Novel review: S.M. Stirling - The Stone Dogs (1990)

Sequel to the already reviewed Under the Yoke

Had long evenings during my recent trip, where I read this and some Garrett P.I.. This review won't be as long as the first Draka one, it'll mostly be a comparison.

Is this as good? I'd say almost, but for completely different reasons! Where the first had that mesmerizing and startling quality of seriously exploring a taboo position, The Stone Dogs changes the focus to the previously quite flat/lackluster plot and characters.

The in-depth description of Yolande Ingolfsson (her growing up and tumultuous life), the politics of diverse Draka factions or the OSS and the growing tension of mutual annihilation - very Cold War like - were all quite interesting! The sci-fi parts were a bit less and sometimes felt bolted on and distracting (like those ghouloons), but still serviceable.

Actually, some of the comparisons between the political systems of the Alliance and the Domination superficially remind me of Legend of the Galactic Heroes and its corrupt democracy against (currently) virtuous autocracy dilemma.

My main complaint is that Stirling seem to be very fond of dense visual descriptions full of adjectives even when the tempo objectively suffers from their undue weight; way more than in Under the Yoke. Really would have benefited from some trimming.

Wavering between 7 and 8, but 8 (same rating as its prequel) feels too much.