Customer Reviews

Under Enemy Colors

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S. Thomas Russell debuts with `Under Enemy Colors' an age of sail novel set in 1793. Lieutenant Charles Hayden finds himself summoned by the First Secretary of the Navy Philip Stephens who offers him a position aboard the Themis as first lieutenant - with an added duty to file secret reports with Stephens. Hayden reluctantly accepts what he feels are Stephens' somewhat dishonorable demands. Arriving for service he finds a ship in utter disarray under the command of the `shy' tyrant Josiah Hart. Hayden's efforts to set the ship aright are frustrated by the captain and the second lieutenant as much as by a fractious crew.

That much the reader learns in the first 50 pages. From there Russell takes the reader along on a rollicking good tale with a stealthy night-time ambuscade, espionage on French soil, sea battles with broadsides and boardings, and a mutiny. For all the action Russell also manages to weave in Hayden's back story (his mother is French), a budding romance, a debate society among the middies, and even an inventor's attempted improvement on the ship's guns. Russell's talents shine as he unfolds the courts martial and accompanying naval intrigue.

`Under Enemy Colors' inevitably draws comparison to the tales of C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower and Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey and Russell relishes the challenge. This reviewer finds himself somewhat surprised, but delighted to report that Russell's Charles Hayden just may be up to the task. Russell at times seems to be in a rush to get his series fully under sail, but perhaps that may be excused by the obvious care and devotion the author gave to writing this book. Russell promises another installment in 2009. Let's hope it fulfills the promise of `Under Enemy Colors', which was just a heck of a lot of fun to read.

It's a little sad that every novel of a young man rising through the British Navy during the period of the Napoleanic Wars must now be considered derivative, but there it is. There is Hornblower, there is Aubrey and Maturin, there are many lesser series that cover the same ground (errr.. water).

Patrick O'Brian once complained that he started the Aubrey-Maturin cycle too late in Jack Aubrey's career, since he was against writing prequels. S. Thomas Russell will not have that problem. He has begun what must be intended to be a long series of novels about the exploits of his half-English, half-French protagonist Charles Hayden in 1793, when Hayden is a first lieutenant. Minor characters are not as well developed, too one-sided. The names Wickham and Hart are minor references back to Austen and O'Brian.

Books of this type require descriptions of the sea and sailing, descriptions of battle, and at least a passing acquaintance with Jane Austen-style romantic complications. Russell provides a good balance of each in his first volume. The author also does a better job describing some actions, such as stepping a mast with the help of sheers, than other authors do.

In my opinion, Russell is roughly the equal of CS Forester in describing action, setting up plot, and fleshing out his characters. He does not come up to the literary level of Patrick O'Brian. The writing has a few rough spots, and from the set up, I was hoping for a "Murder on the Orient Express" at sea type of mystery, which did not develop at all. I am looking forward to the author's next effort with the continuing cast.

A good start to a new series! This is more of a character-driven novel rather than an action-oriented book with almost non-stop sea battles. There are fighting and battles, to be sure, but in this book, as in real life at that time, the great majority of a naval officer's time was spent dealing with shipboard life rather than in sea battles. The writing is surprisingly good. I was reminded of Stachel's comment to his squadron commander in The Blue Max when asked about his ability, and so as not to seem boastful he replies "I'm comfortable in the air". Russell is obviously "comfortable" with words and sentences--or think of a veteran sailor in a small boat on a rough sea being "comfortable" on the water. Too many authors, including too many best-selling authors, are not comfortable with words and sentences--these authors almost regard them as an enemy--and the labored writing style is often masked with violent action or other plot devices. Russell's writing seems completely unlabored, and the characters are well-drawn, the dialogue believable, and there's a wealth on naval minutae to work with.

It should come as a surprise to no one that influence and interests weighed very heavily with the Admiralty. Men of little ability could, with friends and family in proper places, rise to levels far above what they deserved or could handle--merit played a minimal role. The hero, Hayden, is without influence, and must serve under a cowardly bully who has influence to spare. Flogging captains and mutinous crews are popular plot elements in naval fiction. But the classic case of this was anything but fictional: Hugh Pigot of the Hermione (see Dudley Pope's excellent nonfictional account The Black Ship). Bligh, by contrast, might seem tender-hearted.

There's a good court-martial and the usual romance. I might note a couple of things. First, in most naval fiction, the author likes his or her protagonist to protagonize, so to speak. The hero should direct the action rather than be an also-ran. This means that the hero must almost always be the captain (or acting captain) of a smallish ship (frigate or smaller) involved in independent action--which gives the hero an ability to shine. Think of Cochrane, the model for most protagonists in naval fiction. Being captain of a 74 in a fleet under the command of an admiral gives less scope for the hero to control the action. Likewise, being 3rd mate on any ship is not a popular place for a hero. Even in the early Hornblower stories, it seems that most of the time Hornblower was busy taking prizes back to port and thus in command. I'm grateful for the fine Lewrie series by Dewey Lambdin where in the early novels Lewrie is a low-level player literally learning the ropes ("kissing the gunner's daughter" sounded appealing to him!). So I hope Russell has prequels--several prequels--about Hayden's earlier career.

