Rating: 
Summary: Not a breakthrough but still engaging
Review: Sea of Plague, Book 2 of Heart of the World continues exactly where Book 1 left off. Unfortunately, while the quality of the book is still high, it's marred by some heavy recapping content that almost brings to the book to a standstill at times.
Sindri has arrived from 27 years in the future with a warning for the Cerberus warriors about the plans of Sam the Imperator to cause a global famine. The secret behind the Imperator is revealed to be an old enemy who has excelled at manipulation schemes for many hundreds of years. Kane realizes that the only way to keep the future from coming to pass is to change as many elements in the present as possible to knock the course of time off-track just enough to derail the Imperator's intricate plan. Culminating in a final battle in a temple dedicated to tantric sex in India, Sam's victory or defeat will result in major changes to the world and the fate of humanity. The main problem with the book is the recapping of the Sam's history. I can see where it was necessary for new readers but for veterans it became rather tedious. However, the characterization is still strong and is one of the high points of this book and Talon and Fang. Kane has visibly grown into a leadership role and he slowly begins to accept that his actions or lack thereof actually makes a difference in the world. Grant, the weary warrior, also comes full circle and realizes that his place is in Cerberus, despite his desire to settle down with his beloved Shizuka. Lakesh, Brigid and Domi also have interesting character bits. The characterization of Sindri isn't quite as complex in Sea of Plague as it was in Talon and Fang, but he has to share the stage with Sam, Erica Van Sloan, Barons Sharpe and Cobalt.
Also greatly appreciated are the prominent female roles. Erica is vastly improved from the aristocratic sexpot from Far Empire and Devil In The Moon. The insanely sadistic Baroness Beausoliel is not only a frightening villainess but she's reminiscent of a certain real-life female serial killer. All in all, Sea of Plague wasn't as much as a breakthrough as Talon and Fang, it was still an engaging read.
Rating: 
Summary: Can't get much better
Review: This is only the third of the Outlanders series I've read and as far as excellent science fiction adventure is concerned I don't think you can get much better. The second part of the Heart of the World storyline was gripping from beginning to end but I wished I had read the earlier books with Sam and Colonel Thrush. But I will go back and find the earlier books. I'm a fan for life now! The Outlanders series has the same feel to it as Stargate Sg-1 and even Farscape!
Rating:
Summary: Sea of Plague.
Review: This second book in the Heart of the World sequence picks up right where the frist book Talon and Fang left off. Coming on the heels of Talon and Fang this book lags a bit in parts, and is bogged down with a tremendous amount of back story that for the loyal reader is more of a rehash of pass events with in the series while being good for the new reader looking to catch up on past events, makes this book a heavy read for the loyal reader who has been enjoying the ride from the start. Thats not to say that Sea of Plague wasn't entertaining, it just seemed to come to an end before it had even begun to get its feet under itself. For me the story just began to get interesting and draw me in, when I suddenly found myself on the last page of the book. Which left me wondering why a story so full of potential was cut short. The classic Outlanders characterization, storytelling, and plot twists are part of this latest chapter of the Outlanders series though. Readers are left with more than few loose ends, that are left dangling. It will be some months before those loose threads are picked up again and expanded upon as the next book is not written by series creature Mark Ellis. All in all Sea of Plague was enjoyable, and entertaining, though if your looking for another rip roaring ride like Talon and Fang you will be some what disappointed. Even though this latest story is not the best Outlanders that Mark Ellis has given us, it is still light years above and beyond the regular sci-fi that is put out on the market!! If your a long time fan or a new reader who has just discovered the Sci-fi gem that is Outlanders this is still a great read and well worth shelling out your hard earned money for which still earns it a 5 star rating from this loyal reader.
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