What do you think?
Rate this book
Alexis Carew #4
HMS Nightingale
For Lieutenant Alexis Carew, it should be the perfect assignment — a command of her own and a chance to return to her home star system.
What she finds is a surly crew, the dregs of every frigate and ship of the line to pass through on the way to the war’s front, a first officer who thinks the command should have been his, and colonial worlds where they believe a girl’s place is somewhere very different than command of a Queen’s starship. Add to that the mysterious disappearances of ships vital to the war effort and an old enemy who seems intent on convincing her he’s changed. Then there’s the mongoose with an unnatural affinity for her boots.
What she finds is a surly crew, the dregs of every frigate and ship of the line to pass through on the way to the war’s front, a first officer who thinks the command should have been his, and colonial worlds where they believe a girl’s place is somewhere very different than command of a Queen’s starship. Add to that the mysterious disappearances of ships vital to the war effort and an old enemy who seems intent on convincing her he’s changed. Then there’s the mongoose with an unnatural affinity for her boots.
425 pages, ebook
First published November 8, 2016
469 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 9, 2016
Honor served
Perhaps the best of this series. Alexis and her Nightingales fight the realities of military service one battle at a time. From bad food, bad practices, to foolish bureaucracy, to superstitions and the horrors of combat. The Lieutenant matures and wrestles with the challenges before as she copes with what went before.
The best leaders are those who care and those who work at challenging and grooming those in their charge to be the best they can. May all of us live up to the example of integrity, compassion, and service. We should all rise to he challenges of helping and doing right in facing down the wrong, be it bullies or segregation.... everyone has the right to choose their own way and we must be valiant in being examples of how to stand for the right with courtesy. Officers and Gentlemen we salute you.
Perhaps the best of this series. Alexis and her Nightingales fight the realities of military service one battle at a time. From bad food, bad practices, to foolish bureaucracy, to superstitions and the horrors of combat. The Lieutenant matures and wrestles with the challenges before as she copes with what went before.
The best leaders are those who care and those who work at challenging and grooming those in their charge to be the best they can. May all of us live up to the example of integrity, compassion, and service. We should all rise to he challenges of helping and doing right in facing down the wrong, be it bullies or segregation.... everyone has the right to choose their own way and we must be valiant in being examples of how to stand for the right with courtesy. Officers and Gentlemen we salute you.
November 5, 2017
The Alexis Carew books are a favorite of mine and my go-to books for space opera of a decidedly Age of Sail-esque bent. I absolutely loved the first three books and was very eager to get into the fourth. I will say, unfortunately, this one didn't appeal to me nearly as much as the others for a variety of reasons. It's still an excellent novel but I'm going to say that I hope the author returns to his more traditional style for future ones. I will, however, give him credit for a truly hilarious subplot and also the attempt to handle Alexis Carew's PTSD in a mature dignified manner.
The premise is Lieutenant Alexis Carew has been given her own small patrol boat and is now given the job of patrolling the area around her own home world. This proves to be more of a problem than she expected as the territory around it is full of radical religious groups, misogynists, and her old family rivals. Alexis is also suffering PTSD and refuses to seek any treatment for it, lest she be perceived as weak. After a massacre of several ships, Alexis decides to track down the parties responsible and put an end to them. Also, there's a subplot where her first mate has determined the girl he loves is actually in a romance with Alexis due to them sharing a bed thanks to lack of space
on the ship.
The good parts of the book are the story bits about Alexis struggling to get a hold of her mind after the horrible battle with the Hanover frigate when it tried to commit war crimes against fleeing refugees. J.A. Sutherland weaves a sympathetic take on the condition and does not demean the condition or it's aftermath. Alexis also doesn't magically get better but will have to deal with it for, probably, the rest of her life. Too often books make our heroes look like serial killers who can just shrug off traumatic situations and I'm pleased with this one for averting that.
