The book opens with Royal Navy Captain Gabriel Wallace who finds himself coerced into a situation that jeopardizes his career and everything else that he holds dear. Captain Wallace’s hand is forced by Admiral Chambers who court-martials him in front of his peers.

Captain Wallace knows his days are numbered and he makes the decision to leave England with his navy vessel, the Majesty’s Venture, to escape the wrath of the Admiral, known to the rest of the British Navy as the “Chambers of Hell!” The Royal Navy retaliates and in no time is after the now nefarious Captain Wallace and his crew.

However, the captain is not without his friends. The ship’s crew follow their captain with a loyalty that is unrivaled in the whole of England even though Captain Wallace has a secret plan which only he knows. Only the captain’s best friend, Miles Jacobs knows the darkness that lurks inside the captain.

With few options left to them, Captain Wallace and his men chart a course for the American Colonies and the Caribbean, branded as pirates by men they once proudly served with, while in the Royal Navy. Their main objective … to wage war on Admiral Chambers and to expose him for what he truly was – the bloodiest pirate of them all!

Recommendation:

I thoroughly enjoyed Amber Wake and the set of circumstances that brought Royal Navy Captain Gabriel Wallace to find himself a reluctant pirate. When I said this was not your typical pirate tale, I wasn’t kidding.

This seafaring tale is really the study of a man finding himself in a situation where his quick wits and sense of right and wrong lead you on a rollicking good adventure. The captain is clearly the star of the book and you get a clear sense of his internal struggle where he is obliged to reveal the darkness that lurks within himself.

I loved the depth that each of the characters portrayed. I was able to step inside of their minds and live the story through their eyes. History came alive and showed the chivalry this group of men possessed not only for the crew but for others as well.

When the raging sea battles ensued I found I could not put the book down. I had to know what was going to happen next! I discovered many surprises along the way which made the book totally unpredictable, a real plus. Always present was the battle that raged between good and evil leading you into an adventure on the high seas filled with risks and peril, and the struggles of men.

I do not usually give many 5 star ratings on my reviews. When I do, you know the book touched me deeply. For me, the book was all about the internal battles of the captain dealing with his feelings of vengeance against the Admiral that ruined him. It was the story of a man balancing his duties and becoming a real “man.”

If you love adventure tales with a historic flare you will love Amber Wake as it sweeps you up into a tale filled with suspense and intrigue!

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars