jdhacker's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Leaning even more heavily into the high magic elements that have been gradually introduced into the series actually seems to be improving it at this point, rather than how I felt it detracted previously. I think in the previous book or two it was still straddling an uncomfortable place between fantasy and alternate history that just didn't read well, especially without possibly unreliable narrators to support the dichotomy. Really embracing the fantasy elements has helped take it out of that genre uncanny valley space into something a little more coherent. Still, I think as a whole it would have been more interesting as a strictly non-magical post-apocalyptic alternate history.
I'm not sure how intentional it is, given that Tolkien and his influence are part of the created world, but there is also what feels like an increasing amount Tolkien-esque 'walking' narrative. Extremely long descriptions of the natural environments the various characters are traveling through. While I don't object to that in theory, as much of the territory covered in 'High King' is a retread of territory traversed by the characters in previous books without significant change. The space might better have been used switching viewpoints back to events in the west coast more frequently and covering more of those. And while Stirling does a great job at describing mass pseudo-medieval combat, its also starting to feel like overtrod and repetitive territory at this point. There starts to be some payoffs to events in previous books, but maybe not enough given the length here.
In short, I think if you were a fan of the initial Change novels for their alternate history post-apocalypse, you'll find increasingly less to like here as it moves more into fantasy and Tolkien territory. If you're a fan of fantasy, this might really be where the series starts to get interesting for you, and thanks to an abundance of refreshers on previous settings and relationships, you probably won't be too lost jumping in at this point.
I have two or three books left in what I got from my aunt's basement, and I'm not liking it enough to actively purchase anything past that point, but still interested enough to polish off what I have.
I'm not sure how intentional it is, given that Tolkien and his influence are part of the created world, but there is also what feels like an increasing amount Tolkien-esque 'walking' narrative. Extremely long descriptions of the natural environments the various characters are traveling through. While I don't object to that in theory, as much of the territory covered in 'High King' is a retread of territory traversed by the characters in previous books without significant change. The space might better have been used switching viewpoints back to events in the west coast more frequently and covering more of those. And while Stirling does a great job at describing mass pseudo-medieval combat, its also starting to feel like overtrod and repetitive territory at this point. There starts to be some payoffs to events in previous books, but maybe not enough given the length here.
In short, I think if you were a fan of the initial Change novels for their alternate history post-apocalypse, you'll find increasingly less to like here as it moves more into fantasy and Tolkien territory. If you're a fan of fantasy, this might really be where the series starts to get interesting for you, and thanks to an abundance of refreshers on previous settings and relationships, you probably won't be too lost jumping in at this point.
I have two or three books left in what I got from my aunt's basement, and I'm not liking it enough to actively purchase anything past that point, but still interested enough to polish off what I have.
dja777's review against another edition
4.0
I tore through this in a few days, and Stirling continues to be a captivating storyteller, but this book lacked some of the dramatic tension of its predecessor. (Or as my husband put it, "It wasn't as exciting because it was missing the same level of peril.") Still, a pretty good Stirling novel is better than a lot of other books I could spend time with! As always, I am left eagerly awaiting the sequel!
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
book 7 or book 10 depending on how you count it. It was nice to read a late number of a series that didn't suck. In fact this one was quite a bit better than the book that preceded it at least to my memory (I'd have to check to be sure). War but not too much, travel but not too much, characters that I still appreciate. A bit more magic in the series than in earlier books - which generally I wouldn't prefer ... but after all there still hasn't been any explanation to why the laws of physics changed other than http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_space_bats. 4.5 of 5.
netgyrl's review against another edition
5.0
So good!! I just love all these characters, the story telling, the narration. Best book so far.
duffypratt's review against another edition
2.0
The cover shows a close-cropped, grizzled man, wearing tattered camouflage, and holding a gleaming sword in a two hand fighting position. Behind him, there is the broken fuselage of a jet, with the Rockies looming in the distance. The landscape is otherwise desolate. This picture captures a bit of the soul of the Change world, and it's this world that I liked so much in the first three books.
The man in the picture is Artos, High King of Montival, nee Rudi Mackenzie. Or at least it's supposed to be. But let's get to some problems with the picture. First off, there is no wrecked airplane in the book. Secondly, the picture of the wreckage doesn't ring true. The Change happened in a flash, instantaneously cutting off all electricity. If this plane had been flying at the time, it would be a much more severe wreck than what is shown. And if it was not flying at the time, what is it doing out in the foothills of the Rockies, all on its own? Of course, these are just quibbles.
