Because of this lovelorn central character the book sometimes seems more romantic novel than adventure yarn, but S.R. Staley puts plenty of zip into the action sequences. Here he masterfully captures a sword fight, building tension it seems hard to believe possible short of seeing it on a huge movie screen: "Again and again, the quartermaster attacked. Isabella parried, then thrust her tip forward in a feigned riposte, lulling the quartermaster into another powerful cut. She deflected each cut. First up, then down, then to the side. She watched him intently as the blade sliced through the air. Each arcing cut weaned a little more strength. She marveled at how he took the bait, time and time again. When he slowed to regroup, she would riposte or lunge, drawing him into another aggressive cut."

There's fine description plus conspiracies and colorful characters galore, but what I liked best was the irony of the story. In the first half Isabella, herself a former Creole slave, holds the young Spanish man prisoner. In the following fifty pages she becomes his prisoner, exploring some interesting psychological implications about control in male female relationships. We are at sea, literally and figuratively, and like the green waves, this adventure tale suggests multiple depths. But not to worry, there is also the requisite, rousing pirate-finale. Will Isabella fulfill her mother's strange prophecy? Will the two enemies somehow unite? And what about the infamous Yellow Jacket? "Full sail ahead! We'll see who's left standing at the end of the day."