Leaning even more heavily into the high magic elements that have been gradually introduced into the series actually seems to be improving it at this point, rather than how I felt it detracted previously. I think in the previous book or two it was still straddling an uncomfortable place between fantasy and alternate history that just didn't read well, especially without possibly unreliable narrators to support the dichotomy. Really embracing the fantasy elements has helped take it out of that genre uncanny valley space into something a little more coherent. Still, I think as a whole it would have been more interesting as a strictly non-magical post-apocalyptic alternate history.
I'm not sure how intentional it is, given that Tolkien and his influence are part of the created world, but there is also what feels like an increasing amount Tolkien-esque 'walking' narrative. Extremely long descriptions of the natural environments the various characters are traveling through. While I don't object to that in theory, as much of the territory covered in 'High King' is a retread of territory traversed by the characters in previous books without significant change. The space might better have been used switching viewpoints back to events in the west coast more frequently and covering more of those. And while Stirling does a great job at describing mass pseudo-medieval combat, its also starting to feel like overtrod and repetitive territory at this point. There starts to be some payoffs to events in previous books, but maybe not enough given the length here.
In short, I think if you were a fan of the initial Change novels for their alternate history post-apocalypse, you'll find increasingly less to like here as it moves more into fantasy and Tolkien territory. If you're a fan of fantasy, this might really be where the series starts to get interesting for you, and thanks to an abundance of refreshers on previous settings and relationships, you probably won't be too lost jumping in at this point.
I have two or three books left in what I got from my aunt's basement, and I'm not liking it enough to actively purchase anything past that point, but still interested enough to polish off what I have. ( )

The big battle against the CUT is still not yet. Meanwhile, Artos has to return west and try to talk all of the conflicting regional interests along the way into at least tolerating the concept of Montival and the High King. And, of course, the CUT lays a trap for them and we see the one really scary aspect of the Sword. At different times we also get to see some of the deeply spiritual aspects of the weapon. Meanwhile, on the home front, the CUT is mounting a truly massive assault against the an important outlying fort and is counting on Rudi to make the 3,000 mile return ASAP to save them. ( )

Doesn't add much to the series...

OK, ok... I get that they have to get back to Montival, but did it have to take 476 pages?? Do we have to read a recap of everything that has gone on before? Do we have to continue to tell the same, tired jokes and "clever" tales as in the previous six novels? I struggle to see where this add anything to the overall saga at all which is starting to really drag on... (becoming nearly as tedious as Robert Jordan) and apparently there are two more installments before it's over!

Oh... and the cover sucks. Doesn't tie into the story at all. ( )

More of the same ( )

The characters and premise of this series are interesting enough that I have stuck with it this long, but this is one of the weakest installments I've encountered so far.  Hoping the next one is more exciting. ( )