Sword of the Lady

[Kitsune]

SM Stirling's new book in his Emberverse series will be released on August 25th. This is my favourite series of all time, and Sword of the Lady is the latest in the second set of the series.

They have Pagan characters, that are some of the best pagan representations in everyday fiction that I've ever seen.

Pick up the series if you haven't already, and pick up the book definately... I will post a thing up here in our book section, as soon as I finish reading it!

I love being able to ask my author himself when the book comes out!

[davisherm]

Darn it! I don't have the money for the book and it's not at my library yet!

A druid friend of mine who also happens to be in an SCA-like group turned me on to these books about two months ago. They are fantastic! Stirling gets us. More importantly, he gets us RIGHT. Gods, it is so nice to read stories with real witches who are not only treated with respect, but are explained correctly and in pretty decent depth. Granted, they're some pretty important characters, so he'd want them to be done correctly - but Stirling's approach is almost reverential. I would say he's almost certainly very close to a few pagans.

I can't wait to get my hands on this book. I'm actually re-reading the first books now in preparation for it!

[Willow]

I will definitely pick them up, and even though I am the ONLY person on this site who loves him.

The wheel of time, next book Gathering storm comes out October 27th. Guess who is doing a happy dance!!

[Kitsune]

I have to wait for September 1 for my books here. Grrr. I hate having different release dates between here and the States.

And of course SM Stirling gets us. Before he puts out his books, he checks with an actual wiccan who lives not too far away from the Willamette. And even she feels shocked at the amount of research he puts into his novels.

Oh, now I can't wait for Tuesday. I'll be stopping off after work.. There is a small glitch that may delay my book buying until Thursday... but I do promise that I'll mention them on here.

I would like to read the beginning books to prepare for it... but I lent them to a friend of mine.

From what I can tell SM Stirlings got it right... Offer them the first taste free, and after that they're hooked for life.

So, who's everyone's favourite character?

Mine is definately Juniper from the first series. From this second set, I'm not sure... but I think I'd have to say the Twins. Hearing them talk about their aunt Astrid and the "Histories" never fails to brighten my day.

Although, if anyone happens to know if Rudi is real, I wouldn't mind meeting him on a Beltane night. I'm sure my husband wouldn't mind...

[Crazy Healer Lady]

Moved to the Book Club deary ^__^

I'll have to get around to reading his works one day! They sound fantastic!

[davisherm]

Incidentally, if you're like me and waiting for the book, you can read the first 10 chapters right on Stirling's site.
http://smstirling.com/
Sure an fer all, you kin find it hereabouts.


As for favorites, it's probably the soldier in me, but I'm a Mike Havel fan through and through. While reading the first book, I was reacting to things in the same fashion he was. Also, I have an attachment to the entire Barstow family. I swear I actually know them. It's always the mark of a good storyteller when you become invested in the characters - even the seemingly minor ones - to such and extent that any event in the story that impacts them is felt as if to a good friend or family member. There were certain events that brought tears to my eyes, especially one particular scene in The Scourge of God. I shan't discuss details here as it seems only a few of us have read the books yet.

In the second series, I'm rather enjoying the entire group as a whole. Should I call them a host? A company?

Specifics would have to be Rudi, of course. Although I'm also partial to the Twins - probably because so much of their father is in them, despite how much their Aunt Astrid has turned them aside from stalwart practicality. Their play off each other early in the books is fantastic and, I especially love the wisecrack about what Oddard's Suix name should be. I was laughing quite loudly and had to explain not just the context but then the joke. It's an oldie but a goodie and is probably considered classic humor since the Change.

I'm on chapter 8 thanks to the online sample. I should really stop and wait and savor it but I just can't seem to help myself. When a book grabs me like this, I simply devour it. Why oh WHY couldn't the whole story be done so I could finish reading it? Once my library says it's my turn, I'll be done in under a day if I know myself and then I'll be waiting at least a year for the High King. *Grumble*

[Kitsune]

Thanks Crazy... I put this out as a general notice, and thought I'd put up an actual review later, but it got a bit out of hand.

Mike Havel is a great character, but I have to admit, Eric was more my style in the first set from "their side"... at least, when I couldn't fixate on Astrid. What can I say... I have a thing for Pagan or Eccentric Women.

Personally, my favourite part of the second set was the twins telling their Aunt Astrid, "But you're an elder now, like Elrond, and even he didn't go with the Company, he just helped put them together." I was giggling my ass off, especially when she seemed defeated but had to agree, since even the "Histories" said so.

From the last book, Scourge of God, my favourite part was when Rudi (I seem to remember it was Rudi) saw the White Buffalo woman, who then showed that All Gods are one God, and All Goddess one Goddess.

Actually, Crazy, for some reason that scene has always reminded me of you... although I don't honestly know why.

[davisherm]

I just got an email from the Library. My book hath arrived. I don't know if I can get out to pick it up today, but it will soon be mine (to borrow)!

[Kitsune]

Congrats! I've had mine since last Thursday, but I decided to read from the Sunrise Lands again. So, now I'm around 3/4 way through Scourge of God.

Man, once again (for everyone reading it) Sethaz Zombies are nasty! (Rudi and companions just got out of the Buddhist temple, and have just met up with the Indians! Yeah, I know it means nothing if you're not reading the book, but for those who have, it's clear as day. )


I also bought myself a few other books last night. "A Witch's Halloween - A Complete Guide to the Magick, Incantations, Recipes, Spells & Lore", "Spirited" (about modern Paganism), and "Christianity - How the Church has Exploited the Myth of Christ". I'll let everyone know how they are as I finish reading them!

[davisherm]

I... SEE...YOU!

Ugh, too right Kitsune.
But seriously, the fight at Pendleton holy crap! And the twins facing down the scout and High Seaker. I was riveted.

[Kitsune]

(shiver)

Yep... still creepy.

I got started on Sword of the Lady last night... Awesome so far. There's a scene between Tiphaine and Conrad (and Sandra) that's to die for.

Maybe that's what I'll dress up as for Halloween... A Sethaz Zombie! They're more terrifying than the regular type!

[davisherm]

See, here I thought you meant you were going to dress up as Lady D'Ath. I was wondering if you'd be going full Associate Knight or Stealth Pajamas mode.

[Kitsune]

Nope, the only way I'm dressing up as Lady D' Ath is if I get my own Lady In Waiting as well, with her own... embroidery skills.

Besides, I'd probably look better as a McKenzie... Did I mention that I'm buying myself a Baby Harp?

[joatsimeon]

Glad people are enjoying the book(s). Thought I'd drop by and see. Next under construction... .

Steve Stirling

[davisherm]

Wow. Thank you. Thank you for the stories. Thank you for the way you treated your pagan characters. And thank you for stopping by and saying Hi. That's really something else!

Nope, the only way I'm dressing up as Lady D' Ath is if I get my own Lady In Waiting as well, with her own... embroidery skills.

Besides, I'd probably look better as a McKenzie... Did I mention that I'm buying myself a Baby Harp?

I have to say that I'd probably fit in with the McKenzies as well. My tastes in music and my intense attraction to my Scots heritage would have pulled me there, had I the option. Course, that's a loooong walk to Montival. I'd have been lucky to last through to when Rudi and Co come back from the Sunrise Lands and join up with them on the return leg. I'm smack in the middle of the northern part of the Eastern Death Zone. (Albeit in a more remote part of it with a great fallback location should something this world changing ever occur.)