Goddard is a world trapped in its non-technological present by brilliant social engineering. Orphaned Amanda Kirasdotr rescues a space traveler, flies on his starship, and wants a starship of her own. That's challenging when the hottest ship on Goddard boasts three masts and a full set of sails. But Amanda has a plan. First she must overcome storms, pirates, poverty and assassins of the mysterious Order of the Bell.
Mistress of the Waves is about overcoming economic and technological challenges. Yes, there are pirates, a revolution, and the mythical giant squid, but Amanda solves her challenges through hard work, thoughtful investment and planning, and clever responses to a massive fiscal bubble. Her answers are quite the opposite of 'we have gunpowder, so let's conquer the world'. Amanda has 'we have trading ships. Let's make the world a better place.'