39th out of 430 books
—
946 voters
Dies the Fire (Emberverse #1)
The Change occurred when an electrical storm centered over the island of Nantucket produced a blinding white flash that rendered all electronic devices and fuels inoperable. What follows is the most terrible global catastrophe in the history of the human race-and a Dark Age more universal and complete than could possibly be imagined.
"Dies the Fire kept me reading till fiv...more
"Dies the Fire kept me reading till fiv...more
Mass Market Paperback, 573 pages
Published
September 6th 2005
by Roc
(first published August 3rd 2004)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
Feb 06, 2013
Eric
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Hardcore post-apocolytic sci-fi fans
Recommended to Eric by:
Rose
Shelves:
post-apocalyptic
I loved the premise of this novel, but had a lot of problems with the execution. Well, mostly one problem -- the middle of the book crawls.
The book starts off in contemporary West Coast America, following two characters (a pilot and a Ren Faire musician) on a normal day, when The Change happens. This shoots the story right into action, as the characters have to immediately adjust and survive in a world where electricity no longer works. The first third of the book is compelling reading, I finish...more
The book starts off in contemporary West Coast America, following two characters (a pilot and a Ren Faire musician) on a normal day, when The Change happens. This shoots the story right into action, as the characters have to immediately adjust and survive in a world where electricity no longer works. The first third of the book is compelling reading, I finish...more
One day in March, the world turns white and every person experiences a searing pain. After this brief flash, modern technology no longer works. No electricity, no firearms, not even gun powder works as it used to. Our modern civilization is thrust back to medieval technology, precipitating a catastrophe where most of humanity dies.
The survivors, though, have to figure out how to live in this new world as civilization collapses. We don't get a primitivist's utopia, however, but a competently wri...more
The survivors, though, have to figure out how to live in this new world as civilization collapses. We don't get a primitivist's utopia, however, but a competently wri...more
I've actually traded this book in without finishing it. I'll keep what review I had read up, though....
I've been reading this book, the first of a series, for a while and, well, we just haven't hit it off. Usually, I'm really interested in post-Apocalyptic, sociological books - The Stand and The Postman are both favorites. The books in the Dresden Files are ones that I can't put down, but Dies the Fire is one of those that it's hard to pick back up. (I've been taking it with me to doctor appoint...more
I've been reading this book, the first of a series, for a while and, well, we just haven't hit it off. Usually, I'm really interested in post-Apocalyptic, sociological books - The Stand and The Postman are both favorites. The books in the Dresden Files are ones that I can't put down, but Dies the Fire is one of those that it's hard to pick back up. (I've been taking it with me to doctor appoint...more
This book made me hate reading. It took me a month to get over the trauma that this self indulgent arrogant waste paper induced. Sterling’s lack of subtlety is developing his characters was only surpassed by his amazing ability to make me disaccoiate myself with his heroes within two pages. Amazingly convenient “coincidences” occur more often than in the Hitchhiker books, but at least Adams had the good grace to blame it on an improbability drive instead of just passing it off as the norm.
I read this for two reasons. One, because it seemed like the true G David Drake thought well enough of SM Stirling to co-write The General series with him. Since then, I've come to the conclusion that that pairing must have been something the publisher pushed at Drake with a nice deal. Apparently, judging by the reviews here, Stirling's books have a fanatical following reminiscent of Twilight. Except, instead of terrible vampire books, he writes awful speculative historical scifi.
Which brings m...more
Which brings m...more
Interesting speculative history/dystopian novel as to what would happen if all electronic devices and firearms were suddenly inoperable. The answer: only the Ren Faire geeks/history reenactor buffs would survive.
I enjoyed this well enough, but I don't see me pursuing the entire series. Fun characters, though, and lots to talk about regarding social structures, canibalism, etc.
But by the Three-Aspect Goddess, I'm so glad that my Wiccan friends don't talk like Lady Juniper! Sheesh!
I enjoyed this well enough, but I don't see me pursuing the entire series. Fun characters, though, and lots to talk about regarding social structures, canibalism, etc.
But by the Three-Aspect Goddess, I'm so glad that my Wiccan friends don't talk like Lady Juniper! Sheesh!
What happens when the lights go out . . . for good?
The Change occurred when an electrical storm centered over the island of Nantucket produced a blinding white flash that rendered all electronic devices and firearms inoperable--and plunged the world into a dark age humanity was unprepared to face . . .
S.M. Stirling has written a trilogy of novels about how humanity adapts to the sudden, catastrophic change in potentialities: where, basically, the technologies of medieval times are all that "w...more
The Change occurred when an electrical storm centered over the island of Nantucket produced a blinding white flash that rendered all electronic devices and firearms inoperable--and plunged the world into a dark age humanity was unprepared to face . . .
