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Brewer's Luck: Hornblower's Legacy
- Narrated by: Nigel Peever
- Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure
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Summary
After gaining valuable experience as an aide to Governor Lord Horatio Hornblower, William Brewer is rewarded with a posting as first lieutenant on the frigate HMS Defiant, bound for American waters. Early in their travels, it seems as though Brewer’s greatest challenge will be evading the wrath of a tyrannical captain who has taken an active dislike to him. But when a hurricane sweeps away the captain, the young lieutenant is forced to assume command of the damaged ship, and a crew suffering from low morale.
Brewer reports their condition to Admiral Hornblower, who orders them into the Caribbean to destroy a nest of pirates hidden among the numerous islands. Luring the pirates out of their coastal lairs will be difficult enough; fighting them at sea could bring disaster to the entire operation. For the Defiant to succeed, Brewer must rely on his wits, his training, and his ability to shape a once-ragged crew into a coherent fighting force.
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What listeners say about Brewer's Luck: Hornblower's Legacy
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Daddy Bear
- 23-09-19
Outstanding
Definite Theatre of the Mind. With Nigel's wonderful narration, the authentic sound effects and music, this production is just like a blockbuster feature film. The characterisations are very believable. This is an outstanding production.
3 people found this helpful
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- Simon Gibson
- 11-09-19
Immersive Adventure On The High Seas.
A great insight into life aboard a British sailing ship of the line during peacetime following the Napoleonic wars. We follow the adventures of William Brewer as he crosses the Atlantic Ocean to America and then down to the Carribbean. There is internal conflict, secrets, lies, naval battles and admiralty politics. This is a very well written and narrated novel. I think the sound effects add to the atmosphere created especially in the battle scenes. A very enjoyable listening experience with a wonderful array of characters.
3 people found this helpful
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- r j askew
- 23-07-20
'Go for the throat, like the wolf'
Brewer's Luck proved a rewarding listen. I did not know what to expect, especially when I read that the story was set just after the Napoleonic wars, in peacetime. That said, I was soon taken with the feel for the period and what it meant to serve on a King's ship of the time, when the Royal Navy was at the height of its powers. I became immersed in thoughts of what it may have been like to be an officer, and the issues, challenges, and practices of the time. I was surprised by and then absorbed by the patient development of a fractious relationship between the leading officers sparked by the gruff Captain's bizarre compulsion to bully a junior officer. Things were evolving quite nicely. Then there was a jolt to the story line half way through, but strange things happen at sea. The second half of the story became increasingly active with the ship pitted against very potent and determined pirates. The key theme of relationships between various crew members and admirals continued as a strong theme throughout, with a real sense of how important and complex such relationships were for rising officers and established crew members alike. "How did they get their crews to love them?" one old salt muses on the nature of a successful captains. "Aye, that's the question." It was this shifting web of personalities and loyalties that kept me fascinated. The climactic action when it came showed how the crew worked for each other. And the prospect of a dash of prize money. And promotion. Or an extra grog ration. "Go for the throat, like the wolf," Napoleon Bonaparte had advised the hero during an encounter on St Helena. And he did, with integrity intact. The way the author returned to the case of the bullied junior officer at the end tied things off neatly. The luck of the hero seemingly failed when his mentor declined to promote him to captain. But the admiral, in his wisdom, crafted a more fitting outcome to the satisfaction of all concerned, ensuring we will be back for the sequel. I found the narration was spot on for the nature of the story and the period. The strict formality and command structure rang through loud and clear, as did the highly informal loyalties and friendships. The range of character's created by Nigel Peever's voicings was also rich and varied, ranging from admirals and captains, to innkeepers, gunners, ordinary seamen and young midshipmen. The pace was also entirely appropriate, become highly animated during the battle climactic battle scenes. The light touch sound affects - gulls, ships bells, doors, waves lapping etc - provided just the right level of prompts to nudge the listener's imagination in the desired destination throughout. All very enjoyable.
2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 30-04-20
High seas adventure
Really enjoyed this audiobook. Engaging story and excellent narration by Nigel Peever - convincing characterisation and voice acting
2 people found this helpful
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- Ian
- 12-01-20
All at Sea
If you like the adventures of hornblower you will like this it's a classic adventure in the age of sail and the sound effects make you fill as if you were there.
2 people found this helpful
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- Ryan Pascall
- 18-01-21
A worthy successor to Hormblower.
I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As a fan of the Hornblower series by C.S Forester I've been yearning for a good naval series set in the same timeline as those stories and so was very interested in what this had to offer. For the most part I was happy with what I found as the story, somewhat similar to Hornblower:Mutiny due to the actions of Captain Norman (although less insane thanfully) was full of internal strife and dangerous situations but I was surprised at how little ribbing Phillip's got from the established crew as I always enjoyed the 'winning of their favour'as exhibited in both early Hornblower & Sharpe novels. The crew themselves were well realised and, for the most part, well presented bit some were passed over with little description but, being minor characters this wasn't a hindrance. Throughout the narration was faultless and the narrator has a voice perfect for the story, plus the inclusion of sound effects really brought the book to life and helped me to place myself right into the story. Ultimately I was pleased with the book and it worked as a fine opening to a new series set in a world alongside Hormblower and Napoleon and I'll be following the rest with interest.