I also am fond of the Nightingale crew and think they're probably the most interesting of the characters she's had to serve with. I'm especially fond of Midshipman Villar and hope he continues to be a character in the series. While mildly sexist and a bit of a dunderhead, he tries very hard to be a model officer. The fact he's so terribly bad at it doesn't make him a bad person, though, and I like seeing how his casual manner plays against the more straight-laced Lieutenant Carew. I also found his ill-fated romance with Marie to be hilarious, especially as Alexis is completely confounded by his assumptions about her.
Unfortunately, I do have a complaint and that's the book's handling of the religious colonies in this setting. Despite being the Age of Sail in space, religion seems to be a somewhat isolated thing to the colonies with Alexis, herself, being atheist. Fine, that's just how the author has created the character but I was more confounded by the fact the only religious characters in the novel are ten pounds of crazy in a five pound bag. In addition a colony of what appears to be Wahhabi Muslims who are refreshingly not a group of terrorists, a group of Space Amish who believe space is heaven, and a bunch of psychotic zealots. This is mostly notable lack of contrast to anyone who isn't nuts. There's also the fact the word "terrorist" has apparently exited the lexicon of humanity for some reason. Has political extremist disappeared so thoroughly that language has changed? It seems at odds with the retrograde universe which is at times the 17th century and other times the far future while this handling of humanity seems at odds with either.
Despite my trouble with the story, I still think the book has quite a few merits and will be enjoyable for fans of the series. I'm just a bit confused by the world-building choices and they brought me out of the story.
7/10
The premise is Lieutenant Alexis Carew has been given her own small patrol boat and is now given the job of patrolling the area around her own home world. This proves to be more of a problem than she expected as the territory around it is full of radical religious groups, misogynists, and her old family rivals. Alexis is also suffering PTSD and refuses to seek any treatment for it, lest she be perceived as weak. After a massacre of several ships, Alexis decides to track down the parties responsible and put an end to them. Also, there's a subplot where her first mate has determined the girl he loves is actually in a romance with Alexis due to them sharing a bed thanks to lack of space
on the ship.
The good parts of the book are the story bits about Alexis struggling to get a hold of her mind after the horrible battle with the Hanover frigate when it tried to commit war crimes against fleeing refugees. J.A. Sutherland weaves a sympathetic take on the condition and does not demean the condition or it's aftermath. Alexis also doesn't magically get better but will have to deal with it for, probably, the rest of her life. Too often books make our heroes look like serial killers who can just shrug off traumatic situations and I'm pleased with this one for averting that.
I also am fond of the Nightingale crew and think they're probably the most interesting of the characters she's had to serve with. I'm especially fond of Midshipman Villar and hope he continues to be a character in the series. While mildly sexist and a bit of a dunderhead, he tries very hard to be a model officer. The fact he's so terribly bad at it doesn't make him a bad person, though, and I like seeing how his casual manner plays against the more straight-laced Lieutenant Carew. I also found his ill-fated romance with Marie to be hilarious, especially as Alexis is completely confounded by his assumptions about her.
Unfortunately, I do have a complaint and that's the book's handling of the religious colonies in this setting. Despite being the Age of Sail in space, religion seems to be a somewhat isolated thing to the colonies with Alexis, herself, being atheist. Fine, that's just how the author has created the character but I was more confounded by the fact the only religious characters in the novel are ten pounds of crazy in a five pound bag. In addition a colony of what appears to be Wahhabi Muslims who are refreshingly not a group of terrorists, a group of Space Amish who believe space is heaven, and a bunch of psychotic zealots. This is mostly notable lack of contrast to anyone who isn't nuts. There's also the fact the word "terrorist" has apparently exited the lexicon of humanity for some reason. Has political extremist disappeared so thoroughly that language has changed? It seems at odds with the retrograde universe which is at times the 17th century and other times the far future while this handling of humanity seems at odds with either.
Despite my trouble with the story, I still think the book has quite a few merits and will be enjoyable for fans of the series. I'm just a bit confused by the world-building choices and they brought me out of the story.
7/10
December 5, 2016
Quite good, as is the whole series to date.
