Reviewer: sunrider Signed
Date: 15 Nov 2011 06:03 am Title: Chapter 1
This is a great sequel of the Captain Cartwright series. I was freezing and suffering along with our hero all his way to Alaska and back. Wow, what a network of intrigues you have built up for Adam to make his way through. I also love the parallel stories with Barbara, Peggy and the rest of the Ponderosa, and how life was going on there while Adam was away. This is a well done mixture. Looking forward to start on the next part …
Author’s Response: I’m so sorry not to have replied to this lovely review, sunrider, I can’t think why I didn’t except that I read it when I was having all that trouble with my hip etc. Lovely words, lovely. I just so appreciate your enjoyment of the stories and love reading what you have to say about the things happening to the Cartwrights. Many thanks indeed. Krystyna
What a ride! I hardly know how to put my thoughts regarding a story this multi-facted into a review, but I’ll give it a shot … 🙂
Wonderful, as usual. I enjoyed Adam’s adventures (more than he did, I’m certain). He was put in a difficult situation, but handled it as always with grace and poise. It would be difficult to face such a great deal of uncertainty throughout, even knowing that the President was keeping an eye on things and knew his true goals and orders, but he did better than most would have to safely navigate (ha. see what I did there? :-P) through all the possible pitfalls and make a good showing. I suspect he will not be anxious to see Alaska again any time soon, even with the aurora and the frosty ship … It was nice to see Ben and Hoss in San Francisco for him — it was only a shame Joe couldn’t go. I am curious to find out if Adam is called back to service, or if he chooses to go back on his own. Time, I suppose, will tell …
I enjoyed your very lengthy cast of characters. How did you keep up with them all? O’Brien and Duke and the little midshipman (William?) were all favorites. And the villains! So many, and so varied, and for so many different reasons! The Confederate activist group was a good backdrop for all the dastardly deeds (heehee) that were done throughout.
Regarding the happenings at home, my feelings were more mixed (about the happenings, not about your story :-). I absolutely loved the bit where Hoss and Candy tried to run the President off the Ponderosa. I was glad Joe is getting better, of course — he is definitely not the type to handle much downtime well. As for Barbara … I was glad she married where she did. It was obviously best and happiest for all concerned. I think she was fooling herself that no one should/would notice or comment when she began spending time with Andrew (eg, at the dance) — it’s one thing to lose yourself in someone’s company, but you can’t pretend that no one’s going to notice when it’s well known that you’re very involved with someone else. As for Andrew … he bothers me, pretty much. He may be a very good guy in all other ways, but to be told ‘she’s practically engaged’ and respond ‘well, he’s not here, is he, I’m going for it’ … ? I am of the school that this is not at all honorable behavior. Would things have happened for them if he had been less forceful? I’m sure it would have … there was obviously an attraction there, and I think they would have just fallen into things. Would have (IMO) been better than him trying to steal another man’s girl (even if said girl knew she was free to look elsewhere if she chose.) That said … again, both Barbara’s decision and Adam’s was definitely for the best. Ah well. I suspect (ie, gather from later summaries :-P) that he will meet someone more suited to him. I haven’t seen any of the Laura Dayton episodes, so I can’t even comment on Peggy … 😛
This was certainly another fantastic story. I’m very much enjoying your series, and I look forward to the next one! Thanks so much for writing!
Thank you for such an extremely encouraging review of the story. Captain oh my Captain is one of my favourites of the C.C series, and I learned a lot about American/Russian relationships during the writing of it. Some of the villains you met here will return to haunt our Captain, and some old friends also. I truly enjoyed reading this review as you brought to mind so many features of the story that made it such fun to write. I’m afraid these stories were a bit like fungus, they just grew and grew, and I never really knew what was going on from one chapter to another. One fascinating thing about writing is how a background character will push their way to the front .. and become a prime actor in the story, while a character I had wanted to feature as a main mover simply fades from view.
As for Barbara and Andrew…so pleased you mentioned them as what happens in their marriage features in the next story along and I hope will make you feel really pleased with your character analysis of him … and congratulations on avoiding the Laura Dayton eps, many a BZ fan wishes they had been able to say the same.
Thanks again PSW, I so hope you enjoy the next story..there’s romance and marriage, heartbreak and joy..and of course, drama and action.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. This story was phenomenal with the environment of Alaska and the Russians. The intrigue went to so many levels, some of which were only revealed at the end. Your ability to describe the Alaskan environment, the crew’s reactions and the frozen beauty of the uncharted territory is wondrous. There were times I felt as cold as Adam, longing for the warmth and full sun further south. Once all the players seemed to have caught up with Adam, I felt nervous and excited to see how the Court Martial would play out. Very well done. Played like one of Adam’s chess games. I like that you keep the Ponderosa an active part of each story. While Adam is at sea facing who knows what kind of situations, life continues on the ranch with it’s own joys and sorrows. I’m looking forward to the next adventure although the description leaves me with some trepidation. What lies ahead for Adam and his family? I’m off to find out.
I am so excited that you are enjoying this series, AC1830. I have so enjoyed researching historical fact and events and weaving them into Adams life. Thank you for your so encouraging comment on this story. I just loved writing the court martial..The Commodore is next, hope you enjoy it!!!
I am always thrilled when I see a comment regarding this series, Miss Kitty. This particular story was a real labour of love and I so enjoyed writing it. Fell in live with Alaska as well …many thanks for such an encouraging review. I do hope you enjoy The Commodore as much!!! Best wishes for your own writing success too Miss Kitty. Thank you.
Krystna, this is the third time I’m working way back through the CC series from start to finish and I am enjoying it even more than before. So much adventure, heartache and tenderness rolled into one in this story…the ending was genius, I love that song and it was so poignant and really summed up the entire book! I now move on to “The Commodore” with bated breath, these stories are timeless, thank you so much!!