Customer Reviews

The War God's Own

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Many sequels fall short of the original, but this one doesn't. Weber hits the ground running and maintains his pace throughout. I had recently read "Oath of Swords" (for which see my review) and broke a cardinal rule--I pulled the sequel out of my to-be-read stack and read it out of order, I was that eager to find out what happened next! I wasn't disappointed. Weber develops his character and world to a further degree, introducing Bahzell's people (including his parents and several sibs), a female Champion of Tomanak, and a young knight-probationer who goes from priggish prejudice to a deep bond with the hradani. Also back is Wencit of Rum and, of course, Bahzell's patron, Tomanak Scale-Balancer. The author has done his research, too, as in the scenes where Bahzell visits a dwarvish settlement and sees what's clearly a blast-furnace in operation. The ending leaves room for more, and I'll be watching. Excuse me--I want to go update my Eyes listing!

I read Oath of Swords as part of my discovery of David Weber in early 96. After reading several Honor books OoS was revelation, a fun, fast light hearted fantsy read. I thought is was a experiment he wasn't to eager to follow up on. An enjoyable proof-of-concept " I can write fantsy to" kinda thing. I was absoultly stunned to see War Gods Own. I didn't know, and I try to keep up with Weber's work. Needless to say I bought right away and haven't been disappointed. The characters are likable, the story fun if predictable, and the background of the world. Wow. I hope Mr Weber returns to the world on a more regular basis. I want to see its past and its future.

Like the previous reviewer, I downloaded the preview from Baen books. I would suggest, in order to fully enjoy War God's Own, you really should read Oath of Swords (the first book) before reading War God's Own. While you might enjoy the latter, there are so many references, just in the preview, to characters and events in the first book, that I imagine it might be hard to follow what's going on. For instance, the young knight's fury over the Ballad of Bahzell Bloody-Hand, a song that Brandark began composing in the first book, is based on Bahzell's adventures in Oath of Swords (I have hopes that Mr. Weber will let us see some of these lyrics someday). And the War God had to argue long and hard in the first book to recruit Bahzell, which is also, I gather, mentioned in the song, which the young knight thinks is making fun of his order and his god. And War God's Own picks up right where Oath of Swords ends. The tone of the previous book and the preview of this one are far lighter than Honor. (Weber does not appear to be near as hard on his characters in this series as he is on those in the Honor series.) There is humor, swashbuckling adventure, a charming reluctant hero and smart-mouthed sidekick, an entertaining supporting cast of characters, villainous bad guys, and some poor sods just trying to do the best they can in a bad situation. The good guys get rewarded and the bad guys get their come-uppance. What more could you ask of a book? I like all of Weber's books, but I think I would have a real problem if both Honor Harrington and Bahzell Bahnakson came out at the same time and I had only enough money for one. I have a feeling Bahzell would win. In fact, I liked the preview so much I ordered it from Baen in the hopes that I might get it earlier than if I wait for the book to arrive at my local bookstore. (When it comes to books, I'm not very good at delayed gratification.)

This book is really top reading entertainment that doesn't bog you down with plot twists, and suprise endings. If you are looking for something fun that ends well, then this is for you. A review by Epiphyte denigrated it for those very reasons. We all have our peccadillo's, but I for one enjoy the occasional novel that allow's me to relax and not be overly concerned whether the hero/heroine is going to get out with a whole skin! David Weber writes many books like this, and they are all enjoyable. Five stars for fun!

Once more David Weber takes us to the world of the hradani, and that reluctant Champion of Tomanak, Bahzell. An enjoyable read, lighter in character than his hard SF, War God's Own picks up where Oath Of Swords left off, following Bahzell Branhakson as he continues to grow into the role of champion. My only objection is that I finished it too quickly; WGO is shorter than OOS, and while it is chock full of the swashbuckling adventure that made the first book so much fun, I was left hungry for more, much more!

David Weber's done it again. What more can you ask for but a cozy chair and a gripping tale to keep you occupied. I am getting tired of reading reviewers who expect something more from fantasy writers than a good read. When you pick up a fantasy book I hope you aren't expecting to cure all the ills of the world cause that just isn't going to happen. What you ought to expect is a story that will keep you reading and wanting more when you finish. Mr. Weber does that time and again. I'm ready for more of the hradani and Bahzel and his friends.

I love Honor and I just read some of the sample on the Baen Home Page. October seems to be forever, but there are many authors who will help pass the time until Echoes of Honor is out for the public. Mr. Weber, please keep up the good work.

First read Oath of Swords and was left feeling as if I had found a new friend. The War God's Own has more than fulfilled the promise in OOS. David Weber's books are worse than salted peanuts, and, as far as I am concerned, make good re-reads. I read Fantasy/SF for entertainment and to shut out this mundane world. It's called "escapism" and David Weber has given me a marvelous escape to a great world.

David Weber has a talent for writing military fiction. This is true of his grand works of space opera and, in this book, he proves it is true of fantasy as well. Some of his works seem like primers in grand strategy or in tactics but this is not one of those works. Its just a great military fantasy.

Fantasy implies that there will be magic involved and there is but it is understated. So too are there elves, dwarves, Halflings and the like. There is also a new race, that of the protagonist, which seems at odds with just about everyone else. They can be thought of as oversize barbarians who scare everyone. That is why it is so surprising when the war god of this creation picks him to be his champion. Nobody trusts him including the military order dedicated to the service of this god.

The war god has bigger plans and wants to stop a plot of the darker gods from gaining too much power. The champion wants to protect his people and do as the god bids.

It's a well crafted story but, most important, it is fun to read.

WOW! If you love Lord of the Rings or similar you will love this book. Tomanoak is back! And he's directing Bahzell everywhere he doen't want to go. From a school for the Nights of the Order to a massive cave systme of the dwarfs. if you like long, lengthly and detailed sagas you will adore this book. Just be thankful they don't print the lyrics for Bahzell the Bloody Handed!

With his military sf getting, frankly, too commercial, it was great to see Weber return to Bahzel and Brandark. This book once again reminded me of why I started reading this author in the first place. Forget Honor Harrington! Bahzel is just such a great character! This book just makes you want to read it all in on sitting, which is the highest praise a book can earn, isn't it? I have read both books so many times now that I've needed to replace one of them. It is great to pick up a book and ENJOY it without worrying about complex plot twists or bad guys coming out of left field. If there isn't a third book in the works...