Julian Stockwin has redeemed himself! His last Kydd Adventure, Victory, was such a disappointment. With Conquest he has returned to his great story telling self. Having Kydd in the thick of the action, telling the story through Kydd's eyes! Also, with Renzi back in operation and using his eyes to tell other parts of the adventure was great.
This story tells of the conquest of South Africa by the British and is told well with zest. Now I am again looking forward to reading more of these adventures! ( )

Nelson's body is escorted home from Trafalgar byKydd and the L' Aurore. Which ship is then sent to support the successful Imperial invasion of South Africa. Renzi becomes the Colonial Secretary and Kydd meets an exciting French noblewoman. Treachery is afoot as the French try to engender a native revolt. Not much sea fighting but the land battles and political intrigue make this another good read from Julian Stockwin. ( )

I believe my last review of a book in this series I faulted the author for making the sidekick, Renzi, resort to the cliche of spy. Further he also was rather a milksop where before he had been a pillar of strength for the hero, Thomas Kydd.

Well that has changed. Renzi emerged from the shadows and did something worthwhile. I hope that he will continue to do so. As for the rest of the tale, well we see see a great piece of history but I seem to feel that we are being given a little less than a full story once more.

Perhaps Julian is not spending as much time as he should at his computer writing. Where was a great naval action. The one that there is, Kydd runs away in the middle giving us tension and drama, but in this sea tale, not enough of cannons, and boarding action.

There are a great deal of historical significance, but each time it comes to a fight, it seems this is rather glossed over, and here we also have a land action that could fill the pages.

Something seems to have gone missing. Stockwin still ranks above O'Brien in my thought, but this one is good for everything that doesn't happen on the sea, and shouldn't we see more of what does. ( )

It takes about half this book for Stockwin to find a window of opportunity in the historical record where he can get his fiction truly underway, but when he finds it, the action quickly gains some satisfying traction. ( )