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Nathan Peake #1
The Time of Terror: An action-packed maritime adventure of battle and bloodshed during the French Revolution
1793: The French have killed their king and are about to embark on the violent period of bloodletting known as the Terror.
Brig-sloop Commander Nathan Peake is on smuggler patrol off the Sussex coast and desperate for some real action. As revolutionary France declares war on England, he seizes his chance. Peake is given a vital mission; to destroy the French economy by smuggling millions of French banknotes across the Channel and into the heart of Paris. His operation leads him from perilous seas to the Empire of the Dead - a labyrinth of catacombs under the French capital where bodies are buried, secrets hidden and plots hatched. But as opposition to the Terror mounts, Peake is forced to leave Paris and join the storm-tossed British squadrons in the Atlantic in the first thunderous battle between the rival navies.
Brig-sloop Commander Nathan Peake is on smuggler patrol off the Sussex coast and desperate for some real action. As revolutionary France declares war on England, he seizes his chance. Peake is given a vital mission; to destroy the French economy by smuggling millions of French banknotes across the Channel and into the heart of Paris. His operation leads him from perilous seas to the Empire of the Dead - a labyrinth of catacombs under the French capital where bodies are buried, secrets hidden and plots hatched. But as opposition to the Terror mounts, Peake is forced to leave Paris and join the storm-tossed British squadrons in the Atlantic in the first thunderous battle between the rival navies.
439 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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About the author
Seth Hunter
12 books28 followersA pseudonym used by Paul Bryers
Seth Hunter is the pseudonym of the author of a number of highly acclaimed and prize-winning adult and children's novels. He has written and directed many historical dramas for television, radio and the theatre and adapted and directed films by playwrights such as Arthur Miller and Michael Bulgakov. He is a member of The Writers Guild of Great Britain, the Director's Guild and PEN. THE TIME OF TERROR is the first novel in a trilogy of historical naval adventures. He lives in London.
Seth Hunter is the pseudonym of the author of a number of highly acclaimed and prize-winning adult and children's novels. He has written and directed many historical dramas for television, radio and the theatre and adapted and directed films by playwrights such as Arthur Miller and Michael Bulgakov. He is a member of The Writers Guild of Great Britain, the Director's Guild and PEN. THE TIME OF TERROR is the first novel in a trilogy of historical naval adventures. He lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 27, 2021
Many years ago (35-40), when I was working as a book sales rep, I discovered the nautical fiction published by McBook's of Ithaca, New York. The company still produces some of the best naval fiction dating from the 1700s and up to WWII at least. I recently rediscovered the imprint and a new to me author SETH HUNTER (aka Paul Bryers). I just finished THE TIME OF TERROR, first book in the Nathan Peake series.
The time is 1793. France is in the grip of the Reign of Terror during which most of the aristocracy from the King on down were executed. It was a follow on to the American Revolution (1776-1783). Historic personages such as Robespierre, Danton and Desmoulins led the government. Neighbors accused neighbors of treason. The guillotine was busy night and day. It is into this chaotic world that Master and Commander Nathan Peake of the British Navy is introduced. Living in Paris sounds like living in Berlin after the Nazis took power in 1933.
Peake had been in the British Navy for 10 years and had risen to the command of the 16-gun brig/sloop Nereus, his first command (but no combat experience yet). His father is a wealthy retired British Rear Admiral with some influence in the Navy. Peake’s American mother lives a separate life where she befriends such free thinkers as Talleyrand, Thomas Paine (yes, that Thomas Paine) and Mary Wollstonecraft (author of The Vindication of the Rights of Women) and other political revolutionaries.
After Peake’s first adventure during which he captures a French merchantman, he is asked by John Pitt, First Lord of the Admiralty and his brother, William Pitt (the Prime Minister of England) to go to Paris with messages for Thomas Paine and Gouvernor Morris (the American Minister to France). He is to take a captured American merchant ship into Le Havre with a cargo of tobacco (wink, wink) destined for Gilbert Imlay an American merchant and friend of Wollstonecraft both of whom are living in Paris. Are Imlay and Paine also working as British spies?
