Dies the Fire

A Novel of the Change

By: S. M. Stirling

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Length: 22 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Havel was flying over Idaho en route to the holiday home of his passengers when the plane's engines inexplicably died, forcing a less than perfect landing in the wilderness. And, as Michael leads his charges to safety, he begins to realize that the engine failure was not an isolated incident.

Juniper Mackenzie was singing and playing guitar in a pub when her small Oregon town was thrust into darkness. Cars refused to start. Phones were silent. And when an airliner crashed, no sirens sounded and no fire trucks arrived. Now, taking refuge in her family's cabin with her daughter and a growing circle of friends, Juniper is determined to create a farming community to benefit the survivors of this crisis.

But even as people band together to help one another, others are building armies for conquest.

©2004 Stirling (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"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)

A very intriguing introduction

This novel was enjoyable to read. Striling is an excellent storyteller. The detail with which he describes the actions of his characters is incredible. From farming, to horseback riding, to swordplay, to construction techniques, all is extremely well researched. The action is vividly described and exciting to read, albeit gruesome.

Several tidbits about the nature of the change add intrigue to the story. Also, viewing the world through Ken Larsen's eyes is fascinating. The exploration of the "craft" and it's proliferation in a post apocalyptic setting is a totally original idea, at least to this reader.

Well worth your time, and an excellent intro to the Emberverse.

I'm ready for the apocalypse now.

I've never read a book that made me want to learn how to make chainmail and be valuable to a society. Blown away.

Great story

As alway, a very satisfying yarn. But requiring me to say more than I want, is a pain in the ass!

Compelling story

I loved the story and the "good guy" characters, you can't not. The pacing is good too. The narrator is talented for what he's expected to do here, just don't listen at 1.5x or above or his voice will be abrasive. Worth taking slow anyway. The characters over all could be more complex, but I'm hoping for more development as the series continues. Still, it was very good. Makes one think.

Good start to the series.

What aspect of Todd McLaren’s performance would you have changed?

All the women seem to have Irish accents, even if they aren't part of the McKenzie clan. His mispronunciation of words drives me batty, specifically ration.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed seeing how people might potentially cope after such a world changing event. There are so many possibilities and I like hearing this author's take on the potential chaos and coping.I am on the sixth book of the series now, and must say I really liked the first three books. I kind of wish I had just left it after the third. Be warned, if you are just starting this series the books later on start to drag and get repetitive with lots of religion, piety, and self righteousness. So, if you do listen to this, you might consider jumping ship after the third book as is starts to get a bit preachy after that.

Love all the books, listened to them again

What made the experience of listening to Dies the Fire the most enjoyable?

i have told others about how much I have enjoyed all 13 books

What other book might you compare Dies the Fire to and why?

I could not say, But The Wheel of Time series is very good also.

Which scene was your favorite?

I think it might be where the bear attacks

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes! It was so close to being a real possabilty

Any additional comments?

Very glad I was able to hear it.

Amazing new world and characters

An immersive and well done story told with skill and much research. I feel like I was right with the characters and wondering if I would have survived after the change. Todd McLaren may be my new favorite voice actor. He has such a beautiful, rich voice and great range. I can't wait to continue Mike, Juniper and Rudi's stories in the next book!

Awesome Story

This series definitely became one of my go to reads, and I end up having to re-read it fairly frequently because of how much I enjoyed it. Modern day thrust back into mid-evil times with the knowledge, but the inability to use our current technology. The chaos that ensues is awesome, and Portland as the heart of evil is even better. However, the pronunciations of some of the city names will drive native Oregonians a little crazy. But overall a highly recommended read.

Sillier than I remember

I remember reading this years ago and loving the post apocalyptic world Sterling created. I'm not sure what's different now, though. Maybe it's listening to the book this time, maybe I'm older, or maybe it's just because I already know the story, but this book is utterly ridiculous most of the time.

To start, Juniper talking in Gaelic all the time is annoying beyond belief. Secondly, the fact that all the Larson kids are basically weapons experts from the start. Most of all, though... All the ludicrous cultures and ceremonies that people start weeks after the world ends. It's just all too much. It's the post apocalyptic world that a lonely teenager addicted to anime would create. Yeah, there are some decent parts to the book. Overall, it's a good concept ruined by an author being too nerdy for his own good.

Interesting Premise, Irritating Execution

I purchased this book because I found the premise to be quite intriguing: survival in a post-technological age. However, I soon became so irritated with Stirling’s chosen vehicle for telling the story I wanted to through my iPod out the car window!

How is it possible to have a native Oregonian (from Portland no less) be fluent in Gaelic and have a fully developed Scots-Irish twang? Doubtful, but OK, the whole story’s a stretch. But to make things worse, she and her followers soon have a fully developed (within three to five months) pagan culture complete with “Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!” and “Goddess of the harvest, field, wood and/or toad” sprinkled through every conversation. Agh! If I ever have to hear that “Merry meet” phrase again I think I’ll through up.

There is a male protagonist whose story is more interesting. But he too makes suspending disbelief impossible when he organizes a successful assault on a fort by landing hang gliders on a tower at night with people who’ve never flown gliders before. That lost it for me. Use your credits on something else.