The Given Sacrifice: A Novel of the Change Author: Visit Amazon's S. M. Stirling Page | Language: English | ISBN:
0451417313 | Format: PDF
The Given Sacrifice: A Novel of the Change Description
Review
Praise for S. M. Stirling and His Novels of the Change
“Stirling has blazed a clear comet trail across his postapocalyptic landscape that illuminates both the best and the worst of which our species is capable.”—Science Fiction Weekly
“Nobody wrecks a world better than S. M. Stirling, and nobody does a better job of showing that people remain people, with all their high points and low, in the wreckage.”—Harry Turtledove, New York Times Bestselling Author of Supervolcano: All Fall Down
“[A] richly realized story of swordplay and intrigue.”—Entertainment Weekly
“Absorbing.”—San Diego Union-Tribune
“[A] vivid portrait of a world gone insane...full of bloody action, exposition that expands character, and telling detail that makes it all seem very real.”—Statesman Journal (Salem, OR)
“As usual, S. M. Stirling delivers a rich world readers want to live in. Fully formed and alive characters you wish you could drink a beer with or follow into battle.”—PNC-Minnesota Bureau
“Stirling’s historical research is always impeccable, and his ability to use that knowledge and understanding of everything from ancient weapons to regional accents to a foodie’s obsession with good eats creates a world you can see, feel, and touch.”—Otherwhere Gazette
About the Author
S. M. Stirling is the New York Times bestselling author of many science fiction and fantasy novels. A former lawyer and an amateur historian, he lives in the Southwest with his wife, Jan.
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- Series: Change Series
- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: Roc Hardcover (September 3, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0451417313
- ISBN-13: 978-0451417312
- Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
First, the good stuff:
This book opens with a metaphorical blast from the past, worthy of Josh Whedon at his best - `in which a young military man from Idaho gets himself involved in a desperate death struggle with a bear, in order to save an attractive young woman named Larsson, who has just crashed to earth in an airplane.'
There is also an effectively terrifying incident which plays out at a ladies garden party high up on a balcony at castle Todenangst, which shows you just how bad Cutters can be, whether living or dead.
Finally, towards the end of the book, there is a brief but-oh so marvelously crafted death-bed scene which sends Sandra Arminger appropriately packing off to her great reward.
Now, for rest of the story...
This is the tenth book in the series which begins with Dies The Fire, and the third in a row which has underperformed. Which is a shame, considering how wonderfully entertaining the first seven books were, and how much effort the author had previously put into creating an Emberverse full of fascinating characters and exciting adventures, to share with us, his readers.
The Cutters and the powers behind them were built up in earlier volumes to be the most ferocious bad guys ever - but they went out with a whimper half way through The Given Sacrifice. The last half of the book then proceeds to wander aimlessly through about twenty years of minor episodes in Montival, ending almost accidentally with the death of a middle-aged Rudi Mackenzie, and the succession of his daughter Orlaith to the throne.
Also, we were left high-and-dry as to the fate of an important character, Eilir Mackenzie, just as we had previously been abandoned by Ken Larsson and Dennis Martin.
My advice for Mr.
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