#the emberverse

[tuulikki]

‘I wouldn’t mind learning how to do that fancy knife stuff myself. Is it Ojibwa too?’ Eric picked up the bundle of gear; Havel liked that, and the absence of pouting. ‘Nah, Karelian,’ he replied genially. ‘Force Recon refined my technique, but Dad taught me the basics of – he tapped the knife – ‘the puukko.’ ‘Karelian?’ Eric asked. ‘Eastern Finland, or it used to be – where the poets and shamans and knife-waving crazies came from. Farther west you get Tvastlanders, who’re so dull they might as well be Swedes like you.’ ‘I’m Yankee on Mom’s side – English.’ ‘Well, I’m sorry for you and all, but wouldn’t it be better to keep that quiet?’

Dies The Fire, S.M. Stirling

Mike Havel is such a gift.

Emberverse Re-read 2k18: A Better Apocalypse | Books | Tag

[tuulikki]

Those who’d finished set gear by and rested quietly; a few lovers went aside-they might be dead this time tomorrow-and others played cards, tossed dice, or told stories. She heard a snatch of that: “…and then he said as the outlaw turned at bay: ‘This is the most powerful war bow in the clan, and even I can’t hold the draw forever. So tell me, punk, do you feel lucky?’”

The Protector’s War, S.M. Stirling

Because even after the collapse of civilization, some lines are still just too badass to die.

Emberverse Re-read 2k18: A Better Apocalypse | Books | Tag

[tuulikki]

The Signs as Emberverse Factions

Aries: Norrheim

Taurus: Scouts of the Morrowland Pack

Gemini: City-State of Corvallis

Cancer: Clan Mackenzie

Leo: Central Oregon Ranchers' Association

Virgo: United States of Boise

Libra: Lakota Tunwan

Scorpio: The Portland Protective Association

Sagittarius: Dúnedain Rangers

Capricorn: Knights of the Order of the Shield of St. Benedict

Aquarius: Bearkillers

Pisces: Chenrezi Monastery

[tuulikki]

The others saw him as he stumbled down the stairs, bleeding from nose and ears and eyes and mouth. The sheathed form of the Sword lay across his palms. He met their eyes, and choked out: 'Remember. Remember, all of you. Most of all you, Matti, anamchara, beloved.' Mathilda's voice was infinitely gentle: 'Remember what, my darling?' 'That I was a man, before I was King. Remember for me, when I forget.' His hand closed on the black double-lobed hilt, and the moonfire in the opal glowed. He drew the Sword, thrust it high. And screamed as pain beyond all bearing ripped through him like white fire, turning his body to a thing of ash and smoke. He screamed, and knew.

The Sword of the Lady, by S.M. Stirling

Screw anti-heroes: give me heroes who face their duty and destiny and accept it because it is the right thing to do, even if they have to sacrifice themselves to save others.

This is why I hold that S.M. Stirling is a true disciple of Tolkien, and of all that Tolkien loved himself.

[tuulikki]

Why is it that guys who think they're the Master Race always look like walking advertisements for retroactive abortion?

Dies the Fire Mike Havel is one of my favourite P.O.V. characters in this series. What a way with words.

[tuulikki]

The beaters came down through the last of the brush, making a lot less noise than they had when they were driving the sounder of swine, and the dogs with them set up a joyful wuffing and leaping, roughly translatable from canine as: 'We killed something, hot damn, boss, that smells good, let's eat!'

The Protector's War, by S.M. Stirling

Doges will be doges.