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The Light of Terra #2
Shield of Terra
The mother, ruler of an entire world
Sent to the heart of an old enemy to build a new peace
The daughter, officer of a deadly warship
Sent to the darkness to find the new enemy hunting them all
A dozen inhabited worlds of the Kanzi Theocracy and the A!Tol Imperium are ash. Millions of sentients of a dozen species are dead, including humans from the brand-new colonies built under the Imperium’s watch. Despite the losses, the strange Taljzi fanatics have been defeated—but everything suggests that more will be coming.
The Empress of the A!Tol has resolved that the cold war between A!Tol and Kanzi must end. She sends Duchess Annette Bond to the heart of the Kanzi Theocracy to negotiate a new alliance.
Elsewhere, Bond’s stepdaughter Morgan Casimir and the battleship Bellerophon are sent into the darkness beyond known space to see what they can learn about the Taljzi.
As they uncover old secrets of new enemies and new secrets of old enemies the fate of humanity and five dozen other races hangs on the actions of mother and daughter alike!
Sent to the heart of an old enemy to build a new peace
The daughter, officer of a deadly warship
Sent to the darkness to find the new enemy hunting them all
A dozen inhabited worlds of the Kanzi Theocracy and the A!Tol Imperium are ash. Millions of sentients of a dozen species are dead, including humans from the brand-new colonies built under the Imperium’s watch. Despite the losses, the strange Taljzi fanatics have been defeated—but everything suggests that more will be coming.
The Empress of the A!Tol has resolved that the cold war between A!Tol and Kanzi must end. She sends Duchess Annette Bond to the heart of the Kanzi Theocracy to negotiate a new alliance.
Elsewhere, Bond’s stepdaughter Morgan Casimir and the battleship Bellerophon are sent into the darkness beyond known space to see what they can learn about the Taljzi.
As they uncover old secrets of new enemies and new secrets of old enemies the fate of humanity and five dozen other races hangs on the actions of mother and daughter alike!
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
999 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Glynn Stewart
115 books1,748 followersGlynn Stewart is the author of over 60 books, including Starship’s Mage, a bestselling science fiction and fantasy series where faster-than-light travel is possible–but only because of magic.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
March 29, 2019
Glynn Stewart does it again. The storyline implies that this is the second book of a trilogy (could be more). The great thing is that this doesn't feel like the middle of a trilogy, it was a good story all on it's own.
I like the characters, there aren't any new faces but those that are featured all seem to grow a bit or reveal a little more depth. Even the hated Kanzi turn out to not be so entirely despicable. That was a really nice turn to the story arc.
The action is really well paced. The battle sequences are detailed enough to be interesting but short enough to keep the larger story moving. The final battle at the end has an unexpected twist that wrapped things up nicely. Can't wait until the next installment!
I like the characters, there aren't any new faces but those that are featured all seem to grow a bit or reveal a little more depth. Even the hated Kanzi turn out to not be so entirely despicable. That was a really nice turn to the story arc.
The action is really well paced. The battle sequences are detailed enough to be interesting but short enough to keep the larger story moving. The final battle at the end has an unexpected twist that wrapped things up nicely. Can't wait until the next installment!
March 28, 2019
Gripping and fantastic
The “Duchy of Terra” series of books has quickly made it’s way to my top three series of books, nestled in with it’s esteemed comrades “The Lost Fleet”, and “Man of War” series. They are all fantastic, but with Shield of Terra, the Duchy series may have pulled ahead of the Lost Fleet in my estimation. The character development was good, the action thrilling, and the loses deeply felt.
The “Duchy of Terra” series of books has quickly made it’s way to my top three series of books, nestled in with it’s esteemed comrades “The Lost Fleet”, and “Man of War” series. They are all fantastic, but with Shield of Terra, the Duchy series may have pulled ahead of the Lost Fleet in my estimation. The character development was good, the action thrilling, and the loses deeply felt.
March 26, 2019
Always enjoyable space opera
This was an enjoyable space opera and I look forward to the next book in the series. Annette and Morgan do really well during this war and although we do lose good people...during the fight I enjoyed the book
This was an enjoyable space opera and I look forward to the next book in the series. Annette and Morgan do really well during this war and although we do lose good people...during the fight I enjoyed the book
March 26, 2019
If you liked the previous "Terra" books you'll love this one. All the build up and hints start to pay off and the stakes keep being raised, whilst feeling very real.
March 31, 2019
Still awesome
There's not a lot to say that everyone else hasn't said better and in more detail than I could manage. This is another great installment in a really good series.
More than one fellow fan referenced Weber for good reason. I've not read many writers who can describe missile combat between capital ship forces as well as Weber and Stewart is definitely one of those. Love the aliens (except for the genocidal maniacs). Love the humans without exception. Love the Duchy and the imperium.
Love the series as much as that of the universe of Honor Harrington and Stewart in this series handles both the romantic and political/naval relationships better than Weber does.
There's not a lot to say that everyone else hasn't said better and in more detail than I could manage. This is another great installment in a really good series.
More than one fellow fan referenced Weber for good reason. I've not read many writers who can describe missile combat between capital ship forces as well as Weber and Stewart is definitely one of those. Love the aliens (except for the genocidal maniacs). Love the humans without exception. Love the Duchy and the imperium.
Love the series as much as that of the universe of Honor Harrington and Stewart in this series handles both the romantic and political/naval relationships better than Weber does.
May 9, 2021
Superb!
March 29, 2019
Consistently excellent
Glynn Stewart is one of less than a handful of authors I can truly say has never once let me down. This book once again had me hooked from the off, and I read it whenever I had a spare moment: on the train, bus or tube. More please, and be quick about it.
Glynn Stewart is one of less than a handful of authors I can truly say has never once let me down. This book once again had me hooked from the off, and I read it whenever I had a spare moment: on the train, bus or tube. More please, and be quick about it.
July 20, 2022
THE DUCHY OF TERRA series is a wonderful space opera series that may soon surpass STARSHIP'S MAGE as my favorite from Glynn Stewart. It is about humanity having become a duchy in the T!Kol Empire that are the best conquerors you could ever be conquered by.
The Duchy is in a strange alliance with their oldest foes against a renegade splinter faction of the latter who has managed to find some precursor technology that allows them to form endless armies of clones. The renegades wish to annihilate all bipedal life that doesn't conform to their vision of God's vision. So, really, our heroes have no choice but to fight.
The new protagonist, Morgan, is every bit as enjoyable as Annette and I like that she is a LGBT character with an interesting relationship to her her girlfriend that doesn't dismiss her bisexuality.
The Duchy is in a strange alliance with their oldest foes against a renegade splinter faction of the latter who has managed to find some precursor technology that allows them to form endless armies of clones. The renegades wish to annihilate all bipedal life that doesn't conform to their vision of God's vision. So, really, our heroes have no choice but to fight.
The new protagonist, Morgan, is every bit as enjoyable as Annette and I like that she is a LGBT character with an interesting relationship to her her girlfriend that doesn't dismiss her bisexuality.
March 29, 2019
Great Book, Great Series.
The Light Of Terra series is an offshoot of the Duchy Of Terra series. Shield Of Terra is the second book in the former. I like meeting old friends from the first series such as Duchess Annette Bond. Morgan Casimir is Duchess Bond's stepdaughter and is the lead character. Both play pivotal roles in the story. I like the action, humor, and military strategy. I look forward to the next book.
The Light Of Terra series is an offshoot of the Duchy Of Terra series. Shield Of Terra is the second book in the former. I like meeting old friends from the first series such as Duchess Annette Bond. Morgan Casimir is Duchess Bond's stepdaughter and is the lead character. Both play pivotal roles in the story. I like the action, humor, and military strategy. I look forward to the next book.
October 4, 2021
While the writing is professional, the content is almost entirely unoriginal. That's not a bad thing. Sometimes I need a "sure thing," even when the payout is small.
December 29, 2024
Nothing beats an all out space battle in the Sol system with thousands of ships, and Shield of Terra is nothing less.
March 28, 2019
I'm still enjoying this series and anything Glynn releases but the last few books felt "same same" to me. Starts of with a crisis, everybody runs around, few minor character dies, then a big set piece battle for the finish. Morgan is still Mary Sue, not as bad as the previous book though. And the minor bad guys in the Kanzai anti-reformist camp are still 2D villians.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2019
Chancellor Merkel !!! :-)))
August 29, 2023
En helt ok fortsättning. Författaren är inte lika bra på att skriva stora bataljer som individuell spänning, och det lider boken något av.
March 27, 2019
Webers and Webers of missiles
There seem to be a lot more space battles in this book and less character development. That's still good in my opinion.
Did I say space battles? These are the biggest ones yet.
And we still haven't seen "war spheres." I really want to see a war sphere.
If you can't guess, I enjoyed the story here and can't wait for more books.
There seem to be a lot more space battles in this book and less character development. That's still good in my opinion.
Did I say space battles? These are the biggest ones yet.
And we still haven't seen "war spheres." I really want to see a war sphere.
If you can't guess, I enjoyed the story here and can't wait for more books.
March 29, 2019
Another great chapter
It amazes me where this story has gone since the first book. Never would have guessed it. I look forward to the next one!
It amazes me where this story has gone since the first book. Never would have guessed it. I look forward to the next one!
March 27, 2019
Space opera at it's best.
If you like David Weber you'll like this. Well paced, from world building to fleet battles to galactic politics. I've enjoyed all the authors books.
If you like David Weber you'll like this. Well paced, from world building to fleet battles to galactic politics. I've enjoyed all the authors books.
May 8, 2019
Excellent
First class action with well developed characters in an ever expanding series. This is a really satisfying addition to the series.
First class action with well developed characters in an ever expanding series. This is a really satisfying addition to the series.
November 17, 2021
This is #2 in this spinoff of the Duchy of Terra series. It’s a Space Opera (think Star Wars) and, while #1 wasn’t anything special, I thought I’d give this Light of Terra series one more chance. My mistake.
I can applaud author Stewart’s ‘schtick’ in building consistency (believability - ?) in a light speed environment with the spacecrafts and weapons. So, the science fiction plausibility is OK. Unfortunately, this plot is just so-so. It’s 2-star stuff and only when the author brings in archeology and diplomacy does it rise to 3-stars. Of course, there’s the inevitable big battle interesting because of its size -thousands of ships, tens of thousands of missiles, as well the hundreds or thousands of soldiers/sailors in each ship – and with the ‘good guys’ vastly outnumbered, (again, of course). Author Stewart has a number of different alien species and, most interesting to me, was the consideration of religion(s) – with the “true and right image of God” as a the justification for conquest and slavery. He could have done more with that.
OK, it’s just mindless Sci-Fi which I have enjoyed in the past, but it’s become boring. … I’m done with the series.
I can applaud author Stewart’s ‘schtick’ in building consistency (believability - ?) in a light speed environment with the spacecrafts and weapons. So, the science fiction plausibility is OK. Unfortunately, this plot is just so-so. It’s 2-star stuff and only when the author brings in archeology and diplomacy does it rise to 3-stars. Of course, there’s the inevitable big battle interesting because of its size -thousands of ships, tens of thousands of missiles, as well the hundreds or thousands of soldiers/sailors in each ship – and with the ‘good guys’ vastly outnumbered, (again, of course). Author Stewart has a number of different alien species and, most interesting to me, was the consideration of religion(s) – with the “true and right image of God” as a the justification for conquest and slavery. He could have done more with that.
