A Novel in the Safehold Series (#6) - Midst Toil and Tribulation

As usual, David Weber has done an excellent job of weaving his story line. As is always the case for novels that continue a series, the author is compelled to review what has transpired in previous novels. Weber does this in a manner that makes the information part of the current story line, rather than something injected merely as reminders of what has transpired previously. Having said that, this is not a book that is "stand-alone' and first time readers need to start with the first book in the series and read their way forward. Even having done that, I am frequently confused with who is who because of the "alien' names of the characters. If you like the other books Weber has written, e.g., the Honor Harrington series, you will also enjoy this.

Since I love the Safehold saga, it was a pleasure to read the sixth book about it. David Weber is my fourth favourite sci-fi author, and Safehold is a marvelous creation. But I thought that in this book there is too much discription of every new weapon, ship or whatever is being invented. Also the battles just go on and on... so that I had to skip some of those. I hope he writes only one or two more books on this saga, because although one loves it, readers need closure, that is the story has to come to a close, otherwise we get impatient. Safehold is, hoever one of the best, ever.

Overall, the novel lived up to expectations.
I like his style, even if it gets a little verbose at times. :)

Really do appreciate the lack of DRM and using the Kindle/r/ format. The later development of Irys & Hector seemed rather sparse in this volume.

Many of the questions from the earlier novels are answered, or clarified; however, a number (cliff-hangers?) are raised, to include:

1. What did Owl find in the "Key"?

2. Will Daivyn and Irys reach home safely? How will they be received? What will develop there?

3. Will Merlin have a soul-searching, and clearing, chat?

4. What is happening next on the Homelands? Will any other mainland groups join up with the Empire of Charis?

Looking forward to the next volume in the series.

Safehold keeps getting more and more complex, although this complexity seems to simplify the black and white of good vs evil. The villains keep getting nastier, requiring the heroes to be more heroic. This has been one of the most interesting series I have read - and have been reading series for more than 50 years. It is interesting to see a world made up of different cultures growing and becoming something greater step by step.

This book is like all the others in this series. I love the storyline and all the characters. The action sequences are detailed and exciting, and the politics feel real to me. The task of reintroducing technology without completely disrupting the whole world is very interesting to follow.

the Armageddon reef (Safehold ) books have all been very very good so far and this one is too! I give it 5 stars because it is that good. get all of them and read them in order and I think you will enjoy them too.

The Safehold Saga continues to intrigue as the religious war intensifies. While I enjoyed the book, I only gave it 4 of 5 stars only because at times the technical details bog the book down. Of course, Weber is know for his use of technical details in his writing to explain how technology can overcome numerical disadvantages. Its difficult to balance the right amount of technical details, and for the most part, he is highly successful. I will eagerly await the next installment in this thought provoking series.

I'm giving this 4 stars but with the following disclaimer: I no longer read these novels per se, I just skim them.

The reason I am giving 4 stars is that I bought the damned thing and I will still buy follow-ups.

as past reviews have stated crap load of filler dont get me wrong love the series but when i find myself constantly skimming pages to find were the story continues and the endless internal dialogue ends and relizing that a sentence or 2 could have replaced all that bs without any lose to the overall story there are great parts to the book and im interested enough to see were it goes but this book could have easily been half the length and not lost anything

Midst Toil appears to be a transitional novel, moving the story out of the islands and onto the mainland. It has plenty of strong character scenes, but it is dominated by tactical scenes. Even with the return of the ever-wiley Nohrmann, there is too little of Merlin and Cayleb to make the novel fun. Weber needs to pull them back into the next book so the reader can connect more closely to what is going on.

As much as I have enjoyed the series to this point, the rate of progress seems unreasonable. Societies can and do adjust to change, but going from rowing to steam engines in one lifetime seems like a bit much.

A slower pace would let all the characters we encounter to develop more fully. Not just the main ones.

David Weber does a great job with this series, he pulls you into the characters and keeps a good pace going throughout the book. He's got me hooked and I will continue to read this one and try some of his other series.

I love this series! The details and personal interactions are fantastic, and the story is oh so believable. I just can't stop reading! David Weber's style sucks you in so you feel like an actual participant in the story. His depiction of the goodness and evil of man towards fellow man is very convincing and believable! I wish he could write faster!

If you like great writing and sci-fi, this is for you!

This is a classic David Weber with all the realpolitik that involves. Many might miss the usual "massive confrontation" at the end, however instead of being a sweeping naval engagement, as in his other works, it is a collection of far flung land battles.
Decent reading, but feels like another writer without naval combat.

The latest installment of the Safehold series was a credit to the work. Mr. Weber continues to weave a tale of epic proportions drawing us ever deeper into the story oh humanity's last hope... if they can ever get out from under the thumb of a homicidal oppressive Theocracy. The only flaw with the series is it moves rather slow.

Good entry in the Safehold series, but no review has yet mentioned the plot devices David Weber brings back from his earlier writing: "Bolo"-- virtual reality links, hyper-heuristic merging of human and computer (Nahrman Baytz is back); "Baltic War, 1635"-- first ironclad battles, careening cannonballs; "Heirs of Empire" not just the entire unjust Church, but rifle-firing, squared formations; "In Fury Born"-- more virtual reality-personality blending;"Excalibur"-- super computer evolves into a character (OWL becomes Owl).

No worries, the plot devices all work well. Would be interesting to find out if DW goes back to re-read his earlier work and discovers useful plots and twists or planned from the first to make the underlying metaphysics of all his worlds consistent.

Surprisingly good to see old themes making fresh music, "I know nothing stays the same. But if you're willing to play the game.It's coming around again"

The saga of Merlin, Cayleb and Sharleyan continues. Irys and Daivyn continue their journey and arrive at Tellesburg, escorted by Lieutenant His Grace the Duke of Darcos Sound Hektor Aplyn-Ahrmahk. Foreseeable and unforeseen twists in the main and sub-plots abound stirring up the emotions of readers and characters alike. The main story line continues to swell with the conflicts, armed and otherwise, in the series. David Weber again leaves many so much unresolved to lead the reader into the next book in his series, leaving the reader to await the next book.

My only complaint about this book and the series is the plethora of characters to try and keep track of. The story is interesting if complex. Sometimes it is hard to follow, but worth flipping back some pages to check something out. All in all good science fiction by a great writer.

Eliminate the religious clap trap and you might have enough for a short stort. Character identity and development among the waring factions is weak. Not up to standards i expect from the likes of david weber.

This is the continuation of the Safehold series and is a great comination of science fiction, fantasy, and ethics. Do start at the beginning of the series - the development of plot and characters is wonderful to follow. Perfect for young teens as well as adults.

Weber continues the Safehold series, and it remains a riveting and well told tale. The latest installment focuses on new couples and areas while maintaining the thread of the overall conflict with established characters. "Merlin" is becoming introspective!

David Weber does his usual top-notch job of spinning a fantasy yarn. Even though this is a fantasy, Weber draws you into the story. You feel resentment and anger at the deeds of the temple loyalists, sympathy for those they attack without warning and triumph for the Charisians who come to their aid.

The newest in the Safehold series continues with an excellent read. Once more the characters spring off the page and into the room with you. There a couple of unexpected but not surprising incidents that make the book more enjoyable. When you finish the book you will be wanting to read the next volume in the series, NOW!!