Sealed Orders

Fighting Sail #11

by Alaric Bond

With news of victory at Trafalgar still fresh, HMS Hare arrives in England carrying details of yet another British naval success although the prospects for her captain, Thomas King, are less encouraging. Hare's hull requires attention and dockyard facilities are already overstretched while, if she were sent for refit, he would be unlikely to retain her command. Then a face from the past brings hope and King finds himself despatched on an urgent deep-sea mission so secret only sealed orders will reveal the final objective. Facing enemies that range from French privateers to powerful battle fleets, extremes of weather and the unpredictable behaviour of their Commander-in-Chief, the men of HMS Hare learn as much about themselves as any distant adversary and discover who their friends truly are.

Genres: Nautical

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2018

About the author

Alaric Bond has written for television, radio and the stage but now focuses on historical nautical fiction with twenty published novels, fifteen of which are in his acclaimed ‘Fighting Sail’ series.
Set in ‘Nelson’s Navy’ of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, these have no central hero but feature characters from all ranks and stations; an innovative approach that gives an exciting and realistic impression of life aboard a warship of the period.
Hellfire Corner is the first in an intended new series and marks a change in emphasis, although future ‘Fighting Sail’ instalments are planned.

Reviews

[09/01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

Bond does it again. Another cracking yarn,plenty of action and , in far off lands. The continuing quality of the storylines , and characters is brilliant.

[Steven Toby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet Another Forester Successor

Alaric Bond recently started writing modern Hornblower stories and I have to say he does a great job! I started reading this book and it sucked me into its nonstop action promptly. Furthermore, the author has mastered the period technology and terms so that he can describe a naval battle clearly and accurately. I almost think I could draw a diagram just from the text. The last writer who could do that was C S Forester. So, I give this book 5 stars.
I should add that it differs from earlier Sea literature in that it has subplots featuring characters from the lower deck. I suppose in this period of anti-authoritarian culture we should expect that. It has advantages in that the author can show us some of the work that is happening behind the scenes in a more direct way, but it does slow the action somewhat. It doesn’t seem to have affected readability in this book.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"I enjoy a good nautical adventure, especially when they are written as well as Sealed Orders."

[John Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series

I have fully enjoyed the books so far. King is a good man barring the loss of an arm or so he still command respect.

[David E McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

I have read the first 10 books, and this is the best. A good book,which challenges you understanding of seamanship, really good story as well