S.M. Stirling has written a trilogy of novels about how humanity adapts to the sudden, catastrophic change in potentialities: where, basically, the technologies of medieval times are all that "w...more
I have always been fascinated with the post-apocalyptic fiction genre. After some woolgathering on why, I have decided it is because it makes me appreciate the postmodern world I live in. Every time I eat a banana, buy strawberries or raspberries imported from Equator in the middle of winter, or when I simply turn the hot water on in my sink; it reminds me of how lucky I am. Take tap water for instance! Most people won’t even drink it, but I’m glad I don’t have to drill my own well and stoke up...more
I didn't finish this one. The story was fairly interesting at the start--a compelling scenario, a number of potentially interesting characters--but it fizzled fairly quickly. It comes off mostly as an adolescent male fantasy where D&D geeks rule with their sword mastery. I actually laughed at the main bad guy, who had assembled gang leaders from across the city, dazzled them by killing four men at once with his awesome sword skills, and had scantily-clad (and very frightened) women serving t...more
Oct 04, 2008
Troy
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
renaissance re-enactors who are convinced that their weapon skills will be useful in the future.
Shelves:
given-up
The moment I realized that 50% of Stirling's characters were frustrated Renaissance Festival "swordswomen" who were finally going to be taken seriously in the post-apocalypse and that he WASN'T doing it for comedy's sake, I had to give up. Two stars for competent writing, but I wish they would have been forthright about the SCA's affiliation on the book jacket. I would have spent my money on an over-sized novelty turkey leg and some mead.
The premise is incredibly intriguing - in a flash, all technology that relies on rapid combustion or electricity (including gun powder, cars, and everything electrical) stops. How the world changes and adapts as a result of this (and people's reactions to it) is the drive behind the story. It's enough.
Of course, I'm not done with the book, and it is the first in a series (which are often stronger than succeeding books), but so far so good. My only major complaint is that a lot of the book is wri...more
Of course, I'm not done with the book, and it is the first in a series (which are often stronger than succeeding books), but so far so good. My only major complaint is that a lot of the book is wri...more
10/11 Reread. As I was reading this I was wondering why I love dystopian fiction so much. Is it the feeling of unsteadiness it gives me in everyday life? Is it that I have a deep and abiding faith in humanity to get it right the second time? Is it that my own life is comfortable? I don't have a solid answer, but this book is one I love. Despite the coincidences, despite the staggering body count complete with graphic descriptions of arrows thumping meatily into flesh & bone, despite the goof...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Thank the maker... this book took me forever to read because it was much more fantasy then I expected. I thought... SF all the way. I mean, power goes out and everything that we know of is lost, but nay, it was the other way around. Power was out and the next thing I know, the people of the book are now living a life like that of the medieval times... And I should of known it would be like that. When the world ends and there is no power, it only makes sense that life will become like that of Kin...more
It's been a really long time since I first picked up this book, enticed by the cover art and plot summary on the back. I don't remember exactly how far I got in relation to how much was left to read (although I do remember what caused me to put the book down for the final time, I'll get to that later) but I'll give my opinion on what I gathered from the way things were going:
The essence of this story is just a catchy premise, stretched painfully to cover an entire novel. I usually see this kind...more
The essence of this story is just a catchy premise, stretched painfully to cover an entire novel. I usually see this kind...more
The idea presented in this book of a world suddenly without electricity and gunfire seemed interesting enough and I've already read the first book of the Island in the Sea of Time trilogy (and liked it a lot) that is somewhat linked with the universe shown in this book so I thought I'd give it a try. It started somewhat slow but I kept going. It didn't even bother me much when the coincidences of meeting just the right people started piling up, after all without them the book would probably be b...more
I enjoyed it, but not as much as I expected to. It may be that I have departed my post-apocalypse phase.
In any case, Dies the Fire takes place primarily in Oregon after something resembling an electromagnetic pulse takes out all things electrical (and gunpowder—I said, something like). It follows two bands of survivors: Clan Mackenzie (Wiccans and those who join them) led by Juniper Mackenzie and the Bearkillers led by former Marine Mike Havel. Clan Mackenzie rapidly settles down and begins far...more
In any case, Dies the Fire takes place primarily in Oregon after something resembling an electromagnetic pulse takes out all things electrical (and gunpowder—I said, something like). It follows two bands of survivors: Clan Mackenzie (Wiccans and those who join them) led by Juniper Mackenzie and the Bearkillers led by former Marine Mike Havel. Clan Mackenzie rapidly settles down and begins far...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Jul 22, 2010
Benjamin
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
fantasy,
science,
pacific,
northwest,
2006-read,
post-apocalypse,
first-edition,
edition
What a great idea! Setting a story in the Pacific Northwest is nothing new, but then add in a mysterious diasaster that strips humanity of electricity, steam power, working gun powder, and combustion energy. Add some wiccans, some U.S. marines, a couple hundred CSA nerds, OSU, some gangstas, and Tolkien die hards. Shake it all up, what do you get, a plot that satisfies the geek within. Oh how I love Portland. Its such great city, but in Dies the Fire, it becomes the center of evil oppression run...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
My husband and I have been reading a lot of post-apocalyptic fiction over the last year or so: The Stand, Lucifer's Hammer, A Canticle for Lebowitz, etc. As much as I enjoyed those two, I really Loved "Dies the Fire." Stirling has a real knack for handing you an absolutely ridiculous premise (in this case, something or someone or Someone comes along in the spring of '98 and changes the laws of physics just enough to stop internal combustion engines from combusting, guns from firing, and electric...more
“Dies the Fire” is a post-apocalyptic novel by S.M. Stirling that my friends Kristi and Adam recommended. I’m in the research stage of writing a post-apocalyptic/dystopian novel. (Movies that have helped with my research include: “The Book of Eli,” “The Road,” “Equilibrium,” “I Am Legend,” “In Time,” “Children of Men,” “Carriers,” “Perfect Sense,” “Monsters,” “The Hunger Games,” “Life After People,” “Contagion,” etc.)
As for “Dies the Fire,” there were aspects that I enjoyed. The premise is compe...more
As for “Dies the Fire,” there were aspects that I enjoyed. The premise is compe...more
This is my second book by S.M. Stirling, and I have had love/hate relationships with both (the other was Conquistador). I like the alternative universe he constructs in the story after electricity, engines, and gunpowder stop working. He tells an interesting story of the collapse that occurs when that happens, and then a few groups of people who rebuild pretty successfully after that.
But I felt that I was fighting the author through much of the story. The author is a nerd's nerd. He uses the ex...more
But I felt that I was fighting the author through much of the story. The author is a nerd's nerd. He uses the ex...more
This is my review for the Emberverse *series* (minus the #9 volume still in the works) - Dies the Fire is the book that kicks it all off.
The Emberverse is one of the best post-apocalyptic series I have come across in decades of SF/F reading. The first 3 books can stand alone, and are frankly the most interesting because they deal with the immediate trauma and conflicts that arise when technology suddenly ceases to be. This is the end of the world as we modern day humans might experience it, so...more
The Emberverse is one of the best post-apocalyptic series I have come across in decades of SF/F reading. The first 3 books can stand alone, and are frankly the most interesting because they deal with the immediate trauma and conflicts that arise when technology suddenly ceases to be. This is the end of the world as we modern day humans might experience it, so...more
This book is terrible, it might be one of the worst pieces of fantasy writing I have ever come across. The basic plot device seems simple enough, humanity is abruptly forced to live without technology again as unknown forces cause anything more complicated than edged weapons to stop working.
That's all well and good, you can build something interesting around that. What we get from Stirling are one dimensional characters written to satisfy stereotypes. Every character has one defining aspect, for...more
That's all well and good, you can build something interesting around that. What we get from Stirling are one dimensional characters written to satisfy stereotypes. Every character has one defining aspect, for...more
There are many dystopian novels out there and readers are spoilt for choice. I looked around a bit and finally picked Stirling’s “Dies the Fire” because of the high ratings by numerous readers.
I had high expectations for this book which covered events after an electrical storm caused all electronic devices to fail. Even guns, which I thought was very strange…. anyway, that aside, it’s clear that Stirling has done much research on this book. His descriptions of weapons and other aspects of warfar...more
I had high expectations for this book which covered events after an electrical storm caused all electronic devices to fail. Even guns, which I thought was very strange…. anyway, that aside, it’s clear that Stirling has done much research on this book. His descriptions of weapons and other aspects of warfar...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I've spent the last three weeks reading all of the books in this series. Each one is extremely long, and clearly I like them or I would not continue reading them, but I can't say I think they're good books, exactly. I love the premise, that there's some sort of electromagnetic pulse/Alien Space Bat that instantly causes all technology to stop working (up to and including steam engines). Stirling has a nice view of the future; yes, it's immensely sympathetic to Ren Faire, SCA, history professors,...more
Many of us have had fantasies--usually when we were kids--of living under primitive conditions as cave men, Medieval knights, explorers, or what have you. Or we read about the Crusades or the Oregon Trail and wonder what it must have been like to live during or before the Industrial Revolution. Sometimes it seems that pushing some sort of cosmic Reset button is the only way to solve certain difficult global problems. What if we could? More to the point, what if someone else did?
The premise is th...more
The premise is th...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SciFi and Fantasy...: Dies The Fire - March 2013 | 21 | 33 | Mar 22, 2013 02:02pm |
Stephen Michael Stirling is a French-born Canadian-American science fiction and fantasy author. Stirling is probably best known for his Draka series of alternate history novels and the more recent time travel/alternate history Nantucket series and Emberverse series.
More about S.M. Stirling...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Now let's move on to the subject of how a real man treats his wife. A real man doesn't slap even a ten-dollar hooker around, if he's got any self respect, much less hurt his own woman. Much less ten times over the mother of his kids. A real man busts his ass to feed his family, fights for them if he has to, dies for them if he has to. And he treats his wife with respect every day of his life, treats her like a queen - the queen of the home she makes for their children.”
—
25 people liked it
“And the first king was a lucky soldier.”
—
11 people liked it
More quotes…

Loading...































Dec 29, 2010 11:23am