This is the sequel to the Prince in Waiting, set in a post-apocalyptic England that has reverted to medieval tribalism. Our hero is Luke Perry (seriously), half-brother of the current Prince of Winchester. The Seers who speak for the mysterious Spirits have proclaimed that Luke will become Prince of Princes and unite the warring cities. This proclamation has caused a schism between his half-brother and has forced Luke into temporary exile.In this book, Luke is called home, forgiven by his brother thanks to the actions of his brother's wife, a follower of the unpopular Christian sect. In a show of good faith, as well as to keep Luke safe from his enemies, his brother sends him on an expedition through the Burning Lands, an uninhabitable zone of volcanic upheaval. Luke gains an appreciation for the world beyond his borders, learning yet more untoward things about the machinations of the Seers and his own destiny.It's a John Christopher book, and a sequel, so I knew what I was getting into. There's virtually no female characters to speak of, and those that are present are flat and pushed quickly into corners once they're contributed to the plot. The story as a whole is typically downbeat, interwoven with threads of deep pessimism. That said, I think this is the most action-y/adventure-y series that Christopher has written, even more so than the Tripods series, and the fantasy adventure helps keep the story from bogging down in post-apocalyptic cynicism.There are several very nice set pieces in the book, including Luke's battle with an amoeba-like creature. The culture shock Luke gets from meeting the clans beyond the Burning Lands works well. It's logical that two groups of people, separated by volcanoes, would develop two radically different cultures, and those differences are well-realized.
Negin wrote: "و؟:دی چجور بود کتاب اول؟"تو ریویوی کتاب اول نوشتم دیگه :)اینم الان سرم شلوغه بعدا یه ریویو مینوسم واسه جلد دوم :-"کلا سبک کتاب یه جورایی میشه گفت استیم پانکه ... اممم شایدم نیست :D
What do You think about Beyond The Burning Lands (1989)?
The second installment of "The Sword of the Sprits" trilogy. Unlike some series, the quality of writing of each is the same, and the story continues uninterrupted from the earlier to the third and last novel. There is an introduction, which recapitulates, but it would be far better for any new reader to begin with the first novel.At the opening of the novel, we find Luke, our protagonist, in exile, living with the High Seers, underground, in their secret HQ. This is disappointing to both him and them. He is a man of action, and they have a plan for him—the restoration of science and technology.
—Ian
