I must confess immediately that this is the first naval fiction book I have ever read, in any historical time period. I get queasy just standing on shore watching a boat bob in the waters of our local river but I saw that a friend of mine had read this book and I was curious. I am extremely glad that I decided to branch out a lot and include this nautical historical tale in my reading.This was a wonderfully written, exciting book for me. I have nothing to compare it to, nothing from other authors to help me in my understanding of the technical aspects of the book. I didn't need any previous experience. I was able to figure out anything of a technical nature because the author presented it in such a reasonable, rational manner that I soon deduced what was happening and didn't let my lack of knowledge hamper my enjoyment. When I finally closed the book at well past midnight last night (this morning) I realized how sorry I was to see it end. All of the characters who will obviously be included in the next installment are characters I want to meet again. Mr. Russell made me invest the emotions of sympathy, devotion or dislike by his vivid development of the men and women involved in the story.As other reviewers have pointed out, Lieutenant Charles Hayden has a serious problem to overcome while serving in the Royal Navy. Having a mother who is French and a father who was English, Hayden has always lived in two worlds. Now, in the year 1793 and with the French Revolution taking place he is glad that he decided to put himself firmly on the side of the British. Yet no matter how often he reminds himself that he is English the French blood flowing through his veins remains a constant reminder that such decisions are not as easily implimented as made. Circumstances continue to cause him to realize that his parentage can be both a help and a hindrance, depending on how he chooses to use his childhood experiences.I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this chapter in history. To be able to do so while enjoying a fictional re-enactment of the time period made for an absorbing reading experience which I shall not soon forget. Lt. Hayden has been written to be a very proficient hero, able to command ships, even on a temporary basis, while either in port or during naval battles and to outwit his enemies on their own soil or in the political games being played. It seems impossible to believe that Hayden would have been considered such an unimportant part of the Royal Navy simply because of his lack of "connections" or that Captain Hart could have risen to such a prominent position, again, simply because of the "connections" of his wife. And yet, Hayden's abilities have been noted, and noted by very important people within the Royal Naval hierarchy.Even viewed from the perspective of a reader completely unfamiliar with the subject matter of this book I can say with no hesitation that I am looking forward to the next chapter in the naval career of Charles Hayden.