1 person found this helpful
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- John Gibson
- 30-10-20
a very good read
This is not the normal kind of book I go for I am more the horror sci-fi kinda guy but this was a great listen Well written Great narration A real all round good job cant wait for the next one. AAA+👌
1 person found this helpful
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- Peter Greenhill
- 27-10-20
A radio play format works!
I thought the genre was over when Mr Kent aka Mr Pipe had finished with it but of course it all started with C.S.Forrester and The Hornblower novels based on the real life exploits of Cochrane and The Dauntless, but here we have a new format the radio drama that works and the finale of Hornblowers life.Well worth a listen you will not be disappointed.
1 person found this helpful
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- mangankillarney
- 29-07-20
Brewer's Luck
I really enjoyed listening to Nigel Peever. He makes the character and book come to life. I have not read or listened to a book in this times for a long time and I am glad I did. This is a adventure of Hornblower in the time , high seas and pirates. We have Boneparte. Loved the charaters and the sound effects made the experience complete. Excellent piece of naval action
1 person found this helpful
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- Deedra
- 01-07-20
Brewer's Luck
I absolutely LOVED this book!It was full of adventure on the high seas with pirates and British frigates.We meet Boneparte! Nigel Peever brings it all to life.He does every character with vigor!I was sad when it ended,but I see,I have the next book! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
1 person found this helpful
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- Spooky Mike
- 11-11-19
Lots of Action and Fun on the High Seas
If you like nautical stories this is a fun one. Enjoyed the intricacies of the different people running a ship, even if one is a little misplaced due to his age. Hadn’t wanted to work on a boat before, but the action of this story made me think that could be the life for me. I think this book really was the setup for all the books to come. It told a complete story, but there is so much more ahead for Captain Brewer and I am excited for the story to continue on. The characters were great. Had some I liked more than others. Brewer was great, I really liked his leadership skills and how he interacted with the crew. I believe that he will be a great captain as he shows the leadership that everyone needs. I really thought he was a solid protagonist for the series as he is someone that I think you can trust in and willingly follow into battle. I liked the character building that established everyone for the future books. I don’t listen to a lot of historical fiction, but this one was a lot of fun. Sailing around on a ship for twelve and a half hours was a lot of fun, especially with Nigel as the narrator. The way the story is laid out and told I really thought I was a deckhand running around with everyone. This is a fantastic production. It came off as a full production with sound effects and different people playing each character, however there is only one narrator. Nigel has a huge range of character voices and did an amazing job. He doesn’t just read the words, but acts out the entire story. I felt like I was listening to a play enfold before me. His narrations are truly a step above all the others. The background sound effects really added to the overall story and I was able to picture myself on the ship. I can’t imagine the energy and effort that was needed to put into this narration, but you owe it to yourself to listen. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.
8 people found this helpful
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- Dave
- 27-07-20
I wasn’t expecting music and sound effects.
This reminds me of a 1940’s radio drama and I just couldn’t listen to it.
1 person found this helpful
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- Timothy J Wood
- 02-10-20
Good book to much noise
It is a good story, somewhat predictable but still enjoyable. The reading contained to much noise/music. The characters have the ability to grow and it looks they will as the series goes on. Predictable but very enjoyable. Our Capitan Brewers building his team just as Capt Hornblower, Capt Bolitho.
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- Pedro
- 08-09-20
Great Narration
The story was good , especially if you’re a Hornblower fan. The characters nicely developed but not overly developed and weighed down with too much sentimentality. Best of all were the narration and sound effects. It almost reminded me of a 1930’s radio play. I loved it!
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- Mike Beggs
- 25-08-20
It's ok
The sound effects are distracting. The voice actors laughing sounds forced and unnatural, and a bit creepy. I think the story is okay, it's not to the level of the original Hornblower, but it's all right. The voice talent could have been better and less would have been more when it comes to some of the sound effects added.
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- JustBill
- 26-06-20
Take Her Out Of The Wind
"Sheer Luck," Thats what it was, as I chose this book by the cover alone!! If you love the ocean, and the sting of the wind hitting your face, and the brutish treatment of seamen in the 19th Century British Navy, then let me tell you, "This author and super commentator," does it all in a perfect harmony. The world is still feeling the aftershocks of that pompous England, so take a look at the caste system that still flourishes today, because of the Crown, in every country it touched. The England of yesteryear is gone, but sadly, we seem to have been handed the baton, and we now are making the tranquility of "Space," and in a perfect vacuum, making it a place where future wars might be fought. This is and could be the best book I have read, except for the Bible, but the same God British seamen prayed to going around the Horn in October, as thats where the devil controlled the those wicked winds waiting for the fools that thought they could push him aside, and failed miserably most of the time, only because of Captains of the crown and their wreckers decisions. Its truly masterful writing, and sadly, the book had to end. If you thought Captain William Bligh was a tyrant, then Oh No, You were very wrong, talented yes, but many deny themselves books like this for varied reasons, as they cannot imagine why men fall in love with the sea, as no romance can match it, as the author explains in gritty detail the hardships under men that were deralic like on dry ground. What you will find inside this book is the raw truth, and how the in the end, the sea tamed the man.