Safehold, Book 7
Synopsis: For centuries, the world of Safehold, last redoubt of the human race, lay under the unchallenged rule of the Church of God Awaiting. The Church permitted nothing new—no new inventions, no new understandings of the world.
What no one knew was that the Church was an elaborate fraud—a high-tech system established by a rebel faction of Safehold’s founders, meant to keep humanity hidden from the powerful alien race that had destroyed old Earth.
Then awoke Merlyn Athrawes, cybernetic avatar of a warrior a thousand years dead, felled in the war in which Earth was lost. Monk, warrior, counselor to princes and kings, Merlyn has one purpose: to restart the history of the too-long-hidden human race.
And now the fight is thoroughly underway. The island empire of Charis has declared its independence from the Church, and with Merlyn’s help has vaulted forward into a new age of steam-powered efficiency. Fending off the wounded Church, Charis has drawn more and more of the countries of Safehold to the cause of independence and self-determination. But at a heavy cost in bloodshed and loss—a cost felt by nobody more keenly that Merlyn Athrawes.
The wounded Church is regrouping. Its armies and resources are vast. The fight for humanity’s future isn’t over, and won’t be over soon…
Review: A new foray into science fiction with the Safehold series by David Weber. It’s a complex saga, with as many characters as in “A song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin, but with much more technology.
The premise was interesting: humanity has lost Earth and has at last found shelter in the world of Safehold. On this planet, a mighty Church has developed – the Church of God Awaiting.
Fearing new inventions, it has forbidden any development in that regard. What no one knows is that the Church is based on a lie. It’s a fraud. And no one knows the truth, except for one man, Merlyn Athrawes. However, Merlyn is not really a man and has many secrets. Could he therefore save the humanity from the Church’s clutches?
As I said, the premise was great and promised breath-taking action as well as an interesting thought on this ever-present theme, especially in Sci-Fi books : what defines us as humans ?
However, the execution of this novel wasn’t so great. A lot of new characters are introduced since the first pages and, if the reader wasn’t lost enough, the story line is interspersed with blow by blow accounts of many battles.
Far from the action promised, the plot inched forward at a snail’s pace. For many pages, I got the impression of reading a current events update from Safehold. Don’t get me wrong, I was interested enough in this volume to read it until the end. However, my overall impression was disappointment, due mostly to the clear lack of progress throughout the book.
Cindy Van Wilder
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http://cindyvanwilder.wordpress.com/
Jennifer Bielman
The cover and blurb did nothing for me so I am not surprised by the low rating. Still sucks though.
aurian
I haven’t read anything by this author, and your review does not tempt me to try. There are more books in series like that, just a short update and no progress at all. Series lose me as a reader when that happens twice.
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
I’m sorry that the author fell flat with an interesting premise. Just finished a book similar to that – there is nothing more frustrating than a book that could have been amazing if the author could have delivered. :/
(btw, I had no trouble getting on your site today! That was weird!)
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
This definitely sounds like a complex read in terms of plot, world, and characters, and there’s nothing worse than feeling lost while reading. Not sure it’s the book for me, but I loved reading your review Cindy!
Lily
I’m sorry this one couldn’t get a higher rating out of you *sigh* it seems so different but I have to admit not up my alley either 🙁 hopefully you enjoy your next read better!
kindlemom1
Oh gosh after reading your review I definitely don’t think this would be the right fit for me. Sorry this wasn’t better.
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I’ve always been interested in reading Weber, though I don’t know if I would have been able to do this one jumping in at book 7.
Faye
Seems like this book went too hard too soon and it became all over the place! I’m so sorry to see that you didn’t like it! Too bad because I’ve always loved books like this one and when I saw the premise I was actually pretty excited to start it D:
Melissa (Books and Things)
Too bad! This one sounded like it had so much promise. I do like sci-fi, but I do need it to move along. 🙁
blodeuedd
Didn’t I comment on this already`?
kimbacaffeinate
This doesn’t sound like it is for me. I am sorry it was confusing, and I love battles but not sure I like that it is all over the place.
LilyElement
I have a hard time when the plot moves too slowly.
Molly Mortensen
How had I not heard of this before? It sounds awesome! Awe, that’s so depressing that it wasn’t executed well! Maybe I’ll check out the first book and it will be better? This one sounds pretty bad though. I hope your next book is good! Nice to meet you Cindy. 🙂
Kirsty-Marie
Uh-oh, really sounds disappointing especially because it sounds amazing, truly does count on the execution, which obviously wasn’t for you. 🙁
Lily B
new to me, sorry you didn’t enjoy this. I think the lack of progress would also annoy me.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
I’ve been curious about these books. I think I have the first one as it was a free book, but it might be another series by this author as well. Thanks for sharing.