The Scourge of God (Emberverse Series #5)

enthralling but strange change in direction

It has been twenty-three years since the Change when earth plunged into a pre-electric era. Mankind scrambled to survive as over ninety percent of the population died. Clan Mackenzie led by High Priestess Juniper and the Bearkillers thrived on the land while the dictator who wanted to rule perished (see THE SUNSET LAND). However a new danger has arisen the prophet Sethaz and his flock slowly infiltrate the people surrounding Juniper and her people he and his followers recruit or kill based on their cause being godly. --- Meanwhile Juniper¿s son Rudi and other friends and warriors from home journey east across what was once the proud United States of America towards Nantucket where he hopes to learn more about The Change. The Lady sent a messenger Ingolf from Nantucket to pick up The Sword and bring it home. The prophet knows of Rudi¿s quest and sends his best assassins to prevent him from succeeding. At the same time the President of the United States of Boise, who got the job by committing patricide allies with the prophet because he wants to expand into Pendleton with Mackenzie¿s Western Oregon after that but they go to war to stop him. --- This second tale in the second saga switches from the post apocalyptic thriller to a ¿Greek¿ Tragedy as the Gods manipulate and guide their followers and sinners. Readers observe dark demonic possessions and frightening futuristic visions while scrying and other magic takes the saga in a new direction. Fans will remain enthralled once the shock lets up as the tale is filled with action, strong characters in conflict, vivid descriptions of a battered dying land trying to come back to life two plus decades since the Change, and a great cliffhanging climax. --- Harriet Klausner

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

AFTERNOON MATINAE

This is actually the fifth book of a long series, but I'm not anxious for it to end. Stirling keeps it fresh by highlighting different characters and introducing new ones. He also highlights new cultures. The emphasis on the Celtic or Wicca culture of Clan Mackenzie was beginning to get a bit old so I was pleased that part of the book was devoted to the evolving culture of the Sioux and a culture that sprang from Buddhist monks at a conference when the "Change" occurred. The book bounces back and forth between Rudi Mackenzie's party on their quest to reach "the Sword" in Nantucket and the forces of Eric Larsson, Signe, and Astrid and Sandra Arminger and Tiphaine d' Ath as they try to stop the advance of the combined forces of The Church Universal and Triumphant (Cutters) and the United States of Boise. The Seekers are introduced - malevolent, telepathic arch villains representing the Cutter Prophet and capable of taking physical control of any of their followers making the possessed nearly invincible. This book ends like an old time movie matinee with the hero and heroines in deep trouble requiring the viewer to see the next movie to discover how death is cheated. Nevertheless, this series still has me hooked, and I will hate to see it end. My fear at this point is that the ending will be a cheap let down similar to the ending of Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld series nearly forty years ago.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A new take on Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi

Imagine one day all the engines stopped working, and all the gunpowder stopped burning. Planes fall from the sky, people are suddenly trapped miles from home, the entire society is re-written so that only the strongest sword arm survives. Kingdoms rise overnight. Many, many, die when food can't get to where they are in enough quantities. Surprisingly well-told with well-written characters, if the style is somewhat repetitive in many places. Well done throughout, good first stepping off point for the series.

We all wish we could rise from the ashes...

Stirling has created a world that becomes more and more alien to the reader in subsequent books. Stirling has also done an amazing job of developing main characters -twice! The pace of this book can be frustratingly slow. By that I mean you know the group is going to Nantucket, but they just seem to be unable to get there. I found this surprising, but I love how the story has turned into an adventure. You never know who will live and who will die in Stirling's books. It seems to me to be a totally dynamic reading experience.

Hurry Up

What takes so long to get these books to paperback. When you have four books in a series in paperback why wood you buy a hard cover. Hurry up who wants to wait a year every book just to be able to continue the story. Step up the writing a little bit and release a book every six months. Waiting six or seven years to get a full sotry is kind of annoying escpecially when it is such a good book.

Unique and Enthralling

This series has got me hooked. I am greatly anticipating the third in the series. Book 2, Scourge of God, is a transition book, much like The Two Towers is in Lord of the Rings. We know most of the characters from the first. We know the quest for the Sword of the Lady, and we know about CUT!!!This book can be read as a stand alone but you would miss a lot of the nuances in the details. I love reading these books and finding references to our current world as if they were in the past. One I particularly enjoyed had to do with the current Prince Charles and Prince William and a spat over who should succeed in the monarchy. Alternative History can be done well or poorly. This series of books is done extremely well. Fantasy readers will find much that is familiar, as will Science fiction fans.

Great Series so Far

Dies the Fire was great series. The 1st book in this series was ok. Can this 2nd book come out in paper back already so I can buy it and read it. Shish whats taking so long? Who wants to buy a hard cover when I have all the other books in the his series in paperback. Get on it.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Continuing Emberverse

First, this book is part of a continuing series. However, Stiring is an excellent writer and the book stands alone as a great adventure tale, full of battle scenes, mini-societies, and strong memorable characters. It takes place in a 'changed' world, where the laws of physics themselves have been altered, mankind has been dealt a near-deadly blow, and is now trying to achieve civilization again. There has been a terrible loss of technology, and something is taking it's place as a source of power. Old religions have come alive, and new ones have risen. I recommend one reads the entire series, starting with 'Dies the Fire'. 'Scourge of God' should certainly whet the appetite..

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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