Sea Raven - Patricia McAllister

ISBN-0-8217-5236-7

Publisher- Zebra

An interesting, well woven tale set in the Tudor period.

I picked this book up second hand in a lot from ebay some time back and discovered it in my too be read pile earlier this week.

The Raven and The Hawk. As proud and stubborn as the clan she springs from, as wild and unpredictable as the waters she sails, she is any man's equal on the high seas.

Now when I read the opening lines of the blurb on the back of the book I was tempted to roll my eyes and groan. Not another, I thought, book with a character more fitting for a modern day setting, yet wrapped in the guise of a historical novel. However I was very pleasantly surprised. Ms. McAllister has created a believable character in Bryony O'Niell.

As her birth also brings about the death of her mother, there is a realistic reason as to why her father would deny her existence, though I did, at first, find it hard to accept why she would be denied and yet allowed on her father's ships at the same time, but as the story unfolded that also began to make sense.

Slade Tanner, the hero of this little tale, did form a compelling picture of a man trapped by his duty to the crown, a loveless betrothal, and a queen who could command men and women into marriages. Elizabeth I was well known for her temper and her iron will, as well as her band of favorites, and that was used nicely in the plot line. I felt sorry for Slade when it was revealed just what sort of woman he had become engaged to, and could see why Bryony would be so intriguing to him.

The historical background the story was set against portrayed the often tumultuous times, and with a few small exceptions, the story did work for me.

All in all the book was an enjoyable, quick read and though I wouldn't actively seek out more books by the author, I wouldn't toss another of her books aside without giving it at least two chapters.

I'd give the book a three star rating.