This book, while not awful, was really weird. Seeing casual magic in an American civil war setting was a little off putting. There was a sense that the characters without the knowledge to perform the magic were a little superstitious and mistrusting of those who could perform it.

The magic itself, while it played an important role in the story, was not really discussed much and was almost completely shrouded in mystery, and in some cases, darkness.

Columbia's and Captain Sharp's roles were important, but seemed to just be thrown into the mix for the hell of it.

The last few sections of the story seemed very rushed and had a strong deux ex machina element which made me not really care for it. ( )

This book, while not awful, was really weird. Seeing casual magic in an American civil war setting was a little off putting. There was a sense that the characters without the knowledge to perform the magic were a little superstitious and mistrusting of those who could perform it.

The magic itself, while it played an important role in the story, was not really discussed much and was almost completely shrouded in mystery, and in some cases, darkness.

Columbia's and Captain Sharp's roles were important, but seemed to just be thrown into the mix for the hell of it.

The last few sections of the story seemed very rushed and had a strong deux ex machina element which made me not really care for it. ( )

A fine fast-moving tale of magic and adventure at sea, a dandy addition to the still small library of historical fantasy. The story took off for me with William Sharps' entry, rather than at the opening with John Nevis, so I was happy indeed with the Sharps story in F&SF's February 2008 issue.

An enjoyable fantasy, set in the context of the States War (US Civil War, if you prefer) where magic is known and works. This is apparently a Manhattan-Project-type exercise in naval warfare, about which I will not say too much lest I spoil things. Worth the read, but I don't think I'll be buying it. ( )