Not as good as the first book, which was a little disappointing. Weirdly it was for me because it was told in a linear fashion vs the bouncing around the first book took. It was dry. Took too long to get to the root of the matter. I think they were still world building when they should have been focused on plot.

But I love this world and the people in it. I believe there is a third book but I don’t own it so who knows when I’ll get to it.

Structurally very similar to the first book, The Long War is an inaccurately titled book of ideas with very little in the way of story. Pratchett and Baxter have a handle on these characters but don't give them much to do, and we don't spend enough time with most of them to care very much. All of the big events seem to happen in between books.

The first was just ok, but this makes The Long Earth seem like a work of art. Its a muddled jumble of right wing tropes that are, as they usually are, inconsistent. Just in the first 20 chapters, we get:
- Amerka is great and has the right to spread its power across all the worlds in the same territory
- Amerka is taxing without representation, so it's ok for other worlds to think of independence
- Pot is bad
- Link pot to the supposed hallucinogenic overdose of a young woman
- Claim the flowers causing the former should be burnt, as if they aren't everywhere
- Justify the father's killing of the supposed drug dealer
- Equivocate of slavery of trolls. After all, maybe those whips aren't really that bad
- And more

Then there's the idiotic concept that while there are lots of parallel earths, there's only one with people. Yet, somehow, as you move out, not only are there not people, there aren't even Neanderthals, until we get to sentient "trolls" and doggies, as if somehow the almost similar earths skipped over close evolution for weirdness.

I barely gave the first 3 stars. If there was a lower rating than one, this would get it.

I really enjoyed the first installment in the series. But the 2nd part is a mess.

Spoiler

The time jump at the beginning effectively kills the feel of a grounded science fiction. Too much has happened "off-screen" which makes the character motivations vague and unconvincing.

I like how there was more discussion on different species in this book! I do still enjoy getting lost in this world. I'm really enjoying most, if not all of the characters.

Prachett and Baxter's Long Earth was a good but ultimately disappointing book. The let-down being the sort-of cliffhanger, to be continued conclusion.

The worst consequence of this action being an undue amount of pressure on the sequel. So how does Long War stand-up?

Depends what you liked about Long Earth. If you're enjoying the sociological and cultural examination then Long War will be pleasing, despite the name Long War is at least 2/3 focussed on the effects of discovering the long-earth rather than having a coherent storyline for the main characters.

I'm afraid if you're reading this one for the main characters, plotline or indeed the War then Long War will only rate 2 stars. First of there is hardly any Lobsang, and there are numerous other characters followed than the interesting Joshua, and the relatable Jansson. Secondly after an opening tease of humanoids starting their own long-war this plotline doesn't even develop until the last eighth of the book, and while concluding with a touch of humour leaves one with a feeling deprived of satisfaction.

I'm assuming this is being set-up as a continuing series as there are many questions remaining, well one really - what is with First Person Singular? I for one will be continuing with it, but simply because I enjoy the analysis and the setting. I wouldn't be turning to this book for dramatic ravaging storylines.

I gave up. It was the same stuff all over again and seemingly going nowhere

Coming back to the world if Pratchett and Baxter was one I looked forward to. The long Earth, the first in the series, was a great read A really good premise on a different kind of science fiction, a new way to explore the earth and humanity.
Mixing the fable and the modern world, it threw humanity into a spin with the concept of multiple Earths all divergent - same but different.
In this sequel the Earths have been populated and humanity spread out amongst them. Datum or the Earth humanity originated on, seeks to control these other Earths.
The war in The Long War is a potential something that almost happens through fear and a quest for control.
Frankly this isn't as good as the Long Earth. The additional creatures and interactions in these alternate Earths are not explored enough. Characters are not as deep and I think we were cheated on some great potential on the war.
I enjoyed the book and will loll forward to the third, the redeemer, if that happens!

A poor follow-up to the excellent [b:The Long Earth|13147230|The Long Earth (The Long Earth #1)|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335532694s/13147230.jpg|18164154]. There was a lack of newness to the worlds (the main concept being introduced in #1) which isn not in itself a bad thing but there was no compelling narrative otherwise.

Two story lines somewhat repetitious of the original journey (a-questing-Westwards and Eastwards we will go) and a couple of story lines that seemed conflict oriented but never really became "a War". Indeed it seemed for most of the novel we were building up to something only for the closing pages to declare the "War" was over.

Several new races are introduced dangerously careening the storyline to being a fable analogy but it is still done with a light enough touch that I think we will survive.

[b:The Long Mars|18586487|The Long Mars (The Long Earth, #3)|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397123447s/18586487.jpg|26325671] is just out, and signposted as a space exploration follow-up in this book, and its good then the series will hold weight. If not then just read [b:The Long Earth|13147230|The Long Earth (The Long Earth #1)|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335532694s/13147230.jpg|18164154] and be very, very happy.

Felt more like an assortment of events than any actual story progressing.