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The Fury series, by G. S. Beard

This is a new, promising series of historical fiction novels in the tradition of C.S.Forrester and Patrick O'Brien, somewhat similar also to the early Alexander Kent novels about Richard Bolitho so far. The familiar story lines are here, but with its own style and with lots of different types of action.

 

Mr Midshipman Fury, by G. S. Beard

The year is 1792. We are at the start of the French Revolutionary Wars. John Thomas Fury he embarks on his first voyage as midshipman aboard the 32-gun frigate Amazon. His Midshipman Fury, by GS Beard inheritance is somewhat bothersome. He is the son of a brig commander who became mentally unbalanced and violent, and whose actions resulted in a mutiny from his ship's crew. Thus Fury is seen as a pariah by his fellow sailors.

As Amazon heads to India, young midshipman Fury is involved in a dreadful shipboard accident, and he must work doubly hard to prove that he isn't cursed just like his father. However, redemption is around the corner. On a mission from the Governor of India, the crew battle against a much stronger foe. Somewhere in the Indian Ocean a very powerful privateer is at work. Amazon must find and destroy her.

So soon Fury finds himself in charge of the gun deck in furious fighting. This is the spot where the leaders of men are forged. And Fury shows exceptional courage and coolness. And gradually the shadows of the past are banished and Fury's naval career begins in glory as he becomes a leader of men.

Praise for Midshipman Fury:

"Here is a rollicking adventure...which will stir the sluggish blood of even the most pacific of readers."
- - Daily Express

“A lively page-turner. Beard shows that he can write about nautical action fluently, and there is always something going on as adventures fairly fall over each other once the ship sails into Indian waters”
--Historical Novels Review

Lieutenant Fury, by G. S. Beard

The series about John Fury started well and the continuation is even better. It is now 1793. HMS Amazon is finally returning from an arduous duty in the Indian Ocean. Lieutenant Fury, by G S Beard Then she encounters a French frigate in the Atlantic. The officers of the ship, having been away for two years, do not know whether they are at war with France or not. They hope the peace still stands. However, their hopes are quickly shattered as the Frenchman unexpectedly opens fire. Thus a bloody sea battle ensues. Fury does his job and shows his ability and courage. But even so the battle results in personal tragedy for Acting Lieutenant John Fury.

As Amazon puts into Gibraltar for repairs, Fury has his promotion confirmed by Vice Admiral Lord Hood, commander of the Mediterranean Fleet. But following the promotion, he is transferred as the fifth lieutenant to Fortitude (74 guns). This is a much larger ship, slower and much more heavily manned. Not as his bellowed Amazon, and a different type of duty altogether.

After some boring blockading duty on the French Fleet in Toulon, an opportunity offers itself to the British, as the enemy fleet is surrendered to Hood by French Monarchists. Fury is temporarily transferred away from Fortitude, first to a brig, where he experiences his first independent command, then to a gun ship and finally to defend a fort ashore as the Republican army establish a brutal siege of the port.

Soon Britain and her allies are hard pressed to hold onto their prize, and must retreat.

The story and plot is very good. G.S. Beard writes will. Lieutenant Fury is well paced and has lots of action throughout. There is ship to ship action, cutting out parties, land raids, as well as floating battery exchanges. As well, there is romance and love. The characters are well developed, and John Fury is developing depth. I think this will definitely be a series to watch!

Link to G.S. Beards books about John Thomas Fury: amazon US, amazon UK, amazon CAN, and Bokkilden.
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