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Original Essays | May 3, 2013

Emily St. John Mandel: IMG The Festivals

2 comments By Emily St. John Mandel

When it happens, it feels like winning the lottery. An email arrives out of the blue, from one of my publishers or a festival director or a member... Continue »
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1 Beaverton Science Fiction and Fantasy- A to Z

Dies the Fire

by

Dies the Fire Cover

ISBN13: 9780451460417
ISBN10: 0451460413
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

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Staff Pick

A Tolkien-obsessed pre-teen, a pilot, a Wiccan priestess, the Eaters (nope, no hints), and the Protector: all come together in the aftermath of an event not unlike a massive electromagnetic pulse, which has caused a complete failure of all technology. Some are simply interested in surviving; others want to dominate and rule, and not in a nice way. For me, a firm believer that the zombie war is nearly upon us, Dies the Fire sparked such interest that I couldn't put it down — it even started some serious debates in my house and inspired my husband to research the art of bow making! Thanks to S. M. Stirling, I feel a little more comfortable with the idea of a post-apocalyptic situation, even maybe a little excited about it.
Recommended by Heidi Mager, Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

It all started when an electrical storm over the island of Nantucket produced a blinding white flash, causing all electronic devices to cease to function-computers, telephones, engines, radio, television, even firearms — and plunged the world into a darkness humanity was unprepared to face. But even as some people band together to help one another, others are building armies for conquest.

Review:

"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." Publishers Weekly

Review:

"[A] stunning speculative vision of a near-future bereft of modern conveniences." Library Journal

Review:

"[An] intriguing what-if about modern humans denied their treasured conveniences." Booklist

Synopsis:

An electrical storm over the island of Nantucket causes all electrical devices in the United States to cease function. But even as some people band together to help one another, others are building armies for conquest.

Synopsis:

Praised as a “truly original combination of postapocalyptic sci-fi and military-oriented medieval fantasy,”* S. M. Stirlings Novels of the Change depict a future without technology, where people must master skills from ages past in order to survive. Now, to ensure that survival for all he cares for, a king faces his greatest challenge in the latest chapter of the New York Times bestselling saga....

Rudi Mackenzie has won the battle that expelled the enemy from the new High Kingdom of Montival. Now he must free the people who live in the state once known as Idaho from occupation by the legions of the Church Universal and Triumphant and pursue them to their lair over the mountains. There he will finally confront the forces behind the Church—the Powers of the Void.

Yet even a victory will not end the conflict forever. The Powers of the Void are malevolent and infinitely patient, and the struggle is one that involves the entire world. They threaten Rudi not only in the present, but also in the future represented by his children, Órlaith and John. Rudi knows this.

And as his heir Princess Órlaith grows up in the shadow of her famous father, she also realizes that the enemy will do anything to see that she does not live to fulfill her parents dream....

*Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis:

“[A] gifted author,”* S.M. Stirling created a fascinating neo-medieval world in his Novels of the Change where the remnants of humanity struggle to survive in a post-technological environment. Now, the New York Times bestselling epic continues as a king faces a challenge beyond the battlefield…

Rudi Mackenize, now Artos the First, High King of Montival, and his allies have won several key battles against the Church Universal and Triumphant. But still the war rages on, taking countless lives, ravaging the land once known as the United States of America. Artos and his Queen, Mathilda, must unite the realms into a single kingdom to ensure a lasting peace.

If the leaders of the Changed world are to accept Artos as their ruler, he will need to undertake a quest to the Lake at the Heart of the Mountains, and take part in a crowning ceremony—a ceremony binding him to his people, his ancestors, and his land.

Then, once he has secured his place and allegiances, Artos can go forward, and lead his forces to the heart of the enemy’s territory…

*San Francisco Book Review 

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About the Author

S.M. Stirling is the author of numerous novels, both on his own and in collaboration. A trained lawyer and an amateur historian, he lives with his wife, Jan.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 15 comments:
Christin, August 11, 2012 (view all comments by Christin)
This book was AWESOME!

It's the first book in a series, but it's a self-contained story; it doesn't end on a cliffhanger or anything. One day out of the blue, there's a flash of white light and everything mechanical stops working all at once. Not only that, but guns and steam engines don't work anymore either. Gunpowder just barely fizzles and no matter what you do, the steam never builds up enough pressure to get the engine going. No one knows why and most people are too busy focused on their immediate survival to really investigate that.

The book follows two groups of people. One group is started by a former Marine turned charter pilot who's flying a family called the Larssons to their ranch in Montana when the Change hits and their plane crashes into a river in northern Idaho. They pick up more people along the way and end up in this big nomadic wagon train heading west trying to make it to the Larssons' other property in Oregon. The other group is started by a Wiccan folk singer and her friends who head up to her land way out in the boonies (also in Oregon) and set up a homestead there, where they also end up taking in a bunch of stragglers. Eventually, these two storylines interweave. The book mostly focuses on people trying to adjust to this crazy situation they've all suddenly found themselves in and trying to carve out a little safety.

The characters are unique and interesting and you really care about them, the breakdown of society (and the disparate attempts to rebuild some other kinds of local societies) are believable and detailed. It's fascinating and I can't wait to read the next book!
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dkwilley, August 4, 2012 (view all comments by dkwilley)
This series sucked me right in. I love post-apocalyptic stories and this is EASILY one of the best I've read. and a plus for those of us that shop at the brick-and-mortar Powell's - it's set mostly in the Willamette Valley. really great series, anxiously awaiting the last 2 (?) !!!
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miscue, August 4, 2012 (view all comments by miscue)
Great read! "End of the world" type of book but with a setting in the Pacific Northwest. I am enjoying every page!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780451460417
Author:
Stirling, S. M.
Publisher:
Roc
Subject:
Science Fiction - General
Subject:
Farm life
Subject:
Community life
Subject:
Alternative History
Subject:
Science fiction
Subject:
Oregon
Subject:
Science / General
Subject:
Science Fiction and Fantasy-A to Z
Copyright:
2005
Edition Description:
Hardback
Series:
Change Series
Series Volume:
2
Publication Date:
20050931
Binding:
MASS MARKET
Grade Level:
from 12
Language:
English
Pages:
400
Dimensions:
6.72x4.24x1.26 in. .61 lbs.
Age Level:
from 18
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Featured Titles » Genre
Fiction and Poetry » Science Fiction and Fantasy » A to Z

Dies the Fire Used Mass Market
0 stars - 0 reviews
$4.50 In Stock
Product details 400 pages Roc - English 9780451460417 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

A Tolkien-obsessed pre-teen, a pilot, a Wiccan priestess, the Eaters (nope, no hints), and the Protector: all come together in the aftermath of an event not unlike a massive electromagnetic pulse, which has caused a complete failure of all technology. Some are simply interested in surviving; others want to dominate and rule, and not in a nice way. For me, a firm believer that the zombie war is nearly upon us, Dies the Fire sparked such interest that I couldn't put it down — it even started some serious debates in my house and inspired my husband to research the art of bow making! Thanks to S. M. Stirling, I feel a little more comfortable with the idea of a post-apocalyptic situation, even maybe a little excited about it.

by Heidi Mager
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "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." Publishers Weekly
"Review" by , "[A] stunning speculative vision of a near-future bereft of modern conveniences."
"Review" by , "[An] intriguing what-if about modern humans denied their treasured conveniences."
"Synopsis" by , An electrical storm over the island of Nantucket causes all electrical devices in the United States to cease function. But even as some people band together to help one another, others are building armies for conquest.
"Synopsis" by ,
Praised as a “truly original combination of postapocalyptic sci-fi and military-oriented medieval fantasy,”* S. M. Stirlings Novels of the Change depict a future without technology, where people must master skills from ages past in order to survive. Now, to ensure that survival for all he cares for, a king faces his greatest challenge in the latest chapter of the New York Times bestselling saga....

Rudi Mackenzie has won the battle that expelled the enemy from the new High Kingdom of Montival. Now he must free the people who live in the state once known as Idaho from occupation by the legions of the Church Universal and Triumphant and pursue them to their lair over the mountains. There he will finally confront the forces behind the Church—the Powers of the Void.

Yet even a victory will not end the conflict forever. The Powers of the Void are malevolent and infinitely patient, and the struggle is one that involves the entire world. They threaten Rudi not only in the present, but also in the future represented by his children, Órlaith and John. Rudi knows this.

And as his heir Princess Órlaith grows up in the shadow of her famous father, she also realizes that the enemy will do anything to see that she does not live to fulfill her parents dream....

*Kirkus Reviews
"Synopsis" by ,
“[A] gifted author,”* S.M. Stirling created a fascinating neo-medieval world in his Novels of the Change where the remnants of humanity struggle to survive in a post-technological environment. Now, the New York Times bestselling epic continues as a king faces a challenge beyond the battlefield…

Rudi Mackenize, now Artos the First, High King of Montival, and his allies have won several key battles against the Church Universal and Triumphant. But still the war rages on, taking countless lives, ravaging the land once known as the United States of America. Artos and his Queen, Mathilda, must unite the realms into a single kingdom to ensure a lasting peace.

If the leaders of the Changed world are to accept Artos as their ruler, he will need to undertake a quest to the Lake at the Heart of the Mountains, and take part in a crowning ceremony—a ceremony binding him to his people, his ancestors, and his land.

Then, once he has secured his place and allegiances, Artos can go forward, and lead his forces to the heart of the enemy’s territory…

*San Francisco Book Review 
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