Let's move on to Rudi. The books are quite clear about his description. He's tall, has shoulder-length hair that is curly and fire red. Oh, and he wears a kilt when he's not wearing armor. Moreover, he would not just be carrying a sword. He would also have a quiver of arrows and a bow with him in all likelihood. And even if he didn't have that, then he would have a scabbard for his sword. And the scabbard would definitely appear in the picture.
I don't necessarily mind the use of artistic license. (I will note that I find it puzzling that Stirling, who tries very hard to be accurate, or at least plausible, in his descriptions, would approve of a cover that veers so far from his own descriptions.) But I do find it emblematic of my major problem with the book: I like the world in the picture, which was the world of the first three books; I'm increasingly less fond of Artos, his kilt, and the fantasy world that has somehow grown out of the Change.
In this book, Rudi and his gang travel back from their quest, from Nantucket to his home in Montival (formerly Oregon and surrounding territory). In keeping with the pace that he has set for the series, Stirling has determined to fill us in on every step of the journey. It's a long walk. Along the way, there are some reunions, some skirmishes, two battles. And it all feels a bit old. The Cutters again are faceless, mindless villains who attack and attack, chanting "Cut! Cut! CUT!", and, by comparison, they make the orcs in the Lord of the Rings feel like full-blown characters. There's also a fair amount of alliance making, and that was a bit more interesting, but only a bit.
Ironically, the feeling I had for this book was best expressed by Rudy himself:
"I'm tired of this... It's been years now; fighting and running, now them running and still more fighting. I'm tired of seeing brave men die; tired of killing them. ... I want it to stop." Unfortunately, that about sums it up for me as well.
The man in the picture is Artos, High King of Montival, nee Rudi Mackenzie. Or at least it's supposed to be. But let's get to some problems with the picture. First off, there is no wrecked airplane in the book. Secondly, the picture of the wreckage doesn't ring true. The Change happened in a flash, instantaneously cutting off all electricity. If this plane had been flying at the time, it would be a much more severe wreck than what is shown. And if it was not flying at the time, what is it doing out in the foothills of the Rockies, all on its own? Of course, these are just quibbles.
Let's move on to Rudi. The books are quite clear about his description. He's tall, has shoulder-length hair that is curly and fire red. Oh, and he wears a kilt when he's not wearing armor. Moreover, he would not just be carrying a sword. He would also have a quiver of arrows and a bow with him in all likelihood. And even if he didn't have that, then he would have a scabbard for his sword. And the scabbard would definitely appear in the picture.
I don't necessarily mind the use of artistic license. (I will note that I find it puzzling that Stirling, who tries very hard to be accurate, or at least plausible, in his descriptions, would approve of a cover that veers so far from his own descriptions.) But I do find it emblematic of my major problem with the book: I like the world in the picture, which was the world of the first three books; I'm increasingly less fond of Artos, his kilt, and the fantasy world that has somehow grown out of the Change.
In this book, Rudi and his gang travel back from their quest, from Nantucket to his home in Montival (formerly Oregon and surrounding territory). In keeping with the pace that he has set for the series, Stirling has determined to fill us in on every step of the journey. It's a long walk. Along the way, there are some reunions, some skirmishes, two battles. And it all feels a bit old. The Cutters again are faceless, mindless villains who attack and attack, chanting "Cut! Cut! CUT!", and, by comparison, they make the orcs in the Lord of the Rings feel like full-blown characters. There's also a fair amount of alliance making, and that was a bit more interesting, but only a bit.
Ironically, the feeling I had for this book was best expressed by Rudy himself:
"I'm tired of this... It's been years now; fighting and running, now them running and still more fighting. I'm tired of seeing brave men die; tired of killing them. ... I want it to stop." Unfortunately, that about sums it up for me as well.
jaxboiler's review against another edition
4.0
Another good book as we follow the trials and tribulations of Rudi/Artos as he returns to Oregon after making it Nantucket! It was a fun read.
tortacular's review against another edition
4.0
Love everything about this series. I am hit or miss with Stirling at times, but his attention to detail and his depth of world creation are superb. He also manages to craft a pretty high number of characters that you can care about, which is a rare quality.
I am already eagerly anticipating the next book.
I am already eagerly anticipating the next book.
norma_cenva's review against another edition
4.0
Every time I re-read, I pick up more and more of the details I enjoy.