Dies the Fire (Emberverse #1)
by S.M. Stirling
What is it about:
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.
What did I think of it:
This is a nice read.
I will confess I had lots of trouble with the world building and the way the story developed though.
The Change was a bit... convenient. Not only do all electric devices stop working, but somehow gunpowder and such obey to a complete different kind of laws than before the change. It sounded to me like an easy way to create the post apocalyptic world Stirling needed for his story instead of a believable occurrence.
And the people who survive and prosper were also not the people who would actually survive if an event like this would really happen. I can see why Stirling thinks so, but he really doesn't take human nature at its worst into account. The heroes in this book wouldn't stand a chance in my opinion. But maybe I'm too cynical.
All in all this is an entertaining read, but I just couldn't believe in the story and in the characters. If an event like described in this book really took place it wouldn't be a big Renaissance/Wiccan fest, it would be a whole lot more brutal and dark.
Why should you read it:
It's a nice post apocalyptic read.
