This is the first volume of the series to feature Aubrey above Maturin that I've given more than two stars. After the reviews I've given the previous volumes, it's clear that I far prefer the latter character, and his supporting role in this was disappointing. I think it's fair to say that I didn't enjoy this as much as its immediate predecessors, but I did still enjoy it, and a low three stars remains three stars. Part of it is I think that politics continues to be a strong focus, and I find this sort of manoeuvring far more interesting than that of ropes and sails. Aubrey doesn't enjoy it so much, and he doesn't have much of a talent for it, which I don't mind - characters who are good at everything are dull - but I think I have slightly kinder feelings towards him this time because of Graham. This new character is so utterly humourless that his dislike of Aubrey is, perversely, making me feel more for him out of pure spite.