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Amtrak Wars #5
Death-Bringer
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLE OF THE ULTIMATE STRUGGLE TO RULE EARTH
With Clearwater now safely in their hands, the Federation hatches a plan to capture Cadillac and Mr Snow and annihilate the Clan McCall: a plan which forces Steve to continue his double role as loyal agent of the Federation and blood-brother to the Mutes. The First Family is hell-bent on exacting retribution for past defeats but the twice-bloodied House of Yama-Shita is also thirsting for vengeance. Both parties blindly pursue their own ends unaware that the outcome is governed not by force of arms but by the irrevocable power of prophecy.
With Clearwater now safely in their hands, the Federation hatches a plan to capture Cadillac and Mr Snow and annihilate the Clan McCall: a plan which forces Steve to continue his double role as loyal agent of the Federation and blood-brother to the Mutes. The First Family is hell-bent on exacting retribution for past defeats but the twice-bloodied House of Yama-Shita is also thirsting for vengeance. Both parties blindly pursue their own ends unaware that the outcome is governed not by force of arms but by the irrevocable power of prophecy.
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 19, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 14, 2021
‘We can take that Mute clay and mould it any way we want. We can transform it into a human being. That’s why we been searching for the Talisman, Ben. We don’t want to kill him. We want to make him one of us.’
December 17, 2017
Steve Brickman and his reluctant ally Cadillac face a major problem. Clearwater has been taken captive aboard the Federation wagon-train Red River, and they need to find a way to break her and Steve's sister Roz out with only the warriors from Clan M'Call to help. But as they struggle with that issue, Mr. Snow faces the biggest challenge of his life. Enraged with the destruction of the Heron Pool and the loss of their assault force on Lake Michigan, the Yama-Shita have sent five warships to the trading post at Lake Superior for the annual exchange of goods and servants. Allied to the treacherous D'Troit Mutes, their orders are to destroy the M'Calls and their She-Kargo allies once and for all. The stage is set for the biggest military confrontation since the War of a Thousand Suns.
In my review of the previous book in the series, I noted that every epic fantasy series seems to have a 'scene-setting' book where the characters are just getting to where they need to be for the next slice of the action. It is also true that every series has a balls-to-the-wall, balloon-going-up volume where all the ant-hills are kicked over and all hell breaks loose (and many metaphors are mixed). Death-Bringer is that book. As with the previous volumes in the series, there is a lot of scheming, political intrigue, and truly impressive layers of deception as Steve continues his attempts to keep a foot in both the Tracker and Mute camps, involving some fancy foot-work. In fact, Steve and his intellectual nemesis, Karlstrom, may be the most impressive schemers I've encountered in a fantasy book with the possible exception of Littlefinger, Walder Frey and Tyrion Lannister.
Death-Bringer eases off the scheming to finally bring some widespread carnage to the table with two huge battle sequences. The Mute clans finally choose their sides and engage in a massive conflict on the south-western shores of Lake Superior, egged on by the Iron Masters, in this series' equivalent to the Battle of the Blackwater or the Pelennor Fields. Shortly afterwards, the M'Calls get to dish out some payback by launching a full-blown assault on Red River. Tilley proves to be an excellent writer of action sequences, fulfilling the promise shown in earlier novels, and there is some catharsis in all the plotting of the previous three volumes finally reaching a head. The ending is murky and definitely not neat - there's one more volume to go - but the sense of a climax to numerous complex and sometimes confusing plot threads is most welcome.
There are some weaknesses. As with the other books in the series, it's not high art and the layers of deception are so complex it's easy to get confused over who knows what and what people are supposed to know versus what the actual truth of the situation is, but then a lot of the characters express the same concerns. There's also a slight sense of contrivance at the end where the author needed to get one character into another location and the way he handled it was a bit artificial. Oh yeah, and the title is one of the corniest I've ever come across.
Death-Bringer (****) is one of the strongest books in the series, with a fine sense of pacing and action, with some truly excellent plot twists and revelations. As with the other books in the series, it is currently not in print, but second-hand editions should be available in the UK and USA.
In my review of the previous book in the series, I noted that every epic fantasy series seems to have a 'scene-setting' book where the characters are just getting to where they need to be for the next slice of the action. It is also true that every series has a balls-to-the-wall, balloon-going-up volume where all the ant-hills are kicked over and all hell breaks loose (and many metaphors are mixed). Death-Bringer is that book. As with the previous volumes in the series, there is a lot of scheming, political intrigue, and truly impressive layers of deception as Steve continues his attempts to keep a foot in both the Tracker and Mute camps, involving some fancy foot-work. In fact, Steve and his intellectual nemesis, Karlstrom, may be the most impressive schemers I've encountered in a fantasy book with the possible exception of Littlefinger, Walder Frey and Tyrion Lannister.