February 6, 2017
The books in the Alexis Carew series are somewhat bizarre as Science Fiction goes. They are a mixture of modern science and throwbacks to the days of such characters as Horatio Hornblower. The ships travel faster than light and yet they have sails which are manually raised and taken down by the crew, gun ports that open and manually loaded guns etc…
Once I had started to get over the anachronisms and bizarre mix of old and new I took quite a liking to Alexis Carew and this book series. Unfortunately I have to say that this book felt like the weakest in the series.
The book is as well written as any of the other books in the series. Alexis is the main character of course but the story drags along without really taking off. There are really never any great moments. Alexis goes about her business there are a few skirmishes, the usual “you are just a woman” stuff but it never really leads anywhere. The war is just sitting there in the background but Alexis is never part of it.
A lot of time is also spent back on her home world with her family and Alexis is also having personal problems as well as a drinking problem. I felt that was rather boring to be honest. She never really gets a change of shining as the strong person and hero overcoming any problem thrown in her way as she was in the previous books. Then we have the ending which to me was rather depressing.
It was an enjoyable book but not as much as the other three books in the series as far as I am concerned.
Once I had started to get over the anachronisms and bizarre mix of old and new I took quite a liking to Alexis Carew and this book series. Unfortunately I have to say that this book felt like the weakest in the series.
The book is as well written as any of the other books in the series. Alexis is the main character of course but the story drags along without really taking off. There are really never any great moments. Alexis goes about her business there are a few skirmishes, the usual “you are just a woman” stuff but it never really leads anywhere. The war is just sitting there in the background but Alexis is never part of it.
A lot of time is also spent back on her home world with her family and Alexis is also having personal problems as well as a drinking problem. I felt that was rather boring to be honest. She never really gets a change of shining as the strong person and hero overcoming any problem thrown in her way as she was in the previous books. Then we have the ending which to me was rather depressing.
It was an enjoyable book but not as much as the other three books in the series as far as I am concerned.
February 11, 2017
Move over Horatio Hornblower. Lt. Alexis Carew is sailing the skies above your head and far in the future with the dash, guts and common sense you used.
February 27, 2017
Swashbuckling Intetstellar Adventures
In this, the 4th volume, Alexis is promoted to lieutenant and given charge of her own ship only to discover her crew to be a ragtag group of misfits with questionable sailing skills. Facing many challenges in her new role, Alexis leads her crew through exciting encounters, many with pirates and some with - Wait! Could it really be? Ghostly Flying Dutchmen?!
Entertaining and intriguing as always, the story is brought to life by Elizabeth Klett's stellar audio narration. While I enjoyed this book, I enjoyed it less than the other volumes. This is mainly because there seemed to be less of an emotional connection developed between the characters and I felt certain phrases were overused. Still, this volume is important in the overall story and ends with fabulous news - more volumes are coming!
In this, the 4th volume, Alexis is promoted to lieutenant and given charge of her own ship only to discover her crew to be a ragtag group of misfits with questionable sailing skills. Facing many challenges in her new role, Alexis leads her crew through exciting encounters, many with pirates and some with - Wait! Could it really be? Ghostly Flying Dutchmen?!
Entertaining and intriguing as always, the story is brought to life by Elizabeth Klett's stellar audio narration. While I enjoyed this book, I enjoyed it less than the other volumes. This is mainly because there seemed to be less of an emotional connection developed between the characters and I felt certain phrases were overused. Still, this volume is important in the overall story and ends with fabulous news - more volumes are coming!
October 8, 2017
This latest installment in the Alexis Carew military space opera series finds Royal Navy Lieutenant Alexis Carew in command of the Nightingale. This Naval vessel is charged with hunting down pirates who prey on innocent colonists. Politics comes into play when some of the terrorists come from one of the settlements. As if facing down these predators isn’t enough, Alexis has her hands full with a crew of misfits. Can she rouse their spirits and train them in advance of the coming battles? HMS Nightingale is another fast-paced tale that will leave readers eager for the sequel.
April 22, 2017
A solid continuation to the series
Another excellent offering in the series, which apparently will continue with Book 5. The writing is crisp, the play complex and yet very believable, and the main character becomes more and more compelling all the time. Well done.
Another excellent offering in the series, which apparently will continue with Book 5. The writing is crisp, the play complex and yet very believable, and the main character becomes more and more compelling all the time. Well done.
March 30, 2019
This was yet another excellent instalment in this science fiction steampunk rollercoaster ride. Sutherland does not disappoint, although I would love to see some more of our original set of characters. I understand the rotations of shipboard life make this difficult, some of those relationships were among the strongest here and that continuity would only improve what is already a strong series.
August 24, 2018
This is a wonderful series combining Age of Sail techniques with science fiction coming of age adventure. Alexis Carew is a strong character who is tougher on herself than her peers. Because she is a woman in a man's world, she has many hurdles to overcome, but her pluck, resolve, and competence set her up for advancement and success. Very much in the style of Horatio Hornblower, she meets a wide range of characters who help mold her to become a tough, but caring officer. This series is a satisfying read (I read the first four books in a week) which incorporates many strands ranging from traditions (and clarity) of the British Navy to hypothetical travel through dark matter. The dialogue and humour are witty and gratifying. The second book in the series is the strongest involving an antipathetic antagonist (is there any other kind?) and a harrowing moment of brutality which forever changes Alexis. Overall, an engaging series which I highly recommend.
June 4, 2025
lots of typos, but a very good story
April 5, 2018
Not so nice
Still very tense and some characters are brought into more focus. Others seem to recede. The woman Marie Autin is the best example. The action continues and rings true to me.
I'm torn at the portrayal of women in these stories but that's my issue. If you've read the other books, I don't think this one will disappoint you.
I own the above and have to amend it. The sexism isn't just in the character action and words. It is steeped in the writer's easy acceptance of these norms and his justification. Male shareholders on Dalthus strip their wives and daughters of property rights and make them legally property because childbirth was so difficult, thereby making their deliveries much easier?
The indentured worker meme is serfdom at best and more like outright slavery. Possible in this universe but call it by its right name. Look at the history of indentured Irish and Scots workers imported by the English into North America and the Caribbean.
The right to vote is not much of an issue, when you and your children can be sold.
Patriarchal oppression and slavery can be in the story but justifying it and painting it as reasonable is wrong. My buying into it or turning a blind eye to it, is my shame.
Still very tense and some characters are brought into more focus. Others seem to recede. The woman Marie Autin is the best example. The action continues and rings true to me.
I'm torn at the portrayal of women in these stories but that's my issue. If you've read the other books, I don't think this one will disappoint you.
I own the above and have to amend it. The sexism isn't just in the character action and words. It is steeped in the writer's easy acceptance of these norms and his justification. Male shareholders on Dalthus strip their wives and daughters of property rights and make them legally property because childbirth was so difficult, thereby making their deliveries much easier?
The indentured worker meme is serfdom at best and more like outright slavery. Possible in this universe but call it by its right name. Look at the history of indentured Irish and Scots workers imported by the English into North America and the Caribbean.
The right to vote is not much of an issue, when you and your children can be sold.
Patriarchal oppression and slavery can be in the story but justifying it and painting it as reasonable is wrong. My buying into it or turning a blind eye to it, is my shame.
January 13, 2017
A fourth turn with Alexis Carew.
I still find the degree to which the author adheres to even the most minor details of the great British age of Wooden Ships and Iron Men to be perplexing. On the one hand, I find myself bemused at how closely the author works to get it right, and how far he's willing to bend the rules of space and physics to make it work.
On the other hand, I'm impressed by how accurately he presents his chosen venue, and how closely he sticks to the details even four books later.
In this book we see Alexis take a turn on a stage that is both smaller and larger. Smaller in that it's in a quiet corner far removed from the war being fought. Larger in that she herself is given much greater responsibility and authority. Like the ship captains of old, she is expected to make her own judgments and her career hangs in the balance with each one.
