Dies the Fire
A Novel of the Change
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4.4 • 350 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
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 five in the morning so I could finish at one great gulp..."—New York Times bestselling author Harry Turtledove
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.
Customer Reviews
Dies the Fire
Of apocalyptic and post apocalyptic books this is, in some ways, an optimistic book. It does not have the weight of Cormac McCarthy's The Road, or the deep clarity of Marlen Haushofer's The Wall. But it is a fun read. I'd like to live there, all the dangers notwithstanding. The protagonists are smart, industrious and good. The villains are enjoyably detestable. A fun read all in all.
Dies the Fire
I've read it over six times and loved the story. The author has created believable characters but larger than life. The story is both intriguing and scary. I have been excited to read the rest of the series.
Ok
Great concept. Good writing. Some lack of continuity. Too much archaic Wiccan talk...like if a Christian were to spout off with language from the King James Version of the Bible...out of place and jarring.