OK, it’s just mindless Sci-Fi which I have enjoyed in the past, but it’s become boring. … I’m done with the series.
February 25, 2022
In the last book, Taljzi fanatics erupted out of nowhere. Both humans and their old foes the Kanzi saw colony worlds destroyed and millions of citizens lost. Now Duchess Annette Bond will need to negotiate an alliance with the Kanzi Empress, while her stepdaughter Morgan Casimir fights the Taljzi on the front lines. Humanity's fate may hang in the balance...
Another solid book! This one feels a bit like a continuation of the previous one, rather than entirely standalone, but that's okay.
I do wish there was a little more time to spend on the characters and worldbuilding, rather than constantly upping the dramatic stakes with bigger Bad Guys to fight progressively more epic space battles with. It feels like every book goes "biggest battle EVER" and then the next book goes "no wait, NOW biggest battle ever!" and then the next goes... you get the point. It kind of loses power after a while.
Another solid book! This one feels a bit like a continuation of the previous one, rather than entirely standalone, but that's okay.
I do wish there was a little more time to spend on the characters and worldbuilding, rather than constantly upping the dramatic stakes with bigger Bad Guys to fight progressively more epic space battles with. It feels like every book goes "biggest battle EVER" and then the next book goes "no wait, NOW biggest battle ever!" and then the next goes... you get the point. It kind of loses power after a while.
November 26, 2020
I'm not sure how this series got popular. I am not going to read his other books because the story he writes in action into "who;s hooking up with who" ... then fade to black before they have sex isn't the way I enjoy reading space opera. It's not even the sex that I'm talking about it's all this lore and interesting character development left on the table. Everything is loins or action. Yes, it's a very good marching pace-filled story but it's pointless without stakes. Those stakes are built by us caring about the planet, the characters, and the people in it. Frustrating series. I like bond and I like morgan I just wish I knew more about them and the people who have sword loyalty to them. The many races that have now made Terra their home and promise to defend it. What terra is like now. How that impacts things. Blah blah blah.
April 20, 2019
After the big battle against the ‘Taljzi’ in the last book, it was to be expected that this book would start with diplomacy, rebuilding fleets and searching for the ‘Taljzi’ home world. This was interesting, but not riveting, although I enjoyed reading more about ‘Morgan”.
Before the obligatory big battle there was a lot of ‘bean counting’, adding up available battleships and possible arrival times for different fleets. I found some of this confusing, as the author seemed to change numbers almost at random.
The final battle was a bit over the top for me, it really was just a bit drawn out until the final twist. However, overall it was a good read and I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
Before the obligatory big battle there was a lot of ‘bean counting’, adding up available battleships and possible arrival times for different fleets. I found some of this confusing, as the author seemed to change numbers almost at random.
The final battle was a bit over the top for me, it really was just a bit drawn out until the final twist. However, overall it was a good read and I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
March 25, 2020
A total disappointment.
The author's first and only concern seems to be that his readers know that he is totally on board with the politically corectness BS of the day. He/she is gay, is black, is native american, is indo-chinese etc etc. And everybody is chuckling a lot. That's it for character development.
The way that Morgan Casimir becomes the center of attention is ridiculous...
As far as the story goes... Who ever has the bigger guns, wins, nothing more. Guess who that is...
To say that this is just lazy writing it would be an understatment, but let's leave it to that.
A far cry from Castle Federation and even from Starship's Mage series...
The author's first and only concern seems to be that his readers know that he is totally on board with the politically corectness BS of the day. He/she is gay, is black, is native american, is indo-chinese etc etc. And everybody is chuckling a lot. That's it for character development.
The way that Morgan Casimir becomes the center of attention is ridiculous...
As far as the story goes... Who ever has the bigger guns, wins, nothing more. Guess who that is...
To say that this is just lazy writing it would be an understatment, but let's leave it to that.
A far cry from Castle Federation and even from Starship's Mage series...
June 28, 2019
Another excellent addition to the series.
I don't think that have read anyone other than Glynn Stewart for the last six books, I've been catching up on his other series. I started reading GS when I read The Terran Privateer and since then this series has been at the top of my favourites list. This book did not disappoint me. The story has pace, the length to allow development, good plot, good characters that I really like. This has to be my current favourite. I just hope that Glynn has at least another series in this universe.
I don't think that have read anyone other than Glynn Stewart for the last six books, I've been catching up on his other series. I started reading GS when I read The Terran Privateer and since then this series has been at the top of my favourites list. This book did not disappoint me. The story has pace, the length to allow development, good plot, good characters that I really like. This has to be my current favourite. I just hope that Glynn has at least another series in this universe.
August 25, 2020
Summary: Space opera/ Military SF with big battles and lots of alien species, interesting technology and a captivating style and story line. there's plenty of weaknesses as well but I enjoyed this book, highly recommended. Continues from book 1, more of the same
Plotline: Simple plot really based around the premise
Premise: Complex with multiple species, good, bad and dufferent
Writing: The reader is right there in the action. Good set of main characters as well
Ending: Oh yes, more to come
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: Simple plot really based around the premise
Premise: Complex with multiple species, good, bad and dufferent
Writing: The reader is right there in the action. Good set of main characters as well
Ending: Oh yes, more to come
Pace: Never a dull moment!
April 1, 2019
Quality military sci-fi, but how does Glynn keep churning out so many books?
Love most of Glynn Stewart’s series, and while Starship’s Mage is still my favourite, I’ve really enjoyed (and am enjoying) the Terra series. Highly recommended if you love military sci-fi. Looking forward to the next one.
Also, I’m constantly amazed by how quickly he gets these books out. Does he secretly have a team of ghost writers??
Love most of Glynn Stewart’s series, and while Starship’s Mage is still my favourite, I’ve really enjoyed (and am enjoying) the Terra series. Highly recommended if you love military sci-fi. Looking forward to the next one.
Also, I’m constantly amazed by how quickly he gets these books out. Does he secretly have a team of ghost writers??
August 4, 2021
Another reasonably good book, it's helping me with better use of pronoun useage in life so that's good. It's annoying the alt right which is interesting as most of them support, incest, genocide, murder, & countless other appalling things in the Bible..
The book however has quite a good story with lots of action which I like in sci-fi so I've started the last book, although there seems to be another series of 3 I need to read the blurb.
The book however has quite a good story with lots of action which I like in sci-fi so I've started the last book, although there seems to be another series of 3 I need to read the blurb.
April 10, 2019
A reasonably good book. Not amazing.
It would have been better to either actually kill off the a certain main character, or not so blatantly try to make you think she'd die and save her at the last second. Everybody gets a bit tired of that shit. That's one of the reasons everybody was impressed by Game of Thrones.
It would have been better to either actually kill off the a certain main character, or not so blatantly try to make you think she'd die and save her at the last second. Everybody gets a bit tired of that shit. That's one of the reasons everybody was impressed by Game of Thrones.
April 11, 2019
Defending Earth at all costs
Tightly plotted response to the coming Taljzi threat of human extermination. Duchess of Terra forging an Imperial alliance with the Kanzi to bolster Earth's battle fleets. Excellent rendering of war, cooperation and sacrifice. Really enjoy the high quality of Glynn Stewart's work.
Tightly plotted response to the coming Taljzi threat of human extermination. Duchess of Terra forging an Imperial alliance with the Kanzi to bolster Earth's battle fleets. Excellent rendering of war, cooperation and sacrifice. Really enjoy the high quality of Glynn Stewart's work.
May 1, 2019
A couple editing issues in this one, but otherwise, a pretty good story. Good to see the ending, that means things are finally moving in the direction they should have gone at the end of the previous series, before this one even started, but still, it's looking like things are going to get interesting for the next book, so I'm looking forward to that one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews