Dies the Fire - S.M. Stirling

Dies the Fire

By S.M. Stirling

  • Release Date: 2004-08-03
  • Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 350 Ratings

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

Reviews

  • Ok

    3
    By This Gal
    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.
  • Dies the Fire

    4
    By Masanobu Cortéz
    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.
  • Read the whole series...

    5
    By RickJr1976
    Seriously. All novels of the change should be read. Of all the possible end of the world as we know it scenarios, this is my favourite. Puts most everybody on the same level. No technology means you have to be ingenious and ruthless. What a way for it all to end.
  • Had me at hello!

    5
    By Wyndot
    I was captivated from the very beginning. I have read the entire series. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book.
  • Wicca Theme

    1
    By Father of Thunder
    I bought this because of another review but was irritated to discover it has Wicca religion woven throughout. Don't buy this if you are a Christian.
  • Dies the Fire

    5
    By Artisticchick
    What a refreshing read! It boasts utter plausability, mixed with magic of the times, a great adventure sprinkled with a little logical romance.
  • A "mysterious apocalypse" that feels realistic.

    4
    By Anonymous Freak
    Never gives a true cause for the apocalypse (haven't read the companion series, maybe that one does,) but gives in-character explanations for things that make it sound more "real" than if he HAD given the cause. The setting is very familiar to me, so that helped draw me in (Willamette Valley, Oregon.) The characters are both memorable, and realistic. I have read some reviews that talk about the main characters being "too lucky". Well, simply put, if they WEREN'T that lucky, it wouldn't make sense to write a book about them! Obviously in circumstances like this, anyone who survives will have to be "too lucky", so those are the ones the books get written about. The writing style is excellent at drawing you in. Detailed where it should be, vague where that is best to either prolong the suspense, or avoid taking you out of the story. (No dwelling too long on the retro-technology, just stating enough to be enough.) I could easily see myself in almost any of the main character's position, and that's the best mark of a novel.
  • Brilliant

    5
    By Crashtheparty
    Dies the Fire is an amazing book that simulates an apocalypse scenario in which all heat power is useless. Incredible book, 5 of 5 stars.
  • Engrossing book

    4
    By MikeNewark
    This is an engrossing & captivating book, continuing the saga if The Change. Recommend reading the 1st 3 books by Stirling. They are also engrossing & very unique plot/storyline.