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isaac_petherbridge's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
apryde6226's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I've read this before, enjoyed it do much a second time. Weber doesn't disappointed, with naval battles worthy of the Master & Commander series.
I noticed in the audible comments that people didn't like the "voices" done by the narrator, that they weren't as good as the narrator in the first couple books. Are you all looking for a dramatic reinactment or someone "reading" the book... It's a good story, you'll enjoy it.
I noticed in the audible comments that people didn't like the "voices" done by the narrator, that they weren't as good as the narrator in the first couple books. Are you all looking for a dramatic reinactment or someone "reading" the book... It's a good story, you'll enjoy it.
eososray's review against another edition
5.0
I am in love with this series. This fourth book in the series takes the story to a more political viewpoint and there are less battle squences. I personally didn't find this to be a better or worse way to go. It makes a nice progression in the story line as we watch the growing up of kingdoms and kings and the desperate clinging on to old ways and beliefs by others.
One of my favorite parts of these books are the details of machines, equipment, battle plans and a way of life that we are far beyond. I find the details on ways to make ships better and rifles shoot farther endlessly fascinating. I can't wait for the next one.
One of my favorite parts of these books are the details of machines, equipment, battle plans and a way of life that we are far beyond. I find the details on ways to make ships better and rifles shoot farther endlessly fascinating. I can't wait for the next one.
btemplet's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
travelgirlut's review against another edition
3.0
Nov. 2010: I'm setting this aside for now. The story was confusing me and it just wasn't pulling me in. After going back and looking at the third book, I'm pretty sure I haven't read it yet, which would explain why the fourth book makes no sense, but right now I'm just not in the mood to further pursue this series. Weber's weird way of spelling names and his use of the ellipsis in this series is just...annoying. And the use of italics is way overdone. An author should leave some crafting of their words to the reader.
Dec. 2020: Things finally happen in this book. Well, at least a bit more than the previous ones. There's still lots of talking and inner monologue and badly spelled names, but at least a few battles took place and some bad guys were dispatched. Sadly, some good ones were too. We finally see that the Charisians aren't perfect at everything.
Dec. 2020: Things finally happen in this book. Well, at least a bit more than the previous ones. There's still lots of talking and inner monologue and badly spelled names, but at least a few battles took place and some bad guys were dispatched. Sadly, some good ones were too. We finally see that the Charisians aren't perfect at everything.
alex_ellermann's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book.
I loved the first and second books of this series, as well, but I found myself growing weary of its world during the third installment. After several months away, I was ready to dive back in, and I'm glad I did.
This is the part of the review where I usually offer a brief description of a given book's story or subject, but I'll skip that here. Suffice it to say that this is the fourth volume in a ten-volume science fiction adventure. If I've piqued your interest with my enthusiasm, go back and read my review of Volume One, "Off Armageddon Reef." Rest assured that the following books are more of the same.
One thing I particularly enjoyed about this outing is that our heroes, after cutting through their opposition like so much tissue paper in the first three books, finally experience some setbacks. Their adversaries are waking up, getting smart, adapting. In other words, things are getting interesting and I don't know where they'll go from here. The main characters still haven't worn out their welcome, the world is still fresh, and I'm still engaged. Nevertheless, I'm going to wait a little while before diving into the next book in the series. These books are best, I think, when given a little room to breathe.
Recommended for: fans of science fiction, Hornblower or Aubrey novels, and Sharpe novels.
I loved the first and second books of this series, as well, but I found myself growing weary of its world during the third installment. After several months away, I was ready to dive back in, and I'm glad I did.
This is the part of the review where I usually offer a brief description of a given book's story or subject, but I'll skip that here. Suffice it to say that this is the fourth volume in a ten-volume science fiction adventure. If I've piqued your interest with my enthusiasm, go back and read my review of Volume One, "Off Armageddon Reef." Rest assured that the following books are more of the same.
One thing I particularly enjoyed about this outing is that our heroes, after cutting through their opposition like so much tissue paper in the first three books, finally experience some setbacks. Their adversaries are waking up, getting smart, adapting. In other words, things are getting interesting and I don't know where they'll go from here. The main characters still haven't worn out their welcome, the world is still fresh, and I'm still engaged. Nevertheless, I'm going to wait a little while before diving into the next book in the series. These books are best, I think, when given a little room to breathe.
Recommended for: fans of science fiction, Hornblower or Aubrey novels, and Sharpe novels.
rgreatreader's review against another edition
4.0
This installment in the Safehold series was a lot slower than the rest have been, more political and less action filled.
Still worth reading!
Still worth reading!
tpaulschulte's review against another edition
5.0
These books are well worth the work. If you like epic fantasy/science fiction doorstop novels that combine the best of both, look no further. Oh, did I mention the liberal dose of Patrick O'Brian thrown in? Massive sea battles with all the blood and violence those maritime wars were like is on full display.
One word of caution you have to start at book 1, Off Armageddon Reef, or you will be utterly lost. As I said, these books are work, but well worth it. I will add more to this review shortly.
One word of caution you have to start at book 1, Off Armageddon Reef, or you will be utterly lost. As I said, these books are work, but well worth it. I will add more to this review shortly.
nakedsteve's review
4.0
Weber continues his "Safehold" series with "The Mighty Fortress." The reader is returned to the world of Safehold, where the "good guys" of the Charisian Empire continue their struggle against the "bad guys" of, essentially, the rest of the planet.
There was lots of politics in this novel, as the Charisians deal with an insurgency in Corisande, and with the fact that the Holy Lands finally start getting some military decisions right. Normally, I love the descriptions of battles in Weber's books, and while the battles here certainly didn't disappoint, the continuing evolution of the world and the politics in which those battles take place is actually more interesting to read, even though it doesn't stir the blood nearly as much.
If I have any complaint at all, it's that there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of stuff that's changed from the start of the novel to the end. It's very much not inaccurate to say that the quick summary is simply, "things continue". Or at any rate, that's the feeling I got while reading it. Upon reflection, it's not that things have changed as much as things have grown. There's an undercurrent there of bigger things building, making the anticipation for future books very real.
And so that's a pretty minor complaint. I certainly kept reading, and I'm excited for what will come next as Weber continues work on the series.
4 of 5 stars.
There was lots of politics in this novel, as the Charisians deal with an insurgency in Corisande, and with the fact that the Holy Lands finally start getting some military decisions right. Normally, I love the descriptions of battles in Weber's books, and while the battles here certainly didn't disappoint, the continuing evolution of the world and the politics in which those battles take place is actually more interesting to read, even though it doesn't stir the blood nearly as much.
If I have any complaint at all, it's that there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of stuff that's changed from the start of the novel to the end. It's very much not inaccurate to say that the quick summary is simply, "things continue". Or at any rate, that's the feeling I got while reading it. Upon reflection, it's not that things have changed as much as things have grown. There's an undercurrent there of bigger things building, making the anticipation for future books very real.
And so that's a pretty minor complaint. I certainly kept reading, and I'm excited for what will come next as Weber continues work on the series.
4 of 5 stars.