The Solar War (The Long Winter) Paperback – October 10, 2023

Many sequels are often a let down - not here. Kudos to Mr. Riddle for having a well thought out story map for his trilogy! This volume is better than the first in many respects. The characters from Book 1 are developed further, and an interesting cast of additional supporting characters is introduced. The story itself is compelling and hard to put down. The realities of humanity's greatness as well as its flaws are clearly laid out, and the outcome is in doubt up until the end, when a new challenge - the basis of Book 3 - is introduced. Hard to put down, and I can't wait to pick up Book 3!

This review contains discussion that could be considered spoilers from the end of the first book. Therefore I have chosen to give my impressions here, after the middle act, to prevent spoiling the first book's biggest reveal.My first criticism is with the main character, James Sinclair. There is no way he could possibly be the product of the South Carolina school system. He exhibits no scars from having his intelligence exploited and his creativity stifled and belittled. He is also far to well spoken. I can suspend disbelief about everything else in the story, but not this!I was about halfway through the second book when I realized what The Grid represents. All that BS about "conservation of energy" is nothing more than rationalization of laziness and greed. Even the flippant, dismissive attitude of Arthur mirrors the attitudes of the wealthy. Significantly, the society that develops among the survivors is a decidedly socialist, collective one. Richard Chandler represents the individualistic, egocentric attitude of the capitalist elite. This contrast is skillfully executed with the one exception already mentioned.The characters are generally believable, again with the one glaring exception. Richard Chandler does seem a trifle flat as a character, his motivations simplistic for a man of his supposed intelligence (HE strikes me as more typical of South Carolinians). Otherwise, though, the characters seem consistent and believable.Right about the point that Richard shows back up, I took a break from the story for a few days. I have never liked conflict, and I eventually realized that I stopped reading because the story overwhelmed me. That's a neat trick for a fiction story! I realized that I was empathising with the characters as they realized and accepted that their world was doomed. It takes some really skillful writing to pull that off.George Lucas explained that the middle act of a trilogy is always the darkest story. He said, "In the first act, you introduce everybody and set up the action. Then, in the second act you put your characters in the worst possible situation that they could never possibly get out. Then in the third act, you get them out."I'm really looking forward to this story's third act.

Book 2 of the Long Winter Trilogy kept me looking forward to the next challenge for the characters.There are surprises in the events for survivalEnjoy this good read.Please read the first book, The Long Winter .

WOW okay where do I even begin? Firstly, I am a voracious reader of many different genres & authors, some of my favorites being David Baldacci, Ernest Dempsey, Dean Koontz, James Patterson, James Rollins, and on & on the list goes. I tend to lean towards Archeological history (Finishing up The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry in fact), mysteries & thrillers, medical murder mysteries (Tess Gerritsen, hellooooo), stories that bounce from present time to hundreds of years in the past (hello Ken Follett), and definitely FBI/Special forces thrillers! I've even had my love affair with Stephen King... BUT……… I have NEVER been interested in anything Sci-fi-ish to be honest. Which is why I was so surprised with this series! I pre-ordered the 3rd book the second I was finished with book #2! Yes, it IS sci-fi, and yes, "alien-ISH", so yeah I was hesitant, BUT, it turned out to be soooooooo much more than that, and it ALL pulled together nicely, every bit of it, all the stuff I thought I would find ridiculous, nope, beautifully done Mr. Riddle!!! I am HOOKED! I couldn't put the 1st book down, and had already ordered the 2nd one half-way through the 1st book because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. It is an incredible story, an amazing journey. You will become attached to the characters, the way it is written, the ins & outs of daily life in a time/place/era that we today can only IMAGINE. It is VERY realistic (I know that sounds strange, but you'll understand as you read). INCREDIBLE story. Read it people, don't even hesitate. NOT a sci-fi lover here myself but literally couldn't put the books down! CHOMPING AT THE BIT FOR #3 ON NOV. 12th!!!!

I was hoping this series would be more problem solving tech like the Weir books, but the constant drama between people and the grid is tiring. There are occasional bright spots of intrigue and surprise, but if I had to read it again knowing what I know now, I would have stopped at book 1.

I just finished the second book in this trilogy and it’s every bit as sensational as the first book! It’s 2a.m. and I’ve just finished the book ready to go on to the final book and I’m as cranked as can be with no thought whatsoever about sleep!!! You just cannot put these books down they are so compelling you must know what’s going to happen next! Their fast moving full of action and the best read I’ve ever had in my 65 years! I’m really hoping these books are made into a movie! It would be a blockbuster! I’m reading these on my Kindle but I fully intend to buy them in hardcover for my personal library. I’ve told just about everyone I know about these books and I believe they’d be great for a book group to read and discuss because of they depict humankind on the edge of distinction and man’s ability despite the odds to survive! The story is nerve racking at times keeping you on the edge of your seat, but it also has a softer side of living human interaction. Don’t miss the best read of your life!