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The Scourge of God (Emberverse #5)
A stunning continuation(Diana L. Paxson, author of Ravens of Avalon) of the New York Times bestselling authors splendid saga chronicling an alternate world without technology.
Rudi MacKenzie continues his trek across the land that was once the United States of America. His destination: Nantucket, where he hopes to learn the truth behind The Change that rendered technol...more
Rudi MacKenzie continues his trek across the land that was once the United States of America. His destination: Nantucket, where he hopes to learn the truth behind The Change that rendered technol...more
Hardcover, 464 pages
Published
September 2nd 2008
by Roc Hardcover
(first published 2008)
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The hype has been pretty steady for S.M. Stirling as he has written eight different books based on one imaginary event: An as-yet unexplained 1998 event/explosion over Nantucket Island that seriously disrupted the planet – to the extent that 90% of the world’s population died when electric power, internal combustion engines and all non-muscle-powered machinery essentially stopped working. (It also had an impact on medieval times, the subject of the first three books.)
“The Scourge of ...more
“The Scourge of ...more
I was eager to read S.M. Stirling's The Scourge of God, the sixth in a series of novels set after some unkonwn entities have altered physical laws so that internal combustion, electricity and explosives no longer work (but the human nervous system seems to function as before). Much of Earth has been depopulated with what remnants of civilization remaining in small pockets, such as in Oregon, Idaho and Iowa. The series began with Dies the Fire, which seems to be at least a useful prerequisite fo...more
** "The Scourge of God" (E5) by S. M. Stirling is the evil possessed self-proclaimed prophet's equally nasty patricidal heir. The preceding "Sunrise Lands" (E4) set a future US returned to remembered culture styles, medieval, tribal, by a sudden Change when all technology stopped working. Trouble and allies arise among ranchers, Indians, then a military traditional camp. The cliffhanger was hostages to be rescued. After a monastery retreat, again, the end is hostages, held by...more
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...more
Definitely enjoyed this one - 5th in the series (or 2nd in the second series, depending on how you want to look at it)
The books are starting to move more from an "alternate present" that happens to have an unexplained plot mcguffin (the change) into something that definitely feels like urban fantasy, with the occasional appearance of a god, a spirit, or a mystical vision that tells one of the main characters the way to go. That doesn't bother me in the slightest - I can us...more
The books are starting to move more from an "alternate present" that happens to have an unexplained plot mcguffin (the change) into something that definitely feels like urban fantasy, with the occasional appearance of a god, a spirit, or a mystical vision that tells one of the main characters the way to go. That doesn't bother me in the slightest - I can us...more
The Scourge of God by S. M. Stiriling
The gods have tasked Rudi Mackenzie with a task. He must claim a sword across the country in Nantucket and return home. He and his companions set out across a hostile countryside, facing wasteland lands and the fanatic cutters.
Stirling stirs the soul. I find his writing captivating and enthralling. His hero’s embody both realism and astounding strength of character. The modesty and self depreciation of Rudi is contrasted with...more
The gods have tasked Rudi Mackenzie with a task. He must claim a sword across the country in Nantucket and return home. He and his companions set out across a hostile countryside, facing wasteland lands and the fanatic cutters.
Stirling stirs the soul. I find his writing captivating and enthralling. His hero’s embody both realism and astounding strength of character. The modesty and self depreciation of Rudi is contrasted with...more
So far, so good. I am impressed that Stirling is putting his characters in real danger and letting them - even our favorites - get really hurt.
There have always been heavy religious elements to the "Change" books, but - ignoring the change itself - there's been little that is truly supernatural with the exception of a few experiences of Juniper's group. For the most part rationalists and agnostics are not given all that much to challenge their positions. But this is changing...more
There have always been heavy religious elements to the "Change" books, but - ignoring the change itself - there's been little that is truly supernatural with the exception of a few experiences of Juniper's group. For the most part rationalists and agnostics are not given all that much to challenge their positions. But this is changing...more
Gah I hate saying this because I have been such a fan of this series... I'm getting bored. The author is still good, things are descriptive and the scenery is nice. It is pretty amazing how this author does not live near where he is writing about but he sounds like he is actually there where he is writing about. He has an incredible imagination to be able to come up with the series and keep it going. But this book is taking forever; it isn't keeping me engaged at all and I'm a pretty loyal reade...more
Another great "Emberverse" book & another raiting that I wish that I could give an additional half star to... The action sequences and descriptions of the marial details are still engrossing. The characters are fun and the mythology that is being built is very interesting indeed. The implications of Powers behind the scenes at war while using Man as just one skirmish on a vast battlefield is frightening and fun. As with all of the previous books, this one is a real page-turner. However...more
The idea of this novel (the re-preindustrialization of the world) is fantastic, as is the writing style and characterization -- what lacks is the sustainability of the premise that in two decades a handful of knowledgable historians, craftspeople and hobbyists manage to turn a devastated country into smooth-running microcosms of a former age. The absurdity of, say, Tolkein's Elvish language and the Silmarillon becoming an entire new dialect and culture in twenty years are things that detract fro...more
More of the same from this series, though like the previous book, it ramps up the supernatural side of things. Much of Rudi's story in this one dealt with side quests and downtime.
I guess it's supposed to be part of his hero journey to make allies, but I'd prefer more resolution to earlier issues than introduction of so many new characters and complications. The pace also feels awkward, it took a book and a half for the group to get to the Rockies, and then only a couple of chapters...more
I guess it's supposed to be part of his hero journey to make allies, but I'd prefer more resolution to earlier issues than introduction of so many new characters and complications. The pace also feels awkward, it took a book and a half for the group to get to the Rockies, and then only a couple of chapters...more
As the second book in the second trilogy, I felt this wasn't as strong as some of Stirling's other stuff. His villains are still creepy, but his heroes seem less human, almost, and there's at least one scene that feels as if it was lifted wholly from Fellowship of the Ring (Rivendell, anyone?). Also, although I'm glad he's stopped trying to sell me Wicca, it feels like now he's trying not to alienate anyone at all; everybody has a seat in this book, which is fine, except for the fact that you ...more
Am almost done with this book 2 of the second trilogy. I got it in hardcover for my birthday. I'm sure to read it cover to cover again. absolutely love how the characters seem to be living and breathing.
something new in this book... that I never saw from Stirling before... He has made the characters explore and learn other cultures, faiths, and beliefs. Its broadened my mindset. It reminds me if Tolkien were to rewrite Lord of the Rings in a different way... Scourge of God reminds me o...more
something new in this book... that I never saw from Stirling before... He has made the characters explore and learn other cultures, faiths, and beliefs. Its broadened my mindset. It reminds me if Tolkien were to rewrite Lord of the Rings in a different way... Scourge of God reminds me o...more
Deb
added it
I'm having a harder time getting into this book than the previous Change novels. I think it's because it starts right where the previous book left off and that was a pretty bloody ending. Lots of violence right up front. I'm still curious enough to want to see how he brings the story forward and then to its conclusion with his forthcoming book, but I must admit, the fanatic cult CUT which is a major obstacle to Rudy's quest is definitely a scary faction I don't like reading about ...
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The great appeal for me of the first three books in this series was following the natural (as opposed to supernatural) development of the characters and the societies they founded after the Change. Although the shift began in the previous book in the series, this novel introduces significant elements of magical fantasy, and it was disappointing to see Stirling move away from what made the series unique in favor of a supernatural adventure story that follows the well-trod path of so many existing...more
The Change series continues as Rudy attempts to travel to Nantucket--where the Event that rendered modern technology useless supposedly originated--to retrieve a sword. His band was waylaid in Boise's fight with The Prophet and these crazy religious warriors track them on their journey to Lakota lands and to Iowa.
The book is fun to read, but it is a tad long as Stirling has the characters thinking private asides on too many pages. This slows down the interactions, the action, and t...more
The book is fun to read, but it is a tad long as Stirling has the characters thinking private asides on too many pages. This slows down the interactions, the action, and t...more
Just re-read this to be prepared for The Sword of the Lady.
S. M. Stirling is a good writer, the world he has created in the "novels of the change" are rich and inspired. I love the fact that he actually seems to have researched pagan/wiccan traditions before going off and writing about them all willy-nilly. The story is fresh and exciting in the genre and I get excited when each new book in the series is about to come out.
I do have a couple of issues with the ...more
S. M. Stirling is a good writer, the world he has created in the "novels of the change" are rich and inspired. I love the fact that he actually seems to have researched pagan/wiccan traditions before going off and writing about them all willy-nilly. The story is fresh and exciting in the genre and I get excited when each new book in the series is about to come out.
I do have a couple of issues with the ...more
The Scourge of God takes place at the same point that The Sunrise Lands ended. Rudi is determined to rescue his friends for the new alliance formed between The Church Universal Triumphant and United States of Boise. The old president was assassinated by his eldest son with the help of the Prophet and now his youngest son is on the run with Rudi and his friends. Once the rescue mission goes off with just a few glitches the group of adventures continue to make their way East to Nantucket. Alon...more
12/11 I'm bumping this up to four stars. The second reading left me less concerned with plot progression, and more willing to luxuriate in the world that Stirling's made. Yes, there's no doubt that Rudi is going to triumph in every situation, but it's because he's Hero Incarnate. It's a lovely escape, and a wonderfully convincing dystopia.
12/10 Another solid entry in the Emberverse saga, this book takes Rudi Makenzie and his cohorts deep into the middle of what used to be the United...more
12/10 Another solid entry in the Emberverse saga, this book takes Rudi Makenzie and his cohorts deep into the middle of what used to be the United...more
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The reasons this tale does not get higher is that the more the author pens, the less consistent his world view seems. Our heroes who are undefeatable and will never die it seems have the laws of the world they know only change to support them.
It causes us to lose the drama and conflict that we should expect, that we had in the first series. Here the bad guys from that are good guys and we are kept being shown just how nice they are now.
The new bad guys are so bad that th...more
It causes us to lose the drama and conflict that we should expect, that we had in the first series. Here the bad guys from that are good guys and we are kept being shown just how nice they are now.
The new bad guys are so bad that th...more
This series has totally changed into a fantasy adventure, discarding the really neat distopian sci-fi elements in the first three books (Dies the Fire, etc) for this kind of sword and sorcery epic. I find these new books uninteresting, only keeping the worst elements of the first three books, the wiccans and discarding all the interesting technological work arounds the characters of the first three books had to engage in.
The fifth book in the series of Dies the Fire, The Protector's War, A Meeting at Corvallis, and the Sunrise Lands. The first three book occur shortly after a cataclismic change occurs on Earth which results in a fundamental change in how people live and how society is organized. The fourth book and this one are the exploits of the generation after the 1998 Change. Our heros are one an epic quest somewhat similar to that in Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings. The adventure is continuous and entertai...more
Tossing in the modernfantasy tag at this point, although as of this book, it is a still debatable point. Series focuses on survivors of an event (as yet unexplained) that causes all advanced technology (pretty much gunpowder on) to cease working. This is the 2nd book in the 2nd series, and focuses more on the 2nd generation of survivors and their world, 20 years after the Change.
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.
As always, Stirling delivers. With most series books, I lose interest after the third book or so. Not so, here. This is the eighth book in The Change series, and Stirling is still going strong. I love the characters, I love the world, I love the in-jokes and the suspense. I'm a little fuzzy on the purpose of the current quest, but the characters seem to be in the same boat, so I'm giving it a pass until later revelations (hopefully) make all clear. Excellent!
part of the dies the fire series, this one is getting a bit more fantasy than i like but if you have already accepted the premise that electricity, gunpowder and all engines don't work anymore but all biological things that require the same rules of physics still do, then what is a little more fantasy to the reader?
Addictive series with some deep questions about human civilization wrapped in a lot of action & adventure. This is Book...5, I think, & this one tipped too far into battle action, at serious expense to the characters and multi-layered societies he built so intricately in the first 3 books. Enough to slip down a star & lessen my hope for a return to the promise of Books 1-3.
The liberal use of endless internal monologues by ALL characters, major or minor, made me long for an internal ...more
The liberal use of endless internal monologues by ALL characters, major or minor, made me long for an internal ...more
S. M. Stirling brings the heat once again in this second novel of The Change. This is both an action novel as well as an imagination or fantasy novel and it pull sit off with success. I did read the out of sequence and am now going to go back and read the first in the series.
Book 2 of second series of the modern side of the Change (in which high energy technology and the ability to create it died). Great alternate history, and a great story. This volume is not as good as some of thew others in this series (or the Nantucket series, which involves the same Change catalyst but throws the Island of Nantucket & it's inhabitants into the year 1250 BC), but it moves the story along, and further develops the characters, and I enjoyed it. I can't wait for the next one. I und...more
This book reminded me of an episode of "Lost." You read it looking for closure. Instead, you get a bunch of new characters, new storylines, and mythical or supernatural events. Rather than answering any questions you have, it just leaves plot cliffhangers, loose ends, and new, unanswered questions. I suppose that's the problem with the middle book of a series.
In my opinion, "Scourge of God" is not as good as some of the other books in the series. It's still interes...more
In my opinion, "Scourge of God" is not as good as some of the other books in the series. It's still interes...more
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Full name is Stephen Michael Stirling, currently residing in New Mexico.
Stephen Michael Stirling is a French-born Canadian-American science fiction and fantasy author. Stirling is probably best known for his Draka series of alternate history novels and the more recent time travel/alternate history Nantucket series and Emberverse series.
More about S.M. Stirling...
Stephen Michael Stirling is a French-born Canadian-American science fiction and fantasy author. Stirling is probably best known for his Draka series of alternate history novels and the more recent time travel/alternate history Nantucket series and Emberverse series.
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