Published: Feb. 12, 2012
Words: 99,992 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781465875129

Short description

The trouble with the various rulers of the earth is that they're mostly wizards, and the trouble with wizards, if you ask Dave Valdman, is that every one of ’em is crazier than a two-headed ferret. Dave is happy staying beneath their notice, but when he rescues a fugitive priest from the soldiers of an infamous warlord, he finds himself drawn into the kind of conflict he’s spent his life avoiding.

Extended description

The trouble with the various rulers of the earth is that they're nearly all wizards, and the trouble with wizards, if you ask Dave Valdman, is that every one of ’em is crazier than a two-headed ferret. Dave is plenty happy staying beneath their notice, staying on the move, and delivering mail and the occasional cart of potatoes. But when Dave rescues a fugitive priest from the soldiers of an infamous warlord, he finds himself drawn into the kind of conflict he’s spent his whole life avoiding.

The priest, Father John Mallory, knows that war is brewing. As the local despots gear up for a surprise attack on the city of Crosse, Dave is in a position to get Mallory and his knowledge into the hands of people who could save some lives with them. That only draws him deeper into the conflict, and before long Dave finds himself acting as a go-between among the various kings, rulers, and military leaders, desperately employing any stratagem he can come up with to keep his friends alive an.. (Read more) The trouble with the various rulers of the earth is that they're nearly all wizards, and the trouble with wizards, if you ask Dave Valdman, is that every one of ’em is crazier than a two-headed ferret. Dave is plenty happy staying beneath their notice, staying on the move, and delivering mail and the occasional cart of potatoes. But when Dave rescues a fugitive priest from the soldiers of an infamous warlord, he finds himself drawn into the kind of conflict he’s spent his whole life avoiding.

The priest, Father John Mallory, knows that war is brewing. As the local despots gear up for a surprise attack on the city of Crosse, Dave is in a position to get Mallory and his knowledge into the hands of people who could save some lives with them. That only draws him deeper into the conflict, and before long Dave finds himself acting as a go-between among the various kings, rulers, and military leaders, desperately employing any stratagem he can come up with to keep his friends alive and the body count low.

Magister Patricia Larsen, the instigator of the coming conflict, doesn’t view herself as a warlord. Her domain lies out at the edge of the habitable lands, in a place where, without magic and sacrifice, the corn grows backward into the ground and the cattle speak in strange tongues. She has united the local wizards to strike at Crosse, in the hope of carving out a livable section of territory for her people. But Magister Larsen’s new alliance is unsteady, and she’s had to partner with some of the nastiest magic users on earth, leaders with their own ambitions and unholy desires.

As the land boils over into war, Dave finds his wit and his loyalty tested to the limits, and Magister Larsen begins to learn the steep cost of trying to rule this broken earth.
(Less)

Tags

fantasy, epic fantasy, wizard, postapocalypse, postapocalyptic

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Reviews

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Review by: Angie Lenkevich on April 19, 2012 :
David Valdman is a traveler that uses inate magic to get from place to place; technology is a thing of the past and little used. He's on an errand to retrieve Jeremy from the Borderlands to Crosse for his relatives. David does his best to stay out of trouble by moving as he does. Trouble comes in the form of John Mallory and goes downhill from there. David is injured badly by a knife to the leg which gives him little trouble at first. Soon it becomes apparent that David's injury is much worse but David is still trying to guide them back to Crosse then tries for Minneapolis instead; staying away from the road. Magister Larsen doesn't remember when she started using blood magic and has lost count of sacrifices needed to help her lands crops. She blames General Howell for the state of her lands as well as other things too. Lord Downing is her ally but she doesn't trust him at all. They are both allies to Lord Samuel which makes them both wary. Magister Larsen has never lost a sacrifice before but means to get him back. King Elias II wants his father back and so does Ellen, his aunt but that's not going to happen. King Elias II is nearly a man with childish behaviors even with his magic. There are alot of wizards around but they keep to themselves. War seems to be brew for the people of Earth. What does John Mallory and General Howell want? What will King Elias II do? Will David survive? These questions and more answered in To Rule This Broken Earth.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Tina Cook on April 17, 2012 : (no rating)
I enjoyed To Rule This Broken Earth.The writing style felt relaxed and I enjoyed the humorous prose and colloquial language. The story had good flow. I was impressed with the descriptions of injury and fighting- I was really able to 'get' it. At times I became a little confused but I think that had more to do with my having to read the story on my P.C. and therefore not reading consistently. I would have really the liked the end to have some debriefing, I felt short changed at the quick finish. Thank You Mr Garraty for a fun interesting and good story
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: veerle de meyer on April 05, 2012 :
Mad Max and Magic. This could be a tagline for the story. It's all about power and how to regain it in a world gone mad and twisted, literaly. The setting is a mix of medieval places, westernlike plains and anyhow, nothing you can relate to in the real world. It takes a while to adjust to this setting and to accept the magical twists of time and places but once you get used to it, the story is rather compelling. Nicely build characters, strong females! The storyline is great. I enjoyed reading it very much.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Marnie Petrucci on April 03, 2012 :
This book is all about wizards, magic, kings and war. It is set on an earth some time in the future, where the fall of civilization has made magic essential for keeping the very fabric of the world together. This book has lots of action, and very well written characters. I liked this book, but found it a little bit hard to get my head around the fact that a medieval type story was set in Minneapolis. A good read though. 
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Marnie Petrucci on April 03, 2012 :
This book is all about wizards, magic, kings and war. It is set on an earth some time in the future, where the fall of civilization has made magic essential for keeping the very fabric of the world together. This book has lots of action, and very well written characters. I liked this book, but found it a little bit hard to get my head around the fact that a medieval type story was set in Minneapolis. A good read though. 
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Monika Gregor on March 21, 2012 :
I received this e-book through the member giveaway. I enjoyed reading it very much. The book changes the feeling of time and space just like the landscape changes and disappears in the story. Sometimes I felt to be in a western, then again in a medieval history, and also in a post-atomic era. The characters are nicely done, very lively. Dave is very believable in his role as reluctant (and unbelieving) leader. Ellen and Larsen both are very interesting female leaders, strong, wishing for the best but knowing that this isn't always possible. And Samuel is a horrible villain. The conflict between Denise and her father is disturbing but believable.
The story is sometimes rather gruesome and bloody, but there is also a sly humour which is very enjoyable.
It would be great to meet Dave in another book again.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Monika Gregor on March 21, 2012 :
I received this e-book through the member giveaway. I enjoyed reading it very much. The book changes the feeling of time and space just like the landscape changes and disappears in the story. Sometimes I felt to be in a western, then again in a medieval history, and also in a post-atomic era. The characters are nicely done, very lively. Dave is very believable in his role as reluctant (and unbelieving) leader. Ellen and Larsen both are very interesting female leaders, strong, wishing for the best but knowing that this isn't always possible. And Samuel is a horrible villain. The conflict between Denise and her father is disturbing but believable.
The story is sometimes rather gruesome and bloody, but there is also a sly humour which is very enjoyable.
It would be great to meet Dave in another book again.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Elliot Halberg on March 18, 2012 :
I found this story one that grabbed and held my attention. The focus on a world gone mad with magic ruling the hearts and lives of mankind. Cities being ruled by kings and or wizards wad fascinating. The characters are well developed and keep one on their thoughts. I hope to read more by this author.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

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