A Meeting at Corvallis (Emberverse Series #3)

by S. M. Stirling

Overview

“A major work by an authentic master of alternate history.” – Booklist (Starred Review)
           
In the tenth year of the Change, the survivors in western Oregon live in a world without technology. Michael Havel’s Bearkillers hold the lands west of Salem in peace and order. To the east, the Clan Mackenzie flourishes under the leadership of Juniper Mackenzie, bard and High Priestess.
           
Together, they have held Norman Arminger—the warlord of Portland—at bay. With his dark fantasies of a neofeudal empire, Arminger rules much of the Pacific Northwest, spreading fear with his knights, castles, and holy inquisition. Even more dangerous, and perhaps Arminger’s most powerful weapon of all, is his ruthlessly cunning consort, Lady Sandra.
           
These factions haven’t met in battle because Arminger’s daughter has fallen into Clan Mackenzie’s hands. But Lady Sandra has a plan to retrieve her—even if it means plunging the entire region into open warfare…

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780451461667
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/04/2007
Series:	A Novel of the Change , #3
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	640
Sales rank:	94,081
Product dimensions:	4.20(w) x 6.72(h) x 1.38(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

S. M. Stirling is the New York Times bestselling author of many science fiction and fantasy novels, including the Novels of the Change (including Prince of Outcasts, The Desert and the Blade, The Golden Princess, The Given Sacrifice, Lord of Mountains) and the Shadowspawn series (A Taint in the Blood, The Council of Shadows, Shadows of Falling Night).

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Comes up to Stirling's highest standards for pacing, world building, action, and strong characterizations, particularly of women." —-Booklist Starred Review

Editorial Reviews

A major work by an authentic master of alternate history.” – Booklist (Starred Review)

“Grand and resonant.” – Science Fiction Weekly

“[The story] resembles one of the cavalry charges the novel describes—gorgeous, stirring, and gathering such earth-pounding momentum that it’s difficult to resist.” – Publishers Weekly

“A rousing finale to a strong trilogy.” – Alternate Worlds

“A richly realized story of swordplay and intrigue.” – Entertainment Weekly

From the Publisher

The Barnes & Noble Review
A Meeting at Corvallis is the final installment of S. M. Stirling's riveting alternate history trilogy that began with Dies the Fire and The Protector's War. The story is set in the world that the island of Nantucket left behind in 1998's cult classic Island in the Sea of Time, an Earth devastated by a mysterious storm that caused modern technologies of all kinds -- electricity, telephones, combustion engines, etc. -- to simply stop working.

It's been ten years since "the Change," and while the majority of the population is dead or dying, there are pockets of humanity that have adapted to their primitive world and begun to create new societies from the ashes of the old. In America's Northwest, three very different groups have managed to thrive. Former Marine Michael Havel and his Bearkillers have created a successful military-inspired culture. Folk musician and Wiccan priestess Juniper Mackenzie has established a peaceable pagan clan based on ethics, ritual, and hard work. But former history professor Norman Arminger (a.k.a. the Lord Protector) has dreams of building a sprawling neo-feudal empire, and nothing -- and no one -- will stand in his way…

Fans of high-end alternate history sagas like Robert Silverberg's Roma Eterna and Eric Flint and David Drake's Belisarius sequence should definitely check out this wildly thought-provoking Stirling trilogy, which features elements of postapocalyptic thriller, military-powered fiction, and sociological speculation. How much does technology define who we are? What really is the basis of our civilization? Readers may or may not agree with Stirling's vision, but one thing is guaranteed: hours and hours of lively discussion afterward. Paul Goat Allen

Stirling concludes his alternative history trilogy that began with Dies the Fire (2004) in high style. Some U.S. survivors of "the Change" that destroyed all modern technology just want to enjoy balanced, wholesome lives in tune with nature, such as former Marine Mike Havel's Bearkillers, who warily defend their territory in cooperation with peace-loving neighbors, especially Juniper MacKenzie's pagan clansfolk. Not far away, however, ex-history professor Norman Arminger is building a fascistic, neofeudal empire with himself as Lord Protector. The inevitable conflict builds, through layers of scheming and skirmishing, into full-scale war. Characters are cut from good quality cardboard, but the real interest lies in watching the different cultures exploring ways to solve problems. The story begins slowly, with detailed descriptions of scenery and armor. But readers will discover that the massive thing is moving after all and realize how much it resembles one of the cavalry charges the novel describes-gorgeous, stirring and gathering such earth-pounding momentum that it's difficult to resist. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

A decade after the Change destroyed technology and sent human civilization reeling back into the Dark Ages, several independent realms have arisen. Corvallis maintains a university and prospers from its riverboat and horse-drawn railroad trade; Michael Havel and his Bearkillers preserve peace and order near what was Salem, OR; and the old religion's High Priestess, Juniper MacKenzie, governs the clan that bears her name. Only the medieval-style Lord Protector Norman Arminger, with his army of knights and his dreams of expanding his hold over the entire Pacific region, offers a challenge to the peaceful coexistence of multiple communities. Stirling's third volume in his alternate history trilogy (The Protector's War; Dies the Fire) provides a fascinating glimpse into a future transformed by the lack of easy solutions to both human and technological dilemmas. For libraries of all sizes. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Border hostilities have been building for some time as the warlord of Portland tries to expand his empire throughout the post-change Pacific Northwest Territory. The prior books in this series provide valuable background in the development of the distinct cultures and tensions that are at play in this volume. Todd McLaren returns with a calm narration, interspersed with faster-paced, intense descriptions of skirmishes and major military confrontations. McLaren draws on a rich store of accents to create the characteristics and personalities of the separate cultures that have emerged. He moves smoothly between dialogue, internal monologues and asides, graphic description of battles, and detached observation of political intrigue. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2008 - AudioFile