Sails on the Horizon

A Novel of the Napoleonic Wars

By: Jay Worrall

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Dientes de Diablo, 1797 - With his first historical high-seas adventure chronicling the exploits of Naval Commander Charles Edgemont, Jay Worrall sets sail in the rousing tradition of C.S. Forester and Patrick O’Brian.

The year is 1797. Napoleon Buonaparte is racking up impressive wins in the field against the enemies of revolutionary France. On the seas, England is putting up a staunch resistance. When a modest fleet of British ships off the coast of Portugal encounters a larger force of Spanish vessels on their way to rendezvous with the French, the English are quick to seize the opportunity for a victory - even at the risk of a calamitous defeat.

Twenty-five-year-old Charles Edgemont is second lieutenant aboard the HMS Argonaut, the smallest ship in the British line of battle. When orders come for the Argonaut to engage in an all-but-suicidal maneuver to cut off the escape of the Spanish ships, he leads his gun crews bravely - until the death of the captain and the first lieutenant elevates him to command of the stricken vessel. In the chaos that follows, his defiant refusal to yield under enemy fire earns him a permanent promotion.

Thanks to the purse awarded him by the Admiralty after the fight, Charles is wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. But there are challenges when he returns home after years at sea. His newfound riches will prove no help when it comes to winning the heart of Penelope Brown, the feisty Quaker with whom Charles falls in love. Even more of a hindrance is his profession, for Penelope regards war as sinful and soldiers as little better than murderers.

Changing Penelope’s mind may just be the hardest battle Charles has ever fought - at least until fresh orders send him back to sea, where he faces a more traditional and equally formidable adversary in a series of stirring battles of will and might.

©2005 Jay Worrall (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Fans of seafaring military sagas will welcome this latest addition to the genre." (Booklist)

I'll buy the next one by Worrall

As a couple of previous reviewers said, this is a very predictable tale but a great way to spend some driving and road time. Worrall is no Patrick O'Brian yet but may get there. A fun listen!

A Hardy Fun Sea Adventure

I totally agree with the previous reviewer,John. This is a fun sort-of-nothing-will-go-wrong-for-the-hero type story without being rediculous. The sea battles are descriptive enough, that if you are driving and listening, you have to concentrate on the driving a bit harder. Overall, a fun "read" and I can't wait for the next installment if there is one.

Entertaining

This was an entertaining sea-faring adventure in the vein of O'Brian's work. I was riveted from start to finish. I really wish Audible would put out more of this author's titles.

Cameo by Hornblower

Looking forward to Audible versions of later books in this series. Enjoyed the narration voices for each character.

One of the few good views of naval battles....

This book was a complicated read. The material is light enough and the imagery created by the narrative was great, but the perspective is from a single person in a very limited way. Maybe it just wasn't what I thought it would be?

The main character happens upon the luck that we only hear about from those that are so lucky in wars. The unlucky's story only exists as fiction told by the fish feasting on them. You get a perspective on naval battles that really reaches back to US Civil War stories where a line of people faces a line of people with the pace and efficiency of meat grinding determining the winner or the battle.

The audio performance was great. The overall writing reaches points of Pride and Prejudice with the side stories. At least in 5-10 minute sections you suddenly wonder whether you were the target audience for the book (I am a fat hairy old man). In total the story only lacks in the aspect that there are so many extra pages of the narrative that could be squeezed in here or there. It put the story at three stars only to reflect the title gave me a different perspective.

The Napoleonic Wars are only a waiter at a restaurant where the main characters are eating. They serve to move the story along and give structure, but in the end nobody learns the waiter's name and after the steaks are served it kind of disappears.

Those sitting on the fence should read the book. You will enjoy it. There is nothing else that gives you the same first hand battle perspective that I have found. One of the few books that actually talks about how all sailing vessels of the time ran pumps continuously. Great research.

Excellent story of the Napoleonic war era.

The writer brings you aboard a English man o war. You can smell the salt spray and the burnt gunpowder.

A Wonderful Book

Jay Worrall has written a wonderful first novel in what I hope will be a long series. The characters are well developed, the sea battles are exciting, and the storyline kept me reading late into the night. Book two in the series, "Any Approaching Enemy" is not yet on Audible, but is also very highly recommended. This was the first novel of its kind (late 18th century nautical) that I have read. Whether it is your first or one of many, I urge you to read/listen. The narration by John Lee is an added bonus. Well done Jay Worrall!

Great Except the Profanity

The part of this that I listened to is a great story, exciting and well-written: about a third of the way through I had to stop because I couldn't tolerate the continued use of harsh profanity (e.g. the "f" word). Anyone who is concerned about this should be advised. In this context it would be nice to have an edited version.

Great sea story!

What made the experience of listening to Sails on the Horizon the most enjoyable?

John Lee masterfully narrated a well written and technically sound story. The characters all came to life through Mr. Lee's voice and wide array of accents and tones. The story was a real treat and at times while listening to the book I found myself either laughing out loud, wiping a tear from my eye or even cheering during the battles!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sails on the Horizon?

Definitely the sea battles. Worrall's knowlege of sailing and battle strategy gives the characters and story credibility.

Which scene was your favorite?

Charles confiding in Penny that he was afraid that he might be a coward.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to listening to more stories by Mr. Worrall and narrations by Mr. Lee.

All a shore

I loved this read by John Lee . I am all in for "thar she blows" sea stories....
Jay Worral spun a terrific salty yarn that kept me plugged in from stem to stern.
I recommend this yarn!
Rex