While in Paris, Peake meets Sara Seton with whom he falls in love. There is a problem though. She is married to the Count Turenne 30 years her senior who is living in exile. She has a young son. Peake gets involved with those Parisians who are trying to stop The Terror and who want a peace with England. He is imprisoned twice but escapes. Peake leaves Paris, returns to England and goes back to Paris several times during the course of the story.
After one such visit, Peake becomes a spectator/participant in the Glorious First of June naval battle between French and English fleets. He tries to convince Lord Howe the British naval commander that it is more important to stop the shipment of 1 billion bushels of wheat going from America to France. Howe disagrees.
That is one point of fact that the author makes that I cannot verify. He states that the Americans have sold 1 billion bushels of surplus wheat to the French. I am not sure that America could have that much surplus in 1792 since in 2020 its entire U.S. wheat production was 1.8 billion bushels from a much larger country than 1792.
For fans of naval fiction, history and adventure stories. I have already ordered book two. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
GO! BUY! READ!
The time is 1793. France is in the grip of the Reign of Terror during which most of the aristocracy from the King on down were executed. It was a follow on to the American Revolution (1776-1783). Historic personages such as Robespierre, Danton and Desmoulins led the government. Neighbors accused neighbors of treason. The guillotine was busy night and day. It is into this chaotic world that Master and Commander Nathan Peake of the British Navy is introduced. Living in Paris sounds like living in Berlin after the Nazis took power in 1933.
Peake had been in the British Navy for 10 years and had risen to the command of the 16-gun brig/sloop Nereus, his first command (but no combat experience yet). His father is a wealthy retired British Rear Admiral with some influence in the Navy. Peake’s American mother lives a separate life where she befriends such free thinkers as Talleyrand, Thomas Paine (yes, that Thomas Paine) and Mary Wollstonecraft (author of The Vindication of the Rights of Women) and other political revolutionaries.
After Peake’s first adventure during which he captures a French merchantman, he is asked by John Pitt, First Lord of the Admiralty and his brother, William Pitt (the Prime Minister of England) to go to Paris with messages for Thomas Paine and Gouvernor Morris (the American Minister to France). He is to take a captured American merchant ship into Le Havre with a cargo of tobacco (wink, wink) destined for Gilbert Imlay an American merchant and friend of Wollstonecraft both of whom are living in Paris. Are Imlay and Paine also working as British spies?
While in Paris, Peake meets Sara Seton with whom he falls in love. There is a problem though. She is married to the Count Turenne 30 years her senior who is living in exile. She has a young son. Peake gets involved with those Parisians who are trying to stop The Terror and who want a peace with England. He is imprisoned twice but escapes. Peake leaves Paris, returns to England and goes back to Paris several times during the course of the story.
After one such visit, Peake becomes a spectator/participant in the Glorious First of June naval battle between French and English fleets. He tries to convince Lord Howe the British naval commander that it is more important to stop the shipment of 1 billion bushels of wheat going from America to France. Howe disagrees.
That is one point of fact that the author makes that I cannot verify. He states that the Americans have sold 1 billion bushels of surplus wheat to the French. I am not sure that America could have that much surplus in 1792 since in 2020 its entire U.S. wheat production was 1.8 billion bushels from a much larger country than 1792.
For fans of naval fiction, history and adventure stories. I have already ordered book two. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
GO! BUY! READ!
February 7, 2017
The Time of Terror is a riveting tale of the atrocities in France during the French Revolution in the 1790's. Nathan Peake is a British naval officer who is undercover as an American naval officer transporting goods to France in the appearance of support to France. However, appearances may not be what they seem....
Here is a book that has many facets to it and is well written. The characters are well developed and interesting. The book can be considered a naval adventure but most of the story takes place in Paris. I found it to be a solid tale of historical fiction drama. It is not particularly fast paced but the author changes up scenes in the book so it doesn't bog down the story. Nathan develops a romantic interest in Paris. This keeps him returning to Paris on dangerous assignments for the British government. Sprinkled through out the book is a dry humor that had me laughing on occasion.
Perhaps the most haunting is the how the author takes the reader into Paris of the time. His descriptions of mobs and observations through various character eyes. Here are passage fragments that I thought was particularly chilling as one of the characters watches a "death cart" on its way to the guillotine:
Climbing into the waiting cart . . . The frightful inevitability of it; nerves screaming against acceptance but your feet moving obediently along the destined route, closer and closer to the waiting blade...
