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 loved the performance.

I read this book when it first came out. I loved the story. The horrer of the dying times and the joy of the wicaning.

good story

Good story but not as immersive and quality of story as the island in the sea of time series from Sterling. Just seen Lake the timeline in story was rushed and happened so fast but still good story and will continue on to the next 2 books

Good Apocalypse Yarn

I was surprised when this turned out to be an end-of-the-world story--didn't get that from the book description. Lots of action and interesting concepts of what happens next. I got a little tired of the female protagonist, but the rest of the characters were great and the story moved right along.

Post-apocalyptic brain candy!

The first of the Emberverse books by S.M. Stirling.

I'd originally read this novel a few years ago, but I'm re-reading/listening to them not just because of the story, the quality of the books, but because I'm part of the team working on the Emberverse RPG and any review might well be considered biased.


I love the premise of the series, the way all tech, and explosives, cease to work in the blink of an eye. No one knows why this occurs, though there are several stories about Alien Space Bats - where characters discuss possible ideas behind the change and name the power behind it 'Alien Space Bats'.

Trying to survive in a world where everything you relied on suddenly stops working, is a challenge. Some make it, some devolve into cannibals, and others use it as a means to grab power.

If you enjoy post-apocalyptic settings this is a must. It's a well written series with engaging characters. The balance of personality types and the research that has obviously gone into the series, all combine to make the book shine.

Doomsday with a twist

Interesting how a simple thing like electricity being a memory, and gunpowder more of a slow burn powder, means either a new set of physics to make advancements or you just do without.
Thought provoking ideas and great narrative make this long story easy enough to get through.

one of the best

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

The detail Stirling goes into to write this series is astonishing. The way he creates the post change world is amazing, It makes you feel like you are there and it has happened.

A fun fiction

When I was able to suspended reality, this story was a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Here's hoping that someone else narrates the next book, though. Mr. McLaren did a wonderful job with the characters, but his interesting pronunciations made some sections almost intolerable.

A Good Start

Would you listen to Dies the Fire again? Why?

I might, to refresh my memory.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Juniper; she is intriguing.

What does Todd McLaren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Narrator relieves wordiness somewhat.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It could happen.

Any additional comments?

The premise is old, treatment well done.

A poorly hidden push for Wiccan

I couldn't finish it. 5 hours in and all I could pull from it was Wiccans are the only real intelligent and helpful people in the world. Everyone else is ignorant and violent. Every other sentence was blessed mother and such. It is shame that the author tried so hard to try and hide their push of the Wiccan religion in an interest concept of a storyline. Sorry, but if it hadn't been so very blatant at preaching Wiccan belief, it might have kept me interested. CANNOT recommend.

great book

I loved this book and greatly enjoyed the voices cast for the reading. kept me interested and emotionally attached to the main characters.