Off Armageddon Reef
Humanity pushed its way to the stars—and encountered the Gbaba, a ruthless alien race that nearly wiped them out. With Earth and her colonies smoldering ruins, the few survivors fled to distant Safehold to try to rebuild. But the Gbaba could detect the emissions of an industrial civilization, so the rulers of Safehold took extraordinary measures. After destroying the telltale technological signatures, they invented a religion designed to keep their society medieval forever. Then they wiped the colonists’ minds and implanted false memories, programming them into an unshakeable belief in the new religion. But absolute power has a way of corrupting absolutely….
Eight hundred years later, in a secret chamber on Safehold, an android awakens—a “rebirth” set in motion at Safehold’s founding by a faction opposed to the deception. Via automated recordings, Nimue—or, rather, the android with the memories of Lieutenant Commander Nimue Alban—is given her mission. To prepare the remnants of humanity for the inevitable confrontation with the Gbaba, she must emerge into Safeholdian society and restart the technological progress that the Church of God Awaiting has worked for centuries to prevent.
Nothing about this will be easy. To better deal with a male-dominated culture, Nimue takes a new gender and a new name, Merlin. His formidable powers and access to caches of advanced technology will need to be carefully hidden. And he’ll need to find a base of operations, a country that’s just a little more freewheeling, a little less orthodox, a little more open to new ideas. Thus Merlin comes to Charis, a mid-sized kingdom with a talent for naval warfare, with plans to make the acquaintance of King Haarahld and Crown Prince Cayleb, and maybe, just maybe, kick off a new era of invention. Which is bound to draw the attention of the immensely powerful Church….
Jacket art by Stephen Youll. (Approx. 608 pp.) 2007.
Hardcover: 608 pages
Publisher: Tor Books ( January 09, 2007 )
Item #: 39-8350
ISBN: 9780765315007
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.0 inches
Product Weight: 21.0 ounces
Superb characterization and texture.
December 07, 2009
Others have commented that the story is complex. They're right, but honestly, why SHOULDN'T it be complex? It's a sign of the strong craftmanship of David Weber that you have to think about what's happening in this story and realpolitik is exactly like that in real life -- there aren't easy answers, and if you don't keep the details straight, you're going to die horribly. This book is a delightful world-building exercise -- the characters are complex, the politics are complex, and the issues raised: the power of linking religion to governance, the issue of what freedom means in a artificial constrained environment, the freedom of thought balanced against the risk of destruction are deep and textured. The dialogue is complicated -- and most of the people in this novel are people I'd like very much to meet some time.
The action is classic Weber, which if you haven't encountered it, he writes as a very competent naval strategist, and the technical details are both correct and well-presented. I thought the kingdom of Charis is well-illustrated, and also the personality of the characters are superbly illustrated.
It is a page-turner, so don't start it in the evening; you'll be up all night. Highly recommended.
Reviewer: David B
"TEDIOUS!!"
February 16, 2009
This is the first book I have read by David Weber. I mean no insult to him, or his fans but I have to say there were times when I almost gave up on this book and put it on the shelf (To later list for resale on Ebay!)
""IT WAS A RELIEF TO FINISH IT!""
Too much "POLITICS!" I realize politics (IN MODERATION!) can make a good story,, but that is all this book is!! Maybe that is the "POINT!" but I had a hard time with it. If I had known this was a "Political S.F." novel I would have thought twice about buying it.
There were too many characters that you had to remember or you would lose track of the story. The index in the back was not much help.
The story was way too long. (I think that is my main issue with it.) I will say it started off very good and there were some good moments toward the end: Some good Naval battles!
After slogging through it I expected more than a "TO BE CONTINUED" ending
Reviewer: Alan L
Great story setup, ok delivery.
January 23, 2009
Its been awhile since I've read any David Weber and the premise of this story seemed interesting. The setup of the story is very well done. However, the story quickly spiraled into continual dialouge with very little action. Weber does a great job of setting the stage for this world and depth of the world is amazing. However, the all too brief spurts of action on the part of characters followed by extremely long sieges of dialouge left me bored and waiting for something to happen. I was disappointed.
Reviewer: Cliff M
Great Read -- Highly Recommended
November 18, 2008
This is David Weber at his best. Be warned...this is a complex, highly entertaining tale. Fascinating from the opening paragraphs. This book, with the following 'By Schism...' explores a future mankind might be forced into, and one possible way out. I can hardly wait for the last book of the trilogy. Highly recommended!!
Reviewer: Hoyt C
Solid
November 12, 2008
It is an interesting book with a good story. Nothing overwhelming or groundbreaking, but thoroughly enjoyable. I unlike some readers, didn't get a full sense of some of the characters. Things were a little predictable at times. I certainly recommend it, but it doesn't take me to the next level.
Reviewer: Rick M
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