I do love a good historical fiction, and I love a well-researched book. This did feel a bit dense to start for me, and perhaps it's just showing my lack of prior knowledge about the specific place and time. Some historical fictions do a really great job of transporting you to a time and place without the foreknowledge, and from the first impression alone I'm not sure I'm quite there--who knows if that improves throughout the book though.
I will also add, the cover, while pretty, does read a little 'textbook'-y to me. I'd glance at it and expect an essay collection on nautical history, not a novel.
I will also add, the cover, while pretty, does read a little 'textbook'-y to me. I'd glance at it and expect an essay collection on nautical history, not a novel.