Oh where did it go wrong?

I admit, I loved the first trilogy, seeing the world come apart, the transition and then the start of something new kept me up way too long at night as I wanted to know what was going on.

So I was hopeful as I entered the second trilogy and for the first 1 1/2 books it still kept me entertained, although the long winding excursions into religion started to get a bit tiring.

I get it: With modern technology gone, Religion has made a come back and it is at the root of a lot of the conflict.

Having said this, by the time I got to "The Sword of the Lady" the book started to seriously drag for me, I ended up skimming more and more pages because I really did not care for all the religious ceremony, the story moved roughly at the pace that a track across the continent a 150 years ago must have been: At a snails pace.

The worst thing for me about the secondly trilogy (and especially this book in it) is just how little we learn / find out about the main antagonists, yes, we hear about the CUT, yes we do know "they have a plan" but outside of trying to stop our merry band of adventurers we know almost nothing (or maybe it was buried somewhere deep within the religious ceremonies).

Should there be another trilogy / book I will not blindly pre-order it but rather pre-read it a bit at a book store. Shame really, it all started so well. ( )

Loved the pace, loved the story! Mr. Stirling has me hooked again on this series. I was a little hesitant with book 4 & 5. But, I really am digging this one.

The questers are still working to untangle themselves from the Iowa Bossman and continue on their way to the East Coast. The continued character development is well done, with a few surprises to boot. I love Virginia Kane! I think that this is a definite must read if you are a fan of the series. ( )

S.M. Stirling just keeps popping em out, once a year. This is the sixth volume in the Change series (nine if you count the island in the sea of time series).
For me, the series is starting to drag, but not to the point where I will stop reading them. Over the last three books or so, the plot has gone from alternate history centered to a low magic and fantasy focus. Not that I can't appreciate that, but the strength of this series is in Stirling's ability to blend the "mad max" America elements with a military fantasy swords and bows. In this last book, Stirling seems to have slipped a little away from that mix and is now focusing more on a “fellowship of the sword” with a mystical divine battle between godly powers of good and evil. After the 6th book, a story formula has been clearly established: big battle, small battle, travel east, small battle, meet new people, travel east, small battle, moral dilemma, big climatic battle, crazy mystical occurrence. Or some combination of those elements. Stirling goes out of his way to have his characters comment on how pre change and post change people differ, how language has taken on new shapes based on demographics and religion, and how forged armor is uncomfortable during all seasons. This gets a little annoying after a while, I wonder if he has run out of things to comment on. The romance seems a little forced.
On the plus side, the typical plot rehash at the beginning of the book isn't too bad, but I could see how it would be if you were reading the books back to back. Also, I have met a lot more people who have been reading the books, so I have been able to talk to more people about them. Unfortunately, they all seem to be involved in SCA or a coven somewhere. I might be one of two atheists who actually enjoy these books. In other words, I think I might be one of the few people who value these stories because they are so ridiculously far-fetched and outrageous. Lastly, I enjoyed this book, because it has had the most suspenseful cliffhanger so far in series. It will be good to read the next volume, but in a way I do hope that it is the last one. ( )

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-revie... ( )