Another marvelous story, I eagerly await the 5th book.
Great book, highly recommended.
I paid full price for this book, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
I still find the degree to which the author adheres to even the most minor details of the great British age of Wooden Ships and Iron Men to be perplexing. On the one hand, I find myself bemused at how closely the author works to get it right, and how far he's willing to bend the rules of space and physics to make it work.
On the other hand, I'm impressed by how accurately he presents his chosen venue, and how closely he sticks to the details even four books later.
In this book we see Alexis take a turn on a stage that is both smaller and larger. Smaller in that it's in a quiet corner far removed from the war being fought. Larger in that she herself is given much greater responsibility and authority. Like the ship captains of old, she is expected to make her own judgments and her career hangs in the balance with each one.
Another marvelous story, I eagerly await the 5th book.
Great book, highly recommended.
I paid full price for this book, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 28, 2017
I love the Alexis Carew series. Entertaining and adventuresome reads, with likeable characters and good character growth across the series. In this book we get to see Alexis be in charge of her own ship, struggle with getting a band of misfits to work together as a functional crew, face mysterious ghostly pirates, and begin to face some of her own personal ghosts of past missions. A great addition to the series! If you enjoyed the first three, definitely pick this up. If you haven't read anything in this series yet, and the idea of importing "age of sail" military history and crew style into a sci-fi space faring world setting and following a scrappy young girl as she makes her way through this world appeals to you, then go pick up the first book in the series!
January 10, 2017
Second Time Through and Still Great
This is an excellent addition to the Alexis Cares books. I admit I started reading them because I have the same last name as the author but quickly read the rest because they are so good. The author creates worlds and multiple governments and intertwines greed and war and military protocol and loss and family and science and fiction with the touch of a gifted cook who knows just when to declare the meal ready. I have loved getting to know Alexis and her worlds and family.
This is an excellent addition to the Alexis Cares books. I admit I started reading them because I have the same last name as the author but quickly read the rest because they are so good. The author creates worlds and multiple governments and intertwines greed and war and military protocol and loss and family and science and fiction with the touch of a gifted cook who knows just when to declare the meal ready. I have loved getting to know Alexis and her worlds and family.
November 12, 2016
Great sequel to the Alexis Carew serie
Another great book in the serie by J. A. Sutherland that I would recommend to all sci-fi fans, once again I can't wait untill the next one is out... I'll probably read this one again at least twice (it's that good...)
Another great book in the serie by J. A. Sutherland that I would recommend to all sci-fi fans, once again I can't wait untill the next one is out... I'll probably read this one again at least twice (it's that good...)
November 9, 2016
A command of her own
I real command but what has she been placed into! She has the bottom of the barrel of a crew! Could she turn them around!!
I real command but what has she been placed into! She has the bottom of the barrel of a crew! Could she turn them around!!
March 5, 2019
Horatio Hornblower. In space. And female.
I read books 1-6 in quick succession so this is a combined review of them all.
The author creates a believable universe in which FTL travel occurs in a manner that, through necessity, replicates the feel of the age of sail of the early 19th century. While this might seem contrived at first glance, this reality is so interwoven into the characters and the universe that you quickly just accept it as (fictional) fact and enjoy the story. The technology levels of developed worlds hits all of the expected high notes; it is really just the FTL travel that morphs into a different era.
The tale of Alexis Carew mirrors that of Horatio Hornblower to a great extent. Born into a star-spanning nation modeled politically and culturally on the British Empire of the early 19th century, Alexis joins the Navy as a midshipman and faces a series of trials and adventures that certainly pay homage to, and remind the reader of Hornblower's travails. Carew's tale includes more of her home life than Hornblowers, which adds to and deepens her journey, rather than distracting from it.
As one would expect, her gender is an area of conflict on multiple occasions, but is not overdone or used as a blunt instrument.
