The Protector’s War

by S.M. Stirling

ROC, 496 pages, $24.95

From the inside cover “It’s been eight years since the Change rendered technology inoperable across the globe. Rising from the ashes of the computer and industrial ages is a brave new world. Survivors have banded together in tribal communities, committed to rebuilding society. In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, former pilot Michael Havel’s Bearkillers are warriors of great reknown. Their closest ally, the mystical Clan Mackenzie, is led by Wiccan folksinger Juniper Mackenzie, the Queen of Witches. Their leadership has saved countless lives.

But not every leader has altruistic aspiration. Norman Arminger, a medieval historian and scholar rules the Protectorate. He has enslaved civilians, built an army, and spread his forces from Portland and throughout most of western Washington State. Now he wants the Willamette Valley farmland, and he’s willing to wage war to conquer it.

And unknown to both Northwest Pacific factions is the imminent arrival of a ship from Tasmania bearing British soldiers...”

This book takes up the story about 8 years after the Change. Juniper and Clan Mackinzie are welcoming newcomers to their area, the Bearkillers under Mike’s leadership are building a strong society and while Mike is enjoying fatherhood, his wife Signe is beginning to have suspicions about the parentage of Juniper’s son Rudi. On the “evil overlord” front: Lord Protector Norman Arminger is gearing up to invade their lands and add them to his empire.

Added to the mix is Sir Nigel Loring, former SAS colonel. The book begins in England where the Change has caused the same type of mass chaos, disease and conflict as we found in the Pacific Northwest. Loring was one a band of soldiers who helped the Royal Family escape and subsequently return to establish order but when he suggested that Parliament be restored he was imprisoned. Escaping from prison, Loring, his son Alleyne and Sergeant John Hordle travel to the Willamette Valley in a journey that takes them past pirates and cannibals as well as giving the reader an idea of how the rest of the world outside the Willamette Valley is dealing with the Change. Once there the Englishmen meet the three major survivor groups and join in the preparations for the coming war.

The characters have grown since the previous book, the action moves along at a nice pace, the various plot lines and characters are followed leading to the ending which sets up the next book in the series, A Meeting at Corvallis. My one quibble with the book is the rather graphic (and more than one) descriptions of dogs and horses being killed. Call me silly but that bothered me and made it hard for me to finish the book. However, even with that problem I find myself wanting to know more about the future of Michael, Signe, Juniper, Astrid and the rest. - Stephanie L Bannon