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Amtrak Wars #4
Blood River
THE AMTRAK WARS
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLE OF THE ULTIMATE STRUGGLE TO RULE EARTH
The epic narrative that began with CLOUD WARRIOR continues to unfold. On the snow-swept overground, Steve, Cadillac and Clearwater meet with triumph and disaster as they try to evade the clutches of both the Iron Masters and the First Family. The samurai of Ne-lssan prove to be tenacious adversaries and the rulers of the Federation have no intention of loosening their grip on Steve Brickman. For he and his friends are valuable pawns in a game which, if lost, could spell the end of the First Family’s dream of reconquering the blue-sky world.
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLE OF THE ULTIMATE STRUGGLE TO RULE EARTH
The epic narrative that began with CLOUD WARRIOR continues to unfold. On the snow-swept overground, Steve, Cadillac and Clearwater meet with triumph and disaster as they try to evade the clutches of both the Iron Masters and the First Family. The samurai of Ne-lssan prove to be tenacious adversaries and the rulers of the Federation have no intention of loosening their grip on Steve Brickman. For he and his friends are valuable pawns in a game which, if lost, could spell the end of the First Family’s dream of reconquering the blue-sky world.
362 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 24, 2021
"The First Family possessed a magnificent library of real books covering both of these and many other subjects, and COLUMBUS, the guiding intelligence of the Federation, held the texts of virtually all the books ever written. But the time when their contents would be made known to a wider
audience was still a long way off. The material they contained was not even available to all members of the First Family. The work Jefferson was reading was harmless enough but even the fact of knowing that such things as books existed could have an unsettling effect on those who served the
Federation.
Books were beautiful things, but they were also dangerous."
This was a great instalment, a lot more stream lined and a good story...
audience was still a long way off. The material they contained was not even available to all members of the First Family. The work Jefferson was reading was harmless enough but even the fact of knowing that such things as books existed could have an unsettling effect on those who served the
Federation.
Books were beautiful things, but they were also dangerous."
This was a great instalment, a lot more stream lined and a good story...
July 10, 2022
Much better than the 3rd one. Simpler and generally more fun. Still, it's unclear what the main characters want, which makes it hard to invest in their struggles.
December 17, 2017
In Ne-Issan, the balance of power has shifted dangerously after the exposure of the Yama-Shita's treachery and the death of its ruling lord. The family has been brutally oppressed at the order of the Shogun, and the family burns for vengeance, most notably against those Mutes and Trackers responsible for destroying their project at the Heron Pool.
Meanwhile, these individuals - Steve, Cadillac, Clearwater, Jodi Kazan and Dave Kelso - are now fleeing for their lives out of Ne-Issan on Federation Skyriders, but a lack of fuel forces them down near the southern shores of Lake Michigan, still many hundreds of miles from the M'Call home turf in Wyoming. Their attempts to escape are challenged by a wily Mute wordsmith, an ambitious Ne-Issan foreign agent and the Federation, who have sent the Lady from Louisiana to 'aid' Steve's attempts to escape. Steve, still playing both sides against the middle, is still trying to keep a foot in both camps but Cadillac is about to make maintaining that pretence very difficult indeed...
Blood River is the most transitional of the Amtrak Wars books. It seems that every multi-book series needs a volume which doesn't have much of an internal plot but instead is taken up getting the characters to where they are needed for the next big story movement, and Blood River does that. It also does it quite well, with a real sense of urgency as our heroes are hounded by both the Federation and the Iron Masters and Brickman's Machiavellian plotting reaches new heights, but is challenged by Cadillac and Clearwater calling him on his bullshit and trying to get him to finally choose a side, culminating in the most shocking moment in the series to date. As I've said in previous reviews of the series, Clearwater has been a bit bland and not very well-drawn compared to the other principle characters in the series, but here she really steps up and shows in more detail a cunning and ruthless streak only previously hinted at.
Elsewhere, there are weaknesses. Steve and co. spend a lot of time dealing with simple problems of travel and survival which, whilst well-written, do take time away from the core storylines of the series. There are also a few dubious deus ex machina moments when our heroes get out of tight spots with hitherto-unrevealed Mute magic powers or other abilities, although this is not unprecedented in the series (or any fantasy series involving magic, really).
Blood River (***) is a solid and enjoyable continuation of the series with some weaknesses balanced out by Tilley's trademark relentless pace. The book is no longer in print but second-hand copies are available in the UK and USA.
Meanwhile, these individuals - Steve, Cadillac, Clearwater, Jodi Kazan and Dave Kelso - are now fleeing for their lives out of Ne-Issan on Federation Skyriders, but a lack of fuel forces them down near the southern shores of Lake Michigan, still many hundreds of miles from the M'Call home turf in Wyoming. Their attempts to escape are challenged by a wily Mute wordsmith, an ambitious Ne-Issan foreign agent and the Federation, who have sent the Lady from Louisiana to 'aid' Steve's attempts to escape. Steve, still playing both sides against the middle, is still trying to keep a foot in both camps but Cadillac is about to make maintaining that pretence very difficult indeed...
Blood River is the most transitional of the Amtrak Wars books. It seems that every multi-book series needs a volume which doesn't have much of an internal plot but instead is taken up getting the characters to where they are needed for the next big story movement, and Blood River does that. It also does it quite well, with a real sense of urgency as our heroes are hounded by both the Federation and the Iron Masters and Brickman's Machiavellian plotting reaches new heights, but is challenged by Cadillac and Clearwater calling him on his bullshit and trying to get him to finally choose a side, culminating in the most shocking moment in the series to date. As I've said in previous reviews of the series, Clearwater has been a bit bland and not very well-drawn compared to the other principle characters in the series, but here she really steps up and shows in more detail a cunning and ruthless streak only previously hinted at.
Elsewhere, there are weaknesses. Steve and co. spend a lot of time dealing with simple problems of travel and survival which, whilst well-written, do take time away from the core storylines of the series. There are also a few dubious deus ex machina moments when our heroes get out of tight spots with hitherto-unrevealed Mute magic powers or other abilities, although this is not unprecedented in the series (or any fantasy series involving magic, really).
Blood River (***) is a solid and enjoyable continuation of the series with some weaknesses balanced out by Tilley's trademark relentless pace. The book is no longer in print but second-hand copies are available in the UK and USA.
May 10, 2022
I know making unlikeable or annoying characters is realistic but making all three of the main characters this way oh man. I also believe Tilley thinks that by giving his main female character crazy super powers is enough to give her the title of “strong female”.
The powers is all she has, no depth otherwise. It’s a shame.
However, story wise this book makes leaps and bounds over the previous two. A lot of action, and not just action for the sake of action. World building and reveals that have been teased and hinted at in the previous novels regarding Steve and Roz’s real history are great.
Cadillac and Steve’s fighting was petty AF and I loved it.
This book had a good amount of Ne-issan content in it for me. The last book was a dense slog to get through with a crazy finale that didn’t pay off or make up for the first 80% of the book.
It’s all coming together. Pieces of the puzzle are being put in place. Two instalments to go to tie things up. Good read. One of the better or best of the series so far.
The powers is all she has, no depth otherwise. It’s a shame.
However, story wise this book makes leaps and bounds over the previous two. A lot of action, and not just action for the sake of action. World building and reveals that have been teased and hinted at in the previous novels regarding Steve and Roz’s real history are great.
Cadillac and Steve’s fighting was petty AF and I loved it.
This book had a good amount of Ne-issan content in it for me. The last book was a dense slog to get through with a crazy finale that didn’t pay off or make up for the first 80% of the book.
It’s all coming together. Pieces of the puzzle are being put in place. Two instalments to go to tie things up. Good read. One of the better or best of the series so far.
March 20, 2019
Actually not that bad.
The constant re-evaluation of the relationship of Cadillac and Steve is interesting to read... Both are pretty well done character - internally conflicted, and often acting in ways that wreck their own progress...
This is the journey of Steve, Cadillac & Clearwater - along with the two federation pilots (Jodi and Kelso) out of the lands of the Iron Masters and trying to get back to the lands of the M'Call tribe.
Of course, there are lots of complications along the way, and the author actually provides some great entertainment making the character have to really struggle and squirm out of these predicaments.
Many of the other characters are a little one-note for my tastes, and honestly the two main ladies (Clearwater and Roz) are a little to "plot-directed" for my likes - they change and act just to move along the plot and dont have the same sort of depth as the two main guys (Steve and Cadillac)
But a much better read that the Iron Masters.
The constant re-evaluation of the relationship of Cadillac and Steve is interesting to read... Both are pretty well done character - internally conflicted, and often acting in ways that wreck their own progress...
This is the journey of Steve, Cadillac & Clearwater - along with the two federation pilots (Jodi and Kelso) out of the lands of the Iron Masters and trying to get back to the lands of the M'Call tribe.
Of course, there are lots of complications along the way, and the author actually provides some great entertainment making the character have to really struggle and squirm out of these predicaments.
Many of the other characters are a little one-note for my tastes, and honestly the two main ladies (Clearwater and Roz) are a little to "plot-directed" for my likes - they change and act just to move along the plot and dont have the same sort of depth as the two main guys (Steve and Cadillac)
But a much better read that the Iron Masters.
April 13, 2018
Book 4 Blood river
Still good reading. Interesting storyline. Takes place in the future but almost could be anytime. More character driven. I enjoy science fiction that doesn't have too much technical stuff so this series is just right. Has something for everyone even some romance.
Still good reading. Interesting storyline. Takes place in the future but almost could be anytime. More character driven. I enjoy science fiction that doesn't have too much technical stuff so this series is just right. Has something for everyone even some romance.
September 25, 2018
Another excellent installment in the Amtrak Wars saga.
Well worth reading for anyone who's into fantasy and adventure, especially in a post-apocalyptic world.
Well worth reading for anyone who's into fantasy and adventure, especially in a post-apocalyptic world.
April 22, 2019
I give this a 3.5-- still entertaining, but will we ever reach an end point? Each installment is basically like a chapter in a greater work.
Read
March 18, 2021DNF
I tried so hard but I just couldn’t stand it anymore!
I tried so hard but I just couldn’t stand it anymore!
July 29, 2021
Still enjoyable, the characters feel well known by now and their tensions palpable. It's best to not ask too many questions of the plot and just roll with it.
December 29, 2022
Fun book
Excellently written good to dive into love the character's each has their own unique story
Looking forward to the next one
Excellently written good to dive into love the character's each has their own unique story
Looking forward to the next one
March 21, 2022
Having escaped the Iron Masters, Steve Brickman, Clearwater and Cadillac try to get back to their home turf.
Steve tries to help his Federation friends Jodi and Kelso get back to civilisation but when that doesn't go as planned his small group find themselves being looked for by angry Iron Masters and the Federation.
There's some tense moments as you wonder which way things are going to go for them.
Steve tries to help his Federation friends Jodi and Kelso get back to civilisation but when that doesn't go as planned his small group find themselves being looked for by angry Iron Masters and the Federation.
There's some tense moments as you wonder which way things are going to go for them.
August 25, 2016
Very good, filled with twists and turns to keep my interest, compared to the previous installment that I felt went stale.
The dynamic between the main 3 characters has started to grate a bit - I don't have a great amount of affinity for either Steve or cadillac any longer. I'd like to see more made of clearwater as she is the only likeable one left!
The dynamic between the main 3 characters has started to grate a bit - I don't have a great amount of affinity for either Steve or cadillac any longer. I'd like to see more made of clearwater as she is the only likeable one left!
June 16, 2013
A more accurate subtitle for this novel would be 'The Escape from Ne-Issan.' It begins straight after the third novel, and makes no sense if you haven't read it, or better the entire series. If you have, it's good stuff, and made me go straight onto Book Five.
February 2, 2015
another great one
I occasionally have to skim through the detail, particularly the unrelated to core story history and politics.
The plot line is excellent, story is great. A good read
I occasionally have to skim through the detail, particularly the unrelated to core story history and politics.
The plot line is excellent, story is great. A good read
December 1, 2016
plot twists were telegraphed much more than 3rd book, so this was less grabbing; writing is vivid and occasionally graphic (violence). Development of the main character over the first books of the series continues, leaving me to wonder which persona will turn out to be the real one.
April 24, 2023
I don't really remember what happens in each of these books individually anymore. But guess what? The strongest summoner power of all? It wasn't weather control. It turns out? It's friendship.
May 9, 2013
[Full Review to Follow]
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
May 13, 2014
Story starts to gather pace again
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews