Right, Monkey - Rated 
Well hurrah for Paul Dowswell and extra rum all round! As a boy I was introduced to the nautical novels of the peerless Alexander Kent; Dowswell is his worthy heir. The hero, Sam Witchall, narrates his adventures as he embarks upon a grim life as a British naval rating. The action is fast-paced, the author's knowledge of the era shines through the prose and as a reader I was definitely left wanting more. Fortunately, Dowswell has followed this up with the equally impressive 'Prison Ship', just released in paperback. Unfortunately, the third in the series is said to be the last; I think there is a lot more mileage in young Witchall yet though...
A rollicking read! - Rated
Powder Monkey is a great read, combining the story of Sam Witchell and his adventures at sea and his friendships against the description of the historical setting and the ship's layout. The sea battles are excitingly told and give a sense of what must have been the often gruesome reality of life for a young boy at sea. The ending is a sure invitation to reading the next book to find out what happens to Sam next. It appeals to a wide age range - my 10 year old niece loved it and I'm a well over 40 something who loved it too - a good bit of escapism, that you could lose yourself in; we're both about to read the sequel.
An easy reading Tale - Rated 
This is a strange book to describe, It is a very easy read in fact i read it in one day! sometimes it can be informative with it's descriptions of navy life, and other times it reads like a childrens story, The fact that it is about a fourteen yr old boy is probably why.
If you are looking for a strong story, this book is not it! the book is okay but weak.
Basically it's about a young boy who go's to sea on a old merchant ship, he gets press ganged into the Royal Navy, They then sail all the way to Gibralter, but when they get there no one is allowed off the ship and then they sail all the way back, they have a bit of a battle on the way back
and then get shipwrecked of Lizard,obviously there's more to it than that but not much more!
Gripping! - Rated
When I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. It iis the best book I have ever read
exceptionally well-written - Rated 
There were three good novels set in the Napoleonic era published in 2005 and this was one. In terms of writing, it's the best (the other two, Secrets of the Fearless and Peter Raven Under Fire are more in the rollocking romantic vein) and most thoughtful. One is immediately engaged in Sam's struggles to find his feet when press-ganged, and his dawning intelligence as to the injustice of the social structure, his friendship with a boy-officer and his protection of a cat are all moving. What it lacks is more of a narrative drive. It is very well worth reading if you like the period or books about the sea.
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