The Sword of the Lady A Novel of the Change Change Series by S.M. Stirling

The Sword of the Lady A Novel of the Change Change Series Reviews

• 
  Duffy Pratt

  The third in a six book series about the uest of Rudi McKenzie and company to retrieve the Sword of the Lady from Nantucket Island and then somehow use it to defeat the Cutters Church Universal and Triumphant I liked it better than the first two installments but not anywhere near as much as i liked the original Change trilogy or the Nantucket series Things are moving along fairly nicely We get some very cool glimpses of struggling new societies in a wrecked United States But I find myself not caring that much about Rudi or any of his compatriots As a hero for me he is simply too heroic and wonderful to be very likable I found myself actually interested in the military leader of the Cutters and we only get a few glimpses of him But he felt real to me than anyone in the hero's partyFrom here on out there are going to be spoilers So bewareI had some problems with the way Stirling dealt with his narrative here He tended to have major events come offscreen Two main characters die in battle but the fight that kills them is off screen I was very disappointed that Jake died He was a promising new character with some true flaws and he had already shown signs of growth and had the potential to develop into an interesting character I was disappointed that we simply learn of his death after the action of the battle occurred Stirling does a similar thing with Odard who has been a running character and is the first hint that the main party actually is in danger We don't see Odard get wounded He dashes off in the battle and then in the aftermath he is mortally wounded but gets to have a lingering death scene I could understand these cut aways if we had to stick to a single point of view Or if it was for the sake of realism But it doesn't feel like the elisions serve much purpose at allRudi's retrieval of the sword seemed similar to me He goes into a room that is the heart of magic on Nantucket and sees the shape of the sword Then there's a long vision where he gets to talk to God in the form of his mother and two characters from the Nantucket books and hears some nonsense about what caused the change and what his purpose is More on the nonsense later Then his followers see him emerging from the room bloodied holding the sheathed sword in his hand So the crucial moment that we have built up to for three books actually occurs offscreen It's not that big a gap and it might not even be important but it still bothered meNow for the nonsense In the Nantucket series Nantucket Island gets popped into prehistoric times in some alternate world timeline It's a very cool series and there's never much of an explanation of what happened to the island or why But the characters do very cool things by introducing modern technology into a world where for instance Odysseus is a real person In the Change series electricity and explosions no longer work basically killing off all technology and almost all humanity as a result The rumors are that the change occurred at Nantucket and it occurred at the same time as the event occurred in the Nantucket series So it looks like the two series are relatedHere Rudy gets to Nantucket and has a vision where he sees something that is like the Universal mind It appears to him as his own mom and two characters from the Nantucket series The vision explains to Rudy that it has appeared to him in a form that he can understand So why the Nantucket characters? Its not like they add anything to Rudy's understanding That's just a bone for readers and fans of the Nantucket series but it doesn't seem to have any genuine purpose here Moreover the godmindwomen tell Rudy that the Cutters are basically also a product of the gods and result from god arguing with itself That's fine but then why am I rooting for Rudy? I'm uncomfortable with the idea that people have to put up with all of this shit simply because God is having a bad day and can't make up his mind It sounds like a bad explanation with me and it leaves me with many uestions than I had before And the God figure also explains that the Change occurred because man was in too much danger of destroying himself with technology and so the godmind decided to give man a do over I guess 95 99% destruction of humanity is better than total destruction But there's a suggestion that the second chance is in the hope that man will do it better the second time around But that makes me wonder how they will do it better since the means of doing much of anything at all have been taken away I did not see this in any way as a promise that electric and explosive power would be restored So the suggestion that men would learn better the second time around rings hollow to meThere were a few moving scenes toward the end I actually liked Odard's death scene Even I liked the scene in Maine where they had a big oath giving ritual As much as I'm cold to Rudy I found the oaths his followers gave to be touching I also loved the introduction of another new and promising character in Asgerd She's a woman who lost her betrothed and gave solemn oath that she would give ten fold vengeance for the death Her character is still just a sketch but she is wounded deeply flawed and likableI really liked the first three books in the Emberverse and to a certain extent the strength of them keeps me going in this series I like Stirling's vision of a ruined United States and I think he's done a very good job showing a multitude of different societies growing out of the ashes I don't much like the uestfantasy basis of this second series It's fun to encounter each new society but it would be fun if Rudy were less perfect I'm sure that I will continue to at least the end of this series and maybe even into the new trilogy to come But I'm doing that because I'm interested in Clan McKenzie the Bearkillers and the Portland Protection Association and less because I have any real attachment to any of the heroes in this series
• 
  Kathy Davie

