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Rating: 
Summary: Maudlin
Review: Alexander Kent (Douglas Reeman), a prolific writer, spends an entire novel in maudlin reminescence of a character's life to prepare us for that character's death. This last installment of Richard Bolitho's life deserved far better. Set around Napoleon's escape from Elba, the novel never really gives Sir Richard anything to do, except remember those he has known and act as though he is ready to die. The series, which already went about 8 books too long, is left to trickle off, instead of a spectacular finish and transition to Adam becoming the main character. I read all 23 of the set (though not the 24th, where Adam carries on) and I wish I'd stopped around 15 or so. Skip this one and continue on to Adam's first solo adventure.
Rating:
Summary: Maudlin
Review: Alexander Kent (Douglas Reeman), a prolific writer, spends an entire novel in maudlin reminescence of a character's life to prepare us for that character's death. This last installment of Richard Bolitho's life deserved far better. Set around Napoleon's escape from Elba, the novel never really gives Sir Richard anything to do, except remember those he has known and act as though he is ready to die. The series, which already went about 8 books too long, is left to trickle off, instead of a spectacular finish and transition to Adam becoming the main character. I read all 23 of the set (though not the 24th, where Adam carries on) and I wish I'd stopped around 15 or so. Skip this one and continue on to Adam's first solo adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: A grudging 3 stars
Review: I have greatly enjoyed Kent's Bolitho Novels, mainly because I had read Hornblower as well as the Aubrey/Maturin novels, and was infected with the love of the genre.I'll not compare Bolitho to those other worthies as he is not them nor they him, however I do think that Mr Kent should have killed off our more-than-maudlin Admiral in book 17 or 18. I found this book a nice way to spend my reading time for a day or so, but in truth, I can't recommend it as one of Kent's best.
Rating: 
Summary: Sword of Honor
Review: I read this book in a U.K. print as it is not yet in the States and I found it to be one of the better efforts of Mr Kent ne Reeman. The historical events of Napoleon's escape from Elba and the battles that ensued give this book the drama and flaver that I have come to love in the previous 22 books in this line. I could not put it down, and read it straight through. I have over the years intoduced over 15 of my friends to the Bolitho saga, and the only bad thing about this book is the death of Admiral Sir Richard, but with the presence of Adam Bolitho, I feel that this saga can continue with no loss of interest for all of us whom have come to love all of the people that have been intorduced and been brought alive in the past 23 books. I only hope that Lady Sommerval is not left out of any forthcoming books.
Rating:
Summary: Sword of Honor
Review: I read this book in a U.K. print as it is not yet in the States and I found it to be one of the better efforts of Mr Kent ne Reeman. The historical events of Napoleon's escape from Elba and the battles that ensued give this book the drama and flaver that I have come to love in the previous 22 books in this line. I could not put it down, and read it straight through. I have over the years intoduced over 15 of my friends to the Bolitho saga, and the only bad thing about this book is the death of Admiral Sir Richard, but with the presence of Adam Bolitho, I feel that this saga can continue with no loss of interest for all of us whom have come to love all of the people that have been intorduced and been brought alive in the past 23 books. I only hope that Lady Sommerval is not left out of any forthcoming books.
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