The Protector's War

A Novel of the Change

By: S. M. Stirling

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Length: 21 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

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 renown. Their closest ally, the mystical Clan MacKenzie, is led by Wiccan folksinger Juniper MacKenzie. Their leadership has saved countless lives.

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

Unknown to both factions, however, is the imminent arrival of a ship from Tasmania bearing British soldiers.

©2005 S. M. Sterling (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Stirling's blending of fiction and history produces a strange, hybrid civilization, in which the confrontation between warlord and mystic is viscerally satisfying." ( Booklist)
"Readers who relish a battle between the forces of light and darkness...are in for a rousing good time." ( Science Fiction Weekly)

Great story, but someone needs to edit the narrato

I love the entire Emberverse series, but the the narrator, good as he is, is distracting. His mispronunciations, e.g., "barred" for "bared," are painful and interruptive.

A wonderful tale

The one thing I love about this series is you can see it in your mind while it’s being read. Having been multiple years since I last read it , doesn’t change how good I think this Emberverse is and wanting to catch back up book 6

The narrator/performer makes the story

This is definitely entertaining for those of us that are apoc post apoc fans. And once in a while a story of this genre is good enough to refer or encourage in general to other readers. I however happen to a huge fan of this particular narrator. This guy has a huge range and has worked like crazy the last several years. I’d pretty much listen/read any of his work. He does stuff on YouTube different channels so ya. I like the story and the performance makes it all the better.

Location name pronunciations need work

I loved the story, and have been addicted to listening to it at every given opportunity. my only MAJOR complaint is Todd McLaren's lack of knowledge on pronunciations of locations. The PNW is full of Native American inspired names, and therefore, most often don't follow Spanish pronunciation patterns.

an hour at a time

I enjoyed this book very much but I could only listen to it for about an hour while driving to and from work once a week. The speaker did well with his various voices. I have purchased the next book in the series so obviously it was good enough.

Quite a great read, the story Contiues 4 the best!

I'm quite excited for this series. every part is better and better. there really building the charcter devoplent.

Great book, decent reading, just a few bits off.

The story is good and the reader does a decent job. He can do enough accents and the like to make you feel the different characters. However, some of his accents are off enough for a main character or two that it throw things off.

once again pronunciation

once again awkward and just plain wrong pronunciation ruins my ability to get lost in the book.

love this series

read before in paper back now I'm buying digital copies for long drives. great series

great books

I decided to re read the die the fire series and I am so glad that I did. its been about 15 years since my last read. I have not been able to put it down and I enjoy the narrative performance. a lot of people complain about Juniper voice and accent but the book mentions her accent and evwn goes so far to habe her explain it to other characters...... so to me, it seems right. I have even pleased all around woth the story and the narration. Thank you S M Stirling.