Book Review: The Protector's War by S. M. Stirling

Quick Review: The Protector's War by S. M. Stirling
Published 2005 by ROC
Genre: Post Apocalyptic/Action Adventure/Science Fiction/Fantasy
Bob's Thoughts: A fully detailed and realized post apocalyptic world with plenty of characters to root for and lots of action. It does suffer from a minor case of "second book syndrome" but moves the story along nicely.
Available at your local booksellers.
Bob's Grade: B

You can find my review of the first book in the series "Dies the Fire" here.

Full Review:

The sequel to the Stirling’s post apocalyptic novel Dies the Fire starts off in an odd place, England. It’s been eight years since some unknown force for some unknown reason decided to flip the switch on our lovely planet's ability to use most of its 20th Century technology (electricity, guns, etc.). In Dies the Fire we follow the people that the Change has affected in a pretty limited area, mostly Oregon and parts of Idaho, so to open half way across the world to see the Change in effect in England was a bit of a surprise. There, the change has had similar effects, causing mass chaos and death before a few enterprising soldiers helped the Royal Family escape, and later brought them back to reestablish order. And now, one of the key soldiers who helped pull the nation out of chaos is being rewarded by being imprisoned for dare suggesting that little things like Parliament be restored.

The more things change.

Thus starts The Protector’s War. Nigel Loring, said soldier, is rescued and begins an exciting and adventure filled journey, past cannibals and pirates to a more familiar setting, Post Change’s Williamette Valley. Meanwhile, in the Williamette, there hasn’t been much of a change in the tensions between the harsh Overloard The Protector, and his rival heads of states, The Bear Killer’s Mike Havel, and everyone’s favorite Wiccan Clan Chieftain Juniper McKenzie. Yet, things haven’t been totally static, families and communities have grown, and the lands overseen by our more malevolent leaders are thriving, through hard work and cooperation.

Yet, the tensions are still there and everyone knows a War is coming. Despite the title, the War isn’t exactly imminent, but it’s not exactly far in the future either. In the Bear Killer Camp, Lord Bear aka Mike Havel is becoming increasingly frustrated both on the home front and with the state of affairs. Despite increasing signs of aggression, many of Havel’s allies are hesitant, while at home, it is becoming increasingly obvious to his wife, that young Rudi MacKenzie, Juniper’s 9 year old son, is also the son of the Bear Killer chief.

The Mackenzies themselves are feeling the pressure of approaching war, while dealing with the Harvest. The Clan Chieftain is struggling with her ingrained distain for violence and warfare, despite it’s necessity, and her knowledge that a proactive strike is needed. Yet, there are people suffering within the Protector’s territory, and she uses this excuse as an opportunity to send a message, or more precisely, a bit of as slap in The Lord Protector's face.

What follows is a series of skirmishes between what is simply the forces of good, and the forces of evil. There is little in the ways of ambiguity here in Stirling’s exciting and fast paced second novel in the series. The Protector is evil, plain and simple, and it doesn’t take long for most people to realize that. Not even our English friend Nigel Loring, who coincidentally (although many character’s in this book point out there are no such things as coincidences) ends up with a group inspecting the Protectorate for chemical weapons that were left behind after the change.

One of the ironies of the book is that, despite the title, The Protector and the upcoming war are minor characters in this book. In reality, like Dies the Fire, but on a different scale, this is about communities. The leaders of the opposing clans must find a way to bring order and stability within their community while preparing for a war with a potential stronger opponent. Basically, Mike and Juniper know that in order for them to have a chance in this war, they most get their own houses in order, and create something worth fighting for. Havel deals with the issues of family, while bringing the battle to a band of roving bandits being supported secretly by The Protector.

What impressed me most about this book was the way Stirling handled potential political issues within the framework of his story. Unlike some author’s he never tries to exploit scenarios to make a political statement. It would be easy to turn this into a thinly disguised ficdtionalization of current events, but he never stoops to that level. Even the religious scenes of the Wicca religion, which dominate this book, are drawn with love, yet with enough of a skeptical voice to prevent this from becoming the Wiccan version of Left Behind.

The Protector’s War suffers a bit from the second book syndrome. This is definitely a set up book, a bridge between two major events, the Change and the potential Williamette War between the aligned states and The Protector. The story lines at times seem a bit scattershot, but in the end they are all pulled together nicely. Including the British subplot, and giving us a small glimpse of the world beyond Orgegon, was a pleasant surprise, and a stroke of genius by the writer. In the end, this was a well written, fully detailed novel, full of developed character and a story that leave you wanting more. While not as complete or compelling as Dies the Fire, it is a good second step in the development of the story.

Check out S. M. Stirling's website.