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Amtrak Wars #6
Earth-Thunder
As the 'Great Mountain in the West speaks to the Sky with a Tongue of Flame', the Talisman Prophecy is on the verge of fulfillment.The rulers of the Lone Star Confederation are convinced that Clearwater's child - whose birth coincides to the second with the volcanic eruption - is the Thrice-Gifted One. And they hold both in their power. Cadillac and Steve's kin-sister, Roz, who have combined their formidable powers are determined to free her but Steve, lured by the prospect of a dazzling career within the First Family, is no longer certain who to support or betray.He has little time in which to decide for, in Ne-Issan, the land of the Iron Masters, a lone woman intent on avenging her dead lover is about to plunge her nation into a civil war that will set the whole continent ablaze.
554 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 22, 2012
What the crap ? This book 'ends' the series, in the same way George Lucas could have burned out half-way through "Empire Strikes Back" and wrote Darth Vader as a born-again hippie who decided to retire pick flowers on Endor, Han Solo died of a heart attack, Luke Skywalker died of an embolism, and the Emperor agreed to all the Rebels' demands and accepted a position of constitutional monarch.
While I thought the first five books were really interesting, Earth Thunder...sent me into shock. Do not even start to read this series, if you need an end to a series.
While I thought the first five books were really interesting, Earth Thunder...sent me into shock. Do not even start to read this series, if you need an end to a series.
June 22, 2013
Don't bother, because Tilley never finished the story. It leaves you hanging, never knowing what was going to happen next.
November 8, 2021
"While he was trying to work out an appropriate way of introducing himself, death and deliverance dropped out of the sky. A blue ’Hawk came round the far edge of the larch forest behind his starboard wing and swept in at zero feet with all six barrels pumping steel. The line of Mutes
attempted to scatter, but the ’Hawk pilot had positioned himself well, catching the line end on. All fourteen went down spraying blood as the needle-point rounds scythed through their bodies." ,/b>
attempted to scatter, but the ’Hawk pilot had positioned himself well, catching the line end on. All fourteen went down spraying blood as the needle-point rounds scythed through their bodies." ,/b>
December 17, 2017
The epic Battle of the Trading Post and the bloody Battle of Twin Forks have changed the political balance of power in post-apocalypse North America. The Plainfolk are now determined to work together to prepare for the coming of their messiah, the Talisman, whilst the Iron Masters are wracked by internal disputes. Aware that the Iron Masters will not simply accept the loss of so many of their troops in recent battles, Cadillac and Roz decide to travel into Ne-Issan to secure peace and encourage the beginnings of a new civil conflict within the country. Meanwhile, Steve's attempts to keep a foot in both the Plainfolk and Federation camps continue as his star rises and he is made a member of the ruling First Family. But the higher he climbs, the greater the distance to fall...
When the captive Clearwater goes into labour at the precise moment Mount Saint Helens explodes with tremendous force, the First Family realises the Talisman Prophecy's fulfilment is at hand and the future of their war to take control of the surface world is about to be decided.
Earth-Thunder is the sixth and concluding volume of The Amtrak Wars. Patrick Tilley envisaged a twelve-volume epic divided into two sub-series spanning decades of history. However, after completing the sixth book he felt burnt-out and wanted to take a break. Life seems to have gotten in the way, and he has not released a new book since, despite occasional rumblings that a seventh book, called Ghost Rider, would appear. Whilst regrettable, it does mean that The Amtrak Wars has, for an SF/fantasy series, a surprisingly dark and grim ending (although not completely shorn of hope) which avoids cliche.
There's a nice reversal of roles in this book as Roz joins Cadillac on the surface and Steve has to return to the Federation, where he scales the ladder of promotion and success and has to navigate between different factions within the First Family with different visions of how the Federation is to move forwards. Whilst an interesting diversion it's not entirely successful. Part of the fun of the series is seeing Steve on the front line surviving by his wits. Having him back at base trying to learn Japanese and getting dubious offers from conflicting factions in the government is less compelling. This is made up for by Roz and Cadillac's journey into Ne-Issan, playing off the factions against one another in a morally dubious story of murder, skulduggery and intrigue. It's good stuff.
Where the novel succeeds is the final part of the book. With the series coming to an end Tilley - hardly a squeamish author at the best of times - has no problem with gunning down major characters and a real sense of the story spinning out of control comes to the fore, culminating in a surprising climax. There is then an epilogue (unless you have the 1998 edition, which removed it) which clarifies some of the events which took place in the two years following the end of the series which does give a much better sense of conclusion and finality to the story. Perhaps not ideal, but certainly better than getting no answers at all.
Earth-Thunder (***½) brings The Amtrak Wars to a reasonable, if surprisingly bleak, conclusion. Second-hand copies of the book are available via Amazon.co.uk but not on Amazon.com (not for less than $40 anyway).
When the captive Clearwater goes into labour at the precise moment Mount Saint Helens explodes with tremendous force, the First Family realises the Talisman Prophecy's fulfilment is at hand and the future of their war to take control of the surface world is about to be decided.
Earth-Thunder is the sixth and concluding volume of The Amtrak Wars. Patrick Tilley envisaged a twelve-volume epic divided into two sub-series spanning decades of history. However, after completing the sixth book he felt burnt-out and wanted to take a break. Life seems to have gotten in the way, and he has not released a new book since, despite occasional rumblings that a seventh book, called Ghost Rider, would appear. Whilst regrettable, it does mean that The Amtrak Wars has, for an SF/fantasy series, a surprisingly dark and grim ending (although not completely shorn of hope) which avoids cliche.
There's a nice reversal of roles in this book as Roz joins Cadillac on the surface and Steve has to return to the Federation, where he scales the ladder of promotion and success and has to navigate between different factions within the First Family with different visions of how the Federation is to move forwards. Whilst an interesting diversion it's not entirely successful. Part of the fun of the series is seeing Steve on the front line surviving by his wits. Having him back at base trying to learn Japanese and getting dubious offers from conflicting factions in the government is less compelling. This is made up for by Roz and Cadillac's journey into Ne-Issan, playing off the factions against one another in a morally dubious story of murder, skulduggery and intrigue. It's good stuff.
Where the novel succeeds is the final part of the book. With the series coming to an end Tilley - hardly a squeamish author at the best of times - has no problem with gunning down major characters and a real sense of the story spinning out of control comes to the fore, culminating in a surprising climax. There is then an epilogue (unless you have the 1998 edition, which removed it) which clarifies some of the events which took place in the two years following the end of the series which does give a much better sense of conclusion and finality to the story. Perhaps not ideal, but certainly better than getting no answers at all.
Earth-Thunder (***½) brings The Amtrak Wars to a reasonable, if surprisingly bleak, conclusion. Second-hand copies of the book are available via Amazon.co.uk but not on Amazon.com (not for less than $40 anyway).
April 14, 2019
Satisfying conclusion...
Cadillac finally gets his moment to shine (although only with planning, needs the full support of Roz and her psychic powers to pull off). He heads back into the Iron Master lands - but this time aiming to get trade links established, but gets drawn into a plot against the Iron Master Emperor...
Meanwhile Steve is climbing the ranks of the First Family... and gets assigned to a mission to renegotiate the agreements between the Iron Masters and the Federation...
Yes, they all run into each other and the proverbial hits the fan :)
The ending was good (imo). The whole series has been about preparing the way for the Talisman... and so a good place to end is when he finally appears :)
If this were a recent series, I'd be hankering for a follow up series. But this is 30 years old, so I guess we're not getting a new series about the Talisman...
Cadillac finally gets his moment to shine (although only with planning, needs the full support of Roz and her psychic powers to pull off). He heads back into the Iron Master lands - but this time aiming to get trade links established, but gets drawn into a plot against the Iron Master Emperor...
Meanwhile Steve is climbing the ranks of the First Family... and gets assigned to a mission to renegotiate the agreements between the Iron Masters and the Federation...
Yes, they all run into each other and the proverbial hits the fan :)
The ending was good (imo). The whole series has been about preparing the way for the Talisman... and so a good place to end is when he finally appears :)
If this were a recent series, I'd be hankering for a follow up series. But this is 30 years old, so I guess we're not getting a new series about the Talisman...
October 13, 2018
The story arc in the first two-thirds is satisfactory, but after that there is no real plot development and the saga draws to a close with a whimper. A disappointing note upon which to end an otherwise thrilling story. I still have misgivings about the depiction of the non-Federation races, with excessive use of epithets and stereotyping beyond what is needed to convey the racism of the characters.
January 22, 2023
This series has no satisfying conclusions. Personally, I wouldn’t bother with these books. All six of them.
I felt no attachment to the characters.
Essentially, this series took 6 entire books to SET UP a story. This series is a prequel series with no sequel. There is no pay off when the talisman is born because we knew that from book one.
Two stars because even so, some of it was interesting. Some decent action. Good ideas with potential but really, don’t waste your time on these.
I felt no attachment to the characters.
Essentially, this series took 6 entire books to SET UP a story. This series is a prequel series with no sequel. There is no pay off when the talisman is born because we knew that from book one.
Two stars because even so, some of it was interesting. Some decent action. Good ideas with potential but really, don’t waste your time on these.
October 26, 2017
Close to the end of this book I was thinking "how on earth is this going to finish?" as there was so much more story to go.
The answer to that is, it didn't! It's like the prequel series. It set everything up and then that was the end. I went looking for the rest of the series and there isn't any.
Frustrated to the max!
Still a good story though.
The answer to that is, it didn't! It's like the prequel series. It set everything up and then that was the end. I went looking for the rest of the series and there isn't any.
Frustrated to the max!
Still a good story though.
