This book has a fascinating setting: a world where sea beasts (think C’thulu) called The Ancients compete with humanity for primacy on the planet. Humanity exists in the shadow of a mighty Emperor whose power rivals that of the Ancients, and a set of mysterious guilds that safeguard deadly secrets. Now, the Emperor is dead, and the Ancients are hungry…
It is a shame that the author populated this world with such mediocre characters as Coulter and his crew of oddballs. Listening to the captain of the sailing ship The Testament interacting with his small crew reminded me of Wesley Crusher commanding the USS Enterprise attended by first officer Reginald Barkley. I found myself most impressed with Shuffles, an ancient spawnling called a Bellowing Horror that has the post of Captain Coulter’s “parrot.” When my favorite character is a funny pet, the casting needs work.
I finished this book and one of its sequels, though only with difficulty. Its universe had promise, but I doubt I will ever visit it again.