Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Harper Voyager (2011), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 512 pages
Description
When the Sea King declares war on the small kingdoms of Norland, and forbids any ships from sailing on the rising waters that threaten to flood humanity, a princess must awaken an ancient killer to save the world.
User reviews
LibraryThing member cissa
A weird and yet well-thought-out world, and a really good and intricate plot.
I liked the "casual" voice in most of the narrative, though I was less fond of somewhat random POV switching.
It did strike me as, in some ways, the middle book of a trilogy- even though i don't think there's any such
I liked the "casual" voice in most of the narrative, though I was less fond of somewhat random POV switching.
It did strike me as, in some ways, the middle book of a trilogy- even though i don't think there's any such
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trilogy... but it was really engrossing nonetheless. Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
Perhaps for someone who hasn't enjoyed the first book, A Plague of Angels, this would be a 3 star book. Both books have parts that are perhaps a tad preachy but since I tend to agree with the message being preached, it doesn't bother me. This book isn't quite as good as the first one but I was
One thing bothered me a bit on this reread -- the age difference between Abasio and Xulai. It isn't clear how much time is supposed to have passed but the indications are it has been years (maybe a decade? or even longer). So I think Abasio must be about twice Xulai's age... Not that ~40 year-old men don't fall in love with 19 year-old women!
The parallels with A Plague of Angels were most obvious to me in the "bad guys" -- Alicia, Duchess of Altamont is almost a carbon copy of Ellel. Even the same hang-ups about daddy... However the main theme, indicated by the title, was more reminiscent of Tepper's novel Singer from the Sea and to a lesser extent The Family Tree.
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happy to see Abasio again. One thing bothered me a bit on this reread -- the age difference between Abasio and Xulai. It isn't clear how much time is supposed to have passed but the indications are it has been years (maybe a decade? or even longer). So I think Abasio must be about twice Xulai's age... Not that ~40 year-old men don't fall in love with 19 year-old women!
The parallels with A Plague of Angels were most obvious to me in the "bad guys" -- Alicia, Duchess of Altamont is almost a carbon copy of Ellel. Even the same hang-ups about daddy... However the main theme, indicated by the title, was more reminiscent of Tepper's novel Singer from the Sea and to a lesser extent The Family Tree.
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LibraryThing member blodeuedd
This book was strange, but wondrous strange. But then all Tepper books I have read have been like that, she takes in things and turns into something utterly amazing and weird.
First, yes it is book two, but book 1 does not have to be read to understand this book. The only person from book 1 around
I thought book 1 gave me answers what might have happened to our earth, but here I finally found out what The Big Kill, and the Time when no one moved around was. This our earth, which we destroyed and in its wake technology was no more. Which makes this a futuristic sci-fi book in a fantasy world. She explains it well at one time, how people when they do not understand something makes it into magic. There are a few things left over from the old times, and some do know things. Like when the baddie, Alicia curses someone. Some say it is magic, some know better. She took the pattern of that person and sent a cloud. Yes DNA and virus. The mix works so well, because what would happen if 99% died out? If machines were destroyed?
And like that was not enough, now the waters are rising and even the highest mountain will be under water. Can humankind be saved? And do we deserve to be saved?
It's a book to read slowly because now and then something new comes along and everything slowly dawns on me. It's a good book, it is a strange story and I can't believe that this used to be earth. There are talking animals, the Kraken, a lovestory, and wicked witches. There is also a child's journey and the question why she is so important?
Conclusion:
Tepper needs to be read to be understand. I do not think I can make her world justice. But when you step in to her world you will be enchanted with it.
First, yes it is book two, but book 1 does not have to be read to understand this book. The only person from book 1 around
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is the hero Abasio. But here is he is all new and a bit different. I do not know how much time has gone by, and it takes place in a new land. It is a new book and it was published almost 20 years after book 1.I thought book 1 gave me answers what might have happened to our earth, but here I finally found out what The Big Kill, and the Time when no one moved around was. This our earth, which we destroyed and in its wake technology was no more. Which makes this a futuristic sci-fi book in a fantasy world. She explains it well at one time, how people when they do not understand something makes it into magic. There are a few things left over from the old times, and some do know things. Like when the baddie, Alicia curses someone. Some say it is magic, some know better. She took the pattern of that person and sent a cloud. Yes DNA and virus. The mix works so well, because what would happen if 99% died out? If machines were destroyed?
And like that was not enough, now the waters are rising and even the highest mountain will be under water. Can humankind be saved? And do we deserve to be saved?
It's a book to read slowly because now and then something new comes along and everything slowly dawns on me. It's a good book, it is a strange story and I can't believe that this used to be earth. There are talking animals, the Kraken, a lovestory, and wicked witches. There is also a child's journey and the question why she is so important?
Conclusion:
Tepper needs to be read to be understand. I do not think I can make her world justice. But when you step in to her world you will be enchanted with it.
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LibraryThing member BMorrisAllen
The Waters Rising is good, but not Sherri Tepper's best work. It tells the story of Xulai, the soul carrier for a foreign princess, trying to get back home. It is set mostly in a post-apocalyptic America that is substantially covered by rising waters. Aside from the immediate adventures, the story
As with all of Tepper's work, the writing is smooth and evocative. This time, many of the word choices struck me as unusual - I don't usually stop quite so often to wonder "Now, why did the author use this word here?" There were also a few typos, suggesting less than perfect editing.
More of an issue was the story itself. First, it wasn't as fully realized as I might have hoped. There were too many gaps filled with handwaving or happy coincidence. This felt more like an advanced draft than a completed novel - as if the author had said "I'll get to that," but never did. Second, it seemed as if the story went on far past its natural conclusion. Tension built, to a point where ... it just started to wind down. What seems like it should have been a few-page wrapping up went on for a couple of chapters. I felt curiously let down and at the same time unmoved. The book ended, and I thought "Oh. Okay. Good." but not much more.
As with many of Tepper's books, the philosophical themes are a bit heavy handed. What's good is good, what's bad is bad. Here, the Tingawans across the ocean are pretty much the embodiment of everything good. It doesn't get in the way, but it does require some suspension of disbelief. Usually Tepper gets away with the messaging because the writing is so good. Here, the messages are evident, but the writing doesn't carry the conviction it usually does.
Tepper fans - go ahead and buy this. You'll like it, even if you're not bowled over. Tepper newcomers - I suggest you start elsewhere: The True Game books for fantasy fans, Gibbon's Decline and Fall or The Gate to Women's Country if you're looking for philosophy and politics done well, Raising the Stones if you just want well written SF.
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is about humanity trying to survive the coming flood.As with all of Tepper's work, the writing is smooth and evocative. This time, many of the word choices struck me as unusual - I don't usually stop quite so often to wonder "Now, why did the author use this word here?" There were also a few typos, suggesting less than perfect editing.
More of an issue was the story itself. First, it wasn't as fully realized as I might have hoped. There were too many gaps filled with handwaving or happy coincidence. This felt more like an advanced draft than a completed novel - as if the author had said "I'll get to that," but never did. Second, it seemed as if the story went on far past its natural conclusion. Tension built, to a point where ... it just started to wind down. What seems like it should have been a few-page wrapping up went on for a couple of chapters. I felt curiously let down and at the same time unmoved. The book ended, and I thought "Oh. Okay. Good." but not much more.
As with many of Tepper's books, the philosophical themes are a bit heavy handed. What's good is good, what's bad is bad. Here, the Tingawans across the ocean are pretty much the embodiment of everything good. It doesn't get in the way, but it does require some suspension of disbelief. Usually Tepper gets away with the messaging because the writing is so good. Here, the messages are evident, but the writing doesn't carry the conviction it usually does.
Tepper fans - go ahead and buy this. You'll like it, even if you're not bowled over. Tepper newcomers - I suggest you start elsewhere: The True Game books for fantasy fans, Gibbon's Decline and Fall or The Gate to Women's Country if you're looking for philosophy and politics done well, Raising the Stones if you just want well written SF.
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LibraryThing member comixminx
Not one of her best. Info-dumps, heroine who turns out to be good at / gifted at far too much. I did get quite engrossed as it went on but really could do with a fairish of cutting.
LibraryThing member mjscott
Very slow to start, way too much description of locations - until you get to the end. The end is actually pretty satisfying except that you lose the sense of place!
LibraryThing member juniperSun
In a world which has been re-civilized after The Hot Times and The Big Kill and The Time When No One Moved Around, Xulai is soul-carrier for a dying princess. This tale starts with the meme of servant who has an important role in saving the world. The evil which threatens turns out to be something
A nice twist on our current obsession with genetic manipulation. I love how Tepper challenges our imaginations and preconceptions. One quote, most appropriate (or ironic) for readers of fantasy: "...most people find it easier to believe in magic than to believe in reality. If they're religious, they get used to magical thinking as children and go through life believing in fantasy instead of facts. (p. 246)"
At times, Abasio is just a little too convenient at pulling answers out of his hat, as is Precious Wind's habit of keeping secrets. I liked the chipmunk, but then that changer disappeared from importance half way thru the book.
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more than we expect. And just when we think everything is solved and our heroine can live happily ever after, another problem arises.A nice twist on our current obsession with genetic manipulation. I love how Tepper challenges our imaginations and preconceptions. One quote, most appropriate (or ironic) for readers of fantasy: "...most people find it easier to believe in magic than to believe in reality. If they're religious, they get used to magical thinking as children and go through life believing in fantasy instead of facts. (p. 246)"
At times, Abasio is just a little too convenient at pulling answers out of his hat, as is Precious Wind's habit of keeping secrets. I liked the chipmunk, but then that changer disappeared from importance half way thru the book.
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LibraryThing member elenaj
Couldn't get into it.
Awards
Chesley Award (Nominee — 2011)
John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (Finalist — 2011)
Arthur C. Clarke Award (Shortlist — 2012)
Language
Original publication date
2010
Physical description
512 p.; 7.9 inches
ISBN
0061958859 / 9780061958854