  Sixth in the overall Emberverse apocalyptic science fiction series and revolving around Rudi Mackenzie It's also the third novel of Emberverse II The Change If you're interested there is a chronological listing of the Emberverse books on my websiteIt's August of Change Year 24 2022 AD and the expedition has reached Des Moines while Rudi and Edain are heading into the Wild Lands formerly known as IllinoisMy TakeThe story revolves between the states that have allied as the Meeting of Corvallis the battles they fight against the CUT but most of the story is about Rudi and his companyThis is a journey with purpose — besides getting that sword that is supposed to save their world — as Rudi makes alliances every step of the way to Nantucket with Matti's help in Iowa The trip has also made him appreciate Matti's mother Sandra The reasons for her policies and how they differ from his mother's Wisdom he could never have learned otherwise and it makes him aware that wisdom comes in many shapes and from many peopleIt's this journey and the time it allows for reflection that solves the problem of who will rule in the future It also gives Odard time to come to his own conclusions and beliefs while the lessons learned from Master Hao in The Scourge of God 5 crop up throughout The Sword of the Ladyby following Rudi I've found enemies worth fighting and a mana Kingworth following I will follow him and raise my sons to follow hisLol someone is reading Piers AnthonyIt's an interesting conversation between Rudi and Colonel Heuisink about the differences between those who were alive before the Change and the Changelings The colonel notes that the young ones are living the legends while Rudi says that the older ones spent time living in their heads contemplating life instead of living itWe do not ever know ourselves completely How can we know another?Lady Sandra's reaction to Matti's news about the new name for Oregon and their pledges to Rudi is most unexpected Fred intends for Boise to be part of MontivalIt's a bit chilling when Rudi and company encounter the bear One that was pushed by outside forces into being combative than usual I suspect it's Rudi's ritual that soothes the bear gods and sends bears to slow down the Corwinites chasing them More chilling is the wrecked ship wedged onshore the –mund Fitz– Matti and the Southsiders come uponI do like Ritva's curiosity about the Lord of the Rings and wondering how those Rangers managed to take care of their weapons and clothes how they paid their bar tab and for their beds at night It's something I've always been curious about tooOne of the Mackenzie customs is diametrically opposed to the Catholic Protectorate that of lying with a consenting partner outside of marriage Rudi makes an interesting point toward the end about the Catholic concern about sins that in his experience they also broke their taboos often than his clansfolk did and were likely to practice hypocrisy and also to wrack themselves with guilt Too trueIt took me weeks to read The Sword of the Lady because I kept setting it down My heart raced I worried about who would die next what direction the next battle would take And I had to read on if only because I love the warmth of Rudi and his care for the people who follow him his honor in taking on such a task while knowing what lies ahead for him that he dwells on how others rule their own and especially that he is willing to learnThis story is particularly interesting as Stirling provides us with a tour across the northern border of the United States of groups of people who have survived and their customs I'm looking forward to with trepidation reading The High King of Montivalwhere you are home is For there my heart dwellsThe StoryRudi and Edain must retrieve the wagons Ingold had to abandon and get them back to Des Moines to save Matti Ingolf and the restNor is it easy for those they left back home in Oregon for the Cutters are allied with Boise and Pendleton and coming after the Mackenzies Portland Corvallis and the restIt's Heidhveig's vision that tells the Bjornings to aid Rudi for if he fails Ragnarök will comeThe Characters The expedition is focused on reaching Nantucket and retrieving the sword Rudi Artos Mackenzie is their leader and Juniper's son He's still riding Epona Edain Aylward Mackenzie is his childhood friend blade brother sworn man and a champion archer Garbh is Edain's half mastiff bitch Princess Mathilda Matti is the heir to the Portland Association and a good fighter herself Father Ignatius is of the Shield of St Benedict at Mount Angel and has been chosen by the Virgin Mary in The Scourge of God Sir Odard Liu Baron Gervais is falling in love with Matti although it won't interfere with his plans for her Ingolf Vogeler is a mercenary originally from Wisconsin; now he's a prisoner in Heasleroad's jail Mary she still has Rochael and Ritva Havel are twins and Rudi's half sisters They're also excellent scouts Mary is engaged to Ingolf Fred Thurston is the youngest son of the assassinated president of Boise and getting cozy with Virginia Kane a rancher's daughter who fled the CUT Des Moines is Bossman Anthony Heasleroad's turf And he's a madman Kate Heasleroad is Anthony's wife and she actually loves him? Tommie is their son Annette is his nursemaid The State Police are his household troops aka the Brute Suad Captain Edgar Denson is their leader Captain Butler is one of the guardsmen Farmers and Sheriffs are titles much like count and baron are in the Protectorate Vaki is short for evacuee; think peasant and you've got it They have a Cardinal ArchbishopColonel Abel Heuisink is a landholder and part of the Progressive party the opposition to Heasleroad His son Jack served with Ingolf and they're friends Tancredo is a smuggler and a friend of Ingolf'sThe Southside Freedom Fighters aresome of the wild men Rudi and company have met along the way This particular group is much civilized Well at least they don't eat their victims Jake sunna Jake is the big man chief of the Fighters His brothers are Murdy Tuk and SamuelTheir enemies include the Knifers Readstown Wisconsin is part of the Free Republic of Richland and where Ingolf came from His brother Ed is the Sheriff and head of the local National Guard It's a toss up as to whether Ingolf will be welcome Mark Dave Melly young Ingolf Sue and Jenny are Ed and Wanda's kids Kathy and Alice are Ingolf and Ed's sisters both married Aunt CindyPierre Walks uiet is Ojibwa and their chief forester and game warden Weiss is one of the young men with whom Rudi trains Al Clements was the bossman back in Ingolf's youth; now his son Bill is the leader Harry is the cousin in law of Ed's sister and he's married to Janet Norrheim Maine used to be Aroostook County Now its residents follow viking ways and its religion Heidhveig is their leading seer who communes with spirits Seems she knew Juniper before the Change She also knew Sandra and Norman Arminger Thorlind Williamsdottir is a godwoman a seer who now leads the seidh group Sven Jacobsson and Ingmar Marcellesson are part of Kalk the Shipwright's garth and seeing Heidhveig safe to Eriksson'sThe steading of Godhi Bjarni Eriksson isalso known as Eriksgarth and is the senior chiftainship head of the Bjornings and home of the Althing's meeting ground Harberga Janetsdottir is Bjarni's wife Swanhild is one of their children Gudrun is his sister Roderic Karlsson Thorolf Pierresson and Olaf Davesson are some of his men Hrolf Homersson thinks he can best Mary snicker He'll accompany them to Nantucket as well Ranulf Waltersson is Bjarni's uncle and will be the thul of the sumbel a winter feast and time of oath taking Sigurd Jeansson was Asgerd Karlsdottir's betrothed out on a viking trip Rudi will name her Ulfhild Swift sword Now she'll take oath to accompany Rudi and company to NantucketErik Waltersson Bjarni's father was the man who pulled the Bjornings together and ensured their survival A godhi is a chiefThe steading of Kalk the Shipwright islocated in what was formerly Washington County in Maine Olaf Knutsson is Thorlind's nephew Thorleif Heidhveigsson is the man who will seize one enemy ship along with Odinleif Thorvin and Freyjadis Clan Mackenzie is led by Juniper Mackenzie of Dun Juniper Sir Nigel Loring is her husband Their daughters are Maude and Fiorbhinn she's the one who's inherited her mother's music Chuck Barstow died at Pendleton in The Scourge of God Judy Barstow is Chuck's widow His son Oak has taken over Timmy Martins Mackenzie is their brewmaster these daysDun LaurelSam Aylward is its lord Edain's father In his sixties he's retired from being First Armsman Melissa is his wife Richard is a younger sonThe Dúnedain Rangers areled by Astrid Larsson who is married to Alleyne Loring Sir Nigel's son Little John Hordle is his childhood friend and married to the other leader of the Rangers Eilir Mackenzie Juniper's deaf daughter They have two children Beregond and IorlasIt's hard to believe that Sir Nigel Alleyne and Little John have been here for 16 years The Bearkillers were created by Mike Havel and are now led by Signe Larsson Havel his widow Mike Jr is the heir Eric Larsson is Signe's twin brother Dr Aaron Rothman is the chief doctor still Mount Angel is a military monastery led by Abbot Bishop Dmwoski Friar Matthew is a Church courier Brother Jerome has been assigned as a liaison to the PPA forces in the northeast The Central Oregon Ranchers' Association is referred to as CORA and are a loose knit organization of ranchers who have allied with Clan Mackenzie and the Bearkillers John Brown of Seffridge Ranch is one of its leading members Corvallis is a university town that has held onto its educational roots Edward Finney Luther's son has allied himself and his supporters with Clan Mackenzie Kyklos is a scatter of independent villages around Silverton Beatriz BD Dorothea is part of the imbolc working to raise power asking for help to see into peoples' hearts Portland Protectorate Association PPA Lady Sandra Arminger is Matti's mother and a wise and wicked ruler Jehane is her confidential secretary The Lord High Chancellor is Conrad Renfrew the Count of Odell The Grand Constable Tiphaine d'Ath Baroness d'Ath had been a gymnast who had hoped to participate in the Olympics before the Change Count Piotr Alexevitch Stavarov is one of the vassals they expect to switch sides Sir Ivo Marks is one of Tiphaine's protégés and in command of Castle CampscapellBarony of AthSir Lothair is the Guard captain Father Mendoza is their priest Lady Delia de Stafford is Tiphaine's lover but also a witch and High Priestess of a coven Lionel and Diomede are Delia's sons and pages to Tiphaine Heuradys is Delia's latest babe Pendleton is an association of ranchers Their former bossman Carl Peters was kidnapped by the Rangers in The Scourge of God The association has now allied itself with Boise and the Cutters The United States of Boise is led by their first president's assassin his son President General Martin Thurston The Moors are a general term for blaumenn aka blue men Abdou al Naari is the part owner and captain of the Bou el Mogdad and he doesn't trust these men of the Prophet His family is of the Tidjiane brotherhood Ahmed is his son Jawara is his subordinate brother in law and captain of her sister ship Gisandu which means Shark Falilu is his bosun Dia is another of his men a younger cousin The Marabout Cheik Ibra is a holy man supposedly in favor with the Grand Khalif of the Mourides another brotherhood which was founded by Cheik Bamba The Corwinites are also known as the Cutters or the CUT and are based in Montana It's a demon that has infested them made some of them invulnerable and farseeing They intend to conuer the world and force all to their way of worship Major Graber leads the Sword of the Prophet a military troop hunting for Rudi and company The High Seeker Dalan is the man thing really in charge Vender and Roberts are two of his remaining lieutenants The Bekwa are an Indian tribe who will do scouting for the CorwinitesMontival is a Changeling name one created from all the different populations in Oregon Changelings are those who were born after the ChangeThe Cover and TitleThe cover has a white background on top On the bottom half it's a smudgy brown with the golden light of the sunset creating a halo around a black vest and pant clad Rudi sword over his shoulder his scabbard at his thigh and a determined look on his face standing on the shore of his destination Nantucket The origin of the EMP that took down the worldThe title is the object of Rudi's uest The Sword of the Lady Yeah I don't think it's any accident that Rudi was also named Artos at his birth
• 
  Kristina

