I liked his homages to Edgar Rice Burroughs (although the first was better than the second), but haven't felt like diving into his massive Change series. This sounds interesting though.
19th Century vintage railways were not uncommon even thirty years ago in India, more surprising is that they ever changed over to diesel when oil cost so much.
That was certainly a good read, with Gurkas vs Ninjas and Cossacks. It's a stand-alone novel (tho related to the novella "Shikari in Galveston", set in same timeline, but other side of the world, in our savage lands). The Change series is pretty good, tho I'm wearing thin on waiting for the fourth book in the second set (first set was a trilogy, set in the immediate future; second set, I was expecting another trilogy, is set with the next generation grown up and going on a quest).
I'd go with Jeff on this one, for what my anonymous internet opinion is worth. I generally like Stirling, but the Change and the Island series (serieses?) just haven't done it for me.
I enjoyed the Nantucket series. Peshawar Lancers was good. I must be odd man out, though, as there have been a few of his that just did nothing for me. There are a few other authors--Turtledove comes to mind--who are hit-or-miss in my opinion. All a matter of taste.
I liked Peshawar, but there's something about Stirling's storytelling that gets on my nerves.
It's to the extent that I think Jerry Pournelle's Falkenberg's Legions series suffers at the point where he starts collaborating with Stirling (Prince of Sparta).
Maybe it's that I like closure on my bad guys -- usually closure without predjudice -- and Stirling will let a bad guy escape time after time, no matter how implausible the escape may seem.
I'm generally not the biggest S.M. Stirling fan. Too many lesbian bondage ninjas, although there haven't been any in this book. (I'm only 150 pages or so in, so there's still time...)
I enjoyed the Nantucket series because it was an interesting conceit and because I'm incurably fascinated with the time period presented, also, it had Werder rifles.
I totally concur with your criticism of the main flaw in Steve Stirling's work, Tam, though he can usually tell a story. You might like his Sky People as well, if you're enjoying this tribute to pulp.
You say "lesbian bondage ninja" like it's a bad thing...
The Change books are very good, and get progressively weirder as the series goes on (unlike the Island books they are related to), and there is only one lesbian ninja as a very minor character.
Peshawar was a good book. It's too bad Stirling couldn't follow up on it, instead of the interminable string of Celtic-mystic, Gaia-worshiping, lesbian-ninja manure he's been shoveling the last few years. Methinks the fella is a wee bit disturbed.
by S.M. Stirling.
I liked his homages to Edgar Rice Burroughs (although the first was better than the second), but haven't felt like diving into his massive Change series. This sounds interesting though.
ReplyDeleteTwo "flashing sabers up" from this lancer. Sigh, it's just nice to read some good "boy's own" fiction again, innit?
ReplyDeleteI agree--at least two flashing sabers up!
ReplyDeletePeshawar Lancers was one of the first Stirling books I read, wish I hadn't given it away, now I've got to buy another...
cap'n chumbucket
19th Century vintage railways were not uncommon even thirty years ago in India, more surprising is that they ever changed over to diesel when oil cost so much.
ReplyDeleteCan't say I read anything by Stirling I haven't liked.
ReplyDeleteThat was certainly a good read, with Gurkas vs Ninjas and Cossacks. It's a stand-alone novel (tho related to the novella "Shikari in Galveston", set in same timeline, but other side of the world, in our savage lands). The Change series is pretty good, tho I'm wearing thin on waiting for the fourth book in the second set (first set was a trilogy, set in the immediate future; second set, I was expecting another trilogy, is set with the next generation grown up and going on a quest).
ReplyDeleteI'd go with Jeff on this one, for what my anonymous internet opinion is worth. I generally like Stirling, but the Change and the Island series (serieses?) just haven't done it for me.
ReplyDeleteI love this book
ReplyDeleteI've read the island series and am on the first book of the second part of the change series now.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed all of his writings so far.
Peshawar is next.
It's a good 'un. Highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the Nantucket series. Peshawar Lancers was good.
ReplyDeleteI must be odd man out, though, as there have been a few of his that just did nothing for me. There are a few other authors--Turtledove comes to mind--who are hit-or-miss in my opinion. All a matter of taste.
I just couldn't get into Peshawar- maybe I'll give it another go.
ReplyDeleteI liked Peshawar, but there's something about Stirling's storytelling that gets on my nerves.
ReplyDeleteIt's to the extent that I think Jerry Pournelle's Falkenberg's Legions series suffers at the point where he starts collaborating with Stirling (Prince of Sparta).
Maybe it's that I like closure on my bad guys -- usually closure without predjudice -- and Stirling will let a bad guy escape time after time, no matter how implausible the escape may seem.
I'm generally not the biggest S.M. Stirling fan. Too many lesbian bondage ninjas, although there haven't been any in this book. (I'm only 150 pages or so in, so there's still time...)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the Nantucket series because it was an interesting conceit and because I'm incurably fascinated with the time period presented, also, it had Werder rifles.
Lesbian bondage ninjas you say? Hmmmm....
ReplyDeleteI totally concur with your criticism of the main flaw in Steve Stirling's work, Tam, though he can usually tell a story. You might like his Sky People as well, if you're enjoying this tribute to pulp.
ReplyDeletecheers, erich martell
I have not read this one yet. Is it like every other Stirling book? With an ending that is really a tease for the sequel?
ReplyDeleteI'd really dig on another book in the Peshawar universe.
ReplyDeleteI'll second the recommendation for the Sky People books. Peshewar Lancers is fun escapism
ReplyDeleteYou say "lesbian bondage ninja" like it's a bad thing...
ReplyDeleteThe Change books are very good, and get progressively weirder as the series goes on (unlike the Island books they are related to), and there is only one lesbian ninja as a very minor character.
Yeah, it's the 5th Millennium series that has all the lesbian ninjas.
ReplyDeleteLoved Islands and Peshawar; can't get past the opening of any of the Change books - they wig me out for some reason.
ReplyDeletePeshawar was a good book. It's too bad Stirling couldn't follow up on it, instead of the interminable string of Celtic-mystic, Gaia-worshiping, lesbian-ninja manure he's been shoveling the last few years. Methinks the fella is a wee bit disturbed.
ReplyDeletePeshawar is a complete story, though. What I wish he'd do is a second Islands trilogy; that he left plenty of threads for.
ReplyDeleteWV: recou - what the (right|left)-wing dictator does to his (left|right)-wing predecessor in a banana republic