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Duty and Destiny #14
Destiny Achieved
Book Fourteen - Destiny After a bloody battle, Frederick’s squadron finally neutralises the threat from Barbary pirates. Sailing out of Malta, the squadron goes in search of prizes in the eastern Mediterranean. Later, while patrolling the Slave Coast he stops a ship after witnessing evil slavers throwing chained slaves into the ocean. Frederick makes sure those responsible pay dearly for their crimes.
The Duty and Destiny Series is a superbly-crafted collection of historical novels with a strong naval/seafaring theme. The series follows the naval career, loves and business dealings of Englishman, Frederick Harris, a brave but reluctant mariner. Despite his disinclination, he is seemingly destined to become a Master and Commander of his own ship. Books best read in series order.
Published by The Electronic Book Company
The Duty and Destiny Series is a superbly-crafted collection of historical novels with a strong naval/seafaring theme. The series follows the naval career, loves and business dealings of Englishman, Frederick Harris, a brave but reluctant mariner. Despite his disinclination, he is seemingly destined to become a Master and Commander of his own ship. Books best read in series order.
Published by The Electronic Book Company
- GenresHistorical Fiction
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2018
205 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 5, 2024
Good ending to the series
I have enjoyed this series and for once I feel it ended at the right place. It doesn’t seem like a long read for 14 books. A nice Kindle Unlimited find
I have enjoyed this series and for once I feel it ended at the right place. It doesn’t seem like a long read for 14 books. A nice Kindle Unlimited find
September 22, 2023
The long saga wraps up in this book, finding Admiral Harris a Baron and essentially retired from the Navy to rest after his long struggles.
Overall this series was entertaining and worth the read. The books move along well, have interesting characters and plenty of humor, exciting action and drama, historical details (especially geopolitical details), terrific depictions of domestic life and the ways country squires lived and behaved, and more.
One of the strengths is Harris himself, a short man with limited nautical capabilities, but a lucky man with terrific tactical skills and amazing diplomatic ability, turning disaster into triumph and soothing over the worse adversaries when necessary.
This series sets its self apart from other naval chronicles in several ways. First, Harris is a man of great political "interest" with men in power to help him on his way, as opposed to many series where the hero has to struggle and earn his way up. Second, it ends before the end of the war, years before Napoleon is defeated -- it stops just as the War of 1812 begins. Third, our hero suffers significant personal loss in his life, particularly near the end of the series. He's invalided out for years at a time, suffers much personal loss of loved ones, and so on.
Harris personally changes and grows considerably through the series. He's pretty cold blooded and even vicious at times all the way through, but he grows from a pretty standard upper crust snob to someone who learns to care about other people, and becomes a bitter opponent to slavery. His character arc over 14 books is well done, patient and steady.
There are parts I didn't care for, though. Harris himself is insanely fortunate, things just keep falling his way and make him immensely rich. A Naval officer who pulled off even half what this man does would be triumphed as the next Nelson.
Wareham has a tendency of summarizing conversations instead of playing them out: telling rather than showing. In doing so the books are definitely shorter, but a lot of chances at characterization are missed out on. Something I truly appreciated in O'Brian's writing, for example, was that he gave space for people to develop their ideas, show their differences and distinct nature by their dialog and thoughts, etc.
Further, there are few differences between most characters in terms of voice and dialog. There are basically four types, and everyone falls into one of them: The upper crust officer types, The lower deck types, Bosomtwi who has an unusual patois, and then foreign types. Every single character in those categories is interchangeable in tone, voice, pattern of speech, etc. This doesn't ruin the books because Wareham writes them well but it is something that annoyed me.
Overall though I recommend the series, its a lot of books which gives you something to stay with and enjoy for quite a while.
Overall this series was entertaining and worth the read. The books move along well, have interesting characters and plenty of humor, exciting action and drama, historical details (especially geopolitical details), terrific depictions of domestic life and the ways country squires lived and behaved, and more.
One of the strengths is Harris himself, a short man with limited nautical capabilities, but a lucky man with terrific tactical skills and amazing diplomatic ability, turning disaster into triumph and soothing over the worse adversaries when necessary.
This series sets its self apart from other naval chronicles in several ways. First, Harris is a man of great political "interest" with men in power to help him on his way, as opposed to many series where the hero has to struggle and earn his way up. Second, it ends before the end of the war, years before Napoleon is defeated -- it stops just as the War of 1812 begins. Third, our hero suffers significant personal loss in his life, particularly near the end of the series. He's invalided out for years at a time, suffers much personal loss of loved ones, and so on.
Harris personally changes and grows considerably through the series. He's pretty cold blooded and even vicious at times all the way through, but he grows from a pretty standard upper crust snob to someone who learns to care about other people, and becomes a bitter opponent to slavery. His character arc over 14 books is well done, patient and steady.
There are parts I didn't care for, though. Harris himself is insanely fortunate, things just keep falling his way and make him immensely rich. A Naval officer who pulled off even half what this man does would be triumphed as the next Nelson.
Wareham has a tendency of summarizing conversations instead of playing them out: telling rather than showing. In doing so the books are definitely shorter, but a lot of chances at characterization are missed out on. Something I truly appreciated in O'Brian's writing, for example, was that he gave space for people to develop their ideas, show their differences and distinct nature by their dialog and thoughts, etc.
