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A review by wouterk
An Autumn War by Daniel Abraham
5.0
The best book in the quartet until now. Abraham continues to capture life, growth and the things that matter so well. I rarely read an author doing as good a job at it.
In this book we again meet Otah and Maati, but now they are in their 40s. Also Liat makes an entrance again as well, as does Kiyan. Given the title and start of the prologue, I do not consider it a spoiler that in this book the covert conflict between the Galt and the Khaiem comes to an overt clash. The book follows these characters but also the Galtic general Balasar as the war is prepared and finds a resolution. A heart-wrenching, supsenseful and fascinating resolution. I hate I cannot say more about it, but I would not want to spoil the story for anyone.
I will say that Abraham does all perspectives justice. Also the stakes and perspective of both sides in the war. Anybody who read the first two books will know that the Galts are generally a very brutal and military dominant country. However, the Khaiem have the Andat and they can destroy a nation in the blink of an eye. They use it to keep the peace but they are also the greatest threat in the world. It takes one deranged Khai or poet and the world will crumble like the first and second empire.
A very central theme is that of parenthood. We see perspectives from different life stages on how people experience having kids, or not having the opportunity to be there for their kids or even the inability to have kids. Since it is war of course the grief that comes with losing a son or daughter also receives attention.
As you might expect there is more action in this book than in its predecessors. What was wonderful to see that Abraham really writes the action in a war well. He is less detailed than others, but dives into tactics and how individuals experience the battles. Some very interesting tactics and also with a lot of eye for detail what happens if you have brilliant people who have not needed to field an army for centuries.
Can't say any more without spoiling. So have fun!
In this book we again meet Otah and Maati, but now they are in their 40s. Also Liat makes an entrance again as well, as does Kiyan. Given the title and start of the prologue, I do not consider it a spoiler that in this book the covert conflict between the Galt and the Khaiem comes to an overt clash. The book follows these characters but also the Galtic general Balasar as the war is prepared and finds a resolution. A heart-wrenching, supsenseful and fascinating resolution. I hate I cannot say more about it, but I would not want to spoil the story for anyone.
I will say that Abraham does all perspectives justice. Also the stakes and perspective of both sides in the war. Anybody who read the first two books will know that the Galts are generally a very brutal and military dominant country. However, the Khaiem have the Andat and they can destroy a nation in the blink of an eye. They use it to keep the peace but they are also the greatest threat in the world. It takes one deranged Khai or poet and the world will crumble like the first and second empire.
A very central theme is that of parenthood. We see perspectives from different life stages on how people experience having kids, or not having the opportunity to be there for their kids or even the inability to have kids. Since it is war of course the grief that comes with losing a son or daughter also receives attention.
As you might expect there is more action in this book than in its predecessors. What was wonderful to see that Abraham really writes the action in a war well. He is less detailed than others, but dives into tactics and how individuals experience the battles. Some very interesting tactics and also with a lot of eye for detail what happens if you have brilliant people who have not needed to field an army for centuries.
Can't say any more without spoiling. So have fun!