A Mighty Fortress
The new novel in the New York Times bestselling series that began with Off Armageddon Reef, By Schism Rent Asunder, and By Heresies Distressed
Young Cayleb Ahrmahk has accomplished things few people could even dream of. Not yet even thirty years old, he’s won the most crushing naval victories in human history. He’s smashed a hostile alliance of no less than five princedoms and won the hand of the beautiful young Queen Sharleyan of Chisholm. Cayleb and Sharleyan have created the Charisian Empire, the greatest naval power in the history of Safehold, and they’ve turned Charis into a place of refuge for all who treasure freedom.
Their success may prove short-lived. The Church of God Awaiting, which controls most of Safehold, has decreed their destruction. Mother Church’s entire purpose is to prevent the very things to which Charis is committed. Since the first attempt to crush the heretics failed, the Church has no choice but to adopt some of the hated Charisian innovations for themselves. Soon a mighty fleet will sail against Cayleb, destroying everything in its path.
But there are still matters about which the Church knows nothing, including Cayleb and Sharleyan’s adviser, friend, and guardian — the mystic warrior-monk named Merlin Athrawes. Merlin knows all about battles against impossible odds, because he is in fact the cybernetic avatar of a young woman named Nimue Alban, who died a thousand years before. As Nimue, Merlin saw the entire Terran Federation go down in fire and slaughter at the hands of a foe it could not defeat. He knows that Safehold is the last human planet in existence, and that the stasis the Church was created to enforce will be the human race’s death sentence if it is allowed to stand.
The juggernaut is rumbling down on Charis, but Merlin Athrawes and a handful of extraordinary human beings stand in its path. The Church is about to discover just how potent the power of human freedom truly is.
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David Weber
David Weber is a name that resonates deeply with science fiction fans, particularly those captivated by expansive space operas and intricate world-building. Known for his ability to weave complex narratives with unforgettable characters, Weber has carved out a unique niche in the genre, blending military strategy, political intrigue, and personal drama into epic tales that span galaxies. His Honor Harrington series, a cornerstone of his writing, has not only won a dedicated fanbase but also firmly established him as one of the defining voices in modern military science fiction.
Safehold
In the Safehold series, David Weber crafts a deeply immersive world where the stakes are high, and the weight of history is felt with every decision. Set on a distant planet that has been deliberately cut off from the rest of the universe, the series explores a world where technology has been frozen in time, and humanity is forced to rebuild from the ground up. This high-concept premise sets the stage for a gripping narrative about survival, faith, power, and the struggle to protect a fragile society from forces both internal and external.
Safehold consists of ten books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
