Roughly, a third of the book takes place at the siege of Famagusta by the Ottoman Empire, one third at the Cornaro Castle and one in the sea. Captain Tempesta is an Italian Duchess who donned armour and pretended to be a man in search of her fiancé who was captured by the Turks.

The dispute between Christians and Muslims at the time is explicit, each considering the other infidels or renegades (if for any reason abandoned their former faith).

It tells about loyalty, honour and bravery as well as lighthearted faith, malice and dishonesty. I don't want to spoil your read, so the only thing I'll say further is that I was surprised by the realistic depiction of "love" and war.