Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Sea Tigers & Merchants is set in the late 18th century about merchants, sailors, and the building of empires in the brand-new United States. While men must take lethal and financial risks (storms, pirates, the British Navy) to forge their fortunes, the women are no less courageous, often raising families alone for years while their men are at sea, and risking the inherent dangers of childbirth and abandonment. While it is the second book in a series, to the author's credit, it can be read as a standalone novel.
Prose: Wagner-Wright's prose is clear and descriptive, and she wastes no time bringing the reader into the 18th century with its dangers and delights. For example, newly orphaned Elizabeth "Lizzie" Rowell is thrown into the deep end immediately, forced to journey to a strange town and rely on her cousin for food and lodging. ("She hadn’t expected luxuries, but the accommodation in her father’s barn was better than this. At least the cow and horse had provided some heat.") There's also a helpful glossary at the end of the book for readers who don't know a banyan from a ratline.
Originality: There are many novels set in the late 18th century about the struggles early Americans had to face merely to survive, never mind earn their fortunes. But Sea Tigers & Merchants is an enjoyable read, and the author clearly did her research. She also includes a recipe section, and the ending, while abrupt, leaves the reader wanting more.
Character/Execution: The numerous characters emerge as individuals with their own struggles, perspectives, and voices. Lizzie comes across very different from, say, Betsey West, while Geordie and his father could not be more different. Further, Lizzie is relatable and rootble, and even the villains can't be dismissed as merely good or evil.
Date Submitted: August 28, 2024