Further, there are few differences between most characters in terms of voice and dialog. There are basically four types, and everyone falls into one of them: The upper crust officer types, The lower deck types, Bosomtwi who has an unusual patois, and then foreign types. Every single character in those categories is interchangeable in tone, voice, pattern of speech, etc. This doesn't ruin the books because Wareham writes them well but it is something that annoyed me.
Overall though I recommend the series, its a lot of books which gives you something to stay with and enjoy for quite a while.
December 2, 2024
A Tour De Force
I have read the complete set and each book took me along through a different period of time and the descriptions were as enjoyable as the action. The stories became my companions at night as an interesting and relaxing distancing of the present before falling to sleep.
I used to keep watch with the National Coastwatch Institution at Prawl Point, the most Southerly point of Devon, and I had my boat in nearby Kingsbridge, so I was steeped in knowledge of the sea and the dangers that still lie in wait to the unwary, so the tales of life in an even harder time, and the difficulties in relying just on sail and wind, are a real draw. I have not been disappointed as the series has been a cracking read.
I.e.m
Thank you, Andrew, for all your hard work. It has been most appreciated.
Norman Hore
Wokingham, 2024
I have read the complete set and each book took me along through a different period of time and the descriptions were as enjoyable as the action. The stories became my companions at night as an interesting and relaxing distancing of the present before falling to sleep.
I used to keep watch with the National Coastwatch Institution at Prawl Point, the most Southerly point of Devon, and I had my boat in nearby Kingsbridge, so I was steeped in knowledge of the sea and the dangers that still lie in wait to the unwary, so the tales of life in an even harder time, and the difficulties in relying just on sail and wind, are a real draw. I have not been disappointed as the series has been a cracking read.
I.e.m
Thank you, Andrew, for all your hard work. It has been most appreciated.
Norman Hore
Wokingham, 2024
June 15, 2023
This great series was difficult to rate. Each book as a standalone was a 4+. Great story, characters and action. But, the depth of the plots, required the books to be read in order. After binge reading the entirety of the series, I would rate the books as 5 star. The use of Victorian style and researched knowledge of the technology of the 18/19 century, further enhances the experience. Furthermore, the discussions of family impacts widens the appeal beyond Naval and Victorian readers.
Highly recommend but, read in order
Highly recommend but, read in order
October 3, 2022
Unbelievably good reading
It is one of those books (series) that one regrets reaching the end. You get so close to the characters that it’s as if you know them in daily life. I found myself chiding the main character when he puts himself down as an admiral. It is interesting that the author has shown the predigests of the characters.
It is one of those books (series) that one regrets reaching the end. You get so close to the characters that it’s as if you know them in daily life. I found myself chiding the main character when he puts himself down as an admiral. It is interesting that the author has shown the predigests of the characters.
July 6, 2025
Historical fiction that captivates readers with rich, immersive storytelling and meticulously resear
I found the series extremely well written. Few authors have achieved the abilities mr.Wareham has to be historically correct and be able to so very well hold the readers interest over the story line not making it seem a text book.one of the best,well done sir!
I found the series extremely well written. Few authors have achieved the abilities mr.Wareham has to be historically correct and be able to so very well hold the readers interest over the story line not making it seem a text book.one of the best,well done sir!
May 11, 2022
Top class series
I have completed the 14 book series and would recommend it to all Navel historians.
Good characters and good story lines.
Only wish there were more books in the series
I have completed the 14 book series and would recommend it to all Navel historians.
Good characters and good story lines.
Only wish there were more books in the series
January 18, 2023
An excellent series
This was the final book of an excellent series. Great characters with interesting stories that benefitted from well thought out continuity. You have the read them in order and enjoy them. Loved the way the cover picture changes over time. Nice touch!
This was the final book of an excellent series. Great characters with interesting stories that benefitted from well thought out continuity. You have the read them in order and enjoy them. Loved the way the cover picture changes over time. Nice touch!
May 31, 2023
Splendid series
Well written, moves at a good pace throughout. It would have been nice to have a fingernail sketch of what happened to some of the many characters that have appeared in this entertaining series - did the flag lieutenant survive?
Well written, moves at a good pace throughout. It would have been nice to have a fingernail sketch of what happened to some of the many characters that have appeared in this entertaining series - did the flag lieutenant survive?
September 9, 2024
Interesting and entertaining
Anyone who enjoyed CS Forester or Patrick O'Brian's novels will find much pleasure in this series. I read them all back to back and was sorry to come to the end. Looking forward to reading more by Mr. Wareham!
Anyone who enjoyed CS Forester or Patrick O'Brian's novels will find much pleasure in this series. I read them all back to back and was sorry to come to the end. Looking forward to reading more by Mr. Wareham!
May 13, 2018
This was the last in a 14 book series. Generally a pretty good Nopoleanic sea saga series and worth the read.
July 16, 2018
The end
I have enjoyed each of this series, and as this one is the end, it did not reach the demanding degree of quality and entertainment as the previous ones.
I have enjoyed each of this series, and as this one is the end, it did not reach the demanding degree of quality and entertainment as the previous ones.
October 26, 2018
lots of verbage but minimal action leadiong to very tranquil ending...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews