" Tom Kydd" has the potential to be a great character and series , but I found that when I finished the book I wanted more . That is ,I thought that it seem to take an eternity to set the scene then the book was finished .Stockwin needs to get plot developing very quickly or he will run the risk of the character becoming a comic. It was becoming a little tiresome that "Tom" seemed to always land on his feet and was "naturally gifted' . Lets hope that he does not become like a character in a Wilbur Smith novel who can do everything or he wil be an admiral by the end of vol 2). Ill stick with it for one or two more installments but for me the jury is still out .Two and Half stars would be a fairer score