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)

I felt like I was there. A Good Book

No more electricity? I can see it. Can we survive if suddenly were are thrown back in time to where we have to plant food by hand and fight off the gangs and thugs with swards and crossbows? I found myself in the struggle with them fighting off evil people and protecting the good ones. I enjoyed this and look forward to the next one.

I liked this one... But don't tell anybody.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes I had a great time listening to this one. It was a fun adventure. You have to get over some things and just immerse yourself into the story. Did you know there are almost 10 million horses in the US ... "who would have thought." I was having a real hard time believing that there had been this many horses rounded up for military use in this story. So I had to look it up. (your thinking lol THATS WHAT you had a hard time believing)

Would you be willing to try another book from S. M. Stirling? Why or why not?

Yes, From the reviews I am fearing the second book however. The whole Wicca thing was one of my un-favorite parts about this book... and apparently he has a whole bunch of ramblings about Wicca in the second book. I think for the re-installation of a magic system onto earth. I would have gone with something brand new. (with a nice bright shine to it.)

What about Todd McLaren’s performance did you like?

I liked this guy. He is no five star but he tries real hard and I appreciate that.

Could you see Dies the Fire being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Sure I don't see why not. For a show like this though Ron Perlman is mandatory.. not the main star... but in the show... mandatory.

Any additional comments?

I dont plan on reading the second book right away. So I dont know if this is a pass or a must read. I heard the series gets better. You know that book in your favorite series that was just bad. AHHH Lord of Chaos Robert Jordan Cheewww I feel that this second book might be that.

Great until Book 5....

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend the first 4 books... only. After the 4th book it becomes a series of excruciatingly detailed battles. It gets so boring, the story lags since it's all about the battles.

Would you be willing to try another book from S. M. Stirling? Why or why not?

I have listened to the first 5 books.

What about Todd McLaren’s performance did you like?

Great!

Did Dies the Fire inspire you to do anything?

no

Any additional comments?

It's sad, I just can't continue listening to find out how this series ends. Seems like the it's more about the length of the books and not the quality of the storyline. It's a generational series, the first generation was great, the second generation just has one battle after the other and the story moves so slowly.

A great book!!

Starting from the event called The Change through the first few years of post apocalypse recovery, this book is an amazing listen! It follows three separate groups as they figure out how to survive. I've read the series and now I'm happily starting to listen to them!

love it.

the first book sets up rhe tone for the 1st series nicely. as you continue the series it will continue to evolve and explain more of what is happening and why. I also recommend some of his other book series as they intertwine and explain more but don't physically touch each other.

Perennial favorite

I’ve listened to this book over and over. It’s one of my all time favorites.

First Rate--An Excellent Read

Warning: Once you start this series you will want to read on. Action packed and intelligently well written, this book (and the rest in the series) moves along at a good clip and left this reader satisfied with both the pace and the rich detail. And bravo to Todd McLaren, one of my favorite readers (only the man who read Altered Carbon so brilliantly could bring this violent saga to life so beautifully). Well worth your time and credits. Not for the overly squeamish or the too young however as there is a great deal of violent detail--which was completely appropriate for the premise of the story. Enjoy.

This Series

I loved almost every part of this whole series. A little graphic at times but the premis of the situation I found thrilling. I kept finding myself saying 'What would I do?, What would I take with me? If it were me I would...'. My son and I still have lengthy discussions about how we would handle each scenario. Highly recommended. Can't wait for the next one.

What happens when the lights go out!!

This a well written and well read story about a change in the way we would live if the toys were taken away. This a captivating read and made the family trip from Missouri to Utah fly by. It is a bit of the Renfest or D&D adventure but if the lights go out that is the path that you would travel down. Good strory and I hope Audible picks up the series.

Unusual for a post-apocalyptic novel.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The story is not realistic within its framework.

Would you recommend Dies the Fire to your friends? Why or why not?

No. I could not get emotionally involved with these characters.

Did Todd McLaren do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, he used different voices and some accents.

Was Dies the Fire worth the listening time?

It was not quite what I was looking for.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for a fantasy novel set in a middle-ages type setting, it is the book for you. If you are looking for post-apocalyptic, you would be well advised to look elsewhere.