The Scourge of God (novel)

The Scourge of God (2008) is an alternate history, post-apocalyptic novel by American writer S. M. Stirling, the fifth book in the Emberverse series. It follows Rudi Mackenzie and his companions as they cross the former United States a generation after "The Change" rendered technology useless, heading to Nantucket on a quest based on rumors that the event originated there. The title comes from the name Sethaz adopted for himself at the end of The Sunrise Lands.

The plot sees Rudi and his group rescue Mathilda Arminger, Odard Liu, and Ingolf Vogeler from High Seeker Kuttner. They encounter Mormon rebels who join them, and they reach the town of Picabo, now held by the Church Universal and Triumphant (CUT). An attempt to infiltrate the town fails, and they are discovered and driven out by Major Graber. After recovering in the woods, the company is found by Buddhist monks and spends the winter at their monastery, where Ignatius receives a vision from Mary instructing him to look after Mathilda. Entering Sioux territory, they are welcomed by Chief Red Leaf, but Major Graber catches up. The ranchers and CUT are driven off after accidentally disturbing lions. Rudi’s group stays with Red Leaf’s tribe but leaves before Graber returns with reinforcements, using Red Leaf’s son to cross a massive buffalo migration and lose their pursuer. In Iowa, Ingolf’s connections with a local farmer help them reach Des Moines, where they hope to finance a trip into the eastern deathlands. They are ambushed and captured by State Police; the Bossman of Iowa is angry with Ingolf for abandoning a paid salvaging expedition. Rudi volunteers to retrieve the abandoned goods from Illinois, and the Bossman agrees, stipulating Rudi must do it alone within a month. Back in Oregon, leaders of the Meeting march on Pendleton to capture its Bossman. With help from a spy in Sandra Arminger’s service, Rangers sneak into the city and reach the palace. Astrid captures the Bossman and his family, but Sethaz incites a crowd to attack the Rangers, who flee with only the Bossman. Tiphaine rescues them, but Astrid is injured and must cede command to Tiphaine, who attempts a fighting retreat to buy time for the infantry. At home, the Mackenzies and Bearkillers mourn their dead.

Reviews for Scourge have generally been good.