Treasure, Treachery and Forbidden Love - 3 Stars Stand into Danger is the fourth book is the series about Richard Bolitho, a young officer in the Royal Navy. Although it was not the fourth written by Alexander Kent, it is fourth based on the internal chronology. Plot summary Richard once again finds himself aboard a new and much larger ship, Destiny. Having recently completed his officer's exam, he finds himself in the unfamiliar position as third Third Lieutenant aboard the ship. He is quite young for the position and looking to build credibility. As soon as full crew is obtained, the ship sets said for South America for a purpose that is unknown to the crew. It is quickly revealed that the trip is searching for a treasure lost and to settle old scores. There are some battles at sea, some battles on land, some politics and some subterfuge. In the midst of this there is some serious injuries and forbidden love. The Good An Oldie but a Goodie This Classic series by Alexander Kent is considered by to be some of the best Historical Naval Fiction written and for good reason. The setting is well crafted and very detailed. While I couldn't point aft, find the poop deck or explain a jib boom, the nautical detail is both extensive and intriguing. It serves to provide a feeling of authenticity.The Character of Richard Bolitho is likeable and well developed. The reader is following along with his career and we are learning of his failings, success, pain and achievements. Many of these historical military novels use well tread plot points. A fleeting love interest, a unduly cruel and/or incompetent leader, a poorly treated and/or misunderstood protagonist who is put in an unfortunate position. While some of these appear in this volume (fleeting love interest) much of the standard fare is not present. The Bad While the detail and characters are well drawn, the story progression drags the book down. It is as if the story is told in snapshots. We follow the story arc by viewing distinct moments in time without seeing what came between the pictures. I found the story to be rather chaotic in its presentation. As a result, the relatively slim volume took me much longer to complete than in should have. Many times throughout the story I had to stop and ask myself what exactly it was that was happening. In fact, by the end of the book, I wasn't sure if they had accomplished what they had set out to do. This is a major failing for any book and dragged the rating down significantly. Final Thoughts While I was on the fence about this volume, I will certainly read on at some point. Unlike more recent novels, this story has a sense of innocence and is suitable for many ages. Had I been aware of this series in my early teens, I imagine I would have quickly devoured each and every book in the series. Despite it's shortcoming, the series is entertaining and exciting and certainly worth a look. Content Advisories It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest Sex - 2.5 There is some kissing and mildly lustful thoughts. Once character has feeling for a married woman and the feelings are returned. There is a singular episode where sex is implied. Language - 2 There are a few minor obscenities. I believe it would be acceptable for early teens and up. Violence - 3 There are multiple battles and a significant number of people are killed. The scenes are mildly graphic. There is a threatened hanging and some fist fights. While violence is one of the themes, the violence is mild by more modern standards. I believe it appropriate for a Young Adult reader.Posted to The Literary Lawyer
"The mist darkened and edged aside as the anchored ship loomed into view. the boat was approaching her starboard bow and past the long tapering jib-boom. Like Bolitho's new uniform on the wey jetty, the Destiny seemed to shine through the drifting muck. From her lithe and buff hull to her three mastheads she was a thoroughbred. All her shrouds and standing rigging were freshly blacked down, her yards crossed, and each sail neatly furled to match its neighbour."p12Richard Bolitho is now an officer, newly promoted to third lieutenant. His jump from midshipman's berth to wardroom is a significant one and he's been assigned to a new ship, Destiny. The crew has been tasked with a secret mission in the Caribbean involving revolutionaries. Britain is currently at peace but there are stirrings in the American colonies. Along the way Bolitho runs into pirates, storms and illness. He also must decide where his loyalities lie as his captain makes it clear that his command comes first, before king and country. This story is chock full of action. We not only flashback to where Bolitho meets his trusty coxswain Stockdale, we also get great battles on land and sea. Bolitho gets romantically involved and comes close to death. The variety within the plot keeps things interesting. I really liked the dynamics among the crew. Captain Dumaresq was just the right amount of crazy to frustrate both the reader and Bolitho. This story also showed how Bolitho handled his new responsibilities. He's not just one of the crew anymore and has trouble adjusting as an 18 year old trying to tell men three times his age what to do. It's been my experience that romance in books or movies about war tend to ruin the plot. It's no different here. The romantic subplot was unnecessary and detracted from the story. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
What do You think about Stand Into Danger (1998)?
It is 1774 and eighteen year old newly appointed third lieutenant Richard Bolitho has been assigned to the HMS Destiny a frigate that is getting ready to sail. This adventure takes Bolitho from Plymouth across Atlantic to Rio and then to the Caribbean before returning to Plymouth a year later. The ship is on a secret mission and the mission is full of adventure and fighting as Bolitho matures under the guidance of a stern captain and his experiences during this time.It is a naval adventure that is good reading in the Hornblower tradition.
—George
I love the works of Patrick O'Brian, and reading his works led me to reading more naval fiction, including works by Forester and Kent. The latter two are different from O'Brian. They both write solid historical novels, while O'Brian at his best (much of the Aubrey/Maturin series) was doing something more. But that's not to take anything away from the others. I've only read a few of Kent's novels so far, though I plan to read more. Stand Into Danger is the second novel in his Richard Bolitho series. It's set in 1774, and Bolitho, now a Lieutenant on the frigate Destiny, takes part in a search for a lost Spanish treasure and chasing the traitor/pirate who has it. It's by and large well done. The interactions between Bolitho and his shipmates are well done, and he himself is a convincing young man as he becomes infatuated with the wife of one of their contacts. The last quarter of the book involves two pitched battles, one on land and one at sea, and both are exciting. I plan to read more in the series.
—Jim Mann
F:\bookies\history\a kentThe year is 1774 and Bolitho is now a newly appointed third lieutenant joining the 28-gun frigate Destiny at Plymouth.It has been two years since I read the first instalment but I do remember liking it - wonder if it will be easy to slide back into the story...
—Bettie☯
