flyingryndeer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jdhacker's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
My review of the first book covers this one as well, but as an addendum....there is little to no active character develop in most of these. With the possible exception of Odard Liu, the change and growth experienced by most of the characters, if present at all, is predictable and minor. Very much in fitting with the theme that these are mostly people born into and for the roles in which they serve.
shai3d's review against another edition
5.0
These books keep getting better and better. Rudy MacKenzie is proving to be my favorite character of all and his buffalo ride makes reading or in my case listening too very worthwhile.
bibliophilelinda's review against another edition
3.0
Please understand that I am a huge Emberverse fan and love, love, love this series (particularly the MacKenzies), however I wasn't as enthralled with this story as all the previous. Possibly because this is the middle of Rudi MacKenzie's journey to Nantucket or because the story didn't really have a central focus this time, but I felt like the whole novel was nothing but one prolonged battle scene where the only differences lay in terrain and allies. My goodness, Stirling certainly puts Rudi and his gang in jeopardy every single moment, a bit of an unrealistic story point in my opinion. In this chapter of the tale, Rudi, his half-sisters, Ingolf, Matilda and a few others continue their quest for Nantucket but are tailed by scouts and soliders from the Prophet's army. Along the way, Rudi and gang meet new allies, particularly the Sioux Indians and an important ranchers daughter named Virginia Kane. Both Rudi and Mary are nearly killed, but recover and must rehabilitate to their former battle prowess. In the end, they end up in the clutches of Ingolf's former nemesis, called the Bossman, and now Rudi must complete Ingolfs original task for the Bossman alone in order to free his friends. Meanwhile, the MacKenzie's and allies are still organizing resistance to the Prophets spreading reign of terror, and are able to capture the Bossman, though not without serious casualities. All-in-all a so-so read. Hopefully the concluding chapter to this series is much better.
baronessekat's review against another edition
3.0
Frankly this was just OK. I much preferred the previous book. This one felt very much like a "middle book" that is needed to get from point A to B but it would make the story feel lacking of they skipped most of it.
I found my attention wandering as I listened to it, but not enough to make me stop but I also did not feel the need to rewind the audio enough to find out what I missed..
And it ended with enough of the story left open that I will continue on to find out what happens.
I found my attention wandering as I listened to it, but not enough to make me stop but I also did not feel the need to rewind the audio enough to find out what I missed..
And it ended with enough of the story left open that I will continue on to find out what happens.
jaxboiler's review against another edition
3.0
I saw someone who had left a comment that this book seemed to be one long running battle and I have to agree. It did seem like every other chapter our intrepid band of adventurers were fighting the CUT. I guess it is part of their destiny to have a TON of roadblocks to overcome on this trip back east. Overall I did enjoy it so it will be interesting to see how they do on the eastern side of the Mississippi river.
just_dave's review against another edition
4.0
Another great addition to the "Emberverse." SM Stirling has a great thing going here and I look forward to reading more in the series. While it's not a great read, it is satisfying and keeps the reader engaged. I wish that the t.v. show Revolution had not been made because it's a direct rip-off of Stirling's work and now we will probably never see the Emberverse on t.v. or at the movies. Too bad, it's far superior to Revolution.
thekingbee's review against another edition
3.0
eh, this series is so very eh.
I think I'm going to take a break from it even though there is s cliffhanger.
I think I'm going to take a break from it even though there is s cliffhanger.
jmoses's review against another edition
4.0
Again, more of the same without being boring repetition. I do very much enjoy the world that Stirling has created for us, and the characters are full of depth.