A Mighty Fortress

Safehold Series, Book 4

By: David Weber

Narrated by: Jason Culp

Length: 35 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Young Cayleb Ahrmahk has accomplished things few people could even dream of. Not yet even thirty years old, he’s won the most crushing naval victories in human history. He’s smashed a hostile alliance of no less than five princedoms and won the hand of the beautiful young Queen Sharleyan of Chisholm. Cayleb and Sharleyan have created the Charisian Empire, the greatest naval power in the history of Safehold, and they’ve turned Charis into a place of refuge for all who treasure freedom.

Their success may prove short-lived. The Church of God Awaiting, which controls most of Safehold, has decreed their destruction. Mother Church’s entire purpose is to prevent the very things to which Charis is committed. Since the first attempt to crush the heretics failed, the Church has no choice but to adopt some of the hated Charisian innovations for themselves. Soon a mighty fleet will sail against Cayleb, destroying everything in its path.But there are still matters about which the Church knows nothing, including Cayleb and Sharleyan’s adviser, friend, and guardian— the mystic warrior-monk named Merlin Athrawes. Merlin knows all about battles against impossible odds, because he is in fact the cybernetic avatar of a young woman named Nimue Alban, who died a thousand years before. As Nimue, Merlin saw the entire Terran Federation go down in fire and slaughter at the hands of a foe it could not defeat. He knows that Safehold is the last human planet in existence, and that the stasis the Church was created to enforce will be the human race’s death sentence if it is allowed to stand.The juggernaut is rumbling down on Charis, but Merlin Athrawes and a handful of extraordinary human beings stand in its path. The Church is about to discover just how potent the power of human freedom truly is.

Listen to more in the Safehold series.

©2010 David Weber (P)2010 Macmillan Audio

Interesting but long

The story remains interesting but at times the politics and the pace between action begin to wear. Still enjoying the series but it can be a slog. While each of the narrators has been very good, the changing voices are a bit frustrating.

Solid but not quite as exciting

Well written, but clearly a "middle book" of a large series.

Good guys starting to seem invincible. There isn't any doubt about who is going to win, and it feels a little like we're killing time until that certain victory.

Great story!

Another great book in an excellent series by the master of blending military history with sci-if, award-winning author David Weber!

You get to know the people, their joys and pain

Sci Fi and history mixed in a story writ large. I enjoy the action and the detailed settings behind the action

Much better than people are saying...

This book is actually very consistant with the rest of the Safehold series. Weber writes complex fiction, and this one is no different. Other than the fact that characters are frequently "staring at something only they can see" or "giving themselves a shake" (both of which got old). I thought it was a great book and well worth it.

incredible performance of an incredible story.

this series is great. Weber captures the imagination and emotions of the readers. historical basis to the story are awesome.

A Slow Burn

I listen to audio books a few hours a day, but it still took me a while to finish this one. This book is definitly less action and more world building. Politics weigh heavy and battles are few in between. However if you're one for strategy you will enjoy this one. Onto the next book in the series for me!

Wow Great book

If you could sum up A Mighty Fortress in three words, what would they be?

Tour de force

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Mighty Fortress?

The closing battle with the use of the new cannon shells

What does Jason Culp bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good characters voices

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Epic

Any additional comments?

Keep writing I will keep reading!!

horrible reader but great book

horrible reader but I know he was dropped after this. it is still a great book

Not sure what prompted the change of narrator but I’m not complaining

I love this series and it is a blast to hear it acted out. Not certain why the narrator was changed, I enjoyed the former narrator’s rendition of the characters, but I also feel the new narrator’s take on them is equally enjoyable. Not complaining in the least either way.