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The Long Winter #2
The Solar War
* Now a Wall Street Journal bestseller! *
We thought the war was over.
We were wrong.
They decimated Earth during the Long Winter. Now the grid has returned, and they won't stop until the human race is extinct.
On a ruined world, humanity's last survivors fight against impossible odds. In their darkest hour, they discover a new hope for survival. But it comes at an unthinkable price, with consequences that will change everything.
"This is apocalyptic sci-fi at its best."
-- Daily Mail
The Solar War is the second book in The Long Winter trilogy (which began with Winter World ).
Filled with real science and shocking twists readers have come to love in the series, The Solar War will keep you up late into the night turning the pages--and leave you pondering the revelations long after it's over.
Selected Praise For A.G. Riddle
"...reads like a superior collaboration between Dan Brown and Michael Crichton."
-- The Guardian on Pandemic
"I finished the book fast because I just couldn't wait..."
-- WIRED GeekDad on Departure
"Riddle... keep(s) the focus on his characters... rather than the technological marvels"
-- Publisher's Weekly on Departure
"Well-constructed and tightly-wound as a fine Swiss watch-- DEPARTURE has non-stop action, an engaging plot and, of course, wheels within wheels."
-- Diana Gabaldon , #1 New York Times bestselling author of Outlander
An Extended Look at The Solar War
After the Long Winter, Emma Matthews and James Sinclair hoped life would get back to normal. They've settled down in Camp Seven and welcomed their first child, a daughter. And they have waited and watched the sky for any signs of the grid's return.
When NASA discovers that several asteroids have broken from the Kuiper Belt and are headed for Earth, James instantly realizes the the grid is back. And this battle will be one to the very end.
As he and his team prepare for humanity's last stand in space and on the ground, Emma makes a discovery closer to home, one that will change life for her and James once again.
With war raging around them, Emma and James fight to keep their family alive. In the cold darkness, humanity splinters. New alliances emerge. At every turn, Emma and James face new dangers--and question whom to trust.
Just when it seems that all hope is lost, James uncovers what may be the key to humanity's survival. But it comes with enormous risks. To implement his plan, he and Emma will have to survive the grid and another, even more deadly enemy. One thing is their gambit will change the future of the human race forever.
About the Author
A.G. Riddle's debut novel, The Atlantis Gene , became a global phenomenon, topping best seller charts in the US and abroad. Every year, Amazon compiles a list of the top 100 bestselling Kindle eBooks of the year (by total sales volume). The Atlantis Gene has made Amazon's annual Kindle bestseller list an unprecedented five years in a row--every year since the book's release (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017). Since then, Riddle has released eight more novels, selling millions of copies in two dozen languages. His books feature a unique mix of science, history, and suspense that has delighted fans of Michael Crichton, Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, and James Rollins and continues to sell year after year. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.
this novel is available in a variety of as an eBook on Kindle Fire and Kindle eReader, as an Audible audiobook, and in print (paperback and hardcover). It is also enrolled in Kindle Unlimited where subscribers can read for free.
We thought the war was over.
We were wrong.
They decimated Earth during the Long Winter. Now the grid has returned, and they won't stop until the human race is extinct.
On a ruined world, humanity's last survivors fight against impossible odds. In their darkest hour, they discover a new hope for survival. But it comes at an unthinkable price, with consequences that will change everything.
"This is apocalyptic sci-fi at its best."
-- Daily Mail
The Solar War is the second book in The Long Winter trilogy (which began with Winter World ).
Filled with real science and shocking twists readers have come to love in the series, The Solar War will keep you up late into the night turning the pages--and leave you pondering the revelations long after it's over.
Selected Praise For A.G. Riddle
"...reads like a superior collaboration between Dan Brown and Michael Crichton."
-- The Guardian on Pandemic
"I finished the book fast because I just couldn't wait..."
-- WIRED GeekDad on Departure
"Riddle... keep(s) the focus on his characters... rather than the technological marvels"
-- Publisher's Weekly on Departure
"Well-constructed and tightly-wound as a fine Swiss watch-- DEPARTURE has non-stop action, an engaging plot and, of course, wheels within wheels."
-- Diana Gabaldon , #1 New York Times bestselling author of Outlander
An Extended Look at The Solar War
After the Long Winter, Emma Matthews and James Sinclair hoped life would get back to normal. They've settled down in Camp Seven and welcomed their first child, a daughter. And they have waited and watched the sky for any signs of the grid's return.
When NASA discovers that several asteroids have broken from the Kuiper Belt and are headed for Earth, James instantly realizes the the grid is back. And this battle will be one to the very end.
As he and his team prepare for humanity's last stand in space and on the ground, Emma makes a discovery closer to home, one that will change life for her and James once again.
With war raging around them, Emma and James fight to keep their family alive. In the cold darkness, humanity splinters. New alliances emerge. At every turn, Emma and James face new dangers--and question whom to trust.
Just when it seems that all hope is lost, James uncovers what may be the key to humanity's survival. But it comes with enormous risks. To implement his plan, he and Emma will have to survive the grid and another, even more deadly enemy. One thing is their gambit will change the future of the human race forever.
About the Author
A.G. Riddle's debut novel, The Atlantis Gene , became a global phenomenon, topping best seller charts in the US and abroad. Every year, Amazon compiles a list of the top 100 bestselling Kindle eBooks of the year (by total sales volume). The Atlantis Gene has made Amazon's annual Kindle bestseller list an unprecedented five years in a row--every year since the book's release (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017). Since then, Riddle has released eight more novels, selling millions of copies in two dozen languages. His books feature a unique mix of science, history, and suspense that has delighted fans of Michael Crichton, Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, and James Rollins and continues to sell year after year. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.
this novel is available in a variety of as an eBook on Kindle Fire and Kindle eReader, as an Audible audiobook, and in print (paperback and hardcover). It is also enrolled in Kindle Unlimited where subscribers can read for free.
528 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2019
15683 people are currently reading
3979 people want to read
About the author
A.G. Riddle
22 books5,752 followersA.G. Riddle spent ten years starting internet companies before retiring to pursue his true passion: writing fiction.
His debut novel, The Atlantis Gene, is the first book in The Origin Mystery, the trilogy that has sold a million copies in the US, is being translated into 19 languages, and is in development at CBS Films to be a major motion picture. The trilogy will be in bookstores (in hardcover and paperback) around the world in 2015.
His recently released fourth novel, Departure, follows the survivors of a flight that takes off in 2014 and crash-lands in a changed world. The hardcover will be published by HarperCollins in the fall of 2015, and 20th Century Fox is developing the novel for a feature film.
Riddle grew up in a small town in the US (Boiling Springs, North Carolina) and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. During his sophomore year of college, he started his first company with a childhood friend. He currently lives in Florida with his wife, who endures his various idiosyncrasies in return for being the first to read his new novels.
No matter where he is, or what's going on, he tries his best to set aside time every day to answer emails and messages from readers. You can reach him at: ag@agriddle.com
** For a sneak peek at new novels, free stories, and more, join the email list at:
www.agriddle.com/email
If you don't want to miss any Riddle news, you can:
Like the A.G. Riddle Facebook page:
facebook.com/agriddle
Follow A.G. Riddle on Twitter:
twitter.com/riddlist
For more, please visit:
AGRiddle.com
* * *
His debut novel, The Atlantis Gene, is the first book in The Origin Mystery, the trilogy that has sold a million copies in the US, is being translated into 19 languages, and is in development at CBS Films to be a major motion picture. The trilogy will be in bookstores (in hardcover and paperback) around the world in 2015.
His recently released fourth novel, Departure, follows the survivors of a flight that takes off in 2014 and crash-lands in a changed world. The hardcover will be published by HarperCollins in the fall of 2015, and 20th Century Fox is developing the novel for a feature film.
Riddle grew up in a small town in the US (Boiling Springs, North Carolina) and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. During his sophomore year of college, he started his first company with a childhood friend. He currently lives in Florida with his wife, who endures his various idiosyncrasies in return for being the first to read his new novels.
No matter where he is, or what's going on, he tries his best to set aside time every day to answer emails and messages from readers. You can reach him at: ag@agriddle.com
** For a sneak peek at new novels, free stories, and more, join the email list at:
www.agriddle.com/email
If you don't want to miss any Riddle news, you can:
Like the A.G. Riddle Facebook page:
facebook.com/agriddle
Follow A.G. Riddle on Twitter:
twitter.com/riddlist
For more, please visit:
AGRiddle.com
* * *
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 849 reviews
July 26, 2024
WITHOUT POWER TO HEAT, GROW FOOD, MANUFACTURER ITEMS NEEDED TO SURVIVE IN A ICE AGE WHAT CAN YOU DO
One man battles to save all of humanity even though some of humanity is set to destroy everything he has done to protect them and save them from extinction from a alien races who is bent on pulling all the energy from the Sun.
THE SOLAR WAR (THE LONG WINTER TRILOGY BOOK 2) by A.G. Riddle THE LONG WINTER TRILOGY is a very enjoyable addition to the series that is full of suspense, it's action-packed throughout and you will find yourself routing for James and Emma and the rest of the team as they try to save Earth's remaining population escape to a distance plant to start over. It's a story of sacrifice, loss, and determination to survive when all is a loss when it comes to being able to survive on Earth.
This is a story and series that I have enjoyed reading and hope you will also enjoy.
Quote:
"All good plans eventually involve duct tape."
One man battles to save all of humanity even though some of humanity is set to destroy everything he has done to protect them and save them from extinction from a alien races who is bent on pulling all the energy from the Sun.
THE SOLAR WAR (THE LONG WINTER TRILOGY BOOK 2) by A.G. Riddle THE LONG WINTER TRILOGY is a very enjoyable addition to the series that is full of suspense, it's action-packed throughout and you will find yourself routing for James and Emma and the rest of the team as they try to save Earth's remaining population escape to a distance plant to start over. It's a story of sacrifice, loss, and determination to survive when all is a loss when it comes to being able to survive on Earth.
This is a story and series that I have enjoyed reading and hope you will also enjoy.
Quote:
"All good plans eventually involve duct tape."
September 15, 2019
I couldn't deal with the stupid genius any more. Nor his wife. It's a shame because I loved the premise, but the two main characters were too much too handle. Thank goodness it was Kindle Unlimited!
Read
July 26, 2019While I loved The Long Winter, the Solar War just didn't do it for me. I've had this before with AG Riddle. I love the first books in his series and then fail to connect with the follow-ups. Abandoned at 44%.
March 16, 2020
Syfy channel trash
This was so bad that i went back and lowered the rating of book 1 'Winter World' to 3 stars.
The only good thing i can say about this book is that i would read 100 pages in 30 minutes.
After book one 9 million humans survived. Book two the bad guys throw a couple asteroids towards Earth reducing the population to 900 hundred. The bad guys have a message for mankind. Leave Earth or we will destroy the rest of youse guys. The survivors build two ships, with the help from one of the bad guys, and set off on a 6000 year journey to another planet. What? Who wrote this? A 7th grader.
A weak, lazy, and at times dumb plot. Emma's chapters are a waste of time. Just skip them. Just no.
The only reason i didn't give it one star is i liked the ending. If book 3 is bad i will lower this to one star.
This was so bad that i went back and lowered the rating of book 1 'Winter World' to 3 stars.
The only good thing i can say about this book is that i would read 100 pages in 30 minutes.
After book one 9 million humans survived. Book two the bad guys throw a couple asteroids towards Earth reducing the population to 900 hundred. The bad guys have a message for mankind. Leave Earth or we will destroy the rest of youse guys. The survivors build two ships, with the help from one of the bad guys, and set off on a 6000 year journey to another planet. What? Who wrote this? A 7th grader.
A weak, lazy, and at times dumb plot. Emma's chapters are a waste of time. Just skip them. Just no.
The only reason i didn't give it one star is i liked the ending. If book 3 is bad i will lower this to one star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2025
Slightly predictable, yet a great ending with a twist which makes up for everything.
February 17, 2024
Continuing my binge rereading of A. G. Riddle books, this is the second in a series of three where, after earth is made uninhabitable, survivors plot out a new reality on a different world. Sometimes, in a series, at least one book seems to not equal the quality of the others, but this middle book maintains the quality of the series. Most enjoyable!
August 11, 2019
Totally agree with the other reviewers. The Long Winter was good overall despite a few plot holes but A.G. Riddle flounders badly in this sequel. There's so much to not like in this book - Emma is particularly disappointing, the strong female commander spends most of her time laying in a bunk feeling weak and worrying about her kids. And the scenes with the kids are just so boring - how many times do we need to be told that the children played on their iPads? The science is disappointing too - Riddle's take on human stasis is to zip people into plastic bags and a virus magically suspends life. It's all quite laughably bad.
January 1, 2020
I was honestly hesitant about reading this series because of some of the mixed reviews I've seen for some of Riddle's other stories. I decided to go with it because it has some of my favorite tropes- winter, outer space and apocalyptic disaster. I'm glad I did too or I would have missed out on a good series. There's never a dull moment in this series which is exactly how I like it.
February 14, 2020
How to review this... I’m enjoying the whole concept of the series as I don’t read much sci-fi and I was getting a bit jaded with my usual stuff and I don’t care about plausibility in sci-fi, you can get away with just about anything and it was all so different, etc etc. BUT, most of the book was just so damn bleak. It was hard to read because of that alone.
The grid is back and one of its agents informs James that humans must leave earth or they will be obliterated. No much if a choice is it? There is not much time, resources are scarce, the planet is cooling rapidly again and they don’t have enough people to make a go of a new colony. That’s the good news. The other two alliances after the long winter are whipped into a righteous frenzy by James’s nemesis, Dr Chandler and the poor beleaguered dregs of humanity have to battle each other before they can hope to escape the frigid earth. Sooo much bleakness. Problems were heaped onto problems and so on. Also I think there might have been a plot hole or mistake but I can’t describe it as it is very spoilery. But something that was a huge issue for returning astronauts in book 1 is not addressed at all in book 2 when they have to undertake the longest voyage ever.
Will I read book 3. You betcha. As I said, I love the idea. The execution could be be a bit better at times but I’m not hung up on that. We just gloss right over any WTFs, suspend out disbelief from the highest rafter because I’ve got to know how this story ends.
The grid is back and one of its agents informs James that humans must leave earth or they will be obliterated. No much if a choice is it? There is not much time, resources are scarce, the planet is cooling rapidly again and they don’t have enough people to make a go of a new colony. That’s the good news. The other two alliances after the long winter are whipped into a righteous frenzy by James’s nemesis, Dr Chandler and the poor beleaguered dregs of humanity have to battle each other before they can hope to escape the frigid earth. Sooo much bleakness. Problems were heaped onto problems and so on. Also I think there might have been a plot hole or mistake but I can’t describe it as it is very spoilery. But something that was a huge issue for returning astronauts in book 1 is not addressed at all in book 2 when they have to undertake the longest voyage ever.
Will I read book 3. You betcha. As I said, I love the idea. The execution could be be a bit better at times but I’m not hung up on that. We just gloss right over any WTFs, suspend out disbelief from the highest rafter because I’ve got to know how this story ends.
December 11, 2020
Page turning
Great sequel to Winter World. Survival is once again a battle. Families standing together for one common goal, life. Is the decision they make to go to another planet as earth is dying day by day, the beginning of a new world or the end of our civilization. I'm reading the last book to find out!
Great sequel to Winter World. Survival is once again a battle. Families standing together for one common goal, life. Is the decision they make to go to another planet as earth is dying day by day, the beginning of a new world or the end of our civilization. I'm reading the last book to find out!
January 11, 2021
Οι Κλέφτες του Ήλιου μας μεταφέρουν στο περιβάλλον μιας διαφορετικής γης, μη βιώσιμης. Το "δίκτυο" εμφανίζεται και πάλι, απειλώντας το ανθρώπινο είδος. Θα καταφέρει η ανθρωπότητα να επιβιώσει; Με ποιο τίμημα; Πόσοι θα επιζήσουν τελικά;
Ακολουθώντας τη δομή του Παγωμένου Κόσμου (μικρά κεφάλαια, σύντομες προτάσεις, εναλλαγή προσώπων που διηγούνται την ιστορία), ο συγγραφέας περιγράφει με επιτυχία την προσπάθεια των ανθρώπων να ανταπεξέλθουν σε δύσκολες καταστάσεις και μάχες, πάντα κάτω από αντίξοες συνθήκες.
Για μια ακόμη φορά εντυπωσιάστηκα από το τέλος (που θα συνδέσει τους Κλέφτες του Ήλιου με το τρίτο μέρος τη Χαμένη Αποικία) και τον επίλογο του βιβλίου.
Σταθερά 5/5
Ακολουθώντας τη δομή του Παγωμένου Κόσμου (μικρά κεφάλαια, σύντομες προτάσεις, εναλλαγή προσώπων που διηγούνται την ιστορία), ο συγγραφέας περιγράφει με επιτυχία την προσπάθεια των ανθρώπων να ανταπεξέλθουν σε δύσκολες καταστάσεις και μάχες, πάντα κάτω από αντίξοες συνθήκες.
Για μια ακόμη φορά εντυπωσιάστηκα από το τέλος (που θα συνδέσει τους Κλέφτες του Ήλιου με το τρίτο μέρος τη Χαμένη Αποικία) και τον επίλογο του βιβλίου.
Σταθερά 5/5
July 28, 2024
4.5 Stars.
The Solar War is a definite page-turner that kept me engaged for the majority of the book. It wasn't as good as the first in the trilogy, and it did lose me in some bits, but on the whole, it was an engaging and compelling read. I am looking forward to reading the final book.
The Solar War is a definite page-turner that kept me engaged for the majority of the book. It wasn't as good as the first in the trilogy, and it did lose me in some bits, but on the whole, it was an engaging and compelling read. I am looking forward to reading the final book.
August 6, 2020
Με λιγότερη δράση αλλά εξίσου καθηλωτικό, το δεύτερο βιβλίο σε αφήνει να θες απεγνωσμένα το τρίτο.
Διαβάστε αναλυτικά την άποψή μου στο blog μου.
Διαβάστε αναλυτικά την άποψή μου στο blog μου.
October 7, 2019
Disappointing.
July 27, 2019
This is not a good book, a trend that starts before the book does.
Decimate means to kill/destroy one out of ten. Authors keep using this work without knowing what it means.
You can skip most of the Emma chapters and it only makes the book better.
Main character keeps doing stupid things that are so obviously stupid it just becomes annoying.
The entire premise of the book, the entire source of conflict is laughable. Entirely ridiculous and lazy.
A series of species that have decided to upload themselves into machines spread across the universe collecting energy from stars. Their main tenet is the conservation of energy, they look for the lowest energy solutions. The author makes that one of their core principles yet for some reason they decide to harvest our sun (on the lower end of the energy output spectrum, which is another source of lols). Now, they COULD potentially harvest the energy of the vast majority of the solar output by arranging their arrays outside of the elliptical plane and thus avoid conflict, and conserve energy. But no, they don't do that. They focus on exterminating humanity first, because of course we need a bad guy here. We're just not creative enough to think of a good one.
Decimate means to kill/destroy one out of ten. Authors keep using this work without knowing what it means.
You can skip most of the Emma chapters and it only makes the book better.
Main character keeps doing stupid things that are so obviously stupid it just becomes annoying.
The entire premise of the book, the entire source of conflict is laughable. Entirely ridiculous and lazy.
A series of species that have decided to upload themselves into machines spread across the universe collecting energy from stars. Their main tenet is the conservation of energy, they look for the lowest energy solutions. The author makes that one of their core principles yet for some reason they decide to harvest our sun (on the lower end of the energy output spectrum, which is another source of lols). Now, they COULD potentially harvest the energy of the vast majority of the solar output by arranging their arrays outside of the elliptical plane and thus avoid conflict, and conserve energy. But no, they don't do that. They focus on exterminating humanity first, because of course we need a bad guy here. We're just not creative enough to think of a good one.