  I liked this book than the second one But it ended with me going and??? Now what??
• 
  Jess

  This book was exactly like the last one I feel like the author found something that worked with the first change trilogy and then added on yet never really progressed It is predictable and often times boring All of the battle scenes are the same I kind of felt like I'd make it two chapters and there hadn't been a battle so a battle there would be nameless people get hurt and the good guys always win I'll probly read the next book just because I've invested some time in this series But my advice is stop at the first trilogy
• 
  Anita

  FabulousThe intertwinings of relationships and politics was riveting
• 
  Billy Roper

  I liked this better than the previous books in the Change series because it focused on progressions post Balk outside of the PNW and less on the Wiccan bs which mired previous books by Sterling
• 
  Annette

  Love this series In this installment Rudy and the gang fight their way across the Eastern half of the continent for their preordained appointment at Nantucket As in the last two books the CUT Church Universal and Triumphant an organization my husband tells me actually exists although it is not to his knowledge in direct league with the devil is hot on the group's heels the whole way with their posessed seekers getting creepier and creepier David who read this just before me also told me how much he was enjoying Father Ignatius's character It reminded him of a popular old TV series called The Green Hornet The title character had a Chinese sidekick named Kato who was so popular in Hong Kong that the show was actually known as The Kato Show rather than its domestic name Similar he suggested Christians may find themselves even interested in Ignatius's experiences exploits and character development than pagan Rudy's After reading the book I had to agree Rudy gets central billing in practically every scene but when the camera makes one of its rare shifts to Ignatius who we can almost forget is there half of the time we see some pretty spectacular good vs evil action Here's a uote to illustrate 'They came staggering out of the smoke anyway and the first was a man in a tattered red robe the color of dried blood His hands were held out before him like claws and his eyes were windows into negationNoooooooThe endless wail was as much shriek as word and less a protest than a single long scream of what he was or what the thing that wore the man like a glove was Ignatius raised his sword and brought up his shield but behind the visor of his helm he shouted for joy as his gaze met those wells of night without end Yes he cried Eternally yes '
• 
  Starfire

  I don't know whether this was objectively a better written story than Scourge of God or whether I was just in the mood for it but I found myself enjoying this instalment far than I did Book 6 and I'm itching to get on with the next one and see how Stirling resolves what he's set up in the last chapter or so of this bookThere were so many things I enjoyed about this instalment the character development the descriptions the sense of rightness about the way some of the events play out the fact that certain characters I like from the Sea of Time set actually put in a cameo sort of which all meant that I basically just inhaled the book and it was suddenly over and I was left wanting When I read Book 5 I wasn't uite sure if I liked the way the series was clearly taking a turn from being pure alternate present with the only real mystical influences being whoever or whatever caused the Change in the first place Now that we've got of an understanding of that however I have to say that I like the direction Stirling's taking the series in and I'm totally game to come along for the ride and follow it to its conclusion A definite 910 for this one
• 
  Crystal Sarakas

  The continuing sage of Rudi MacKenzie as he makes his way to the Isle of Nantucket to claim the Sword of the Lady It's a good story in this series by SM Stirling but he is perilously close to falling into that category of author who can write book after book that just continues the plot never really getting anywhere with it Still there are enough interesting tidbits to keep me reading Seeing the northeast United States in the post Change years is fascinating especially that Asatru seems to have taken hold as the primary religion in the old states of Maine and such There is a lot fantasy here than in previous books and the Tolkein parallel is really hammered sometimes annoyingly so There's also an unfortunate line near the end that foreshadows what is to come which I'm not entirely sure I'm happy about I fear the dreaded 'reset button' Rumor has it that there is only one other book in this immediate series I hope that's the case as it is definitely time to wrap this up
• 
  Kris

  Emberverse #6 is of what I like about this series The action is consistent and moves the plot along there some surprises with what happens to the characters and some of the uestions about where the story is going is answered This is a great set up for the last book where the final action brings all the plot elements to a close The fantasy elements step up a bit with the sword making an appearance and the evil doer's powers as well Good stuffEdit did some googling and found out that Stirling is doing at least 2 books in this series and the next is out in September this year and it is called Tears of the Sun