Aristocrats or peasants, priests or prostitutes . . . they were all beasts to the slaughter. And now, increasingly, more and more were revolutionaries themselves.
While people watch the carts with morbid curiosity, they know that it could be them riding in a cart to "the waiting blade." We are taken into the darkness of the sewers and catacombs that exist beneath Paris even today.
Not all parts of the book has this morbid tone and that is what I liked about the story. The author balances out the story against a backdrop of Paris of the times. Although, "Paris of the times" is a character in its own right. These events actually happened even though the story set around the events are fictionalized.
I liked this book so much, I have already started reading the next book in the series.
Here is a book that has many facets to it and is well written. The characters are well developed and interesting. The book can be considered a naval adventure but most of the story takes place in Paris. I found it to be a solid tale of historical fiction drama. It is not particularly fast paced but the author changes up scenes in the book so it doesn't bog down the story. Nathan develops a romantic interest in Paris. This keeps him returning to Paris on dangerous assignments for the British government. Sprinkled through out the book is a dry humor that had me laughing on occasion.
Perhaps the most haunting is the how the author takes the reader into Paris of the time. His descriptions of mobs and observations through various character eyes. Here are passage fragments that I thought was particularly chilling as one of the characters watches a "death cart" on its way to the guillotine:
Climbing into the waiting cart . . . The frightful inevitability of it; nerves screaming against acceptance but your feet moving obediently along the destined route, closer and closer to the waiting blade...
Aristocrats or peasants, priests or prostitutes . . . they were all beasts to the slaughter. And now, increasingly, more and more were revolutionaries themselves.
While people watch the carts with morbid curiosity, they know that it could be them riding in a cart to "the waiting blade." We are taken into the darkness of the sewers and catacombs that exist beneath Paris even today.
Not all parts of the book has this morbid tone and that is what I liked about the story. The author balances out the story against a backdrop of Paris of the times. Although, "Paris of the times" is a character in its own right. These events actually happened even though the story set around the events are fictionalized.
I liked this book so much, I have already started reading the next book in the series.
August 22, 2017
A most enjoyable piece of historical fiction, August 22, 2017
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Time of Terror: A Novel (The Nathan Peake Novels) (Kindle Edition)
A different sort of naval warfare novel, much of the action occurs on land. Nathan Peake, commander of a small sloop, is assigned to fighting smuggling. Chasing a lugger across the channel leads to his selection for an espionage mission inside Revolutionary France in the time of The Terror. There, on his several missions into France, he interacts with both fictional and historical characters. Escaping France with knowledge of French naval plans, he joins Admiral Lord Howe on the flagship Charlotte for the battle called the Glorious First of June by the British. He returns to Paris in time for the upheaval disposing the bloody tyrant, and maybe madman, Robespierre. The historical research is solid. Character development and the writing and editing are excellent. There is suspense, adventure, romance, daring missions, smuggling, the revolution, intrigue, politics, naval warfare and history.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Time of Terror: A Novel (The Nathan Peake Novels) (Kindle Edition)
A different sort of naval warfare novel, much of the action occurs on land. Nathan Peake, commander of a small sloop, is assigned to fighting smuggling. Chasing a lugger across the channel leads to his selection for an espionage mission inside Revolutionary France in the time of The Terror. There, on his several missions into France, he interacts with both fictional and historical characters. Escaping France with knowledge of French naval plans, he joins Admiral Lord Howe on the flagship Charlotte for the battle called the Glorious First of June by the British. He returns to Paris in time for the upheaval disposing the bloody tyrant, and maybe madman, Robespierre. The historical research is solid. Character development and the writing and editing are excellent. There is suspense, adventure, romance, daring missions, smuggling, the revolution, intrigue, politics, naval warfare and history.
