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Sam Monroe is the reluctant commander of a tough-minded warrior people living in what was once northern Mexico. His tiny country is flanked on the northeast by the Kingdom River, a vast, trade-driven nation that replaced the southern United States, and on the northwest by the Khanate, an empire of nomads who swept down the west coast after crossing the ice from what was once Russia. Sam's people cling to a precarious, hard-won freedom. Toghrul Khan, leader of the Khanate, wants Kingdom's show more lucrative trade and lush farmlands. To get them, Sam Monroe knows, the Khan's forces will march right over his people's small towns and precious homesteads. His country's only hope is an alliance with Kingdom-but the far larger Kingdom may simply swallow them up. Unless . . . Sam's proven ability in the field attracts the attention of Queen Joan, who rules Kingdom with a heart as cold as the Colorado ice where she was raised. But if she gives Sam Monroe command of Kingdom's forces, her loyal generals and admirals may feel a lot less loyal. Unless . . . Young, bookish princess Rachel is the key. A marriage between Sam and the princess unites both their nations and their fighting forces and gives the commanders a way to save face. Has the alliance been made in time? The Khan's armies are sweeping east in a rush, threatening both sides of the vast Mississippi River. Kingdom's large army and navy move excruciatingly slowly. Sam's people are fleet but greatly outnumbered. And there are other dangers Sam Monroe is just beginning to comprehend. The technologically advanced people of New England, who breed monsters in women's wombs and have learned to levitate, are watching the growing conflict between the Khan and Kingdom and more important, watching Sam as he learns not just to command but to rule. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I read and enjoyed the first book in the series, Snowfall, so I hunted down the other two. It's been hundreds of years since a change in Jupiter's orbit brings on a massive ice age, and modern civilization collapses. The action takes place in North America, and a variety of regional communities have grown up. I really like all the different societies, and the characters he creates. In the first book, I had some trouble believing that the ecology/economy of the Trappers would work, and became happier as they migrated south. In the second book, I found the Middle Kingdom and North Map Mexico to be believable, and the sweeping action riveting. The third book takes the action through the Indian* tribes up to DNA-twisting show more science-fictionally-magical Boston.
The second and third books open about 20 years after the end of the previous book, with a protagonist who is a young man now and was a baby at the end of the earlier book -- a most unusual way to continue a series, and quite satisfying. The second book is war, and politics, between three regions. It's rather grounded and realistic, thought there are some fantastic elements. The third book is a quest. The action is one long trip, probably suicidal, to strike a blow for justice. This book takes us into the strangeness that Boston has created, and goes through other wonders. The "farmers" are eerie, the animalistic Boston Guard is astonishing, and the climbing sequence is fantastic. I did have a bit of trouble in the 3rd book, keeping suspension of disbelief down about the Boston economy.
While each book is quite different, and probably could be read on its own, I think you'll get more out of them by reading them in order, if only due to the handful of continuing characters. If I hadn't read them in order, I wouldn't have been on the edge of my seat, terrified, as Martha traveled from her home to the Island. Yowza.
There are wonderful, strong women characters: Catania the Trapper doctor; Patience the slightly mad, rather blood-thirsty, flying Bostonian meddler; Queen Joan of the Middle Kingdom, who was Crazy Joan of the Trappers, and likely to say "Fuck, let's get this over with" on ceremonial occasions; and Nancy the sort-of fox; Charmian is critical to Sam Monroe's greatest military victory.
*They're kinda, sorta Indian tribes. show less
The second and third books open about 20 years after the end of the previous book, with a protagonist who is a young man now and was a baby at the end of the earlier book -- a most unusual way to continue a series, and quite satisfying. The second book is war, and politics, between three regions. It's rather grounded and realistic, thought there are some fantastic elements. The third book is a quest. The action is one long trip, probably suicidal, to strike a blow for justice. This book takes us into the strangeness that Boston has created, and goes through other wonders. The "farmers" are eerie, the animalistic Boston Guard is astonishing, and the climbing sequence is fantastic. I did have a bit of trouble in the 3rd book, keeping suspension of disbelief down about the Boston economy.
While each book is quite different, and probably could be read on its own, I think you'll get more out of them by reading them in order, if only due to the handful of continuing characters. If I hadn't read them in order, I wouldn't have been on the edge of my seat, terrified, as Martha traveled from her home to the Island. Yowza.
There are wonderful, strong women characters: Catania the Trapper doctor; Patience the slightly mad, rather blood-thirsty, flying Bostonian meddler; Queen Joan of the Middle Kingdom, who was Crazy Joan of the Trappers, and likely to say "Fuck, let's get this over with" on ceremonial occasions; and Nancy the sort-of fox; Charmian is critical to Sam Monroe's greatest military victory.
*They're kinda, sorta Indian tribes. show less
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Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
57 works; 3 members
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9 Works 661 Members
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- Canonical title
- Kingdom River
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- Reviews
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