War Maid’s Choice

War God, Book 4

By: David Weber

Narrated by: Nick Sullivan

Length: 23 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

In Wind Rider’s Oath, Bahzell became a wind rider - the first hradani wind rider in history. And, even if Bahzell is the War God’s champion, because the wind riders are the elite of the elite among the Sothoii, Bahzell’s ascension is as likely to stir resentment as respect. What’s more, Baron Tellian’s daughter, the heir to the realm, seems to be thinking that he is the only man - or hradani - for her. Now, War Maid’s Choice continues the story - and things really get complicated.

©2012 Words of Weber, Inc. (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“... irresistibly entertaining....” (Publishers Weekly)

“...fun adventure full of noble steeds, fierce female fighters, dark sorcery, serious swordplay, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek banter.” (Locus)

“...when Weber gets down to action, he’s hard to beat... a rollicking adventure that kept me turning the pages.” (SF Review Central)

# 4 Good, and I want more.

I don't often write reviews as my tastes don't have to meet other's standards. I started to enjoy Mr. Weber's books when I picked up the first Safehold book. I've been a fan ever since. At that time I was looking for lots of action to relax with. While Safehold din't have the action I thought I wanted, This War God Series gets "5 stars" in that part. I'm a teacher, and it's my policy to NOT give any 100%s for work done by anyone especially me. ( I figure there's always room for improvement.) Still, I have to admit that much of my personal "book" budget goes for his Titles. This guy makes really good universes and really believable people to put in them. I'm looking forward to many, many more Weber-World books. So, far I've found all his books well written, and haven't had much complaint about the narration (some of the accents seem too contrived for me and get in the way of the story.) but that's NOT Mr.Weber's fault, I think. If you've ever liked anything else by Mr. Weber you should like this book a lot. So, far this series rates TWO Ears and a Tail from me.

Overdrive

Weber has "run the gears" in books one through three, and now he's racing down the freeway here in book four. The reader also seems very comfortable in his role; together, they're smooth as a luxury sedan doing ninety. This book is not only entertaining, but quite satisfying. Unfortunately, it caps the story nicely, so the author may not get back to this series for years :-(

David Weber does it again.

Whether it's space opera or fantasy, David Weber is a past master at creating worlds with complete ecologies, political systems, economic systems and cultural underpinnings to hang them on.

Read or listen to the first two or three books in the series before you listen to this though. Otherwise, it probably will not be nearly as enjoyable.

Better and Better

I am more of a contemporary sci fi reader/listener. However, a friend told me about this series. Did not want to waist my time with a Lord of the Rings wannabe. However, imagine my surprise when I "forced" myself to buy the first one. You know the rest of the story. Outside of LOR, this is a really great story with an exceptional narrator. Each book expands the story and you start to get a picture of where it is going. This brings me to my rating of book 4. Weber does a great job in developing additional characters without loosing the original characters in the story line. And WOW, the battles... I am really looking forward to book 5, 6, etc...

Been Waiting for years

A few positive and negative scenes balance the book
and despite it's length, I never got bored

very enjoyable series

loved it but there are still a few loose ends...is there another book in the future?

Well Worth the Time

This sequel continues the series with even more memorable battle scenes. The narrator as usual does an excelent job. He did not distract me with his narration of the book instead he added to my enjoyment of it. Major changes occur and this book is a must read for fans of the series.

Too much talking not enough doing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Have you ever been in a meeting at work and felt like it was a waste of time? That's how a good portion of War Maid's Choice feels. You listen in on characters having meetings about doing "important stuff". You listen in on characters listening in on other characters have meetings about doing "important stuff". Unfortunately a lot of that stuff isn't so important, and you get the feeling that these characters just like to hear themselves talk.

If you’ve listened to books by David Weber before, how does this one compare?

This book is similar to other Weber books in that it is more about the planing than the doing. While that's been a minor complaint of mine for the most part, starting with the last book Wind Rider's Oath, it's become increasingly distracting to the point where now I find it difficult to finish War Maid's Choice.

No I haven't finished it yet. I think maybe this because the stakes seem so small. Some people want a canal built while others don't. Yes I know there are larger implications but it really doesn't feel like it.

Have you listened to any of Nick Sullivan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to prior books in the series and he does an excellent job as usual. Too many of of the characters sound overly smug and stuck on themselves, but that's the fault of the story not him.

Any additional comments?

Maybe I'm getting burnt out on Weber's style of writing but I think I'm done with him for now. However if you like this series I can also recommend the Prince Roger series Weber coauthored with John Ringo. Although I'd suggest that you stop at book 3 in that 4 book series as the last book suffers a drop in quality and isn't really needed.

I'm not so sure ... you should spend a credit.

I quite enjoy Weber's books and his series. I read the first books in this series quite some time ago and enjoyed the world he created and the characters who inhabit it. Restrained use of magic. Hooray for horse-stealers and gods who are NOT all-knowing.

That said, this book is a slog to listen to. There are many bit players with names that sound confusingly similar. Without the ability to flip back to remind myself if this is the same person who did x in chapter n, the story line gets lost.

I usually enjoy Weber's rather slow plot developments and savor the details that give his worlds their depth. Here the pace plods. The numerous refresher courses on the economic of building a canal are and why those who will lose revenue are mad is ... boring. I've even taken to skipping the bad guys' dialogues.

Surely Weber must be rich enough to hire a good editor. Wait until this one comes out in paperback or borrow a copy from the library.

I couldn't get through it.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The plot is just too slow to develop, endless, irrelevant character descriptions, lack of surprises, and overall a too perfect hero.

I listened through about the first third of the book and gave up.

Has War Maid’s Choice turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. I think I am done with Weber however.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The performance was fine, perhaps a little campy with an overdone accent, but it was the slow plot development not the narration that I had problems with.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. It is rare that I just give up on a series or author, but it is clear to me Weber just can't get to the point.