Artemis

Thomas Kydd, Book 2

By: Julian Stockwin

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

This second naval adventure follows the life of Thomas Paine Kydd who sails into Portsmouth a hero after a ferocious battle against the French. Soon the sea beckons and Kydd sets off aboard his beloved Artemis for another adventure.

©2002 Julian Stockwin (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

A 1790s sailors view of China

I am a big fan of historical “age of Sail” naval genre particularly those set during the Napoleonic era. I enjoyed the first book in this series “Kydd” so I have ventured on to book two in the series. The time frame of the book is 1793.

Thomas Kydd and his friend Nicolas Renzi is now Able Seaman aboard the frigate HMS Artemis. After a battle against the French frigate Citoyenne which includes hard to had combat the Artemis barely wins the battle. Our heroes are promoted to Petty Officers. Kydd sister arrived in port to tell him their father is gravely ill. Kydd obtain permission for leave to visit his father before the Artemis sails for India and China.

Stockwin paints a full vivid picture of naval life with lots of attention to detail. It is obvious there is lots of knowledge and research behind this book, as well as knowledge about Royal Navy life of that era. Stockwin is a good writer and drives the story forward at a good clip. The characters are original and interesting. The book is entertaining and educational. I can recommend this book to anyone interested in nautical historical fiction. Christian Rodska narrated the book.

Excellent Adventure

Would you listen to Artemis again? Why?

Yes - it is a captivating listen - full of excitement, adventure, and feeling. Christian Rodska delivers a sublime narration - brings all of the characters to life.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the whole story. Difficult to pull out any part I liked better than others.

What does Christian Rodska bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Christian Rodska skillfully brings personality via voice to each of the characters - the images appear in my mind of what the characters look like easily because of the excellent performance by Mr. Rodska.

Who was the most memorable character of Artemis and why?

Kydd is the main character and is of course "memorable", but the entire cast is so vividly portrayed that it's difficult to single Kydd out as the "most" memorable character.

Any additional comments?

This Kydd series is a fascinating look at life aboard English ships of war through the eyes of Thomas Kydd - the books are so well written and narrated that it's easy to feel Kydd's experiences - these are really proving to be great books and excellent listens.

Around the World - Triumph to Tragedy

What did you like best about this story?

This book took them around the world with a purpose. Kydd's time on the Artemas is both interesting and challenging. Their time in the South Pacific is an interesting scenario.

Which character – as performed by Christian Rodska – was your favorite?

Rodska does such a good job with all of the characters, it is very difficult to choose one. He does such an excellent job at making the characters different and realistic. Where the story may lack and lull from time to time, Rodska makes a difference.

Swashbuckler

Now that I have the first two of this series under my belt, I will definitely proceed all the rest (27?).

Plenty of action to keep me wide awake on my 12 hour round trip drive to Baltimore, unlike some others. Next a 30 hour round trip to Little Rock will be easier because of Julian Stockwin’s protagonist, Tom Kydd.

I have read Patrick O’brian’s series twice and Stockwin is almost as good.

Superb.

Enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend it. Will read further. I wish I knew about it before.

3rd time through...

and it gets better with every listen. Richard Sharpe on the high seas. Stockwin Rivals Bernard Cornwell is my favorite author of historical fiction

Not the best naval series and I've read many.

First the sex scene was weird, totally out place in the first 2 books. It's like the author thought he was Dewey Lambdin for a day. Series is very cliched and predictable. Won't be buying #3.

The story continues

Like the first it is a sea farriers tale, but not a pirate story. If you like the first you will like this one. A little slow at times but interesting to imagine the life of seamen during the great age of sail

A Fine Sea Tale

This is a fine sea tale and a good read, but not up to snuff on sailing or details of ship work. The story is excellent however, and if sea stories are your bag, read it.

Grand Adventure

Awesome twists and turns but always believable and true to form of the characters and their personalities.

Avast!

Unfortunately the first book in the Series "Kydd" is not available yet on Audible but don't that put you off. Some might not enjoy the somewhat dense nautical/naval terminology and the amount of characters to get to grips with in the early chapters there's also plenty of action to move the excellent story along. The naration is excellent (he even sings out some of the sea shanties in the third book) and this turned out to be the perfect listen to get my sailing fix having enjoyed Sean Thomas Russell's Hayden books immensely.

For information (it's not specified on Audible) Here's the order of the books in the series as taken from Wikipedia.

Kydd (2001)
Artemis (2002)
Seaflower (2003)
Mutiny (2004)
Quarterdeck (2005)
Tenacious (2005)
Command (2006)
The Admiral's Daughter (2007)
Treachery (2008) (US title "The Privateer's Revenge")
Invasion (2009)
Victory (2010)
Conquest (6/2011)

A Sparkling Tale!

Continuing the adventures of Kydd and Renzi Artemis propels the unlikely duo on further adventures in love and war. The chemistry between the two develops further and more of their characters emerge as they adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Christian Rodska is in his usual fine fettle and Stockwin's undoubted expertise about the period shines throughout.

Having read the other reviews I think I need say no more except that the first of the series "Kydd" is now available and it's worth reading these in order if you can.

Why did it finish where it did?

Like all good stories you want it to go on for ever. A story with everything, love, sex, relationships, terror, hero's, it goes on and on. Christian Rodska in cracking form bringing the story to even more life managing to bring every character to life I felt I was there aboard ship. The conclusion to the tale left one regretting that one had failed to get the next episode so to read on. A very enjoyable read, the whole series so far consistanty very good. Gripping reading. Thanks Colin X.

Great story, immediately getting next in series

Terrific characters, adventure, history, love the maritime setting. Easy 5 stars and going straight for next in series.👍👍👍

Clunky story telling

I’m now giving up on This series as the story telling is dreadful. It’s only saving grace is some of the scenes at sea but the links between them are so bad It’s like writing by numbers!!!

can't wait to read the next one, great books

loved every minute of it. Christian Rodska does a brilliant narration of all the great characters

I thoroughly enjoyed this Audiobook

If you enjoy this genre then I think you might enjoy this saga? Skillfully narrated and a master class in narration.

OK for schoolboys

This is an adventure story for lubbers with a good performance and no depth to any topics covered. If you are not bothered about the saltier aspects of the story, you will enjoy.

Another Cracker

Overall enjoyed this very much although a tad slow in the middle but a very vivid story and great narration

Once you start you cannot put down!

This is the third book I have listened to. I made the mistake (all be it a small one) of picking one of the series at random, then finding another 17 or so to listen to!
It is difficult to fault anything regarding the story or narrater. Christian Rodska's array of dialects male and female is astounding and I cannot imagine anyone else matching it.
So pleased I have plenty more to listen to!