Earth is dead. Humanity is hiding.
Invention, progress, change. . . all are forbidden.
Now it's time to change all that.
The science fiction epic of the decade begins here.
Humanity pushed its way to the stars—and encountered the Gbaba, a ruthless alien race that nearly wiped us out.
Earth and her colonies are now smoldering ruins, and the few survivors have fled to distant, Earth-like Safehold, to try to rebuild. But the Gbaba can detect the emissions of an industrial civilization, so the human rulers of Safehold have taken extraordinary measures: with mind control and hidden high technology, they've built a religion in which every Safeholdian believes, a religion designed to keep Safehold society medieval forever.
Eight hundred years pass. In a hidden chamber on Safehold, an android from the far human past awakens. This "rebirth" was set in motion centuries before, by a faction that opposed shackling humanity with a concocted religion. Via automated recordings, "Nimue"—or, rather, the android with the memories of Lieutenant Commander Nimue Alban—is told her fate: she will emerge into Safeholdian society, suitably disguised, and begin the process of provoking the technological progress which the Church of God Awaiting has worked for centuries to prevent.
Nothing about this will be easy. To better deal with a medieval society, "Nimue" takes a new gender and a new name, "Merlin." His formidable powers and access to caches of hidden high technology will need to be carefully concealed. And he'll need to find a base of operations, a Safeholdian country that's just a little more freewheeling, a little less orthodox, a little more open to the new.
And thus Merlin comes to Charis, a mid-sized kingdom with a talent for naval warfare. He 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 Church�and, inevitably, lead to war.
It's going to be a long, long process. And it's going to be the can't-miss SF epic of the decade.
About the Author
David Weber is a science fiction phenomenon. His popular Honor Harrington novels are New York Times bestsellers and can't come out fast enough for his devoted readers, and his novels have regularly been Main Selections of the Science Fiction Book Club.
In addition to the Honor Harrington series, he has written many top-selling science fiction novels, including Mutineers' Moon, The Armageddon Inheritance, Heirs of Empire, and Path of the Fury. Weber has also begun a top-selling epic SF adventure series in collaboration with John Ringo, with four novels so far: March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars, and We Few. His novels of the adventures of the Bahzell—Oath of Swords, The War God's Own, and Wind Rider's Oath, another New York Times bestseller—have proven that Weber is equally a master of epic fantasy adventure. He lives in South Carolina.
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Product ReviewThought I would pile on. With the next chapter coming out I was looking to buy the e version to read on my netbook instead of toting the hardcopies around. At $18 I think I'll just read the hardcopy I already own. I do find it rather perplexing since the kindle version is $8 and even the overpriced Sony ebook version is cheaper at $12.60.
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Product ReviewA good read. Engaging plot and characters.
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Product ReviewOutstanding as usual for Weber- A fat zero for the publisher for that price tag. I usually buy the ebook, and then a hardback,, not this time.
Frankly, despite how good the book is, I don't think I'll pay for another at that price. *Update* I guess I don't have to worry about the ebook price- no ebook option for the 2nd book. I just crossed this series off my reading list. Mr. Weber- love your books and writing style, but TOR is killing your fan base with crap like this.Posted on
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Product ReviewUpdate: 7/28/08 - Just finished the Hardcover of the sequel. I'm disappointed...very. 1) No ebook option, but I guess that give us all less to complain about. :) 2) Plot was very very slow...all character development and political intrigue. I recommend waiting for the paperback of this one or better yet...waiting for the 3rd book, then get the 2nd if you really feel the need.
1) It kept me up and reading when I could've been playing WoW. :)
2) I didn't like the eBook price...so I'm feeling both satisfied for reading a good book, yet not.
3) The pace of the story seems a bit slow. I fear a Robert Jordan 3-no-5-no-8-wait-10-no-12+ thing going on and if that happens, I'll be very upset with Weber.
4) I'll probably buy the next book, just because I gotta see how the hero pulls off bringing a planet up from the 16th? century to 24th+ century to get revenge.
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Product Reviewagain...wanted it as ebook... bought it for less than half that on sale as paperback. that's ridiculous. Tor needs to wake up.
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Product ReviewI love Weber, but $18 is too high for an Ebook. Mobi has it for $14
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Product ReviewIf you like Weber, you'll like this book. I loved the historical references you'll find through the book.
Publisher - Tor, I'm not sure what your deal is, but the price you are asking for an ebook is exactly why I don't get ebooks from you. You don't seem to understand the pricing modle. You have quite a few good books in print and a couple of my favorite authors, but until you all get a clue, I'll be picking up my TOR books from the library.Posted on
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Product ReviewIts Weber, come on man! He doesn't have a bad book in print!
Looking forward to the new book in the series in July,08.
Dave tell'm to put the new one out in E-BOOK format too please.
TOR CHECK YOUR PRICES! Its been out since January 9, 2007, 6.00 is good stuff, and it actually moves. Looking at the comments here, the 18.00 version is way off base.Posted on