The Chernagor Pirates

Scepter of Mercy #2

by Dan Chernenko (pseudonym), Harry Turtledove

The troubled dual reign of Lanius and Grus is threatened by the onslaught of civil war in the north and the thralldom of the Menteshe in the south, as the two kings race against time to reclaim the Scepter before the Banished One can unleash his vengeance on the kingdom. Reprint.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

464 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 6, 2004

About the author

Dan Chernenko is a pseudonym used by Harry Turtledove for the The Scepter of Mercy Trilogy.

Harry Norman Turtledove (born June 14, 1949) is an American novelist, who has produced 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 the genre he is known both for creating original scenarios such as survival of the Byzantine Empire or 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 many others, 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 with scenes of combat happening throughout many of his works

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