July 29, 2021
Tilley is back on track with vol6, the final in the Amtrak series. Vol1 - 4 kept me entertained, vol5 drove me nuts with nonsensical plot holes and typographical errors, but vol6 proved a nice effort at tying it all together and bringing the series to a close. I actually found myself wanting more after turning the last page, a good sign for any book.
February 8, 2023
A solid closure of the story threads for the four main characters, with the author's continued surprise twists and turns, but the broader story of Talisman was left ongoing. There were rumors starting in 1999 that Patrick Tilley was working on a follow-on series, but he passed away in 2020 without any other books being published.
November 16, 2017
I recently re read these 6 books and it took my back many years. Love how the characters developed over the books. They go through an action packed adventure. I’m going to miss you Steve. Brickman. An interesting take on the post apocalyptic world.
July 2, 2018
Final book in series
This was a great ending to a pretty good series. The final few chapters were sad but gave hope for the future of our world.
This was a great ending to a pretty good series. The final few chapters were sad but gave hope for the future of our world.
October 8, 2018
Excellent conclusion to the Amtrak Wars series.
I'd not read this one before so was rather surprised at the ending.
A truly remarkable series and well worth reading.
I'd not read this one before so was rather surprised at the ending.
A truly remarkable series and well worth reading.
November 10, 2018
One of the better books, but I almost gave it a star off for it's rushed/abrupt ending.
February 29, 2024
Recommended
Great story what a way to finish was that they are finished hopefully find another good series of books looking forward to reading aagain
Great story what a way to finish was that they are finished hopefully find another good series of books looking forward to reading aagain
June 17, 2024
Its like the author was trying to finish the story before he died or his agent pushed hime to another storyline. Wish there were more novels.
July 12, 2016
A pretty unsatisfying end to the series.
The author appeared to not realize how to set up the conflict with the first family/Amtrak and instead the novel meanders around in previously visited territory with intrigue and assassinations with the Japanese nation.
I actually was rooting for the security head of Amexico and the first family as they at least were decisive about going after what they wanted, instead of Steve's time wasting.
Brickman spends most of the book spinning his wheels and then is dealt with in logical, but certainly not satisfying ending. I mean, several times he's had enough or can't take any more of it, but makes no real effort to get out I thought.
I think that Tilley was probably going to write more on this series, but it IS an ending. Some authors don't even get around to that.
The author appeared to not realize how to set up the conflict with the first family/Amtrak and instead the novel meanders around in previously visited territory with intrigue and assassinations with the Japanese nation.
I actually was rooting for the security head of Amexico and the first family as they at least were decisive about going after what they wanted, instead of Steve's time wasting.
Brickman spends most of the book spinning his wheels and then is dealt with in logical, but certainly not satisfying ending. I mean, several times he's had enough or can't take any more of it, but makes no real effort to get out I thought.
I think that Tilley was probably going to write more on this series, but it IS an ending. Some authors don't even get around to that.
October 22, 2012
The final book feels a bit rushed and there is very little resolution for the main protagonist who we have followed through these 6 books. The main prophecy is left as an inevitable outcome and not worth the telling, so if the focus of the journey was Steve I would have expected more about the internals of Steve's struggle.
I also still could not suspend my disbelief that the Asian survivors of the holocaust would settle America from the Atlantic and not from the Pacific and this was not every explained.
Glad I can move on to other things.
I also still could not suspend my disbelief that the Asian survivors of the holocaust would settle America from the Atlantic and not from the Pacific and this was not every explained.
Glad I can move on to other things.
December 1, 2016
Not as vividly described as earlier books, though the potential existed in multiple divergent settings. Glad I read the whole thing, turned out to have some unexpected developments in terms of plot and character evolution, but unlikely to re-read. The future world descriptions of the "advanced" society seemed inconsistent with the world established so far.
February 21, 2012
Double crosses, double double crosses. By the end of this series I had no idea what the main character wanted any more, to whom he was beholden, or anything. What really burned me though, was the book and series ended just as the story got good.
March 29, 2022
The story moved along to it's conclusion, but could have been a bit better. Still a good read, and finally able to see how it ended. Bought books 1 to 5 when they came out in the late 80's, for some reason never got around to book 6 until now.
March 31, 2013
rather dissapointing finish to the series, tails off rather badly then finishes in a rush leaving a lot unanswered.
September 27, 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
A fine ending
November 9, 2015
It can't end like that!!!
March 28, 2016
Great story.
The subterfuge and double dealing in this book continue. The end is great, very noir. I loved the feel throughout.
The subterfuge and double dealing in this book continue. The end is great, very noir. I loved the feel throughout.
September 9, 2016
Enjoyable series with a very frustrating end. The Talisman prophesy could have been developped better. My overall rating of the series -3.66
April 22, 2023
It turns out the real conclusions to long series written by some old guy are the friends we made along the way
July 4, 2013
[Full Review to Follow]
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews