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From Publishers Weekly
What is the foundation of our civilization? asks Stirling (Conquistador) in this rousing tale of the aftermath of an uncanny event, "the Change," that renders electronics and explosives (including firearms) inoperative. As American society disintegrates, without either a government able to maintain order or an economy capable of sustaining a large population, most of the world dies off from a combination of famine, plague, brigandage and just plain bad luck. The survivors are those who adapt most quickly, either by making it to the country and growing their own crops—or by taking those crops from others by force. Chief among the latter is a former professor of medieval history with visions of empire, who sends bicycling hordes of street thugs into the countryside. Those opposing him include an ex-Marine bush pilot, who teams up with a Texas horse wrangler and a teenage Tolkien fanatic to create something very much like the Riders of Rohan. Ultimately, Stirling shows that while our technology influences the means by which we live, it is the myths we believe in that determine how we live. The novel's dual themes—myth and technology—should appeal to both fantasy and hard SF readers as well as to techno-thriller fans.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
For survivors of a mysterious event that caused electricity, internal combustion engines, and gunpowder to fail, the Pacific Northwest furnishes enough land to support subsistence existence in a future that belongs not to today's rifle-toting survivalists but to people who know older ways. Musician Juniper takes refuge on her family's land with a growing group of friends that becomes "Clan MacKenzie." Reenactors know useful things (see Jenny Thompson's War Games [BKL Je 1&15 04]), such as how to build log houses and craft bows for hunting. Meanwhile, Mike Havel, a pilot who was flying when the Change happened, and his passengers, having survived crashing in a frigid lake, gather followers, too. Thanks to a former Society for Creative Anachronism (a real organization of eclectic reenactors) fencer, and after hard work and the accident that gives their group the name "Bearkillers," they have the knowledge to sell their protective services. There are villains, too, such as a medieval history professor who starts a feudal revival, in Stirling's intriguing what-if about modern humans denied their treasured conveniences. Regina Schroeder
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dies the Fire, opposite view of "Island in the Sea of Time",
By
This review is from: Dies The Fire (Hardcover)
This book starts at the same time Nantucket Island is launched into the far past(Island in the Sea of Time etc). In the Nantucket series, our current technology works for the Natucketers and they use it to gain acendancy over the bronze age civilizations they encounter. In "Dies the Fire", the reverse is true, the electrical storm over Nantucket generates the remaining world in which no electrical devices work, Gunpowder and explosives do not work either and steam engines seem very sluggish. Oddly enough, most chemistry seems the same as the biochemistry of humans works well enough to allow them to survive. This anomoly is not explained, being saved for a future book, no doubt. There is much information about survival with limited food, edged tools only, horses and bows. Also some wicca stuff.An interesting look at how people adapt to feudal age weapons in California and a very good read. Perhaps a bit wordy
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Lawfull Good BOOK THAT TURNS FAST INTO A Chaotic Neutral ONE,
By NeuroSplicer (Freeside, in geosynchronous orbit) - See all my reviews (HALL OF FAME) (TOP 10 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Dies the Fire: A Novel of the Change (Mass Market Paperback)
The core idea (surviving in a Post-Apocalyptic world), although not exactly new, is introduced in a virtuoso opening. For some unspecified reason there is an alteration in the physical constants involved in guns firing, engines working and electronics functioning. The Changed world faces huge challenges in order to merely survive, both hunger and the fellow humans.Stirling's writing is, as always, rich and detailed. I disagree with other reviewers: the idea of a currently fringe religion (Wica) stochastically taking center stage was plain brilliant! Evolution works exactly this way: being the best means nothing unless one is lucky enough to survive and, thus, given the chance to increase its numbers; who will be able to do so, surprisingly often, has nothing to do with absolute abilities, as much as finding oneself at the right time at the right place. And the irony of the Witches (and D&D aficionados!) inheriting the earth was just hilariously smart. However, the rhythm of the unfolding events is unrealistically accelerated. Not many weeks after the Change, medieval body armor and weapons appear in the hands of people able to use them. People of urban vocations turn successfully into farmers who know how to plow fields, seed next year's crops and brew mead, all using "museum-plundered" equipment. Horses and carriages seem to grow on trees. Not to mention evil medieval-history professors striving to become the King of Oregon! Now, I have stated that I liked the idea of Wicans forming one of the surviving communities and I understand that hard times and uncertainty steer people towards praying a lot. Nevertheless, this does not mean that my nerves did not get tested by the repetitive "blessed-be" or the (ENDLESS!) repertoire of ancient Gaelic sayings, one fit for every bloody occasion. All in all, a mixed cauldron.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great,
This review is from: Dies the Fire: A Novel of the Change (Mass Market Paperback)
This book was very good, I couldt stop reading, and could not wait to read the others. I found the main characters very easy to ger attached to.
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