By Schism Rent Asunder by David Weber
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Book Reviews of By Schism Rent Asunder
Book Review: Hung on a skeleton of history
Summary: 4 Stars
What many may not realize is just how closely Weber echoes the stories, characters, and even WORDS of Old Earth's Reformation...while still keeping a good story going. It's a good read for pure entertainment, but it's even richer when you realize THIS letter is Luther's 95 Theses, or THAT speech came from another historical figure.
That said, this second book does suffer a bit from "middle of a series syndrome." Even so, characters are well drawn, and the story is hard to put down.
While the pacing may slow at times, and while the politics or engineering may not be to some readers' tastes, as far as I'm concerned "Schism" admirably succeeds in its main goal of giving us a good read.
Book Review: Good but less exciting than the first
Summary: 4 Stars
If you've read the Honor Harrington series, then you will recognize the long exposition about politics and all the political maneuvering. I stilled enjoyed it but it was definitely short on action compared to the first book. I understand that he is laying the foundation for the next volume in the epic but I was looking for a little more before the book ended.
I enjoyed getting to know old characters better and learning (a great deal) about the new characters, but just as I do when I re-read the Honor Harrington books, I'll be skimming a lot of this (politcal-foundational stuff) the next time around.
Finally though, it left me anxiously awaiting the next volume.
Book Review: Enjoyable detailing
Summary: 4 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed "Off Armegeddon Reef," for the concept, the characters, and the battle scenes. While "By Schism..." offers no major battles, it sets the stage for the upcoming confrontations and gives us an opportunity to get to know the inhabitants a little better. I found it an enjoyable read and had a sense of loss as the book neared its end.
His naming conventions are my least favorite part of this story. While I understand 800 years might bring a shift in spelling and pronounciation, skewing the spelling of character names while keeping the common pronounciation is tiring (and almost an exercise in humorless puns).
I look forward to the next book.
Book Review: The first half of the second installment...
Summary: 4 Stars
If you check the source of the title you will see that it is a line out of an old 19th century hymm and the next line of the song is,"by heresies distressed" which is also the name of volume 3...the second half of the second book. It's back story and politics, needed but after waiting months for the release I'm not happy. I specifically read the first book again to get back to the right mindset and I get half a book. It needed another hundred pages minimum. After all the guns and thunder of OAR, it needed more detail in the few action scenes present. The tension of the first book is just not there. The secrets revealed and the queen of Chisholm got the 4 stars.Book Review: Great Scene Setting
Summary: 4 Stars
This series is a good take on the (familiar) Arthurian theme.
By Schism Rent Asunder has all the characteristics of a middle series book which follows nicely on from the fast paced constant action of the first book in the series, setting the stage for more action in the next installment. It is full of character development, about which I have only one criticism - its that some of the characters (particularly the baddies) are seen only from a distance. I look forward to the pace picking up again in the next installment. David Weber is easily one of my favourite authors whose books consistently impress.