The Sky-Blue Wolves

By: S.M. Stirling

Narrated by: Todd McClaren

Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

The epic conclusion to the New York Times best-selling Change series set in a turbulent post-apocalyptic world in which humans have rebuilt society after the collapse of advanced technology.

Two generations after the Change, Crown Princess Orlaith struggles to preserve the hard-won peace her father brought to Montival - the former Western US. But the Change opened many doors, and through them, powers strong, strange, and terrible walk once more among humankind.

With her fire-forged friend and ally Japanese Empress Reiko, Orlaith must take up her sword to stop the spread of the mad malignancy behind the Yellow Raja that has imprisoned her brother, Prince John.

From the emerging superpower of Mongolia, the Sky-Blue Wolves of the High Steppe ride once more beneath the banners of Genghis Khan - the thunder of their hooves resounding across a world in turmoil.

©2018 S.M. Stirling (P)2018 Recorded Books

dissatisfied

for a well to put together and elaborate series the ending felt rushed and vague

Like a going away party for your best friend

I was hesitant to get this at first, knowing it was the conclusion. I loved this series like few others, and it was almost like the looming date for my best friend’s going away party; you’re sad for the occasion, but know you’ll regret not going to wish your buddy luck and farewell. You’re excited for their new endeavors, but afraid the experience will be marred by your selfish feelings of loss.

Well, let me tell you, SM Stirling can throw a HELL of a party, one that makes you forget it’s maybe the last time you’ll see them and cheer for everyone in attendance.

From minute one, the action and narrative is in full force. The book manages to recap nearly 50 years of (alternative) history while still driving the current narrative at breakneck speed. The fights are intense and detailed, the cultures are exotic and incredibly distinct, and yes, every meal is mouth-wateringly depicted. The battle strategies and politicking still made my mouth drop, even after I thought I’d figured everything out.

As big as all the other books were, this one felt MASSIVE. From what started as a few people in a cabin and the mountains of Idaho turned into a truly global affair. From moose-eating Vikings in the Northeastern reaches of the US, to Lakota horsemen (and women!) in the Great Plains, to Maori warriors and Australian pirates (and a few others I’ll leave out for fear of spoilers), every culture felt real and fleshed out. It’s not every author that can write a book where cowboys and Indians with machetes work together to form a light cavalry screen so that Norman knights and samurai can get ready for a charge & seem believable, but Stirling certainly does.

In short, the book was wonderful, and serves as a fitting end to the series. I certainly hope I’ll see another book in the series, but if I don’t, I’ll still feel happy knowing that the Changed world goes on.

disappointing end to a great series

This edition lacked plot depth most of the other books in the change series had. first half was slow building, and the 2nd half just rushed to the end.

A Disappointing Conclusion

When I read the summary, and found out this was the last novel of the Change series, I had a feeling I would be disappointed, and I was. To not get any glimpse of the far-future of this universe was truly frustrating. More so, even, than the Island in the Sea of Time series conclusion. You could tell that the author was just “done” with this story and just wanted it over with.

The finale chapter of a magnificent series.

It's always bittersweet when a story you've been reading for more than a decade can't to a close, but Stirling ends this one with a bang. I left wanting more.

Disappointing finish to a good series

Very disappointed in the ending of this book. With a heart pounding beginning and an equally interesting Mongol story line, I really thought Stirling was setting the scene for a epic show down of armies, fighting styles, good gods vs evil etc etc. But no, he chose the easy way out using the same "spirit walking" that made some of the other books drag. For someone so gifted in writing battles and capturing the human emotions of war I can't understand his choice.....The narrator was OK. He struggled somewhat with female voices and his pronunciations of certain words were different from what I expected having read (but not listened to) all the other books. Again I enjoyed the series but was left wanting by the end of the book.....

wow an epic tale to be sure,

spell binding after a dozen or so books the story is still fresh and exciting, thr in depth thought into even the daily life of thr characters is mind boggling

Good But Rushed

I have loved listening to all of The Change novels but this one felt kind of rushed. The cover of the book says that this is the final novel of The Change so I guess he's ready to move on. There was very little character development of the new characters and not a whole lot reasons why the existing characters acted the way that they do other than it was fated. An enjoyable read but the writer is obviously done and ready to move on .

I'm sorry but...

You know, for such a dynamic series where you can get wrapped up in character's lives, this conclusion was underwhelming.
Mr. Stirling owed it to this epic to write a better conclusion. Oh well, such a bummer

Because This Is Life, and Life Must Be Lived

With Sky-Blue Wolves, SM Stirling Ends the Emberverse Series
The Two Princesses, Now Reign as Queens, each, hold their Swords of Power.
Together they sail east to do battle with The Evil Lords of Korea.
Years of repeated attack. Have kept the remnants of the Japanese Nation, Fighting for their lives, unable to grow.
Now, The Evil Lords of Korea will face the anger and strength of Montival and all her allies.
Japan is hungry for revenge, along with Hawaii, and the Australian Nations.
All This power should be enough to win.
Then arrives the Sky-Blue Wolves of the Mongols. They are retaking the lands of their Historical Past.
Prince John, Returns from his adventure having almost lost life and limb. When his ship is blown halfway Around the World. With him comes His almost a Pirate Bride. Who finds herself part of a Royal Family, unlike anything she might have expected...What a fitting end to a World Class Set of Stories
If your not a FAN you most start with Dies The Fire. It lays the foundation for this New-Old World
Called Emberverse. We who have made the trip would not have missed it. I personally Reenlist every year or so and take this wonderful trip again. A Great Series never Loses its grip, It will always return you to the same action. the same life or death struggle. Yes, you will Mourn the Dead, Laugh with the Living, Cry with the Sorrowful.
Because that is Life and Life must be Lived, and all Life Comes to Its End