This most excellent book completes Ms. Kelly's St. Brendan series, which follows the fortunes of British naval sailing master, genius polymath and workhouse bastard Durable Six and his wife, Merilee Bonfort Six as they take on the challenge of the experimental St. Brendan the Navigator school that trains promising workhouse boys for service in the royal navy. The boys are maturing, Able is torn between his devotion to duty and love of family, and Trafalgar looms on the horizon. And there are secrets to be uncovered about his murky parentage.

Alternately warm-hearted, sentimental, heart-breaking , and thrilling, it's A fitting conclusion to a wonderful series. ( )