Title: The Admiral’s Steward
Author: Howard George
Publisher: Leavitt Peak Press
ISBN: 978-1957956459
Pages: 432
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza
Pacific Book Review
As we get older and morality begins to play into the day-to-day dealings of our lives, there are some people who begin to feel a sense of duty overcome them. That duty can come from all manners and walks of life. It can be the duty we feel to protect and provide for our families and loved ones. It can be the duty of a best friend to reveal a hard truth. It can be the duty a doctor feels to deliver devastating news to a patient’s family. Yet there is also the duty we feel in our professional lives as well, be it in business, military service, or more.
In author Howard George’s The Admiral’s Steward, the author explores duty through the lives of several people in the late 18th century. As an old man begins to reflect on the life he led and the events which led to his birth to begin with, the story of a young Steward and the woman he falls in love with takes shape. A dual love story between the young Steward and his future bride, as well as Lord Nelson and Emma, the book follows scandal and heartbreak as bonds are tested, and the death of a major figure comes in the wake of a child surrounded by secrets and shadows in this epic historical genre fiction novel.
The author did a wonderful job of balancing the action on the high seas with the drama of royal and political life, and the emotional balance of the love story between these characters and the developments that follow amongst them. The captivating way the author wrote, in which they managed to find the right tone and quality of speech that made the reader feel enveloped in the setting’s era, and the detailed way the author was able to bring the scenes to life on the page, made this novel feel vibrant and transportive in nature.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy genre fiction, especially those who enjoy historical fiction novels and novels that particularly bring together romance, royal and political drama, and action. The inclusion of historical figures like Napoleon immediately grabbed the reader’s interest, and the thoughtful and developed emotional and mental character growth that brought these protagonists to life on the page allowed the shocking drama to unfold in an interesting and engaging way.
Memorable, entertaining, and truly intriguing, author Howard George’s The Admiral’s Steward is a must-read historical and genre fiction novel. The depth of detail the author went into bringing this era to life and the enthralling nature of the drama and romance of the story, as well as the rich and fascinating character development, make this a truly compelling read.