The books are PG-13, with occasional detailed violence, some allusions to sexual activity, and some language, though most of that uses 19th century terms. If you are proficient in German or French, the language does get more explicit. Overall, though, the reader is protected by a veneer of class that keeps the story from being overly gritty and is in keeping with a series that, at its core, starts with the journey of a 15 year old girl.
Overall, I highly recommend the series. At its core, it is a YA/NA series with a strong female lead, strong character growth and a plot that includes not only adventure, but intrigue and romance as well.
I read books 1-6 in quick succession so this is a combined review of them all.
The author creates a believable universe in which FTL travel occurs in a manner that, through necessity, replicates the feel of the age of sail of the early 19th century. While this might seem contrived at first glance, this reality is so interwoven into the characters and the universe that you quickly just accept it as (fictional) fact and enjoy the story. The technology levels of developed worlds hits all of the expected high notes; it is really just the FTL travel that morphs into a different era.
The tale of Alexis Carew mirrors that of Horatio Hornblower to a great extent. Born into a star-spanning nation modeled politically and culturally on the British Empire of the early 19th century, Alexis joins the Navy as a midshipman and faces a series of trials and adventures that certainly pay homage to, and remind the reader of Hornblower's travails. Carew's tale includes more of her home life than Hornblowers, which adds to and deepens her journey, rather than distracting from it.
As one would expect, her gender is an area of conflict on multiple occasions, but is not overdone or used as a blunt instrument.
The books are PG-13, with occasional detailed violence, some allusions to sexual activity, and some language, though most of that uses 19th century terms. If you are proficient in German or French, the language does get more explicit. Overall, though, the reader is protected by a veneer of class that keeps the story from being overly gritty and is in keeping with a series that, at its core, starts with the journey of a 15 year old girl.
Overall, I highly recommend the series. At its core, it is a YA/NA series with a strong female lead, strong character growth and a plot that includes not only adventure, but intrigue and romance as well.
July 30, 2019
I find the character of Alexis interesting. But with PTSD she would not be given a command of a garbage scow.
I have read four of these books, but this is my first review.I enjoyed the character of Alexis, but I can’t get use two ships in space using sales. Such as on a oceangoing craft. I personally find that aspect of the book Ludacris. The second thing I do not like is no military organization would give a character like Alexis suffering from PTSD any kind of command not even command of a garbage ship. I personally. Like her character, and I am a completionist so I will finish the series. Acknowledging PTSD is one thing but handling it correctly is another. The reason PTSD is not talked about or handled in military sci-fi books is because it is handled incorrectly like this book did. Those of us who know and have had PTSD can barely sometimes put our shoes on in the morning never mind actually commanding a ship squad or anything else that puts our mates lives in our hands. If you wish to talk about PTSD it should have been done using a secondary not your primary character. To those who might want to read the series if you don’t mind ships sailing through space using actual sales, and a character who is suffering from what I would think advanced PTSD and captaining a ship you might enjoy this series.
I have read four of these books, but this is my first review.I enjoyed the character of Alexis, but I can’t get use two ships in space using sales. Such as on a oceangoing craft. I personally find that aspect of the book Ludacris. The second thing I do not like is no military organization would give a character like Alexis suffering from PTSD any kind of command not even command of a garbage ship. I personally. Like her character, and I am a completionist so I will finish the series. Acknowledging PTSD is one thing but handling it correctly is another. The reason PTSD is not talked about or handled in military sci-fi books is because it is handled incorrectly like this book did. Those of us who know and have had PTSD can barely sometimes put our shoes on in the morning never mind actually commanding a ship squad or anything else that puts our mates lives in our hands. If you wish to talk about PTSD it should have been done using a secondary not your primary character. To those who might want to read the series if you don’t mind ships sailing through space using actual sales, and a character who is suffering from what I would think advanced PTSD and captaining a ship you might enjoy this series.
October 14, 2018
Book four
Mistakes: I found two, nothing major, just a word left out of a sentence and a word not finished right.