February 1, 2025
I’d use the term naval fiction very loosely to describe this entry to the Peake series. The protagonist is a naval officer and there are occasionally ships involved, but this is a novel about the book’s namesake (the Terror) more than it is a work of naval fiction. Overall I found the protagonist generally weak and mostly along for the ride. The naval inclusions are largely well done where they appear, but they’re not central to the ultimate story being told. But that central story I actually thought was very well told. It captures the chaos and uncertainty of the period and the purges, and is paced extremely well throughout the novel to hold tension in all the parts required. So it’s not exactly what I signed up for, but what I got is encouraging enough to continue with the series alongside the hope we get more naval focus in the second book.
August 26, 2017
I am mad at the book and wonder why it was not better edited! The hype was so promising! From it, I expected to read a little about Marie Antoinette and maybe a mention of Napoleon. I expected more would be written about 'real' American diplomats in France at that time and more about Robespierre. I expected the political relations among France, England, and the United States to be explored or explained or whatever because these three countries made a lot of history during this era. I cannot follow sea battles, so I think the author did a good job in writing about them. On I go to poor punctuation which an editor or even the author should have noticed. Poor punctuation leads to poor readability and poor flow of the storyline. The mechanics of good writing were poor, but the author can redeem himself by a careful re-editing of the book. I am not proud to give the book only two stars when the book could have been a five star read!
I commend the author's treatment of Thomas Paine's THE RIGHTS OF MAN and of the freedoms we hold so dear. France had helped in the birth of America, and America returned the favor. It is my belief that America was born because England was too busy fighting other wars across the pond. It seems that wars are not won. One war delves into the next war, and on it goes forever and forever, Amen.
Thank you, Mr. Hunter, for a good read.
I commend the author's treatment of Thomas Paine's THE RIGHTS OF MAN and of the freedoms we hold so dear. France had helped in the birth of America, and America returned the favor. It is my belief that America was born because England was too busy fighting other wars across the pond. It seems that wars are not won. One war delves into the next war, and on it goes forever and forever, Amen.
Thank you, Mr. Hunter, for a good read.
May 15, 2010
This book suffers.
Sorry to say, for most of the books I get from McBooks Press are really good. McBooks knows the genre that they publish, but Hunter has written a book that just touches the genre and is more concerned with, as the title states, the Terror, rather than as the cover and McBooks would have us think, a Napoleonic Era naval saga.
On those merits, as a historical novel it succeeds better than as an Age of Sail novel. Our hero, who is not heroic, but drifts on the sea without any knowledge of how to lead his life, is taking a tour of what occurred during the time of Danton and Robespierre and of course we are to meet these men. As well as Mary Wollstonecraft, and others like Howe, Pitt and Chatham.
But did we need a historical novel that reads more as a travelogue of the times. There was a significant event during the Terror, let us find a way to weave it into the story. So if the story is weak, let us try and make it stronger. But it does not become stronger. Hunter has some qualities that make him worthwhile, but not enough to make this a great read. Not enough to want us to see the protagonist again.
It feels that the story started to be Age of Sail, and lost its way when the author decided to make his hero the James Bond of the revolutionary (French) era. But Nathan Peake is not a James Bond, nor is Seth Hunter an Ian Fleming.
I would not be able to read it again. The love story is cliché and the ending, predictable, moreso since we all know about the Guillotine. Even the introduction to Madame Tussaud is predictable. Too many people of history populate this work to make the storyline believable. That one would meet all these people is too far fetched. A tighter storyline would have made this more palpable.
Sorry to say, for most of the books I get from McBooks Press are really good. McBooks knows the genre that they publish, but Hunter has written a book that just touches the genre and is more concerned with, as the title states, the Terror, rather than as the cover and McBooks would have us think, a Napoleonic Era naval saga.
On those merits, as a historical novel it succeeds better than as an Age of Sail novel. Our hero, who is not heroic, but drifts on the sea without any knowledge of how to lead his life, is taking a tour of what occurred during the time of Danton and Robespierre and of course we are to meet these men. As well as Mary Wollstonecraft, and others like Howe, Pitt and Chatham.
But did we need a historical novel that reads more as a travelogue of the times. There was a significant event during the Terror, let us find a way to weave it into the story. So if the story is weak, let us try and make it stronger. But it does not become stronger. Hunter has some qualities that make him worthwhile, but not enough to make this a great read. Not enough to want us to see the protagonist again.
