The Tears of the Sun

A Novel of the Change (Emberverse Series, Book 8)

By: S. M. Stirling

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Length: 22 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

It's Change Year 25, a generation after high-energy technology died in a catastrophe most of the human race didn't survive. The children born after the Change are now starting to take center stage - and Whoever or Whatever was behind the Change itself may be taking a hand in their rivalries. An expedition has travelled to Nantucked across a strange and hostile continent to find some answers.

©2011 Steven M. Stirling (P)2011 Tantor

More history than story

This book is not terribly chock a block with action (though there some battle scenes) but the overall sense of it I got was that the author was really trying to describe more details and smaller parts of the world he has created. The overall story is advanced is advanced...somewhat. I found the description of the ins and outs of the new society to be interesting and will definitely read more but this book may not be the best thing for those who care more about "what happens next" and plotty aspects.

Personally, these books now to me are more about exploring the new created environment than the whole tried and true good v. evil storyline. Although I would like to know more about the world of those folks in Nantucket stuck in 1200 BC and how it will all tie together.

Honestly, this book is rather boring.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

First off, I love S. M. Stirling and have greatly enjoyed many of his other books. This one, though, I did not enjoy. The story was too stiffing, and the manner in which he had the story jump from one time line to another was very confusing...perhaps straight forward for a book reader but as an audio reader I found the oscillations bewildering. I can understand why he wrote this book, to tie the story together, but it felt like a boring old patchwork blanket, like the one that grandma always had on the back of her couch that smelled of mold and mildew.

This book did not engage me as many of S.M. Stirling's books have. In fact, it was so dull that my mind frequently wandered. Just as I was about to blow it off and listen to something else, something more interesting (like Barney or the Muppets) I decided to try and stick it out in hopes that it would get better. Just as I thought that I would be rewarded, just as the characters were girding up for the final climatic battle, the book ended.

Bummer does not begin to describe it.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I listened to Stephen King's 11/22/63 after Tears of the Sun, and it was great.

Have you listened to any of Todd McLaren???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Todd McLaren's performance in this novel was excellent.

Did The Tears of the Sun inspire you to do anything?

No, not unless you mean instilling a desire in me to never listen to another book in this series. This desire is similarly tempered by my desire to find out how this will all end.

Filler

this is my second time through this series. now I know why I stopped on the Nextbook because this book had aggravated me so much. it's just chock-full of flashbacks and filler that don't advance the plot 1iota. I get that he probably wanted to revisit some characters he left behind, but this was such a slow-paced way of doing that. plus if I have to hear what kind of food is being served again one more time or what sort of Court dress someone is wearing I might lose my mind. while some might really enjoy such elaborate details I felt like they really bog down the story here.

Four more books in the series?

What did you like best about The Tears of the Sun? What did you like least?

I LOVE these characters and after seven books I was hoping to get more than just a review of everything from the first seven books!

Has The Tears of the Sun turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Which scene was your favorite?

Marriage of Rudy and Maddie though it was WAY too short and lacking in specific detail. (wink wink)

Did The Tears of the Sun inspire you to do anything?

Look for quality novels that do not stretch out a series over so many stretchy "installments" without truly satisifying endings?

Any additional comments?

I am so sad because I LOVE this author and the previous novels were very good. Islands in the Sea of Time series is terrific too. Not sure if I can stay in for Given Sacrifice if this is going to be the structure...:(

Beloved Stirling...your fans would rather have ONE GREAT NOVEL than twelve mediocre ones...just sayin" !!!!!

A weak entry.

This book is the weakest entry in a quality series. While it isn't a bad book, it does not stand well on its own. The whole thing felt like a lazy way to tie up loose ends before moving on to the conclusion in the next book.

As usual, the performance was excellent.

Good, but too much buildup

A lot of buildup this time around - looking forward to some action in the next book.

Also, if I hear 'he hugged/touched/punched her, more for effect than anything because of the plate armour', or 'her water over ice voice' one more time I think I will scream. They repeat it countless times each book let alone the whole series!!!!

Nicely done.

Consistent, easy to follow and you want to go back and forth to be sure that you haven't missed a connection in a previous chapter. The occasional sound in the background is only heard with ear phones in.

Amazing

Would you listen to The Tears of the Sun again? Why?

I am in awe of S.M. Stirlings ability to create realistic story lines that are interwoven with believable characters. I like the way he sums up little things that have been previously written earlier in the series. This helps me see the character development and follow the plot. Stirling is a genius.

Which character – as performed by Todd McLaren – was your favorite?

McLaren does an excellent job. He doesn't read the book he performs it.

I love this series...but...

Any additional comments?

Waiting for the completion of this tale is agonizing. I truly love all the characters and after sailing through all the books to get to this point, I realize there's no conclusion. Because of this, I vow never again to begin a series that is not already complete. I truly can't handle waiting years between installments.

Continuation of a Good Story

worth the listen, this is a good continuation of the series. I wish there wasn't so much repeating of details though.