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War God #2
Der Kriegsgott
Dies sind die atemberaubenden Abenteuer von Bahzell Bahnakson, Prinz von Hurgrum, der wider Willen als Gesandter seines Vaters in ein feindliches Land geschickt wird, um dort einen brüchigen Frieden zu vermitteln. Kaum angekommen, gerät er in ein Netz aus Intrigen und muss fliehen. Mit einer kleinen Gruppe Verbündeter taucht er in einem Land unter, in dem dunkle Mächte nach der Herrschaft greifen und alles daran setzen, die Schwerter des Zorns zu entfesseln ...
559 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1998
88 people are currently reading
809 people want to read
About the author
David Weber
322 books4,551 followersDavid Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952.
Many of his stories have military, particularly naval, themes, and fit into the military science fiction genre. He frequently places female leading characters in what have been traditionally male roles.
One of his most popular and enduring characters is Honor Harrington whose alliterated name is an homage to C.S. Forester's character Horatio Hornblower and her last name from a fleet doctor in Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander . Her story, together with the "Honorverse" she inhabits, has been developed through 16 novels and six shared-universe anthologies, as of spring 2013 (other works are in production). In 2008, he donated his archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University.
Many of his books are available online, either in their entirety as part of the Baen Free Library or, in the case of more recent books, in the form of sample chapters (typically the first 25-33% of the work).
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidw...
Many of his stories have military, particularly naval, themes, and fit into the military science fiction genre. He frequently places female leading characters in what have been traditionally male roles.
One of his most popular and enduring characters is Honor Harrington whose alliterated name is an homage to C.S. Forester's character Horatio Hornblower and her last name from a fleet doctor in Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander . Her story, together with the "Honorverse" she inhabits, has been developed through 16 novels and six shared-universe anthologies, as of spring 2013 (other works are in production). In 2008, he donated his archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University.
Many of his books are available online, either in their entirety as part of the Baen Free Library or, in the case of more recent books, in the form of sample chapters (typically the first 25-33% of the work).
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidw...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
July 18, 2021
I love the honor, courage, and depth these characters posses. Such a great series! 7/21/17 reread.
February 29, 2020
I began reading Sword in the South and realized it's been 15 years maybe since I've read the previous War God's series. So am having a bit of a fest or maybe a marathon as I read my way through the series once more. I do love the characters. And as ever Weber has added his own brand of wisdom, rhetoric and philosophic underpinning to the works.
June 27, 2025
Another solid entry in Weber's War God series. Great world-building, interesting characters, nice progression for the secondary characters and a really good ending. Short review to avoid gushing out a bunch of spoilers. Suffice it to say that this is a strong recommend.
January 20, 2016
Book 2 began where book 1 left off, aboard the halfling's ship. Evark Pitchallow's schooner docks in the Empire of the Ax, in Belhadan Bay, in the wintry north. Bahzell is greeted by a pompous wanna-be-knight named Vaijon, joins a chapter of the Order of Tomanak, and soon faces a world of prejudice (sadly, these offenses were only reported, not vividly portrayed, so this part was disappointing. It could have been so much more poignant).
En route to Hurgrum (his Horse-Stealer hometown) Bahzell meets a female champion, the sword-handy Kaeritha. Vaijon journeys with Bahzell to Hurgrum, becoming more likable along the way. Brandark also comes along, with his books and his harp. They are joined for part of the journey by the wild wizard Wincet of Rum. Together, they fight bandits, Navahkan Scorpion worshippers (nasty stuff), demons, Sothoii Wind Riders, etc.
Along with his scholarly friend Brandark, he learns more about the history of their people — how they were cursed with the berserker rage, their origins and traits before the Fall (calm, intelligent, beloved), and how the border wars with the Sothoii began.
Sadly, another lost opportunity for vivid storytelling. I really wanted to hear more about how the Hradani FINALLY (after 1200 years) learned how to summon, master, and employ their berserker rage, but that was only reported, not portrayed at all. No lessons. No practicing. Just voila! -- they could control themselves.
A fairly good book, but Weber gets wordy. He digresses, slowing the plot. Sometimes he digresses with too much internal rumination and reflection. Sometimes by too much description. For example, early in the book he stops mid-scene to describe the military formations employed by the Empire of the Axe. This went on for numerous pages, to great boring detail, yet never did Bahzell interact meaningfully with the Axemen infantry, or any other factor of the Empire's military.
Not a keeper, but decent entertainment.
