Everyone loves a story that surrounds a man overcoming adversity, proving his mettle and demonstrating to himself and others that he is far more substantial that he was originally given credit for being. Stockwin comes through with the "good goods." To the internal applause of the reader, Thomas Kydd makes the transition from self-pitying 'landman' to able seaman. Stockwin has an excellent handle on his material and an outstanding story basis. Each new book should prove to be a gem. Good Old Boat
The test of a good book is not being able to put it down, and KYDD passed with flying colours. Royal Navy & Maritime Book Reviews
Building a
naval adventure series from below decks is an intriguing
concept, and
with KYDD
the retired Royal Navy officer Julian Stockwin gives it a
rousing debut. Boston GlobeO'Brian followed the
formula established by Hornblower in charting the career
of officers.
Stockwin has taken a much more original line and added greatly to the
genre of Napoleonic War naval fiction. Nighthawk PortalThis
is a most enjoyable book that instead of blinding the
reader with
science then flying off into adventures actually describes what daily
life was like aboard a ship in the golden age of warfare under
sail...in this novel you can almost hear the creak of the timbers and
smell the tar and the bilges...wonderfully evocative and an excellent
beginning to the new series. MyShelf.comFor those
landlubbers suffering withdrawal symptoms following the
death of
Literature's honorary Admiral, there is hope on the horizon...Stockwin
is on to something and you get the feeling that Kydd may well develop
into a magisterial, fearless and human hero capable of carrying this
series to lasting success. Weekend
AustralianA
wonderfully fresh and incredibly vivid debut novel... I
reckon [the
series] will be as popular as the novels of Patrick O'Brian, so
exciting is this new author. Publishing News (UK)
Stockwin
has launched a series that evokes the best of C S
Forester. It is more
than a novel; it is a time machine back to the days of wooden ships and
pig-tailed sailors. I look forward to the pleasure of reading future
volumes. Nathan
Miller, author of Broadsides, the Age of
Fighting Sail, 1775-1815
REPORTS FROM READERS
KYDD is
excellent. I spent 14 hours travelling to Liege
– a
protracted journey that seemed to pass in a trice and I read all but
the last two chapters. These, I managed to complete late that night in
a bar! NH
Rats, that means I
now
have to wait for the next one. Eagerly! OK, you’ve got
another fan. Write fast! PD
This was the first
sea-faring novel I have read. My only criticism is that I
finished it
too quickly! (could not put it down). PL
Julian,
Fanbloodytastic!!!!! Read from dawn to dusk till
completed. You are the
man! DS
Just finished and thoroughly
enjoyed KYDD. A
bloody good yarn. Can’t wait for the next one so please write
faster! BT
After being a Forester and
O’Brian fan for the past 40 years I must say
that you have
certainly taken over the mantle they have left behind. KD
Congratulations,
the best I’ve read since Jack Aubrey and Steven Maturin first
hit the stands. RG
I think KYDD is tremendous
– anything that can distract me from the cries of my 12-month
old is nothing short of miraculous. Best of luck in the future
– I look forward to continuing the voyage. DR
Kydd
was unputdownable. I felt as though I was with him all the
way. HA
I’m
a great fan of sea stories and your Kydd series promises
to be among
the best. JD