It feels that the story started to be Age of Sail, and lost its way when the author decided to make his hero the James Bond of the revolutionary (French) era. But Nathan Peake is not a James Bond, nor is Seth Hunter an Ian Fleming.
I would not be able to read it again. The love story is cliché and the ending, predictable, moreso since we all know about the Guillotine. Even the introduction to Madame Tussaud is predictable. Too many people of history populate this work to make the storyline believable. That one would meet all these people is too far fetched. A tighter storyline would have made this more palpable.
July 7, 2010
Seth Hunter makes the time and place come alive. You can almost see Robespierre and the people of the revolution, feel the menace of them and the power that they wielded. There is danger in the streets and violence everywhere. You can feel the terror of the time when you could be killed for not having a tricolor in your hat. It is a very vivid picture of the turmoil of the politics and the capricious nature of the people that Nathan Peake was thrust into. It is a story of the French Revolution and the war with England but it is more the story of Nathan Peake. It follows the course of this one man as he tries to navigate safely though all the perils, handle all his personal conflicts and still do his duty to his country. It makes it a very personal story while still giving a detailed and interesting account of the history that is all around him. It is an exciting tale with naval battles, trips through the catacombs and sewers, near hangings, beheadings, and intrigue. The tension builds as you wait to see how the story will unfold for our hero. And all of it told with a touch of wit that I thought was a wonderful counterpoint to the horror. It is a wonderful historical novel with a likable hero and lots of action and suspense. You’ll want to know what happens to Nathan next.
August 24, 2017
Although I think this book creates the feeling of chaos and menace that must have pervaded the French Revolution fairly well, I did not like or really care about the main character, Nathan, or any other for that matter. As he was in the British Navy, I had hoped for more about ships and life aboard them a la the Lucky Jack Aubrey books of Patrick O'Brian. But my hopes were in vain. This was not a waste of time; it was just less than expected.
February 1, 2018
The historical novel about the British Navy during the Napoleonic wars is so popular with writers and readers it is almost a genre in its own right like the Western. Does the readership need or even want another writer like Seth Hunter and what new material can he bring into the genre?
First of all, this novel is mostly set on land, specifically Paris at the height of the Terror. It also looks at the role of American merchant vessels as blockade runners. Hunter also tells the story of economic warfare which he is at pains to assure the reader really did happen, that the British printed and smuggled into revolutionary France large quantities of counterfeit banknotes which caused the inflation which brought about the rebellion of 10 Thermidor and the execution of Robespierre.
Nathan Peake is a well placed young naval officer, his father a disgraced Admiral, his American mother a dissident who supported the French Revolution. He makes the acquaintance of Pitt the Elder and The Earl of Chatham, going on to associate with Thomas Paine, Mary Wollstonecraft and Gilbert Imlay, Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre. He is in Paris at key events in the last days of the Terror. We can expect in the remaining novels in this trilogy that he will meet Napoleon and Nelson.
There are some episodes where Peake is involved in seamanship and each one shows a considerable understanding of sailing ships of the time in pursuits, in storms and in battle. These are also the most engaging episodes in the novel.
Hunter has an epilogue where he argues that he has changed none of the known events but rather has researched his subject quite meticulously, reading primary historical sources where these are available. He also sailed a yacht to check the accuracy of his account of sailing from Le Havre in a storm.
This is a very worthy book and I learnt a lot more about the Terror than I knew previously but in the end I was not engaged with the narrative nor sympathised with the key characters. Horatio Hornblower with his insecurities and his strong moral compass is still the most engaging fictional figure in the historical literature of this period.
First of all, this novel is mostly set on land, specifically Paris at the height of the Terror. It also looks at the role of American merchant vessels as blockade runners. Hunter also tells the story of economic warfare which he is at pains to assure the reader really did happen, that the British printed and smuggled into revolutionary France large quantities of counterfeit banknotes which caused the inflation which brought about the rebellion of 10 Thermidor and the execution of Robespierre.
Nathan Peake is a well placed young naval officer, his father a disgraced Admiral, his American mother a dissident who supported the French Revolution. He makes the acquaintance of Pitt the Elder and The Earl of Chatham, going on to associate with Thomas Paine, Mary Wollstonecraft and Gilbert Imlay, Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre. He is in Paris at key events in the last days of the Terror. We can expect in the remaining novels in this trilogy that he will meet Napoleon and Nelson.
There are some episodes where Peake is involved in seamanship and each one shows a considerable understanding of sailing ships of the time in pursuits, in storms and in battle. These are also the most engaging episodes in the novel.
Hunter has an epilogue where he argues that he has changed none of the known events but rather has researched his subject quite meticulously, reading primary historical sources where these are available. He also sailed a yacht to check the accuracy of his account of sailing from Le Havre in a storm.
This is a very worthy book and I learnt a lot more about the Terror than I knew previously but in the end I was not engaged with the narrative nor sympathised with the key characters. Horatio Hornblower with his insecurities and his strong moral compass is still the most engaging fictional figure in the historical literature of this period.
January 27, 2021
This is the kind of historical fiction I enjoy! It is well researched, has a hero one can root for, reminds and instructs about a significant historical event, and adroitly interweaves actual historical characters of significance. One becomes immersed in the world described here, and while the plot is engaging, the reader is expected to pull his or her own weight in getting some references or foreign or archaic terms from context. So you are kept thinking while on this adventure. Thank you, Seth Hunter, well done.
Nathan Peake is a British naval officer at the time of the French Revolution who gets pulled into some smuggling intrigues and espionage work. Through his adventures and exploits we see and learn naval operations then, and exciting battles! We also come to learn a lot about the city of Paris, both above and below ground, while meeting some famous French, British, and American notables of the era.
I also appreciated a succinct but clear Afterword summarizing which characters and incidents were real, which created, and how and when creative license was used with history. I will read more in this series, certainly.
Nathan Peake is a British naval officer at the time of the French Revolution who gets pulled into some smuggling intrigues and espionage work. Through his adventures and exploits we see and learn naval operations then, and exciting battles! We also come to learn a lot about the city of Paris, both above and below ground, while meeting some famous French, British, and American notables of the era.
I also appreciated a succinct but clear Afterword summarizing which characters and incidents were real, which created, and how and when creative license was used with history. I will read more in this series, certainly.
August 28, 2017
Bravery Amid Terror
In a well crafted, researched story, what we get here is a compelling tale in which the author inserts his hero in the first novel in this nautical adventure series.
The author paints a picture of the madness and terror that came with the French Revolution. This story has everything for the most casual reader of historical fiction. With an attractive hero that we care about, compelling well researched storylines, this series can only grow and draw more enthusiastic readers.
In a well crafted, researched story, what we get here is a compelling tale in which the author inserts his hero in the first novel in this nautical adventure series.
The author paints a picture of the madness and terror that came with the French Revolution. This story has everything for the most casual reader of historical fiction. With an attractive hero that we care about, compelling well researched storylines, this series can only grow and draw more enthusiastic readers.
November 4, 2025
A breathtaking journey through revolutionary Paris, The Time of Terror masterfully blends history and humanity. Seth Hunter brings the era to life with vivid detail, the chaos, the hope, the fear, and introduces characters whose courage and complexity linger long after the final page. Nathan Peake’s struggle between duty and conscience is both timeless and deeply moving. This novel is a triumph of storytelling, reminding us that history may change, but the fight for freedom and humanity remains ever relevant. A must-read for anyone who loves history, suspense, and stories that touch the soul.
November 1, 2017
Well written historical novel that captures the flavor of the French Revolution.
When I began this book I knew little about the French Revolution. Now I feel I have experienced something of the events of that era. It was a horrible time for the people of France and England. Sadly our support of France because of their support of America did not really help matters. Read the book and live the Revolution.
When I began this book I knew little about the French Revolution. Now I feel I have experienced something of the events of that era. It was a horrible time for the people of France and England. Sadly our support of France because of their support of America did not really help matters. Read the book and live the Revolution.
December 29, 2017
It was one of those books,that at times you liked and times it was boring. The story line was good and I appreciate the research into the history of the time and the accuracy of the actual people who were involved in the French Revolution. I think it would have been a better story if more of the lives of those people would have been included. There was times the story had meaningless information and detracts from the enjoyment of the story.