En route to Hurgrum (his Horse-Stealer hometown) Bahzell meets a female champion, the sword-handy Kaeritha. Vaijon journeys with Bahzell to Hurgrum, becoming more likable along the way. Brandark also comes along, with his books and his harp. They are joined for part of the journey by the wild wizard Wincet of Rum. Together, they fight bandits, Navahkan Scorpion worshippers (nasty stuff), demons, Sothoii Wind Riders, etc.
Along with his scholarly friend Brandark, he learns more about the history of their people — how they were cursed with the berserker rage, their origins and traits before the Fall (calm, intelligent, beloved), and how the border wars with the Sothoii began.
Sadly, another lost opportunity for vivid storytelling. I really wanted to hear more about how the Hradani FINALLY (after 1200 years) learned how to summon, master, and employ their berserker rage, but that was only reported, not portrayed at all. No lessons. No practicing. Just voila! -- they could control themselves.
A fairly good book, but Weber gets wordy. He digresses, slowing the plot. Sometimes he digresses with too much internal rumination and reflection. Sometimes by too much description. For example, early in the book he stops mid-scene to describe the military formations employed by the Empire of the Axe. This went on for numerous pages, to great boring detail, yet never did Bahzell interact meaningfully with the Axemen infantry, or any other factor of the Empire's military.
Not a keeper, but decent entertainment.
April 2, 2016
This book is the sequel to Oath Of Swords, which is the first book in the series. Although you can read War God's Own on its own, it's far better to read it after Oath of Swords, as you then will understand how the two main characters (Bahzell and Brandark) have ended up where they are.
War God's Own is just as entertaining as Oath of Swords; I honestly don't know which of the two books I prefer. Of the two, Oath of Swords is funnier, but War God's Own is a little more complicated. Bahzell is now a Champion of Tomanak, the War God (having signed on after being nagged into it) and he's about to start having to deal with the reality of what this means.
In Book One, Bahzell and Brandark were pretty much operating as free agents; now Bahzell has Responsibilities, and he's part of the Order of Tomanak, which comes as a bit of a nasty shock to him, and also to the Order. In fact, the only person who seems to be at all happy with the situation is Tomanak himself...
So Bahzell has to deal with his new colleagues' reaction to having a hradani (Weber's sort of orc-equivalent, which is what Bahzell and Brandark are) Champion foisted on them by their deity, and he also has to deal with his own misgivings about being a part of a big organisation and his responsibilities and privileges in it.
Once the initial bumps are dealt with, Bahzell and Co have to return to the hradani city states to deal with one of the Dark Gods who has set up a secret temple there, and this occupies the rest of the book.
As side issues, we see a bit of unofficial diplomacy and trade negotiations; the hradani are poor and backward compared to the other Races of Man, but Bahzell's father (prince of one of the city-states) has a vision for the future and the drive and intelligence to make it work. How is this going to affect, or be affected by, Bahzell's sudden and unaccountable acquisition of Religion, especially since hradani in general (having been comprehensively used and betrayed by the gods in the past) have no use for gods either Light or Dark...
War God's Own is just as entertaining as Oath of Swords; I honestly don't know which of the two books I prefer. Of the two, Oath of Swords is funnier, but War God's Own is a little more complicated. Bahzell is now a Champion of Tomanak, the War God (having signed on after being nagged into it) and he's about to start having to deal with the reality of what this means.
In Book One, Bahzell and Brandark were pretty much operating as free agents; now Bahzell has Responsibilities, and he's part of the Order of Tomanak, which comes as a bit of a nasty shock to him, and also to the Order. In fact, the only person who seems to be at all happy with the situation is Tomanak himself...
So Bahzell has to deal with his new colleagues' reaction to having a hradani (Weber's sort of orc-equivalent, which is what Bahzell and Brandark are) Champion foisted on them by their deity, and he also has to deal with his own misgivings about being a part of a big organisation and his responsibilities and privileges in it.
Once the initial bumps are dealt with, Bahzell and Co have to return to the hradani city states to deal with one of the Dark Gods who has set up a secret temple there, and this occupies the rest of the book.
As side issues, we see a bit of unofficial diplomacy and trade negotiations; the hradani are poor and backward compared to the other Races of Man, but Bahzell's father (prince of one of the city-states) has a vision for the future and the drive and intelligence to make it work. How is this going to affect, or be affected by, Bahzell's sudden and unaccountable acquisition of Religion, especially since hradani in general (having been comprehensively used and betrayed by the gods in the past) have no use for gods either Light or Dark...
February 17, 2015
Once upon a time I loved this book with the passionate and insane love that only a teenage girl could experience. As an adult I still think it's great, even if it has some problems.The first half of the book is mostly exposition, the second half a travel narrative, with a bit of twisty war stuff shoved in at the end. It's still a ton of fun and a great example of a fantasy novel from it's time. One thing it does well is tackle really dark issues in a way that feels fairly accurate for their fictional society (accurate for a given value that includes dwarves) without being dark or making me hate humanity. In this one a big emphasis is placed on race relations and how we might know the stereotype but that doesn't mean we know the person. I'd say this is still a great book for young teens.
February 21, 2010
This book, along with the first in the series actually suprised me by surpassing my expectations by a mile. I would suggest this series to everyone, and it has me intrigued by his other books.
February 13, 2022
[3 stars = I liked it and may read again]
Bahzell, the hradini barbarian has to find his way in service to Tomanek the war god. The plot is interesting, but it is not terribly suspenseful. At each step of the way, the next step is relatively clear. There is no long development for the villains, so one becomes familiar with the protagonist and his allies, but villains and enemies are introduced on an as needed basis, kind of like the wizard of Oz. There is a lot of discussion about the whys, but the book states them baldly instead of allowing the reader to develop a theory of why based on varied sources of evidence. As a result, it reads more like a journal or history of what happened than an engaging work of fiction. Despite this, the world, its people, and its history are interesting, so I'm likely to continue the series.
Bahzell, the hradini barbarian has to find his way in service to Tomanek the war god. The plot is interesting, but it is not terribly suspenseful. At each step of the way, the next step is relatively clear. There is no long development for the villains, so one becomes familiar with the protagonist and his allies, but villains and enemies are introduced on an as needed basis, kind of like the wizard of Oz. There is a lot of discussion about the whys, but the book states them baldly instead of allowing the reader to develop a theory of why based on varied sources of evidence. As a result, it reads more like a journal or history of what happened than an engaging work of fiction. Despite this, the world, its people, and its history are interesting, so I'm likely to continue the series.
August 29, 2020
So good! New Champions! Brandark's song is so well known! lol
December 11, 2015
I enjoyed this book more then the first one in the series. It didn't feel quite so long, or as slow. It does deal a fair amount with politics, but nicely spaced out. And I enjoyed the new characters. Especially Vaijon. I could sympathize with him in the beginning of the book. I think he is probably one of the more complex characters. He knows intellectually that he should not feel superior to non noble knights. And he knows intellectually that he shouldn't be prejudice against Bahzell just because he is a hradani. But he is. I love how this is handled. I love how his emotions are described in the beginning and how the emotions are dealt with, and what he turns into. I don't want to say anymore because I don't want to spoil anything, lets just say he is awesome!
I also liked the addition of an awesome fighting female. Kerry was pretty cool, and I like how she had scars from fighting. I thought the interplay between her and Bahzell was pretty cool.
Anyways, this book also involes Bahzell's homecoming. I enjoyed seeing his family and the other hradani react to him being a champion of Tomanak when they feel the same way about the gods as Bahzell did. They are all a little less hardheaded then Bahzell though.
Weber is also extremely good as creating detailed worlds that don't follow the standard tropes. Yes, the dwarves are the metal workes and miners, but they are also heavily involved in trade and they may live under a mountain, but so do humans! The half elves, while not the villians of the story are Definitly Not Nice, and elves isolate themselves as much as possible. The origin stories of the different races are also quite interesting and honestly I would love to read more about Wencit of Rum and his Past. He is a very interesting character, what with being over 12,000 years old and all.
I admit, that I have started the third book in this series and I am not liking it nearly as much. But I think it might just be a bit of an overload having just finished the first and second ones. I might have to try reading something else in between. I wouldn't suggust reading these books all at once, but to space them out because Weber includes a ton of detail about the world and it's past. Maybe a little too much at times.
I also liked the addition of an awesome fighting female. Kerry was pretty cool, and I like how she had scars from fighting. I thought the interplay between her and Bahzell was pretty cool.
Anyways, this book also involes Bahzell's homecoming. I enjoyed seeing his family and the other hradani react to him being a champion of Tomanak when they feel the same way about the gods as Bahzell did. They are all a little less hardheaded then Bahzell though.
Weber is also extremely good as creating detailed worlds that don't follow the standard tropes. Yes, the dwarves are the metal workes and miners, but they are also heavily involved in trade and they may live under a mountain, but so do humans! The half elves, while not the villians of the story are Definitly Not Nice, and elves isolate themselves as much as possible. The origin stories of the different races are also quite interesting and honestly I would love to read more about Wencit of Rum and his Past. He is a very interesting character, what with being over 12,000 years old and all.
I admit, that I have started the third book in this series and I am not liking it nearly as much. But I think it might just be a bit of an overload having just finished the first and second ones. I might have to try reading something else in between. I wouldn't suggust reading these books all at once, but to space them out because Weber includes a ton of detail about the world and it's past. Maybe a little too much at times.
January 7, 2022
This was not a great book, and yet I enjoyed reading it. The book reminded me of the fantasy novels I read as a kid. I enjoyed it for the feeling of nostalgia it evoked in more, more so than the plot or writing. The plot was pretty basic - a member of a reviled race is elevated. Of course, many fantasy plots can be boiled down to one of a few plots. Weber also likes his infodumps, which can get a bit draggy. At least when reading with my eyes, it's easy enough to skim those long parts.
There's several big battles where Bahzell's forces come out victorious. At least his forces don't come out unscathed, but no one you know gets more than an arm broken. There was little sympathy generated by me for any dead characters because they were either bad guys or unnamed. At least we do have a couple of female characters in the story. One is even the other Champion. It isn't completely a male cast, which wouldn't have been surprising based on the date of publication. My opinion is it was a solid, if unimaginative piece of writing.
There's several big battles where Bahzell's forces come out victorious. At least his forces don't come out unscathed, but no one you know gets more than an arm broken. There was little sympathy generated by me for any dead characters because they were either bad guys or unnamed. At least we do have a couple of female characters in the story. One is even the other Champion. It isn't completely a male cast, which wouldn't have been surprising based on the date of publication. My opinion is it was a solid, if unimaginative piece of writing.
December 25, 2014
Old Skool sword and destiny fantasy from a writer who normally writes Space Opera/Military sci fi. Early going it felt very much like early Eddings with a nod to Tolkein, but by the time the book kicks into the later half, I hear some of Weber's voice coming through.
This was fun what with Gods fighting it out through man and chosen champions etc. Bahzell makes for an easy protagonist to like and root for.
Looking forward to the sequels.
This was fun what with Gods fighting it out through man and chosen champions etc. Bahzell makes for an easy protagonist to like and root for.
Looking forward to the sequels.
March 5, 2015
Fine Fantasy
Didn't want to put it down. A good job of worldbuilding, with strong well-developed characters. Excellent depiction of the conflicts & stresses when different cultures collide. Eagerly anticipate reading more of the series.
Didn't want to put it down. A good job of worldbuilding, with strong well-developed characters. Excellent depiction of the conflicts & stresses when different cultures collide. Eagerly anticipate reading more of the series.
August 23, 2015
Yep, I am still loving this very traditional old-school fantasy series:) The main charterer is enchanting and the story is engaging... Nothing too extraordinary - just a sturdy, pleasant read:)
January 2, 2022
Yeah idk its a fun enough romp but the main character is a hradani and his entire race is based in tribes, considered to be so bloodthirsty and barbarous the entire rest of the world hates them with Bahzell talking the whole time about how he must bring his people's society into a more civilized position... I understand the goal of peace among all the tribes but he really never stopped hammering that hradani are barbarians I mean it's a little much from a white guy for me. Felt like a bit of a yikes moment. Also after gaining the knowledge the man's a Methodist lay preacher I feel irritated by the parallels between Tomanak and Christian god. It IS fun if you want to ignore all that, I've just seen others be more creative with a fantasy setting like that and a little less racist. Also Bahzell is a massive Mary Sue, it's like an overpowered self-insert DnD character who can never lose for the sake of the campaign which is definitely it's own level of fun n campy, but a little overbearing at times.
Also the writing itself is a little lacking! A lot of times Weber will go off on someone's long tangent about what they're thinking and all the consequences and added exposition of the world in its entirety, very verbose, kinda long (never with a strongly differentiated tone between each character, except for the bare sentiments), not that engaging. The emotional ties between characters feel forced besides Bahzell and Brandark, and Vaijon's character was flat as a pancake. The first in the series worked to present Tothas as a complete character, whereas the characters here are like HERE'S HIS BACKGROUND, HERE'S HER TRAUMATIC EXPOSITION, that's enough writing on personal relationships for now lets go back to describing road conditions like ??? Not very good
Also the writing itself is a little lacking! A lot of times Weber will go off on someone's long tangent about what they're thinking and all the consequences and added exposition of the world in its entirety, very verbose, kinda long (never with a strongly differentiated tone between each character, except for the bare sentiments), not that engaging. The emotional ties between characters feel forced besides Bahzell and Brandark, and Vaijon's character was flat as a pancake. The first in the series worked to present Tothas as a complete character, whereas the characters here are like HERE'S HIS BACKGROUND, HERE'S HER TRAUMATIC EXPOSITION, that's enough writing on personal relationships for now lets go back to describing road conditions like ??? Not very good
April 24, 2018
This is the second book in the War God series by David Weber. In this one Bahzell Bahnakson is the new champion of the War God Tomanak. The only problem is that he is a hradani. Worse he is from the Horse Stealer clan. All the other races of man hate the hradani, especially the Horse Stealer clan. He must prove to the other races that the hradani are no longer their enemies while also trying to prevent a war and stop the Dark Gods from loosing demons upon the world. There is more action in this one and a cast of new characters as well as the familiar ones from the first book. This is a good read in the fantasy genre and I recommend it.
February 19, 2020
3.5/5
The second installment in the War God series continues the adventures of Bahzell Bahnakson as he travels the land and adds more people to the Order of Tomanak. What I liked the most about this book is that it added two new characters, a badass woman warrior and a snarky apprentice who grows up throughout the novel. I think my favorite thing about this series so far is the characters as it feels as if each one is fully fleshed out and complex. I can't wait to see what new characters get added to the ensemble in the next book.
The second installment in the War God series continues the adventures of Bahzell Bahnakson as he travels the land and adds more people to the Order of Tomanak. What I liked the most about this book is that it added two new characters, a badass woman warrior and a snarky apprentice who grows up throughout the novel. I think my favorite thing about this series so far is the characters as it feels as if each one is fully fleshed out and complex. I can't wait to see what new characters get added to the ensemble in the next book.
May 14, 2022
The second instalment in the War Gods story, following the adventures of Bahzell Bahnakson, Champion of Tomanak.
Bahzell and his friend Barndark find themselves bringing truth of The Rage back to the Hradani people, one of the four races of the world.
Adventures with Bahzell are never boring though, and this second book proves that point with Bahzell and Brandark teaching a pompous young lord the true way of Tomanak before they all create the first Hradani chapter.
Bahzell and his friend Barndark find themselves bringing truth of The Rage back to the Hradani people, one of the four races of the world.
Adventures with Bahzell are never boring though, and this second book proves that point with Bahzell and Brandark teaching a pompous young lord the true way of Tomanak before they all create the first Hradani chapter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2021
This is 2nd book in The War God series and I tried to carry on in book #2 in the series but this is as far as I could get. I am so confused and I think I need to take a break and may need to start the series over. I am so confused as to who is who and what is going on. I feel like I am a competent reader but I am so confused and have no idea what is going on.
December 24, 2018
Amazing book! every character is likeable (including the minor ones), the world building is so in depth and the writing is just phenomenal. everything in this book fully immerses you into the world and the main character is just awesome. the combat is so vividly written and the demon is so epic.
January 7, 2019
This is one of the best series I have read, re-read
As the title says this series is one of my favorites, I bought it in hard bond when it was first published.The story is fun to read and keeps your attention from beginning to end..This is now my six time reading this series.
As the title says this series is one of my favorites, I bought it in hard bond when it was first published.The story is fun to read and keeps your attention from beginning to end..This is now my six time reading this series.
October 20, 2021
I thought this was a good read with some interesting mytho0logies mixed in.
Entertaining and reasonably paced. I thought the back story was handled reasonably well and it worked for me as a stand alone story.
Has stood the test of time and reads well as a fantasy adventure.
Entertaining and reasonably paced. I thought the back story was handled reasonably well and it worked for me as a stand alone story.
Has stood the test of time and reads well as a fantasy adventure.
January 17, 2018
Good listen.
February 14, 2018
I love this series! Ended up reading them in reverse order, still cant get enough.
August 16, 2018
Good read
Continues the story well and has interesting plot twists. I enjoy reading it every night before I go to bed.
Continues the story well and has interesting plot twists. I enjoy reading it every night before I go to bed.
October 21, 2019
it was very interesting.
May 31, 2020
Good continuation, though felt the development arch slowed where the first book was too fast.
Still good writing and entertaining
Still good writing and entertaining
April 26, 2021
Weber is just as masterful writing fantasy as he is writing sci-fi.
June 17, 2021
Excellent! Good pace, excellent characters and a burning need to read the next.
December 5, 2021
Excellent!
Marvelous characters, good plot. The bad folks are rotten to the core and most of the good guys are folks like us. That's why we like them, they're people.
Marvelous characters, good plot. The bad folks are rotten to the core and most of the good guys are folks like us. That's why we like them, they're people.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews