Safehold series

[Timba]

Good news, the next book in this series will be out 09/18/2012. The title is Midst Toil and Tribulation. I am psyched and preordered by e-book today.

I really enjoy this series and am looking forward to it. Good thing I just started another good book by Elizabet Moon so the wait will not be all that difficult.

 

[Vertigo]

I've still not read either of the last two yet , I've got them, but just too many other things on the pile. It doesn't worry me too much though because I'll probably get the next one when it comes out and then sit down for a good old Safehold session!

 

[Timba]

I almost envy you. Three books in a row would be a nice "fix."

I went back and started with the first book when the last book came out and really enjoyed it but I do not think I will do that this time. Like you my to be read pile is seemingly out of control.

 

[Parson]

Midst Toil and Tribulation is now entered into my to be bought and read list. Safehold is not my favorite Weber series because as I've mentioned often enough before, I want space ships not sailing ships. But it is a well conceived concept.

 

[Timba]

Hi Parson,
I remain hopeful that the series continues and eventually some alien butt gets thoroughly kicked. There have been conflicting hints about this so being the optimist I remain hopeful.

 

[Parson]

Timba,

It occurs to me that I should remind you that these books are available on Baen's website. You are probably familiar with it, but if not you can save significant coin if you buy the e version of these books.

 

[Timba]

Hi Parson,

For reasons that are not clear to me this series is not all at Baen and the price is no bargain on the one that is. I think it is because this series is carried by a different publisher while Baen actually is the publisher on the Honor Harrington series and I think his fantasy series also. I always check Baen first as I love those $6.00 books but I appreciate the reminder.

 

[Vertigo]

Yeah, I never quite figured why he went with a different publisher for the Safehold books. I would have thought they would still be right up Baen's street. Except possibly for their size. Off the top of my head I don't think Baen ever seem to publish anything quite as long as the Safehold books. Though they're not really that long when compared to the likes of Hamilton. Actually that's one of the reason I like them!

 

[Moggle]

So far, this is the only weber book I've never finished. I initially read like 80 pages a while back and stopped because I didn't feel the story was going to lead anywhere. I decided I'd have another go at it recently and I was pretty much right with my initial reaction. I'm halfway thru this book and it is incredibly boring. I have no understanding why this series is so popular.

 

[Timba]

Moggle, I am not at all clear why this series does not appeal to you but HH and others from Webber do. Perhaps it is just one of those things.
I find the same story pacing Weber always brings with an enticing ramp up to action, bigger than life characters facing difficulties head on, rotten scheming bad guys and gals, sympathetic victims, entertaining plot, multiple storylines heading slowly and deliciously towards...

Less than 10 days now I believe until the latest is out. Really psyched for it.

 

[Parson]

Moggle, I am not at all clear why this series does not appeal to you but HH and others from Webber do. Perhaps it is just one of those things.
I find the same story pacing Weber always brings with an enticing ramp up to action, bigger than life characters facing difficulties head on, rotten scheming bad guys and gals, sympathetic victims, entertaining plot, multiple storylines heading slowly and deliciously towards...

Less than 10 days now I believe until the latest is out. Really psyched for it.

Well said! I am also looking for it too, but waiting more for the next H.H. book. The question will be: "Will I buy the ebook, or continue to collect the hard covers of these books?"

 

[Timba]

Yes, always waiting for more H.H.

I ran out of bookshelf space long ago so it is a no brainer for me. The last book was an e-book and the next will be also. In fact for H.H. I used Baen and picked up everything in e-book and have added my previous books (a mix of hard cover and soft cover) to the pile to be recycled at Half Price Books.

 

[Moggle]

Moggle, I am not at all clear why this series does not appeal to you but HH and others from Webber do. Perhaps it is just one of those things.
I find the same story pacing Weber always brings with an enticing ramp up to action, bigger than life characters facing difficulties head on, rotten scheming bad guys and gals, sympathetic victims, entertaining plot, multiple storylines heading slowly and deliciously towards...

