Author Description

In this book, we encounter characters from "The Children of the Air," such as the tea merchant Fedoro and the Cossack Rokoff. However, the true protagonists are two Russian nobles, Boris and Wassili Starinsky, who have been sentenced to Siberian prison due to the cunning schemes of their cousin, Count Teriosky. Wassili, the mysterious prisoner rescued by the Sparrowhawk's commander in the previous novel, reveals his true identity as the Polish Ranzoff in this one. The Sparrowhawk becomes a formidable war machine unleashed against Teriosky and his merchant ships. We witness thrilling chases and battles across the Atlantic, particularly on its almost-deserted islands, which were once hideouts for pirates and are now exploited by both the "good" and the "bad" characters in the story for their struggle. The story concludes with the victory of the "good" characters, but not before they have journeyed extensively across the ocean, encountering surprising adventures resolved through the courage and ingenious inventions of Ranzoff and Wassili. Additionally, this book introduces a female character named Wanda, the daughter of Boris, who is "adopted" by Teriosky. While Teriosky cares for and loves her as a daughter, he also keeps her against her will. However, there is no room in the story for a love interest beyond the filial bond, which is a recurring theme in Salgari's works. In the final pages of the novel, Wanda makes her appearance and demonstrates courage and character that are characteristic of a Salgari heroine.