1636: Calabar's War

1632 Universe/Ring of Fire #36

by Charles E. Gannon, Robert E. Waters

NEW ENTRY IN THE BEST-SELLING RING OF FIRE SERIES FROM NEBULA AND DRAGON AWARD NOMINEE CHARLES E. GANNON AND ROBERT WATERS Domingos Fernandes Calabar started out as a military advisor for the Portuguese in Brazil. But to his superiors, he was still nothing more than a mameluco, a man of mixed blood. Until, that is, the Dutch arrived and he switched sides. Then the Portuguese had a new label for “traitorous dog.” But when Dutch admiral Maarten Tromp arrives, having barely survived the disastrous Battle of Dunkirk, Calabar’s job changes again. Now he has to help engineer a swift Dutch exodus to a safer place before word of Tromp’s defeat reaches Spanish ears. Partnered with the Sephardic pirate Moses Cohen Henriques, the two aid the battered Dutch fleet by striking at the Portuguese and Spanish, both on land and sea. Until, that is, Calabar learns that bitter personal enemies have grabbed his family, put them in chains, and sold them to a slaveship bound for the Spanish Main. Calabar must now continue to help the Dutch, or save his wife and children? Tromp and other strong allies want to put an end to slavery, too, but their strategies and timetable are measured in months and years. Calabar doesn’t have that kind of time and can’t rely on their methods. The struggle to recover his family, and to free the millions more suffering in shackles, is one he must win in his own way and on his own terms. Because ultimately, this is not just Calabar’s fight. This is Calabar’s war. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). About 1635: A Parcel of "The 20th volume in this popular, fast-paced alternative history series follows close on the heels of the events in The Baltic War, picking up with the protagonists in London, including sharpshooter Julie Sims. This time the 20th-century transplants are determined to prevent the rise of Oliver Cromwell and even have the support of King Charles."—Library Journal About 1634: The Galileo "A rich, complex alternate history with great characters and vivid action. A great read and an excellent book."—David Drake "Gripping . . . depicted with power!"—Publishers Weekly About Eric Flint's Ring of Fire “This alternate history series is . . . a landmark . . .”—Booklist “[Eric] Flint's 1632 universe seems to be inspiring a whole new crop of gifted alternate historians.”—Booklist “ . . . reads like a technothriller set in the age of the Medicis . . . ”—Publishers Weekly

Genres: Alternate History, Time Travel, Fiction, Pirates, War, Science Fiction, Fantasy

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 6, 2021

About the author

Dr. Charles E. Gannon is a Distinguished Professor of English (St. Bonaventure U.) & Fulbright Senior Specialist (American Lit & Culture). He has had novellas in Analog and the War World series. His nonfiction book "Rumors of War and Infernal Machines" won the 2006 ALA Outstanding Text Award. He also worked as author and editor for GDW, and was a routine contributor to both the scientific/technical content and story-line in the award-winning games "Traveller," and "2300 AD." He has been awarded Fulbrights to England, Scotland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Netherlands, and worked 8 years as scriptwriter/producer in NYC.

Reviews

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 3 out of 5]

En bra historia, som lider av en epilog och en ångest som tillhör USA det senaste året, snarare än Brazilien på 1600-talet. Det, samt de instickna parafraseringarna av franska 60-talsteoretiker, irriterar och för mig ur historien. Detta sagt är både beskrivningen av Cartagena och av slavhandeln inom de iberiska kolonierna hyfsat verklighetstrogen, och relationen bland de brazilianska befolkningarna väldigt så. Tillsammans med en intressant thrillerartad känsla gör det boken värd att läsa om man gillar genren.

[Randy Pursley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good parallel story to "No Peace Beyond the Line". The first steps to eliminate slavery in the New World. Really enjoyed the story and the main character. I look forward to where this storyline goes.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A war on slavery is rising in the New World. Gannon and Waters continue the tradition of excellent work in the ROF universe.

[Redsteve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is more of a historical adventure novel than an alternate history. The plot and events could have taken place in “our” 17th Century with a few minor adjustments. There are no Uptimers present in the story except in the prologue and epilogue and the changes are minor (mostly a few Downtimers having access to future histories about slavery) except for the presence of a Dutch fleet in the Caribbean due to the alternate Battle of Dunkirk. I felt that the story started slow but quickly picked up to an exciting conclusion. Like the other books of the 1632 “Americas Thread,” this book addresses slavery and racism, but, in this case, is the main part of the story. Timeline overlaps with events in 1636: COMMANDER CANTRELL IN THE WEST INDIES (and, in at least one case, describes the same battle from a different perspective). No advanced (i.e. 20th Century) technology but the story includes more than a little information about 17th Century sugar cane plantations and sugar production. 3.5 stars.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have frequently had protagonists in the 1632/Ring of Fire series who were downtimers. [After all, there are a limited number of uptimers, those West Virginia town Grantville time refugees from the future.]

This is the first time we have had a half Portuguese half Native South American (born in Brazil) protagonist. Both the Spanish and the Portuguese prefer slaves procured from Africa to making slaves of the indigenous population. More healthy African slaves arrive on each slaver boat versus the indigenous peoples who are perceived as lazy, quick to fall ill, etc. etc.

Our protagonist Domingos Fernandes Calabar has a good head on his shoulders and is an able scout and military advisor to the Portuguese. That is, until the Dutch arrive, and he switches sides.

Unfortunately, Calabar is too good at what he does. Neither the Portuguese nor the Dutch want to lose his services. The Portuguese strike back by capturing Calabar's family and selling them into slavery.

So, we get a personal in-your-face view of slavery, as experienced by Calabar's wife who is desperately trying to both better her situation and protect her children.

This eye-opening perspective makes it abundantly clear why the uptimer Americans abhor slavery and have outlawed it per their constitution.

Yes, change is coming to the New World post-Ring of Fire.

But can Calabar get to his family in time before they are lost forever to the awful scourge of slavery?

Highly recommended for alternate history and time travel fans and especially for 1632/Ring of Fire series fans for lots of character-driven action and a fast-moving plot!

[Bob Finegold · Rating 5 out of 5]

What wars are MEANT to be fought for!

I had the humbling opportunity to preview this book. I am pleased to say it is a great one for lovers of historical fiction and alternate history. This newest gem in the treasure chest of tales set in Eric Flint's "1632 Universe" uniquely provides a personal perspective of the impact of the machinations of the great powers of Europe upon the peoples, both natives and settlers, of South America and the Caribbean.

The story of Calabar, the native-born mameluco fighting for those he loves and his people, his friendship with the Jewish pirate Moses Cohen Henriques who pursues the same, both balancing their personal goals with their allegiances while the great powers make war is a riveting tale that reminds us what wars are MEANT to be fought for. Highly recommended.

[G H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adding new characters takes time

Overall, the story was entertaining but dragged a little bit in spots. I realize this is because character building takes time and the characters turned out to be very well put together. It bodes well for a future books in and around the Caribbean and South America

[BJ Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a parallel to 1636 Commander Cantrell. Many of the same events take place in both books but are told from a different perspective. The main character in this book is Calabar. He was once a mixed race (part European, part Native American) officer for the strongly racist Portuguese, but at some point prior to the book he switched sides to fight for the Dutch. When the Dutch uproot themselves from their Brazilian colony of Recife, he goes with them but his family remains behind and goes into hiding with the Jesuits. They are discovered and sold into slavery. Calabar then seeks to hunt down where they wound up so that he might win back their freedom by any means possible.

The book moves the issue of slavery in the early colonies right to the forefront. It does a good job of portraying the horrors and evil of slavery from the perspective of a single mother. Because of this, I would not recommend this book for kids or early teens, but for everyone else, I would strongly recommend it.

This book should be read after 1636 Commander Cantrell in the West Indies but before 1637 No Peace Beyond the Line.

[Roman Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise is good, but the actual story was underwhelming and tedious. “1636: Calabar’s War” is a spinoff to “1636: Commander Cantrell in the West Indies,” which details how reverberations from the Ring of Fire event and Grantville’s transposition through time is affecting the development of the Americas in this altered history. Calabar, a character mentioned a few times in “Cantrell” takes center stage in a story that is ancillary and forgettable. It’s well-written, but not as good as other books in the wider 1632 universe. Feel free to skip this one unless you’re a completionist or diehard 1632 fan.

[Kevin K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one fell short for me. I appreciate that they're spending more time fleshing out the activities in the Caribbean and Spanish held South America. But it was a lot of running around from place to place, with some tremendous luck.

I want to hear more about the characters introduced, as I'm sure they'll get up to shinanigans, but this one was just meh.

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ring of Fire just keeps expanding. Some of the players still deny the appearance of Grantville. Some feel threatened by it's appearance. And others embrace the new world order despite the changes and destruction that it has caused.
Here we are on the Spanish Main again but more with Portugal's holdings and the struggle of the Dutch to recover from French and English treachery.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The flap of the butterflies wing. So spreads the effects of Ring of Fire. In this story, a mestizo, Calabar is featured as he fights for a better life for himself& his family. Later he takes the role to new heights when he determines to fight for Brazil freedom while attacking the institution of slavery.

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally more on South America in the 1632 books. Good adventure hero with Calabar in his experiences in Brazil, the Caribbean Islands, etc. A person wishes that the cost of fighting against prejudice and slavery was not at the cost of neglect of one's family. Surely a way can be found to fight the fight and still raise a family?

[Stephen Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually like these books, especially the ones about downtimers dealing with the changes wrought by the arrival of Grantville. I couldn't like or empathize with these characters. They were just too different from me.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting tale concerning history I never learned. I found both the characters and the history fascinating as well as horrifying in many respects. This was a very quick read, as I just couldn't put it down.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

Well written addition to the 1632 universe. Hopefully more will be written about this interesting family with it's strong values & ideas.

[henry l. bonnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

If you like a roller coaster ride of action and adventure this is a great way to enjoy your self

[william a molloy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slavery in Brazil

An interesting tale of alternative history unlikely to be familiar to non South Americans. A one man army tale at that

[J F MCCABE · Rating 2 out of 5]

Calabars bore.

I’ve enjoyed most of the wider contributions to the 1632 cannon. Unfortunately I found this book plodding in plot and writing.

[Zandra is now on StoryGraph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very heavy on the realistic violence. The sermon in the epilogue really hits home.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't love this one. Most of the characters are not connected to the Americans and it's not that closely connected with the main plot. I just wasn't into it.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is the start of a new story arc, which makes sense since Eric Flint is not one of the authors. It carries on with the 'death to slave trade' and 'treating the locals as people' theme' that's been appearing recently in the books set in 'The New World'. Calabar was a real person of color, though not much is known about him, there are some other historical figures as well. It's a workmanlike book, decent story and plot but follows the series recent trend of fewer female main characters and leans a bit more towards military SF. A decent read and fairly short for this series.

[shawn murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read in the 1632 series. Great adventure in 1630’s Brazil and on to the Caribbean. W