Less than 10 days now I believe until the latest is out. Really psyched for it.

The whole, I'm going to give them advanced medieval technology to stave off their enemies storyline does not appeal to me in the least. The plot was simply not entertaining, as it tended to drag on and on with alot of dialogue and info dumps. Weber can get away with this with his HH series because readers are already so invested in the story, but this was a first book!

One thing I have to mention is that I actually listened to this on audio, and I found it extremely annoying that they hired a woman to read a predominantly male cast! That was simply a stupid decision and probably added to my dislike of the book.

 

[Timba]

I just started on Midst Toil and Tribulation today. I am already immersed as Weber has a knack of doing for me. I did find one thought from Merlin I wanted to share. I paraphrase a bit but he thought "what choice did he have if humanity was to survive its inevitable second meeting with the genocidal Gbaba." I find myself profoundly hoping that both the author and this reader survive long enough so that battle story can be told and read.
On a sadder note, this working for a living is really cutting into my reading time.

 

[Parson]

I just started on Midst Toil and Tribulation today. I am already immersed as Weber has a knack of doing for me. I did find one thought from Merlin I wanted to share. I paraphrase a bit but he thought "what choice did he have if humanity was to survive its inevitable second meeting with the genocidal Gbaba." I find myself profoundly hoping that both the author and this reader survive long enough so that battle story can be told and read.
On a sadder note, this working for a living is really cutting into my reading time.

Isn't that a fact! I am profoundly hoping that Mr. Weber is foreshadowing a forth coming book. And I mean one written within the next 10 years or so while I can still read and enjoy it.

 

[Timba]

Sadly I have finished with Midst Toil and Tribulation a few days back. I have been letting my impressions mellow in my noggin for a few days and now wish to share my impression. Worry not, I shall endeavor to avoid providing any spoilers.

I really liked it. Our friend Moggle would not. When others have finished we can chat about it more if anyone cares to.

 

[Parson]

I've purchased Midst Toil and Tribulation (an e book -- How I wish it were a $6 Baen book instead) so far, 25% done, it is slow going.

Note to David Weber: "I don't care how high quality steel is made. I can look that up. If I'm interested and care to know. Let's get on with the story!!!"

 

[Timba]

I actually find this remarkably detailed recap of the industrial revolution wrapped up in a story to be quite entertaining. Not at all certain what that says about me!

 

[Parson]

Well, I suppose I should allow that I have a double major in history and social studies so a lot of that kind of stuff is a fairly boring re-hash for me. I am now about 40% through the book and the story is definitely picking up.

 

[Vertigo]

I have just finished A Mighty Fortress and sadly I'm going to be a little scathing here Although I did actually quite enjoy it, though for all the wrong reasons.

It was without doubt the most disappointing Weber book I have read. It is over 900 pages and by half way through there had been only three possibly four scenes that actually had any more action in them than say a conversation whilst travelling and only one of those was even remotely significant (ie more than a page or two). Now by action here I don't necessarily mean great drama; what I mean is anything more than just converstations (in mostly static evironments like offices, sitting around tables etc.), internal thoughts or just plain info dumping. In fact he seemed to ignore lots of good opportunities for action in favour of more info-dumping.

I feel this book is probably the most self indulgent book I have ever read from Weber. He is well known to enjoy military and political history, as do I, but, quite frankly, this read more like a dramatised history documentary than a story (and not very dramatised at that). Now I'll be honest and say that reading it as just that was enjoyable, as I do enjoy that sort of thing. But... it is absolutely not what I picked up that book expecting or wanting to read.

I have already bought How Firm A Foundation so I will be continuing with the series, but I cannot help but feel very very concerned about what I will be faced with.

Sadly I have found myself saying the same sort of thing about some of his more recent HH books. I am not a pure action junky by any means but I do expect a little more happening in a book than just conversations and internal thoughts. This book contained far more info dumping than anything else.

I truly hope this is not a trend that is going to continue in his writing.