Customer Reviews

Sea Of Plague Heart Of The World

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is only the third of the Outlanders series I've read and as far as excellent science fiction adventure is concerned I don't think you can get much better.

The second part of the Heart of the World storyline was gripping from beginning to end but I wished I had read the earlier books with Sam and Colonel Thrush.

But I will go back and find the earlier books. I'm a fan for life now! The Outlanders series has the same feel to it as Stargate Sg-1 and even Farscape!

This second book in the Heart of the World sequence picks up right where the frist book Talon and Fang left off. Coming on the heels of Talon and Fang this book lags a bit in parts, and is bogged down with a tremendous amount of back story that for the loyal reader is more of a rehash of pass events with in the series while being good for the new reader looking to catch up on past events, makes this book a heavy read for the loyal reader who has been enjoying the ride from the start. Thats not to say that Sea of Plague wasn't entertaining, it just seemed to come to an end before it had even begun to get its feet under itself. For me the story just began to get interesting and draw me in, when I suddenly found myself on the last page of the book. Which left me wondering why a story so full of potential was cut short.

The classic Outlanders characterization, storytelling, and plot twists are part of this latest chapter of the Outlanders series though. Readers are left with more than few loose ends, that are left dangling. It will be some months before those loose threads are picked up again and expanded upon as the next book is not written by series creature Mark Ellis. All in all Sea of Plague was enjoyable, and entertaining, though if your looking for another rip roaring ride like Talon and Fang you will be some what disappointed. Even though this latest story is not the best Outlanders that Mark Ellis has given us, it is still light years above and beyond the regular sci-fi that is put out on the market!! If your a long time fan or a new reader who has just discovered the Sci-fi gem that is Outlanders this is still a great read and well worth shelling out your hard earned money for which still earns it a 5 star rating from this loyal reader.

I can't say enough great things about Outlanders and its creator Mark Ellis. Mark Ellis has set a new standard in the sci-fi/adventure genre and Outlanders is one of the best series of any kind being published in the world today.

Sea Of Plague is another awesome entry in the Outlanders saga, picking up the storyline from Talon And Fang, which was the first part of the Heart Of The World duology. To be brief and attempt to avoid spoilers, Kane and the rest of the Cerberus resistance fighters must deal with the shocking revelations made in Talon And Fang. In order to avoid a devastating future, they must devise a plan to put an end to the Imperator's chilling plans for humanity. To this end, they attempt to form an alliance with an old enemy and undertake a desperate raid in an effort to prevent the Imperator from poisoning the earth with a monstrous plague, all the while struggling with the horrifying knowledge that one of their own may betray them and that some of them may be living on borrowed time.

As always, there is plenty of white-knuckle suspense and feverish action and adventure, as well as all the bells and whistles of the very best science fiction. Mark Ellis has given the Outlanders universe a rich and fascinating history, incorporating ancient myths and modern legends into a startlingly original tapestry that resonates with true power and is populated by remarkably well-drawn characters, whether they are heroes or villains or someone straddling the line between. To me, it is the compelling and believable characters that are the greatest asset of this fantastic series, as all of them spring to life for the reader and seem to be living, breathing human beings---except for those that are not exactly human, of course.

I can't recommend Outlanders highly enough. If you're not reading this series, you're missing out on some of the best popular literature that's being published today.

For those who think that Outlanders is better than Deathlands, I hold this book up as proof it isn't true. Half of this book is retreaded info from the past few books. If you have never read any of the Outlanders, this info might be useful. However it makes for dull reading. Not only is it page after page of exposition, but it literally is word for word from the other books the info is taken from. There are good bits, the plot does eventually move forward. The characterization is well done. Unfortunately this is rushed and really only takes up the space of a good novella. Having said all that, however, this series is normally well done and interesting. I highly recommend them and the Cutting Audio full cast drama audiobooks are excellent and unabridged.

Sea of Plague is the finale of what started out as a ground-breaking totally outlanders shattering novel, Talon and Fang.

Here we have Kane of the current timeline learning of his future, and what is laying in wait for him, his friends and the woman he loves, but is too pig headed to admit to it.

The novel picks up where Kane of the future is killed, but not before successfully sending the deranged dwarf Sindri, back into the past.

It's a bit confusing, but due to the fact that Sindri had been out of the time line until he was rescued by Kane, he and he alone would be able to effect the changes that would not create a whole new timeline, an alternate branch of reality.

Of course, no one believes him, until Kane of the current era goes over the disk that Sindri brought back with him. That's when it appears that Kane goes rogue, and ends up imprisoning Lakesh, and allowing Sindri to go free.

The novel has a number of difficult branches to follow, mainly involving Sam's plans for the future. Then there is the doomsday cult that wants to bring about total destruction of reality, bring on blessed entropy, an end to everything, lead by none other than BOTH Erica van Sloan and Baron Beausoleil.

