward mutiny. Romantic complications notwithstanding, Liam and Amelia have to uncover the truth about Riverton before the pirates discover their ruse and scuttle the mission, destroying any chance humankind has against the relentless Sectoids. While former Royal Canadian Naval officer Coles (March of War, 2017, etc.) brings nautical authenticity to this Napoleonic sailing era/space race mashup, he focuses more on the sailing and leaves the sci-fi to buzz away, sometimes forgotten, in the background. Nevertheless, the jaunty pace is unwavering and enjoyable. Coles' female characters could have used greater authenticity, but overall the colorful ensemble adds to the fun.Traditional science fiction lovers may get distracted looking for more space tech, but lovers of classic high-seas adventures and those who enjoy genre-bending SF will find this swashbuckling space adventure a worthy read. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