October 12, 2019
The first book of trilogy was "OK". The Solar War turned south in the first chapter and got worse. I finished the last 60% in 20 minutes by just reading the last paragraph of each chapter. And, I could still follow the storyline. The premise that an alien civilization would wipe out nearly all of humanity did not make sense. #1 Why? There is NO logical reason. #2 What an awful story! I don't want to read only about death.
This book could have been condensed by 90% and still have been too long. Do not bother to start this series.
This book could have been condensed by 90% and still have been too long. Do not bother to start this series.
March 2, 2021
3,000 Amazon Reviews 87% 5 and 4 stars
9,000+ 4.24 rating
This is book two in the series, start with book 1, Winter World (see my review, it was great).
The Solar War picks up with Earth recovering from almost having the entire planet freeze to an extinction of everything. The bad guys (aliens are back) to finish the job.
What I liked:
-I did not see the second book going the way it did. With the alien influence it is more about the few survivors fighting among themselves as the world starts to freeze again.
-Many good scenes, great interaction of the charatcers.
-Then the big exodus. I don't want to say too much, leave some suspense.
-Excellent ending.
What I didn't like:
-It did get a little slow about 2/3. The story is told from two perspectives, James (our hero) and Emma (his wife). She is a scientist astronaut and ass kicker in her own right, but in this section of the book it was a lot of introspection and ealing with those not in the action.
-Also one big action scene got a little complicated and I got a little lost in the middle of it, but understood the results and kept going.
Overall, very good story. I will read the thrid book, Lost Colony within the next couple of weeks.
Great trilogy so far. Read it.
9,000+ 4.24 rating
This is book two in the series, start with book 1, Winter World (see my review, it was great).
The Solar War picks up with Earth recovering from almost having the entire planet freeze to an extinction of everything. The bad guys (aliens are back) to finish the job.
What I liked:
-I did not see the second book going the way it did. With the alien influence it is more about the few survivors fighting among themselves as the world starts to freeze again.
-Many good scenes, great interaction of the charatcers.
-Then the big exodus. I don't want to say too much, leave some suspense.
-Excellent ending.
What I didn't like:
-It did get a little slow about 2/3. The story is told from two perspectives, James (our hero) and Emma (his wife). She is a scientist astronaut and ass kicker in her own right, but in this section of the book it was a lot of introspection and ealing with those not in the action.
-Also one big action scene got a little complicated and I got a little lost in the middle of it, but understood the results and kept going.
Overall, very good story. I will read the thrid book, Lost Colony within the next couple of weeks.
Great trilogy so far. Read it.
July 27, 2019
I really liked this follow-up to The Long Winter, but I didn't like it as much as The Long Winter because that novel spent the majority of its time in outer space, while this novel spent most of its time on the, once again, slowly freezing Earth. There was a bit of been-there, done-that to this story. Still, the Grid supplied enough surprises to keep me turning pages, and once again I pre-ordered the third and final installment of this thrilling and thought-provoking trilogy. I can't wait!
September 20, 2019
Not exactly a war
For me it was a bit dull (if well written). The main protagonist isn't exactly a genius either and is a bit unlikeable. There is zero humour, excitement, or for that matter, war. Just long dull monologues and secrets I didn't care about (just tell us for crying out loud) with not massive outcomes that certainly didn't build suspense or require the drawn out effort of reading. Got a problem? We got a drone for that! Ridiculous and lazy problem solving throughout. The author is more suited to long meandering monologues instead of getting on with things. Oh and one more thing.. No one likes a smart ass. Last book in series for me, I can't waste more time on it!
For me it was a bit dull (if well written). The main protagonist isn't exactly a genius either and is a bit unlikeable. There is zero humour, excitement, or for that matter, war. Just long dull monologues and secrets I didn't care about (just tell us for crying out loud) with not massive outcomes that certainly didn't build suspense or require the drawn out effort of reading. Got a problem? We got a drone for that! Ridiculous and lazy problem solving throughout. The author is more suited to long meandering monologues instead of getting on with things. Oh and one more thing.. No one likes a smart ass. Last book in series for me, I can't waste more time on it!
December 29, 2019
**Minor spoiler alert.** I was so looking forward to Book 2, Riddle, but you lost me when Chandler showed up in that warehouse. I hate the vile man and hoped we'd heard the last of him in Book 1. He reminded me so much of all the bullies in my life but mostly the thoroughly vile and evil Donald Trump. I just couldn't stomach continuing the book and stopped reading at this point. And so, I say a sad goodbye to James, Emma, Alie, unborn baby No. 2, Oscar, Harry, Fowler, Charlotte, Min, et al. I can only hope it works out well for all of you.
August 9, 2019
So disappointing! This book was insanely boring. It now tops my lists of “worst apocalypse books” and “worst a.g. riddle books.” Agree with everyone that said you can skip Emma’s chapters, *yawn.* I gave it 2 stars rather than one because I was compelled enough to know the ending that I was able to semi-power through. I skipped a large chunk in the middle just to see how it ends, which was also dumb. Just go ahead and skip this one altogether.
April 10, 2025
in the first book humanity was on the back foot and in this one it was flat on its stomach and getting dragged along.
speaking of stomachs and getting dragged along, Emma. previously the duo protagonist was a good way to keep it interesting jumping from two perspective on the same problem but now it Buck Rogers with intermissions of little women. that's not fair, in little women they have agency all Emma dose is Start a book club, describe what James does, and be pregnant I guess?
but enough about the worst of the protagonist now about the worst of the antagonist. this book was clearly written by some antisocial, because he can't write the silver forked tongue personality it feels more like he has a mind control raygun in his pocket, I mean geez he argue to leave children behind with no backlash from the public.
on the topic of mass murder James was nearly shaking and crying when he shot a man who was pointing a gun at his wife but brushed off the wholesale slaughter of ten thousand surrendering troops.
Throughout this book all characters have deaden personalities replaced with mild reasonableness like reading an aita Reddit story
speaking of robots Arthur is Cool
speaking of stomachs and getting dragged along, Emma. previously the duo protagonist was a good way to keep it interesting jumping from two perspective on the same problem but now it Buck Rogers with intermissions of little women. that's not fair, in little women they have agency all Emma dose is Start a book club, describe what James does, and be pregnant I guess?
but enough about the worst of the protagonist now about the worst of the antagonist. this book was clearly written by some antisocial, because he can't write the silver forked tongue personality it feels more like he has a mind control raygun in his pocket, I mean geez he argue to leave children behind with no backlash from the public.
on the topic of mass murder James was nearly shaking and crying when he shot a man who was pointing a gun at his wife but brushed off the wholesale slaughter of ten thousand surrendering troops.
Throughout this book all characters have deaden personalities replaced with mild reasonableness like reading an aita Reddit story
speaking of robots Arthur is Cool
December 26, 2019
Exciting to the last page.
February 13, 2020
This book just felt like constant anxiety and more and more ridiculous scenarios.
May 29, 2023
"The Solar War" is the second book in "The Long Winter" trilogy by A.G. Riddle. The book continues the story of Emma and James, who are trying to survive in a world that has been devastated by an alien apocalypse. In this review, I will discuss the plot, characters, writing style, and overall impression of the book.
Plot
"The Solar War" picks up where the first book, "Winter World," left off. Earth is recovering from the near-extinction event caused by the aliens known as the Grid. The remaining humans are trying to rebuild their society and fight back against the Grid, which is far more advanced than they are.
The book follows Emma and James as they try to find a way to defeat the Grid. They are joined by a group of other survivors, including a scientist who has developed a new weapon that could be the key to defeating the aliens. However, the Grid is not the only threat they face. There are also other humans who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means turning on their own kind.
The plot of "The Solar War" is action-packed and full of twists and turns. The story is engaging and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The pacing is excellent, and the book never feels slow or boring.
Characters
The characters in "The Solar War" are well-developed and realistic. Emma and James are both strong and capable, but they also have their flaws and vulnerabilities. The other characters in the book are also well-written and add depth to the story.
One of the strengths of the book is the relationships between the characters. The bonds they form are believable and add an emotional depth to the story. The book also explores the theme of what it means to be human and the lengths people will go to survive.
Writing Style
A.G. Riddle's writing style is clear and concise. The book is well-written and easy to read. The author does an excellent job of balancing action and character development. The descriptions of the post-apocalyptic world are vivid and immersive, and the science fiction elements are well thought out and believable.
Overall Impression
"The Solar War" is an excellent book that is well worth reading. The plot is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the writing is clear and concise. The book is a great continuation of the story started in "Winter World" and sets up the final book in the trilogy well.
One of the strengths of the book is the way it explores the theme of what it means to be human. The characters are faced with difficult choices, and the book does an excellent job of showing the consequences of those choices.
Overall, I would highly recommend "The Solar War" to anyone who enjoys science fiction or post-apocalyptic stories. It is a well-written and engaging book that is sure to keep the reader entertained from start to finish.
Plot
"The Solar War" picks up where the first book, "Winter World," left off. Earth is recovering from the near-extinction event caused by the aliens known as the Grid. The remaining humans are trying to rebuild their society and fight back against the Grid, which is far more advanced than they are.
The book follows Emma and James as they try to find a way to defeat the Grid. They are joined by a group of other survivors, including a scientist who has developed a new weapon that could be the key to defeating the aliens. However, the Grid is not the only threat they face. There are also other humans who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means turning on their own kind.
The plot of "The Solar War" is action-packed and full of twists and turns. The story is engaging and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The pacing is excellent, and the book never feels slow or boring.
Characters
The characters in "The Solar War" are well-developed and realistic. Emma and James are both strong and capable, but they also have their flaws and vulnerabilities. The other characters in the book are also well-written and add depth to the story.
One of the strengths of the book is the relationships between the characters. The bonds they form are believable and add an emotional depth to the story. The book also explores the theme of what it means to be human and the lengths people will go to survive.
Writing Style
A.G. Riddle's writing style is clear and concise. The book is well-written and easy to read. The author does an excellent job of balancing action and character development. The descriptions of the post-apocalyptic world are vivid and immersive, and the science fiction elements are well thought out and believable.
Overall Impression
"The Solar War" is an excellent book that is well worth reading. The plot is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the writing is clear and concise. The book is a great continuation of the story started in "Winter World" and sets up the final book in the trilogy well.
One of the strengths of the book is the way it explores the theme of what it means to be human. The characters are faced with difficult choices, and the book does an excellent job of showing the consequences of those choices.
Overall, I would highly recommend "The Solar War" to anyone who enjoys science fiction or post-apocalyptic stories. It is a well-written and engaging book that is sure to keep the reader entertained from start to finish.
August 23, 2019
Fantastic Series so far! How did I not know about this author?
October 29, 2019
Started off with a lot of promise and better writing than its predecessor, but languished unnecessarily in the middle. Save for the alien/robot, all of the characters are very flat and boring, particularly the main character James, who never met a problem he couldn't solve instantly, save for a murder mystery subplot (which he solves eventually).
On the subject of mystery, there were too many unnecessarily mysterious subplots - things that were unknown just to keep the reader going and weren't organic to the story itself.
I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't read the third in this trilogy when it comes out, but I'd also be lying if I said I was looking forward to it.
On the subject of mystery, there were too many unnecessarily mysterious subplots - things that were unknown just to keep the reader going and weren't organic to the story itself.
I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't read the third in this trilogy when it comes out, but I'd also be lying if I said I was looking forward to it.
February 21, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up. In every sci fi series about space, there’s always that one book where they’re back on Earth and things get intense with the military. That’s this book, and I didn’t love it. Good start, pretty boring middle. While Emma’s chapters felt important in Book 1, she’s entirely irrelevant in this book. And that ending... oof. I’m intrigued, but skeptical. This has the feeling of “about to go off the deep end,” LOST style. I’m still eager to read Book 3 though!
May 12, 2020
I really want to give this a better review. The concept is excellent and the plot is okay. The characters are all flat and all have plot armor. The main opponent in the book is cartoonish even showing up toward the end to talk about how he will have his “revenge”. No growth or change despite huge changes in circumstances.
October 19, 2019
So very bad!
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