The Tern Schooner

Privateers & Gentlemen #2

by Jon Williams, Walter Jon Williams

Walter Jon Williams writing as Jon Williams.

Genres: Historical Fiction

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1981

Reviews

[Clyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tern Schooner is an action packed story of high seas adventure set during the war of 1812.
The main protagonist is Gideon Markham, an American privateer. He has his hands full. He must command his tall ship in canon duels, capture enemy ships, beat off attacks by Red Stick Creeks, negotiate with pirates, quell a mutiny, help stop a British invasion, and deal with a bewildering romance -- all of this while dealing with his on internal demons.
Good book -- Walter Jon Williams never fails to deliver a good story.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as 'The Tern Schooner' by Walter Jon Williams. Picked it up on Smashwords for $4.95.

This was a slow and plodding tale filled with jump-cuts instead of any organized pacing. It wasn't until the final three or four chapters that it seemed to liven up and gain a focus. (Maybe I just like naval battles too much >grin<). The final chapters may inspire me to go further in the series; but I need to read something else, or several somethings before I dive in to another.

[Terry Todish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good War of 1812 naval adventure. Started fairly strong, had interesting characters and vivid action sequences, but the ending was inconclusive and seemed forced and hurried. There is a "teaser" for the next book in the series, but it features a different main character. I don't have the other novels in the series, and I'm not sure I'm going to bother to get them, so I may never learn "what happened next."

[Shaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Formulaic. Fighting. F***ing. Introduce next book's protagonist. More fighting. Abrubt ending.

[Milele · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book and an interesting read.