The characters both large and small are well drawn, individual, and appealing in their individual ways. The sailing scenes, the battle scenes, all of it is taut, fast paced and engrossing. This novel is first and foremost an action-packed swashbuckler of the Captain Blood tradition. Through a series of events Peter winds up remaining with Tangle, being forced to choose where his loyalties will lie, and confused from day to day about his choices. he also learns that Tangle wants what Roger did not: Peter. In the meantime Peter learns that Tangel is an important man in his Sallee Republic and a legendary corsair. He is dying of galley fever, but with Peter's help he manages to get the galley to shore and regains his health. One of the freed slaves is a striking North African man called Captain Tangle by the British. The Ajax leaves the slaves, Peter and two other crew members to drown. When the Ajax comes upon a Spanish galley that is sinking, Peter insists he will not leave the stricken craft unless the galley slaves are freed from their chains. Roger tells Peter it's his lack of social skills but nothing Peter does makes the captain happy.

His real trouble is that the inept captain of the Ajax doesn't like him, for no apparent reason than he doesn't like Peter's vibes. Peter is in love with Roger, but it is not until they are aboard the Ajax that Peter, who can be rather impulsive, informs Roger of his feelings. Joy of joys, his best friend, Roger Perry, will be one of the other lieutenants aboard the HMS Ajax.

In the first book of the series, The Sallee Rovers, we meet Royal Navy Lieutenant Peter Thornton who is just happy to have gotten a position on a ship so soon after his unexpected promotion. The result is exciting, captivating, rich and authentic. Kei, knows not only the terminology but has faced many of the challenges and dangers his characters do. I don't see how you could be more thoroughly immersed in the time and the reality of such a life. That is exactly what you have with the Pirates of the Narrow Seas series. Imagine a novel about life on a tall ship during the age of the corsairs, privateers and pirates written by someone who has sailed as part of the crew of such a ship. Originally published on That's All She Reads

The Sallee Rovers by M. Kei