September 4, 2017
Fun! Somewhere between the straight forward, no-nonse stories of the Horatio Hornblower series and the complex Aubry-Maturin series, this book fits nicely. It has a lot of action on sea and land. The almost obligatory damsel in distress is a real surprise, as is the ending. Although it does bog down a bit at the end it is an enjoyable read.
April 8, 2018
Interesting historical perspective
This novel was an interesting historical fiction that gave me a perspective of the French Revolution with its senseless gore and even a hint of America's quiet involvement although a young nation. The Terror was an incomprehensible era in French history, a time of inhumane treatment. This book captures some of the hopelessness and sorrow.
This novel was an interesting historical fiction that gave me a perspective of the French Revolution with its senseless gore and even a hint of America's quiet involvement although a young nation. The Terror was an incomprehensible era in French history, a time of inhumane treatment. This book captures some of the hopelessness and sorrow.
August 3, 2018
Though written "in the spirit of Patrick O'Brian" with historical accuracy and lots of info, Nathan Peake did not come alive for me like Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. He's a not-well-described paper doll in comparison. Otherwise I think I liked "The Time of Terror", but not enough to go looking for the next book.
July 17, 2017
Thrilling story of storms both on the water and on land. I cared deeply for the characters I liked and despised those I didn't, which was great! Really wonderfully written. I eagerly look forward to Hunter's next book.
July 31, 2017
Very well done book, smartly researched with true history woven into the story seamlessly. The fictional charecters are believable and well developed. For me this is the first book in a series that I look forward to completing.
August 11, 2017
History of France
I very much enjoyed this historical novel of a specific time in Frances history. Learning about fighting naval battles of the time was fascinating. I do wish the character of Sara had been developed more.
I very much enjoyed this historical novel of a specific time in Frances history. Learning about fighting naval battles of the time was fascinating. I do wish the character of Sara had been developed more.
December 9, 2017
Couldn't Get into This One
I wanted to read this as I was reading a bio of Napoleon at the same time. However I couldn't get into either of them. Maybe it's the subject matter. I ended up skimming the Bonaparte bio and I gave up at 33 percent on this one.
I wanted to read this as I was reading a bio of Napoleon at the same time. However I couldn't get into either of them. Maybe it's the subject matter. I ended up skimming the Bonaparte bio and I gave up at 33 percent on this one.
May 14, 2020
Good review of the terror of the French Revolution and English efforts to undermine it.. Focuses on a certain ship captain who pretends to be an American.
The author has too much tv in him with the last minute surprises but the story is well thought out and written.
The author has too much tv in him with the last minute surprises but the story is well thought out and written.
September 24, 2020
Was quite surprised by this. I couldn't put it down! Great characters & action & I liked the way the author just jumped right into each chapter. The history was solid & I learned quite a bit of new info on the Terror. I will have to investigate more of the adventures of Nathan Peake in the future
April 5, 2021
A bit slow to start but picked up and turned out to be pretty interesting especially since it was based on true facts in history. I think this is a series of Nathan Peake novels but I'm not sure if I'll read the others. I enjoyed this one.
May 30, 2021
Not sure about this novel. Probably nearer a 3.5 than 4. Yes, I enjoyed it, and found the detail interesting, but not sure I have bought into the character of Nathan Peake yet. The next book in the series will decide one way or another, I guess.
May 9, 2017
loved this book bit slow starting but once it got going
it just became a exilirating page turner!!
it just became a exilirating page turner!!
August 1, 2017
Not much nautical action but interesting as historical fiction. The main character has potential. Will try another in the series and see how it goes.
September 3, 2017
Interesting easy read novel of historical French Revolution combined nicely with a wonderful, but for a romantic, a disappointing result, fictional story. Learned detailed facts not readily known.
September 9, 2017
If you like historical fiction or just a good tale pick this up. I thought it would be a sea tale like the Hornblower series but this naval officer sees most of his action ashore.
September 12, 2017
Historical Jewel
Great tale of men warped in power, delusions of ideal lifestyle.... Confusion in political circles. Love and a man of the sea
Great tale of men warped in power, delusions of ideal lifestyle.... Confusion in political circles. Love and a man of the sea
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