The Chernagor Pirates

Scepter of Mercy #2

by Harry Turtledove

Only a long-lost talisman can save a besieged kingdom torn between two kings, as a malevolent god marshals his minions to attack, corrupt, and destroy

Two lieges—King Lanius, who is of royal blood, and King Grus, the usurper—now share the throne of Avornis. The former wields no real power, kept impotent by the regents surrounding him. The latter mans the battle lines, determined to protect the kingdom from a fearsome, immortal god who was expelled from heaven. To the north, the city-state Chernagor is being torn asunder by a savage civil war that threatens to spill past the border at any moment. Catastrophe looms for Avornis and even two kings united may not be strong enough to save her. The kingdom’s final hope lies in the recovery of the Scepter of Mercy, lost for four centuries. But the mighty talisman is in the hands of the Menteshe—barbarian nomads who are vassals of the terrible exiled god—and now that the Banished One wants to consume the entire world, they will never relinquish its power.
 
The Scepter of Mercy, Harry Turtledove’s epic fantasy trilogy, continues with The Chernagor Pirates, the second volume in an adventure that pits man against man, and man against immortal. Originally penned under the pseudonym Dan Chernenko, it is an unforgettable tale that demonstrates the unparalleled creativity and unique storytelling prowess of the Hugo Award–winning master world-builder.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

638 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 6, 2004

About the author

Dr Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced a sizeable number of works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.

Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.

Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book is as good if not a little better than the first. Great world that has been created and tensions and conflict with The Banished One are increasing. Can get a bit repetative at time, but leaves you wanting more. On to The Scepter's Return (Book Three)!

[Mae Gong]

It's... ok. By the end of this second book, I think it was more about hoping one of the characters would die. The character isn't dead yet, so I'm on to book #3.

[Blind Mapmaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 A little tedious compared to the life-and-death struggles of the last book and I'm really not sure how to deal with the SM relationship - it's a weird fit, but at least it's not fetishised. Not much going on with the titular pirates. And I guess there is a bit near the end where one part of the resolution of the third book is spoilered a bit (or I think it is, haven't read it yet). Then again, some readers like feeling especially clever and that should be right up their alley. All in all, a nice alternate fantasy world.

[Bill Ramsell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even more tedious.

[Afrayedknot33 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kings, pirates the second book of the series... no desire to read more from him