This is the fourth book in the series. It’s a bad place to join the series– it really benefits from the development that took place over the three previous books. In many ways, this book is the lull between storms– it’s a bit of a calmer period, after the end of the war in the previous book.
The naval development is a… less energetic plot after the time and pressure of the previous books. At the end, it picks back up with a ferocious engagement– but it’s sharp, and there’s no reflection or recovery time at the end. I hope that makes for a sharp strong beginning to the next book.