The second thing I'm not comfortable with here is the ship's surgeon who is addressed as "Doctor" rather than "Mr". Actual doctors were rare at sea: surgeons were common. Doctors had much higher social status, since they did not do any surgery, whereas surgeons of necessity worked with their hands (like common laborers) and thus could not be considered true gentlemen. But this was just a minor distraction from a fine novel.

S. Thomas Russell has written an exciting, thoughtful and meticulously researched work of Napoleonic era fiction. His hero, twenty-six-year-old Lieutenant Charles Hayden, is an amalgam of Patrick O'Brian's two protagonists: he has the "never mind the maneuvers, just go straight at `em" dash of Jack Aubrey; and the divided conscience of the intellectual half-breed Stephen Maturin. This combination, of course, gets him into dire straights, especially when he is called to serve under a villainous, cowardly and supremely vindictive captain.

The author moves easily between the Jane Austen-esque scenes of courtship ashore, to the robust and tense adventures at sea. Russell does not shy away from the barbarity of war--blood and bowels are strewn across decks with shocking realism. And the hero (as well as his young protégé, Midshipman Lord Arthur Wickham) must face the gut-wrenching consequences of their actions, including a disastrous spying foray into enemy territory and an attack on a French ship that results in horrendous carnage.

Russell has the beginnings of a great new series here. Under Enemy Colors starts in 1793--a dozen years before The Battle of Trafalgar--at the beginning of what we now refer to as The Napoleonic Wars. I can't wait to see how Hayden and young Wickham (aged sixteen) grow over the course of the series. I wish the next book was already written, because I'd go out and buy it immediately. N. Smith, author of Stolen from Gypsies.

Hayden is half French, not a good thing to be when Britain is at war with France. Add to that his posting to a ship to serve as second in command to a cowardly and bullying captain and a crew on the edge of mutiny...

This is the kind of stuff lovers of Hornblower will enjoy - not too much in the way of sea battles, but good characters and and interesting scenario. I found the dialogue a little too formal (there was one early scene with a friend's wife who was referred to as Mrs all the time - took me ages to work out it was his wife not his mother!) but once on board it settled down and turned into an entertaining story. Hayden himself is a little too perfect but that aside, this turned out to be an enjoyable read. I will read the next one and hope the author will lighten the formality a little and continue to develop the characters - it was a good first novel and I suspect things can only get better...

UNDER ENEMY COLORS is an impressive debut that offers a lot to be optimistic about if it becomes a series but Hayden is not the equal of Hornblower or Aubrey-Maturin yet. The three part structure of the book is a strength. The setup on land and in port during which we learn (protagonist/hero) Hayden has no "influence" (partly because his mother is French,) and so must accept assignment to a troubled ship. This exposition is efficient and well written. The next section, comprising the vast majority of the book, is (mostly) action at sea -- depending upon how one looks at it -- one or two very eventful voyages. At times I felt the pace of the action was unsustainable. Hayden would collapse for lack of sleep alone. The last section takes Hayden back ashore for admiralty intrigue and a court martial which was suspenseful, and I thought, quite interesting. The book's greatest strength is that it is a page turner and one can see that readers appreciate that by the strong reviews here. The greatest weakness is a two-dimensional antagonist (i.e. Captain Bligh on a bad day) who is not interesting because he has absolutely no redeeming trait whatsoever and is therefore incapable of surprising us.

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Russell certainly knows his sails and makes a point of explaining that each course correction aboard a square rigged vessel would also require considerable trimming etc... But what's definitely less pronounced here than in an O'Brian novel is the use of a ship as a microcosm of the society that created it -- in the way that Jane Austen uses households for example -- but most male readers would probably prefer the extensive action sequences anyway. And although Russell's dialogue is deft enough, it does not compare with the Master & Commander series...but then I doubt we'll see the like of that in genre fiction again. All in all, this is a good start on what may potentially mature into an excellent series. Here's hoping!

In 1793 the hostilities between France and England leaves some people with divided loyalties. For instance, Royal Navy Lieutenant Charles Saunders Hayden is the offspring of an English father and a French mother although he does his duty with honor in support of England and the crown.

However, being half-French makes his chances for promotions nil and his loyalty questioned; his superior officers distrust him in spite of his proven record. Denied once again a promotion he earned, he is assigned as the first lieutenant to the frigate Themis; commanded by Captain Josiah "Faint" Hart, who got and kept his job due to political connections at the highest level of the Admiralty in spite of being an incompetent and a coward. Hayden is stunned by the Themis being closer to mothball shape rather than in war condition and the crew appears ready to jump ship. As combat with the French is imminent, Hart wants to sail away, but needing a fall guy openly tears into Hayden accusing him of being a French enemy combatant of England.

This late eighteenth century military thriller grips the audience with its insightful look at war at sea. Charles is fantastic protagonist who keeps the exciting story line together as a victim of bias and inferior superior officers who got their position due to connections; even in 1793 political hacks are given technical leadership jobs so that when a crisis occurs they can fail and blame others. Historical readers will cherish this strong naval saga with vivid sea battles, strong characterizations, and a deep sense of time and place with the reminder that those who ignore history repeat the mistakes of the past.

Harriet Klausner

The year is 1793. The French Revolution is entering its "wretched excess" stage, Napoleon has not quite appeared, and the Royal Navy is doing what it does best. Familiar territory for O'Brian readers, although a trifle earlier, chronologically, than Master and Commander. Our protagonist is Lt. Charles Hayden, son of a French mother and English father, with strong ties on both sides of the channel- and conflict. Because of his parentage he is regarded with some suspicion by the RN establishment, and lags somewhat in promotion behind his friend Robert Hertle, who has just made Post Captain. Somewhat at loose ends he is suddenly summoned into the presence of Phillip Stephens, First Secretary of the Admiralty, and offered a post as First Lieutenant of an almost brand new frigate. There are, however, strings attached.What follows involves intrigue, the writings of Tom Paine, a lovely lady, a shy Captain, and a good deal cannon fire as Hayden, on HMS Themis engages in battle with his mothers country. There is a clever doctor, a dashing frigate Captain, a scurrilous gent named Hart, and a rather wise beyond his years middy named Wickham. I seriously doubt that either Wickham or Hart are named accidentally, although our Mr. Wickham is the opposite of Miss Austen's character of the same name.This is rousing good stuff! Russell is a sailor of considerable experience, so he gets that end of it down well. As a writer he isn't O'Brian- but then who is? I do place him several cuts above Alexander Kent and his ilk- somewhere in Jim Nelson territory although without Nelson's consistent sense of humor. There are some funny bits- the occasional pun, a very deliberate "There is not a moment to lose!" and a well done birding expedition to lighten the tale.Under Enemy Colors is, to be sure, a first novel. There are some fortuitous coincidences to get our hero out of trouble a couple of times, although this does get acknowledged later in the book. Along toward the end there is an escape that is based on either something in the O'Brian canon, or right out of Hornblower- I can't remember which.The action sequences are nicely done, as are the periods ashore. Hayden's burgeoning relationship with his young lady are handled well, although the future seems pretty clear, unless Russell throws a curve ball. There is another volume due in 2009, and I, for one, will have it on the "hold" list at my local library when it appears. Russell will nicely fill the gap until Nelson starts writing fiction again.

S. Thomas Russell has written a wonderfully descriptive novel of life in the Royal Navy, painting his pictures skillfully with his choice of words. Having spent a career at sea, I appreciated the excellent story telling, whether the tale was about the environment aboard, or the sea, or the skies, or the relationships that happen in shipboard life. Add to the basic story line intrigue and how "connections" and skillful manipulation of the truth can risk the men, both in their careers, their reputations and physically.

Once I got past the first few chapters of character development, the story became a fast paced read, full of surprises and twists, all of which are easily read as the real outcomes to the events taking place.

The characters are a good study in themselves, and by the time you have reached the end of the novel, you know them well for their demeanor and attributes.

Worth the time to read, and it leaves lots of "sea room" for more to come in a series!

During the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars that followed, the British navy was a crowded and heroic service. Now it's time to count Lt. Charles Saunders Hayden among the likes of Hornblower, Aubrey, Easy and Ramage, as well as other fictional seamen who regularly and with great resolve foiled the efforts of the French fleet.

Hayden is the creation of author S. Thomas Russell, and his first appearance here, in 1793, is a fruitful one. Lacking a prominent sponsor among the admirality -- and under a cloud of suspicion among some of his peers for having a French mother -- Hayden considers himself lucky to land a first lieutenant's posting on the frigate Themis ... although Capt. Josiah "Damn Your Eyes" Hart, under whom he must serve, has a reputation for brutality among his own men and cowardice against the French.

Themis is certainly not a happy ship when Hayden comes aboard, although he makes remarkable progress in getting her ship-shape by the time the captain retires on board.

Hayden directs his recalcitrant crew through a great many adventures, in spite of their own misgivings and their captain's belligerent opposition. There are great sea battles and secret missions, plenty of intrigue and even a mutiny and courts-martial.

Through it all, Russell provides readers with a working knowledge of ship's life and the workings of rigging and crew without ever sounding like a nautical textbook. Unlike some naval novels I've read, I never paused in this one, confused by what was going on.

"Under Enemy Colors" is a hard book to put down, and I found myself reading late into the night on a few too many occasions. I offer that as a compliment to the author and look forward to Hayden's next adventure.

by Tom Knapp, the Rambles.(net) guy