Customer Reviews

Sword of Honour (The Bolitho Novels, no. 23) (Volume 23)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I read this book in a U.K. print as it is not yet in the States and I found it to be one of the better efforts of Mr Kent ne Reeman. The historical events of Napoleon's escape from Elba and the battles that ensued give this book the drama and flaver that I have come to love in the previous 22 books in this line. I could not put it down, and read it straight through. I have over the years intoduced over 15 of my friends to the Bolitho saga, and the only bad thing about this book is the death of Admiral Sir Richard, but with the presence of Adam Bolitho, I feel that this saga can continue with no loss of interest for all of us whom have come to love all of the people that have been intorduced and been brought alive in the past 23 books. I only hope that Lady Sommerval is not left out of any forthcoming books.

I have greatly enjoyed Kent's Bolitho Novels, mainly because I had read Hornblower as well as the Aubrey/Maturin novels, and was infected with the love of the genre.

I'll not compare Bolitho to those other worthies as he is not them nor they him, however I do think that Mr Kent should have killed off our more-than-maudlin Admiral in book 17 or 18.

I found this book a nice way to spend my reading time for a day or so, but in truth, I can't recommend it as one of Kent's best.

Alexander Kent (Douglas Reeman), a prolific writer, spends an entire novel in maudlin reminescence of a character's life to prepare us for that character's death. This last installment of Richard Bolitho's life deserved far better. Set around Napoleon's escape from Elba, the novel never really gives Sir Richard anything to do, except remember those he has known and act as though he is ready to die. The series, which already went about 8 books too long, is left to trickle off, instead of a spectacular finish and transition to Adam becoming the main character. I read all 23 of the set (though not the 24th, where Adam carries on) and I wish I'd stopped around 15 or so. Skip this one and continue on to Adam's first solo adventure.

I could not believe the turn this series took in the last 4-5 books: Bolitho and Herrick at each other's throats, all the double entendre sex and romance, and then with this novel---killing off the fellow the whole series was built around! Not too smart to kill off your hero, Mr.Kent. The nephew is not a well fleshed-out character in any of the previous books and now the author wants to devote the remaining books to telling about his so-called adventures? Ridiculous! I wonder if all the romantic stuff sneaked in (it really does increase after book 15 or 16) after the author remarried a somewhat younger woman (see his website for author biography). Whatever the reason, Patrick O'Brian he ain't and none of these books are as well written as the Aubrey-Maturin series, no matter how many reviewers have claimed it so. O'Brian was in a league of his own. Kent is in the mediocre one with many others. I stopped reading the series when finished with this book, and am currently looking for a new one to inform and entertain.

The war against Napoleon is over. Napoleon lost his battle and abdicated his throne and is now exiled to an island to be emprisoned. Dick Bolitho is recalled from Halifax to make room for a more senior admiral who is charged with bringing the war against the U.S. to an end; Adam Bolitho remains as Keen's Flag Captain, but Keen is more concerned with his romancing a new woman and ensuring his career to go out to sea any more; and Lady Somerville is awaiting her hero back in England.

Sounds like a wrap up of a series, no?

Well, it's not. There is still plenty of action in this story. While Dick Bolitho is sent back to England, it is only for a few weeks and then he is off again to command a squadron of frigates in the Mediteranan sea - chasing after pirates. This series has had to deal with many contortions lately to keep things goins and this book is no different - For instance, while Dick Bolitho (as a full Admiral no less!) is given command of a few frigates in Malta, a newly-hatched Commodore takes over Adam Bolitho's frigate squadron the active war zone of Halifax. Then, it is also hard to explain how come Read Admiral Keen is recalled from Halifax, and given the port admiral duties in Portsmouth AND promoted to a Vice Admiral without setting foot on a fighting ship again. And on, and on, and on.

I think that even Mr. Reeman has reached the end of the rope on that convoluted storyline, so he decides to end the whole thing with Dick Bolitho. Before your outrageous howls about giving up the storyline, please note that the last four or five books in the series had a timeline of Richard Bolitho's life printed in them and they all stated that he dies in March 1815 in this book. So, even coming into it, we all knew that Richard Bolitho will get killed here. The question for me was, how? The answer to that waits until the very last page of the very last chapter as Bolitho manages to get involved in Napoleon's escape from Elba.

There are plenty of sea tales in this book and actually it is much better than several of the previous volumes in the series. Since this book is an end of an era, it is not too surprising that many of the old characters make cameo appearances - like Herrick who appears for a page or two. In addition, Adam Bolitho starts taking on a more prominent role in this book. Which makes sense since he will carry the series from here on out, and we start seeing more of the Bolitho 'magic' being bequeathed to him. As usual, there is the pat circumstance of a superior officer who is really unworthy of command - and who gets killed during an engagement; very convenient.

So, a mixed bag deserving of the three star rating I give this book.

Vice Admiral of the Red Sir Richard Bolitho hopes, perhaps for the first time in his life, to stay at home instead of to return to the sea. He might possibly get his wish, and be able to stay with his beloved Catherine at his long and distinguished career's end; for England will soon be at peace at last. But it's not to be. Bolitho finds himself posted to Malta, where he quickly takes on the task of eliminating piracy as a threat to Mediterranean shipping. Meanwhile, Bolitho's nephew and heir, Captain Adam Bolitho, puzzles over a new commodore to whom he must be flag captain. And Catherine, Lady Somervell, faces the cruelties of London society to a woman who lives openly with a man not her husband.

It's hardly a spoiler to acknowledge what I knew when I bought this book, that it is the volume in the long series that recounts Richard Bolitho's death in action. Knowing how it must end did nothing to stop me from finishing it at 4 a.m. I found it awkwardly plotted in some places, and its love scenes failed to ring true, but its characters compelled me to keep reading just the same. I've loved Richard Bolitho and his "happy few" since I discovered them over 30 years ago. How else could his story have ended?

--Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of "Granite Island"

I had not heard of Alexander Kent until I complained at a book store that they had no copies of Patrick O'Brian's books. The owner said, "Have you read any of Alexander Kent?" I had not, and that began a wonderful new adventure. Kent writes naval stories about the same historical time period as O'Brian, but Kent often has more action scenes, which I thoroughly enjoy. If you like O'Brian, you will love Kent.
Prentice Kinser III, D.Min., Author of:Limitless Living, A Guide to Unconventional Spiritual Exploration and Growth