Plot: Others gave this book less stars because, from my perspective of their reviews, the MC wasn't acquiring enough dead and trauma. This is just silly. After what she has gone through it is only right and proper that she gets a posting that should have been rather boring in an out of the way corner. The fact that she finds a bunch of religious nuts bent on death and destruction isn't her fault. I felt it was a nice twist by the author. Religious intolerance tends to stick it nasty little head up where you lest except it.
Characters: the MC keeps growing. She is dealing with the losses of her people the best way she can. To me it helps humanize her.
9/10 this one was a but slower.
Mistakes: I found two, nothing major, just a word left out of a sentence and a word not finished right.
Plot: Others gave this book less stars because, from my perspective of their reviews, the MC wasn't acquiring enough dead and trauma. This is just silly. After what she has gone through it is only right and proper that she gets a posting that should have been rather boring in an out of the way corner. The fact that she finds a bunch of religious nuts bent on death and destruction isn't her fault. I felt it was a nice twist by the author. Religious intolerance tends to stick it nasty little head up where you lest except it.
Characters: the MC keeps growing. She is dealing with the losses of her people the best way she can. To me it helps humanize her.
9/10 this one was a but slower.
March 18, 2022
Not my favourite of the Alexis Carew series. I felt the author was trying to juggle a few more narrative balls than he could actually properly keep in the air. The "Boots" sub-plot feels very perfunctory, the end of the extortion racket on the ship a bit too easy, and the resolution of the crew not receiving the huge bounty they expected very abrupt.
I did however appreciate Sutherland's efforts to engage with the impacts of Lieutenant Carew's previous experiences; how they trouble her, and how she (sometimes poorly) deals with them. It adds to the sense that she is growing and evolving as a character, and shows more depth than we typically see in milSF protagonists.
I have already picked up book 5.
I did however appreciate Sutherland's efforts to engage with the impacts of Lieutenant Carew's previous experiences; how they trouble her, and how she (sometimes poorly) deals with them. It adds to the sense that she is growing and evolving as a character, and shows more depth than we typically see in milSF protagonists.
I have already picked up book 5.
March 18, 2025
Depths of Leadership
After the loss of Belial and so many of her lads protecting the evacuation of New London’s ground forces, Alexis is despondent over so many deaths, especially her men from Belial who were overmatched against a frigate, but fought when Carew ordered. They trusted her completely, and she couldn’t shake the feeling she’d let them down. Given the Nightinggale, a customs packet in her own home system, Thorpe intention is to let Carew have some time to decompress. Of course, the unseen problems continue to require solutions, and Alexis’ sense of duty rises again! Good read, with a surprise ending! Check it out!
After the loss of Belial and so many of her lads protecting the evacuation of New London’s ground forces, Alexis is despondent over so many deaths, especially her men from Belial who were overmatched against a frigate, but fought when Carew ordered. They trusted her completely, and she couldn’t shake the feeling she’d let them down. Given the Nightinggale, a customs packet in her own home system, Thorpe intention is to let Carew have some time to decompress. Of course, the unseen problems continue to require solutions, and Alexis’ sense of duty rises again! Good read, with a surprise ending! Check it out!
July 12, 2017
Microcosm of the world
Very well crafted. Our leading character gets command, learns again that it is not all fun and games. Decisions have consequences. She visits home, discovers some of the newer colonies are not happy to see the Navy, and again needs perseverance and loyalty to survive. Further Alexis learns the hard way that history is interpreted by those reading about it, not those that made it. Alexis also learns what it means to have the Queens Commission and the rewards for a job well done. Next, Mr Author!
Very well crafted. Our leading character gets command, learns again that it is not all fun and games. Decisions have consequences. She visits home, discovers some of the newer colonies are not happy to see the Navy, and again needs perseverance and loyalty to survive. Further Alexis learns the hard way that history is interpreted by those reading about it, not those that made it. Alexis also learns what it means to have the Queens Commission and the rewards for a job well done. Next, Mr Author!
October 1, 2017
The thing I like about the Alexis Carew series is that although we are on sailing ships in deep space I’m convinced by the author that this is all possible. As enjoyable as the others in the series, Carew struggles to come to terms with her first command and the not so expert crew she finds herself lumbered with as she finds trouble in every corner of her ship’s patrol path.
Supporting characters are well-defined, and the story arc of Carew’s career are developing nicely. I would recommend this series, just make sure to start with No 1.
Supporting characters are well-defined, and the story arc of Carew’s career are developing nicely. I would recommend this series, just make sure to start with No 1.
April 7, 2018
I have really enjoyed this book as well as the thee previous ones in this series. I look forward to reading Book #5. I found the authors tie in to the Royal Navy of a couple of centuries ago very interesting and quite realistic. In a few thousand years from now perhaps much of what he writes will actually come true! Having spent over 30 years in the military I have seen us go from no women in combat roles to now when we actually have women fighter pilots as well as Special Forces officers! I have found some of them to be actually quite a bit like Alexis!
April 8, 2018
This seems to me to be the weakest of the series. The conceit of the young female captain and her adventures is getting too pat. I like the inclusion of post traumatic stress problems for Alexis Carew, the main character but the plot line of this story is just too messy. There are just too many ambiguities and broad generalities about people groups on different planets to make the story compelling. By the end you're just happy to be done with it.
Maybe I've read too many of the books in a short time and I'm having Alexis Carew fatigue.
Maybe I've read too many of the books in a short time and I'm having Alexis Carew fatigue.
July 18, 2019
This was perhaps the most entertaining book in a highly imaginative and enjoyable series. Imaginative not just because of the original take on science fiction but also because it reads like historical fiction in transferring the Napoleonic Wars to the realm of space opera.
This one had the usual amount of action, heroism (heroinism?) and fun interactions between characters, but it also delved into the psychological impact of war and command.
I usually jump around between several book series but this time I think I’m going to ship right out with Lt. Alexis Carew on her next adventure.
This one had the usual amount of action, heroism (heroinism?) and fun interactions between characters, but it also delved into the psychological impact of war and command.
I usually jump around between several book series but this time I think I’m going to ship right out with Lt. Alexis Carew on her next adventure.
May 22, 2018
This series as a whole has remained solid. I think I'm just experiencing some burnout after reading them in quick succession. The quirks in my previous review remain. I also feel like the impending confrontation with Alex's alcoholism is being particularly drawn out. Overall, this one just felt a bit anticlimactic to me.
The twist at the end leaves me optimistic. I'm hoping a change in circumstances will refresh the series as a whole. Gotta wait for some Audible credits first, though.
The twist at the end leaves me optimistic. I'm hoping a change in circumstances will refresh the series as a whole. Gotta wait for some Audible credits first, though.
July 3, 2018
Enjoyed this installment in the series, though not as much as some of the others.
In this book, Captain Carew of the revenue cutter HMS Nightengale inherits many of the fleet's rejects as she caries out her mission to stop pirates and smuggling in the verge. This novel, different from the previous, does not have a historical basis but does take on the subject of post-traumatic stress which Alexis has in spades.
In this book, Captain Carew of the revenue cutter HMS Nightengale inherits many of the fleet's rejects as she caries out her mission to stop pirates and smuggling in the verge. This novel, different from the previous, does not have a historical basis but does take on the subject of post-traumatic stress which Alexis has in spades.
August 10, 2018
Recovering
Alexis is dealing with PTSD. The Admirlaty doctor and her ship's doctor try to help her, but she would rather use the bottle to deal with it. Gradually she comes to understand them and learns to deal better knowing it will never completely go away. I like the action, humor, strategy, and mild romance. Alexis grows some as she heals some. Her interaction with the crew runs from funny to loyal. Look forward to the next book.
Alexis is dealing with PTSD. The Admirlaty doctor and her ship's doctor try to help her, but she would rather use the bottle to deal with it. Gradually she comes to understand them and learns to deal better knowing it will never completely go away. I like the action, humor, strategy, and mild romance. Alexis grows some as she heals some. Her interaction with the crew runs from funny to loyal. Look forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews