OK at best - Rated 
The number of clichés in just the first two pages of this book actually made me wince, but a love of this genre persuaded me to continue and as a simple adventure story it just about got the job done. However, an unrealistic main character and barely one-dimensional supporting characters really let this book down, as did the overwhelming amount of ponderous detail - it is difficult to make a battle boring to read but describing action by action how each sail is set will do it! Also, fairly obvious plot errors really ruined the story for me. Overall, it is an exciting and satisfying story but in such a popular genre it fails to provide the quality required to compare to O'Brian and Forester
A reasonable seafaring novel - Rated 
I nearly gave up half way through the first chapter.
This book did not have the immediate realism of C.S. Forester or Patrick O'Brien, or Simon Scarrow or even Dudley Pope. It did not have the pace of Bernard Cornwell.
However, since it was a present from my husband, I persevered and was reasonably glad I did. The tale is a little simplistic, and the characters not particularly well developed, but it's a reasonable enough tale and served to while away a couple of hours. I was left thinking that maybe I would buy the sequel after all, just out of curiosity.
I would characterise this as 'starter fiction', for someone who wants a fairly short, uncomplicated seafaring story without being burdened by too much in the way of psychology or plot.
Outstanding - Rated 
Read almost overnight, difficult to put down, a memorable yarn. I have to say one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year. I look forward to seeing the development of the series.
Good but not great - Rated
As a naval fiction fan I bought this book on the strength of the other reviews (and the suspicion that the more glowing ones were written by the author or his friends). It's not a bad read, enough technicalities to give a touch of authenticity, a bit light on character development. I may acquire the sequel - but can't say that I can't wait.
A promising start - Rated 
I bought this book on the strength of the glowing reviews on this page but I have to say I was a little disappointed. The book was enjoyable enough but I didn't think it was outstanding.
Certainly it was easy to read, the action sequences were very well done and the story was entertaining enough but I felt some of the seamanship was overdone - a little too detailed in places. Also I hate inconsistencies in books: the author made a point of telling the reader that Fury had lost his watch during first battle but later, on the island, that he loaned his watch to the lookout on the hilltop.
Overall the story kept my interest to the end, although it was all rather predictable but, for all that, I will read Lieutenant Fury when it comes out in paperback just to see how "our hero" progresses.
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