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travelgirlut's review against another edition
3.0
This is my second time reading this, but there were a lot of things I totally don't remember, which makes me wonder if I ever even finished it. The spelling of the names still and forever will drive me crazy. All the inner monologue sometimes gets a bit old too. I want there to be more technology and innovation. Forget the proscriptions and get these guys some laser guns, Merlin! But I guess it'll have to wait until later. Let's see if I can make it through another book in the series without the names driving be bonkers.
alex_ellermann's review against another edition
5.0
I feel like David Weber wrote this book specifically for me.
'By Schism Rent Asunder' continues Weber's "Safehold" series, which basically retells the story of the Protestant Reformation. The hook is that the book contains significant elements of science fiction, fantasy, Age-of-Sail adventure, political maneuver, and engineering investigation (Yes, you read right: engineering investigation!). Reading this book light up so many different parts of my brain that it actually made me feel more alive. It's a fun, exciting adventure in a sci-fi / fantasy world that's both medieval and futuristic. It's a political thriller reminiscent of 'Game of Thrones,' with competing dynasties and ideologies vying for victory in the Great Game. It's a naval adventure, filled with cutting-out expeditions and privateering. It's even an exploration of the thrill of innovation, making such things as the invention of rifling and artillery shells both fascinating and entertaining.
Seriously: I felt that this book simultaneously rewarded my lifelong interest in sci-fi / fantasy, my, teenage interest in naval fiction, my undergraduate toils in the fields of weapons engineering and naval architecture, my graduate work in philosophy, and my continuing fascination with international relations, all at the same time. It's as if Weber thought, "Let's take all of Alex's interests, mix them in a blender, and see what we get."
What we get, IMO, is the most entertaining and compelling popular-fiction series I've enjoyed since finishing Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey / Maturin novels. While I recommend beginning the 'Safehold' series with "Off Armageddon Reef," I enthusiastically recommend "By Schism Rent Asunder." Thanks again to my friend Paul Del Guercio for turning me on to this series, and to this writer!
'By Schism Rent Asunder' continues Weber's "Safehold" series, which basically retells the story of the Protestant Reformation. The hook is that the book contains significant elements of science fiction, fantasy, Age-of-Sail adventure, political maneuver, and engineering investigation (Yes, you read right: engineering investigation!). Reading this book light up so many different parts of my brain that it actually made me feel more alive. It's a fun, exciting adventure in a sci-fi / fantasy world that's both medieval and futuristic. It's a political thriller reminiscent of 'Game of Thrones,' with competing dynasties and ideologies vying for victory in the Great Game. It's a naval adventure, filled with cutting-out expeditions and privateering. It's even an exploration of the thrill of innovation, making such things as the invention of rifling and artillery shells both fascinating and entertaining.
Seriously: I felt that this book simultaneously rewarded my lifelong interest in sci-fi / fantasy, my, teenage interest in naval fiction, my undergraduate toils in the fields of weapons engineering and naval architecture, my graduate work in philosophy, and my continuing fascination with international relations, all at the same time. It's as if Weber thought, "Let's take all of Alex's interests, mix them in a blender, and see what we get."
What we get, IMO, is the most entertaining and compelling popular-fiction series I've enjoyed since finishing Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey / Maturin novels. While I recommend beginning the 'Safehold' series with "Off Armageddon Reef," I enthusiastically recommend "By Schism Rent Asunder." Thanks again to my friend Paul Del Guercio for turning me on to this series, and to this writer!
chutten's review against another edition
3.0
Second verse, same as the first. Happy to continue reading the ongoing chronicles of Safehold and its denizens, though I do wish some of the multi-book foreshadowing would either tone down or become something that happens within the book. Also, the humans have a tendency to speechify instead of talking like humans do. But oh well.
kejadlen's review against another edition
3.0
Lots and lots of setup for the third book. There didn't really seem to be any overarching plot threads, but Weber's moving people and countries around. Not too much shakeup in the status quo. I am looking forward to the next book, though.
has3000's review against another edition
4.0
I’m still amazed at how much I enjoy these books, having picked up the first one at a used book store on a whim.
The premise is just fascinating to me, and the story takes its time in exploring it. The main couple characters are interesting, though I can hardly keep track of all the others. (There is a multi-page index of characters in the back, so you know it’s gonna be intense.)
The exploration of religion is really interesting. [Spoiler for the previous book] By this point we know that this whole world’s civilization and religion are false. So does the book try to portray religion as evil? No. It shows the good people who use religion as a benefit to the world, and the corrupt people who twist it to benefit themselves. And a lot of people in the middle.
The continued introduction of “new” scientific advancement is still fun, as Merlin gently guides Charis forward.
This book takes place immediately after the previous one, and as of this review, there are ten in total. I’m interested to see if the series ever jumps forward in time, since our main protagonist is a (theoretically) immortal robot. Either way, I think I’ll continue to enjoy this one.
The premise is just fascinating to me, and the story takes its time in exploring it. The main couple characters are interesting, though I can hardly keep track of all the others. (There is a multi-page index of characters in the back, so you know it’s gonna be intense.)
The exploration of religion is really interesting. [Spoiler for the previous book] By this point we know that this whole world’s civilization and religion are false. So does the book try to portray religion as evil? No. It shows the good people who use religion as a benefit to the world, and the corrupt people who twist it to benefit themselves. And a lot of people in the middle.
The continued introduction of “new” scientific advancement is still fun, as Merlin gently guides Charis forward.
This book takes place immediately after the previous one, and as of this review, there are ten in total. I’m interested to see if the series ever jumps forward in time, since our main protagonist is a (theoretically) immortal robot. Either way, I think I’ll continue to enjoy this one.
ruineleint's review against another edition
3.0
Way too much filler/setup. Understandable in such a long series, especially for Weber and his dinosaur size infodumps. Hopefully it will pay off in the third book
tpaulschulte's review against another edition
5.0
Book 2 in the Safehold series was as good and in many ways better than Off Armageddon Reef, book 1 in the series. I am so glad that I stumbled into this series. It is hard to find a great epic set in a world you can get lost in with the detail that Weber has instilled in this book and series. It has everything you could hope for. Put this into your "To Be Read" list. You will not be sorry.
The detail and thought that went into this concept is astounding. There are many surprises in book #2, but, you will have to see for yourself. On to book #3!!
The detail and thought that went into this concept is astounding. There are many surprises in book #2, but, you will have to see for yourself. On to book #3!!
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Notes:
This is one of the longest transition books I've read where not a whole lot happened. lol However, I liked some of the unexpected plot turns and may dive into the #3 sooner vs later.
This is one of the longest transition books I've read where not a whole lot happened. lol However, I liked some of the unexpected plot turns and may dive into the #3 sooner vs later.
nnanapop's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars technically, because my god most of this one was so slow and uneventful. I'm just super excited I finished this book in less than six months! Definitely looking forward to more Cayleb & Sharleyan interactions.