by David Weber
Part of Safehold, book 7
First published 2014
Merlyn Athrawes, the cybernetic avatar of an ancient warrior, watches as his carefully laid plans face their greatest test. The island empire of Charis has broken free from the Church of God Awaiting and embraced steam technology, but the Church strikes back with overwhelming force. Armies march across Safehold while Merlyn struggles with the mounting casualties his rebellion has caused. The Church's vast resources and military might threaten to crush the independence movement he has fostered. More nations join Charis, yet each victory costs lives that weigh heavily on Merlyn's conscience. The alien threat that originally drove humanity to hide on Safehold remains distant, but the immediate war for human freedom intensifies. Merlyn must balance his role as strategist, counselor, and warrior while confronting the personal toll of leading humanity toward its destiny.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, action, alternate-history
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, found-family
Setting: Charis, Safehold
Period: future
672 pages · Hardcover · Tor Books
Content warnings: violence