by David Weber
Part of Safehold, book 9
First published 2016
Merlin Athrawes stands on the deck of a Charisian warship, watching enemy sails appear on the horizon. The cybernetic avatar carries the memories of a woman who died over a thousand years ago on Earth. Now Merlin fights to free the world of Safehold from the Church of God Awaiting's stranglehold on human progress. The Church once seemed destined to crush the small island kingdom of Charis, which holds barely two percent of Safehold's population. But eight years of war have reversed their fortunes. King Cayleb, Crown Prince Daivyn, and the Charisian navy refused to yield. The Brethren of Saint Zherneau revealed the truth about Safehold's founding and exposed the Church as a lie built on deception. Now the Church faces defeat and desperately embraces the same forbidden technology that powered Charis to victory. The final confrontation approaches as armies and fleets gather across Safehold. Only one side can survive this ultimate test between freedom and tyranny.
Genres: science-fiction, military-fiction, adventure, fantasy, action, alternate-history
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Charis, Safehold
Period: 1000 Years in the Future
764 pages · Hardcover · Tor Books