The Author has really shaken things up with the novel. After reading it, the reader is left to wonder - will Lakesh betray the exiles, either intentionally or un-intentionally? Will said man hook up with the Dragon lady, Erica?

Will Kane finally stop being pig headed and admit how deeply he cares for Brigid, and visa versa? Will they finally get married, like they did in Talon and Fang?

Will they get another Manta to replace the one that had been shot down over India, in an attempt, which appeared to have been successful; to thwart Sam the Imperators plans for world domination?

What twists and turns does the author have planned for the future of the series? What can we expect from him? Considering how the series and the characters have changed over the past couple of years, you can rest assured that whatever he has planned, it's nothing that any of us would expect, and that it will be earth shattering in both magnitude, and how it effects the world that he has created.

I would be as bold to say that none of the other current writers working for GE could even come close to what he has achieved. If they could, then all of GE's series would end up being best sellers.

What can we expect?

Only time, and the author, will tell.

Sea of Plague, Book 2 of Heart of the World continues exactly where Book 1 left off. Unfortunately, while the quality of the book is still high, it's marred by some heavy recapping content that almost brings to the book to a standstill at times.

Sindri has arrived from 27 years in the future with a warning for the Cerberus warriors about the plans of Sam the Imperator to cause a global famine. The secret behind the Imperator is revealed to be an old enemy who has excelled at manipulation schemes for many hundreds of years.

Kane realizes that the only way to keep the future from coming to pass is to change as many elements in the present as possible to knock the course of time off-track just enough to derail the Imperator's intricate plan. Culminating in a final battle in a temple dedicated to tantric sex in India, Sam's victory or defeat will result in major changes to the world and the fate of humanity.

The main problem with the book is the recapping of the Sam's history. I can see where it was necessary for new readers but for veterans it became rather tedious.

However, the characterization is still strong and is one of the high points of this book and Talon and Fang. Kane has visibly grown into a leadership role and he slowly begins to accept that his actions or lack thereof actually makes a difference in the world.

Grant, the weary warrior, also comes full circle and realizes that his place is in Cerberus, despite his desire to settle down with his beloved Shizuka. Lakesh, Brigid and Domi also have interesting character bits.

The characterization of Sindri isn't quite as complex in Sea of Plague as it was in Talon and Fang, but he has to share the stage with Sam, Erica Van Sloan, Barons Sharpe and Cobalt.
Also greatly appreciated are the prominent female roles. Erica is vastly improved from the aristocratic sexpot from Far Empire and Devil In The Moon.

The insanely sadistic Baroness Beausoliel is not only a frightening villainess but she's reminiscent of a certain real-life female serial killer.

All in all, Sea of Plague wasn't as much as a breakthrough as Talon and Fang, it was still an engaging read.

SEA OF PLAGUE did what it was supposed to do, and that was to tie up loose ends in this particular storyline called: The Heart of the World.
But along the way it was almost totally destroyed by filler all through the novel, telling all of us readers for the millionth time, all that went before. This only made the story slow to a halt and make me feel kinda ripped off. Why re-read over and over in each new novel the same info dumps again and again.
Gold Eagle and the writer need to put the brakes on this formula immediately. If they feel the need to explain everything a million times, then put that filler info somewhere else, not in my ... paid book.
Tell me a new story, not the same old rehash info in each and every novel!

Sea of Plague is plagued with filler that takes up, unfortunately, nearly half the novel, leaving this particular storyline feeling flat and overburdened.
If Gold Eagle and the author want to truly make their target audience and loyal readers happy - STOP DOING THIS!
It is most annoying to re-read old and rehashed info-dumps over and over in this series - and this particular one took the cake.
I'd much rather read an unobstructed story of 200 pages than skim over pages that I've already read a million times, now.
Put this info... along with the rest - in the front of the book.
I don't want to pay full price for the same info each and every book. I hope the next installment decides to tell us a new tale...

Sea of Plague was a large disappointment after such a strong starter of last issue. My main complaint is paying full price for a novel that is almost, if not about half full of filler info-dumps of the last 25 books.
This is getting most annoying, especially here. There was so much filler inbetween scenes that it took me away from that particular event, dumbing down the story trying to be told, and dumbing down its audience.
Why not pare the damn thing down to a decent 200 pages? I'd much rather read 200 pages of a good story and not get interrupted every other paragraph of filler of stuff I've known with each and every novel.
I understand the marketing behind this, but if potential readers haven't jumped on by now, then put all that info-dump crap with the rest of the other in the front, first few pages.
This rehashing of more and more info with each and every book has been getting old for some time. With Sea of Plague, they take it way too far, destroying what storyline there was.
I felt kinda ripped off after finding myself breezing through pages of filler, time and time again, until the end, and then I felt cheated and unsatisfied.
Get ready to be inundated with backwash in this one.