Death-Bringer eases off the scheming to finally bring some widespread carnage to the table with two huge battle sequences. The Mute clans finally choose their sides and engage in a massive conflict on the south-western shores of Lake Superior, egged on by the Iron Masters, in this series' equivalent to the Battle of the Blackwater or the Pelennor Fields. Shortly afterwards, the M'Calls get to dish out some payback by launching a full-blown assault on Red River. Tilley proves to be an excellent writer of action sequences, fulfilling the promise shown in earlier novels, and there is some catharsis in all the plotting of the previous three volumes finally reaching a head. The ending is murky and definitely not neat - there's one more volume to go - but the sense of a climax to numerous complex and sometimes confusing plot threads is most welcome.
There are some weaknesses. As with the other books in the series, it's not high art and the layers of deception are so complex it's easy to get confused over who knows what and what people are supposed to know versus what the actual truth of the situation is, but then a lot of the characters express the same concerns. There's also a slight sense of contrivance at the end where the author needed to get one character into another location and the way he handled it was a bit artificial. Oh yeah, and the title is one of the corniest I've ever come across.
Death-Bringer (****) is one of the strongest books in the series, with a fine sense of pacing and action, with some truly excellent plot twists and revelations. As with the other books in the series, it is currently not in print, but second-hand editions should be available in the UK and USA.
September 24, 2026
This begins as a slow burn, with more political manoeuvring than action, but by the end it’s epic. There are huge game-changing events, some of the biggest revelations of the series, and enough unresolved threads to make the final book impossible to predict.
The author did an amazing job in shifting the balance of power. The Mutes change their tactics to exploit the Federation's assumptions about them, but the Federation reveals that it’s also capable of deception. And changes in tactics lead to epic moments in the story. The best thing. The reader is not given forewarning. It makes the impact greater.
I mentioned revelations at the start of this review. We learn some things about major characters that not only change our understanding of them but the reveals have huge impacts for the world and what may happen in the final book. We also learn more of the Federation’s secrets, and they were chilling and shocking.
All of this opens up a multitude of questions about what will happen in the final book. Too many pieces are still in play. Steve Brickman is always difficult to read. Is he going to double cross the Federation or the Mutes? We never know because a strong motivation for him is power and the eventual final win. Roz and Cadillac have their own paths to follow, what's going to happen to Clearwater, the Federation's plans are slowly becoming clearer, and I'm very curious about what role the Iron Masters still have to play.
Too many questions, and I love it!
As usual, I have stand out characters for this book, and I always try to pick different characters to mention but it can prove challenging. So, I am going to mention Mr Snow again. This felt like his book. He’s central to many huge moments, and he’s the emotional focus for much of the book. Such a well written character. One I will remember long after finishing this series. Karlstrom is cunning, shrewd, and several moves ahead of everyone else. But you get a feeling that his arrogance may be costly later. Hartmann is the commander of The Lady. He’s also arrogant, which seems to be a Federation this, but loved and respected by his crew. His blind spot about the capabilities of the Mutes is a common theme in the book. I do like how he’s written with these complexities. So much more interesting than reading about a leader with only one facet.
I really do recommend this series. I found it by accident a few years ago at a charity book sale. I’m so glad I did.
The author did an amazing job in shifting the balance of power. The Mutes change their tactics to exploit the Federation's assumptions about them, but the Federation reveals that it’s also capable of deception. And changes in tactics lead to epic moments in the story. The best thing. The reader is not given forewarning. It makes the impact greater.
I mentioned revelations at the start of this review. We learn some things about major characters that not only change our understanding of them but the reveals have huge impacts for the world and what may happen in the final book. We also learn more of the Federation’s secrets, and they were chilling and shocking.
All of this opens up a multitude of questions about what will happen in the final book. Too many pieces are still in play. Steve Brickman is always difficult to read. Is he going to double cross the Federation or the Mutes? We never know because a strong motivation for him is power and the eventual final win. Roz and Cadillac have their own paths to follow, what's going to happen to Clearwater, the Federation's plans are slowly becoming clearer, and I'm very curious about what role the Iron Masters still have to play.
Too many questions, and I love it!
As usual, I have stand out characters for this book, and I always try to pick different characters to mention but it can prove challenging. So, I am going to mention Mr Snow again. This felt like his book. He’s central to many huge moments, and he’s the emotional focus for much of the book. Such a well written character. One I will remember long after finishing this series. Karlstrom is cunning, shrewd, and several moves ahead of everyone else. But you get a feeling that his arrogance may be costly later. Hartmann is the commander of The Lady. He’s also arrogant, which seems to be a Federation this, but loved and respected by his crew. His blind spot about the capabilities of the Mutes is a common theme in the book. I do like how he’s written with these complexities. So much more interesting than reading about a leader with only one facet.
I really do recommend this series. I found it by accident a few years ago at a charity book sale. I’m so glad I did.
April 11, 2019
This series is actually getting better - I guess the characters have some history now and i am a little more invested.
The challenge of this book is Steve and Cadillac trying to work out how to rescue the critically wounded Clearwater from inside a Wagon-Train.
In the last books we've had Steve "save the day" by using a mix of quick thinking and some help from his federation backup... now he is up against them and cant call for help... it was very tense following along with the planning of both sides (The Federation and the wagon trains, vs the Mutes) trying to work out who might come out ahead..
And still we managed to get a twist. (forshadowed, but still...)
I am really looking forward to the last in the series!
The challenge of this book is Steve and Cadillac trying to work out how to rescue the critically wounded Clearwater from inside a Wagon-Train.
In the last books we've had Steve "save the day" by using a mix of quick thinking and some help from his federation backup... now he is up against them and cant call for help... it was very tense following along with the planning of both sides (The Federation and the wagon trains, vs the Mutes) trying to work out who might come out ahead..
And still we managed to get a twist. (forshadowed, but still...)
I am really looking forward to the last in the series!
December 31, 2023
The penultimate of my re-read of this series, and a much stronger book than the fourth in the series. The focus here returns to the two main factions, the Federation and the Plainfolk. The main characters all have something to do (even Clearwater who is sidelined with injuries for most of the book).
There are big reveals - and some promised events from earlier in the series come to pass, including the major battle between the Clan M'Call and the Iron Snake, or Wagon Train, of the Federation.
The book is also prescient in a way, as it is revealed that the First Family of the Federation are a bunch of Confederate cosplayers, using their private estates of Cloudlands as a playground to relive what they view as the perfect time in American history.
There are big reveals - and some promised events from earlier in the series come to pass, including the major battle between the Clan M'Call and the Iron Snake, or Wagon Train, of the Federation.
The book is also prescient in a way, as it is revealed that the First Family of the Federation are a bunch of Confederate cosplayers, using their private estates of Cloudlands as a playground to relive what they view as the perfect time in American history.
September 30, 2018
Another gripping installment of the Amtrak Wars.
As I only had the first five books I was getting a bit worried about where I was going to get Book 6 from, but after an extensive search of second-hand book shops and goodwill stores over the weekend I finally managed to get a copy of Earth-Thunder, so now I can finish the series in one go. Excellent!
As I only had the first five books I was getting a bit worried about where I was going to get Book 6 from, but after an extensive search of second-hand book shops and goodwill stores over the weekend I finally managed to get a copy of Earth-Thunder, so now I can finish the series in one go. Excellent!
July 29, 2021
Possibly the worst book i've ever read, sadly. Massive plot holes, incongruent and nonsensical in parts (e.g. an insistent disbelief in God through vol1 - 4, yet now they pray?!), absolutely awful grammatical and spelling errors; this book reeked of a last-minute deadline effort that went unchecked! It is, however, essential if you wish to complete the series with volume 6.
May 11, 2019
Another good installment in the series, but so many loose ends!
May 19, 2023
Fantastic
Absolutely brilliant loved it great story full of Cliffhangers turns suprises looking forward to reading the next book final one
Absolutely brilliant loved it great story full of Cliffhangers turns suprises looking forward to reading the next book final one
May 14, 2024
Just as enjoyable again and again!
February 28, 2013
All the threads are coming together in the penultimate book in the series.
Steve and the Mutes find themselves involved in double and triple crosses as the Talisman Prophecy appears to be coming to its end result.
Good plot and action, including a mass battle between various Mute clans and the Iron Masters, and an assault on a land train.
Secrets are revealed as everything moves into place.
Steve and the Mutes find themselves involved in double and triple crosses as the Talisman Prophecy appears to be coming to its end result.
Good plot and action, including a mass battle between various Mute clans and the Iron Masters, and an assault on a land train.
Secrets are revealed as everything moves into place.
June 16, 2013
[Full Review to Follow]
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
May 20, 2022
If only there were prophecies that focused on the most powerful thing of all... the power of friendship
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews